Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 163 A little punishment
The provincial government was particularly deserted.

There weren't many officials around, and if you saw a few, they were passing by in a hurry.

Although Tian Zili was tired, he still forced a smile and greeted Mr. Zhang enthusiastically.

The two haven't seen each other for a long time, and both of them have changed a lot.

Old man Zhang no longer looked timid at this moment. He looked a lot rounder, with a rosy face, a slightly protruding belly, and a kind and amiable appearance. He had finally changed out of his old clothes, and his current outfit was not luxurious, but it was not ordinary either.

Tian Zili could not help but sigh: "Compared with when he was in Cheng'an, Mr. Zhang is really a completely different person!"

"Hahaha, isn't it the same for Tian Jun?"

"Although Mr. Tian was good at talking before, there was always a sense of hostility between his brows. But now, this hostility has dissipated and he has become much more generous!"

Mr. Zhang began to praise him.

He was not talking nonsense. Although Tian Zili in the past could get along with everyone, he always had a hidden cruelty. When he smiled, he always seemed to harbor malicious intent. He was quite scheming and people were afraid to get close to him. But the current Tian Zili's words and actions were all upright. He looked more like a scholar from a prominent family. He no longer had that evil aura of a thief.

Tian Zili smiled and said a few words, then asked, "Is the king in the palace?"

"Yes, yes, I'll take you to see him!"

Tian Zilie told the rest of the people to go and rest first, and only took Cui Gang with him, and followed Zhang Gong towards the yamen. Zhang Gong asked about everyone's situation as they walked.

"How is Lord Liu? I heard that he became a general and made great achievements at the frontier. My king praised him all day long. Is he okay?"

"It's okay, it's okay."

"Where's Yao Xiong?"

"He is fine too."

Zhang Gong saw Tian Zili's urgency and said, "Mr. Tian, ​​don't be too impatient. You can be impatient when you are on the road, but you can't be impatient when you are doing things. You need to be patient, otherwise you will definitely mess up the matter."

Tian Zili took a deep breath and said helplessly: "This is a serious matter, I dare not relax."

They walked all the way to the backyard. When the soldiers in front of the backyard saw Mr. Zhang, they immediately let them go without any intention of stopping or interrogating them.

Walking into the backyard, it was the first time that Tian Zili saw such a simple government office.

The decoration is extremely ordinary, even rudimentary.

Mr. Zhang led them into the inner room, and a man stood up and walked towards them quickly.

Everyone has undergone a lot of changes, but Lanling Wang has not.

He was still as handsome as ever, holding a book in his hand, with his head half tilted up, looking at the people in front of him.

It was the first time that Cui Gang saw King Lanling.

He was stunned.

When Tian Zili and others were bowing, he finally reacted and followed them to bow.

Gao Changgong smiled and gave him a little help, "Please stand up. What's the matter? Zhizhi wants to see me for something?"

Tian Zili hurriedly took out the letter from his pocket and handed it to Gao Changgong respectfully. He whispered, "Your Majesty, my brother has a request for you."

Gao Changgong put down the book in his hand, sat aside, opened the letter and read it carefully.

After a moment, anger appeared on his handsome face, his brows were slightly frowned, and he looked very unhappy.

"I've heard people say that Prince Shunyang is greedy and exploits the locals. I never thought he would be so excessive. As a great hero of the Great Qi, he is not allowed to reorganize the border troops?! Ridiculous!"

He spoke again, "Tell me the details of the matter."

Tian Zilie hurriedly told the situation at the border, the process of rectification, and the incident that had finally provoked King Shunyang.

"Your Majesty, the Shunyang King bullies others with his power. When we left, he was in the garrison, bullying the soldiers. My brother is impatient, I'm afraid something big is going to happen."

Upon hearing this, Gao Changgong stood up instantly.

"not good."

His face was also quite nervous, "Shunyang King is a brave general, I'm afraid he will suffer a great loss if he knows it!"

"I will submit a petition to my uncle right now. You can just rest here."

Tian Zili thanked him again and again, "We still have to go back to report, thank you very much, Your Majesty!!"

Gao Changgong had a complicated expression, "Why should I thank him? Everything he did was for the sake of Great Qi. As a member of the royal family, I should thank him. But I haven't been able to help him these days, and I didn't succeed in my previous promise to recommend him for promotion."

