Chapter 89 Wang Changling

Right Prime Minister's Mansion.

"Li Xuan, this brat, actually blamed me for the assassination. If it were me, I would definitely find a hundred crossbows and shoot him to death!"

After returning to the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, Li Linfu was furious.

At that time, Li Xuan was implying that he was narrow-minded, and he didn't have a chance to refute.

Why didn't he think of finding a crossbowman to assassinate him?
"Sir, why get angry on this evening?"

Li Xiu persuaded.

He was also confused. Wasn't it his father who assassinated Li Xuan?

But as a son, he didn't dare to ask more questions.

"I am the chief prime minister, but I have resigned as the Minister of Personnel. I am afraid that the powerful people in Chang'an are all laughing at me. I must establish my prestige again and let them know that the saint still trusts me and Li Linfu has not fallen yet!"

Even though Li Linfu mocked Li Shizhi in the Left Prime Minister's Office, he was very unwilling in his heart.

"Please think twice, sir! You should stay still and not move at this time. The saint has a grudge in his heart. You should lie low, work diligently on government affairs, share the saint's worries, and wait until the storm calms down before taking action!"

"Although your reputation has been hit, you are still the prime minister!" Li Xiu did not forget to remind Li Linfu at the end.

Li Linfu suddenly realized that at this moment, he could no longer commit crimes against the emperor's will, so as not to disgust the emperor.

"Da Lang is right! I will just hold my anger for now. Let's see how long Li Shizhi and Wei Jian can be so proud!"

"Just now I saw that the Left Prime Minister's Mansion was celebrating. We in the Right Prime Minister's Mansion cannot let people gossip about us. Call out the young man and the young woman."

Li Linfu began to make arrangements for the New Year.

If word gets out that most of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion has not passed, wouldn't that be another loss?
Right Prime Minister’s Residence, Jiayou Temple.

"Banniang, Grandpa is calling you to a banquet!"

Li Xiu personally went to call Li Tengkong who was in Jiayou Temple.

The largest mansion in Xiequ, Pingkangfang is Li Linfu Mansion, which was once the mansion of Li Jing and was repeatedly expanded by Li Linfu.

Li Linfu understood Li Longji's feelings very well. Li Longji believed in Taoism and admired immortals.

Li Linfu behaved like a devout "morcian" and built a Taoist temple in the southeast corner of his house.

It just so happened that his daughter Li Tengkong was interested in Buddhism, so he made Li Tengkong the abbot of the temple.

"The New Year is approaching. Grandpa has committed too many sins. I want to repent for him and eliminate the disaster for my family."

Li Tengkong was different from other female Taoist priests in the prosperous Tang Dynasty. She was a true Taoist practitioner. She studied medicine, delved into Taoism, and cultivated her mind and character.

She was particularly keen on the Taoist three-yuan and eight-jie fasting methods of repentance and thanksgiving. On the fifteenth day of the first month, seventh month, and tenth month, Li Tengkong would fast on the eight solar terms: the beginning of spring, the spring equinox, the beginning of summer, the summer solstice, the beginning of autumn, the autumnal equinox, the beginning of winter, and the winter solstice.

The New Year is coming, and she will spend it in fasting.

"A father hides for his son, and a son hides for his father. This is the principle of the Spring and Autumn Annals. Although Grandpa plays tricks, as sons we can only assist him."

Li Xiu shook his head slightly and sighed.

How many people in history would report their fathers for breaking the law?

Those who are awarded the title of "killing relatives for the sake of justice" seem to be remembered in history. But in all fairness, who would want to be friends with them?
Even if you think he is right consciously, you will still despise him in your heart, because that's what human beings are!

"As the eldest son in the family, you should persuade Grandpa to stop in time."

Li Tengkong was a woman, and although she was liked by Li Linfu, her words had no weight.

"Brother will try..."

Seeing that Li Tengkong was preparing for the fast, Li Xiu no longer mentioned going to the banquet.

From saints to ordinary people, everyone believes this.

Maybe praying really does work!
……

New Year's Day.

