The Great Wei Music Bureau

Chapter 134: Marriage Game (Part )

Last time, we said that the news of Tuoba Ziyi's disturbance in the Honglu Temple had been reported back to the Southern Liang Dynasty. So what plans did the Southern Liang Dynasty have? Let's read on.

The third prince Xiao Zonggang said, "Father, I also heard some rumors when I went to Northern Wei. Tuoba Ziyi was indeed engaged to Dugu Long, but later in order to quell the internal strife of the Xianbei old tribe, Tuoba Jun specially granted Dugu Long another marriage. That's why Tuoba Ziyi didn't get married. As for the specific reason, I don't know.

This princess was not seen at my aunt's birthday party. I don't know if she is really unruly and willful, but the fact that she has not married at this age must be due to some hidden reasons. I think that since this matter has become so serious, and my father is reluctant to let his sister marry far away in Northern Wei, why not take this opportunity to reject this marriage?"

Xiao Zonggang's original intention was not good. He was worried that Tuoba Ziyi would really marry the prince. With Northern Wei as the prince's backing, it would be extremely difficult for him to overthrow the prince and fight for the throne.

The second prince Xiao Zongji had the same idea. He said, "Father, what my third brother said is absolutely right. We can take this opportunity to put pressure on Northern Wei and cancel the marriage!"

Crown Prince Xiao Zongqing received the letter from Pei You. In his opinion, no matter how beautiful Tuoba Ziyi was, he was not worthy of her. What's more, he had long been eyeing Lu Wan, the daughter of the Yangzhou big clan Lu. This beauty could be said to be both talented and beautiful, and she was much more attractive than Tuoba Ziyi, who was older than him!

So Xiao Zongqing said, "Father, as the saying goes, like father, like son, like mother, like daughter. Even if Tuoba Ziyi is not so arrogant and rude, she is definitely not a good person. Why not cancel the engagement as my second and third brothers said and call it a day."

Emperor Xiao Yongming of Liang said coldly, "Just give up? You wish! This is a letter from the Northern Wei. Their wedding delegation is on the way! It is estimated that they will reach the border in half a month! You brothers, can you bear to watch your sister marry into the barbarian land of the Northern Wei?"

Minister of Rites Zhang Deyuan bowed and said, "May I ask how the Northern Wei Dynasty handled this matter?"

Xiao Yongming replied: "Humph, just perfunctory! They just confined Tuoba Ziyi to the palace and dismissed Li Yiguan. What is this? Is this considered a punishment? They are clearly protecting the two of them!"

Zhang Deyuan said: "How can this be! After doing something so outrageous, they ended it so abruptly. They still have the nerve to come and marry Princess Huaxuan. The Suolu are really rude!"

Xiao Yongming looked at Liu Hong who was still kneeling on the ground and said, "Alright, get up, let's figure out what to do about this first! I really don't want Qizhen to marry into the Northern Wei Dynasty!"

Liu Hong thanked him and stood up, saying, "Your Majesty, it is reasonable that Tuoba Ziyi was not severely punished, but why was Li Yi not severely punished?"

Xiao Yongming waved his hand and said, "It's not that there is no severe punishment. The letter from the country said that he was willing to hand over Li Yi to us for apology, but he didn't beat the man. What's the point of killing him, even if he is just a small music official?"

The third prince Xiao Zonggang said, "Father, if this is true, then the Northern Wei Dynasty is really not a hasty decision! Li Yi is no ordinary person!"

Xiao Yongming was puzzled and asked, "Oh? How do you know? Liu Hong mentioned this person to me before, and you thought highly of him after returning from the Northern Wei Dynasty. What is so special about Li Yi?"

Xiao Zonggang replied, "Father, you are a man who practices both Confucianism and martial arts. You know that Confucianists cannot pray for thunder unless they reach the level of a fourth-grade great Confucian. Even if they reach the level of a great Confucian, they cannot invoke thunder if their righteousness is not pure or sufficient. However, Li Yi, who is at the level of a fifth-grade mind, invoked thunder to defeat Zhai Baishan, who was invincible in the northwest grasslands, at the birthday banquet of his aunt! I asked the accompanying generals, and they said that Zhai Baishan's cultivation is definitely at the peak of the fourth grade. The fact that Li Yi can defeat him shows that his fighting ability is not inferior to that of Dugu Long!"

