Zhang Xi, Su Wei, and Cui Yuanzong were exiled due to corruption, and the other was demoted to a provincial governor. How could Wang Hongyi, who was also guilty of corruption, escape unscathed?
Li Zhaode beat Hou Sizhi to death, shocking the entire court. Before the aftermath subsided, the Ministry of Justice announced Wang Hongyi's punishment. With Wu Zetian's approval, Wang Hongyi was sentenced to be exiled to Qiongzhou.
Qiongzhou was the future Dingan County of Hainan Island. At this time, Qiongzhou was overrun with pests and snakes, and it was not safe either. The local government was useless. The people there were fierce, and there were pirates and bandits roaming the coastal waters and jungles. Being exiled there was a slim chance of survival.
In fact, when Cui Yuanzong was exiled to Zhenzhou (Sanya, Hainan), Wu Zetian had the same intention. She wanted him to die there when he was sick. However, Cui Yuanzong was very lucky. When he was in that barbarian land, he contracted dysentery. But he managed to survive.
A few years later, Cui Yuanzong was pardoned. When he was crossing the sea on a boat, a strong wind blew and the boat sank. Everyone on the boat drowned, but Cui Yuanzong did not die. He carried a wooden plank and floated up to the beach. When the local fishermen saw him, there was a wooden plank stuck to his back. A long nail pierced several inches deep into his spine. He was already dying.
Despite all this, he still did not die. When he was rescued, they asked him and found out that he was the old Prime Minister. The people could not help but sigh, "A Prime Minister ended up like this. I'm just a commoner!" They then stepped on the blood and pulled out the nail for him, saving him.
After Cui Yuanzong recovered, he returned to the capital. He started as an Imperial Censor and was promoted to Prime Minister. He lived until he was ninety-nine years old, exhausting all his children and nephews to death. In the end, because he could not move and had no children to take care of the household, Cui Yuanzong starved to death, just like Duke Huan of Qi.
Let's not talk about this for now. Among the three Prime Ministers, two were exiled, and one was demoted. The Imperial Censorate immediately had two capable generals, one exiled, the other beaten to death at the Meridian Gate. Both sides could be considered to be tied for the time being.
Afterwards, the Deputy Imperial Censor, Wan Guojun, submitted a request to inspect the place. This action was thought by the civil officials to be afraid of being attacked by them, so he took the initiative to show weakness. Li Zhaode generously agreed.
After Yang Fan heard the news, he hurriedly went to see Li Zhaode. However, Li Zhaode did not think much of it. In his opinion, Wan Guojun was useless in the capital. What could he do if he went to the countryside? Wan Guojun's action was clearly admitting defeat. Taking advantage of the fact that he wasn't in the capital, he would find an opportunity to demote and exile the remaining ruthless officials of the Imperial Censorate. After sweeping them clean, there would be a new world. At that time, even if Wan Guojun came back, he would be like the current Head of the Imperial Censorate, Chen Yu.
Yang Fan bitterly tried to persuade Wan Guojun, but to no avail. Wan Guojun had already left the capital after the imperial court gave its approval. He had no choice but to temporarily put this matter aside and start to deal with Young Master Jiang, who had disappeared without a trace.
Ever since he found out that the barbarian Mo Lei claimed to be the reincarnation of Wei Tuo and was the Maitreya's Protector, Xue Huaiyi became very close to the three swindlers. He wanted to use this matter to regain his position as the first face.
Unfortunately, Wu Zetian was obviously more interested in Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi. She often rewarded and promoted them, so Er Zhang's position was like the sun in the sky. Gradually, Wu Sansi, Wu Chengsi, and the others, who used to be respectful in front of Xue Huaiyi, all ran to flatter Er Zhang. They led the horse and pulled the stirrup for him, without the slightest bit of shame.
On the other hand, the White Horse Temple was cold and deserted. Other than Yang Fan, almost no one else came to visit. Xue Huaiyi became even more nervous. Every now and then, he would take the initiative to ask to see the Empress. Er Zhang was very nervous because of this, afraid that Xue Huaiyi would win back the Emperor's favor. The two of them quietly went to see Shanghai Wan'er and gave the rewards they got from Wu Zetian to Wan'er, asking for her help.
