[R18] Will drink wine – “About Wine” Chapter 280 [English]

Chapter 268, Bodhi (Part 1)

Xue Xiuyi’s legs were weak. He held the door frame and sat on the ground. He watched his wife, concubines and maids hurriedly clean up their clothes, and murmured to himself: “I can’t leave… Brother Jin hasn’t come back yet…”

The sound of footsteps was heard outside the hospital. The nurse stretched his neck and saw that it was Dujun, and he was frightened out of his wits.The courtyard door was knocked open with a bang. Xue Xiuyi waved his arms as the army rushed in and said: “The officials slandered me. I have a grievance!”

The new general of the capital army took out the sign and documents from his arms and said: “The notes from the Ministry of Punishment, the emperor’s approval,” he looked around the yard, “take all the rest away.”

Dujun suddenly lifted Xue Xiuyi up, his feet slipped on the ground, and his mouth was gagged.

After Fuman was imprisoned, the eunuchs removed a group of people, and Li Jianting replaced all the important officials in the internal affairs office that night.The guard knocked on the door, and without waiting for the other party to argue, he directly gagged the person and took him away, even faster than in the Li Jianting poisoning case.There were footsteps everywhere in the palace, and countless guards stood in the shadows of the walls. The eunuchs and maids who were still on duty were cautious about their words and actions. They all withdrew their hands and buried their heads, not daring to look around randomly.

Xue Xiuzhuo didn’t sleep. He stood by the window with his clothes on, listening to the chaotic sounds of running outside the high wall.After the rain stopped, the clouds dispersed, and the cold moonlight shone on his body, and his side profile reflected the shadow of the bamboo in front of the window.

“Ah.” Ya’er wiped his nose roughly and urged Xue Xiuzhuo to rest.

Xue Xiuzhuo looked back and said, “Brother Jin, did you sleep well?”

Ya’er nodded, pointed in the direction of Xue Jin’s room, and said “Yeah” as an answer.

Xue Xiuzhuo said: “Go to sleep.”

Ya’er refused, so he scratched it with his hands to make Xue Xiuzhuo eat.

Xue Xiuzhuo didn’t answer. He picked up the chess pieces on the chessboard with his fingers and looked at them, as if he couldn’t understand something.Seeing that he was not moving, Yu’er looked helpless and sat down at the door of the room without leaving.

After a long time, Xue Xiuzhuo threw the chess piece back into the chess basket.

* * *

After the morning session the next day, Xue Xiuzhuo waited outside Mingli Hall for Li Jianting’s summons.There are countless rumors about his impeachment today. As soon as Xue Xiuyi was imprisoned, it was confirmed that corruption and bribery were true. Rumors in the market followed the trend, and the number of Imperial College students who submitted invitations to Xue Xiuzhuo decreased.

“Xue Xiuzhuo’s taking away a son is really against the laws of nature,” Yan Guan knelt in front of the imperial case, “Xue Xiuyi is his legitimate brother no matter what. Your Majesty, throughout the ages, there has never been a case of a concubine snatching away the eldest son, not to mention that as the emperor’s master, he should set an example. Doesn’t his behavior teach everyone in the world to despise etiquette and ignore the clan.”

Li Jianting closed the memorial and said: “Xue Xiuyi dotes on his concubines and destroys his wife. He is greedy for money and extravagant. I think Xue Xiuzhuo’s actions are precisely in compliance with etiquette and for the direct lineage of the Xue family. There is nothing wrong with that.”

The speaker, who was almost seventy years old, kowtowed his head tremblingly and continued: “I think otherwise. My brother is at fault. He can give me advice and advice. This is how brothers and sisters treat each other with respect…”

Li Jianting listened to the etiquette doctrines all morning and stood up immediately.

“… It is said that if there is a virtuous person, there will be governance, but if there is no virtuous person, there will be chaos. 1. What is a sage? A person who can distinguish between high and low, and obey the etiquette and law… Your Majesty, good medicine is bitter to the mouth, but loyal words are offensive to the ears…”

Li Jianting couldn’t move his feet and sat back again.

It was a muggy sunny day after the rain, and the flowers planted in front of the hall were all wilted in the sun.Yan Guan rested for a while and drank a cup of tea. Before Li Jianting could speak, he continued to exhort Li Jianting to sit back from morning to Youshi.