Liu Hong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I once said that Li Yi is the best at practicing both Confucianism and Buddhism. He will definitely become a strong enemy of Daliang in the future. It would be a great thing if we could take the opportunity to get rid of him!"

Xiao Yongming thought for a moment and said, "When you told me that he practiced both Confucianism and Buddhism, I didn't believe it. Buddhist skills are never passed on to outsiders. Even I, who admire Buddhism so much, have not been able to get a glimpse of it. How could Li Yi practice the Vajra Divine Skill? This is indeed quite interesting!"

Crown Prince Xiao Zongqing saw that Emperor Liang had other thoughts and immediately bowed and said, "Father, I have read Li Yi's poems. This boy's talent is truly unparalleled in the world. Minister Zhang, what do you think of Li Yi's talent?"

Zhang Deyuan shook his head and smiled, "Your Highness is right. I have also read his collection of poems. He is indeed worthy of the reputation of being a man of great talent. I am far from being able to reach his level."

As a practitioner of both Confucianism and martial arts, Xiao Yongming naturally knew what it meant to use a fifth-grade state of mind to attract heavenly thunder. He also knew what the combat power of a fourth-grade warrior at his peak was. Liu Hong had told him about Li Yi's abilities before, and at that time Liu Hong was still confident that he could defeat Li Yi. But now judging from the combat power shown by Li Yi, one cannot help but be amazed at how quickly he has improved.

Xiao Yongming immediately thought of the reason, which was the credit of Buddhism. He had only learned Buddhist scriptures throughout his life, but had not been able to learn any martial arts. So he wanted to find a breakthrough in Buddhist martial arts from Li Yi. If he could practice Confucianism, martial arts and Buddhism, and then use his own dragon energy to break through to the extraordinary realm, wouldn't the world be within his reach!

Thinking of this, Xiao Yongming asked, "Liu Hong, do you think Li Yi can be used by Daliang?"

While Liu Hong was still thinking about how to answer, the second prince Xiao Zongji bowed and said, "Since your Majesty is willing to recruit me, I am willing to share your worries!"

Xiao Zonggang said, "Second brother, you have never met Li Yi, and we have no friendship. It would be better if I go. At least I know him!"

Crown Prince Xiao Zongqing waved his hand and said, "Since Li Yi has such ability, it would not be appropriate to recruit my two younger brothers. I'd better go myself!" Although the crown prince said this, in fact, he and the forces behind him did not like Li Yi. As for the reason, we will talk about it later.

The three brothers started quarreling, and Xiao Yongming said, "Shut up, what are you quarreling about! We don't even know if Li Yi is willing to serve Daliang, what are you quarreling about! Don't you think I'm annoying enough? Shut up! You know Liu Hong's situation in the Northern Wei Dynasty, and you've fought with Li Yi before, so tell me what we have to say!"

Liu Hong had already thought of what to say and bowed, "Your Majesty, this is what I think about this matter. There is news that Li Yi proposed a proposal to the Northern Wei Emperor, called the Imperial Examination System, which is a system for selecting officials through examinations, and this has aroused the dissatisfaction of all the aristocratic families in the Northern Wei Dynasty. This time the Wei Emperor threw Li Yi out, it is very likely to kill with a borrowed knife! This is indeed an opportunity to recruit him, but we still have to find out the truth first to see whether the Northern Wei Emperor has given up Li Yi, or what Li Yi's attitude is towards the Northern Wei court."

Xiao Yongming nodded and said, "Yes, that's right. Tuoba Jun likes to make trouble, let him do it, and when he has emptied his family's wealth, we will go north to unify the world! But who should we send to investigate?"

The three princes immediately bowed and asked for orders. Xiao Yongming snorted coldly and said, "Shut up, all of you. Since Tuoba said he is willing to hand Li Yi over to us, let's use this to verify the truth. Minister Zhang, please draft a letter of credence. The meaning is to ask the Northern Wei to escort Li Yi here first, and then talk about the wedding!"

Xiao Zonggang immediately said: "Father, if you want to recruit Li Yi, it would be inappropriate to escort him here! Why not think of a compromise!"

Xiao Yongming asked: "What's the compromise?"

Xiao Zonggang replied, "Doesn't the Northern Wei want to kill someone with a borrowed knife? Didn't Tuoba Jun refuse to protect Li Yi? Then let us protect him! Let Li Yi go to the capital with the Northern Wei wedding delegation. If he is willing to serve Daliang, we will keep him. When the two sides fall out, why bother about the marriage contract? If he is unwilling, then get rid of him and refuse the marriage in the name of Northern Wei's impoliteness. In short, no matter what, Sister Qizhen will not marry into the Northern Wei!"

