Three Kingdoms

The chaos caused by the Yamen Street in Pangtong Mansion two days ago seems to be gradually subsided. For the people who eat melons, they will naturally lose much attention if they cannot eat melons continuously. Besides, in Chang'an, In this huge city, there are too many things, too many rises and falls. The dismissal of an official is just a splash of water in this city. After the water drops drop, it gradually fades out of sight.

However, this is not the case in the hearts of officials of all sizes in Guanzhong.

Chinese officialdom has always been about settling accounts with the queen after the fall, and beheading the queen after the fall.

Those who thought they had nothing to do and were suddenly liquidated were like Liang Ji, and so was Dou Wu. However, General Hussar did not say anything for a while. Pang Tong, the commander-in-chief, seemed to be working on the construction project of Qinglong Temple every day. Xue Lan was in prison. There is no worse news coming out, which makes people think in their hearts, and they don’t know which direction this matter will develop...

Jing Zhaoyin's position is temporarily vacant. Originally, such a big carrot pit naturally attracted the attention of many people, but now everyone is carefully controlling themselves. After all, above Jing Zhaoyin, there is also a hussar general Fei Qian. Sitting in charge, only if he speaks can he determine who this position belongs to.

But it is obvious that Pang Tong still belongs to the first rank. Although the current position has been changed due to the incident of Cai's branch, it also means that Pang Tong has been punished for the incident of Cai's branch. As the saying goes, one crime does not bring double punishment. , whoever brings this matter up in the future may have to face not only Pang Tongyi’s personal dissatisfaction.

But what was Feiqian waiting for?

Nowadays, not only the third assistant in Guanzhong, but also many places have official vacancies. Many times, these places are operating with the minimum number of officials. Naturally, this is not allowed for a long time. After all, no matter how diligent they are in government affairs, they should There must be some rest, and there must be some secondary officials to assist. Otherwise, even if the people in these main official positions are willing and happy, people will always have three disasters and five diseases. Once they fall and there are no secondary officials, wouldn’t it be the same? Instant chaos?

Although Guanzhong is not considered a Han Dynasty court, the disturbances here in Feiqian still affect countless people to constantly adjust their bodies and re-choose their positions. In the past few days, I don’t know how many people have been secretly Communicating, running around, connecting in series, no one knows how many people changed their doors and queues. Even the shops in the city that sold precious and famous thorns were out of stock for a while.

This road in politics is actually a road of no return.

Once you step up, you can't look back. Why are those people who started well and ended well in history specially noted and then sung about them through the ages? It's not because the number of these people is really too small, and things are rare and valuable, the vast majority of people are either trampled on by others and become stepping stones on this road, or they climb up by beating others to their heads and bleeding.

When you gain power, you are no less beautiful, but once you lose it, it is like being stripped naked. Not only will you be ashamed of yourself, but you will also attract others to point fingers, or even beat up the lost dog.

Xue Lan was originally from a prominent family in the East China Sea. He, Yijian, Tan Bin, Chu Feng, Zhang Su, Feng Xi, Wei Xuan, and Xu Qian were also called the "Eight Heroes". Anyway, there were many of this and that in the Han Dynasty, and some were Others sealed him, and some were raised by himself, but in any case he had a slight reputation, but when he fell into prison, he was just as miserable.

Prisons, they were all similar in that dynasty. Because the space was airtight, moisture would inevitably linger in later generations, let alone the Han Dynasty. The prison as a whole is like a semi-basement, made of stone strips. There are some holes flush with the ground. They are not big, just about the size of your head. The ventilation is pretty good, with good light transmission and ventilation. Well, all I can do is haha. Because half of it is underground, mold and moisture are naturally unavoidable. The thick earthy smell, the moldy smell of wood and straw mats, and the odor emitted by the human body are mixed together, making Xue Lan, who is usually pampered, Almost suffocated.

On weekdays, there are indispensable guests in my home, and there are many people who talk loudly and talk happily with each other, but now there are none, not one...

After the first day, Xue Lan, who was so hungry, didn't care about any objections, and eagerly poured the slightly rancid wild vegetable porridge into his mouth. He even choked his trachea and coughed until tears and mucus came out. It’s just one meal a day. If you don’t eat, you have nothing.