Yan Guan didn’t know how many cups of tea he had finished drinking, and said warmly to Li Jianting: “Your Majesty, the smarter and more understanding one is, the more alert and clear their ears must be…” He smacked his mouth and took a few breaths, “I thought…”

“What I heard from you today is better than ten years of reading.” Li Jianting stood up and came to help her in person. The flower on her forehead made her face bright, and she said kindly, “I will ask you to tell the students of the Imperial College another day this most holy saying. It’s not early today, and I see that your face looks tired, so I’ll go back and have a rest first.”

Yan Guan said “I don’t dare” as he walked. Before leaving the house, he also said: “Those who are wise can avoid misfortunes before they start, Xue Xiuzhuo…”

Fengquan had a look, bent down to support Yan Guan, and said with a smile: “The floor in front of the hall is slippery. Sir, please be careful where you step. My servant will help you walk.”

Yan Guan was supported by Fengquan and walked farther and farther.The setting sun turned the potted plants in front of Mingli Hall orange-red, and also made the golden hairpin on Li Jianting’s temple shine brightly.She turned sideways and stared at Xue Xiuzhuo standing in the hall.Xue Xiuzhuo’s back was like a knife, and his shoulders carried the last glow. His official robe was hidden in the afterglow, and Li Jianting couldn’t see his expression clearly.

“Sir,” Li Jianting raised his hand to lift the bead curtain, “please.”

There were no lamps lit in the Meigli Hall, and no one was waiting on them.After Xue Xiuzhuo entered, he knelt in front of the emperor’s case, but Li Jianting did not return to the throne.She stood on the side of the imperial case and looked at the calligraphy and paintings on the wall.

“Xue Xiuyi made a mistake and it has nothing to do with you.” Li Jianting said, “If you are here to apologize, you don’t have to do it.”

“Xue Xiuyi took bribes, and the criminal department wanted Juexi merchants involved in the case, but it was in vain.” Xue Xiuzhuo did not lie on the ground like others, kneeling on his back, just like when he taught Li Jianting in the palace, “The emperor ordered the military assistant to handle the case, and it has nothing to do with the humble minister.”

“Recently, there have been a lot of stories about impeaching Mr. Mister, and there are more than ten crimes listed against him, but I heard that Mr. Mister’s words were subtle and he was unhurried.” Li Jianting stared at the painting, “I must have expected it.”

Xue Xiuzhuo said: “If you are poor, you will want to change.”

The light in Meigli Hall disappeared, and the two people were hidden in the darkness.The palace lanterns hanging on the eaves outside the hall were not lit, and the entire palace seemed to be in a deep sleep. The majestic palace was pillowed by the thin light at the end of the sky, and there were no birds singing and no sound.

“You once saved Thirteen Cities with Jiang Qingshan, and you and Hai Liangyi brought down Hua Siqian, and worked tirelessly to investigate the land taxes in Eight Cities. No one in this world understands better than you how hard it is to cure the long-term illness of a family.” Li Jianting raised his finger to touch the calligraphy and painting, which was stamped with Emperor Guangcheng’s royal seal. “You ignored the opposition and insisted on chasing the debt, just to give me a chance to win over the old minister.”

Things have to be prioritized. Han Cheng and the Queen Mother have fallen one after another. The family has no successors and has shown a self-defeating state. Xue Xiuzhuo understands this better than anyone.

“You continue to play, requesting that Fei’s old title be deposed and Fei’s entire family beheaded.” Li Jianting slid his fingertips and dragged out his fingerprints on the painting. “This has made the family particularly resentful of you. This is also to give me a chance to share the same hatred.”

The Fei family in Dancheng, the Han family in Wucheng and the Hua family in Dicheng were assisted by the cabinet and Xue Xiuzhuo before and after Li Jianting ascended the throne, and he eliminated the main members of the family in one fell swoop.Now that they are forced to ease the atmosphere with the family due to the threat of Zhongbo, someone must take responsibility for the past.

Li Jianting looked back and said: “Sir, you are going to die as a martyr to help me secure my position thousands of miles away.”

