Liaozhai Great Sage

Chapter 321
Chapter Three Hundred and Nineteen
The previous quiz was nothing more than Fu Tianchou's temptation to Li Xiuyuan. It was not only to test his temperament, talent and learning, but also to force him to make political enemies.

Fu Tianchou didn't want such a person capable of governing the country to be stained by the filth in the court and become a part of the corrupt officials. The current situation is turbulent and the government and the public are unstable. He is alone in the court. Therefore, he urgently hopes to find a younger generation who can inherit his ambition, continue to serve the court, and benefit the people.

But he has been searching for several years but has not found such a talent.

To put it bluntly, the current court has been rotten from top to bottom.

The present-day sage believes in Buddhism and Taoism. He practiced Taoism secretly all day without asking about government affairs. He even asked a monk who practiced Buddhism about state affairs, and even appointed that monk as a national teacher to manage the government affairs.

Isn't this a joke?

A monk who recites scriptures and worships Buddha actually has the right to be a prime minister.

What annoyed Fu Tianchou even more was that the national teacher knew how to collect money and build the golden body of the Lord Buddha, so that it would be effective. The magistrates and county magistrates all collected gold and silver for the national teacher. Money and food have to be raised by themselves.

"My lord loves talents, why don't you accept Li Xiuyuan as a student?" The civil official surnamed Duan couldn't help but come up with an idea when he saw Fu Tianchou's thoughtful look.

Fu Tianchou came back to his senses, shook his head and said: "I have many political opponents above the imperial court, if you let him worship me as a teacher, it will undoubtedly harm him, so I can only stand up and recommend it, don't act too hastily, to be honest, this official It’s his blessing to come here for disaster relief this time, if he hadn’t quelled the plague, I’m afraid the whole south of the Yangtze River would be in turmoil, and when I return to Beijing, I will inevitably be dismissed and questioned.”

Speaking of this, he felt a little rejoiced in his heart.

The most troublesome problem was solved by Li Xiuyuan, and the remaining bits and pieces are naturally easy to deal with.

It can be said that this time, I planned to risk my life to relieve the disaster for the court, but I didn't know that it was a blessing in disguise and made a great contribution for no reason.

With this credit, even after returning to Beijing, he is not afraid of criticism from those political opponents.

"Qingfeng, Yuechi, what kind of status have you become just now? As daughters, you don't stay at home, but ride horses and play all day long. Relying on your meager martial arts skills, you even dare to beat scholars. Do you know that you have no official status? It's against the law to become a scholar without fame? I really regret that my father let you learn martial arts." Fu Tianchou said sullenly again.

"Father, my daughter knows her mistake, please don't be angry, father." Fu Qingfeng said with his head down.

Fu Yuechi next to him said, "Father, it's none of my sister's business. It's me who did something to that scholar. One person does things and one person takes charge."

Fu Tianchou said angrily again: "Still one person does the work and the other person is responsible? Don't you know whether to raise or not to teach? Is it the father's fault? You have done wrong things, and the father is also disgraced. Go back and reflect on yourself, and then go back to Beijing by yourself next time go."

After speaking, he pointed to the guards and said: "And you, what were you doing just now? Those who drew their swords in front of the yamen wanted to rebel? How decent are you all?"

The guards immediately knelt down and admitted their mistake.

But one of the guards at the head said: "Reporting to the master, the young one really should not draw a sword in front of the yamen, but the young one has one thing to report to the master."

"What is it?" Fu Tianchou asked.

"Although the scholar surnamed Li just now is a scholar, he has extraordinary martial arts. Master, do you see the broken horsewhip on the ground?" The guard picked up the broken horsewhip and held it in front of Fu Tianchou.

Fu Tianchou glanced at it and said: "Xiao Liu, if you have something to say, speak up, I don't know much about martial arts."

Although he is the Minister of the Ministry of War, he is also a civil servant.

The guard named Xiao Liu said: "Go back to the master, just now the second lady swung the horsewhip and before she hit the scholar, she was chopped off with her bare hands."

"Cut off the whip with bare hands?" Fu Tianchou frowned immediately.

Although he didn't know martial arts, he was not brainless, and immediately understood the importance of Xiao Liu's words.

The tenacity of the horsewhip is so strong that even ten strong men can't stop pulling it, but one person can break it with bare hands, which is enough to show its unusualness.

"It is indeed something that very people can do. I remember that a thousand households in the capital once split a frenzied horse with a waist knife and cut the horse in two. At that time, I was amazed. The waist knife was only a few feet away. Long, how can you split a healthy horse? Later you said that a person who practiced martial arts can have such an ability, could it be that Li Xiuyuan is also a person who practiced martial arts?" Fu Tianchou asked.

