Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 247 An Anticipated Night

The fleet returning from Shanyin will arrive in Lin'an tonight.

Because the itinerary had been reported in advance by sending a speedboat, Prince Pu'an Zhao Yuan personally led people to the dock to pick them up.

The government handed the case over to him.

Although this was because the matter was of great importance and a prince was asked to take the lead, mainly to show the court's attention and to clear some obstacles in the process of handling the case, how could Zhao Yuan dare not take it seriously?
Firstly, because of the education he received since childhood, Zhao Yuan was indeed a very filial person and did not dare to neglect his father's orders.

On the other hand, it is also due to his always steady and cautious character.

However, there are many kinds of people.

Despite the same environment and the same education, Prince Enping Zhao Yu grew up to be completely different from him.

I remember that when I was still a teenager studying, the emperor gave me two handwritten copies of "Preface to the Lanting Poems" and asked Zhao Yuan and Zhao Qu to copy them 500 times each.

Zhao Yuan followed the emperor's instructions and copied them carefully and conscientiously. He copied them seven hundred times, two hundred times more than the emperor's instructions.

But Zhao Qiu... didn't write a single word.

Because he was favored by the Empress Dowager and the Queen, he was only summoned by the Emperor and severely scolded.

Sometimes, Zhao Yuan really envied his brother's free and easy attitude.

But, people cannot be compared. Zhao Yuan cannot be the second Zhao Qu, and he doesn't want to be Zhao Qu.

Although, I feel envious sometimes.

……

In Renmeifang, Li Shishi sat in a small pavilion on the rockery in the courtyard, gently waving a silk fan.

If she hadn't occasionally waved a small fan, she would have looked like a picture of a quiet and beautiful lady hanging there.

The ingredients for tonight have been bought, and Chen Erniang is washing and tidying up in the kitchen.

Once Er Niang is ready, it's time for Shi Shi to cook.

Yuye sent someone to say that we should come to her place for a drink tonight.

Li Shishi once lived next to the "Moshanghua" embroidery workshop for many years. Yuye learned etiquette from her. The two were both teacher and friend and had a very good relationship.

Shishi was naturally delighted by Fei Yuye's visit, so she asked Chen Erniang to inform Danniang and Luxi, asking them not to leave in a hurry in the evening and to come home for dinner.

Thinking of this, Shishi turned her beautiful eyes and saw a family that was building a large project.

There is Yang Yuan’s future residence.

Thinking of this, a hint of charm appeared on Shishi's face.

The mansion was only about a hundred steps away from her.

However, there is a winding stream in the middle, so if you really want to get there, you have to walk across a small bridge.

……

A lot of construction is currently going on in the Yang family's large mansion with three entrances and three exits.

It's already dusk and time to call it a day.

According to the original plan of Luxi and Dan Niang, this house has not been changed much.

However, looking at the mountains of earth in the yard at this moment, it is probably no longer their original plan.

The reason was that Qu Jianlei found Wang Changsheng, the master craftsman of the earth department of the former Five Elements Hall of "Jisitang".

Qu Jianlei found Wang Changsheng because he was hoping that if Ya Ge was delayed in purchasing the large wood, he would show his supernatural power and buy back the time during the construction of the eight temples of the Japanese lord.

However, since the person had come, Old Man Song mentioned that he wanted to ask Master Carpenter Wang to help tidy up Yang Yuan's house.

Yang Yuan wanted to be an official in an important position in the imperial court in the future. At the same time, he also wanted to make his "Youqiusi" bigger and stronger.

An ordinary house might not be so ideal. According to Old Man Song’s idea, he would have to build two secret rooms in the study and the bedroom, right?

Furthermore, "Youqiu Si" will need to train his martial arts in the future, and there is a mountain behind this mansion.

So it wouldn't be too much to build a simple training base on the mountain, right?

Wang Changsheng's family has always been good at construction.

In that era, a superb skill would be regarded as a family's secret. As a capital for survival, it would only be passed down within the family. Even direct descendants of the family would not have the opportunity to learn it.

Therefore, it is very common to see a family of craftsmen with a legacy that has been passed down for hundreds of years.

These craftsman families continue to improve and innovate while inheriting their craft, making their reputation even more famous.

Because of this, when "Jisitang" was at its peak, the Wang family was recruited into it, making the Wang family an important member of the Earth Department within the Five Elements Department of "Jisitang".

Today, the "Jisitang" is almost extinct, with only a few old people and young people left who are still mourning the passing of time.

But after all, his ancestors were all members of the "Jisi Hall", so Wang Changsheng still had some feelings for Qu Jianlei.

So, he reluctantly took on the small job of renovating the house as a way to pass the time.

In the eyes of the "King of the Earth Department", he only made some minor renovations and adjustments to the Yang family's mansion.

However, in the eyes of Old Man Song, this place was almost demolished and rebuilt.

There is almost no place that has not been redesigned by Master Wang, and if there is, it will be modified and reused.

