On the first day of October of the 1970th year of the Great Kangyuan period, at the hour of You, Xu Wubing leaned against the bedside in Yunqi Inn, Chang'an City, and was at a loss...

Zhu Wuneng, who was lying on the bed, had more than a dozen knife wounds behind him. He lay on the bed and said he was feeling uncomfortable. Half because of the pain of the knife wound, but the other half because he was hungry...

For Zhu Wuneng, hunger sometimes makes him feel more uncomfortable than pain.

The most uncomfortable thing was Xu Wubing leaning against the bed. He frowned and said nothing, and his handsome face looked haggard because of self-blame and regret.

At this moment, the silver on Xu Wubing's body can be described as "empty". Not to mention filling his stomach, he didn't even know what to deal with the money for the room tonight.

Just an hour ago, he only had to say one word and agreed to a person's request. From then on, he would not only have no worries about food and clothing, but also be able to rise to the top and push his life into a state where countless people dare not even dream of dreams.

Because, the person who asks you can also give you official rank, power, status, reputation, wealth, security... that person can give you almost everything that ordinary people dream of.

However, if you do not agree to that person’s request, that person only needs to say a word at any time, your life and the life of your friends will never allow you to live until tomorrow.

Moreover, on the way back to the inn, Xu Wubing vaguely felt that someone had been following him. Without guessing, he could imagine that it must be the claws of the Qingyiwei. At this moment, Zhu Wuneng was lying on the bed and was dying, and he knew no martial arts at all. If the Qingyiwei's claws broke in, then the lives of the two of them would immediately be like ants on the ground, and they could be trampled on...

Even so, Xu Wubing still did not agree to that person's request.

Why would you rather be like an ant, short and huddle your hands, and dodge through the gaps in the world than walk on the streets with high heads, like strong winds and rains, and wander around wantonly?

There is only one reason: no one can force him to do what he doesn't want to do.

Being an official has never been his ideal, let alone let him go to Qingyiwei to be an official. What is the Qingyiwei place? It is the most dirty and rotten place he has ever experienced in his life! How can he agree to let him go there to join a group of evil officials?

When he was a teenager, he made a volunteer: "In this life, I just want to be myself! I can live as much as I want, and no one can force me!"

This is Xu Wubing. He can read poetry and books well, but let himself be buried in the mountains; he can keep his composure, but he is still willing to be unknown in a mediocre life; he can ignore his life, but he just does not bow to his authority and power; as long as he is happy...

Many times, in a person’s life, just be happy!

Because no matter what kind of person you are or what kind of life you have experienced, your final journey is the same.

Whether you are an emperor, general or a commoner, you will never escape death in the end!

Since you are destined to have to go through this short life, why can't you be happy to go through this life?

Official positions, power, fame, status, wealth...even if you have them all, will you really be happy from now on?

not necessarily!

Time returned to the first day of the October 1st, at noon, I almost had dinner with Xu Wubing and Zhu Wuneng at Deyuelou, and was in Huaizhenfang, south of Chang'an City, in the mansion of Qiu Mingli.

Qiu Mingli was lying on her couch, with her chest wrapped with wound medicine and wooden boards on her legs. Her eyes were deep and her face was listless. Only a pair of eyes were filled with a sense of perseverance.

King Li Zhen of Wei held Qiu Mingli's hand, with tears in his eyes and said in pain:

"Mr. Qiu suffered! I knew that Mr. Qiu had returned to the house, so I came after I got off the court and must meet Mr. Qiu first."

"Your Highness, Qiu, a decayed and useless person, even has to work for you to meet the saint late at night to plead for Qiu. Your Highness's great kindness, how can Qiu repay you?

!..." After Qiu Mingli finished speaking, she wanted to get up to thank him.

Li Zhen hurriedly stopped him and said:

"Lying down, don't move! Mr. Qiu suffered a lot in the prison this time, and Xiao Wang was very ashamed! His father has already approved Mr. Qiu, and he has been at home to take care of his illness during this period. After his injury is cured, the court will still entrust Mr. Qiu with great responsibility!" After a pause, Li Zhen said again:

"When I was young, I followed my second brother to study in front of Mr. Qiu. At that time, I knew very well that Mr. Qiu was a great talent in the world. Now, my father has approved Mr. Qiu's request. This major reform is waiting for Mr. Qiu to show what he has learned!"