Xiao Liu hurriedly said: "What the master said is very true, that scholar is a martial arts practitioner, and his martial arts are very high, no worse than that Zuo Qianhu. At that time, the young man was afraid that he was here to assassinate the lady and the master, so it was only for a while. act recklessly."

"If that's the case, it's understandable."

Fu Tianchou nodded, but immediately frowned: "But how can a scholar have such strong martial arts? And he also knows very well about ghosts and gods."

"That's right, father, just now that scholar said that Miss looks like a female ghost named Nie Xiaoqian." Fu Yuechi next to him hurriedly said.

"Don't talk nonsense, that young master just admitted the wrong person for a while, didn't he apologize." Fu Qingfeng pulled his sister and gave her a look.

Fu Tianchou pondered for a moment: "Find an opportunity to check him. This person is young, has extraordinary knowledge, and the ability to govern a party, and even more outstanding poetry, and such a strong martial arts. I'm afraid it's not an ordinary person, could it be a strange person?"

The so-called aliens allude to demons, ghosts, Taoists and monks, people with extraordinary abilities.

It is not a good thing for such people to mix into the court.

"Yes, master." The guard named Xiao Liu responded.

"Wen Ruo, you should also look up this Li Xiuyuan to see if there is any problem with his household registration." Fu Tianchou said.

The literary official surnamed Duan next to him also bowed his hands in response.

Li Xiuyuan didn't know that he had not only offended several officials by walking through the yamen, but was also targeted by Fu Tianchou, the Minister of War, who wanted to investigate him.

If he knew that there would be such a thing, he would not go to the Yamen today anyway.

"Fu Qingfeng? Nie Xiaoqian? Interesting, it seems that the world is full of wonders, and one person and one ghost have the same appearance." On the way, Li Xiuyuan smiled and shook his head.

"Young master, you seem to have forgotten a very important thing. You haven't gone to the yamen to file and receive the scholar's document." Ma Dong reminded on the road.

Li Xiuyuan suddenly said: "Yes, I actually forgot about this matter."

But after looking at the sky, he had no choice but to give up: "It's getting late now, tomorrow, let's go back to the house today, and there is something that needs you to go."

"I also ask the young master to order."

Li Xiuyuan said: "I guess I will stay in Jinling City for a while. The imperial court will open Enke at the beginning of spring. I have to stay in Jinling City to study hard in the past few months. You can ask Shunfeng to come and help me." Bring the books and supplies from Jinling City, and write a letter to my father for me, explaining the situation here so that he won't worry."

"Yes, the little one will do it tomorrow." Ma Dong said.

Back to the mansion.

Li Xiuyuan looked up at the empty plaque in front of the mansion, and then said: "Niu Er, go back and find a craftsman to replace a pair of plaques."

"Master has returned to the mansion?" At this time, the gate of the mansion opened without wind, and a middle-aged man in a purple robe with a beardless face waited for Li Xiuyuan's arrival with a kind smile on his face.

He is different from ordinary housekeepers, holding a paper umbrella to cover the afterglow, his body is somewhat illusory, not as real as a living person.

"So it's Li Linfu, why are you here?" Li Xiuyuan asked.

Li Linfu said with a smile: "Isn't the little ghost the master's housekeeper? Naturally, he is here to wait for the master to return home."

Li Xiuyuan said: "Your status as the prime minister of the previous dynasty should be more useful to be my housekeeper, instead of waiting here to open the door to welcome guests. In addition, you don't need to call me master, just call me Mr. Li."

After speaking, he saluted Li Linfu.

Although Li Linfu has taken refuge in him, Li Xiuyuan still feels the need to respect one or two.

The old ghost with the talent of a prime minister can't be found even with a lantern. Li Xiuyuan felt that it was necessary to pay attention to it.

He believed that this Li Linfu was more valuable than any of his subordinates, it was just that the long-bearded ghost king let him guard the house because he didn't reuse it.

"Yes, the little devil has seen the young master." Li Linfu saluted respectfully again.

Li Xiuyuan smiled and said: "It is said that the prime minister's belly can hold a boat, and it is true. You don't need to be so respectful. While I will help you eliminate your injustice, you should also help me. This is a matter of mutual benefit."

Even so, Li Linfu's respectful look remained undiminished.

Li Xiuyuan also had to secretly praise Li Linfu's prudence. With such a character, he can mix well in any court. It's no wonder that he has been in peace with the long-bearded ghost king for so long.

"It just so happens that I encountered something today and I need you, the prime minister, to refer to it." Li Xiuyuan said as he walked, and at the same time described what happened in the yamen today.

