Chapter 250: The Boiling of Suzaku Street, Du Fu
Even if all the goods were transported by horse-drawn carriages, the journey would still take two months.

Along the way, apart from the boring journey, officials from the counties and prefectures passing by came to pay him a visit.

Whenever the team stopped to rest, Li Xuan remained calm and chatted with local officials. He did not look down on the seventh-rank county magistrate because of his status as a royal title.

Among ordinary officials, there are also many people with integrity.

On August 1st, the sky was high and the clouds were light. The sky was clear and blue, as pure and flawless as the face of a newborn baby.

In this wonderful weather, Li Xuan came to Xianyang Posthouse.

Chang'an already knew that Li Xuan's troops had arrived in Xianyang.

How could Li Longji not show off such a thing that demonstrates his great military achievements?

He issued an edict asking Li Xuan to wait in Xianyang, and the ceremonial guard and the Yulin Army were already on their way to Xianyang.

After bathing and changing clothes, Li Xuan left the post station.

Xianyang Post Station was a large post station. Whether in terms of transit goods or the number of fine horses, it ranked among the top post stations in the Tang Dynasty.

"Greetings to the King of Tianshui!"

When he saw Li Xuan coming out, the postmaster of the post station hurriedly saluted Li Xuan.

The post station chief was the manager of the post station, also known as "Hou Li".

"This spring, the sage issued an edict that those who are proficient in one art should go to Chang'an to take the examination. Your Excellency, in your official career, do you think that there are more people taking the regular examinations? Or are there more people taking the special examinations?"

Li Xuan asked the postmaster.

Every autumn and winter, scholars gathered in Chang'an to take part in the imperial examinations.

There are two types of imperial examinations.

One is a regular subject, which is held regularly every year.

One is the imperial examination, which is held by imperial decree according to need and the time is tentatively determined.

This year is very special. In addition to the regular subjects that need to be held normally, there are also special subjects.

The sixth year of Tianbao was the Year of the Pig, Dinghai, so the regular examination was the Dinghai examination, which was held on September 15th and presided over by the Vice Minister of Rites.

The imperial examination was postponed one month to October 15th. The subjects were set by the emperor and usually presided over by the prime minister.

"To answer the question, Lord Tianshui, of course there are more people taking the regular exams. Talented people will go to the regular exams. Who among the literati doesn't aspire to become a Jinshi?"

The postmaster said to Li Xuan with a smile.

He had been to Chang'an before. Every September, the hemp clothes in the Nine Bends were as white as snow.

These are all striving for the regular subjects.

"That's right! To win the first prize in the imperial examination and to have one's name on the list of successful candidates has been the wish of scholars for hundreds of years."

Li Xuan nodded slightly.

Although the imperial examination was summoned by order of the emperor and those who passed the examination could obtain a good official position, it was still far inferior to the Jinshi examination.

Regular subjects require selection at each level.

Not everyone can take the imperial examination. Officials and commoners can nominate themselves if they feel confident. In addition, they can also take the examination if recommended by ministers.

During the Kaiyuan and Tianbao years, there were very few people who passed the imperial examination and held high positions.

However, two-thirds of the prime ministers during the Kaiyuan period were Jinshi graduates.

In his later years, Xue Yuanchao, Prime Minister of Emperor Gaozong, lamented that he had three regrets in life: one was that he did not pass the imperial examination, two was that he was unable to marry a woman from the five Shandong surnames, and three was that he could not take part in the compilation of the national history.

Xue Yuanchao was the prime minister and the literary leader during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. He was knowledgeable and talented, but unfortunately he was not a Jinshi.

This makes the importance of Jinshi in the hearts of scholars unparalleled.

There were many precedents, which made the talented scholars flock to the Jinshi exam. Even if it was the same as the regular exam, most scholars would choose the regular exam.

Li Xuan knew that the great poet Du Fu would take part in this imperial examination, and he chose the Zhike exam.

"Those who are proficient in one art go to Chang'an." Du Fu has absolute confidence in his poetry.

Li Xuan chatted with the postmaster for a while, and then explored the ruler, belt and pearl pills in the post station.

