Fengmou in troubled times

The heavy snow fell intermittently throughout the night, and finally stopped slowly until the sky became bright.Fang Shou, the king of Yaoshan, also likes to be arty. After seeing the snow-covered snow scene in front of him, he sent someone to invite Mr. Song Dian, the county magistrate, to set up delicious food, wine, and cloth in the small three-story building in the backyard of the palace. He warmed the stove and smoked incense, and invited Mr. Song, who grew up with him, to spend time with him.

The steward of the royal residence personally drove to invite him, but Song Dian had no choice but to leave his light official duties behind, changed into his normal clothes and hurried over to the county prince's residence.Having known each other for more than 20 years, Song Dian knew exactly what kind of temperament Fang Shou was. He was surrounded by people and went up to the Qiong Tower. When he saw the maids who were warming wine and serving dishes, Fang Shou drove him out, so he knew that he had something to do. Discuss things with yourself.

But Fang Shou didn't speak first, and Song Dian was even less impatient.Self-consciously, he sat down cross-legged opposite Fang Shou. Since there were no outsiders around, Song Dian saved all the red tape and didn't even say hello. I drank this delicious side dish by myself first.

When Fang Shou saw this, instead of being annoyed, he laughed extremely happily, "I said, A Dian, you are the parent officer of our Gaoshan City. Could it be that all the cooks in the yamen have gone home? Ling, are you so hungry?"

Song Dian didn't answer, and while filling up his wine glass, he said angrily: "If you hadn't indulged me last night, those low officials wouldn't have made such a fuss. I didn't eat enough at the dinner. I only ate some food in a hurry, and it took me a long time to digest the official documents just now. The county prince has a big business, and you can’t bear this little food and drink? Fang Shou, you are so stingy!" He complained casually, regardless of Fang Shou's expression, He just said: "How about it, the two princes have been drunk, are they still awake?"

"This time, Ah Dian missed it." Seeing that he finally mentioned the two people he wanted to talk about, Fang Shou grinned, pointed to the downstairs and said, "The Fifth Prince enjoyed the beauties I sent last night." , I've spent too much energy on turning upside down, so it's normal to snooze a little bit now. The seventh prince is refreshed, how can he look like he's hungover?"

Looking in the direction of his finger, Song Dian had been visiting the Prince's Mansion with his father since he was a child, and he often stayed here after he became close friends with Fang Shou. He knew the layout of the courtyards in the mansion very well.At a glance, I knew that the small courtyard in the distance was the temporary residence Fang Shou pointed out to the Seventh Prince Fang Linyuan. Through the frost-covered tree branch, I could vaguely see two people playing chess in the pavilion. Yes, although he couldn't see his eyebrows clearly, he could guess that it was Fang Linyuan, the Seventh Prince.

"A Dian," accompanied him to look at the fuzzy-faced Fang Linyuan carefully for a while, and then Fang Shou said quietly: "Today, we have all met the adult prince under your majesty's knees, what do you think? ?”

This is to choose a team?Song Dian frowned when he heard the words, and put back the wine glass he had just picked up, "You have been hesitant before, and you just want to wait for the Seventh Prince Fang Linyuan to come back?"

Fang Shou nodded with a half-smile, "You know, I like to think about things since I was a child. Isn't there an old saying called shopping around, if I don't look at all these princes, how can I feel at ease?"

Dare to use any analogy on the prince... Song Dian gave him an annoyed look, shook the wine cup in his hand, but thought seriously in his heart.Although there is no news that Emperor Zhao Fang Hua is dying and dying, and everyone in the court knows that His Majesty has a good face and is still young, but after all, His Majesty has passed the age of knowing the destiny, and the princes are getting older. It is really difficult for Fang Shou, a county king with some minor powers in the local area, to be able to do everything he can without offending anyone. It is indeed time to choose the prince to attach himself to.

Not to mention the eldest prince Fang Tingwu, who was posthumously crowned prince, who died under the sword of Rongshao Crown Prince Shu Yanping Yu, but Song Dianlai, who had inquired about the news in many ways and received several princes with Fang Shou Look, the second prince, Fang Liancheng, is not magnanimous. The fourth prince, Fang Jinghui, seems to be invincible, but he is very powerful. As for the fifth prince, Fang Yizhen, he is even less resourceful and lustful. The eighth prince, Fang Hexuan, is not noble enough to be convinced. public.If it weren't for these princes who couldn't support him, Fang Shou wouldn't have waited for so many years, hoping that Fang Linyuan, the son of the former empress who was a proton in Rongshao, would return to Cangjue one day, so that he could see it with his own eyes. Complete his comparison.

