Zhu Changxiao's version of the Sui Dynasty

In the spring of 631 AD, the fifth year of the Zhenguan reign of the Tang Dynasty, the Tang army launched a massive northern expedition and fought a decisive battle with the Turkic tribe. They completely defeated the Turkic Sunish tribe, captured the Turkic leader Jie Li Khan, killed Princess Yicheng, and won a great victory. They returned to Beijing.

The Tang army returned to the court, and the whole country celebrated. The meritorious officials who participated in the northern expedition gathered in the Jinluan Palace. Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, issued an edict to reward the meritorious officials. Li Jing, Li Shiji, Chai Shao and others were rewarded.

After everyone thanked him, Li Shimin asked, "Where is Jie Li Khan now?"

Li Jing replied, "Jie Li Khan was ashamed of his defeat and tied himself up with his bare hands. He is waiting outside the palace."

"Remove the ropes and summon him to the palace."

"As ordered!" The order was passed down. After a short wait, Jie Li Khan ascended the throne. At this time, Jie Li Khan had been untied. In the court, people looked up at Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. Jie Li Khan, who was so majestic in front of the Weishui Bridge and signed the White Horse Alliance, now also lifted his robe and knelt on the ground, bowing his head and kowtowed to the emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

Tang Taizong Li Shimin, who sat high on the Danbi, looked at Jie Li Khan. His memory of the past was a little vague, so he asked: "Are you Jie Li Khan Duobi?"

"Dubi has offended the majesty of heaven and is waiting for punishment. How dare I call myself Khan again."

Li Shimin said: "Since I ascended the throne, I have been lenient to the people and spread benevolence. Although the Turks were defeated, they don't have to blame themselves. If they are willing to submit to my Tang Dynasty, I will treat them well."

Dubi was half-believing and half-doubting, and asked in surprise: "Will the emperor not avenge the invasion?"

"I am willing to laugh off the grudges for peace in the world today."

"Forget the shame of Weishui?" Duobi asked again.

"We can't make a deal without fighting, so why not turn enemies into friends?"

Seeing that Li Shimin did not blame him at all, but was tolerant and generous, Duobi was surprised for a moment, and was so grateful that he wanted to cry. He didn't know what to do, so he bowed to the ground and thanked him again and again.

Li Shimin said: "As long as the Turks are willing to submit to the Tang Dynasty, and the tribes in the northern border live in peace, I can put aside the past grudges and forgive the past."

Duobi sighed and covered his chest with his hands, saying from the bottom of his heart: "The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty is so kind and generous. He pardoned Duobi. Duobi is sincerely convinced and is willing to lead his people to submit to the Tang Dynasty and guard the northern border for Your Majesty forever."

Li Shimin showed a trace of relief on his face, but Li Shimin knew in his heart that Jie Li Khan was not an ordinary person. If Duobi was released, it would be like letting a tiger go back to the mountain. It is hard to say whether he would turn against the Turks in the future. After all, Li Shimin himself betrayed the White Horse Alliance and fought back. It took several years to defeat the Turks.

Li Shimin said: "Since the Khan has come to the capital, I cannot neglect him. Dubi, listen to your order."

"The guilty minister Dubi has your order."

"I will appoint you as the general of the right guard, grant you good land and a beautiful house, assist you in the court, and rank you among the court officials."

Although Dubi was not actually released, Li Shimin did not blame him, but instead rewarded him, which made Dubi, who was still under criminal responsibility, flattered. He quickly knelt down and kowtowed to thank you for your grace. Dubi did not dare to stand up, and said:"Dubi has another matter, please ask the emperor for permission."

"What is the difficulty? Just tell me."

"Please allow me to reunite with Xiao Jun and his wife."

Before Li Shimin opened his mouth, he heard Xiao Yu scolding: "Dubi! Empress Xiao is not your wife. The emperor treats you well, but you insult the reputation of my Xiao family. You are asking for more and are too rude."

Dubi looked up and saw Looking at Xiao Yu, he argued: "Xiao Jun was once the concubine of the Turkic Khan. Why not reconcile with her?"

The two of them were at loggerheads, and Li Shimin said: "You two beloved ministers, there is no need to argue. Let's leave it like this. No one is cold-blooded, who can be ruthless? Whether Empress Xiao recognizes this relationship or not, let her decide for herself."

After hearing the emperor's words, Xiao Yu and Duobi stopped arguing and had to obey the emperor's order, allowing Xiao Jun to recognize her relationship.

Duobi removed the title of Jie Li Khan and became the general of the right guard. He lived in the new house for two days. Every time he thought of the months of husband and wife relationship with Xiao Jun, he missed her even more. After several inquiries, he found Yang's house and came to visit.

The doorman of Yang's house saw that the visitor had a good appearance. Although he was not a Han Chinese, he was wearing Hanfu, so he must be a person of some origin. Men Ding asked: "Excuse me, sir, what is your name?"