"Don't worry, I will definitely protect him this time!! I will submit a petition and have someone deliver it quickly. If there is no reply, I will go to Ye in person!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"

Tian Zili did not rest or say hello to them. He said goodbye and left in a hurry.

After they left, Gao Changgong called Zhang Gong and began to discuss how to write the memorial to the prime minister.

Tian Zilie and others had a meal in Jiuyuan, took a nap, and then went out again.

And this time, their destination was Dingzhou.

This place is particularly familiar to them.

After all, except for Tian Zilie, most of the others are from Dingzhou.

Coming here is like going home.

The farmlands on both sides of the road are filled with busy farmers working hard.

They ran all the way like this. The gate of Zhending was wide open, and the people at the gate were coming in and out. The population was obviously much larger than that of Sizhou. As soon as they appeared at the gate, they were recognized by the officials here, and they ran to report in fear.

Soon, Gao Yanzong came galloping over on his horse.

Seeing everyone, he couldn't help but stick his head out and look around, "Where is my brother?!"

Tian Zili and others hurriedly dismounted.

"My Lord, my brother did not come here, but he sent us to you to ask for your help!"

"what?"

Gao Yanzong was shocked, "He asked me for help?"

But then, he became extremely proud and couldn't help but look up, "No problem! No problem! Who was the bastard who provoked my brother?! Come on, come with me into the mansion, and we'll talk while we eat!"

When facing Gao Yanzong, Tian Zilie changed his attitude. He lowered his head, looked extremely respectful, and praised the great prosperity of Dingzhou under the other party's governance.

"This is the first time I've seen such a prosperous scene along the way. The king is indeed well-governed. There is not a single piece of land outside Dingzhou that is left uncultivated. The people are very busy, people are coming and going at the city gate, and merchants are hawking their wares along the streets. It is truly prosperous!"

"Your Majesty is indeed a wise royal family member!"

Listening to Tian Zili's flattery, Gao Yanzong could hardly close his mouth and waved his hands repeatedly, "No need to flatter like that! No need to flatter like that!"

"My brother often praises the king, saying that the king is smart and will definitely be a pillar of the Qi Dynasty. When I return this time, I will tell my brother about the great governance of Dingzhou."

"Hahaha~~"

Gao Yanzong was particularly pleased. He asked, "Brother, what happened? Why did you send you to me?"

"It was the Shunyang King who returned to Luoyang to let the king know that this man was arrogant and rude. Seeing that my brother had made military achievements and assisted the general in reorganizing the border troops, he led the cavalry into the garrison, humiliated him, and wanted to punish my brother."

At this moment, Tian Zilie looked like a mean person who intended to hurt others, but Gao Yanzong just happened to fall for it, and he became furious.

"Bah! He is just a Qihu with a surname of Wang and unknown origin, and he dares to give orders to the border soldiers? Who the hell is he?!"

"I will gather the troops right now, and we will set off immediately!!"

"Your Majesty, how can you send troops out of the state without an imperial decree?"

"Why can he go out, but I can't?"

"Your Majesty, why don't you submit a petition to the Prime Minister to plead for my brother and complain about your dissatisfaction with the King of Shunyang? With your prestige, the Prime Minister will not dare to look down on you."

"Submit a petition?! Okay, that's easy. Just accompany me for a drink and tell me about your brother's life outside the Great Wall. I'll send someone to submit a petition right away!"

"only!!"

Of course Tian Zilie did not dare to refuse, and they participated in Gao Yanzong's banquet in a daze. Fortunately, Gao Yanzong had restrained his bad temper and no longer used dirty things to entertain guests. Here, Tian Zilie even saw his acquaintance, Prefect Lu, who came here to report the situation. Gao Yanzong thought it would be more lively with more people, so he pulled him in.

After learning what happened, Governor Lu immediately said, "Your Majesty should indeed write to the Prime Minister to express your feelings."

"I am willing to follow the king and submit a petition."

Tian Zili stood up excitedly and saluted him, "Thank you, Lord Lu!"

Governor Lu narrowed his eyes and said with a half-smile, "Mr. Tian, ​​there is no need to be polite. Mr. Liu worked very hard to rectify the irregularities here. Now that we are at the border, we must not slack off."

