Chapter 145 Faction Position

The next day, it was Li Daozong's birthday. From early in the morning, there were indeed many officials from the four states who came from all directions to celebrate his birthday. There is an endless stream of carriages and horses. A rough estimate is that there are at least one hundred and eighty people. At the banquet at noon, there was a big circle from the main hall to the three floors outside the outside hall, which was really lively.

It is worth noting that all officials did not bring any gifts, which was obviously repeated by Li Daozong.

Qin Mubai and Chu Suiliang couldn't refuse. They were regarded as distinguished guests and sat at the table with Li Daozong, which was very eye-catching. The people here also know that Qin and Chu are close ministers of the emperor, and there is nothing to be jealous of receiving such courtesy. In addition, these local officials also want to make a good impression in front of the imperial envoys, and it would be great if they could make friends. There are people in the capital who are good at being officials, and everyone understands this truth.

A banquet lasted for a long time. Qin Mubai and Chu Suiliang were frequently toasted by officials, and they were already a little drunk. When the wine was half drunk, Li Daozong took a glass of wine and walked to the hall. Everyone thinks that he was going to persuade him to drink or drink again, so they got up and raised their glasses.

"I have been specially congratulated by all my colleagues. I am not very grateful." Li Daozong was very generous and said with a smile, "Actually, I know that there are many of my colleagues at this moment, wondering about a problem. That is, why I have repeatedly reiterated that I will not accept congratulatory gifts today. Everyone knows that I have nothing to love in my life, but I love money. And it is not for squandering or for enjoyment. It is specially reserved for children and grandchildren, so as to avoid that their children and grandchildren will not be good at managing well in the future and have no food and clothing on the street.

After listening to Li Daozong's opening remarks, everyone cheered up a little: it's time to get to the point. Next, what he wants to say is probably the theme of his birthday banquet today!

"A few days ago, I went to the capital and talked with His Majesty. After listening to the Holy One's teachings, I suddenly woke up." Li Daozong raised his glass and worshipped the north from afar and said, "The emperor said that the things outside the body of money will not bring life or death. What's the use of having money if your adopted son is better than me? What's the use of raising a child for money? - I was really enlightened at that time, and I understood this truth in an instant. Your Majesty is worthy of being a saint for thousands of years, and every casual word is straight to the point. Thinking about what I have done over the years, it is indeed pedantic and ridiculous. How well the emperor said that if my nephew is better than me, he can run his own family business, and it is not his turn to make a living by eating his ancestral business. If my descendants are all unworthy dans, he can also destroy his family, and he will also use his power to bully others and harm the people. Therefore, after gathering all my colleagues at today's birthday banquet, I announced that I decided to disperse all my family resources to help the flood victims in Jiangzhou. Instead of keeping these gold and silver to corrupt my children and grandchildren, it is better to donate them to do something for the community! What do you think?"

"Great kindness!" Suddenly, countless people clapped their hands, and a sound of praise for virtue sounded.

Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said nothing. He thought to his heart: Li Daozong did a good job in this show. It seems that he has had a good talk with the emperor. At least now he has neither been held accountable nor depressed, but has just made a makeover. It is indeed a very effective way to disperse all the family funds to help the victims. On the one is to show the emperor that he is no longer greedy for money in the future, and on the other is to make up for his achievements. After all, the case of Jiangzhou is more or less related to him. If it hadn't been for him helping Zhang Tianci and others to play the banner, how could they have acted so conveniently?

"The prince is so broad-minded, which is beyond the reach of people. Now we are all impressed by the disaster victims in Jiangzhou. Although the official position is low and the salary is not good, we are also willing to follow the example of the prince to do a little for the disaster victims of Jiangzhou!" Many people said in public when they saw the wind. Obviously, it was still discussed.

Many of the officials who came to the banquet today were close to Zhang Tianci, Cheng Songnian and others. Taking this opportunity to follow Li Daozong, the king of Jiangxia, to "wash your mind and change your face" and make up for your achievements, which is a smart move.

Qin Mubai gently picked up the corners of his mouth and smiled secretly in his heart: They are all old, treacherous and slippery guys. After the outbreak of the Jiangzhou case, the emperor adopted a palliative policy of "not blame" on the case, but some people were still worried that the emperor would write them up an account for liquidation in the future. With the handle in other people's hands, it is rare to sleep well that night. Now, you can repent with the king of Jiangxia. Some people just drift with the tide first, which is much more comfortable.