Old Man Song felt that Wang Changsheng must have misunderstood the original intention of his employer, so he found Master Wang to communicate with him and gave his suggestions in a very tactful way.

As a result, Master Wang scolded Old Man Song. What kind of suggestion is that? It's bullshit!
If you want to rebuild, just follow my advice. Otherwise, don't come to me. You still give me suggestions. Do you know how to build? Come on, build this wall straight first!

People who are capable seem to have bad tempers.

Old Man Song was so badly scolded by him that he could only run away in fear.

When it comes to killing people, Old Man Song is very good at it.

When it comes to architecture, he is indeed a layman.

Although Wang Changsheng is annoying, he cannot be killed. If he cannot be killed, he cannot be scolded either. Therefore, Wang Changsheng continues to live forever.

Even Old Man Song didn't dare to tell Master Wang what to do, let alone Xiao Luxi.

Just because this is her future home, she would feel like she has lost interest in it if she doesn't come to visit it every one or two days.

That's why she came here with Dan Niang today.

As soon as he saw the boss coming, Master Wang's face immediately became unhappy.

Lu Xi hurriedly explained timidly: "I just came to see the progress, I didn't mean to disturb Master Wang."

Dan Niang said: "Yes, yes, we are just taking a look, hehe."

"Hmph!" Wang Changsheng rolled his eyes at them, straightened his neck, put his hands behind his back and walked away.

Qingtang clenched his fists and stared with wide eyes, watching...

Wang Changsheng walked away, neither tripped by the earth on the ground nor fell into the pit.

Qingtang sighed regretfully, why didn’t he fall down?

Dan Niang stuck out her tongue and smiled at Lu Xi, "It's fine if I'm afraid of him, but why are you afraid of him? You are a lady of the imperial court, and he is just a commoner with no official title. If he dares to be rude to you, send him to the county government to be beaten with a stick."

Lu Xi snickered and said, "I don't dare. The more fierce he is, the more I think he has real skills. I dare not speak loudly."

Dan Niang said, "Huh? Is that so? Then I will be mean to you in the future."

Lu Xi rolled her eyes at her and said, "You want to be mean to me? I'm not afraid of you. Humph, I'll put on the dress of a lady of honor and punish you for your disrespect first." "Oh, no, sir."

Dan Niang clung to Lu Xi, acting coquettishly: "At most I will sleep with you tonight, you can do whatever you want."

Lu Xi hooked Dan Niang's chin and tried to put on a lecherous look: "Hehe, that's more like it. My dear lady, you look so cute and charming that I feel pity for you. After we go to Madam Li's banquet tonight, you can go home with me."

Dan Niang lowered her head shyly: "Please have mercy on me, Master."

The two laughed and joked for a while, and Dan Niang said, "It's getting late, let's go now, it's not good to keep my godmother waiting."

Lu Xi walked hand in hand with her and asked casually, "I heard that Madam Li has a female apprentice coming over tonight. Are you familiar with her?"

Dan Niang shook her head and said, "I have never seen him. I heard that she adopted that disciple when she lived in the embroidery workshop."

"Boom!" There was suddenly a noise behind me.

Luxi and Danniang looked back, but there was nothing.

The two were about to continue walking, but suddenly stopped and looked at each other.

Lu Xi said doubtfully: "Something seems wrong."

Dan Niang tapped her forehead lightly and called out, "Qingtang, Qingtang?"

A muffled voice came from underground behind: "I accidentally fell into a pit, Master, please come and save me..."

……

Cao Yong, the former prefect of Lin'an and current Minister of Revenue, has been staying at home awaiting investigation since he was impeached by the censor.

This is the rule. The impeached official will be temporarily unemployed. After the truth is found out, it will be decided whether to punish him or reinstate him.

However, although they stayed at home, they were not idle.

While he kept giving gifts and smoothing the way, he also sent people to gather information.

However, the news he received was increasingly unfavorable to him, which made him deeply uneasy and he didn't even eat tonight.

Cao Yong was always strict in running his household, and even his wife did not dare to persuade him. Finally, everyone pushed the most favored Seventh Wife out, picked up the food box, and went to the study room with gritted teeth.

Cao Yong sat in the study with a frown on his face.

Madam Seven came in with a food box, approached cautiously, and called softly, "Master..."

Cao Yong looked up at her, sighed softly, waved his hand tiredly and said, "I'm not hungry, take it."

Madam Qi hesitated for a moment and whispered, "If the master is in trouble, why not ask Prime Minister Qin for help? After all, the master works for him."

"he?"

Cao Yong sneered: "Prime Minister Qin is busy clearing himself from the issue now. He can no longer care about me."

Madam Seven said nervously, "No way? Didn't he...come and see you a few days ago? Now...he has turned his back on me?"

Some time ago, the test results of Jinke University were released.

The newly crowned number one scholar, Zhang Xiaoxiang, was only 23 years old. He led the crowd and won the first place in the imperial examination.

Qin Hui then wanted to recruit him, so he condescended to visit Cao's residence.