Xiao Zonggang's idea touched Xiao Yongming's heart, and he said with relief: "What do you think of Zonggang's proposal?"

Although Xiao Zongqing and Xiao Zongji were dissatisfied, Xiao Zonggang had already spoken first, and they had no better ideas so they could only pay, like, and forward the post with one click.

Zhang Deyuan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say but I don't know whether I should say it or not!"

Xiao Yongming looked up at the Minister of Rites and said with a smile: "Humph, if you have something to say, just say it. Stop talking to me in official language!"

Zhang Deyuan said: "Your Majesty, if Li Yi is really willing to serve you, what can you give him?"

Xiao Yongming was puzzled and asked, "What do you mean? What does he want that I can't give him?"

Zhang Deyuan said coldly: "What if he wants to make trouble? Your Majesty can't go to great lengths to recruit him here as a decoration, right? Li Yi is indeed talented, but he is young and frivolous after all. It will cost a lot of money to select officials from all over the country through examinations. Not to mention the waste of money and manpower, can scholars selected by examinations really be used regardless of their family background? If they do a good job, it's fine, but if they don't do a good job, it will be a loss of face for the court!"

Xiao Yongming nodded and said, "Well, that makes sense. If we really recruit Li Yi, it will be quite troublesome."

Liu Hong saluted and said, "Your Majesty, Li Yi's talent is definitely not inferior to mine. Even if you don't use his reform method, you can still let him serve in the army! That's a fighting force that can rival Dugu Long!"

Xiao Yongming nodded and said, "Yes, that's true. Zhang Deyuan, I understand your concerns. Don't worry, when he arrives in Jiankang, I will test him. If he is really capable, I will make use of him. If he is not really capable, I will just use him to write poems and essays."

Zhang Deyuan saluted and said, "Your Majesty is wise and brave. I admire you!"

Xiao Yongming pointed at Zhang Deyuan and sneered, "I am not old enough to be senile, so stop fawning on me, old man! This matter is settled, go and draft the letter!"

Zhang Deyuan bowed and left, and Liu Hong also bowed and said, "If your majesty has nothing else to do, I will take my leave first."

Xiao Yongming asked: "Liu Hong, how is your development of new weapons going? When can they be distributed to the new army?"

Liu Hong replied: "We are currently short of copper and iron ore, so the progress is not ideal."

Xiao Yongming glanced at Liu Hong, who immediately saluted and said, "I will find a way to solve these troubles as soon as possible and deliver the weapons on time!" Xiao Yongming waved his hand, and Liu Hong saluted and left.

After Liu Hong left, Crown Prince Xiao Zongqing said, "Father gave Minister Liu so much money, I don't know if the new army can satisfy people."

Xiao Zonggang waved his hand and said, "Your Highness, you are worrying too much. Father will not be wrong in judging people. Minister Liu is a Taoist, Confucian and martial artist. He has his own unique skills. Didn't my elder brother also see his Yanjia technique? It is indeed amazing!"

Xiao Zongji smiled and said, "Brother, you are also considering the country. After all, you have spent so much money. If you can't see any results, it would not be too much to exterminate Liu Hong's entire clan."

Xiao Zongqing said: "In this case, you might as well be a supervisor to see if Liu Hong is doing his best to help the emperor."

Xiao Yongming nodded and said, "Yes, the prince is right. Zongji, I will leave the affairs of the new army to you. You have to keep an eye on Liu Hong and pay attention to the formation of the new army. When it comes to leading troops to fight, the two of them combined are not as good as you. You must do this job well! Go!" Xiao Zongji took the order and left.

After sending the second brother away, only Xiao Zongqing and Xiao Zonggang were left in front of the imperial carriage. Xiao Yongming asked, "What do you two want to do if you don't leave?"

Xiao Zonggang smiled and said, "My son..."

Crown Prince Xiao Zongqing interrupted and said, "I am willing to share your worries, Father. Let me take care of recruiting Li Yi this time."

Xiao Zonggang said: "Father, I am also willing to contribute to the country..."

Xiao Yongming stretched out his hand to stop them and said, "You two don't have to fight. I can't talk about what old Zhang Deyuan said just now. These aristocratic families have occupied land, enclosed mountains and lakes, and have not paid taxes to the court. I am worried that I have no way to deal with them!