Li Daozong laughed and said, "I joined the army when I was more than ten years old. I killed people with countless blood. I have never saved anyone in my life. Do a good deed this time as an accumulation of yin virtue for your children and grandchildren! Colleagues, I don't want to lobby you to donate money together for disaster relief. Everyone is willing to do it!"

"I will obey you!" Everyone bowed together.

Qin Mubai and Chu Suiliang looked at each other and smiled. I didn't expect that a birthday banquet turned into a charity donation party.

"The existing imperial envoys who are presiding over the military and political affairs of Jiangzhou are here. It's better for all colleagues to write down the money they want to donate and hand them over to the two imperial envoys. Later, after returning home, you can send someone to Jiangzhou Prefecture. Li Daozong then invited Qin Mubai and Chu Suiliang out and introduced them to everyone in public.

Qin Mubai and Chu Sui knew in their conscience that today's birthday banquet was originally a political show of Li Daozong, and the two of them were specially invited to witness. Now it's better to be a kind person to help him complete this matter.

Therefore, Qin Mubai and Chu Suiliang praised Li Daozong once, and also accepted the "white note" written by many officials, which was a certificate for donating money, food and clothing.

The drunken man's intention is not to drink. Originally, everyone speculated about Li Daozong's intention to hold a birthday party, but now they finally understand. In the future, it is estimated that no one will send money and bribes to Li Daozong, because he has told the world that he is no longer greedy for money!

The purpose of Li Daozong has been achieved.

Qin Mubai also knows that he has finally completed the mission of this trip to Jiangzhou. This time, under the order, the ostensibly important task is to provide relief to the people, but secretly bear the important political mission given by the emperor - that is, the competition between the emperor and Li Daozong.

Now it seems that the ending is not bad. At least the emperor and Li Daozong did not tear their faces, and Li Daozong did not suffer much from this. In the future, he can still be his Taiping prince, still the respected founding father of the Tang Dynasty. The emperor also got benefits. At least knocking on the mountain and shocking the tiger completely suppressed Li Daozong, and he did not dare to do anything wrong in the future. Moreover, most of the officials and generals in the land of Jiang and the four prefectures of Jinpu have been pardoned by the emperor. From then on, they must be inspired by the emperor's prestige and the holy grace. They dare not pull the top of the mountain and form gangs as before, and become the end of a country.

This seems to be a happy situation.

There is only one person who can't be happy. That's Chen Yan.

After the banquet, Qin Mubai and Chu Suiliang, a pair of distinguished guests who were about to get drunk, were sent to the guest room to rest. Li Daozong still stayed in the front hall to greet his relatives and friends one by one.

Chen Yan did not attend the banquet. He sat in Qin Mubai's room and came back.

Qin Mubai just sat down at the table, and a bowl of sobering soup was handed to her hand, but Chen Yan was silent and seemed to be a little depressed.

"What's the matter, unhappy?" Qin Mubai took a sip of sobering soup and said, "I didn't see you at the birthday banquet just now. What are you thinking?"

"The people who go to the banquet are all officials and generals. What am I going to join in? Although I am the righteous daughter of King Jiangxia, there are not many people who know it, and neither the prince nor I have the intention to spread it. In the future, he will still be the prince, and I will still walk in my world. Chen Yan whispered indifferently.

Qin Mubai was silent for a moment and said, "Do you think of Zhu Chengwen?"

Chen Yan raised her eyelids slightly, sighed and nodded, "I'm thinking, if he is still alive at this moment, will he be at today's banquet? A huge storm of the undercurrent calmed down. Except for Zhang Tianci's culprits, it seemed that everyone was safe, but he was gone. If he is still alive, what kind of situation would it be if he could have an interview with the prince at this moment?

"The dead are dead. Don't think too much." Qin Mubai comforted him with a smile, "The emperor sent the imperial historian to thoroughly investigate the Jiangzhou case, found out the cause of Zhu Chengwen's death, erected an Ende monument for him in front of Jishan County, and posthumously named him a man of Jishan County, and his descendants were hereditary. From then on, his descendants can be taken care of by the imperial court and have no worries about food and clothing for a lifetime.

What's the use? Everyone is dead..." Chen Yan whispered, "If I can, I'm willing to exchange everything now for his life."

"Don't be silly. You forgot what you said earlier. Zhu Chengwen's death is not a relief for him. It's just that you see today's "everyone is happy" situation, and you feel a little worthless for his death, right? You think that we all benefited from his death, and he sacrificed for us, right? Qin Mubai said.