"I am the Right Guard General Duobi, and I want to see Madam Xiao."

"Oh..." Men Ding suddenly realized: "The general is the Khan from the Turks."

"That's right."

"General, wait a moment, I will report to you." Men Ding turned and went back to the courtyard.

The doorman walked quickly to the backyard. Yang Zhengdao was walking with Xiao Jun with a cane. The doorman said, "My queen, the general of the right guard, Dubi, wants to see you."

"Dubi?"

The doorman nodded. Yang Zhengdao said, "My grandson has also heard that Dubi has surrendered to the Tang Dynasty and was named the general of the right guard by the emperor."

Xiao Jun said, "Zhengdao, please go out and see for me. We haven't seen each other for ten years. Ask the general what he wants to see?"

"My grandson understands."

At the gate of Yang's house, Dubi was waiting. He recognized Yang Zhengdao at a glance. Dubi said, "Isn't this Zhengdao?"

Yang Zhengdao bowed and said, "I haven't seen you for ten years. I hope the general is well. Please follow me to the front hall to talk."

Dubi followed Yang Zhengdao to the front hall. They sat down separately. The family members After serving tea and exchanging a few pleasantries, Dubi said, "Your grandmother and I served together in the Sui court and were husband and wife. Now that I have returned to the Tang Dynasty, I hope that Empress Xiao will remember our old friendship and reconcile with us."

"This..." Yang Zhengdao was not sure how to answer for a moment, and said, "My grandmother and I have returned to the court for several years. Fortunately, the Turks took us in, so we are now peaceful and happy. I will report to you about what the general said."

Yang Zhengdao got up and went to the backyard again. He trotted all the way and came to Xiao Jun quickly. He bowed and said, "Dubi is here to visit your grandmother. Please remember our old friendship and reconcile with us."

Xiao Jun stretched out his arm and said, "Come on, help me go to the room."

Yang Zhengdao helped Xiao Jun to the bedroom. Xiao Jun sat in front of the dressing table, looked around in the bronze mirror, shook his head and sighed, "My hair is white, my skin is wrinkled, and my hair is white., I can't stand up straight anymore, I can't serve Dubi anymore."

Yang Zhengdao said: "They are grassland people who speak directly, how should my grandson reply?"

"Pen and ink are ready."

Yang Zhengdao was grinding ink in front of the desk, Xiao Jun moistened the ink and picked up the pen, wrote a five-character poem, and handed it to Yang Zhengdao: "Give this poem to Dubi, let him go."

"Grandson obeys."

Duobi was drinking tea, and when he saw Yang Zhengdao returning to the front hall, he stood up and asked: "Will Madam Xiao agree?"

Yang Zhengdao handed a folded piece of rice paper to Dubi: "My grandmother ordered me to give this letter to the general. "Duobi opened the paper and read it carefully:

Ten years have passed since we met, and your hair has turned white. You were born later than me, and missed your prime years early.

Why should a man worry about his wife? He cherishes the grass in his prime years. After several reincarnations, he is now seventy years old.

After reading this poem, Duobi was silent for a long time, and he felt that it was difficult to express. Yang Zhengdao comforted him: "If I remember correctly, your grandmother was thirteen years older than the general. Now she is sixty-five. The face she had yesterday is no longer there."

The heartless poem was so touching that Duobi felt like a knife was cutting his heart and it was hard to face it. Yang Zhengdao advised: "The general is fifty-two years old, and he is in the prime of his life. He should not worry about not finding beauties in the world. Don't make things difficult for your grandmother. "After saying that, he bowed deeply.

Dubi felt that forcing was useless, so he had to return the greeting and leave Yang's house. Yang Zhengdao returned to the backyard house, and Xiao Jun looked out the window alone: ​​"Duobi is gone?"

"Grandmother's unfeeling poem really made Dubi a little sad. Could it be that grandma thought Dubi was false?" Yang Zhengdao asked.

Xiao Jun took a long breath and said: "As long as there is affection, it is real. If there is no affection, it is all considered false. It is just existence and non-existence, not true and false. Women are not afraid of false days, but only worry about encountering heartless times. ”

After resigning from Dubi, Xiao Jun lived alone in the mansion all day, chanting scriptures and worshipping Buddha, not asking about current affairs. Dubi no longer had the glory of the Khan in the past, and stayed in the court. After waiting for three years, he never saw Xiao Jun again. Finally, in the eighth year of Zhenguan, he died of illness in Chang'an at the age of 55. This is:

In the legend of six generations and five rulers, he experienced endless turmoil. He climbed the Five Ridges to patrol Jiangyou, and went out of the frontier to the grassland and the blue sky.

Why forget the kindness several times, it is hard to be calm after meeting for a long time. Shouqiu Fox wishes for peace and tranquility, and from now on, we share the same heart in the mortal world.

