Tang Dynasty: Father, if you don't rebel, I will!

"Splash, splash..."

Shining brightly in the sunlight, each of the four corners of the eaves is adorned with a kerosene lamp carved with rare birds and beasts. Spacious carriages, each pulled by two horses of the same color, are entering Hongzhou City in a procession.

The flamboyant flags, fluttering in the wind without any attempt to conceal their presence, bear various surnames as their symbols.

The carriage was very stable; it was clearly the most luxurious four-wheeled carriage with shock absorption available in the Tang Dynasty at the time.

It is said that the price of one carriage could buy hundreds of Harsha's servants.

And this doesn't even include the horses that were pulling the cart.

The Tang Dynasty is not short of horses. In fact, the livestock industry and horse farms in Zhenbei Road are increasing. But even so, only ordinary people with some wealth can afford to buy horses.

Most importantly, the horses that ordinary people can buy are clearly not comparable to the horses being pulled around in front of them.

"Who are these people? So flamboyant and ostentatious..."

Many people in Hongzhou looked on with curiosity and suspicion, discussing the matter.

A rebellion led to the confiscation of almost all the wealthy merchants in Jiangnan and Huainan by the imperial court. Even those merchants who remained were much more discreet.

Under the current military control of the imperial court, a convoy entering Hongzhou City, the epicenter of the previous rebellion, is no different from lambs to the slaughter.

Leading the procession was a carriage bearing the name "Qiang" (meaning "wall").

This surname is very rare; at least many people in Jiangnan Road have never heard of it.

However, Pei Ruocai, who happened to be walking out of the Governor's Mansion with a group of young officials transferred from the northern capital region, couldn't help but narrow his eyes when he saw this scene.

"The surname is Qiang, it seems they are from the Qiang clan of Shu..."

Several officials nearby were whispering among themselves.

"I heard that His Majesty has also transferred some promising young officials from Jiannan Circuit to govern Jiangnan Circuit and Huainan Circuit. They should be the ones who came."

"But why are these guys so ostentatious? Aren't they afraid of being impeached by the censors?"

"Hiss, such a luxurious carriage would probably cost at least two or three hundred thousand Tang coins, and the horses... they can't be bought; they can only be bestowed by His Majesty..."

Such a grand commotion, with over a hundred carriages of different styles, colors, and designs, all exuding a sense of luxury and opulence, entering Hongzhou City at the same time.

Soon, Fang Xuanling and Dai Zhou were also alerted by the commotion.

Dai Zhou was taken aback at first, then his face instantly turned a deep red, like a prawn.

"Outrageous! Are these guys truly lawless?! Such extravagance, and with such fanfare, do they think we censors are nothing?!"

This was a time when censors and supervisors were most fearful and tried every means to make up for their previous mistakes.

What's the difference between this grand and magnificent motorcade in front of them and urinating and defecating on the heads of their censors in public?

Dai Zhou was so angry that he was about to step forward and reprimand these people, and also see where these idiots came from, who had the audacity to do such a thing...

However, she was suddenly grabbed by a hand.

Fang Xuanling only glanced at the flag of the leading carriage, and instantly understood the identities of these people.

He shook his head slightly and sighed, "Lord Dai, never mind, these people... are His Majesty's men!"

Dai Zhou was taken aback.

Immediately afterwards, the driver of the carriage slowly brought it to a stop in front of the Hongzhou Governor's Mansion, carefully parking it at the edge of the street.

Then, one by one, the drivers of the carriages stopped the carriages in perfect unison, as if they had been brought to a standstill.

The scene was quite frightening.

Such a commotion alone seemed to establish a rather noble status for the newcomer.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, a figure calmly stepped down from the carriage with the surname "Qiang". Through the lifted curtain, Dai Zhou also saw that two beautiful women were also in the carriage.

"Mmm~"

The man stepped off the carriage and stretched.

She wore a magnificent robe made of fine silk and satin, adorned with beautiful jade pendants at her waist and on her hands.

Although he looks like a young man, he gives off the vibe of a spoiled rich young master.