Chen Yan was slightly stunned and sighed, "You are smart and can see through other people's thoughts. Yes, I just think that Zhu Chengwen is a victim, which has brought peace to many people. In fact, many of the people who came to the banquet today are guilty, right? Why didn't they die, but Zhu Chengwen died... I couldn't figure it out, so I was depressed.

"There's nothing I can't figure out." Qin Mubai said, "There is no fairness in the world. The officialdom is different from the world. On the world, if you don't agree, you will get up with a knife, and the blood of kindness and hatred splashes five steps. There are too many confused things in the officialdom, which touches the whole body. Killing an official will involve three or five people. Kill these three or five officials, and there are more... All the officials have been killed. Who will help govern the people?"

"Those faint officials, corrupt officials, evil officials, just kill them!" Chen Yan scolded in a low voice.

"The people who are officials are often quite complicated. They can't be judged by simple and absolute good officials or bad officials." Qin Mubai said, "It is a metaphor for the king of Jiangxia. He has been famous and meritorious, but he also has the bad problem of being greedy for money and accepting bribes. Is it because you judge him as a corrupt official?

"..." Chen Yan was silent and speechless. After a while, she said, "I really don't understand about the officialdom. Regarding Zhu Chengwen, I just can't untie my heart for a moment, and I will be fine in a few days. You don't have to say more."

"Okay..." Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "Relaxing. If you wish Cheng Wenquan to know, I will definitely hope you live a happy life and don't worry too much about his departure. Didn't you say a word? If you really like a person, you don't have to have him. It's enough to make him live a better life. I think Zhu Chengwen thinks the same way, right?

"Okay... I know." Chen Yan nodded gently, and a smile finally appeared on her face.

At this moment, the door was knocked.

"Is General Qin asleep?" It's the voice of Li Daozong.

Qin Mubai hurried forward to open the door. Li Daozong looked at the room and smiled, "It seems that I'm bothering you. OK, I'll go. I'll come back later."

"Your Highness, don't go." Chen Yan hurried forward and stopped him. "I'm fine. I'll go back to my room to rest first. You can talk." After saying that, he turned his head and left.

"Ha ha..." Li Daozong looked at Chen Yan's back and smiled deeply.

Qin Mubai invited him into the room to pour tea and said, "The prince is busy. Why do you condescend to see him?"

"I'm not busy! At the end of the banquet, the guests have left. Li Daozong sat down with a golden knife. A pair of tiger eyes looked up and down at Qin Mubai and laughed, "I just saw you clearly from head to toe. Yes, he is indeed a romantic and handsome man. No wonder he is so popular with women."

"Your Highness, don't make fun of me." Qin Mubai said with an awkward smile.

"Haha, what's the joke? I was the same as you when I was young!" Li Daozong laughed and said, "There's nothing wrong with people who are not romantic. In fact, women are also lustful. Which one doesn't like handsome men, which one doesn't like handsome boys, and which one doesn't like famous heroes. A man has worked hard all his life to make contributions. He is said that it is for the sake of the people, and he is just thinking about wine, sex and wealth in his heart.

"Haha! The prince is really a straightforward person, and he is telling the big truth. Qin Mubai laughed and said, "The sages all sneer at wine, sex and wealth, but they themselves don't like it. It's hard to walk without money. Everyone loves beauty. It's just nature.

"Haha, well said!" Li Daozong stroked his palm and laughed, "As soon as I saw you, I knew that I could agree with you. Because we are all real people, and we don't like those hypocritical politeness! - I don't like Chu Suiliang very much. This talented person from a scholarly family is elegant but not straightforward enough. When his mind is too heavy, he is thinking about it. Qin Mubai, let me ask you, the last time you came to my house to report to me, did you mean it or Li Ke?

Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "I think Chen Yan should have told the prince."

"No, she didn't say anything." Li Daozong said, "I didn't ask her. I'm just waiting for you to tell me in person."

"That can only be said that it is not only the meaning of the king of Wu, but also the meaning of the following. I coincided with the King of Wu. Qin Mubai said truthfully.

Li Daozong stared straight into Qin Mubai's eyes with a pair of bright eyes. At this time, he laughed and said, "I believe you didn't lie! If I had known this, I would not have been so rude to you that day and kicked you away. At that time, I was worried that you came to test my details, or that you and Li Ke did not agree with each other. Therefore, I deliberately prevaricate you, so that you won't find it difficult for you to reply in front of Li Ke and betray the secret.