"Can anyone see X?"

Every time she heard someone passing by the window or door of her cell, Xue Lan couldn't help but ask questions, but she was always met with indifference, or at most a few sneers.

Three days later, someone finally came. It was Xue Lan's son, Xue Yong.

"Father..."

When Xue Yong saw Xue Lan looking so embarrassed, he burst into tears and threw himself in front of Xue Lan.

"As a father, it's okay to be a father... Get up, how are you at home... at home?" Xue Lan held back her own emotions, supported Xue Yong and asked.

"I am safe at home... I am safe at home..." Xue Yong answered while sobbing. Although there are some problems at home, compared to Xue Lan's current situation, those things are actually nothing.

Xue Lan looked around intently, and then whispered, "Is there...is there anyone...or, what's the matter..."

When asked this question, Xue Yong suddenly remembered and said quickly: "No one came to the door... But last night, there was a sudden movement at the back door. After the child went out to check, there was no one there. There was only a basket of mulberries placed at the door... "

"Mulberry?" Xue Lan frowned.

Xue Yong nodded and said: "It's not much for a small vine blue dress... I thought it was left behind by someone else, but I don't think it looks like it..."

Xue Lan thought for a moment, nodded, and then whispered: "I know... Yong'er, my father is fine here for the time being, no need to worry about him... There must be no one at home, so just turn around first... However, Remember to go to Dongfang Store first and buy a jar of salt to take home..."

"There is still salt at home..." Xue Yong was a little confused.

Xue Lan frowned and said, "Just do it! Remember! Go quickly!"

"...Uh, only..." Seeing what Xue Lan said, Xue Yong had no choice but to leave, "My child... leave, father, take care..."

Xue Lan waved her hand and watched her child retreat step by step and then disappear at the door of the cell. She couldn't help but turn her head to look at the small window on one side and sighed softly...

In a small building at the corner of Chang'an Cross Street, Wei Duan was sitting alone in front of the window, having been drinking for a long time. The window facing the street has been opened. Looking down from the window, you can see the traffic of people at the entire intersection. The sounds of the market are also coming in. It is noisy and chaotic, just like Wei Duan's current mood.

The wine on the table was cold and the dishes were scattered. However, Wei Duan had no thoughts on the food and wine, and did not ask anyone to change them. He just stared at the cross street downstairs, as if waiting for something...

Who would have thought that this cavalry general Fei Qian could become such a big influence?

Wei Duan sometimes couldn't help but think with some regret, if he had known that the hussar general Fei Qian was so powerful, then if he had met Fei Qian earlier when he was a commander in another department, or when he was still a general of the army, Isn't it true that now that he is so prosperous, at least one person with two thousand stones is indispensable, why do he need to devote all his efforts to planning now?

well!

Living in Chang'an is not easy. This sentence is not only true for the people in Jingpiao, but also for the local indigenous people. Jingzhao Weishi had already emerged in the early Western Han Dynasty. For example, he was proficient in "Li" and "Shangshu" and passed on "Lu Shi", which gave birth to Weishi's "Lu Shi" school and established the family's Confucian classics. Traditional Wei Xian, such as Wei Xian, who served as Taichang, Shaofu, Prince Taifu, Yushi Dafu, and was appointed prime minister in the second year of Yongguang, and the Taifu who served as Emperor Dingtao during the reign of Emperor Ai of the Han Dynasty and was promoted to Da Sima. The cavalry general, the Wei reward from the feudal lord...

There are nearly twenty people in the Wei family who have served as officials worth 2,000 kilograms or more, including father and son, prime ministers, and the reputation of four generations of marquises. It can be said that it is one of the best families in Guanzhong.

But maintaining the status of a wealthy family is not easy...

Although Hussar General Fei Qian has not mentioned anything about Xue Lan at this stage, and the officials within the Hussar Mansion are also very tight-lipped, some news has spread among the Chang'an gentry circles. Like the wind before a rainstorm, it blew the treetops.

Next, not only the entire Sanfu, but also other regions will undergo a big change. This change may be a major change in the political power of the prefecture and county system after the Han Dynasty inherited the Qin Dynasty, but how exactly will it change? How it will change, no one knows...

