cloud

These elixir, which are said to be able to live forever and strengthen the body, are mostly made of poisonous substances such as sulfur, mercury, and cinnabar. Zhao Xu only felt it was absurd.However, the emperor has believed in this theory for many years, and has become more and more afraid of the old over the years, and has widely recruited alchemists to seek the art of immortality.Zhao Xu tried to persuade him several times in the past, but to no avail.

The emperor's complexion became more and more rosy, he breathed a sigh of relief, and said slowly: "Nanyue, just talk to King Jin." After saying that, he closed his eyes and rested his mind.

Shi Nanyue said well, and said: "Your Majesty's heart of seeking immortality is pious and firm, and he wants to build a god temple that collects the world's great accomplishments and enshrines immortals from all walks of life. After this temple is completed, the alchemists in the palace will also make alchemy for your majesty there. In order to seek the art of immortality. Your Royal Highness Jin Wang, you are also the Secretary of the Household Department, and you have always been in charge of tax laws and treasury revenue and expenditure. It must be you to preside over such important matters."

Zhao Xu's thoughts turned, and his thoughts were numb.

Although Dayong seems to be strong and powerful now, the war with the Turks a few years ago has consumed a lot of vitality.Even if it takes five years to recuperate, it will be difficult to return to its former heyday.Not to mention that the Ministry of Household Affairs has been struggling to support it in recent years-the emperor's financial and manpower investment in the technique of longevity is increasing. It has not mattered much in the past, but today's Yong Kingdom is difficult to allocate funds from the treasury Build a Taoist temple that wastes money and people.

Anyone who does this job is thankless, and if he takes it, he will be scolded by the people. If he doesn't do it, it will be famous in history, and if he doesn't take it, Longyan will be furious, and he can't do the job.

It turned out that this was what they had in mind, and Zhao Xu only came to his senses at this time - thinking about the construction of the Taoist temple, Donggong and Shi Nanyue had already blown the wind in front of the father for a long time.

He raised his eyes to look at the person who was sitting first, and met the pair of smiling, glowing eyes.

Zhao Xu made up his mind, paused, and said, "Father, I believe that you should think carefully about seeking immortality. The theory of ghosts and gods has always been illusory and should not be taken seriously. You have ruled the world and are worthy of eternal fame. Whether you live forever or not, you should let it go Of course, there is no need to worry."

The emperor's smiling face suddenly sank, and he reprimanded: "Xu'er, how can you say such disrespectful words in front of me? Only sincerity can reveal the spirit. What if you offend the fairy?"

Zhao Xu bowed his head, knelt down slowly, and pleaded guilty: "I am speechless for a while, I hope my father will forgive me."

He had thousands of words in his heart but he couldn't say them. He could only clenched his fists under the cover of his long sleeves.

The eunuch's high-pitched and soft voice sounded in the hall, like the continuous rain of Daming Palace, the rain like needles.

"His Highness has made many excuses. I'm afraid it's not that the art of seeking immortals is illusory, but that the treasury is not enough to support this matter?"

As soon as the words were finished, the emperor frowned: "How could it be? My Dayong has always been powerful, so why can't I even build a small Taoist temple?"

Zhao Xu smiled wryly in his heart, how can this be a small Taoist temple, not only to find ways to visit immortals, but also to support those alchemists who spend money like water, it may be like building a palace.

He knew very well that if he took over this matter by himself, he would have to build it in a very gorgeous and beautiful way, so as to meet his father's wishes.

He took a deep breath and said softly: "Royal father, the treasury was already not sufficient during the war with the Turks a few years ago. In recent years, there have been frequent riots by refugees, and the Ministry of Households must allocate funds. If it is necessary to build Taoism, I'm afraid it's not enough to make ends meet."

The emperor was anxious when he heard this.He stood up and paced the hall with his hands behind his back.The sound of some impatient footsteps made people's hearts also become impatient.

"Even if our two countries went to war a few years ago, the war lasted only within a year. How could it cost so much?" He has ignored the government for a long time, and left the affairs of the DPRK and China to the ministers and his sons to handle with peace of mind. , Now when I suddenly heard about the affairs of the country, I couldn't help but be surprised.

The emperor has always loved Zhao Xu the most, but at this moment he couldn't help but blurt out: "How did you become the Minister of the Household Department?"

Zhao Xu was speechless.

Doing his best and obeying the destiny, he thought he was worthy of himself and the people, but now he suddenly faced such questioning, he couldn't help feeling dry in his throat.

But he didn't answer, but someone was neither serious nor serious, adding fuel to the fire.

"In recent years, my great Yong Dynasty has brought peace to the world, and every year has been prosperous, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. How come it is said by His Highness that they will be unable to make ends meet? It is a bit shocking how little the treasury is..."

He was implying Zhao Xu's dereliction of duty, or more serious charges, such as - embezzlement...

"shut up!"

Like thunder passing by, the hall was instantly silent.

The person who reprimanded was not Zhao Xu, but the emperor.

He flicked his sleeves distractedly, and said impatiently: "I don't need you to intervene when I'm talking to the emperor, back down!"