Li Linfu squinted his eyes when he heard the words and said, "That Minister of War, Fu Tianchou, has the heart to subdue you."

"I can feel this, otherwise Fu Tianchou would not have said in person the idea of ​​recommending me as an official, but I think there is something hidden in it, otherwise he would not have done some meaningless things, such as letting Several officials tested my talent, poetry and prose." Li Xiuyuan said.

Li Linfu said again: "Although the young master is young, he is also flexible in mind. He has already realized something is wrong, so the kid dared to point out Fu Tianchou's intentions. Before that, let me ask why the court sent a The Minister of the Ministry of War came here to help the disaster?"

Li Xiuyuan said: "There is a military camp outside Jinling City. I am afraid that the epidemic will spread to the military camp and cause turmoil. I think it is for the Minister of the Ministry of War to stabilize the situation here."

"This is one of them. It's rare for a young master to think of it as a scholar. If you dare to ask me again, besides Fu Tianchou, are there any other high officials in the court?"

Li Linfu said: "Generally, the imperial court will send two officials for disaster relief. One is a capable minister, who has the ability to relieve disasters and calm the people. He will do the hard work, and the other is a favored minister. If the disaster relief is meritorious, the credit will be given to this favored minister." Yes, and the position of favored minister is usually an important position that various factions in the imperial court compete for. If disaster relief fails and disaster occurs, the favored minister will be fine, and the capable minister will be beheaded."

"Fu Tianchou, the servant of the Ministry of War, is the only one in this disaster relief." Li Xiuyuan thought about it for a while, and said seriously.

Li Linfu said: "The young master must not get too close to this Fu Tianchou."

"Why?" Li Xiuyuan asked.

"Because this Fu Tianchou is the object of the imperial court's ostracism, and he is an abandoned son. This time, someone used this disaster relief to dismiss Fu Tianchou. The kid thinks that if the son hadn't quelled the disaster in Guo Beicheng this time, he would have pacified it again. Plague, then Fu Tianchou will definitely be dismissed from office. Of course, dismissal is only the best situation. If the opponent is more ruthless, it may not be impossible to behead him. If the young master relies on Fu Tianchou too close, he may be affected , even if the young master wins the first prize, I am afraid that he can only be sent far away, and it will be difficult for him to be a magistrate of a county." Li Linfu said.

Hearing this, Li Xiuyuan frowned deeply: "You mean that the imperial court asked Fu Tianchou to come to the disaster relief alone, just to accuse him of crimes? But now the disaster relief has been completed, wouldn't it be a reversal of the situation. "

Li Linfu shook his head and said: "In this way, we have to stay away from the Minister of the Ministry of War even more, because he has taken this credit, and the threat to some political opponents is getting bigger and bigger. The fact that he can come here alone means that he has no help in the court. If such a lonely minister meets Emperor Taizong, he will naturally have no worries, but the current emperor must be well known."

Emperor Taizong refers to Li Shimin of the previous dynasty.

"Furthermore, this Fu Tianchou is plotting against you, Young Master. He asked the officials to question you just to make you offend those officials. Even if you don't offend them, he still wants to let those officials know that you are the talent he likes, so that Young Master can be like him. Being squeezed out by officials, being a lonely minister, the so-called recommendation is even more harmful to the son. Once your name is reported, the future will attract the hostility of a group of political opponents before they arrive in the capital, because they all know that you are the master. People from the faction of Tianqiu will not be accepted even if the young master wants to take refuge in one side." Li Linfu said again.

Li Xiuyuan fell silent immediately after listening.

I just walked into the yamen, and there are so many dangers hidden behind it.

If it hadn't been pointed out by Li Linfu, and I followed Fu Tianchou's wishes to pass the imperial examination next year, go to Beijing to rush for the exam, and be recommended by him, I am afraid that I will die in the future without knowing how to die.

Sure enough, none of these officials is a simple thing, killing people without blood.

"I have entered the game today, how can I break this game?" Li Xiuyuan said.

He has his own ideals and ambitions, how could he be restrained by Fu Tianchou.

Li Linfu squinted his eyes and stroked his beard, but he didn't have a beard on his chin: "It's not difficult to break the situation. A paper pleading is enough. On the day you enter Beijing, you can write a pleading paper and go to the Yamen to sue Fu Tianchou for disaster relief." No merit, etc., just collect a few small crimes at will. At that time, the ministers of the court will take the opportunity to depose Fu Tianchou. You can also follow this breeze and make your official career smooth in the future. Well, that's very good ,Very good."

