Although the maids repeatedly dissuaded her, Li Zu'e was determined to worship the Buddha.
Everyone had no choice but to prepare a carriage, put all the supplies to keep out the cold, and ordered more than a hundred soldiers to clear the way. Then they left the palace in a mighty manner and headed for Zhaoxuan Temple.
It was freezing cold, and Li Zu'e felt the biting chill even while sitting in the carriage, but the cold made her more awake and drove away some of her fear.
When the Queen Mother suddenly arrived at Zhaoxuan Temple, the local officials and monks were in chaos.
This is not an ordinary temple, this is the official office in charge of temples all over the world. Of course, there are also Buddha statues and masters here.
Li Zu'e ignored the people who came to greet her and walked directly to the main hall.
The soldiers guarded the door, and Li Zu'e just walked in with a few female officials. Everyone laid futons on the ground, lit candles, picked up incense, and got ready to worship Buddha.
Li Zu'e was kneeling in front of the Buddha statue and reciting Buddhist scriptures in a low voice.
The female officials stood in various places, shivering with cold, waiting for her to finish the ritual.
Li Zu'e finally finished reciting, she raised her head, looked at the tall and kind Buddha statue in front of her, and said: "I only ask the Bodhisattva to bless me, so that I can accomplish this great thing, kill the two kings, take charge of the harem, and keep my son safe.
"
At this moment, the female official standing next to her, holding incense for her, trembled all over and looked at Li Zu'e in horror.
The heavy snowstorm did not last long.
After the strong wind stopped, the sun slowly rose, and the white snow on the earth became golden and translucent in the sunlight.
There were six knights, riding horses at the moment. They were all wrapped in thick clothes. The horses were also very cold, and they were moving forward slowly.
"What is this all about? After the winter comes, we have to run around everywhere, and if we waste time, we have to behead him, but he himself is hiding in the house!"
The leader cursed in a low voice.
The other people were also trembling at this moment, "Our lives are not valuable, why do they care?"
There was white snow all around. After looking into the distance for a long time, their eyes felt stinging, which made them even more angry.
The current Daqi is really clean. Looking around, we can no longer see any dead people, bandits, wild dogs or wolves. Everything is snow white, and the ice and snow cover all the dirty and weird things. Daqi's head
It has become so normal for the first time, but it is not entirely true.
Several snowmen can be seen on the dead trees on both sides.
The snowman clung to the trunk of the tree, trying to stay away from the snow on the ground. He was immediately frozen on the tree, motionless. In the areas that were not completely covered, tattered cloths and frightened faces could be seen.
If you don't look carefully, it looks like there are faces on the trees, making all kinds of weird expressions and looking at the passers-by.
Several knights felt awkward and were unwilling to look further.
Finally, the city in the distance revealed its true colors. Seeing the short city wall, several knights couldn't help but speed up and were finally able to rest for a while.
They endured the cold wind blowing in their faces and quickly arrived at the city gate.
At this moment, there were two county soldiers standing outside the city gate, both wearing thick clothes, and sitting inside was a county official, trembling all over.
Seeing many knights, the county soldiers quickly stopped them.
The knight trembled and took out the pass from his arms, "I came to the county government to deliver the temple edict!"
The county officials came forward to check, and then hurriedly let them go, and arranged for a county soldier to lead them to the county government office.
The knights followed the county soldier and headed towards the county government office.
There is no difference between the inside of the city and the outside of the city. It is equally quiet and deserted. After such a heavy snowstorm, it is often the coldest. No one dares to go out, and there are no traces of trampling on the snow on the road.
When they arrived at the county government office, the county officials took over and took them to the county magistrate's office.
"This is Ren's letter. It was supposed to be delivered six days ago, but the wind and snow blocked the road. I hope you won't blame him. I hope you can arrange for the house to be hot and have a meal so that we can rest for a while."
The knight handed the order to Shi Yao and said tremblingly. Shi Yao looked at the exhausted knights in front of him and quickly ordered everyone to take them to rest.
When Shi Yao opened the document, he discovered that it was not issued to him, but to Liu Taozi!
He shook his head, these knights were really exhausted.
He didn't dare to look down, so he just brought his things to find Liu Taozi.