However, in Song Dian's mind, Fang Linyuan, the seventh prince, was sent to a neighboring country as a hostage in his teens, and he was not protected by his mother in the palace back then. , I am afraid that he is also narrow-minded and stingy, and it is difficult to become a great treasure.However, when he finally saw the "legendary" Seventh Prince yesterday, Song Dian realized that his thinking was a bit biased.

As for the elder He who commented on Fang Linyuan's legacy of the Wei and Jin Dynasties, he was once a famous scholar who had traveled to all over the world and taught the princes of many countries.Later, this old crane finally lived in seclusion here because he liked the scenery of Gaoshan Mountain, which made many scholars come to study in Gaoshan City.It won't be long before he gets this comment, not only in Cangjue's own country, but also in other countries, Fang Linyuan's demeanor will be widely spread.With the support of the scholars, if the Seventh Prince can use this disaster relief to gain a good reputation in the eyes of the common people, and use some means to gain military power, then the throne must belong to him.

Seeing Song Dian groaning silently, but his eyes gradually brightened, Fang Shou knew that he was preoccupied, but he didn't reveal it. He just smiled and said, "A Dian, although this king has never been to a gambling house or touched dice, I also know that betting is all about buying and leaving, and there is no chance of repenting." He laughed and took a cup and drank it down. "The icing on the cake can't compare to the love of giving charcoal in the snow. This sentence was taught to me by you, A Dian." Fang Shou was not in a hurry to ask him to answer. At that time, he was just a lowly bastard born to a concubine. , but relied on his own efforts to get to where he is today step by step.Song Dian was the first to appreciate him, help him, and trust him.So Fang Shou has always believed in Song Dian's intuition of seeing people, otherwise he would not have specifically asked his opinions on the princes. "After inspecting the disaster area, the two princes on the left and right will go back to Yaoshan City to rest and then return to the imperial capital. If Ah Dian wants to think about it for a few more days, it's okay."

That's fine too.Song Dian looked at Fang Linyuan who was still playing chess in the distance, and then turned his gaze back. "Fang Shou, the fifth prince doesn't look like a good master. I always feel that his brows are gloomy. When he looks at the seventh prince, he can't hide his hatred and killing intent. When the time comes If any prince has an accident in the territory you are in charge of, you have to figure out a way to get rid of yourself."

Fang Shou nodded. He had already started thinking about these issues at the banquet last night. "I said, Ah Dian, we haven't played chess for a long time. When I watched them play chess, I felt a little itchy. How about playing two games with me?"

"Don't think about it." Song Dian shook his head and refused without even thinking about it, "Your chess skills are too bad, and your chess skills are not good, so I don't want to play chess with you."

Fang Shou choked on what he directly said, and grabbed the jug on the table with his hands, preventing Song Dian from adding more wine, "That's because your teaching is too bad!" Even so, the beggar has no confidence in the end .Seeing that Song Dian didn't pay attention to him at all, Fang Shou put on a smiling face and leaned over like a dog and said, "Otherwise, Ah Dian, why don't you accompany me to the Seventh Prince's Courtyard to watch the battle. You also said that I am not good at chess. I have to drag you to go there together, so courageous, isn't it?"

How could he guess that Fang Shou wanted to drag himself along to learn more about the Seventh Prince. Song Dian gave him a blank look, but did not directly veto him, "There are people in their thirties, why are they still not serious?"

Fang Shou, who was getting up and going downstairs, couldn't help but refute after hearing this.The two of them walked towards the courtyard where Fang Linyuan lived lively, as usual, talking to each other.

……Dividing line……

They stayed in Gaoshan City for another two days. In the early morning of the third day, Fang Yizhen and Fang Linyuan brought a few guards and set off again. The group of people walked to the lower reaches of the Gao River, which was the most severely affected by the flood.

This flood of the Gao River can be said to be the largest in hundreds of years.Continuous torrential rain last month caused the water level of the Gao River to rise rapidly, which finally triggered the autumn flood.Under the erosion of the river, the collapse of the Gao River embankment became the final fuse of the flood.Several cities in the lower reaches were flooded, and dozens of villages scattered on both sides of the river were razed to the ground overnight. According to rough statistics, more than [-] people have suffered misfortune, and the number of missing people is even more immeasurable.

