Chapter 560 "Farewell Dong Da" is released!
Chapter 560 "Farewell Dong Da" is released!
The new chief of police at Lihuatang?
On the Licorice Stage, upon hearing these words, many ministers' eyes became profound, and some even looked at Yuan Li covertly, observing the changes in the expression of this lady in blue.
Among the recent events in Beijing, apart from Xue Shence's great victory on the eastern front, the most important thing is the purge of the Qingliu Party.
The "white-faced police officer" who served as the executor was undoubtedly seen by the entire officialdom as a knife handed over by the empress.
However, the old foxes in official circles are aware of their own shortcomings and will not admit that the Anti-Corruption Bureau represents the will of the Empress.
But it is possible to talk about the relationship between this person and Zhao Duan.
The White-Faced Police Chief is Zhao Duan's subordinate. No one knows where this rumor came from, but it is credible and has been recognized by many people.
After all, it is said that this person was born as a shadow guard, and now the shadow guards are under the jurisdiction and dispatch of Zhao Duan.
The group of troublemakers in Lihua Hall cooperated and respected the "new leader" in this way, which seemed to be instructed by Zhao Duan.
"I heard that many people have sent invitations, but this new detective seems to have rarely appeared recently. Does the governor know his whereabouts?"
Seeing that Ma Yan remained silent, the Deputy Privy Councilor threw the question aside again.
There was no smile on Ma Yan's thin face. He glanced at Xu Zhenguan before asking:
"You all don't care about national affairs, but you are so concerned about a small district police station. Isn't that inappropriate?"
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
The Minister of Rites tried to smooth things over:
"Today is a golden autumn gathering, Your Majesty is having fun with the people, please do not talk about serious matters."
The empress picked up a wine bottle with her slender hands, took a sip from her red lips, and said lightly:
"What Ai Qing said is absolutely true."
His Majesty has spoken.
Then the atmosphere quickly eased.
……
Gancaotai, located along the hillside, is the largest building complex in Leyouyuan.
It is roughly divided into two parts. One side is where noble ladies, young ladies and children in the capital gather to enjoy the scenery.
On the other side, there were mainly literati, with a few officials from various yamen of lower rank interspersed, who gathered here in groups of three or five.
It is the literary gathering of the Golden Autumn.
The officials were also dressed in casual clothes. They sat down to drink and write poems and essays. The atmosphere was light and harmonious, which was in stark contrast to the serious atmosphere on the Gancao stage.
Since it is a literary gathering, it is mainly attended by scholars from the Xiuwen Academy.
Han Zhou, nicknamed "Banshan", sat at the table and acted as a referee with many celebrities, commenting on the entire Golden Autumn Gathering and the poems and essays sent from various pavilions and towers.
In between comments, it is inevitable to talk about political affairs.
"Come to think of it, have you ever seen the white-faced police officer from Lihua Hall?"
Suddenly, a tall and thin middle-aged man from the Imperial College stood up, looked around and asked questions.
He is Chen Siye. A few days ago, in a restaurant, he and a member of the Privy Council went to "visit" Bai Jisi.
There were some unpleasant things at that time. On his way home, Chen Siye was intercepted by unknown people, who put a hook on his head and beat him. Although the injury was not serious, he still left his face and nose swollen.
He hid at home for half a month before he was willing to come out to see people.
The bruises on his face can still be seen.
"The Bai Jisi from Lihua Hall?"
"The ruthless man who arrested many officials of the Qingliu Party?"
Everyone at the table looked over and was extremely interested in this mysterious, masked detective.
Everyone knows that this person has offended many scholars, both openly and covertly, because of the Qingliu Party case. And because of rumors that he is Zhao Duan's subordinate, this adds another layer of hostility.
Unfortunately, this man wore a mask and never revealed his true face. He didn't even have a name, so others only called him "White-faced" Jisi or "Bai Jisi".
"I sent the invitation, but this person hasn't shown up for a long time, I'm afraid he won't come." said one person.
"I invited him three times, but he never responded even after I sent him the invitations. He's even more arrogant than Ma Dugong." Some people also expressed dissatisfaction.
They didn't dare to provoke Zhao Duan.
But he was not afraid of a hidden shadow guard.
After the purge of the Qingliu Party, White-Faced Jisi has rarely appeared in public. Some people even suspected that he had resigned and left the capital.
There are many different opinions on the main topic.
