Minister

136【Eight Years of Jiankang】

"Is this a knife used by the Miao people?" Feng Shixun was the most curious.

"That's not true." Xu Lang handed the knife to Feng Shixun first: "Master Feng, if you like it, pull it out and have a look. This knife is shaped like the leaves of seedlings, so it is called the Miao knife."

Feng Shixun pulled it out carefully, but did not pull it out: "Forget it, you should do it."

Wei Chi saw that the scabbard and handle were very strange, but he was actually too curious, so he took the knife and pulled it out of the scabbard: "This steel is very good!"

Hu Yanglin nodded: "This is newly modified according to Tang Dao. It was originally allocated to our Jinyiwei, but it was really too long, and it was too bluffing, so I withdrew it. Master Shen specially asked me to bring this one to General Xu. Yes, because there are only a few of them, so they are all carefully crafted, and the secret method is dipped in fire. We tried it just now, and two or three iron nails can be cut easily."

"It's a bit long," Wei Chi said with a smile, "Why did Master Shen give you this? Although the knife is very long, the blade is too narrow, and horse fighting seems inappropriate."

This type of knife is suitable for stabbing. If stabbing is used in horse fighting, it usually has a long handle, such as a spear.Otherwise, it is easy to put yourself and the enemy together, and it is easy to be dragged off the horse.

"Hey," Xu Lang said with a smile, "you know how to fight? This knife is so unique, can't I think about other things besides fighting?"

"What did you figure out?"

"You share some of your good wine with me and I'll tell you."

Wei Chi sighed, and said to Feng Shixun: "This man's nose is too sharp. I only got a jug of good wine two days ago, and he knew about it before it even entered the cellar!"

After that, I went into the inner courtyard to get him wine.

"That old man Li Xiange gave Master Wei a jar of good cellar wine, don't grab it from me for a while, I won't share it with you." Xu Lang said seriously.

"Come on..." Feng Shixun laughed at him: "Looking at you like this, you know you didn't ask for it for yourself, and you didn't even share it with us! Tell me which girl it was for?"

"Hey..." Xu Lang smiled: "Don't say it, don't say it."

"You're really capable. Even Master Li's wine was honored by you to Hualou. I really lost to you."

"Don't talk too much for a while, or I will sue your Xiaonian..."

"What are you talking about?" Wei Chi entered the room with a small magnetic urn.

"Ahem..." Xu Lang took the wine urn from Wei Chi's hand, and quickly handed it to his servants: "Go back first, eh!"

"This?" Wei Chi could only smile and said, "Just don't use it to cause trouble."

"Look at the knife, look at the knife!" Xu Lang pulled Wei Chi over: "I chose one just for you!"

"I don't want it!" Wei Chi pulled his hand away: "Even Jin Yiwei thinks it's bluffing, you want me to take it out and scare people to death?"

Everyone laughed.

"Don't be disgusted, where's your Jiuqu Spear? I'll let you know how powerful this knife is!"

Only then did Wei Chi see that Populus euphratica had brought his Jiuqu Spear. He didn't know what Xu Lang's intentions were, so he hesitated for a while.

"Master Xu said that he will use his knife against the two of us. If we win, he will invite us to drink in the best restaurant."

Feng Shixun had heard about Wei Chi's record, but seeing how small he was, usually gentle and gentle, he once suspected that the rumor was a bit untrue, but he happened to have such an opportunity today, so he hurriedly mobilized him.

In fact, Wei Chi himself was also curious. He hadn't heard that a knife could compare with a gun, and it was himself and Populus euphratica!Is this too underestimating?Although Wei Chi later became a civil servant, he never let go of the Jiuqu Spear. First, it was not worthwhile to forget, and second, Hu Yanglin was alone in the capital and often came to visit, so the two got together to think about it.So not only did I not give up, but I also improved a lot.

Wei Chi's competitive mentality is far better than Feng Shixun's imagination: "Okay, don't play tricks if you lose."

"Okay! Never play tricks!"

The backyard of Wei Chi's house was very spacious after it was repaired by King Yan. The three of them stood in the garden, and Feng Shixun was settled in a pavilion beside him to drink tea.Before Feng Shixun's water for making tea was poured into the pot, the three people in the yard were already fighting with swords!

Feng Shixun was so startled by the loud noise that he almost knocked over the teapot: "Hey! Don't you have to stand for a while before starting?"