Dai Zhou stared wide-eyed, his lips twitching, as if he wanted to hit someone.

But Fang Xuanling held him down firmly.

One after another, figures disembarked from the carriages behind.

These people were dressed in white or blue, in various colors, but all were clearly made of silk. Each of them had a piece of jade hanging from their waist, and either carried a fan or were stroking two walnuts for collecting.

Almost everyone was a target in the eyes of the censor who should be executed by slow slicing.

however.

These people simply got off the carriage in a very open and easy manner, and then walked towards Fang Xuanling and his group.

The leader straightened his clothes and bowed respectfully to Fang Xuanling.

"This humble official, Qiang Mubai, greets Chancellor Fang. Is Chancellor Fang well?"

Fang Xuanling's eyes twitched twice. He took a deep breath and looked at the figure in front of him, a figure he had almost failed to recognize at first glance. He sighed helplessly.

"I am fine, but you... it seems you have made quite a contribution."

His gaze lingered on the young man named Qiang Mubai for a moment before sweeping over the people behind him who were bowing to him, among whom he could recognize some familiar figures.

Qiang Mubai smiled slightly. He was dressed in magnificent clothes, and although his smile was humble, it still conveyed the pride that a young talent should have.

"This humble official is not talented. Previously, I was ordered by His Majesty to govern Jiaozhou. After His Majesty's evaluation and approval, I was awarded a first-class performance rating and thus received some rewards."

Fang Xuanling: "......"

Realizing that the person before him had the right to be arrogant, Fang Xuanling's gaze momentarily faltered when he looked at him.

Perhaps we are truly getting old.

Now is the time for the Tang Dynasty to forge ahead, expand its territory, and establish greater achievements. It needs ambitious young people with real talent and learning like the ones before us.

Fang Xuanling nodded slightly: "His Majesty is in the mansion. You can go in and have someone announce his arrival."

Qiang Mubai bowed respectfully before leading the group into the Governor's Mansion.

As he passed by Pei Ruocai and the others, he paused slightly, his gaze lingering on Pei Ruocai's face for a moment, before giving a slight smile.

Perhaps there is an inexplicable connection between talented individuals.

He looked directly at the other person.

"My name is Qiang Mubai. I was the top scholar in the imperial examination of the new policies in Shu in the fourth year of Zhenguan. I was appointed by His Majesty the Emperor of Qingshu Palace as a councilor and was formerly the governor of Jia Prefecture."

Pei Ruo narrowed his eyes and returned the greeting by introducing himself.

"The Pei family of Hedong, Pei Ruocai, was ranked first in the Taiyuan Prefecture's civil service examination during the early years of the Zhenguan era."

He didn't mention his official career, but Qiang Mubai immediately recognized him as the new head official appointed by the Crown Prince... well, he should also be his future rival.

Fang Xuanling turned around and looked at the two groups of people who seemed to be having a peaceful meeting, but in reality, there was a clear tension between them.

I couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing I had to admit I was getting old.

Pei Ruocai and Qiang Mubai are, in essence, the most realistic portrayal of the differences among young officials who emerged during the Tang Dynasty's new policies.

The Northern faction of officials originated in Guannei Circuit and Hedong Circuit.

And officials from the Southern faction centered around Jiannan Road.

The Northern faction possesses His Highness the Crown Prince's pragmatism and decisiveness.

"If you can't do it, get out and replace you with someone capable."

The Southern faction, on the other hand, adheres to His Majesty's wolf-like ideology...

"Do you want to live in a magnificent mansion, to be surrounded by beautiful wives and concubines, and to have your descendants bowing and chanting your name in the ancestral hall? Very well! Stake your life and tell me you can complete all the tasks I have assigned you!"

Fang Xuanling: "......"

He suddenly felt that he needed to make some adjustments among the officials that the court had dispatched to the Liangjiang region.

Otherwise, these officials might be the first to collapse in the competition between Pei Ruocai and Qiang Mubai.

At that time, the imperial court will be humiliated again...