Now I really have to marry the princess.

Chapter 120 Li Er only sent me a girl

At the beginning of the day, Yang Zhengdao left the county office and headed to the imperial city.

Li Er said that Empress Zhangsun wanted to introduce him to a famous teacher.

It seems that Empress Zhangsun still longs for him to take the imperial examination for the title of Xiucai.

Scholar! The foremost among the talented in the land, seeking out renowned teachers to pave the way, receiving instruction from them is only one aspect; cultivating one's reputation through their tutelage is even more important.

Therefore, the teacher must be a great Confucian scholar of the time; otherwise, it would not be of much significance for him to take the imperial examination for the title of Xiucai.

But which of the great Confucian scholars of our time did not cherish their reputation and value their integrity?

How could they accept him, an orphan of the previous dynasty, as their disciple, especially since the original owner's ancestors and fathers were all morally flawed?

With the imperial city so close at hand, Yang Zhengdao shook his head with a wry smile and stopped thinking about it.

After entering the palace from the imperial city, and receiving a message from the eunuch, the eunuch Jian arrived shortly afterward.

Yang Zhengdao followed the eunuch Jian all the way to the Lizheng Hall.

Upon entering the hall, Empress Zhangsun was already seated on the throne.

After the ceremony, Empress Zhangsun did not get straight to the point.

"A-Dao, you are the county magistrate of Chang'an, in charge of official duties. Is your work too demanding?"

How do I answer that?

When the boss asks this, the worker can't honestly answer that the job is easy.

But saying that official duties are too tedious is also inappropriate.

The previous two days I finished my shift at noon, and last night I was brought into the palace from the bathhouse.

Yang Zhengdao had no choice but to steer clear of this topic and talk about what Empress Zhangsun cared about most.

"Your Highness, I am like water in cotton wool; you can squeeze it out if you try, but you can't wring it all out. Therefore, I still have time to study and learn about politics."

"Water in the cotton candy? What a clever metaphor!" Empress Zhangsun's eyes lit up, then she said with a half-smile, "You do have the time, but whether you're self-taught or not is another matter."

Yang Zhengdao readily admitted his mistake: "Your Highness's admonition is correct. Although I have had some free time, I have not been able to devote myself to my studies. I will definitely work hard and encourage myself in the future."

Empress Zhangsun picked up her teacup and said earnestly, "Adao, although you are exceptionally talented, you still need to study under a renowned teacher and thoroughly study the classics to pass the imperial examination for the title of Xiucai (a lower-level scholar). Only then can you hope to succeed."

It's all for the sake of passing the imperial examination for the lowest degree!

This is just too difficult!

Yang Zhengdao feigned embarrassment and said in a low voice, "Your Highness has high hopes for me, and I will certainly study diligently. However, the Xiucai examination is extremely difficult, and I am truly apprehensive. Would it be more appropriate for me to take the Jinshi examination instead?"

Empress Zhangsun smiled slightly and put down her teacup.

"One should not underestimate oneself in politics; although it is difficult to become a scholar, one should always give it a try."

Yang Zhengdao could only bow and say, "Yes."

Empress Zhangsun couldn't help but smile when she saw Yang Zhengdao's reluctant expression.

"It is by nature for young people to be lazy in studying the classics and more inclined to play. They need a strict teacher to admonish them day and night and give them earnest instructions so that they do not waste their time. Has His Majesty already told you about this?"

Yang Zhengdao quickly bowed deeply to express his gratitude: "Your Highness has treated me so well, I am deeply grateful."

Empress Zhangsun waved her hand and said gently, "Don't rush to thank me. I'm just speaking on your behalf. In a few days it will be the middle of the month. Go to their house yourself, pay your respects, and see which of the brothers is willing to teach you."

How many brothers are there?

Since Empress Zhangsun was able to persuade Xiang Yu, it is highly likely that she came from one of the eighteen scholars of the Prince of Qin's mansion.

The Guy brothers?

The brothers, known as the "Two Gai," were both renowned scholars of classical studies.

My elder brother, Gai Wenyi, was a Doctor of the Imperial Academy, specializing in teaching the Book of Poetry and the Book of Rites.