This change is a good thing for some people, but not necessarily for others.

Therefore, ever since he learned about Pang Tong, Wei Duan has been so busy that he has to take charge of official affairs and keep in touch privately. He has to go everywhere and meet everyone, especially because he has to meet everyone. There were too many people and they talked too much, which made my voice hoarse. I still held on, but I never expected that this would be such a situation!

Could it be said that General Hussar doesn't like the Guanzhong faction so much?

Xue Lan was arrested and imprisoned. In a short period of time, no one dared to talk about Xue Lan. Even when they saw Wei Duan, they acted as if they couldn't see them and walked away...

Xue Lan probably can't be saved. If he is transferred to a marginal position out of consideration for his hard work, it will be a good result. Even if he has been imprisoned for many years, now in this court, with these people from the Jingxiang faction, Who else would say anything or ask for favors for Xue Lan?

Wei Duan is also afraid of risks, but he also knows that he must stand up and give Xue Lan an explanation for this matter, and at least guarantee Xue Lan some basic treatment, so that in the future, someone will be willing to listen to his instructions. Otherwise, once the hearts of the people are dispersed, it will become even worse...

"Du Ji and Du Bohou..." Wei Duan murmured, gritting his teeth, "And that Li Yuan guy..."

The Du family is also a very famous surname in Guanzhong. If Du Ji can clearly express his support for Wei Duan...

Although Li Yuan said that his current official position is not large, it is the only position that can mobilize some soldiers...

Alas, things are hard!

When I was sighing to myself, someone suddenly reported in a low voice: "Mr. Wei, the boy from the Xue family is back..."

Wei Duan immediately opened the window and looked out. At the end of the street, a half-year-old boy walked over with a somewhat dejected expression. It was Xue Yong, the son of Xue Lan.

Although Wei Duan did not appear in the Xue family and could not appear in the Xue family at this time, he has been paying attention to helping Xue Lan, but the premise is that Xue Lan understands the rules and the basket he sent before Mulberry is a subtle reminder, but I wonder if Xue Lan understands it, or did Xue Yong bring it to him in a speech?

"Wei Gong, do you want to summon him?"

Someone asked in a low voice outside the door.

Wei Duan pondered for a moment and decided not to take any action for the time being. Who knows if there are other people following Xue Yong now. Wouldn't he have exposed his relationship by going out rashly?

Neither the Xue family nor the Shen family have surnames in Guanzhong. As long as they are not exposed, they will not be associated with the Guanzhong faction.

"No need for now!" Wei Duan said in a deep voice, "Look again and don't act rashly!"

There was an answer outside the door, and then silence fell.

Xue Yong didn't notice anyone staring at him. He was thinking about his father's misery in prison along the way. He was so sad that he almost cried. He just held back the tears and staggered on the steps as usual. When he turned to his own road, he suddenly remembered what his father had told him, and quickly turned out again, heading towards Dongfang...

"What are you doing here?" Wei Duan was stunned for a moment, and his heart couldn't help but jump. To the east is Jing Zhaoyin's government office, which was also the office where Xue Lan worked before. Could it be that Xue Lan left some things in the government office? What, let Xue Yong get it? "Come on, follow me! Be careful not to reveal your whereabouts!"

After Wei Duan was like an ant on a hot pot, Jiaozuo waited for an hour. The men sent to follow Xue Lan's son came back and reported that Xue Lan's son did not go to the office, but just went to Dongfang to buy a jar of coarse salt. Now I'm going back, going home directly from Dongfang...

"Bought a jar of salt?" Wei Duan asked, "Where did you buy it? Is there anything unusual about it?"

"Among the chaos..." the subordinate replied, "it seems... nothing unusual..."

Wei Duan muttered softly, and suddenly his face showed a bit of joy. He clapped his hands gently and muttered softly: "Wonderful, wonderful! I know... Haha, Mr. Xue is indeed a believer... ...Come on, come home!”

Now, Xue Lan's biggest problem has been partially solved. The only one left is Shen Yi. This person is young and energetic, too frivolous, I'm afraid...

Wei Duan staggered on his horse, his face becoming gloomy again.