Chapter 351 Secret Meeting with Mrs. Xiao
"Have you thought of anything?"
In the Xiuwen Hall, Mochou came over at some point and sat next to Zhao Duan, staring at him and asking curiously.
Zhao Duan pulled his thoughts out of his distraction, subconsciously closed the documents in his hands, and said in surprise: "Why are you coming over here?"
Mochou said confidently: "I'm not good at this, so I can't help."
Although she attended classes in the palace hall with the third princess, the knowledge of sages was of little use to her, and she only had a rough understanding of it, which she returned to the teacher this morning.
"Oh, what a coincidence, I'm not good at it either."
Zhao Duan smiled and pointed at the information with his finger and said:
"What Mr. Zhengyang said seems to make sense. There are various references to scriptures."
Mochou breathed out, pressed her fingers on the "plum blossom makeup" between her eyebrows, and sighed:
"How else can we be respected as the next generation of literary saints? Do you have any thoughts on this?"
As a female prime minister who has repeatedly looked down on Zhao Duan and been slapped in the face many times, she has a bit of metaphysical superstition about Zhao Duan's abilities.
Although her reason told her that the "love rival" in front of her in this field could not achieve anything, but...
"No." Zhao Duan shook his head frankly, threw the information on the table, and said with a smile: "This is not what I am good at."
After hesitation, he did not choose to put forward the idea on the spot.
Because from Zhengyang's theory, although he glimpsed some interesting and arguable points, Zhao Duan was not sure.
In the final analysis, no matter in his past life or this life, he was not good at academic research.
In his limited memory that belonged to the original owner, scholars in the Yu Dynasty had a complete set of procedures for "debating knowledge", which was like quoting legal provisions.
Moreover, although he has made some breakthroughs, it is still unclear how effective he will be.
Therefore, when it comes to the study itself, it is safer to leave it to the expert Dong Taishi.
As for providing ideas to Taishi Dong, Zhao Duan was very cautious about this, because Taishi Dong and Zhengyang actually had no major academic differences and were both similar to the Confucian school of Neo-Confucianism.
It's just that after the empress ascended the throne, Grand Master Dong made a mistake at the academic level in order to find legitimacy for the empress' regime.
What Zhengyang wants to do is to straighten his crooked ass...
And Zhao Duan was worried that the theory that favored the mind... well, he was worried that if he said it now, it would have no effect on Zhengyang, but it might directly destroy Taishi Dong's Taoist heart...
If you kill yourself first before killing the enemy, then you are done for.
Therefore, to be on the safe side, he planned to go back and collect more information to gain a fuller understanding.
And try to find an opportunity, before "discussing studies", whether you can quietly use your yin and yang to snipe the opponent in advance.
In this way, even if the Confucian mind science he masters cannot defeat Zhengyang, he can still shake the opponent's Taoist mind and increase Dong Xuan's chances of winning.
Well, it's similar to trying to get your opponent's mentality before a sports event. It's very destructive.
But in the face of the enemy, there is no harm in being underhanded.
"Is that so?" Mochou was a little disappointed. She glanced at the armor on his body and said curiously:
"Are you from the Shenji Camp?"
Zhao Duan said "Oh" and briefly recounted the story of how Prince Heng got into trouble.
Mochou's face changed, and he frowned: "It seems that King Heng is also very restless."
"Yes," Zhao Duan sighed and pointedly said, "As soon as the frost passes, the cold winter will not be far away."
Mo Chou thought for a moment and said:
"You said he drove the female head of the East Lake family like a slave? After that Madam Xiao entered the city, she was inquiring about the opening of the market and the appointment of imperial merchants. As far as I know, she had already visited officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Rites. Find out."
Da Bingtuozi seemed to have figured out some of Xu Zudi's intentions.
Zhao Duan said calmly:
"I have sent people to investigate. I have a hunch that this matter is not over. By the way, I almost forgot. Xue Shence told me that he heard that Zhao Shixiong and King Mu of Yunfu Road are also very close. Does your Majesty know? ?”
Mochou looked solemn, looked at him deeply, and said:
"It's true."
Zhao Duan, who had completed the task of passing the microphone, sighed:
"It's a cool autumn day."
…
After sitting in the Xiuwen Hall for more than an hour, Zhao Duan learned more about his opponent's situation through conversations with the scholars.
Then he got up to say goodbye and went back to Zhao Yamen to deal with the follow-up of the morning's matter. When he arrived, he learned that Hou Renmeng and others had already taken action in advance and formulated the rules to rectify the discipline.
Zhao Duan followed suit and summoned many people from Lihua Hall to speak.
Although it is impossible to put an end to it all at once and make the military more disciplined, it can at least make a start. In the next period of time, these thorny gangs will be restrained and behaved.
At the same time, Zhao Duan also obtained the information investigated by his subordinates:
When Mrs. Xiao and her party were about to leave the realm of Qingzhou Dao, they were intercepted by the prince who was also on his way to the capital for some fun.
"Is the investigation so fast? Is it reliable?" Zhao Duan was confused.
Hou Renmeng said seriously: "It's a servant of the female head of the Xiao family. She said it to the clerk of the Xiao family's shop in the city."
Zhao Duan felt that things were getting more interesting.
As the evening approached, Zhao Duan returned home and deliberately changed his way home to a street where more scholars focused his attention.
As expected, I heard many people talking about the study in the next five days.