The palace lantern in the corner of the eaves was lit, and the faint light penetrated the bead curtain and shone on Xue Xiuzhuo’s back in fragments.He has a thin back and old official robes, like pines nailed to the capital, unshakable in the wind.He looked at the painting and said: “To protect the country, you should be willing to give up.”

It is said that those who threaten the emperor and cross the court are powerful ministers. Most of them hold on to the important authority and do not follow the etiquette and laws. They act arrogantly and gather cliques. Therefore, Hua Siqian is a powerful minister.If Li Jianting was as indecisive and timid as Emperor Xiande and Emperor Tianchen, Xue Xiuzhuo could choose to be a powerful minister, but Li Jianting was not.

Maybe the Great Zhou Dynasty needs a soft and gentle emperor at some point, but at this moment, surrounded by wolves, if Li Jianting cannot be resolute and decisive, and can only be a puppet who obeys the orders of the courtiers, then she is not worthy of sitting here at all.

“There are officials to rule, and there are ministers to govern the government. However, the Imperial College is not above the temple, but it can assist in the affairs of the world. If the reputation of the Imperial College is tied to the ministers, they will be a wolf that affects the king’s decision-making, so the ministers must be isolated from the group of ministers.”

Fame may seem elusive, but it is actually the key to gathering a party.Hai Liangyi was not a party member when he was born, and he did not even see the courtiers after returning home every day. But did he really have no party affiliation?Poor families gathered together, and the Imperial Academy headed towards the throne. Yao Wenyu was able to recruit talented people from all over the world for Shen Zechuan, and Hai Liangyi’s reputation was also among them.

When Xue Xiuzhuo was appointed to the Ministry of Household Affairs, he was given excellent marks in all evaluations. In the first year of Xiande, he made contributions to sorting out Juexi and revitalizing the thirteen cities. Later, in the year of Shengyin, he made contributions to inspecting land taxes and returning land to the people.He has used this “name” and knows the power of stirring up waves.

Li Jianting suddenly turned around and said, “Sir, aren’t you afraid of death?”

So far, no one has asked Xue Xiuzhuo this sentence.He looked at Li Jianting and replied: “The court minister died in Sheji.”

To guard the country, one should be willing to give up.

Xue Xiuzhuo was willing to give up, even his life and reputation in this life.

Li Jianting was silent for a moment and said: “I respect you sir, and I’m willing to do it.”

* * *

“If things are not extreme, they will not be reversed; if evil is not extreme, they will not perish2.”

Yao Wenyu wrote quickly and his handwriting was scrawled.The whole room was covered with pages. The hand holding the pen trembled slightly, and he finally covered his lips and coughed when he abandoned the pen.

Timing, timing.

Qi Shiyu wants the Qi family to inherit Qi Zhuyin’s “King of Donglie”. He is more cautious than Xiao Fangxu. Until now, he can still wait and see the situation patiently.Shen Zechuan only won the hearts of the six states after the battle of Duanzhou. If he wanted to completely abandon the word “Shen Wei”, he had to be benevolent and righteous to the end. Therefore, even if Tantaihu’s Dunzhou garrison arrived at Beiyuan Campus, they could not take the lead in sending troops.Besides, if Qi Zhuyin doesn’t move, the 300,000 Qidong garrison will be the blade on the south side of Zhongbo.

Timing, timing.

Fujun wants an opportunity to completely eradicate the hidden dangers.

Yao Wenyu coughed rapidly, no longer holding the pen, and only covered his mouth with a handkerchief.Qiao Tianya just arrived tonight. When he got off his horse and entered the hospital, he heard coughing in the room.

“Isn’t the medicine prepared for sir?” Fei Sheng asked the maid in the courtyard.

“Sir, you only used half of the bowl,” the maid replied softly, “just stay in the room and don’t want anyone to make any noise.”

Qiao Tianya opened the door, and all the paper fell on the paper. Fei Sheng followed behind and leaned down to pick it up, but saw that it was densely packed with words. He couldn’t help but said in shock: “Sir, are you going to write a book…”

Qiao Tianya had already entered the inner room, and Yao Wen’s jade handkerchief was dyed red. He pushed the four-wheeler away, picked up Yuan Zhuo and said to Fei Sheng, “You’re welcome!”