What Qin Hui meant was that he wanted to persuade Cao Yong to take the new top scholar Zhang Xiaoxiang as his son-in-law.

Cao Yong's daughter, Cao Miao, is only thirteen years old and old enough to get married.

If the new top scholar can become Cao Yong's son-in-law, then this potential stock will be in his hands.

Moreover, as the top scholar, Zhang Xiaoxiang has considerable appeal. If he is willing to join the Qin family, he will attract more talents to join him.

Unfortunately, Zhang Xiaoxiang refused it outright.

Cao Yong smiled bitterly and said, "When you have reached the position of Qin Xiang, there is no question of whether you will turn against each other or not. It is just a matter of weighing the pros and cons."

Madam Seven said angrily, "That... is nothing great! At worst, we can resign and return home to enjoy our old age."

Cao Yong sneered and said, "I am afraid... Hehe, 'I want to lead the yellow dog with you, go out of the east gate of Shangcai, and chase the cunning rabbit, how can it be possible?'"

The Seventh Wife of Cao Yong was well-educated and knew where this sentence came from. Her face immediately changed and she said, "Master, is it really that serious? Don't we in the Song Dynasty not kill scholars and officials?"

Cao Yong chuckled and said, "Who said that? Are you talking about the Taizu commandment stone? Who has seen it? If no one has seen it, how can we use it to restrain the emperor and father who want to break the commandment?"

"This……"

Cao Yong said sarcastically, "That's just a trick made up by scholars. They dream of giving the emperors of the present and future a trick of 'If you are so lenient to me, you are a wise ruler; if you are not so lenient to me, you are a foolish ruler.'"

Cao Yong said calmly: "There has never been such a provision in the laws of our Song Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Taizu, a large number of civil servants were executed for corruption and bribery.

Taizu once said: Those who violate my law shall be punished with the sword! Would he erect a warning stone to forbid the killing of those who violated the law?

However, in order to avoid the disaster of the previous dynasty's military, our dynasty has set a national policy of making use of scholars and officials. Over time, this trend has become established.

Therefore, they were particularly lenient towards the scholars and officials, and would not resort to violence easily. However, as long as the emperor's authority was shaken..."

At this point, Cao Yong's face darkened: "Then, the six thieves must die. The student Chen Dong and the famous scholar Ouyang Che must also die..."

Madam Seven forced a smile and said, "But Master, you...how could you possibly shake the emperor's authority?"

Cao Yong glanced at her and said, "I can't do it, but Prime Minister Qin can! What I'm afraid of is... the government killing a chicken to scare the monkeys..."

After hearing this, Mrs. Seven felt her hands and feet go weak.

She couldn't imagine how she would live if her master died.

The Seventh Lady was leaning on the desk when she suddenly saw a row of antique shelves against the wall. When she saw the cabinet below, she suddenly remembered something.

The master once put a golden cat there!
Madam Seven said anxiously, "Master, didn't you say there was a 'Youqiusi' who had great powers? Why don't you ask 'Youqiusi' to help you through this life-and-death catastrophe?"

"Oh, if even Prime Minister Qin can't save me, 'Youqiusi'..."

Cao Yong's eyes suddenly flashed, and he remembered a scene when he was watching the tide in the Wanghai Tower on Phoenix Mountain:

Yang Yuan, the guide from Youqiusi, and Prince Enping were on friendly terms with each other and were chatting and laughing happily!

If Prince Enping is from the "Youqiu Division", or has a close relationship with the "Youqiu Division", then perhaps it is possible...

Cao Yong's eyes lit up.

"That's right. Tomorrow... No, I will ask someone to call Xu Haisheng now. No, no, no! Change my clothes for me. I will go to Lin'an County and ask Xu Haisheng to find the people from Youqiusi for me immediately!"

Cao Yong slammed the table and stood up.

He did not have the contact information of the "Youqiu Si". The last time he dealt with the "Youqiu Si", it was the Lin'an County Magistrate Xu Haisheng who brought the guide.

Now that he wanted to see someone from the "Youqiu Division", he naturally had to go through County Magistrate Xu.

Cao Yong opened his arms and asked Madam Seven to help him put on a casual robe. He then ordered, "Call Madam and get some gold and silver from the treasury. This is to protect your man's life. Don't be stingy..."

Madam Seven said in embarrassment: "Master, in order to smooth the way these days, a lot of cash and silver have been spent. Is the remaining... enough?
Last time we asked Youqiusi for advice and suggestions, it was just to solve a small problem of Prime Minister Qin's family, but it still cost a lot.

This time we have to solve a big problem that even Prime Minister Qin can’t solve…”

Cao Yong was stunned for a moment, then he remembered that he had indeed spent money like water in the past few days.

He thought for a moment, then ordered: "First, find some precious instruments to use in case of emergency. Also, take out my 'share deed' in Hakata, Japan..."

Cao Yong murmured, "If Youqiusi is really powerful, they probably do business with Japan. Then my priceless share deed should be able to impress them..."

(End of this chapter)