"This time, my father made up his mind to plan for fortune-telling and I will take charge of the Ministry of Revenue. At that time, Mr. Qiu will definitely help me complete this great cause of reform. In the future, for the prosperity of the country, we will work tirelessly..."

When Qiu Mingli heard this, she felt anxious and couldn't help coughing a few times and said panting:

"Your Highness must not...cannot agree...cough cough...go to take charge of the Ministry of Revenue...cough cough cough!"

"Why is this?! Isn't it Mr. Qiu's long-cherished wish to preside over the reform and enrich the treasury? Mr. Qiu feels that Xiao Wang is dull and unable to bear his responsibilities..." Li Zhen said unhappily.

"Your Highness! Qiu has already seen the world and people's feelings clearly in the future. If Your Highness does not abandon you in the future, Qiu will definitely follow Your Highness to the death, and do everything in his body to help you!" Qiu Mingli said with emotion.

"Mr. Qiu is so serious! But... why does Mr. Qiu feel that Xiao Wang can't go to the Ministry of Revenue?" Li Zhen couldn't help but feel a little ashamed and asked hurriedly.

Qiu Mingli said seriously:

"Your Highness, reform is the foundation of the country. If the priest does not take charge of it personally, it is difficult to accomplish anything! The priest's thoughts... Your Highness, Shu Qiu dared to speak out... The priest has the deepest mind for the emperor of all ages. Although he is urging him today, it is difficult to guarantee that he will regret it tomorrow!"

"Besides, the reforms are affected by the interests of countless wealthy families. Among these wealthy families, there are many royal relatives in the capital. At that time, the laws have not been changed and curses will be everywhere. If you are not careful, it will make people angry and resentful... Qiu is very afraid that Your Highness will be in a difficult position by then and it will be difficult to end!"

Li Zhen remained silent and couldn't help but fall into a moment of thought, and said:

"Then Mr. Qiu, why did you have to write a hasty letter and make big changes, even annoy your father?!"

"Your Highness... Qiu was ashamed! At that time, Qiu was just passionate and impulsive. Unexpectedly, it was just a foolish opinion of the scholar!" Qiu Mingli sighed.

Li Zhen asked, "Mr. Qiu, my father's book on reform is a commendation. Chen Da praised you for his words. He paid attention to me several times. I already know my father's wishes. I will soon have an edict and order me to take charge of the Ministry of Revenue. If you follow Mr. Qiu's wishes, how should I correct it?"

Qiu Mingli replied: "Qiu has a plan that can be fully implemented. The position of Minister of Revenue is the key to the court. People from all sides must have jealous and hot hands. The prince will also recommend his confidant. If I expected it, it must be Yuan Yulou, the Minister of Rites. I heard that this person is quick and studious and talented, and Your Highness can also recommend this person to the emperor. In this way, the prince will consider the benefits of Your Highness, and the emperor will also praise Your Highness's spirit. If the reform is feasible, Qiu should work hard. If the reform is unfavorable, it will not harm your highness's slightest..."

"Okay! OK! Just Mr. Yiqiu!"

...

After Li Zhen left, Qiu Mingli closed her eyes and fell asleep, but he tossed and turned but couldn't sleep. The scene from ten days ago always popped up in his mind...

Ten days ago, I was also in Qiu Mansion, and next to the sickbed, lying down to recuperate. I held his hands beside him, but it was not King Wei, but the current crown prince Li Ren.

Li Ren came to Qiu Mansion late at night in casual clothes. When he saw Qiu Mingli, he knelt on the ground and cried, "Sir, save me!"

Qiu Mingli hurriedly stood up and helped Li Ren up, saying, "The crown prince is the crown prince of a country. How can you perform this great gift? Don't destroy the old minister!"

Li Ren stood up and sat down aside and said sadly:

"What kind of crown prince of a country

, It would be great if you could save your life..."

Qiu Mingli said, "Why did the prince say this?"

