Yi Song

Chapter 144 Shuangshu talks about Erlang

In the back room of the Wuyuan Pavilion in the Governor's Office of Mingzhou, Zhao Wuniang was concentrating on painting, while Murong Jun stood beside him and watched.

"I also learned a new painting method from Mr. Zhengdao."

When Zhao Wuniang put down her pen, Murong Jun asked.

"Well, now I understand that Mr. Zhengdao's reputation is not in vain. His three-distance method, which is so close and thousands of miles away, and his wandering vision are truly unparalleled.

Once these key points are understood, the layout, balance, theme, and artistic conception of the entire painting will immediately reach a new level. "

"Mr. Zhengdao's paintings are unforgettable, and the more you look at them, the more fascinated you become. Especially the custom scenery paintings that he painted during his more than ten years of traveling around various places, which he refused to show off easily, give you a different feeling."

"Sister Thirteen, I have the same feeling, but I can't express it. Later, brother Erlang pointed out that the key to Mr. Zhengdao's paintings is 'not for one's own sake'. His paintings are as subtle as the Book of Songs. , happy but not lascivious, sad but not hurt.

The unremarkable characters and customs from various places quietly show the decline and turmoil of Fengheng and Henan in the Song Dynasty, forbearingly but without hesitation. The crisis of prosperity can be seen in every one of his paintings. "

"Ah, is it true? Why didn't I see it?"

"Brother Erlang gave a few examples, saying that in the east gate of Jinling City painted by Mr. Zhengdao, the guard soldiers were hiding in the corner to bask in the sun. Their guns were bald, their armor was broken, and their weapons were lax and broken.

The tax inspector was arrogant, and people entering the city lined up in a long line and were forced to pay the city tax. However, the dignitaries and scholars marched straight in without any hindrance. It is enough to show that the tax burden is uneven, the rich are not taxed, and the poor are taxed twice. "

"How can you see so many mysteries in one painting?" Murong Jun crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly, "How can his exquisite heart with seven orifices see so many things?"

"Erlang is astute and meticulous, and his intelligence is different from ordinary people. He can naturally see things that ordinary people can't see." Liu Baoxiang walked in quietly like a snowflake against the cold air outside.

"Xiang Lao is back."

"Yes, we finally selected a few good seedlings."

"Minister of Internal Affairs?" Murong Jun asked quickly.

Liu Baoxiang smiled and did not answer directly.

"I have stayed in the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a full sixty years. Well, that was the third year of Jiayou. The year before, Duke Di Xiangwu (Di Qing) died of illness, and Su Dongpo took the spring examination. The year after, Duke Jinggong wrote to the late Emperor Renmiao , "The Book of Confessions of Emperor Renzong".

I was still in the Puwang Palace at that time, and the late Emperor of the Temple was only eleven years old at the time. He couldn't put it down and couldn't put it down. The old slave also read it several times and still remembers a few sentences. 'An incompetent man will be rewarded with a fortune; a talented man will sit with his head in vain. '"

Having said this, Liu Baoxiang quickly handed over his hand, "Fifth sister, thirteenth sister, please forgive me. I am old, and I always like the past when I get old. It's just that I feel that what the late emperor of the temple wanted to do, Liu Baoxiang Erlang might be able to do it.”

"Is it true?" Murong Jun asked in surprise, "Thirteenth heard from the eldest lady (Meng's wife after Zhezong's dethronement) since she was a child that the emperor's father took it as his own duty to tell the story of the emperor's grandfather's legacy. He only regretted that the sky had no eyes and died young. If Liu Erlang can fulfill the last wishes of Grandpa Huang and Father Huang, it will be in vain for me."

Zhao Wuniang looked at Murong Jun and blinked her eyes, which were as watery as the eyes of the North Sea.

Liu Baoxiang glanced at Murong Jun, then at Zhao Wuniang, and said meaningfully: "It's just a matter of this world, one drink and one peck. To attack the Northern Liao Dynasty, destroy the Western Xia Dynasty, surpass the Han and Tang Dynasties, it takes a lot of effort to achieve this unparalleled achievement. price."

"It doesn't matter, no matter what the price, I'm willing to help Liu Erlang!" Murong Jun said generously.

Zhao Wuniang was much sharper and vaguely heard the meaning of Liu Baoxiang's words, but she didn't want to mention it. She just asked instead: "Mr. Xiang, are those people reliable?"

"They are all people who have been favored by the queen, fifth sister and me. They are smart, smart, tenacious and tolerant, and know how to repay kindness."

Murong Jun asked from the side: "Mr. Xiang, is Tan Zhen, who we are planning to form an alliance, reliable?"

"Unreliable." Liu Baoxiang replied decisively.

Murong Jun's expression changed, and Zhao Wuniang quickly pulled her under the table and swallowed back the words she was about to blurt out.

"Xiang Lao, then we still want to win over Tan Zhen?"

"I have also talked about this matter with Erlang, and also introduced him to Tan Zhen's origins. He comes from a good family, but his relatives were implicated in serious crimes and entered the palace. Wu Taijun Jiedushi, Li Zhongmin Gong (Li Xian) and Wang When Shao captured Hehuang, attacked Tubo and Klanzhou, and defeated the Hexi family in succession, Tong Guan was the subordinate of Xiaohuangmen, and Tan Zhen was the close attendant.

Tan Zhen and Tong Guan both came from Li Xian's sect, and both wanted to inherit the legacy of Duke Zhongmin. It's just that Tong Guan is cunning and good at guessing, and he quickly stands out. Tan Zhen was forced to live in the palace and was not allowed to express his ambition. After hearing this, Erlang said that this person was available. "

Zhao Wuniang immediately said: "Xiang Lao, are you saying that Tan Zhen has the idea of ​​replacing Tong Guan?"