Chen Hu poured tea for him from the side: "How can you stand there and wait during a war?"

"Oh……"

In the past two years, Wei Chi has made great progress. Not only did he not hold back Populus euphratica, but he became more and more presentable.Xu Lang suddenly understood a little bit why Du Yun, who was openly easy-going and secretly lofty, was so fond of him.It was not an act of righteousness for Xu Lang to make such a comparison today. He has been thinking about this knife for more than three months, and the more he thinks about it, the more interesting it becomes.Now that you can use a gun well, you can basically go outside the Great Wall. Although Populus euphratica was born as a commoner, his family's marksmanship is actually well-known. Although Populus euphratica is not enough to compete with him, adding Wei Chi is also interesting.Such a comparison is still a bit head-to-head.

Hu Yanglin knew Xu Lang's weight, and no matter how well he and Wei Chi performed, they were no match for him.I'm just curious about the art of war, which has always been invincible with swords and guns. Why is this person doing the opposite today?Is he really good, or is there really something special about this knife?

Wei Chi has a bit of arrogance in his bones, but she doesn't take Xu Lang seriously. She thinks that she is no longer a beginner two years ago. Wouldn't it just kill that crazy boy's morale?

"Don't really get hurt, right?" Feng Shixun was a little panicked when he saw such a real swordsmanship competition for the first time.

"My lord, don't worry, they have their own measure." Chen Hu secretly laughed at this lord who made a fuss out of a molehill—is it possible that a martial arts competition is the same as acting on a stage?

At this moment, Wei Chi, who was full of confidence, was already a little flustered. The moves of this knife were more complicated than ordinary knife skills, and because he was good at stabbing, he didn't dare to get too close.Populus euphratica was alright, fighting steadily and steadily. Although he hadn't figured out a winning move for the time being, it was enough to counter the situation.

Xu Lang didn't want to be exhausted by these two people, so he smiled slightly and took a back seat.

Wei Chi breathed a sigh of relief, and Xu Lang waited for this breath.

"what!"

Wei Chi almost sprained his hand, but the long knife quickly stuck to the end of his gun, and before Populus euphratica could cover him, the handle of the knife sank into the iron barrel of the gun.

Wei Chi retracted the gun fiercely, Xu Lang retracted the knife unhurriedly, and flew up, Wei Chi hurriedly retreated, and now lost his pace, Xu Langlang unhurriedly drew out the saber again, and once again slashed at the gun On the handle, this time it was chopped squarely, and the barrel of the gun snapped in two.

Xu Lang smiled smugly, but unexpectedly angered Wei Chi, who swung an iron bar and came towards him.Hu Yanglin originally thought that the winner had been decided, but unexpectedly, Wei Chi's nagging temper came up again, and he hurried forward to help.

"Hey..." Before Hu Yanglin raised his hand, Wei Chi was cornered.

"Yo! His hands are quite ruthless!" Xu Lang put the knife on Wei Chi's neck—it's simply hateful that this kid unexpectedly wanted to sneak up on Xia Sanlu just now.

"Hey! Hey! My face, be careful!" Wei Chi yelled, pointing at the blade.

Seeing their appearance, Hu Yanglin laughed loudly.

"How is it? Isn't this sword skill good?" Xu Lang pulled Wei Chi up and said triumphantly.

"..." Wei Chi dismissed it.

"Should I practice this instead? You told me back then that you wanted a handy weapon. I have always kept it in mind. The Nine-curved Spear is really not suitable for you. This is really good."

Hu Yanglin also nodded: "Your Jiuqu Spear can be regarded as a good learning. This knife can be held with both hands or with one hand. It is flexible and suitable for you."

"In conclusion, you two have discussed it, no wonder you didn't help me much just now." Wei Chi walked into the pavilion while wiping his sweat.

"Master Wei!" Master Feng, who had been forgotten by the three people in the pavilion, was very excited at the moment: "You are really amazing! I didn't expect it! I didn't expect it! I really didn't expect it!"

At this moment, Wei Chi also remembered that his moves just now were a bit dirty, and he felt embarrassed: "What am I...don't praise me like that, they are the real ones."

"Don't!" Feng Shixun took the knife in Xu Lang's hand: "It's really a good knife. Although I don't understand it very well, it's really powerful. It can cut such a thick gun barrel. Master Wei, follow along. It would be a blessing if I could watch you dance and dance from time to time."