"The prince is well-intentioned, and I understand." Qin Mubai smiled with his hands.

"I also know that you are a broad-minded person and won't care about me." Li Daozong smiled and said, "In fact, I have been friends with your father. In the early years, when they fought in the south and the north, they also bathed their blood side by side. It's just that over the years, we have parted ways for various reasons, so we don't have much contact. I didn't expect that Shubao gave birth to such a smart son as you, which is really a blessing for the Qin family!"

"The prince is overreputed!" Qin Mubai said with a smile.

"This time I can be safe, thanks to you." Li Daozong nodded sincerely and smiled, "I love and hate Ming all my life. If there is kindness, I will repay and revenge. If I owe you, I must repay it. On that day, Chu Suiliang was present, and I didn't say much. It's just a simple mention of recommending you to enter Li Jing's door, which also means to test Chu Suiliang's style of mouth. At that time, he didn't say much, but I could see that he was not very in favor of it. Although he is just a small Qijulang, he is a close minister of the emperor, and many of his words and deeds are consistent with the emperor. Therefore, I think that if I really want to recommend you to Li Jing, I have to pass the emperor's test first. I don't know what you think?"

Qin Mubai frowned gently and said seriously, "To tell you the truth, I have always been very much for Li Jing's military tactics after listening to the teachings of the Meng family's father. If you can worship him and learn one or two things, you can fulfill your long-cherished wish in your life. It's just... If there is any inconvenience, the prince doesn't have to mention it. I don't remember when and where I gave the prince any kindness, and there is no way to mention the words of repaying kindness!"

"Haha, don't forget to repay kindness, good virtue!" Li Daozong laughed and said, "I never promise anything to others easily, but as long as I open my mouth, I will definitely do my best. Now that I know what you mean, you can rest assured to fulfill your promise. Now I want to tell you that after returning to the court, you can be a good official and don't let the emperor alienate you. That's all. As for the matter of worshipping Li Jing, it's up to the king!"

"Thank you, Prince!" Qin Mubai bowed gratefully.

"There is no need to thank you. In fact, if you can worship Li Jing, it will be beneficial to the public and private king. There is no need to hide this from you." Li Daozong smiled meaningfully and said, "At first, I think that you are a talent that can be carved. If you can become a tool, the Tang Dynasty will have one more general in the future, and I will also have a fellow who can fight side by side. Isn't it a good thing? Secondly, in the past few years, the world has gradually become peaceful. In the past, some founding fathers who were in the Ding Dynasty because of their military achievements have a tendency to be gradually forgotten, leaving only the civilian officials of Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling frequently. If the country does not focus on martial arts, it is bound to decline. It's time to train more generals for the Tang Dynasty. Nowadays, among the younger generation of generals, almost nothing particularly outstanding has been found. It's still the people who used to call back and there. If we all make it ancient times, what will happen to the Tang Dynasty?

"The prince's words are bad!" Qin Mubai said, "I said, "Your Majesty, you are only 40 years old this year; Li Maogong and others are also in their prime!"

"You are only in your early twenties. Can we live beyond you?" Li Daozong said and smiled, "Actually, what I mean is that the Tang Dynasty has a little bit of literary prosperity and martial arts nowadays, and it is necessary to increase strength in the military, especially a rising star like you. Have you ever understood what I meant?"

"I understand." Qin Mubai nodded and said secretly in his heart: It turned out that Li Daozong meant that the general camp was slightly weak, and the power of the court was basically in the hands of Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling and others. The uneven strength of literature and martial arts is indeed not a good thing. He is clearly pretending that he wants to cage me and join his camp!

Join me and join me. I was born as a general, but now I'm also a veteran. In addition, I have had more or less festivals with Fang Yuai and Changsun Chong, so it is unlikely that I can get along well with Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling. Sooner or later, you will have to stand in the queue. It is not realistic to want to step on two boats with exquisite feet. At that time, only the two factions will reject me, a guy who is not firm.

Instead of this, I might as well choose the military!

Because I'm definitely not as good as the eldest grandson Wuji who has been immersed for most of my life. With such a natural advantage as my father, I was born in martial arts, and now I have the introduction of Li Daozong - unless my brain is broken, I will choose to be a careful civil servant who fights with people all day long!

[Two chapters and one chapter today]