Li Xuan asked two personal guards to protect Chidai Zhudan at all times, even on the carriage, to prevent Chidai Zhudan from being afraid to face Li Longji and committing suicide.

"General, the hermit is leaving. See you later!"

After taking a bath and changing clothes, Li Mi said goodbye to Li Xuan.

He doesn't like cumbersome rituals.

I also think that it doesn't make sense to him.

He wanted to return to the thatched cottage deep in Mount Zhongnan to continue his cultivation, feel the unity of life and Tao, and realize immortality.

"The emperor has given me countless gold and jade, but they are like dirt to you. You don't covet wealth, but before you become an immortal, you still need food, clothing, shelter and transportation."

Li Xuan took out a bag of money and handed it to Li Mi.

In addition to more than a thousand coins, the bag also contained some loose gold and silver.

It’s not that Li Xuan was reluctant, but if the gift was too much, Li Mi would not accept it.

Li Mi is a person who doesn't even eat meat.

Li Mi did not refuse. He needed money to travel between Songshan, Huashan and Zhongnanshan.

"Please accept this jade, sir, as a souvenir."

Li Xuan handed another jade pendant to Li Mi.

This jade pendant is just one of the many jade artifacts awarded by Li Longji. It is carved with a pine tree and is of the highest quality.

"General, you care about the world and have compassion for the people. I accept your gift. Going to the frontier will broaden your horizons and benefit you a lot. There are great ways in wind, snow, rain, fog, mountains, rivers and swamps."

"If the general leaves Chang'an in the future, I would like to follow him to see the beautiful mountains and rivers of the frontier."

After Li Mi took the jade pendant, he said to Li Xuan.

If Li Xuan became prime minister, he, a Taoist priest, would not be suitable to be with Li Xuan, otherwise it would attract criticism.

After two years of observation, Li Mi discovered that Li Xuan was a complex person.

Li Mi didn't want to think too much about other things, but Li Xuan's pure attitude towards the people was something he had never seen in his life, and it had never been seen even in history books.

Li Mi believed that no matter when, even if Li Xuan took a few more steps, he would still do the same.

In this case, it is worth his advice.

"Take care of yourself!"

Li Xuan didn't say much, just uttered these two words heavily.

Li Mi had reminded him before that Li Xuan should implement the four words "seek the truth without hesitation".

The two men greeted each other and Li Mi left in a carefree manner.

Not long after, a large scene appeared in front of Xianyang Post Station.

Trumpets blew and gongs and drums roared.

In addition to the ceremonial guards, the Yulin Army, wearing armor of various colors, was divided into more than ten teams, each with hundreds of cavalry.

All together there are as many as five thousand cavalry.

These cavalrymen also guarded hundreds of vehicles of various types.

Among them, dozens of cars are carved with extremely exquisite patterns.

Each of these cars has a seat, as if for someone to sit on.

When the Yulin Army took their positions, the Right Dragon Army General Chen Xuanli stepped out with a staff and said to Li Xuan, "The sage has ordered that the Helong Cavalry stop in Xianyang. Wine and meat will be delivered for three days without limit. Order the Prince of Tianshui and his generals to follow the army to Mingde Gate. Tomorrow morning, the Prince of Tianshui will lead his generals through Zhuque Street and present the captives to the Hua'e Xianghui Tower of Xingqing Palace."

"The minister obeys the order!"

Li Xuan bowed and accepted the order.

This time, he did not go to Taiji Palace, because Li Longji had said many times that he wanted to see Chidai Zhudan downstairs in Hua'e Xianghui Tower.

Since Hua'e Xianghui Tower is located at the southernmost part of Xingqing Palace, it is connected to the palace wall.

This also enabled Li Longji to directly see the streets outside the imperial city when he was standing on the Hua'e Xianghui Tower.

People passing by would also see Li Longji upstairs.

Li Longji built the Hua'e Xianghui Tower not only for him to recite poems and compose essays with his ministers, watch singing and dancing, and hold banquets of various sizes.

It is also a place where people can have fun and communicate with each other.

This time, the surrender of prisoners was not only to be seen by the ministers and foreign envoys upstairs, but also by the people of Chang'an on the streets.