His younger brother, Gai Wenda, was one of the eighteen scholars of the Prince of Qin's Palace, a scholar of the Chongxian Hall, and an advisor, especially skilled in the three commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals.

However, Empress Zhangsun was referring to several brothers, not just two brothers.

The answer is obvious.

Yang Zhengdao was overjoyed and quickly cupped his hands in greeting, asking, "May I ask if the gentlemen recommended by Your Highness are the Yan brothers?"

Empress Zhangsun smiled and said, "They are indeed the Yan brothers, descendants of the Resurrected Sage. If you can become a disciple of the Yan family, it will be a great opportunity. You should cherish it diligently in the future."

Empress Zhangsun was right; this was indeed a fortuitous opportunity.

Before the Song and Yuan dynasties, Yan Hui, as the foremost disciple of Confucius, held a status far higher than that of Mencius in later generations.

In the second year of the Zhenguan era, Emperor Taizong personally designated Confucius as the Former Sage and Yan Hui as the Former Teacher, placing them in the Temple of Confucius, second only to Confucius in status.

If he could become a disciple of Yan Zhenqing, Yang Zhengdao could completely replace his label as the grandson of Emperor Yang of Sui with the identity of a disciple of Yan Zhenqing.

Moreover, from an emotional perspective, Yang Zhengdao also very much hoped to become a disciple of the Yan family.

He and Yan Xianfu were kindred spirits, and his last visit to the Yan family was a very pleasant experience.

His impression of the Yan family was that they treated each other with sincerity, sought truth and righteousness, and had little arrogance.

Oh! Apart from Xiao Jiu and Yan Chun Chun, everyone else is fine.

Yan Xiangshi, in particular, greatly admired him, so it shouldn't have been difficult for him to become Yan Xiangshi's disciple.

As Yang Zhengdao pondered this, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up into a wide smile.

Upon seeing this, Empress Zhangsun couldn't help but tease, "Is Adao satisfied with the school of disciples I recommended?"

"Satisfied, satisfied! Of course I'm satisfied."

"That's good! I heard you're acquainted with Yan Xianfu? Are you confident about becoming his disciple?"

"I will certainly live up to Your Highness's expectations."

Empress Zhangsun nodded in satisfaction, and after giving Yang Zhengdao some more instructions, she finally let him leave.

Yang Zhengdao had just stepped out of the Lizheng Hall when he unexpectedly encountered Zhang Anan.

Moreover, Zhang Anan was not wearing a purple official robe today, but rather a black casual dress.

He dismissed the young eunuch who was leading the way for Yang Zhengdao, and then said with a smile, "County Commandant Yang, His Majesty has issued an oral decree."

Although Yang Zhengdao had some doubts, he still stood at attention and listened to the order.

The emperor said to Zhengdao: "Follow Zhang Anan's arrangements and let him take you to a secret place."

Yang Zhengdao was taken aback.

A secret location?! What's going on?!

Zhang Anan had already made a gesture of invitation: "County Commandant Yang, please come with me out of the palace first."

With Emperor Taizong's oral order, Yang Zhengdao had no choice but to follow.

Once outside the palace gates, he discovered that Tan Feng and Su Hongyi were not there.

Zhang Anan explained with a smile, "I have already sent Yang County Magistrate's guards back first."

Yang Zhengdao's heart tightened, and he hurriedly asked, "May I ask, Eunuch Zhang, where are we going, and when will we be released?"

Zhang Anan smiled apologetically: "Lieutenant Yang, please obey the Emperor's decree. I can only tell you that this is an opportunity."

Another opportunity?

But Zhang Anan's ambiguous smile didn't seem like a good thing at all.

Yang Zhengdao guessed correctly. As they were talking, Zhang Anan led him to a carriage next to the palace gate.

The carriage had no markings or designs.

Upon reaching the carriage, Zhang Anan stepped aside, saying, "County Commandant Yang, please."

Yang Zhengdao had no choice but to do as he was told, and he bent down and crawled into the carriage.

The carriage was covered with thick felt mats, and the curtains on both sides were drawn tightly, preventing any outside light from getting in.

Zhang Anan then got into the carriage and sat down opposite him.