It is said that on this day, Xiao Jun was burning incense and worshiping Buddha. Just after he finished worshipping, his grandson Yang Zhengdao came to the Buddhist hall and bowed: "Grandmother, the historian Kong Yingda came to the mansion to see you. ”

Xiao Jun was clasping his hands together and mumbling something. After hearing what Zhengdao said, he turned around and asked, "I have no connection with the historians. Why did Kong Yingda come to visit me?"

Yang Zhengdao said, "Reporting to my grandmother, it is said that he was sent by Lord Wei Zheng. If I am not mistaken, he must be here to compile the "Book of Sui." ”

"Compiling the "Book of Sui" is the job of the historians. There are many ministers and elders from the previous dynasty. What's the point of asking me?"

"Since the historian is here, please meet him and see how the Book of Sui is written?"

After hearing this, Xiao Jun nodded and stretched out his hand.Yang Zhengdao hurriedly stepped forward, helped Xiao Jun up, and two maids accompanied him to the living room.

When they arrived at the front hall, they saw a man wearing a swallowtail black gauze hat, a green robe, clear eyebrows, a straight nose and a square mouth, three short beards, and elegant manners. This man was the historian Kong Yingda.

When Kong Yingda saw Yang Zhengdao helping Xiao Jun to the front hall, he hurriedly stepped forward, bowed with both hands, and bowed deeply: "The subordinate Kong Yingda greets the lady Xiao."

"Master Kong, please don't be polite. Your visit to my humble home is really a great honor."

"The lady Xiao is in good spirits and has a long life. I am very grateful for her."

After complimenting each other, Xiao Jun and Kong Yingda sat down, and Yang Zhengdao also sat beside them, offering tea. Xiao Jun blew on the tea and asked, "Lord Kong, what advice do you have for me?"

Kong Yingda said, "To answer Madam Xiao, I am here on the orders of Lord Wei Zheng. Now the compilation of the Emperor's Chronicles of the Sui Dynasty has been completed. Lord Wei is cautious and dares not make any decisions on some words. Madam, please correct me."

"Oh?" Xiao Jun was curious and asked, "Lord, please tell me. I am all ears."

Kong Yingda bowed and said, "During the Daye period of the Sui Dynasty, Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty was tyrannical and lustful. He built palaces everywhere, recruited palace maids, and three Go down to Jiangdu and indulge in lust."

Xiao Jun asked: "Lord Kong, what else do you know about the past? Tell me one by one."

Kong Yingda said: "Emperor Yang of Sui not only lived a luxurious and chaotic life in the palace, but also had evil intentions towards his own sister Princess Lanling, framed the son-in-law Liu Shu, had the intention of molesting Bao Mei, harmed close relatives, and violated ethics..."

"Enough!" Xiao Jun's face sank, his eyes flashed with anger, and he pointed at the door and said: "Send the guests out! Get out! Get out quickly!"

"Madam Xiao, I am asking for advice humbly, why are you so angry?" Kong Yingda said.

Xiao Jun stared at Kong Yingda and asked, "Sir Kong, I want to ask you, are you compiling a history book or a pornographic book?"

Kong Yingda saw Xiao Jun's face and knew that this was the elder sister of Prime Minister Xiao Yu. He did not dare to offend her and hurriedly smiled and said, "Madam Xiao, you misunderstood. I just gave a general evaluation of Emperor Yang of Sui. Since the end of the Sui Dynasty, there have been many notes and miscellaneous histories evaluating Emperor Yang of Sui. There are many different opinions and it is inevitable that there are mistakes."

"I also understand that the world's resentment towards the previous emperor is more than just a few gossips and rumors." Xiao Jun said.

"Madam Xiao, don't worry too much. Sir Wei Zheng will ask you for the specific compilation." Kong Yingda talked with Xiao Jun for a few more words and then hurriedly said goodbye.

Xiao Jun was somewhat angry after listening to the description of Emperor Yang of Sui. Kong Yingda left Yang's house and went to the Imperial History Institute.

When they arrived at the Imperial Academy of History, Wei Zheng and others were discussing the contents of the "Book of Sui" with many clerks. Seeing Kong Yingda coming with a look of embarrassment, they knew that this trip might not be smooth.

Kong Yingda bowed and saluted. Wei Zheng asked the clerks to leave and asked, "Master Kong, please sit down. Do you have any advice for Empress Xiao today?"

"Alas." Kong Yingda sat aside, picked up the covered cup and swallowed a sipTea, said: "Your Excellency Wei, you don't know, today I visited Madam Xiao, mentioned the matter of compiling the Chronicle of Emperor Yang of Sui, and asked a few questions about the rumors in the palace of Emperor Yang of Sui, but I didn't expect to make Madam Xiao angry."

Wei Zheng asked: "What did Madam Xiao say?"

Kong Yingda said with a look of grievance: "She asked us, are we writing history books or pornographic books?"

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