Once magnificent, now brilliant

As Bai Junyu said, the border is indeed not very safe.This news was not obtained by inquiring in Beijing, but it was mentioned when Shi Zhou's old friend traveled there and wrote to him.

Qi Xiang wasn't worried, let's not talk about whether the foreigners could reach the capital, even if he reached the door of his house, he was no longer the powerless scholar at the beginning, who would be buried under whose sword would still be two explain.

The early court has also been changed to all officials attending the court together. Usually, this kind of grand court is once every five days, and it only happens once every ten days when the weather is good. On weekdays, officials of the fifth rank and above go to the court to discuss matters, and it has not changed for many years.

The Taifu seldom participates in government affairs now, and spends most of his time teaching, but this time he is also required to go to court every day and participate in state affairs, which shows that this political affairs is difficult to discuss.

Without Xiu Mu, it would be difficult for Qi Xiang to come to ask for advice all the time. The Tai Tuo is getting old now, so he has to take a break.

Qi Xiang cared about the Taifu, and the Taifu naturally missed Qi Xiang, so Xianzheng went and called Qi Xiang to the mansion for dinner that day, learning can be put aside to discuss later, but you have to watch how the child is doing these days. Only by watching can you rest assured.

After retreating from the others, the Taifu smiled and said, "Have you not fallen behind in your studies recently?"

Qi Xiang said respectfully: "Yes, there are readings every day."

"That's good. I'm busy with affairs in court recently, and I can't take care of you. If I'm not here, just come to the housekeeper and ask them to help you."

"Everything in the capital is safe and sound, I'm fine, you don't have to worry." Qi Xiang was telling the truth, the place where the emperor's feet are the most untouchable dignitaries is also the safest place.

"A few days ago, General Bai told me in a low voice, let me thank you on his behalf. What you said to Xi Ze that day, Xi Ze has already told him, thank you for your thoughtfulness for Xi Ze "The "General Bai" in Taifu's mouth naturally refers to Bai Junyu's father, as for what Qi Xiang said to Bai Junyu, General Bai also said everything.

Qi Xiang smiled and said: "General Fengbei is too polite. I just met Xixuan that day. He mentioned that the border may be unstable, so I said it when I thought about it."

The Taifu looked satisfied, "I am also very comforted that you can remember the love you had back then and remind him a thing or two."

"What you said seems like I had a bad relationship with him before." Qi Xiang said helplessly.

"You think I'm old and forgetful? How many times did you two argue for those poems in class? Those princes love to watch you two argue, so you can skip the lectures and don't have to be judged by me." Speaking of this, The Taifu suddenly remembered again, "Also, I heard that you two even blushed in the street in order to compete for a girl."

Qi Xiang didn't even know where he was going to start the argument. He loved Bai Junyu in his heart at the beginning, but he didn't dare to express it. He could only use this clumsy way to make Bai Junyu pay more attention to him.Thinking about it now is really naive, "I was young at the time, even if there was a dispute, it might not be intentional. This time he was entrusted by Ermian to take me back to Beijing. I know he doesn't care about the past, so why should I hold on to it?" Do you want to let go?"

"I'm relieved that you can get along like this." The Tai Tuo continued: "Since Xi Ze told you about the border affairs before, I will also tell you about the recent affairs in the court. The Keli people at the border are ready to move , It seems that soldiers and horses are already being assembled, ready to attack. There is not enough troops in the court, and many veterans returned home last year. The number of soldiers in the army is short, so the emperor wants to recruit troops."

Qi Xiang frowned, "Conscription is not a trivial matter, the methods are tough, the people are full of complaints, and they are afraid of troubles; voluntary enlistment, the effect may not be good, most of the people are not good at kung fu, going to the battlefield is no different from going to die."

"That's right. That's why it's so tricky because we can't discuss it for a long time, and the conscription is urgent."

"Has the Fourth Prince been called to discuss matters?" Qi Xiang asked.

"I went, but I didn't call you the third prince. As you said with Xi Ze before, the emperor probably wants to see the reaction of the fourth prince and the Bai family in this situation."

Qi Xiang is not too worried about this, "Emperors have been suspicious since ancient times. It's okay, as long as the emperor doesn't get jealous, this matter will pass quickly."

The Taifu sighed, "Now the fourth prince's behavior is not good, and he is not good at speaking. On the contrary, it is even more difficult."

"Compared to this trivial matter of 'outstanding', conscription is a major matter for the emperor. Teacher, it is better to give advice to the four emperors in this regard. Even if the emperor does not approve, you have to come up with a charter to make the emperor feel that the four At least the prince is paying attention."

"Yes." Taifu replied, but this is not something that can be figured out in a while, and it still needs to be worked out.

After dinner, Xian Xing offered to send Qi Xiang back.

Qi Xiang ate very much, leaned on the cushion and said lazily: "If you want to say something, just say it."

Xian Xing smiled, and asked: "Ming people don't say dark words, can you do something about the conscription?"

Qi Xiang squinted at him, "The teacher didn't ask me just now, so it can be seen that he knows that I have no idea."

"Come on, my grandfather treats you as an honest student, but I know you have many ideas. Back then, even your aunt couldn't make things difficult for you, so you can definitely think of how to deal with the emperor."