"Humph! If you ask me, this person is relying on the reputation of Zhao Shaobao and looks down on you all. Naturally, he is unwilling to honor you and attend the appointment."
In the distance, a middle-aged military officer with a round face, narrow eyes and a raised chin, who also had some bruises on his face, walked over.
It was the fifth-rank official of the Privy Council who was ambushed and beaten together with Chen Siye.
He came over and said in a sarcastic tone:
"Perhaps he has already left the capital and gone to Linfeng to kill the rebels with Zhao Shaobao. Isn't it a hundred times better than meeting and talking with us?"
Chen Siye also echoed:
"Well, that's not necessarily the case. Or maybe he's hiding in the capital, secretly searching for traitors in the rebel army. To be honest, I haven't left my house for a while, for fear that if I meet any friends, I'll be charged with treason by the Bai Jisi and thrown into jail."
"Hahaha……"
The two of them sang the same tune, full of resentment.
Obviously, they all guessed that the people who attacked them that day were the men sent by the White-Faced Police Chief.
With the two taking the lead, a number of civil servants and military officers immediately followed suit and joined the team of teasing and mocking.
Overtly and covertly, yin and yang are derogatory.
However, more people kept silent and were unwilling to get involved.
Afraid of getting into trouble.
Haitang also came for the autumn outing in plain clothes today. She was in the crowd and heard the noise here. Her ears moved slightly and she took in everything Bai Jisi said. She said unhappily:
"Who gave them the confidence to criticize our people?"
Zhang Han came over from the side. This guy was wearing casual clothes but his back was straight and he looked meticulous:
"It was Xue Shence. The military faction in the court has been suppressed for too long, and everyone wants to take the opportunity to raise the status of the military faction. This is the trend of thought of the entire faction and it cannot be stopped.
Fortunately, Zhao Duan won two battles and had the title of the future emperor's husband, so this group of people did not dare to target him openly and could only flatter him to death at most.
Bai Jisi is a 'confidant' of Zhao Duan's faction. He is in the limelight but has a low status, so he is the best target to attack."
The other police officers from the other branches also came over and nodded secretly.
Haitang is not unaware of this truth, she just feels suffocated.
At this moment, she suddenly noticed a group of people riding horses in the distance from the corner of her eye.
Her eyes lit up slightly: "He's here."
The police officers looked over and were surprised to find that the big shot who had disappeared for more than half a month actually showed up in broad daylight, riding a horse.
Zhao Duan was wearing a black suit and his face was covered with a signature pure white mask.
Following behind him was a group of people in brocade robes from Lihuatang.
……
"Xilulu!"
Zhao Duan reined in his horse at the edge of Leyouyuan, dismounted, and threw away the reins, leaving the brocade clothes behind to take care of him.
He himself, along with his trusted aides Qian Kerou, Shen Juan, Hou Renmeng and others, cut into the crowd like sharp blades.
In an instant, it attracted the attention of the entire audience. Tourists who were enjoying the autumn scenery in the distance and literati who were reciting poems and composing essays in pavilions and towers all stopped what they were doing and looked over.
There are also more pointing fingers.
This recent celebrity in Beijing actually came!
In an instant, the crowd in front of Zhao Duan moved to the sides like a tide, and some who were unable to dodge were suddenly pulled away by their relatives and friends!
Like fearing a tiger!
Zhao Duan walked briskly and towards the Gancao Terrace on the top of the mountain with a clear goal in mind.
We soon arrived at the hillside where the literary gathering was held.
The group of people who had just gathered together, talking freely and making sarcastic remarks about him, all shut their mouths at the same time, avoided looking, and quietly retreated.
A person’s name is like a tree’s shadow!
Even if this person's background is not as strong as "Zhao Yanwang", he is said to be a vicious killer. He just complains behind his back. How many people dare to be rude to him in front of him?
Even Chen Siye and the official in charge kept their mouths shut.
"what?"
Zhao Duan stopped and noticed two familiar faces, one a scholar and one a warrior, sitting at a table by the roadside.
"It's you. Nice to see you again. How did you get the injuries on your faces?" Zhao Duan asked casually.
He really just asked casually because he was in a very good mood today.
So good that I don't care about the slightest offense.
Chen Siye and Du Chengzhi's faces changed when they heard this. The bruised faces turned red and white, and they felt a strong sense of irony.
Ask how the injury occurred?
Didn’t you send someone to beat him up?
