Chapter 359: Minister of Rites (Seventeen)
"… Empress Lü's political disorder was caused by her breaking the rule that only people with the surname Liu could be crowned kings, not because she held all the power. As the empress dowager, it was natural for her to rule. Wu Zetian did not make such a mistake."
"That's right! Throughout the dynasties, the empress dowagers and grand empress dowagers who were called saints all held great power. This was especially true of Renzong's adoptive mother, Empress Dowager Liu..."
Gao Pang listened to the teachers in the academy explaining why Qian Qing should marry Huo Chong, and he felt something was not right.
From the perspective of interests and reason alone, there is nothing wrong with Huo Chong marrying Qian Qing. It is even reasonable. Huo Chong is the emperor, and Qian Qing is the leader of the military commanders. Both of them have great influence. Huo Chong is about to turn fifty. As long as Qian Qing can give birth to a son for Huo Chong, even if Huo Chong dies, as long as Empress Dowager Qian Qing is in power, the world will still be as peaceful as Mount Tai.
Comparing Empress Dowager Lu with Qian Qing, Qian Qing's strength was far superior to Empress Dowager Lu. Gao Pang even made a deduction in his mind, if such a situation happened, would the generals have the intention to rebel. After thinking about it, Gao Pang could not see any possibility of a successful rebellion.
Not to mention that Qian Qing himself was an excellent commander, the old brothers from Shandong dared not and would not rebel.
The most dangerous times for a dynasty are the early and late periods. Qian Qing and Huo Chong's marriage is the guarantee that the Huaxia Dynasty can safely survive the early dangers. After all, Qian Qing is not even 30 years old. Even if Qian Qing can only live to 60 years old, who would dare to rebel after 30 years when the world is settled?
A guy like Huo Chong does not appear in every era, and Gao Pang is confident that even if there is a guy like Huo Chong, under the rule of the Chinese court, such a guy will surely rise to prominence and be appointed as a marquis or prime minister.
As far as Gao Pang knew, Huo Chong rebelled because he saw through Yongzheng's sarcastic personality. If Yongzheng was a tolerant person, things would not have come to this point. If Yongzheng had used Huo Chong, I'm afraid the Qing Dynasty would have gotten another...
Thinking of this, Gao Pang suddenly felt ridiculous. If Huo Chong became a high official in the Qing Dynasty, Gao Pang himself would have lost his chance. So from Gao Pang's perspective, Huo Chong's rebellion was still the choice that maximized Gao Pang's interests.
"Haha." Gao Pang couldn't help laughing out loud.
Seeing the Governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Gao Pang, laughing, the former gentlemen kept silent and watched Gao Pang's expression carefully.
Gao Pang felt a little contemptuous when he saw this, but he still tried to respectfully let the gentlemen go back first. As for the gentlemen's intentions, Gao Pang said he understood them.
After the gentlemen left, Chen Mingtai sighed, "Gao Pang, do you think these people are just trying to curry favor with the powerful?"
Gao Pang sighed, "I think they are right to do so. Who doesn't want to be a general or a prime minister? Who doesn't want to gain a position where they can rise and fall with the country when the new dynasty is established?"
Chen Mingtai looked at his student and son-in-law with mixed feelings. After so many years, Gao Pang still didn't seem to have changed much. In the past, Gao Pang had the world in his heart and was willing to do anything for his ideals. In the worst case, Gao Pang was stupid because of his studies. He was just a scholar, but he dared to call himself the successor of the saint's way. He even thought he could change the world.
But fate is so funny. Gao Pang's character and persistence would not have led to his death in a peaceful era, but at least he would have died in depression. But in this turbulent era, he was able to take advantage of the situation and have a place in this upheaval.
However, Gao Pang is Gao Pang after all. It is difficult to change a person's nature. The power and position that others regard as treasures are not very important to Gao Pang. Gao Pang is still the guy with ideals, and he is even willing to give up everything he has for his ideals. As a teacher and father-in-law, I must let Gao Pang understand that things in the world are not so arbitrary.
"Gao Pang, why don't you support this marriage?" Chen Mingtai asked.
"I think... Your Majesty only sees Miss Qian as a student and a daughter. Isn't it inhumane for everyone to do this? Shouldn't the two of them have their own ideas?"