The crackling sound of burning bamboo in the courtyard early in the morning heralds the arrival of the new year.

There was an endless stream of guests gathering in front of the Left Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Although there were many guests in the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, it was nothing compared to previous years.

The Zuo Xiang Mansion is small, so only one batch can be sent out after another.

Even the princes, heirs to the throne, and princesses sent people to congratulate them.

The alley in front of the mansion was filled up with carriages and horses, so that later powerful people had to park their carriages and horses in front of other houses.

People in the Zuo Xiangfu enjoy all kinds of honor.

Li Shizhi also sent his five sons out to congratulate his old friends, kings, princesses, and ministers.

Li Xuan also made a special visit to He Zhizhang and Wang Wei.

When I visited Li Bai, he was not there. It was said that he went to Chang'an to drink with his few good friends.

When Li Xuan returned home, it was already dusk. The whole family drank Tusu wine together, hoping to ward off evil and disaster.

"Qilang, your fish token, court robes, and general armor have all been delivered."

After closing the door, Li Shizhi said to Li Xuan and reminded him, "Tomorrow at noon, the emperor will host a banquet for officials of the fifth rank and above, princes and princesses, and celebrities at the Hua'e Xianghui Tower."

"The child knows!"

Li Xuan responded.

Although something happened that made Li Longji angry, the emperor still had to have the magnanimity.

Especially on this festive occasion, Li Longji decided to host a banquet for his ministers and celebrities in Chang'an to celebrate the new atmosphere.

The next day, Li Xuan changed into new clothes and went to Xingqing Palace with Li Shizhi, Li Qian, Li Shizhi's second wife Wang, and Li Qian's wife Zhang.

There is no need to wear court dress to a banquet, as it is not suitable for a happy occasion.

The purpose of such banquets is to celebrate.

Officials of the fifth rank and above were allowed to bring their wives into the palace.

Other celebrities and specially invited officials are not allowed to bring their wives.

Hua'e Xianghui Tower was the best tower in the world at that time, and other towers such as Tengwang Pavilion and Yueyang Tower were far inferior to it.

This is where Li Longji enjoyed himself with the people.

Every year, Li Longji would invite some commoner elders to the Hua'e Xianghui Tower for a banquet, demonstrating his love for the people like his own children.

The ministers met each other, bowed to each other, and still paid homage to Yuan Zheng.

In the hall of Hua'e Xianghui Tower, ministers and princes were chatting with each other, and the noble ladies also had their own circles.

"That is the great poet Wang Wei." When Wang Wei arrived, his graceful demeanor and the charm of a mature man made the ladies' eyes shine.

Although Wang Wei was not of high rank, he would definitely be invited to such banquets by the emperor, and the emperor would usually call Wang Wei to the stage and drink with him.

"Li Taibai is here too, stop getting drunk."

Although both were talented, the nobles had completely different attitudes towards Li Bai and Wang Wei.

"The great poet Wang Shaobo, isn't he serving as an official out there?"

When people saw Wang Changling, many of them looked at him.

"Wang Shaobo came to Chang'an to handle official business." Someone knew why Wang Changling came to Chang'an.

In this era, Wang Changling was known together with Wang Wei. Although his reputation was not as high as Wang Wei, he was also a famous poet known throughout the world.

Even Li Longji admired his frontier poems.

Others such as poets Li Qi, Chang Jian and others who were in Chang'an were all invited.

There are also some other talented and famous people.

In contrast, the powerful prefer poets.

Poetry is the main theme of the Tang Dynasty!
When Li Shizhi arrived, all the ministers bowed to him.

Later, people focused their attention on Li Xuan, who was unrivaled in his ability.

Li Xuan's ability to achieve great things on horseback made him a role model in the minds of literati, and everyone respected him.

"Li Hanlin, it's not easy to see you!"

When few people wanted to get close to Li Bai, Li Xuan came up to Li Bai and teased him politely.

"I haven't seen General Li for a few months, it feels like ten years."

Li Bai returned the gift, filled with emotion.