"." Li Xiuyuan looked at Li Linfu with a strange expression.

The feeling is to stab Fu Tianchou in the back, stepping on his dead body to rise up.

Now he knows why Li Linfu has the title of "Hot Belly Sword". Sure enough, this ability to harm people is not just bragging.

"Is this move a bit insidious?"

Li Linfu was stunned for a moment: "Young Master, why do you ask? Is this insidious? This is just a normal opportunity to take the position, and you are also helping Fu Tianqiu, Young Master. The few small crimes you snare are not enough to make Fu Tian Qiu beheaded, even if someone with a heart contributes to the flames, he can only be dismissed from office, after all, he still has credit for disaster relief, it is better than being calculated to destroy his family in the future."

"What you said seems to make sense." Li Xiuyuan rubbed his chin and thought about it.

If the situation is really as Li Linfu speculates, it would indeed be a good thing for Fu Tianchou to be dismissed from office.

This is a curve saver.

If he can take the opportunity to take the position, Fu Tianchou will not be killed in the future, it's the best of both worlds.

"Forget it, let's talk about it in the capital. Anyway, there is still a year." Li Xiuyuan thought for a while, and felt that he was almost tempted by Li Linfu.

This old ghost is really powerful, and he is Qu Cai as a housekeeper here.

Li Linfu said with a chuckle: "Young master knows it well, so the kid will stop nagging."

Stop as soon as you click, close when you see it, and keep a sense of proportion.

It is said that Li Xiuyuan is far away, that is, no one will feel disgusted with Li Linfu, but will trust him more and more.

He really deserves to be a person who has served the emperor.

"Let's put this matter aside for the time being. I just have nothing to do these few days. I am going to take care of the ghosts and gods in Jinling City. By the way, I will find out the situation here. You go to prepare the brazier. I want to write invitations and invite everyone around Jinling City to have a banquet. Ghosts and gods, by the way, tell the long-bearded ghost king that he needs to stand in line at this time." Li Xiuyuan said.

Li Linfu reminded: "Young Master, the ghosts and gods in Jinling City are not simple."

"I know, it's just to say hello in advance, so that I can be mentally prepared." Li Xiuyuan said.

After finishing speaking, he also wasted time, took out the pen, ink, paper and inkstone from the ghost king's bag, dripped blood to stain the ink, and then swiped the pen to write the invitation card.

The general meaning of the invitation is nothing more than: I am Li Xiuyuan, and I invite ghosts and gods from all walks of life to come to the house for a gathering or something like that.

When he finished writing, Li Linfu came in with a brazier.

Li Xiuyuan lit the brazier and put the invitation card in his hand into the brazier. The invitation card immediately turned into a puff of green smoke and shot up into the sky, then drifted with the wind and spread to all parts of Jinling City.

"Young master, what a domineering word."

Li Linfu looked up at the blue smoke, and couldn't help but praise.

There are ups and downs in the green smoke, each handwriting exudes purple air, golden light, noble and extraordinary, ghosts and gods can tell at a glance that the identity and fate of the person who can write this word is absolutely extraordinary, whether it is an emperor or a saint
Such handwriting can penetrate the dark sky, please come to help ghosts and gods.

I believe that most of the ghosts and spirits will come here to save face. After all, Li Xiuyuan, a sage on earth, took the initiative to invite the banquet, which has a different meaning.

Because since ancient times, emperors, generals and ministers have been monsters and ghosts as aliens, so they would not take the initiative to entertain them.

So Li Xiuyuan's invitation can be said to have opened a very special head, but I don't know if this head is good or bad.

After the blue smoke cleared, Li Xiuyuan sat quietly in the lobby and waited for the arrival of all ghosts and gods.

"An invitation from a saint in the world?"

The green smoke drifted past Li Hou's mansion, Shan Taoist who was sitting in a gazebo in the mansion meditating and practicing Qi suddenly looked up, he saw the purple qi and gold characters in the green smoke, he couldn't help but his expression moved slightly, and he stood up immediately, After taking a breath, a gust of wind blew, and the nearby leaves were flying, condensing into a bird.

He stepped on the bird and immediately flew out of the Hou Mansion.

"The sages in the world actually entertain ghosts and gods. It's worth going to see."

In the official office of the yamen, outside Fu Tianchou's bedroom, a two-foot-tall general wearing armor and holding a double pendant stood in front of the door, loyally guarding Fu Tianchou's peaceful sleep like a guard.

He thought for a while, left a copper hammer in front of the bedroom, then turned over and stepped on the roof of the house, striding towards the direction where the green smoke came.

　The big chapter is lazy and divided into two chapters.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)