"Don't talk nonsense." Qi Xiang reminded him that even though he was in a carriage, he was still walking on the street, which was no safer than at home. "Comparing my aunt with the emperor is despising the emperor."

Xian Xuan didn't care, "That's why I didn't take the imperial examination, and I didn't donate to an official, just because I was afraid of talking too fast and causing trouble."

Qi Xiang didn't know whether to laugh or not, "Are you still reasonable?"

Xian Zhen didn't sit properly, rolled his eyes, and said: "How about I take you to Xingchun Tower for a sit, where the new Chunlian plays the zither well, go listen and relax. Might have an idea."

As he said that, Xian Xuan yelled at the coachman outside, "Turn around and go to Xingchun Tower."

How could Qi Xiang go to that kind of place with him?Even if it was an art gallery, he would never go there, so he quickly stopped him and said, "Wait a minute. Don't go to Xingchun Tower, go home."

Xian Yu thought he was embarrassed, so he persuaded him: "You are such an adult, go to the art museum to see what's wrong? I won't let you do anything, don't stay in the house all day long."

Qi Xiang doesn't doubt that Xianzheng really wants to take him to see it, it can be regarded as Xianzheng's "territory", but Qi Xiang is really not that interested, and said in a blunt tone: "Don't make trouble, I won't go."

"Tsk, listen to a few ditties, I'll take you to have a late-night snack, and then send you back, how good?"

Qi Xiang knew that it would be impossible to compete with Xianzheng like this, so he had to use his trump card, "Do you still want to know how to return to the emperor?"

Xian Xing looked at him in surprise, "Do you really have an idea, or do you not want to fool me?"

"Am I trying to scare you with this? If you don't want me to go, I'll tell the teacher."

Xianyu is at a loss for words, it stands to reason that at their age, it is normal for an unmarried and a widower to listen to a song, but if the grandfather finds out, the grandfather will not care about him, but he is pulling Qi Xiang to this matter, for sure To speak well.

Xian Xuan compromised, and said to the coachman, "Go the same way, go back to the courtyard."

The hot water needs to be boiled now, so Butler Pan filled two bowls of sweet red bean soup made this morning and brought them into the room, before returning by himself.

"What's the way you said?" Xianzheng asked impatiently.

Qi Xiang drank the warm and refreshing sweet soup, and said leisurely: "If you don't know that you are close to those girls, I think you are deliberately using this to plot against me."

"Hey, brother, am I this kind of person?" He really didn't think about it that way, but he just thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to show Qi Xiang a little bit, anyway, no one can restrain Qi Xiang now.

Qi Xiang didn't take his words at all.At his age, going to that kind of place is really not a big deal, but he has no interest in those girls, and he has no intention of admiring them, so going there is just a waste of time.

"Okay, it won't be like this in the future. But you have to believe that I didn't mean to plot against you." Xian Xuan said.

Qi Xiang smiled and said, "I know, it's just a joke."

Xian Xuan felt that he was innocent, and continued with confidence: "Then tell me, what should we do?"

Qi Xiang said while drinking the soup: "This matter is difficult to say, but also simple to say. The idea of ​​the fourth prince to the emperor is to solve the problem on the one hand, and to bring trouble to the emperor on the other hand, so that the emperor will feel that the four princes The prince has limited talent and learning, and he acts with discretion, so he didn't rush for quick success and take advantage of this opportunity to surpass the third prince."

Xian Xuan nodded and didn't interrupt.

"Conscription allows the people to take the initiative to participate, which is more popular than the imperial court's forced conscripting. Scholars read articles and ancient books, feel the feelings in the text, or feel sad for their homeland and the world, or are filled with injustice. Most of the people are illiterate, let them read and feel The feelings of family and country are unrealistic, but they also have times when their emotions are motivated, such as listening to operas and books. Listening to operas is obviously a more popular way for the people. If you set up a big stage, people from several villages will come to listen to a performance. You don’t even need to spend money. People actively participate, and they are easy to empathize with the drama, which is the same as scholars reading articles. So arrange as many theater troupes as possible to perform war-related dramas, so as to arouse the hearts of the people. Conscription, those aspiring young people are more willing to participate, and the imperial court does not have to force the conscription."

Xian Xing clapped his hands, "This method is good!"

Qi Xiang smiled, "If there is a smart way, there must be a stupid proposal. You can propose that each family with soldiers should reduce or exempt taxes appropriately, so that the common people will be more willing to join the army, and the burden on the family will be reduced a lot. It sounds like It should be, but the emperor may not be willing. The final tax cut is the national treasury. Even if the treasury is full, the superiors want to save more gold and silver for enjoyment. If the emperor is not willing, he will think that the fourth prince is not very shrewd and does not know how to please , you will feel more at ease with him.”

"Wonderful!" Xian Xuan was very happy, finished the sweet soup in a few sips, and said, "I'll go and talk to the fourth prince right now. Wen Jing, it's great to have you back!"

Qi Xiang didn't keep him either, and asked Steward Pan to send Xianxuan out.

He had thought of this idea a long time ago, and he didn't mention it to the Taifu in Xian's mansion, nor did he take the initiative to tell Xianzheng. He just waited for Xianzheng to ask him, so it didn't seem like he had planned it.This conscription has little to do with him, but he wants to use it to do things for himself.If you are lucky, there may be windfalls.

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