Liu Taozi sat in the upper position, holding the temple edict, his minions sat on both sides of him, and the room was burning with blazing fire.
Under the flames, Liu Taozi's expression kept changing.
"Liu Taozi, the Prime Minister of Liyang County, is specially appointed as the Lieutenant of Boling County."
Among all the nonsense, Liu Taozi only saw this paragraph. The first words were to praise Liu Taozi's achievements, while the last words were to urge and encourage him. Only the middle paragraph was the core content.
Hearing this, Yao Xiong couldn't help laughing loudly.
"Okay! Okay! My brother skipped the county magistrate, was promoted to the second level, and directly became the county captain!"
"fart!"
Tian Zili cursed and then said: "Official positions are all based on grade. Officials in Daqi are thirty grades, and county magistrates are twenty-nine grades, starting from the ninth grade."
"And the county lieutenant is the twenty-seventh rank, which is the ninth rank."
Yao Xiong pondered for a moment, "Yes, isn't it still a level two promotion?"
Yao Xiong looked around and asked, "Is my brother's official position higher than that of County Magistrate Lu now?"
"Oh, Magistrate Lu is the magistrate of the Imperial City. He is thirteenth grade. He is fourteenth grade lower than fifth grade!"
"What about Magistrate Shi?"
This time Tian Zili didn't need to speak, Shi Yao smiled and said: "I am the magistrate of Zhong County, rank nineteen."
"What about Yuan Wenyao?"
"He is the prefect of a small county. He is on the same level as Magistrate Lu. He is the thirteenth grade."
Yao Xiong only felt a little confused, but he cleared his throat again, "Anyway, you have been promoted two levels, to the twenty-seventh grade, right?"
"yes."
"Hahaha, that's a good thing! My brother was just a casual official half a year ago! Who would have thought that now he is already a twenty-seventh grade captain of a county! By the way, is this county captain divided into small and large counties?
"
"Only the county magistrate, the prefect, and the county magistrate can distinguish between large, medium, and small county lieutenants."
"What a shame."
Yao Xiong was the happiest, and the others were also talking and laughing. Getting promoted is definitely a good thing.
Only Liu Taozi's face was calm, showing no signs of joy or anger. Shi Yao couldn't help but sigh: "Mr. Liu has been favored by Prime Minister Yang!"
"Logically speaking, Mr. Liu came here to serve as an official two months ago. He should not be promoted until February next year, which is at least a full year. Otherwise, it will be an exceptional promotion."
"Looking at this text, it is mostly exhortations. The words are very elegant, but there are not many allusions. At first glance, it is the handwriting of Yang Xiang!"
"Congratulations to Mr. Liu!"
Just as Shi Yao was talking, he suddenly thought of something, his face changed, and his smile disappeared.
Everyone was staring at him, listening to his congratulations, but when they saw his sudden change of expression, everyone was surprised.
"What's wrong?"
Shi Yao had a solemn look on his face, "Mr. Liu, why don't you resign from this official position? Don't accept it."
"I am an old official of Prime Minister Yang. No matter what happens to Prime Minister Yang in the future, I will not be able to escape my involvement. I have thought about this for a long time. It's just that Mr. Liu is different. Mr. Liu has the Lu family as his backer. If this happens
I was favored by Prime Minister Yang for the first time, but something happened to Prime Minister Yang later.”
Hearing his words, Yao Xiong, Kou Liu and others felt incredible.
Prime Minister, what could happen?
Tian Zili frowned, thoughtfully, "Brother, I think I can accept his kindness. I am just a county lieutenant. Even if something happens, it is not the county lieutenant's turn to bear the consequences.
On the contrary, if the opportunity is missed this time, it will take a full year for promotion, and there may not be anyone promoted. We have no one in the court, and the so-called Lu family just wants to drive us away. Such an opportunity cannot be
miss!!"
Chu Jiande smiled and nodded, "That's reasonable. When we first met, we were just wandering around. In just a few short moments, we became a county lieutenant. In a few years, I don't dare to think about it!"
Kou Liu also had his own ideas. He plucked up the courage and said, "Brother, I think we can go. Here in Liyang, there is nothing left to do. The people are living a good life. For the rest, Shi Gong
Come and see, wherever my brother goes, he eradicates the local evil thieves and brings peace to the place. Since this place has been peaceful, why not go to other places to make new achievements?"