As soon as the carriage started moving, Zhang Anan took out a black satin ribbon from his sleeve and handed it over.

"County Commandant Yang, you still need to blindfold yourself."

Yang Zhengdao's pupils contracted slightly. Why all the secrecy? What's going on here?

Secretly kill him?!

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

Empress Zhangsun just told him to go to the Yan family to become a disciple, so it's unlikely that she would punish him as soon as she turned around.

In such a short time, he couldn't possibly have committed any heinous crime.

"It's not a bad thing for County Lieutenant Yang, he's not worried!" Zhang Anan said with a smile, but his eyes grew colder. "It's the County Lieutenant..."

"Should I cover it up myself, or will someone else do it for me?"

Yang Zhengdao felt a chill run down his spine and quickly took the black ribbon, deftly covering his eyes.

He believed that if he dared to hesitate for even a moment longer, Zhang Anan would knock him unconscious with a single chop.

With vision gone, other senses are amplified under the stress.

The car seemed to shake more violently.

Yang Zhengdao instinctively tensed up, bracing himself with his hands on the felt mat beside him. Every bump in the wheel made his body sway.

The sounds outside the car gradually became clearer.

He could even hear the sound of footsteps clashing with armor, and the fluttering of banners in the wind.

The carriage stopped for a moment before continuing its journey, and the sounds quickly faded away behind them.

They must have already left the imperial city.

The carriage continued its swaying journey, and Yang Zhengdao gradually adjusted to the darkness, his sense of balance slowly returning.

The carriage turned right after leaving the imperial city, so it must have been heading south.

Vehicles and pedestrians pass by outside the car from time to time.

In the darkness, time becomes viscous and long.

Turn left, go straight, turn right, then turn left again —

Yang Zhengdao tried hard to remember the directions, but as he counted, his sense of direction became like a crumpled piece of paper that could no longer be straightened.

He simply stopped paying attention to the direction the carriage was going, and his tense emotions gradually calmed down.

Once you relax, your thoughts become more agile.

He immediately thought of a possibility: the plan he had discussed with Li Er the night before.

Forged tortoise shells to speak on behalf of three generations!

Such secrecy naturally cannot be taken too seriously.

I don't know how much time passed, maybe half an hour, or maybe an hour, the car made several turns before finally coming to a stop.

Then a cool breeze entered the carriage, carrying with it the dampness of grass and trees.

"County Lieutenant Yang, we've arrived," Zhang Anan's voice rang out. "Let me help you out of the carriage first."

Yang Zhengdao felt a hand reach out and rest on the outside of his arm.

He leaned out of the carriage following the force, and his feet finally touched the solid ground.

It is a flat stone slab.

Then Zhang Anan's voice rang out again: "A-Si, help County Magistrate Yang inside, I'll head back first."

"No." is a sweet and gentle girl.

Ah Si!? What's his relationship with Ah Wu and Ah Liu!?

Before Yang Zhengdao could think further, he smelled a faint, delicate fragrance wafting towards him.

Then a small hand, delicate and soft, with slightly cool fingertips, rested on his wrist.

Then an arm gently encircled his arm.

The girl's body moved closer, softly pressing against him. Although it was only a light rub, the warmth and softness of it must have been quite substantial.

A sweet, gentle voice rang in my ears again: "My lord, watch your step."

Yang Zhengdao followed the girl's movements, letting her lead him forward.

With each step he took, that soft warmth would gently brush against him, the silk rustling softly, both supple and bouncy, seemingly close yet distant, a touch that would soon be gone.

It made him distracted.

He stopped abruptly and asked, "Has Eunuch Zhang left?"

The girl did not answer, but instead wrapped her arms around his even tighter, leading him forward once more.

It's much better this time; it's soft and warm.

The young girl gently reminded him, "Young master, watch your step."

Stepping over the threshold, the stone slab ground beneath my feet turned into a gravel path.

It seems the carriage drove directly into the front yard, and now it should be entering the middle yard.

Because this type of gravel path is best suited for use in courtyard gardens.

Then the gravel path became wooden planks, which made a thumping sound when stepped on.

A breeze blew across their faces, carrying a damp mist; it must be a pond, and they were walking on a wooden boardwalk.