Tian Zilie set off again, this time he rushed all the way towards Cheng'an.

The knights had already suffered casualties, and the intense forced march had made them somewhat unbearable. The worst off was Cui Gang, who was vomiting and having diarrhea. He had never traveled so fast in his life, riding at full speed all day, and simply changing horses when the horse got tired.

Seeing that Cui Gang was really about to die, Tian Zilie slowed down and let the knight take Cui Gang on the road.

When everyone arrived at Cheng'an, they could hardly raise their heads. Exhaustion from the inside out continued to torture them.

Cui Gang in particular, jumped off his horse and began to vomit violently. He fell to his knees on the ground, trembling all over.

The whole world became a little blurry to him.

He seemed to have lost some consciousness, and there was a constant roaring sound in his ears. Tian Zili hurried to his side and helped him up.

Cui Gang saw Tian Zili say something, but he couldn't hear it at all.

The world was spinning and I couldn't open my eyes anymore.

Tian Zili had no choice but to look at the soldiers beside him and said, "Take him with you. You guys go to sleep and rest first. I'll go to the county government office."

Zhang Heizu looked at him worriedly, "Brother, we have rested several times in these days, but you haven't rested at all."

"It's okay. I'm used to it. These are nothing. You can take him to the south of the city to rest. You know where our mansion is, right? Go quickly!"

"only!!"

The group showed their credentials. There were many new officials there, but some people still recognized them.

Unlike the panic in Zhending, the clerks here were extremely excited and they started shouting.

Tian Zili grabbed an acquaintance and asked, "Is Magistrate Lu in the city?"

"No."

"Where is County Magistrate Lu?"

“They are all gone.”

"what?!"

"Ah, they got promoted, they are all in Yecheng!"

The man told the story in detail and Tian Zili nodded.

When the other party finished speaking, Tian Zili hurriedly raised his head and called out to Zhang Heizu and others, "No need to go in! Let's go to Yecheng and rest there!!"

The official hurriedly said, "They are not here, but we are still here. Why don't we go into the city and rest?"

"I still have some important things to do. It won't be too late to come back after I finish them."

Tian Zili finished his words quickly, turned around and left.

After arriving at Yecheng, everyone entered the city. Tian Zilie did not rush to look for Mr. Lu and Mr. Cui. He found an inn, settled Cui Gang and the knights, and then went to look for Lu Qubing.

Yecheng doesn't look like a capital city at all.

The city wall was really tall, but the city gate was extremely desolate, with almost no one to be seen.

This is even more so inside the city, where a sense of desolation is everywhere. There is some water on the ground, which looks dirty and messy. The buildings on both sides are relatively old, and some places still have ruins. Although the Great Qi has just been established, this capital city reveals an air of decline, just like an old man who has contracted a serious illness, lying on the ground dying, and may fall asleep at any time.

In the distance there are many mansions of dignitaries, and these mansions look very cold and stern.

There was no place with warm sunshine in the entire city. Coldness and bleakness were intertwined, and shadows shrouded the entire city.

Tian Zilie searched for a long time and asked many soldiers, and finally determined Lu Qubing's current residence.

Lu Qubing lived in the south of the city, in a tall, nice-looking mansion.

Tian Zili went forward and knocked on the door. Soon, someone looked out from the crack of the door and asked vigilantly, "Who is it?"

"May I ask if this is Lord Lu's residence?"

"Which road official are you looking for?"

"Mr. Lu, who was once the county magistrate of Cheng'an."

With a rustling sound, the door was pushed open and an old man walked out. "This is exactly where I am. What can I do for you, distinguished guest?"

"I am Tian Zili, a disciple of Lord Lu. Please go in and report to him."

"it is good."

The old man closed the door again, and soon, hurried footsteps were heard.

A moment later, someone opened the door. It was Lu Qubing.

Lu Qubing looked very excited. When he saw Tian Zili, he hurried forward and grabbed his hand, "Why are you here? Aren't you with Brother Taozi at the border? Come on, come on, come in!"

He pulled Tian Zili into the house, looked at Tian Zili's expression, and hurriedly ordered: "Go prepare some tea and food!"

The two of them sat in the house, and Lu Qubing couldn't help but ask, "Why are you in Yecheng?"

"Where's Brother Taozi?"

"Are you guys okay?"