Ever since Wei Tuan'er was beaten to death, the palace had become the world of Wan'er. Nearly eighty percent of the palace maids and eunuchs were her subordinates. Not a single one of the important positions was left out. As long as Wan'er nodded, Xue Huaiyi's news would not reach Wu Zetian's ears.
From this point of view, the high and mighty Empress was like sitting in a gorgeous cage. As long as others were willing, what they wanted her to know or not know was not up to her.
Ever since Xiao Man became pregnant, Shanghai Wan'er seemed to have lost interest in Yang Fan. Every time she left the palace, nine out of ten times, she would change into casual clothes and sneak into the Yang Residence. She would stare at Xiao Man's gradually bulging belly, drooling with greed.
It was as if she had been bewitched. Even in her dreams, she hoped that she could have a child. More than once, she dreamed that she was pregnant with Yang Fan's children, and even that they would be twins in this lifetime. She woke up laughing in her dreams, and cried when she woke up. Now, the thought that ran around in her mind all day was: "Have a child, have a child!"
But in front of Wu Zetian, how could she dare to get pregnant? Shanghai Wan'er racked her brains to think of how she could leave for a year and a half. Only when she was not under Wu Zetian's eyes would she have a chance. Now, seeing that the Empress favored the two Zhangs more and more, Shanghai Wan'er pinned her hopes on them.
The two Zhangs were different from Xue Huaiyi. They came from a prestigious clan and were talented. Especially Zhang Yizhi, who seemed to have great ambition. He pretended to be considerate of the Empress's poor eyesight, and took the initiative to read the memorials for the Empress. Gradually, after reading the memorials, he would casually make a few comments. His comments were often on point or handled appropriately.
The Empress was so pleased that she transferred some of the errands that Shangguan Wan'er had been handling to Zhang Yizhi. Zhang Yizhi stayed by her side every day, lying in her little lover's arms, flirting with each other while dealing with the affairs of the state. This atmosphere was obviously more comfortable than Shangguan Wan'er's company. Thus, Zhang Yizhi not only had the opportunity to intervene in state affairs, but also promoted a group of good friends who were also members of noble clans, and gradually formed his own force.
Now, although this group of new nobles had not yet made a name for themselves, they had already aroused the vigilance of Wu Chengsi, Wu Sansi, Princess Taiping, and Li Zhaode. But in the heart of Shanghai Wan'er, compared to power and having a son, it was obviously more important to have a son. She hoped that Zhang Yizhi could share more of her burden and change the situation where Wu Zetian couldn't leave her for a moment, so she also had a request of the two Zhangs.
The two Zhangs came to her, which was exactly what Wan'er wanted. Wan'er returned the treasures that they gifted, but readily agreed to the two Zhangs' request. From then on, Xue Huaiyi's request did not enter the palace, and Wu Zetian could not hear any news about him at all.
The two Zhangs were originally dissolute young masters, full of talent and knowledge. He had a good impression of this talented woman who weighed the talents of the world, so they became good friends as soon as they arrived. Once the two cooperated, it had a multiplying effect on each other's forces. The two Zhangs and Wan'er had now become two powerful forces that could control the Empress.
Xue Huaiyi repeatedly requested to see the three Zhangs, but there was no response from the palace. Xue Huaiyi began to give up on himself. He was too lazy to interact with the three Zhangs anymore. Every day, he would drink and party, riding his horse on the streets, unscrupulously showing off in Luoyang City. He also took in countless scoundrels as his disciples. All day long, he brandished his spear and played with sticks to relieve his loneliness and to vent his energy.
However, although Xue Huaiyi no longer had contact with the three Zhangs, Yang Fan was still very respectful to them. He often invited them to go out and drink, and their relationship became more and more intimate. On this day, Yang Fan accompanied the three Zhangs on a tour of the Dragon Gate. They were boating on the Yi River below the Dragon Gate.
A large boat plowed through the mirror-like water, and layers of waves swayed to both sides. It was picturesque.
Green mountains and blue waters, leisurely. Taoist Shi Fang stood at the bow of the boat, his face slightly tipsy.