The two wanted to be tougher and ridicule him face to face, but they found that they couldn't open their mouths no matter what. Zhao Duan was clearly just standing in front of them, but he already gave them a heavy pressure.
Chen Siye was a scholar and was timid by nature, so he could not help but look at Du Chengzhi.
But that day, the military officer of the Privy Council who dared to smash the cup while drunk now felt his heart beating fast and sweat on his forehead for some reason.
I always feel that this white-faced police officer today is a little different.
Seeing that the two men were silent, Zhao Duan was too lazy to pay attention to them. He glanced around, suddenly stopped, and turned to a pavilion not far away.
This is a literary gathering, and the protagonist is undoubtedly Young Master Dong.
Young Master Dong, the grandson of the Grand Tutor, decided to put his studies on hold, join the army, and rush to Xiping Road to help put down the rebellion.
This news has already spread throughout the capital.
Today, at the Denggao Literary Gathering, many scholars and students wrote poems to send off Mr. Dong.
Han Zhou and other scholars from Xiuwenguan, as subordinates of Grand Tutor Dong, also came to show their support.
Seeing the white-faced police officer walking straight towards them, a group of scholars frowned.
The imperial guards are a bunch of crude warriors. Why are they gathering here? Are they looking for trouble?
Han Zhou took the initiative to step forward and bowed:
"But Lihuatang Baijisi? I've heard of your name for a long time."
Behind Zhao Duan's mask, his two eyes looked through the holes at Han Zhou and smiled:
"The name of Han Banshan is well known to me."
Han Zhou was stunned for a moment, because for some reason, he always felt that the person in front of him was familiar, but he couldn't figure out the reason.
Zhao Duan was not interested in greeting a group of literati. His eyes swept across the pens, ink, paper and inkstone spread out on the tables in the pavilion.
He looked at Dong Shusheng again and said with a smile:
"I just received the latest letter from Taicang. Governor Zhao learned that Master Dong was going on a long journey, so he gave him a poem as a farewell."
He originally wanted to go directly to Gancaotai to report, but when he saw Dong Shusheng, he decided to delay for some time.
Otherwise, when he finishes his report, the whole Leyouyuan will be in an uproar and the farewell poetry reading will not be able to continue.
That day in the restaurant, he learned that Dong Shusheng was going to join the army, and he wanted to see him off. Now that the opportunity came, he simply did it first.
"What? A poem presented by Governor Zhao?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the people around were stunned, and the first thing that surprised them was not the poem itself.
Zhao Duan and Dong Shusheng knew each other and were friends... This was no secret in the officialdom of the capital.
When Xiuwenguan was first established, the Shenlong Temple happened to be holding the Ullambana Festival. Zhao Duan went to participate and had a conflict with others.
At that time, Mr. Dong stepped forward to rescue the situation, and many people knew about this.
In addition, Zhao Duan also had the status of an "extra-staff scholar" in Xiuwenguan, and he had a close relationship with Grand Tutor Dong.
Therefore, it is reasonable to give a poem as a gift.
What surprised everyone was another piece of information revealed in the words of the white-faced police officer:
News has come back from Taicang Prefecture!
This is the latest news that has not yet been made public!
Moreover, considering that the White Face Police Officer had disappeared for more than half a month and had not appeared in public, the truth was about to be revealed:
I'm afraid that during the past half month, Chief Bai Lian Ji had really left the capital and went to the western front of Linfeng once, or at least contacted the shadow guards in Linfeng.
Otherwise, how could he get the gift of the poem from Governor Zhao and personally go to the Golden Autumn Gathering on Governor Zhao's behalf?
"Brother Zhao...he gave me a poem?" Master Dong was stunned.
Dong Shusheng, who had a simple character and was rare in his simplicity among many nobles, was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.
With Zhao Duan's distinguished status today, he still remembers him as a friend. Even though he is stationed thousands of miles away, he is still a celebrity who sends him poems from thousands of miles away. How can he not be moved by such friendship?
"Excuse me, where is the poem?" Master Dong asked with a bow.
Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"The poem is in the military intelligence report, but it is not convenient to show it to Master Dong. However, I can copy it for the governor."
After saying that, he walked to a square table, picked up a brush, dipped it in thick ink, and was about to write on the white paper.
All of a sudden, a crowd of scholars swarmed in, craning their necks to watch.
Han Zhou was also curious:
"The last time I saw Zhao Shaobao's poems was the one called 'Night Notes on Zhangtai'. At that time, I felt that there was a sense of elegance in the poem. Today, I am lucky enough to see it again."