"Nonsense!" Chen Mingtai was really angry. "What nonsense are you talking about! Your Majesty worked hard to build the foundation, and Miss Qian risked her life for your Majesty. Isn't the peace and security of the Chinese court what they wish for?"
Speaking of these principles, Gao Pang can fully understand them. In fact, when he first heard Kong Bugeng's "weird talk", Gao Pang felt that "because it is too absurd, it makes a lot of sense".
From the perspective of the Chinese court, Qian Qing marrying Huo Chong is the best choice. What the royal family needs is power. If Qian Qing marries any civil official or military general, it will inevitably form a new group of powerful officials. Powerful officials are a huge danger to any royal family.
This marriage is undoubtedly a perfect solution to the problem of powerful officials in the Chinese court. Unlike , this marriage even fundamentally solved the threat of powerful officials seizing the country. Any mother would let her son inherit power. Gao Pang did not think that Qian Qing would let the throne fall into the hands of someone other than her son.
However, Gao Pang still felt uncomfortable because the person who proposed this matter did not do so out of love for Huo Chong or Qian Qing. He proposed this idea just for himself.
Gao Pang didn't like this attitude. Although he had no special relationship with Qian Qing, Gao Pang thought Qian Qing was a respectable person. Such a respectable person didn't need to become a victim of political calculations.
Looking at his son-in-law's expression, Chen Mingtai's dissatisfaction rushed straight to his head. Birds of a feather flock together. Gao Pang's arrogant personality is a good match for Huo Chong. Huo Chong's arrogance is even worse than Gao Pang's. Both the king and the minister believe that they have mastered morality and can create a whole new world with their imagination.
The world today is nothing more than something they can change and break, not something they can respect.
Compared with guys like Gao Pang and Huo Chong who have "noble aspirations", those represented by Kong Bugeng may really be conspirators. But these conspirators at least know how to respect this world and understand how to respect this world.
Although the way they expressed respect was not what Chen Mingtai liked.
But Gao Pang was Chen Mingtai's student after all, and Chen Mingtai knew the weaknesses of people like Gao Pang. As the saying goes, a gentleman can be deceived by tricks. Chen Mingtai said, "Only when Miss Qian becomes the queen can the world be at peace. Your Majesty's ideals can continue, and there will be no situation where the government dies with the emperor. Since you are committed to your majesty's ideals, you have to start from the big picture. If Kong Bugeng and others proposed this matter first, how many people do you think would come out to oppose it? If things fail, the situation will definitely change drastically. If your majesty and Miss Qian have a grudge at that time, what will happen to the trend that sweeps the world!"
Gao Pang was also shocked by what his teacher said. The reason why the Chinese court is so prosperous is entirely because of the unity within the Chinese court.
Gao Pang also knew that the current situation was not smooth sailing. Huo Chong had already tried to use the Ministry of Rites to replace the Shandong Old Brothers Group. In other dynasties, this would undoubtedly be a purge. A purge of the old military merit group. The situation caused by this purge would inevitably be some kind of chaos, or even a bloody disaster.
If Qian Qing could marry Huo Chong, it would mean that all resistance of the Jungong Group would lose its backbone. Moreover, this marriage would also give the Jungong Group some sense of security.
After thinking it over, Gao Pang sighed and said, "Only one person can bring this up. No one else can."
"Who is it?" Chen Mingtai asked hurriedly. His silly apprentice finally made the right choice, and Chen Mingtai couldn't let this opportunity slip away.
Gao Pang sighed and said, "Master Changxin."
A few days later, Chen Mingtai appeared at the door of Master Changxin. The Taoist boy led Chen Mingtai in. Master Changxin did not say anything, but just put down the drawing in his hand.
Chen Mingtai didn't waste any words and said straight to the point: "Master, I want to tell a fortune for someone else."
The white-haired monk Chang Xin replied calmly, "There is no one in this world who tells fortunes for others. Anyone who tells fortunes must do so for himself."
Chen Mingtai laughed, "Master, I have long given up the idea of seeking an official position. But I didn't expect that seeing the situation in the Chinese court would still make me interested. As the saying goes, if you care too much, you will be confused. I would like to ask Master for a fortune."
"Haha. Ever since I figured out that the Purple Palace had changed its owner, I no longer make divinations for the imperial court."
"In that case, please tell me about Miss Qian's marriage."
"That child has the Seven Killings Fate, and his relatives will not be happy."