Shi Nanyue quickly promised in a low voice, bent her body, and left.

But once outside the palace, he lost his submissive expression in front of the emperor, and smiled like a spring breeze breaking through the ice.

Seeing him coming out, the little eunuch waiting outside the hall hurriedly handed over the cloak to put on him, flatteringly said: "Grandpa Shi, you look happy, but the emperor rewarded you again?"

"Oh, no—but it's more entertaining than rewarding."

On Shi Nanyue's face was a smile as soft as peach blossoms in March, he said softly, took a jade ring casually, and rewarded the little eunuch.The little eunuch hurriedly thanked him, with a smile on his face, and respectfully handed over a purple bamboo umbrella with double flowers on the pedicle.

Shi Nanyue took it over, looked at the pattern, and opened it coldly.

This scene of twin flowers will not last long—although the emperor reprimanded him on the surface today, who knows, will the Ninth Five Lord also have some doubts in his heart?

The most elusive thing is the human heart, and it is also the one that is most prone to suspicion.

………………

When Zhao Xu came out from Liangyi Hall, the rain was still falling, and the sky was covered with a piece of purple-red brocade, but the color was dim, and it was almost dusk.

He took a deep breath, propped up the jade bone umbrella, his face was calm, but his heart was already turbulent.

Father didn't want to listen to his explanation, all he cared about was the state of the treasury and whether the Taoist temple could be built.

It is very difficult to change a person's established thoughts. Before today, Donggong and Shi Nanyue should have talked about the household affairs department in the ear of the father, but they have accumulated a lot until today—this intentional creation This opportunity caused the gap between father and son to grow wider and wider.

Zhao Xu would not agree to build a Taoist temple for his own gain or loss, just as they expected, the ridiculous kindness made him unacceptable.If he agrees, he will inevitably reset the tax law and increase taxes, and the people who have not recovered from the war will once again complain about the magnificent temple of the emperor.

Slowly, he has stepped out of the palace gate.

The guards on duty greeted him, Zhao Xu nodded slightly, and the carriage of the palace was already in front of the palace gate.

He still didn't want to... waited for a long time.

"Go to West Neighborhood." Zhao Xu said.

It was a small courtyard built by Zhao Xu when Jiang Yunya came to Beijing for the first time. Later, Jiang Yunya got his own mansion, and it was left unused and never sold.

The yard wasn't too desolate, and Zhao Xu asked people to come here to take care of it every once in a while.

The most striking thing in the courtyard are the two pomegranate trees, the bright red pomegranate flowers are extraordinarily brilliant under the gloomy sky, as if they are burning.

Ai……

The sigh was drowned in the sound of the growing rain, like smoke, and disappeared in a blink of an eye.

Zhao Xu went into the room, the room was still simply furnished.He took off his cloak and lay lazily on the bed covered with warm velvet.

He just wanted to take a nap and think about nothing more.

In the dream, it was Qishan caged in a white mist, he asked his brother to pick dates for him to eat, he waited under the tree, the man was on the tree, blocked by branches and leaves, only the blue clothes could be seen horn.Suddenly, I heard human voices, it was the owner of the jujube tree who came to catch the thief.He hurriedly called him to come down, but both of them had just practiced light kung fu at that time, panicked, and fell headfirst from the tree; the scene changed, and they were on the roof in Chang'an, where the moon was misty, and he asked his brother if they were When you feel like you've changed...

He has never dared to change too much, even for the sake of senior brother, at least he must have the same appearance as before.

Suddenly, he felt his face was warm and steamy.

Zhao Xu opened his eyes slightly, and saw Jiang Yunya wiping his forehead with a towel.

"Well, Senior Brother." Zhao Xu woke up instantly and murmured.

Jiang Yunya's hair was soaked through his clothes, and a few strands stuck to his forehead.

"I heard from Qian Shan that you came here." Jiang Yunya smiled and said, "Lie down a little longer, you are a bit cold, I'll make some ginger soup."

Zhao Xu grabbed his arm and said, "Don't go..."

"it is good."

"Brother, you should change your clothes first."

Nodding his head, Jiang Yunya went to find a suit of clothes. Here are his old clothes, which still fit well.

Zhao Xu sat up and pulled him to talk about what happened in the palace today.

"I know you won't." Jiang Yunya said.

"Father is very upset." Zhao Xu whispered: "But he has been suppressing and not getting angry with me."

The emperor has been treating him very well, maybe it's guilt, maybe it's making up for his mother.

That day, Jiang Qingfeng's words were like a cold little snake, always dormant in his heart, and at a certain time, he would come out to make a fuss, causing his heart to palpitate.

Even though Zhao Xu has been deceiving himself and others, he has to face this truth, the only truth that can be explained.

Jiang Yunya embraced Zhao Xu and leaned against each other quietly. They were still young, and their bodies under the thin clothes were full of warmth.

Because of being young, there are many unknown possibilities, like a raindrop that has just been brewed, no one knows where it will fall and what fate it will have.

"I will always be with you."

The man whispered in his ear, just like the oath many years ago, tender and affectionate.