"Yes. Erlang said in the secret letter that Zhu Meng's destruction is a foregone conclusion. He is thinking of ways to drag Cai Jing and Tong Guan into the water."

Murong Jun was a little puzzled, "I have also read Erlang's secret letter. Zhu Meng's case was a heinous crime and the evidence is conclusive. Cai Jing and Tong Guan were deeply involved in it. How could they escape their involvement?"

"Erlang made it very clear that all the evidence cannot be confirmed. Cai Jing and Tong Guan were personally involved. They were only indirectly involved. They are cunning by nature. They know that officials have soft ears and will think of old feelings and will try to get away.

For Cai Jing, the promotion of local Taoist temples was just a temporary hibernation. Once the anger in the official family has passed, they will soon be forgiven. The most important thing is that there is no one in the government who can help the officials manage their finances and make money. "Murong Jun nodded: "Erlang is right. There are still a few officials in the DPRK who have the ability to manage money. It’s just that no one wants to be like Cai Jing, who flatters everyone in everything, ignores natural principles, and abandons conscience.

The rest of the treacherous and sycophants are all good at fighting for favor and power. They really want to manage politics and finance, but they are unable to bear the heavy responsibility. Cai Jing resigned as prime minister three times, and his opponents tried every possible means to push him down. Within a few days, he hated the officials and stepped down in despair, watching Cai Jing's rise again. "

Zhao Wuniang said loudly, "Brother Erlang said that Taishi Cai has survived for more than ten years because he is good at amassing money. Although the officials are dissatisfied with his monopolizing the country and acting recklessly, they have to hold their noses and admit it.

In this way, if you want him to completely lose his heart as a king, you must find someone who can replace him. But where to find such a person? "

Yes, there have been few capable, talented but treacherous officials like Cai Jing for thousands of years. Where can I find a replacement now?

"So Liu Erlang decided to use his method."

"His method?" Murong Jun frowned.

Zhao Wuniang rested her right hand on the table, propped up her chin, and muttered: "Brother Erlang's method? He probably cuts through the mess with a sharp knife, using thunderous means and a thunderbolt strike."

At this point, Zhao Wuniang and Murong Jun looked at each other and realized it in unison.

"In this way, Tian Wenbao is very crucial."

"Yes, Zhu Meng is fire, and Tian Wenbao is fierce oil. The stronger the fire, the more likely it is that Cai Jing and Tong Guan will be burned."

Liu Baoxiang smiled particularly amiably and said, "Cai Jing must use fierce fire to invade and plunder like fire. Tong Guan is not in a hurry, but can plan for it slowly."

Seventy miles south of Nanjing, Gaoxin Town is located on the north bank of Huan River.

This place is completely different from the previous days. The town is full of people, and the outside of the town is densely packed with tents and shacks. In the wind and snow, the firelight danced, and it was difficult to see how many people there were.

On a hill in the distance, more than a dozen people were standing on horseback, looking towards Gaoxin Town.

On the second day after the wrangling meeting in Liushou Mansion, most of the personnel of the Control Department and Xiuhe Department retreated to Chenliu.

On the third day, Liu Guozhang took the staff of the Control Department and the men of the river guarding left camp. Instead of retreating to the west, he went straight to the south to observe the situation of Tian Wenbao's rebel army.

"The rebel army attacked Zhiqiao County in Bozhou Prefecture, and the two armies of Zhecheng City all returned defeated. Commander, it seems that the rebel army is not strong enough to fight."

Wang Xun said.

"The key is the lack of siege equipment. It's freezing cold now, and the rebel army has more than 100,000 people, so they eat a lot of food every day. Commander, if we hold on to Nanjing City, it only takes ten days for the rebel army to disperse on their own. ." Deputy envoy Zhang Xi said.

His voice was trembling, either from cold or fear.

Chu Linxuan and Kuang Yousheng both nodded in agreement, "We have the upper hand in the situation, so it is safer. The city of Nanjing has a high wall, there are two thousand people in the left guard of Bianhe River, and there are six or seven thousand other garrisoned forbidden troops. We will recruit some more from the countryside." There are 20,000 soldiers and archers. Guard the city and wait for the thieves to cause chaos."

Yuchi Jing and Li Shigui looked at each other and couldn't help but said: "Commander, the bandit army is all old, weak, sick and disabled, and their fighting strength is weak. Why not devise a plan to lure the enemy deeper, and then split up and attack together to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop. "

Liu Guozhang smiled and turned to ask Murong Yewang and Changsun Mo, "You two haven't spoken out yet. If you have any ideas, just say them."

King Murong Ye said: "If we think this way, the enemy will think the same way. It's not good for everyone to think about it together."

"What's wrong with going together?" Chu Linxuan, his brother-in-law, couldn't help but ask.

Changsun Mo replied from the side: "We thought about it together. In other words, we are following the enemy's guidance."

"How can Tian Wenbao be so powerful!"

Liu Guozhang raised his hand to stop the argument, "It's not Tian Wenbao, it's the person behind him."

At this time, Zhang Meng came over with two flag bearer cavalry.

"Controller, there is news from Nanjing that there are imperial pens and letters from Bianjing, and the commander is asked to go back quickly."

"We're finally here!" Liu Guozhang pointed at Wang Xun and Chang Sun Mo, "You lead two teams to stay and try to find out the situation of the rebels as clearly as possible. If you see anything wrong, run away, safety first."

"Yes."

"Let's go back to Nanjing City!"

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)