"Mr. Liu!!"
"Why are you leaving so soon? Why not stay a little longer?"
Dugujie held Liu Taozi's hand firmly, her eyes full of reluctance.
At this moment, more than sixty people gathered at the gate of Liyang County.
There was less snow on the ground, but it was still cold.
Everyone's mouths spurted bursts of hot air, and they all gathered around Liu Taozi.
Looking at Dugujie in front of him, Liu Taozi said softly: "I have written a letter a long time ago. Don't worry, Mr. Dugu. In addition, although there are no foreign thieves here, there are many thieves and traitors. The county soldiers still have to continue training. I hope
Don’t be lazy.”
"Never neglect!"
Dugujie raised his head, "I will have to rely more on Liu Gong for promotion in the future!"
He lowered his voice again: "Don't worry, I will take this grandson of Yuan Wenyao very seriously and I will never let him come out and harm anyone!"
In Dugujie's view, Liu Taozi was definitely an authentic Xianbei noble, and he even suspected that Liu Taozi was from his family.
Because at the time of the reform, many Xianbei people with the surname Dugu changed their surname to Liu. This was just like Bu Liugu changing his surname to Lu, which was very common.
His background as a minor official is all a lie. He is clearly a nobleman who came to this place to be gilded. With his look, his courage, and his crazy energy to kill people without blinking an eye, he is definitely a big noble! Maybe he is related to the current royal family!
Dugu Jie is very senior. He followed Emperor Shenwu through the tunnels back then. However, he was born in a military household and was promoted by no one. After being injured, he was forced to leave the army. Today, he is in a state of confusion.
It wasn't until he met Liu Taozi that he felt that he had been looking forward to the opportunity for promotion. Being valued by this noble man, was he still afraid that he would not have the opportunity for promotion in the future?
Unlike the excited Dugujie, Shi Yao's eyes were half sad.
He just stood there and said nothing.
Liu Taozi told everyone to take care of things in Liyang, and told them that he would send people to check on them from time to time, so that Tian Zili and others were ready to leave.
This time, Liu Taozi took away more than thirty people.
In addition to his core minions, Tian Zili also found some talents for him who were willing to leave, including shrewd county officials, brave county soldiers, etc. Logically speaking, these people would not be able to escape in their lifetime, but he wanted to take them away.
It's not a difficult thing, everyone still gives Liu Gong some face.
When everyone was about to leave, the county officials and county officials knelt on the ground to salute and send them off.
Shi Yao quickly followed Liu Taozi. Liu Taozi did not rush to get on the horse. He led the horse and walked slowly on the road. Shi Yao followed him. He turned his head and looked at the man who was chatting excitedly behind him.
Tian Zili et al.
"Mr. Liu, I really envy them."
"Without an official status, I can come and go as I please, and I can continue to follow Duke Liu"
Liu Taozi did not reply.
"Well, I have read books for so many years, and I thought I knew everything. Only in these three months, I seem to have seen through the major events in the world. People at the top are fighting for power and profit. In such a cold winter, whether it is King Changshan or Yang
Prime Minister, no one cares about the people's livelihood, and sends people to inquire about the local disaster situation. They are all focused on their own fights."
"In the past, I always thought that the common people was a very subtle concept. As long as I chose the right direction, I could save the common people. Later I realized that what I thought was a bit too far-fetched and too fake. I might as well catch two rabbits and give them to them.
It works if the people keep their bellies full!"
"Mr. Liu made me understand a lot of truths. Don't worry about Liyang's affairs, Mr. Liu. I will take care of it. I don't care who comes or who is in charge. I will just take care of my own affairs and protect you."
A common people."
Liu Taozi finally looked at him, nodded, and got on his horse.
When several people saw Liu Taozi getting on his horse, they also started to mount their horses. Liu Taozi was about to ride away.
Shi Yao was stunned, then ran a few steps, and shouted: "Mr. Liu! If something happens to Mr. Yang in the future, and I am lucky enough not to die, but will be dismissed from my official position, I will go find Mr. Liu. I don't know if Mr. Liu can do it."
Are you willing to take him in?!"
"Can."