When Yao Wenyu raised his head, for some reason, his nose began to bleed. Qiao Tianya pulled away the hand that covered his mouth and nose, and it was wet and cold.

It was already late at night, since he had gone to bed long ago.

Qiao Tianya didn’t dare to wait, so he jumped down the steps and ran towards the courtyard with the person in his arms.Yao Wenyu half-closed her eyes, her face sunk into He’s chest, and she murmured between her lips: “…Fei Sheng…pass the news…”

Qiao Tianya was covered in sweat from running. He stretched out his hand to cover the other side of Yao Wenyu’s face, as if to press Yuan Zhuo into his chest.

Fei Sheng went up the steps first, smashed the door and shouted: “Open the door! Let the little monk get up quickly!”

The doorman didn’t dare to delay, so he removed the latch and ran to call someone.Since he was wearing a monk’s robe when he came out, he looked sleepy and said: “The young monk doesn’t see the doctor at night – ah! Why is this happening to you sir!”

It was almost dawn when Shen Zechuan arrived. He was wearing a broad robe and watching Yao Wenyu sleeping soundly in the inner room, so he motioned for everyone to go to the side hall.

“Trouble and trouble will lead to a short life,” he said, “The poison that Mr. has been poisoned by is called ‘late return’. As the name suggests, it is the opposite of ‘quick pursuit’. This poison has been taking a long time to dissipate. It has been more than a year, right?”

“It must have been a year and a half,” Fei Sheng still remembered, “…counting from Dan City.”

Now that he put down his pen, he clasped his hands together, bowed and saluted Shen Zechuan, and said truthfully: “When the young monk first met my husband, green color appeared on his wrists. Mr. Fu, this poison is the same as the quick pursuit, and the young monk cannot save him.”

Everyone in the side hall changed their expressions.

* * *

Yao Wenyu heard the sound of rain in a trance, dreaming of Bodhi Mountain, as if he closed his eyes and it was endless rain.The clouds and mist in the mountains cover the green bamboos, and when the wind blows, my sleeves are stained with mud, and I feel wet, and I can’t tell whether it’s sweat or rain.

“Farewell Spring and Autumn,” behind the sound of bamboo waves, Hai Liangyi stood far away, “Yuan Zhuo is back.”

Yao Wenyu looked back, the breeze blew his sleeves, and he called out: “Teacher.”

Hai Liangyi stood with his hands behind his hands, his short beard already dyed white.He was not wearing official robes, just like when he led Yao Wenyu into the school, with a recruitment bag hanging on his waist.He said: “When I heard the wind blow, I knew it was you who was back.”

The waves in the bamboo forest were so loud that Hai Liangyi’s figure disappeared into it, leaving only Yao Wenyu standing alone.The mountain is covered with mist, and Yao Wenyu looks toward the Dragon Tower and Phoenix Tower in Qudu.he once climbed high and looked far into the distance, only to see the mountain scenery at dusk. Until now, he didn’t realize the vastness of the world.

“Teacher, wait for me,” Yao Wenyu said, “after the rain stops…”

As soon as the sound of the piano sounded, all the scenes in Yao Wenyu’s eyes disappeared, and he fell back on the bed.The half-closed window blocked the sunlight. When he opened his eyes, he didn’t feel like he was awake, but instead seemed to have fallen into a dream.He closed his eyes several times and finally said: “Songyue, it’s time.”

Qiao Tianya pressed the strings and said: “You have reversed day and night, and you are confused by sleep. Aren’t you always called Qiao Tianya?”

“The pine moon is born in the cool night, and the wind and spring are full of clear sounds,” Yao Wenyu said: “This name is too lonely.”

“I once had a friend named Shao Fengquan.” Qiao Tianya plucked the strings. The sounds were scattered, but no music was played. “It’s a pity that he died.”

Yao Wenyu heard the messy sound of the piano and asked: “You play the piano, does he also play the piano?”

“I don’t remember,” Qiao Tianya said, “but I, Qiao Tianya, am the only one who can play the piano for you.”

Yao Wenyu looked at he and said: “At the beginning of spring, the music you want to teach has not been taught yet.”

Qiao Tianya stopped, looked at Yao Wenyu, and said, “It’s not too late now.”