This sentence made Hu Yanglin feel a little embarrassed. Xu Lang was acquainted with him, so he followed his words and joked: "Why don't you praise me when I win?"

"You are General Xu, this is what you deserve. It's not unusual." Feng Shixun said with a smile: "Master Xiao Wei is not easy. It's really amazing to see a gentle and weak gentleman with a good demeanor."

Feng Shixun couldn't put it down because of that knife, the servants of Xu Lang's family hurried over: "Master..."

"Oh!" Xu Lang suddenly interrupted everyone's conversation: "I will keep this knife with you. You should think about it first. I can return it to me before I leave Beijing, and then let Populus euphratica get you a new one! gone!"

something?Maybe it has something to do with the jar of wine?Wei Chi smiled disdainfully, and Xu Lang made a face at him: "I borrowed your master away! I'll come to you another day!"

Before Xu Lang said goodbye to Master Feng, he ran away, and Hu Yanglin ran out helplessly: "He said he wanted my help."

"It's okay, it's okay!" Wei Chi took the gun in Hu Yanglin's hand: "It doesn't look like running around the street with this, you go with him, and I'll have someone deliver it to your home later."

Waiting for the two to leave, Feng Shixun put down his knife and walked over: "I know General Xu, but I have never heard of that general."

"I also met in the year when I went to Monan, and helped me a lot, and later became very good friends." Wei Chi knows that people like Feng Shixun pay attention to their background, so he must be able to see that Populus euphratica is an authentic leader. Like many adults in the court, he looked down on this kind of martial artist who couldn't read well.

"Hehe," Feng Shixun was still touching the knife: "When I was Tanhua in the middle of the year, I was famous. After that, it was you, and now it is Li Pan. He happened to be from Tanhua, which is really interesting."

Faced with such praise, Wei Chi felt a little unnatural. Although he is now in the Ministry of Rites, everyone understands what such treatment means because he is involved in the matter of King Yan.

"I have offended the emperor too." Feng Shixun said with a sudden smile, "I'm just like you, too straight."

Wei Chi had probably heard about this matter, and Feng Shixun was also complaining for others, and from Wei Chi's current point of view, it was not worth it.But if he is the official who is being punished, he should be very moved to see so many colleagues he does not know come to protect him.But the one who was hit by the board had no chance to be moved, because he was killed directly, so he had no way of knowing that he had implicated Feng Shixun and let him sit on the bench for ten years.

"Although it has become like this now, I don't regret it," Feng Shixun returned the knife to Wei Chi: "If you give me a chance to go to the battlefield, I will go too. I hope I will meet someone like you. It is worthwhile to have such a good master and make so many good friends."

After hearing this, Wei Chi felt that his thoughts just now were a bit nasty: "Master Feng will have a chance."

"Don't be so polite, I just joined the Ministry of Rites a few years earlier than you. The Ministry of Rites used to be a place where talented people gathered, but now it's a place to drink tea. Among these people in the Ministry of Rites, to be honest, you are one Good-hearted people, we can chat together, so let’s call me Aoxue from now on.”

This is Feng Shixun's number, he is very good at painting plum blossoms.

Wei Chi thought of the indifference received by the Ministry of Rites this year, the contempt he had for Feng Shixun in his heart when he tried the fraud case at the beginning, his open-minded care for him, and finally his polite and indifferent decline after his heart was ashamed. .

"Thank you..." Wei Chi said awkwardly.

After that, Wei Chi corresponded with Feng Shixun almost every day. Feng Shixun had a very high attainment in poetry, and Wei Chi couldn't put it down every time he read his reply.Later, when we went out to eat with Xu Lang, Xu Lang laughed when he mentioned Feng Shixun: He is a very interesting person, and he doesn't like to make friends with powerful people, but he is indeed a very interesting person!

Very interesting?

Wei Chi smiled knowingly and continued drinking.

Half a month later, Xu Lang was dispatched here as a frontier fortress, Wang Yunyi retired, and the government and the public were in turmoil for a while.But all of this was out of Wei Chi's business, she was idly hiding in her backyard and reading Feng Shixun's new words.

Yiqing, as Wei Chi's only book office now, has a serious job after being idle for more than a year.Compared to sending a letter to King Yan back then, he is of course more than willing to send a letter to Master Feng.

The two mansions next to each other but rarely interacted with each other have become real neighbors.Xu Xiaonian had heard of Wei Chi's name before, and sometimes he would go to Feng Shixun's study to read his letters, so later on, Wei Chi would often see a page or two written by that Xu Xiaonian in Feng Shixun's letters to her. Some tasteful jokes from Mrs. Hand.