Liu Taozi said a word and led everyone away quickly. The sound of horse hooves was dull and the ground trembled slightly. The group of people quickly disappeared on the official road and disappeared into the snowflakes in the sky.
Shi Yao and Dugu Xiuxian saw them off and let out a long sigh at the same time.
A group of people were walking on the road, but because of the cold wind, they did not dare to move forward quickly.
Tian Zili was beside Liu Taozi at this moment, telling him about the new place.
"This Boling County belongs to Dingzhou. I have asked clearly. There are four counties there, which are much larger than Liyang, but the situation there is even more chaotic. The military households in the six towns were divided among the surrounding counties.
Here, Boling County is one of them."
"I heard that there are a lot of Xianbei here, and they often rob passing merchants, but no one dares to accuse them."
"I think that when Yang Min asked his brother to go there, he may not be promoting him with good intentions, but because he wanted his brother to go there and kill some nobles. These nobles are different from Li Yang Cheng'an."
"Most of these people are brave, and the big families over there raise cavalry like Lou Rui."
Tian Zili indeed found out a lot of things. Liu Taozi listened to his report and walked all the way towards the destination.
Their destination was Cheng'an. Before going to Boling County to take up his post, Liu Taozi wanted to see his old friend again.
Tian Zili was particularly afraid of Boling County. He always felt that he had to change his method when he went there this time. If he still thought about suppressing it through force, he was afraid that something big would happen. Those dilapidated military households would not be easy to deal with. If they really wanted to fight,
They dared to kill officials and rebel. At the beginning, Changsun County Lieutenant once said that they did not pay attention to any officials at all, and they killed them immediately, and no one dared to question them.
The group finally arrived in Cheng'an.
They first went to Zhangcun.
In the cold winter, no one in the village dared to go out, but when they learned that Liu Taozi was coming with someone, the villagers went out to greet him.
Zhang Village has changed its appearance. There is a wooden fence blocking the road outside, but there is still a half-built village wall inside. The more Yao Xiong looks at it, the more confused he becomes. He pulls Tian Zili and whispers: "Why does it look like this place is getting worse and worse?"
What about those big companies like Uburg that we eliminated in the past?”
The number of villagers is also increasing, and all kinds of houses have been repaired, making them look tall and sturdy.
People new and old came out to greet Liu Taozi, and they all surrounded him and kept talking excitedly.
The peach grove was still where it was. No one dared to touch the peach grove, but the peach grove was covered in white snow. Liu Taozi went in and stayed for a while.
Liu Taozi's time was limited. After meeting his old friends here, he asked Zhang Erlang to take care of everyone and hurried to Cheng'an.
"Brother Taozi!!"
Lu Qubing was wrapped in thick clothes and his whole body was chubby. He rushed out of the county government office and almost bumped into Liu Taozi.
He quickly took Liu Taozi's hand and said, "Brother Taozi, why don't you reply to the letter?!"
"I also specifically asked Kou Liu not to forget to reply to the letter!!"
"Come, come, come in with me quickly! Everyone misses you very much!"
Lu Qubing pulled Liu Taozi, chattering incessantly, and led everyone into the county government office. At this moment, there were officials who were busy. When they heard the voice and knew that Liu Taozi was coming, they also hurriedly came to see them.
Suddenly, the cold and quiet county government office became hot, and more and more petty officials came to pay their respects and exchange greetings.
Old man Xu stood at the door, looked at the people leaving, then looked around, and left the county government office in a hurry.
Lu Qubing and Liu Taozi were sitting in the county magistrate's house. He had endless things to say.
When he learned that Liu Taozi had been promoted again, Lu Qubing was very happy and hurriedly congratulated him.
"Brother Taozi, your promotion is really impressive. Others get one promotion every three years, but you get three promotions a year!"
"Lu Jun, what rank do you live in?"
"ah"
Lu Qubing was stunned for a moment and replied: "From the ninth grade."
"If that's the case, you should call me your envoy."
Lu Qubing's eyes widened, and suddenly he raised his head and laughed.
"Hahaha~~~"
At this moment, a servant suddenly walked in and saluted them, "Lu Gong, Liu Gong, County Magistrate Lu invites you to go to his residence because he has important matters to discuss."
Chapter completed!