Li Longji wanted to let them know that even the powerful Tubo Zamp had to submit to him, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

As the price for Ruler Belt and Pearl Dan's rude remarks.

Li Xuan asked Luo Xing to lead his personal guards back to the Duke of Song's mansion in Chang'an and arranged for them to stay.

He also asked Luo Xing and others to drive back the items he prepared for Li Longji.

Then he called all the generals together with Chen Xuanli.

Chidai Zhudan and the small king of Tuyuhun, the king of Xiangxiong, the king of Tongjia, the king of Dangxiang and others felt very embarrassed.

These carriages have no protection at all, they will be exhibited on the street like clowns.

In the past, Chidai Zhudan would sit in a chariot or ride on a horse, receiving thunderous cheers. Wherever he passed, the people would kneel down and worship him as a god.

He knew that there were still Tibetans in Chang'an.

How would those Tibetans feel when they saw the Zamp?
But Chidai Zhudan's protest was in vain, as he had already been carried to the car by the Yulin Army.

In order to survive, Chidai Zhudan had no choice but to obey.

Because he still had to beg Li Longji for mercy to save his own life.

No matter how embarrassing it was, it was not as embarrassing as kneeling before Li Longji.

After Chidai Zhudan accepted the reality, other kings and ministers dared not resist.

The gold, silver and jewelry that Li Xuan brought back were originally packed in bags, but now the bags were opened by the Yulin Army and poured onto the vehicles.

Although this car looks bigger, it has less space inside, but this is more for the convenience of soliciting.

So he loaded the gold, silver and jewelry into "five hundred carts".

Five hundred Yulin soldiers drove these vehicles and formed a long dragon.

On both sides were guarded by Yulin troops, with flags fluttering and the sound of musical instruments continuing all the way.

"Prince Tianshui is crowned king. Chang'an has become unusual in the past few months because of Prince Tianshui. Since ancient times, there has been no hero who can compare with Prince Tianshui."

Chen Xuanli said with emotion as he and Li Xuan were riding on horseback.

Since he followed the saint in launching a coup more than 30 years ago, he has lived in Chang'an all his life.

Although he sometimes trained the Northern Ya Imperial Guards, he was well aware that the Northern Ya Imperial Guards, passed down from father to son, were of mixed quality.

Another thing is that the Yulin Army has never been on the battlefield, and even Chen Xuanli doesn’t know what the Yulin Army’s true combat effectiveness is?

Can they compare with the elite border troops?
But Chen Xuanli knew that the Twelve Guards of the Southern Court were definitely not as good as the Border Army, because most of the Southern Court Guards already had side jobs, either working as peddlers in the streets and markets, doing manual labor in the two markets, or serving as guards in the homes of nobles.

Although the imperial guards had to leave for the military camp every now and then, the rich and powerful were still willing to hire them, which was also a kind of face. In the absence of war, it was impossible to expect soldiers to train every year.

The decades of peace during the Kaiyuan period have wiped out the glory of the imperial guards.

The imperial guards were supplied with food by the people of Jingzhao and received salaries from the imperial court.

If the imperial court did not have enough food, they would follow the emperor to Luoyang to "move the capital to get food" and have fun.

"General Chen is still strong and healthy. You are like a pillar of stability in Chang'an. Internal stability is more important than external peace."

Li Xuan spoke modestly and turned to praise Chen Xuanli.

He still knows how to flatter each other in business.

"No way! Many foreign envoys have come to pay their respects and wait for Tianshui to return to the court to see the heroic figure of the King of Tianshui."

Chen Xuanli is cautious and humble, which is why he has been able to stand firm for decades.

Wang Maozhong and others who had joined the sage in the coup had already been driven out of Chang'an because they were not satisfied with their wealth and status.

"General Chen, I think we should choose an auspicious day and have the chiefs of the vassal states come together to present a letter to the saint, offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, and honor the Khan."

Li Xuan wanted to inform Li Longji through Chen Xuanli.

In the past, Li Longji was called "Heavenly Khan" and his biggest obstacle was Tubo.

Now looking around the world, there are no obstacles.

For example, the Arab Empire is not in the same "world" as the Tang Dynasty, so we can ignore it.