"Where are Kou Liu and Yao Xiong?"

"Are they coming?"

Tian Zili's eyes widened. He didn't even open his mouth, but Lu Qubing couldn't close it anymore. "Lu Gong, Lu Gong!"

He interrupted the chattering Lu Qubing and said hurriedly: "I am here to see Magistrate Lu. My brother has encountered a serious problem and needs his help."

Tian Zili told Lu Qubing truthfully what had happened.

When Lu Qubing heard this, he was equally indignant, "This is totally unheard of! I will report this to the Prime Minister right away!!"

"what??"

Tian Zili looked at Lu Qubing in astonishment, "You are now..."

Lu Qubing then explained: "I am now the Imperial Guard of the Palace, and I am specifically responsible for impeaching powerful and lawless people!!"

"Imperial censor??"

Tian Zili was stunned, "How could it be?"

"It's like this. Taozi and I once went back to his home together. On the way, we met a knight who was killing people indiscriminately. I stepped forward and reprimanded him. Unexpectedly, the knight was Gao Guiyan, the King of Pingqin. He recommended me to the Prime Minister, saying that I was strong-willed and upright, and had the talent of an imperial censor. The Prime Minister personally met me and after questioning me, he appointed me as an imperial envoy, asking me to monitor the officials and impeach those who did not follow the rules."

Lu Qubing's expression was quite complicated. As a pure scholar-official, he failed to get promoted during Yang Yin's period. Instead, he was promoted by people like King Pingqin and King Changshan. This was simply incredible.

Tian Zili listened to him talking about his own affairs and started to chatter again. He interrupted him again, "Mr. Lu, this matter is extremely important. I wonder where Mr. Lu is now?"

"I'll take you to him right now!"

"We'll go to the table together, you don't have to worry!!"

Lu Qubing quickly got up, asked someone to prepare a carriage, and took Tian Zili away in a hurry.

With Lu Qubing leading the way, Tian Zili's tasks became much easier. At least he didn't have to ask for addresses anymore.

When the two people appeared in front of Lu Yao, Lu Yao was so excited that he couldn't speak for a long time.

Qian Zhubu was still following Lu Yao, and his face did not look much better.

When Tian Zili told Lu Yao many things truthfully and said that Liu Taozi was about to achieve great things, Lu Yao's expression became even more exciting.

"Okay, no need to say more, I'll go contact many friends now."

When Cui Gang woke up, he went straight to his father's house without waiting for Tian Zili to return.

Cui Jishu was not surprised at his son's arrival, as if he had expected it.

The father and son talked in the house for a long time, and no outsiders were allowed to approach.

He didn't leave until the next day.

Not long after Cui Gang returned to the inn, Tian Zilie finally came back.

He staggered into the house. Cui Gang called him three times, but he ignored him.

When he reached the bed, he fell forward.

The Prime Minister’s Mansion.

There were candles lit in the house.

Only two were lit, but they were enough to illuminate the room.

Gao Yan sat at the desk with a serious expression.

Wang Xi was sitting next to him. He carefully placed the music list in front of the king, one by one.

"This is the memorial from Lanling Prince Gao Changgong, this is the memorial from Ande Prince and the three governors under his command, this is from Lu Yao, this is from Cui Jishu, this is from Lou Rui, this is from Yang Xiuzhi, this is from Yuan Yuxiu, this is from Yuan Xiubo, and this is from Zhao Yanshen."

Gao Yan half-closed his eyes and remained silent.

Wang Xi talked like this for a long time, and finally, he took out a memorial from his arms and placed it on the top.

"This is my own."

Gao Yan suddenly asked, "I wonder if you also have a past with Liu Taozi?"

"I don't know Liu Taozi. I have never met him."

"But I know King Shunyang and the state of the country."

"It is a good thing that these ministers can write a petition together. It means that they have let down their guard against the king and no longer regard the king as a noble leader, but as a common leader for everyone."

"When Yang Yin was executed, the nobles were very excited. They thought that they had accomplished something great, and they became more arrogant and domineering."

"Didn't the king send Liu Taozi to the border to do these things?"

Gao Yan suddenly laughed.

“But he went a little too far.”

Wang Xi lowered his head and spoke again:
"Then the Prime Minister should send someone to reprimand him and fine him his salary as a punishment."

(End of this chapter)