The duel between two great literary figures from the north and the south was a sensational event that attracted the whole city. Visible to the naked eye, the number of scholars gathering on both sides of the street has increased a lot.
"Sir, I heard that many students from academies outside the city have abandoned their studies and come back to join in the fun. The Imperial College is even more chaotic, and they seem to be divided into two groups quarreling." Xiao Wang, the coachman, said with emotion.
Zhao Duan sighed: "It seems that there are still many elm-headed people in the city who are stupid because of reading, and they are opposed to His Majesty in their hearts."
Xiao Wang didn't dare to say anything.
Zhao Duan said quietly:
"Tell the people below tomorrow and secretly record which scholars have been making fun and shouting for the Zhengyang School in the past few days. These are all factors of restlessness. Alas, you or these scholars are just memorizing by rote. The stupid ones are just Is it still too smart to stick to book dogma?”
Xiao Wang thought for a while and said:
"Maybe it's because I wasn't promoted by His Majesty, got an official position, or got any benefits, so I'm aggrieved."
Zhao Duan glanced at the coachman in surprise and sighed:
"Throughout the dynasties, there is no exception. Who can say that it is not the case?"
The carriage drove through the busy city, crossed the streets, and arrived outside the Zhao mansion.
The servants who heard the commotion opened the door to greet them.
Zhao Duan stepped into the courtyard and saw Eugene Hua coming up to him. While removing his armor, he said:
"Someone just sent a letter."
"Which family's invitation is there?" Zhao Duan stood in the hall, arms spread out, eyes closed, enjoying his aunt's removal of armor.
Eugene Flower hesitated and said:
"It's not an invitation. It's mysterious. I don't think it's simple. It's an invitation to meet you tomorrow. It's signed with a woman's name, Xiao Dong'er."
Zhao Duan suddenly opened his eyes.
Mrs. Xiao?
Invite yourself to meet?
…
That night, the most heated topic in the city was naturally not the Meiyuan theory between Mr. Zhengyang and Taishi Dong.
Zhao Duan knew that this was just the beginning. The next few days were not only time for Dong Xuan to prepare, but also time for the news to spread and the topic to ferment.
The next morning.
Zhao Duan first went to Lihuatang to handle official business as usual. Around noon, he changed into ordinary casual clothes and found a restaurant for dinner.
Then, he estimated the time, changed his appearance with a disguise mask, and quietly merged into the crowd.
Finally, he appeared in a certain private house, walked along the alley for a while, and arrived outside a certain house with a "Cha Rong Xiao Zhai" plaque hanging on the lintel.
Knocking on the metal door knocker, a boy opened the door.
Zhao Duan reported Mrs. Xiao's name, and the latter immediately welcomed him in.
The courtyard of the house is quite elegant, similar to the "Qinglian Xiaozhu" where Zhao Duan went to deal with Zhang Changji.
But it's not a flesh-and-blood business, but a more serious type of private house specially used for gatherings of friends.
Many people who don't want to go to restaurants and teahouses will choose this type of private house gathering.
The main focus of this "Cha Rong Xiaozhai" is "cooking tea around the stove".
After Zhao Duan entered, he found that he was the only guest here today. The owner of the room seemed to have been warned a long time ago, and he led Zhao Duan to a bamboo sliding door-style house without saying anything unnecessary.
Passing through the house, there is a clay stove in the exquisite courtyard, which is covered with iron mesh. It can be used to make tea and bake many foods.
Zhao Duan waved his hand and declined the people here's offer to help him bake. After driving them away, he took off his disguise mask and returned to his original appearance.
Then he took matters into his own hands and picked up rice cakes, cut oranges, persimmon cakes and other foods with great interest, and baked them on the stove.
In the coldness of late autumn, it is indeed a leisurely and elegant enjoyment.
After about a cup of tea, he heard footsteps approaching.
A figure wrapped in a black cloak, Nana, walked in alone.
"Mrs. Xiao is looking for a good place, but since it is an invitation, she actually asks the guests to wait first. Isn't it the way of hospitality in East Lake?"
Zhao Duan didn't even bother to raise his eyelids, he still held the iron fork with both hands, roasting oranges with great interest.
The cloaked man walked closer to the empty chair.
The delicate and well-maintained hands popped out of the sleeves and took off the cloak, revealing the woman's smooth forehead and cheeks.
Xiao Donger is still wearing the dark horse-faced skirt underneath, but the pattern has been changed to make it more formal.
The appearance at this moment is completely different from the appearance of the noble vase and the girl playing the piano yesterday.
He bowed his head and apologized:
"It's very rude of me as a widow. I take the liberty of asking you to come in person. It's really difficult to get away. Please forgive me."
Zhao Duan took back the iron fork, stuffed the roasted hot orange segment into his mouth, chewed it slowly, closed his eyes and tasted the taste on his lower lips and teeth, and then said casually:
"Sit down, I don't like talking with my head raised."
Mrs. Xiao twisted her round hips and slowly sat down, with bright eyes on her face that showed peace and prosperity for the country and the people.
He reached out to pick up the boiling teapot, poured him tea, and said apologetically:
"The widow doesn't dare to hope that the Lord will actually go to the appointment. I met her for the first time yesterday and I felt offended. Really..."
Zhao Duan threw the warm iron fork on the stove, raised his eyelids, and finally looked at the female head of the East Lake family, half-smiling but not smiling:
"The word "widow" sounds harsh to me. It has been said since ancient times that there are many disputes in front of widows. I don't want to cause trouble. Let's change the name."
(End of chapter)