Some people called Li Longji the Heavenly Khan before, but that was a title used by small countries to flatter him. It should not be recorded in history.

It is of great significance that Li Longji could become the second Heavenly Khan.

And most of the achievements made by Li Longji as the Heavenly Khan would also be attributed to Li Xuan.

"King Tianshui is right."

Chen Xuanli nodded.

As the car was not going fast, the two talked as they walked, and only arrived at Ningde Gate of Chang'an City at dusk.

A camp has been set up not far from here, and civilians and merchants are now prohibited from passing through.

At the hour of Mao tomorrow, you will be able to walk on Zhuque Street with the ruler, belt and pearl pill.

Li Xuan had experienced a similar situation.

His achievements became greater and greater each time, and this process was inevitable.

In fact, Li Xuan felt that Li Longji's way of showing off gold, silver and jewelry was inappropriate.

It’s not distributed to the people.

Pulling out gold, silver and jewelry for a spin and then filling up one's own treasury, isn't that something that makes people jealous?
But Li Xuan would not try to persuade Li Longji and make himself uncomfortable.

At night, Li Xuan received a brand new set of specially made Shanwen armor, as well as a golden robe and jade belt.

The palace maids brought more royal delicacies.

It was provided for consumption by generals such as Li Xuan, An Sishun, and Nan Jiyun.

Night falls on Chang'an City, the drums stop beating and the people are gone, only the moon shines through the streets.

Li Longji suppressed his excitement.

Yang Yuhuan suppressed her excitement.

Li Xuan's family suppressed their longing.

The common people and scholars in Chang'an were waiting for dawn to admire the heroic appearance of King Tianshui. They also wanted to see who was the Tubo's Chidai Zhudan, who had been able to fight with the Tang Dynasty for more than 40 years.

"Cuckoo..."

As the roosters crowed in the city, the darkness was driven away and at daybreak, Li Xuan got up and washed.

With the help of the palace servants, he put on new armor.

Nan Jiyun, Geshu Han, Wang Nande, An Sishun, Li Guangbi, Cheng Gui, Li Zhushi and others were all dressed neatly.

Their moods are different.

Li Xuan's Arabian horse was also refitted with a gold-padded jade saddle.

"Squeak..."

The solemn Mingde Gate slowly opened.

"Xuan Tianshui King Li Xuan presented the captives at the foot of Hua'e Xianghui Tower on the outer wall of Xingqing Palace..." Chen Sili shouted loudly on the city wall.

The guard of honor entered the Suzaku Gate first, and the notes of various musical instruments floated in the sky above Chang'an.

Then came the gold, silver and jewelry, one cart after another, neatly arranged, entering Mingde Gate and onto Zhuque Street.

Thunderous shouts could be heard across the city wall.

The people in the city were shocked by the cartloads of gold, silver and jewelry.

The ruts rumbled as they passed through two hundred cartloads of gold, silver, and jewelry.

These are the accumulation of hundreds of years of experience of countries such as Tuyuhun, Dangxiang, and Tongjia, and are all displayed in the eyes of the people of Chang'an.

A small number of people will wonder where these gold, silver and jewelry will be used?
Using it to build roads and water conservancy projects can make the people rich.

Only a very few people felt sad that these gold, silver and jewelry would fall into the hands of the Yang family.

Li Xuan made a grand appearance on Suzaku Avenue between Yanzuo and Anyi districts.

The front and back were guarded by the Yulin Army.

The wide Suzaku Avenue is guarded by the Jinwu Guards, preventing ordinary people from getting too close.

It also prevents anyone from taking dangerous actions against Li Xuan.

Li Xuan was seventeen years old when he first stepped onto Suzaku Street under the spotlight of the public.

Li Xuan is now 20 years old and has just come of age!
As handsome as ever, people who have met Li Xuan feel that he is more mature.

Anyone who meets Li Xuan for the first time has a preconceived idea that Li Xuan is full of kingly aura and that his every move has a unique charm.

"Which one is the Tianshui King?"

"The one leading the way on a white horse is this one. It is said to be a Ferghana horse bestowed by a saint, and it comes from the Western Regions."

"He is the Tianshui King who can kill a general in a huge army as easily as taking something out of a bag. Without showing any expression, he is unrivaled in the world."