Yang Fan stood beside him and smiled, "Immortal Elder is really an unworldly master. The Prime Minister in the human world, many people yearn for it, but Immortal Elder took the initiative to resign from the position of Prime Minister and wanted to return to Mount Song to cultivate. Such a person who does not care for worldly fame and fortune is a true unworldly master."
Taoist Shi Fang laughed dryly and stroked his beard. He did not know how to respond to this compliment, but his expression was bitter.
In fact, he really wanted to be an official. In the beginning, when Wu Zetian made him the Prime Minister, he was also very interested. However, he soon discovered that being the Prime Minister was noble, but he had no freedom. There were always a large number of servants and guards sent by the imperial court to protect him. It was not easy for him to amass wealth, and it was even more difficult for him to eat wine and eat meat. Being the Prime Minister was unspeakably bitter.
At this moment, Taoist Shi Fang began to envy Mo Lei. He was still free and unfettered. Everyone was a Zhangs, but he was the only one who amassed wealth confidently. Not only did he eat delicacies every day without any scruples, he even had a few young and beautiful concubines. Who asked him to practice Wild Fox Dhyana?
Taoist Shi Fang wanted to resign from his position and seek freedom. Who knew that although the Empress agreed to his request and removed him from the position of Prime Minister, she would not let him go. In the Imperial Capital, Taoist Shi Fang had been acting like a Zhangs too much in the past, but now he did not dare to be presumptuous. He could only watch Mo Lei having beauties in his arms, drinking wine and eating meat while he pretended to be a spotless living immortal.
Now that he heard Yang Fan's praise, Taoist Shi Fang knew that he was suffering and could only say bitterly, "Yes! Although I am favored by His Majesty, I am just a Taoist from the mountains. I have always been like a wild crane, and it is inconvenient to stay here for a long time. Unfortunately, His Majesty is reluctant to let me leave. Now, I only find some fun when I tour the Dragon's Gate with you. "
Yang Fan glanced at him and said, "Although there are many natural treasures in the palace, if you want to help the Saint concoct the Longevity Pill, the herbs in the palace are probably not enough. Why don't you ask the Saint for permission to look for herbs outside? Once you are away from the Emperor, with your identity, you can do whatever you want. Which local official would dare to say anything? "
Taoist Shi Fang's eyes lit up when he heard this. He was immediately moved and said hesitantly, "Is this … feasible?"
Yang Fan said with a smile, "Why wouldn't the Saint be willing to find herbs for the Saint?"
"Yes! What Erlang said makes a lot of sense! "
Taoist Shi Fang nodded and thought excitedly, "There is Kunlun in the West, which is the legendary Fairy Mountain. But the West is too bitter and there is a war, so I can't go there. Not to mention the North, it is a vast desert grassland, how can I indulge in debauchery? The East … there is a legend that there is a Fairy Mountain in the East, but there are strong winds and waves on the sea. Once something happens, I will come back. So, I can only go to the South … "
Thinking of this, Taoist Shi Fang stroked his beard and said, "Erlang is right. The pills I concoct are indeed lacking a few main herbs, so I want to go to Lingnan to pick them. But … if I leave the capital, His Majesty will definitely send people to follow me. The officials are too vulgar, and I don't like it. Besides, I will still lose my freedom if I travel with them. "
Yang Fan said with a smile, "What's so difficult about it? The biggest herb merchant in the two capitals is' Jichun Hall '. Can't the Immortal ask for permission and let them help? Immortal is the imperial envoy, so the local officials will certainly make things convenient for you. With the Immortal's help, the business of 'Jichun Hall' can also be greatly facilitated. It is a win-win situation, so I think they will be willing to be used by the Immortal. "
Taoist Shi Fang was like a bird in a cage, looking forward to flying out and having a good time. When he heard this, he couldn't help but be overjoyed and said repeatedly, "Yes, yes, Erlang's words really woke me up. When I return to the capital, I will ask the Emperor for permission to go to Lingnan."
Yang Fan smiled and looked at the water in front of him. The sparkling water seemed to be plowed by his gaze, and was quickly separating into two sides, layer by layer, and swinging to the shore.
Jichun Hall was the first name on the three pages that Zhao Yu asked him to write down.
If he wanted to open the Heavenly Robe, he didn't need a seam, just a thread would be enough.
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