The girl reminded him again, "Young master, watch your step."

Yang Zhengdao stepped over, indicating that he had reached the corridor.

The girl stopped, released his arm, and then walked behind him.

A small hand reached out, its fingertips touching the knot at the back of his head, and gently tugged it.

The black satin slipped down.

A sudden burst of light flooded in; it was the setting sun.

Yang Zhengdao instinctively squinted and blinked a few times.

The door in front of me was open.

A breeze blew in from deep inside, carrying a faint fragrance.

There was a person standing inside the room.

He was about fifty years old, with a thin face and a tall figure, wearing a slightly worn blue round-necked robe.

The man cupped his hands in greeting and said in a deep voice, "I am Li Qingshi, Chief Clerk of the Hundred Cavalry Division. By order of His Majesty, I have specially promoted Yang Zhengdao, Colonel of Xuanjie, to be the Military Advisor of the Hundred Cavalry Division."

Yang Zhengdao was completely dumbfounded.

Hundred Cavalry Commandery? Secret Military Advisor?

Before Yang Zhengdao could react, Li Qingshi laughed and said, "A-Si, why don't you quickly pay your respects to Military Advisor Yang?"

"A-Si, the secret agent of the Hundred Cavalry Division, pays his respects to Military Advisor Yang."

Yang Zhengdao suddenly turned his head.

A young girl beside him bowed gracefully.

She wore a light blue, narrow-sleeved short blouse paired with a dark blue, chest-length skirt that hugged her slender figure.

As the girl bowed, her body leaned forward, the sash of her long dress supporting her two heavy breasts, and beneath the dress, her slender waist...

Her soft, rounded hips were subtly revealed.

As the girl slowly stood up, Yang Zhengdao finally saw her face clearly. He was stunned and thought he was seeing things.

The person in front of me is clearly Ah Wu!

Her face was fair and gentle, her almond-shaped eyes were clear and bright, and even the slightly upturned corners of her eyes were exactly like Ah Wu's.

Their eyes met, and the girl's cheeks flushed red before she quickly lowered her gaze.

The girl in front of me is not Ah Wu! Although she is just as lively and charming, she is more shy than Ah Wu.

Yang Zhengdao coughed lightly before turning around.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and cupped his hands to Li Qingshi, saying, "Chief Secretary Li, how did I get promoted to the position of Hundred Cavalry Officer?"

A sage may issue decrees or official documents.

Li Qingshi seemed to have guessed that Yang Zhengdao would ask such a question. He smiled faintly, stepped aside, and revealed a large table.

"The official documents are on the table. Military Advisor Yang, come in and take a look for yourself."

Yang Zhengdao stepped into the room and came to the desk.

The desk was fully equipped with writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, with a piece of yellow hemp paper resting on a blue stone paperweight in the middle.

Letter:

Yang Zhengdao, the Colonel of Xuanjie, was loyal, brave, and capable. He was specially promoted to Military Advisor of the Hundred Cavalry Division, in charge of handling secret matters, proofreading secret documents, and investigating omens.

Public opinion regarding Ji'an.

This decree shall be carried out in secret and not announced to the outside world; it shall be obeyed and carried out.

It really is like that!

Yang Zhengdao smiled bitterly to himself.

Li Er still doesn't trust him! Bringing him into the Hundred Cavalry Division will make him easier to manage and control.

But what rank is this Hundred Cavalry Commander?

He must have been promoted!

But getting promoted doesn't seem to make much difference.

Judging from the secret edict, his role as a secret military advisor did not grant him much power; his main task was to forge tortoise shells for Li Er.

Another responsibility is "combating public opinion," which Yang Zhengdao has been doing all along. Both "The Spring of the Curtain Screen" and "The Story of the Stone" fall under this responsibility.

Thinking of this, an ominous thought came to mind!

Yang Zhengdao suddenly looked up: "Chief Secretary Li, how many people are currently in charge of this secret affairs department?"

Li Qingshi's face stiffened, and he gave a dry laugh: "Military Advisor Yang, the Secret Affairs Bureau is still in its infancy, and currently only you and A-Si are involved."

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What?! Li Er only sent me a girl?

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