Li Ren said: "My father always thinks that I am not in a good mood. Sooner or later, I will be deposed. Once the edict of the deposed crown prince is released, how can I still have my life in the morning and night?"

Qiu Mingli said: "Don't listen to others' words. The emperor is a wise king. The prince only needs to follow the great way and keep himself clean. How could the emperor be a wise ruler?

Li Ren was irritated and did not want to get entangled in it, and immediately said:

"I remember my husband mentioned to me many years ago that my Daqian rent and mediocre method is no longer suitable. The national treasury is skyrocketing, the people are suffering, and the country urgently needs reform..."

"I came here today just to ask the sir to write to the morning to advise my father to implement the reform as soon as possible. The Minister of Revenue Shen Hengqian was old and stupid, and his father had already intended to retire. If the reforms emerged, the Ministry of Revenue would be the head of the Ministry of Revenue. At that time, I would recommend Mr. to my father as the Minister of Revenue, and at the same time, I would recommend Yuan Yulou of the Ministry of Rites to serve as the Minister of Revenue."

"There is a gentleman and Yulou, and the Ministry of Revenue is mine. Songyun is also in the Ministry of Personnel. With General Hou from Dongshan Road, I hold two in my hand. There is also a platform outside, so I will not lose to my elder brother... Only in this way can I feel at ease and sleep more peacefully at night..."

Qiu Mingli said intimately: "If you really have the intention, you could have written to reform many years ago. Now you suddenly have an idea. You still know that the Minister of Revenue is about to be idle and want to take this opportunity to get involved in your confidant. Alas! Prince, if you can benefit the country, why should Qiu cherish this? It's a pity that you don't think about the country and the country's affairs everywhere, and are determined to make your own small abacus. With such a mind and ambition, how can you be the crown prince of the country? How can you take charge of the country's important weapons in the future?..."

Seeing Qiu Mingli hesitant and looked worried, Li Ren thought Qiu Mingli was afraid of trouble and was unwilling to stand up, and said with a smile:

"Sir, don't worry. My father has told me many times recently that he should implement reforms at the right time, but he has not obtained the best talent. I have also recommended Mr. Mr. to my father several times. It is really aggrieved to be a mere fifth-rank assistant to the Ministry of Revenue!"

Qiu Mingli's eyes lit up and she asked:

"Crown Prince, the emperor really thinks that he wants to do reforms?"

Li Ren said: "Of course! Can you believe me?! Mr. I have been in the East Palace for many years. Although you were a guest of the prince back then, I have always treated me as a teacher..."

Qiu Mingli couldn't help but remember that he was already a third-rank official in the official position ten years ago. He was a guest of the prince and had a reputation for literature. He was just a letter to impeach the Qingyiwei, and he wrote a letter to impeach him and complained about his evil deeds. He did not expect that the emperor would listen to him and even demoted him to a ninth-rank county magistrate and sent him thousands of miles away. Fortunately, the prince took care of him and helped him stayed in Chang'an City, so that he would not suffer the pain of being distracted... Thinking of this, Qiu Mingli felt a heat in his eyes and immediately responded with pleasure:

"Please rest assured by Your Highness the Crown Prince. The old minister will choose a date to write a letter to the reform!"

Li Ren breathed a sigh of relief and said:

"Okay! Then please sir..."

Qiu Mingli never thought that as soon as his memorial was uploaded, Long Yan was furious, and the court was in a big uproar, because his memorial contained the sentence "The laws established by Emperor Taizong also change according to the times...". In the emperor's mind, Emperor Taizong was not only his great-grandfather and a model of a king, but he could not tolerate any criticism from his ministers.

In times of crisis, no one pleaded for Qiu Mingli. In a rage, the emperor issued an order to strip Qiu Mingli of all his official positions and sent him to the imperial prison.

Where is the Zhao Lie? The Bei'anping Office, who is in charge of the Zhao Lie, is Qiu Mingli's mortal enemy. This move by the emperor undoubtedly gave Qiu Mingli the death penalty.

"Things of the world are really like a dream! I already have the desire to die, but I can still miraculously return to the mansion..."

Qiu Mingli finally fell asleep a little sleepy and fell asleep in a daze.

...
Chapter completed!