Chen Mingtai looked at the Taoist priest. Although the Taoist priest's hair and beard were all white, he looked very old. However, the Taoist priest's eyes were still bright, and he even had a feeling of seeing through everything. Chen Mingtai felt that the words just now were very meaningful. So he said more directly: "I heard that Qi Sha met Zi Wei and turned into Quan. Could it be that Zi Wei Xing can't protect his relatives?"
"Since Qi Sha meets Zi Wei and turns into power, it is a matter of power. What does it have to do with relatives? What do you think it is, Mr. Chen?"
"What I am worried about is whether Miss Qian's family is safe. If she has a child with His Majesty, it will be fine. The descendants of Ziweixing already hold great power."
Having said this, Chen Mingtai wondered if he was crazy. But Chen Mingtai knew that he was not crazy. He was very clear about everything. The Jiangnan literati, including Chen Mingtai, were not happy with Huo Chong's system. However, the Jiangnan literati hoped to see the peace of the Chinese court.
Therefore, the stability of Huo Chong's regime and the demise of Huo Chong's ideas are undoubtedly good things.
Because of this, Huo Chong tried to create a new Ministry of Rites to replace the old military group. If successful, it would mean that Huo Chong's ideas would last for a long time. The literati certainly hoped that the literati group would replace the old military group. At this time, Qian Qing and Huo Chong's marriage became particularly important.
This marriage meant a certain stabilization of the old group, and also meant that the literati who clearly supported this marriage had the opportunity to gradually replace the old group.
Even if the old military group continues to be in power, it doesn't matter. The literati are trying to marry the old military group. But the new Ministry of Rites must not succeed in replacing the old military group. At least the new Ministry of Rites controlled by the literati must replace the old military group.
After all, the old brothers of the old military group did not have the courage to interfere with Qian Qing's marriage. This was determined by prestige. No one in the military group dared to interfere with Qian Qing's marriage. No matter from which angle, the literati could not have no role in this marriage that determined the safety of the Chinese court.
Although his son-in-law Gao Pang was stupid, his vision was not a problem. At this time, the only one who could say this was the extremely superior Chang Dao Master.
Looking at the bright eyes of Master Changxin, Chen Mingtai waited for the Taoist priest to answer this question. However, the more he looked, the more surprised Chen Mingtai was. Such bright eyes should give people a sense of fear. But although Master Changxin's eyes were bright, they were very ethereal. It was a feeling of seeing through the future, not limited by the sharpness of the present.
Just as I was surprised, I heard Master Changxin laugh and say, "Haha, I understand what Mr. Chen meant. But I want to tell you a fortune."
After saying that, the Taoist priest pointed to the copper coins on the table. Chen Mingtai didn't waste any words, picked up the copper coins and threw them forward. The copper coins spun in the air and fell to the ground. After bouncing a few times, they landed steadily on the ground.
Chen Mingtai took a look and found it was a Sun hexagram. Sun hexagram is the 41st hexagram of the 64 hexagrams in the Book of Changes. Shan Ze Sun (Sun hexagram) means loss and gain balance.
This hexagram is composed of Ze Xia Shan Shang, and the hexagram statement is "Sun: There is trust, great luck, no blame, can be steadfast; it is beneficial to go somewhere. What is the use of it? Two bowls can be used for offering sacrifices." It means that the Sun hexagram is a way to reduce losses in speech and conversation. It implies honesty and trustworthiness, great luck, no disaster, and can be steadfast; it is more suitable for going out to do things.
Chen Mingtai didn't know how to interpret the hexagram, so he looked at the Taoist priest. The Taoist priest had already taken his bright eyes away from the copper coins on the ground, and replied calmly: "If you want to stop the loss, it's not difficult. Just use two bowls of simple food to sacrifice to the gods to show your sincerity. Mr. Chen, since you are already afraid, just show your heart . Why do you have to be so cunning?"
Chen Mingtai couldn't help but feel that Master Changxin was a bit too self-conscious. Many people in the Chinese court were recommended by Master Changxin, and as a religious figure on the Jiaodong Peninsula, many of Master Changxin's followers defected to Huo Chong. In a sense, this Master Changxin, who never interfered in political affairs, actually had a strong influence. Although have always been the mainstream of officials, they can no longer compare with Master Changxin.
Long Dao believes that the Taoist priests can reach the ears of the gods, and any words they say can have a huge impact. The scholars in Jiangsu and Zhejiang are still trying to find ways to place multiple bets, but they don't know whether they can achieve their goals.