As an unqualified plagiarist, the number of poems Zhao Duan copied publicly was very limited, except for the last Zhangtai banquet.
The poem "The Emperor's Beauty and I'm a Young Man" is widely known and is now regarded as a top love poem...
However, there were also many scholars who sneered at this, thinking that Zhao Duan's use of poetry and literature to flatter the empress was a disgrace to civility, and that although the words in "That Night's Note on Zhangtai" were stunning, it was not convincing to say that he had a deep foundation...
In the impression of scholars, Zhao Duan was a military man, and even though he had some talent, he was not good at poetry and prose.
However, today is different from the past. Given Zhao Duan’s status and position, no one dares to publicly belittle him, no matter how badly he writes.
There will even be many people who flatter and praise you.
At this time, some people were racking their brains, thinking about from which angle to praise the garbage poems written by Governor Zhao.
Han Zhou was thinking, if the poem is mediocre, how should he comment on it without losing face?
However, Zhao Duan, who was in a hurry, had already started writing and deliberately changed his usual handwriting.
While writing, Han Zhou beside him read it softly:
"Farewell to Dong Da..."
"A thousand miles of yellow clouds and a fading sun... eh."
When Han Zhou read out the first sentence, he let out a light exclamation. The height of an article can be seen from the beginning, and the quality of a poem or essay can also be seen from the beginning.
Although this one sentence is not brilliant, it brings up a vivid picture before everyone's eyes.
"The north wind blows the geese and the snow falls."
As soon as the second sentence came out, a picture seemed to appear before everyone's eyes.
The sky was covered with clouds that stretched for thousands of miles. The cold wind sent away the geese and brought in heavy snow.
Although it is autumn now and not winter yet, if we consider that Dong Da is going to travel west to quell the rebellion.
Battlefields and smoke rising from everywhere are undoubtedly a more appropriate image of a cold winter.
Winter will soon arrive, which coincides with the time when Dong Da arrives in Xiping.
Han Zhou read out the last two sentences in one breath:
"Don't worry about having no friends on the road ahead..."
"Who in the world doesn't know you..."
As soon as the two sentences came out, the whole pavilion fell silent.
Han Zhou was in a daze, completely immersed in the imagery of the poem and unable to extricate himself.
Several scholars around were also impressed by the boldness of these two sentences.
"Who in the world doesn't know you... who doesn't know you..."
Dong Da murmured this sentence over and over again, tears rolled down his eyes, and suddenly he laughed out loud.
Facing the southwest direction of Taicang, he bowed respectfully:
"Brother Zhao is so talented. With such a heroic poem, I will have no regrets even if I die on the battlefield!"
Ahem... Not really, we can't just raise flags randomly... Zhao Duan muttered to himself and put down his brush, leaving Dong Da and a group of scholars staring at this eternal poem with fiery eyes.
He quietly withdrew from the crowd and said to Qian Kerou and others who were also curious:
"Wait here."
Then he walked straight past the pavilion and headed towards the licorice platform at the top of the hillside.
Because of the appearance of the song "Farewell Dong Da" here, more and more people at the Golden Autumn Gathering were attracted by the movement here.
On the contrary, few people noticed that Zhao Duan left the crowd and started climbing the mountain.
……
Licorice table.
When all the ministers were feasting.
Some people also noticed the hustle and bustle at the foot of the hill.
"Hey, what happened over there? Why are so many people gathering?" The Minister of Rites asked curiously.
Yuan Li glanced over there and said, "Is this where the literary gathering is?"
Mei Jijiu, the Imperial College priest who was standing by, said hurriedly:
"Master Dong's grandson is about to travel west, and the students wrote poems to cheer him up."
The Minister of War smiled and said:
"That must be a good poem. Someone, go and ask what kind of poem has been published and bring it back for Your Majesty to see."
Immediately, a waiter was about to run to the licorice stand, but after taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and was shocked to see a figure climbing the mountain alone.
Zhao Duan, wearing a black suit and a white mask, stepped onto the last step of the Gancao Terrace. He looked up and saw the imperial guards guarding the center, the empress and all the civil and military officials under the arbors.
Everyone was startled.
Xu Zhenguan was also stunned for a moment, and then, a hint of half-believing and half-joy suddenly flashed across his phoenix eyes, as if he had guessed something, and his breathing quickened!
(End of this chapter)