The little girl Meiyue was also happy in the backyard, because the alleys in the side garden were narrow, peddlers who sold small toys seldom came, and the servants in the house had no friendship with her, so it was annoying to buy something.Fortunately, I got to know Sister Zhu'er in the yard next to her. She has a lot to buy, and the shopkeeper always comes according to her appointments, so I can be regarded as benefited by following along.

The shopkeeper's surname is You, and he has known Zhu'er since she was in the palace. This time, in addition to the usual flower threads, Zhu'er also chose some hair flowers.

"Miss Zhu Er, do you still want to see Zhu Hua?"

"no need."

"Oh..." Uncle You didn't know who Zhu'er was waiting for, when he suddenly heard the door creak open behind him, and a little girl with big eyes jumped out, "Sister Zhu'er! Wait for me!"

Zhu'er couldn't help laughing: "I'm just waiting for you."

Mei Yue wiped off her sweat: "Brother, I want colored paper!"

The visitor was a guest, so Uncle You turned out the colored paper: "Does the girl want to cut flowers or draw flowers."

"I want to cut flowers!"

Mei Yue chose a few pieces of colorful paper, then looked at the hair flower in Zhu'er's hand: "I'll just buy these..."

"Miss, do you want to take a look at these flowers too? These are all new silk flowers that are only made in various shops. Isn't it the Chinese New Year? Miss also buy a few to wear back?" Uncle You saw the little girl's greed, and hurriedly sold them. stand up.

Sure enough, Mei Yue couldn't put it down when she fell in love with the head flowers, but in the end she put it down: "I don't want to buy it, brother, I just buy these colored papers."

Zhu'er understood his thoughts: "Uncle You, please go back first, I will trouble you this time."

There is no benevolence and righteousness in the business, and Uncle You didn't really lack the business of this flower. After giving Mei Yue an extra piece of colored paper, he shook the rattle and carried the load out.

"This is for you." Zhu'er took out a flower from her paper bag and handed it to Mei Yue.

"No, no!" Mei Yue blushed.

"Take it!" Zhu'er put the flowers in her arms. After getting to know each other a few times, Zhu'er felt that the "New Year's picture girl" in the mouth of this master was cute, and there was no one of her own age in the family. Girls, apart from doing needlework with Liu's mother, there is no one to talk to at other times.

"How much is your monthly salary?" Zhu'er knew that Mei Yue was not a girl who wanted things from others, so she wondered why she was reluctant to buy even a flower.

"A drop of money."

A penny is not too little, and there are ordinary girls who have two pennies.

"This flower is only three copper coins each, you are really stingy." Pearl laughed at her.

"I can't get the monthly money. My uncle comes to settle the bill every Mid-Autumn Festival, and the money is directly given to him." Mei Yue stuck out her tongue: "My wife usually gives me some pocket money."

"This one is for my sister," Mei Yue took out a bag from her bag, "Look."

Pearl took it over: "Did you do it yourself?"

The needlework is very beautiful, I can't see that this clumsy person has such skills.

In fact, Mei Yue's handicraft is not limited to needlework, and the bald tail of the crowing cock in the yard next door is also credited to her.

"How much is my sister's monthly payment?"

"Me?" Zhu'er was a little shy, "I have two."

"Ah!" Mei Yue was surprised.

She would be even more surprised if she knew that the keys to Wei Chi's box of broken silver were all on Zhu'er, and Zhu'er was always allowed to buy things by herself.

"Catch up with my aunt!" Mei Yue patted her heart.

"You're talking nonsense again! What aunt?" Pearl blushed.

Mei Yue knew that she had made a slip of the tongue, and stuck out her tongue embarrassingly: "Are all the adults in your family alone now?"

Even though they are about the same age, Zhu'er also knows that Mei Yue is not a frivolous person, but she doesn't think too much about what she says, so it's not easy to get angry with her: "My adult has always been alone. In fact, the adult is not very old. This year's Chinese New Year Only 20 years old...do you have work to do in the afternoon?"

"No……"

"Then come into my backyard and help me draw some flowers." Zhu'er has been in Wei's house for almost two years, and she seems to be the mistress of the backyard.

Mei Yue followed tremblingly and closed the door.

"Just in the yard." Zhu'er settled down for Mei Yue, brought pens and paper, and even brought over a plate of snacks.