"If I have a son, I want him to be like the King of Heaven and Water!"

"A real man should be like this, he will be crowned king immediately and die without regrets."

"Surpass Wei Huo's achievements and be crowned king!"

"King Tianshui captured the Tibetan king alive. Didn't he say he would present the captive to the saint today?"

"Don't worry! The Tibetan king must still be behind..."

However, Li Xuan's brilliance will be overshadowed by the generals who received the Medal of Heroes.

Li Xuan's deeds made the generals under his command become supporting roles, and no matter where he went, he was the center of attention.

She is still loved and admired by countless young girls and boys, and they are unable to extricate themselves from her.

In particular, the imperial examinations were launched in regular and special examinations, which brought together scholars from all over the world.

Some scholars lamented that Li Xuan had already accomplished his military achievements before they even started to enter the frontier.

Li Xuan has defeated Tubo and Huihe so badly that it is too late for them to follow him now.

There is nothing to be gained at the border, and it will only waste your youth.

At the entrance of Guangxingfang alley, a man in his thirties looked at Li Xuan with curiosity as he walked slowly on the street.

Throughout history, how many famous generals have never achieved such an honor in their entire lives? Li Xuan won it when he was just 18 years old.

The significance of drinking from the source of the Yellow River is far greater than that of Fenglangjuxu.

"I will definitely take first place in this science contest."

The man clenched his fists and said.

"Du Er, if you have the ability, you should take part in the regular examinations. Even if you get an official position through the special examinations, you will be looked down upon by the Jinshi scholars."

Someone nearby teased the man.

And this man's name was Du Fu.

He grew up in Luoyang, received a good education and inherited his grandfather's ideas.

When you are seven years old, you are strong when you think about it, and you chant the phoenix when you open your mouth.

Jiuling's book has large characters and is made into a bag.

He has extraordinary talent at a young age.

But Du Fu realized from a young age that he could not stay where he was, but had to leave his hometown and see the mountains and rivers.

At the age of nineteen, he traveled to Xun Xia, and at the age of twenty, he traveled around Wu and Yue.

Then he returned to Luoyang to take part in the local examination, but unfortunately failed.

Du Fu was not discouraged. He continued his wandering in Qi and Zhao for five years and created many famous works.

After returning to Luoyang and marrying the daughter of Minister of Agriculture, Du Fu met Li Bai in Luoyang and traveled hand in hand to Liang and Song, and then to Qi.

After spending a long time with Li Bai, Du Fu knew that Li Bai's career was not going well and that the Chang'an nobles were extravagant and excluded dissidents, but Du Fu remained unmoved.

When Li Longji issued an edict to bring an artist to Chang'an, Du Fu said goodbye to his wife and rushed to Chang'an without stopping.

"My fu is comparable to Yang Xiong of the Han Dynasty, and I also have the talent of Cao Zijian. The imperial examination is for those who are proficient in one art. Who can rival me in writing poetry and prose?"

Du Fu was very confident about the imperial examination.

The last time he failed the imperial examination, it was only because of his essay. Even though he failed, he insisted on his essay ideas.

So he didn't want to take the regular subjects, and was ready to take the system subjects in one fell swoop.

Thanks to his long-term visits to the beautiful rivers and mountains, Du Fu reached the state of "reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles" when he was only in his thirties.

"Du Er, you are so frivolous!"

Everyone around him thought Du Fu was having a wild imagination.

How come this guy is as crazy as the legendary Li Bai?

However, Du Fu did have the capital to be crazy. When he was in his twenties, he wrote "Floating clouds connect the sea and the mountains, and the plains extend into the blue sky and Xu", "When will I shoot ordinary birds, and let their feathers and blood scatter on the plain", and "If I am so brave and powerful, I can roam thousands of miles."

There was also the recent "Drinking and singing all day long, acting arrogantly and domineeringly for whom?"

Another example is his "I will climb to the top of the mountain and look down on all the other mountains."

The high-spirited Du Fu believed that he would definitely become a high-ranking official and be able to make great achievements.

All of these poems reveal Du Fu's confidence and boldness.

(End of this chapter)