Yes, the Sun hexagram clearly states that two gui can be enjoyed. But what the scholars in Jiangsu and Zhejiang had to pay was by no means a simple "two gui". Under Huo Chong's rule, these people were left with only their family property.
Just as he was about to say something, he heard Master Changxin sigh, "I will mention what you asked for to Monk Huo. But it's not for you and your people. Qian Qing has had enough twists and turns in her life, and I don't want her to be without a home. Please go back, sir."
Hearing the order to expel him, Chen Mingtai did not dare to stay and said goodbye. After coming out, looking back at this small broken Taoist temple, Chen Mingtai could not help but feel a little afraid.
The words of Master Changxin were clear, and he seemed to understand what Chen Mingtai and the others wanted. But Master Changxin didn't seem to care. If someone else was being mysterious, Chen Mingtai would definitely think that person had ulterior motives. However, when Master Changxin did this, Chen Mingtai felt as if he had been fooled.
Master Changxin is a man of enlightenment, and his perspective on the world is completely different from that of ordinary people. If Huo Chong was blessed by God, Gao Pang rose to prominence in this turbulent era by relying on his personal ideas. Master Changxin, however, used the changes of the times to verify his metaphysical methods from another perspective other than the world.
No matter who they are, they are not normal people. But they have achieved what others cannot achieve. Is this what is called fate?
When Chen Mingtai was thinking about Master Changxin, Master Changxin did not think about Chen Mingtai. He wanted to walk to Huo Chong, but he felt that he had no strength. So he asked the Taoist boy to call for a sedan chair.
Sitting inside, Master Changxin sighed in his heart that he was really old. He was no longer the age when he first met Huo Chong, when he could walk more than ten miles or ride a donkey for hundreds of miles.
Thinking of Qian Qing, Master Changxin felt a little distressed. The Seven Killings Fate is rare, and people like Qian Qing who perfectly meet all the Seven Killings Fate are even rarer. This also means that Qian Qing's fate is unfortunate.
When they arrived at the military academy, the guard at the gate saw that it was the legendary Taoist priest Chang Dao, and hurried in to report. Not long after, Qian Qing came out in person and helped the Taoist priest into the military camp.
Originally, Master Changxin was a little hesitant, thinking that maybe God's will had not yet come to this point. However, when he saw Qian Qing was there, he made up his mind. When he saw Huo Chong, Master Changxin said directly: "Master Huo, how about you marry Qian Qing?"
Huo Chong was asking his secretary to pour water for the Taoist priest, and when he heard this, he almost choked on his saliva. The secretary who was pouring water looked at the Taoist priest blankly, and didn't even notice that the water was overflowing after it was filled.
Chang Xin said with a sigh: "This rushing water, is it a natural result?"
Qian Qing's face turned as red as an apple. She turned around and wanted to leave, but she didn't take a step.
Huo Chong was completely shocked. He had known Master Changxin for about twenty years. He had never thought that in Master Changxin's eyes, he was actually a weird uncle who attacked young girls.
The secretary also noticed his own gaffe, and quickly poured out some of the water, then stood in the corner of the room and looked carefully at the three people in the room. However, the secretary was disappointed. Master Changxin pointed at the secretary and said, "Little friend, let's talk among ourselves. You go out for a walk first."
The secretary looked at Huo Chong, hoping that Huo Chong would let him stay. However, Huo Chong waved his hand and said, "No one will worry about Master Changdao. You go out for a walk first."
The secretary could only leave in great disappointment. He was extremely depressed along the way. If he could see what happened next with his own eyes, he would definitely be willing to pay for it!
When only three people who had known each other for such a long time were left in the room, Chang Xin sighed and said, "Brother Huo, I have always felt that you have great ambitions in your heart. It is beyond your ability to just take care of yourself, not to mention the things around you. Is what Qian Qing wants from you just to serve you?"
Huo Chong was stunned. Why did these words sound like those of a caring elder sister... oh, a caring uncle?
Turning his head to look at Qian Qing, Huo Chong was stunned. This was not the first time Huo Chong looked at Qian Qing, but Huo Chong found that it seemed like the first time he saw Qian Qing truly express her true emotions.
Huo Chong was stunned at just one glance. Some things were completely beyond Huo Chong's imagination.