"There are really few people in my sister's family." Mei Yue said with a sigh of relief.

"It's just too clean."

Mei Yue picked up the pen and thought, it's better to be clean.

Pearl rested her chin, watching her drawing and learning from her.

"Your wife doesn't want you to serve me like this today?" Zhu'er asked her casually.

"My lady went to the temple today."

"Madam Qi went to the temple again? She doesn't go to the temple but to take care of the business. Your housekeeper is really happy. Didn't you say that you went to the temple a while ago? The rent over there is collected every month? "

"Ma'am is here to receive letters." Mei Yue sighed.

Zhu'er was curious that such a silly girl would sigh: "What are you sighing for? Why does Mrs. Qi go to the temple to receive letters? Can't I do it at home?"

"Speaking out will piss you off!" Mei Yue put down her pen: "Didn't you send it home in the past? Someone lost it when you sent it! The housekeeper of our house is not idle, because he has a relationship with the second wife, who doesn't?" Dare to bully? I don’t know if he did it on purpose or not. The family letter that Jiangnan sent to his wife was lost several times. The wife didn’t argue with him on trivial matters, so he sent it to Baiyun Nunnery instead. There is also a letter from the same father at the wife’s family. The half-sister, the wife's sister is married in the local area, because the wife has entered the capital, so she often writes to miss her. The hateful thing is those bastards who owe Songpi, which makes the wife feel uneasy even when she receives a letter! Fortunately, Baiyun's The host and his wife’s natal family are family friends, if you don’t send a letter, it will be hard for you!”

Zhu'er still doesn't know that the house next door is so complicated: "Does your master not care about such a big matter?"

"How can I manage it? I am the wife who came to the capital to serve in the mansion. I don't know what happened before. Even two years ago, the mansion was in such a mess that I can't tell! The second wife’s face is so great that she always deducts the salary of the servants, and the third and fourth servants don’t say anything. The servants are your yards and their yards, and there is no serious worker. No one even takes care of the rent sent by the tenants. I don’t know how many things I have to lose every day. Fortunately, my wife is really a three-headed and six-armed person, and I don’t know what to do if I change someone else? The housekeeper was a bully before, and he calmed down after suffering a few soft and hard nails, but Doing some shady things secretly! In the words of Sister Zhu'er, my wife is a gentleman, and she is too lazy to be as knowledgeable as him, so this kind of trivial matter can only be troubled by myself."

"So your wife is so powerful?" Zhu'er stuck out her tongue: "Your family really has a lot of people, unlike our family, it's just such an account, the master can settle it by himself. It's good for him to be lazy After all, Mother Liu is in charge of the kitchen expenses, and Chen Hu is in charge of other repairs and repairs of flowers and plants, and I take care of some minor expenses. We just treat our family as leisurely."

Wei Chi has always preferred lack over abuse in employing people. Although there are very few people living in the house, they are all unscrupulous people, so it is very worry-free.Moreover, Wei Chi looked informal, but he knew very well in his heart that it was impossible to eat his mixed food.

"Sister, it's best not to let Mr. Wei go to so many wives. Oh, it's really too much."

Zhu'er laughed at her: "Hmph, who do you think I am, I can still control the master!" Saying so, she was really afraid that her master would suddenly bring some concubines back.

"Your master went to the Yamen today?"

"Oh... Our master seems to have gone to Baiyun Nunnery today." Zhu'er thought for a while.

It was not long after noon, and the sun was shining warmly on people. Fresh peanut cakes are popular in the capital this season. chew.The plate in Wei Chi's hand was not inferior to his own mother Liu's craftsmanship, and the taste was a bit sweet, so Wei Chi was very satisfied.The peanuts were very fresh, and there were a lot of peanut dregs sticking to the tips of his fingers. Wei Chi licked them while eating.

"Wei... my lord?"

Wei Chi was seriously wrestling with Peanut, but when he looked up, he saw someone coming out from behind the curtain, facing her embarrassment head-on.

"I..." Isn't this the wife of the New Year Painting girl's family?Wei Chi blushed in embarrassment.

The author has something to say: Brother Xu, who makes soy sauce, is going to the frontier~~~~~

Xiaonian, I'm sorry, I forgot to confess to you~~~~~~~~~~~

Oops, I keep losing spelling recently! ! ! ! ! !

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Thanks to Mr. duckwangmin for the correction!