He was referring to the fact that they had not seen each other for only a few months. He was being marginalized everywhere. Although Chang'an was big, he had no place to stand. He had the position of Hanlin but was like an ordinary person.

And Li Xuan achieved unprecedented achievements within a few months.

Although he was known as a swordsman, he knew that he could only wield a sword in street fights and could not go to the battlefield.

The Tang Dynasty's enemies were basically cavalry. Soldiers were armed with long weapons. Using a knife or sword to fight against cavalry was like committing suicide.

"My friendship with Li Hanlin will last a long time. I believe that Li Hanlin will eventually have his reward, just like what you wrote in your poem: 'When the great roc rises with the wind, it soars up to 90,000 miles.'"

Li Xuan knew that Li Bai was disillusioned with officialdom and could only drown his sorrows in alcohol.

Li Bai will leave Chang'an soon.

At this time, the emperor did not like Li Bai, and Li Xuan could not help Li Bai much.

He once reminded Li Bai that the Hanlin Academy is where prime ministers come from, but unfortunately Li Bai did not grasp it!

"Thank you General Li for your words."

At this time, being able to give verbal comfort is enough to prove Li Xuan's friendship.

However, Li Bai's attitude is still very optimistic, and he does not care about the worldly view.

"Who is this? Please let Li Hanlin introduce her."

Li Xuan looked at the plain-looking man next to Li Bai.

"Wang Changling, courtesy name Shaobo, is currently serving as the chancellor of Jiangning. I pay my respects to General Li."

Wang Changling introduced himself and bowed to Li Xuan.

Since returning to Chang'an from Jiangning, the name Li Xuan has been lingering in his ears.

When he was drinking with his good friend Li Bai yesterday, Li Bai, who was always aloof and conceited, was full of praise for Li Xuan.

He once wrote "If only the flying general was in Dragon City, the Hu horse would not be allowed to cross Yinshan Mountain." Li Xuan, with his bow and sword covered in snow, completed the achievement in his poem.

"I have long heard of the great poet Wang Shaobo."

Li Xuan bowed in return. He didn't expect Wang Changling to come to Chang'an.

Li Xuan had great respect for this master of seven-character quatrain who had been demoted for half his life.

Although Wang Changling held a low-ranking official post, it was not his first visit to Hua'e Xianghui Tower. He had attended a banquet here in the late Kaiyuan period and left behind poems.

The banquet was about to begin, and Li Xuan couldn't talk much. He just made an appointment with Li Bai and Wang Changling to drink together tomorrow.

While Li Xuan was talking with Wang Wei, Li Linfu arrived.

He had a smile on his face and looked very amiable.

The ministers who were close to Li Linfu all felt that he had restrained his edge.

Afterwards, Crown Prince Li Heng and other kings and princesses arrived.

All the ministers saluted together.

Li Longji was strict in his management of the princes and grandchildren. They lived in the deep palace for a long time, but their status of nobility was not as good as that of the descendants of Li Longji's brothers.

Crown Prince Li Heng was also walking on thin ice all the time, as he knew that Li Linfu would take action against him at any time.

Li Linfu offended the crown prince and knew that he would be doomed once the crown prince ascended the throne, so he would do everything he could to bring the crown prince down.

Similarly, An Lushan also offended the crown prince, but the path An Lushan chose was different.

Every prime minister and every general has to fight for his own destiny.

It was precisely because they were at odds with the crown prince that Li Longji favored them.

Li Xuan had reminded Li Shizhi many times that he could respect Li Heng but not get too close to Li Heng.

He directly declined Li Heng's request.

"The Saint has arrived..."

At five minutes past seven in the morning, Li Longji arrived at Hua'e Xianghui Tower.

All the ministers came to their seats and stood up.

The ladies had their own seating area.

The seats for literati and poets are at the back.

The kings, princesses and their husbands sit in the upper left corner.

The difference is clear.

In the magnificent hall, there are hundreds of musicians standing on the left and right sides of the hall.

There are all kinds of Han and Hu musical instruments, including qin, se, flute, zheng, sheng, konghou, pipa, chime bells, bixiao, xiaojie drum, etc.!
(End of this chapter)