If it is not enough to be afraid just by looking at these fictitious figures, it is shocking to see this path of fertile land flooded, houses destroyed, and people starving on the road.Feng Yinran, who had been paying attention to the situation along the way, looked at the refugees who were chased away by the guards. Although she couldn't bear it, she also knew that the little food they carried in the car would not be able to save many people. The refugees rushed forward, causing a bloody disaster.The relief work for the victims was originally carried out by the city lords of the nearby cities that were less affected by the disaster, and the relief food distributed by the imperial court will arrive soon, but their first task is to go to the dams that are being restored and reconstructed. View and supervise the progress of works.

"That day I heard from the King of Shanshan that the lords of each city organized rich merchants to open porridge shops and distribute warm clothes to the victims. Why are there still so many refugees starving to death and freezing to death? Now there is no one to collect the corpses. If it is not for the cold weather The ground is freezing, I'm afraid the disease has already spread everywhere." Feng Yinran murmured, but she was thinking whether she should take the opportunity to meet the rich merchants in various cities and persuade them to sell grain at a low price. "The emperor only asked you to find out the cause of the collapse of the dam, and supervise the reconstruction of the dam by the way? Then the relief food will come in a few days, aren't you in debt to supervise?"

Fang Linyuan looked sideways when he heard the words, "Naturally, I have to take care of it, but Brother Wuhuang is concerned with the dam project, so he prioritized it." Prince Fang Yizhen, I don't know how many officials' "filial piety" he has received during this journey.However, although Fang Linyuan wanted to show off his power, he was not in a hurry at this moment. "But I feel stuffy after staying in the car for a long time, why don't I accompany you out on a horseback ride, and stretch your muscles and bones by the way."

Feng Yinran looked at the scene outside, and guessed that the refugee village that Fang Yizhen had arranged was not far away. Instead of waiting for Fang Yizhen to attack them, it would be better to go out and see the tricks.So he picked up the veiled hat and put it on, and said briskly, "That's fine, let's go."

The two people in this carriage ordered the guards to bring the horses over. Before they could sit still on the horses, they saw Fang Yizhen in the other carriage, accompanied by his staff officer Zhao Shen, sticking out his head, and saw that they had come out of the carriage, with a look on his face. The fake smile was instantly real. "Seventh brother, don't forget to add more clothes, don't catch the cold."

Fang Yizhen's rare caring, but no matter what, he couldn't get rid of the suspicion of having no good intentions.Feng Yinran, who was on the horseback, pressed the hood on her head, and moved her hand with the whip, feeling quite the urge to hit Fang Yizhen's head with a whip, and she finally endured it.Hearing Fang Linyuan talking to Fang Yizhen casually, Feng Yinran drove his horse aside, and was looking at the disaster situation on both sides of the official road, but suddenly heard a burst of chaotic footsteps, there were hundreds of people People hurriedly surrounded them.

The one who took the lead was a burly and well-decorated man, although he had a disheveled face.Behind him were some strong youths, and some ragged refugees, it looked like a motley army assembled impromptuly.Feng Yinran's eyes were sharp, and she immediately saw that Zhen Yi, whose face had been smeared with mud, was mixed in with the team. She gave him a wink intentionally or unintentionally, and immediately felt completely at ease.Looking back, I saw Fang Yizhen sitting in the carriage deliberately pretending to be flustered, but there was a smile in his eyes.Feng Yinran's face hidden behind the white gauze smiled even more happily, Fang Yizhen, you must have never imagined that all the people you arranged were secretly replaced by my people, let's see how you can continue to perform in this play.

But Fang Yizhen saw the face of the leading man clearly, and the color between his brows couldn't help but be very obvious.He had already sent people to contact the people, and seeing that the time and place were all set, this man finally showed up with his people, so he was naturally overjoyed.Although there were rumors that his seventh brother was good at martial arts, but he only had a pair of fists, and he only had three or four guards around him, so he couldn't resist the siege of these hundred people.At that time, as long as he killed these guards to silence them, cruelly inflicted two scars on himself, and then pushed the blame on the wild and unruly refugees, even the emperor would find it hard to blame him.Fang Yizhen thought about it, the corners of his mouth unconsciously wanted to raise, he quickly covered it with his sleeves, made a surprised expression, and ordered angrily: "These refugees are not kind, please order them down, and be on guard early."

Those guards were in charge of the safety of the Forbidden Palace all the year round, so there was no need for Fang Yizhen's reminder. When they saw the formation of those who came, they hurriedly formed a formation, protecting Fang Yizhen's carriage and Fang Linyuan who was riding on the horse. behind. "Who is coming, please report the name quickly. Waiting for you troublemakers, we know that these two are the sons of His Majesty today. The Fifth Prince and the Seventh Prince who came here to observe the people's conditions in the disaster area by His Majesty's order have offended the two princes. The whole family will be implicated." Fang Yizhen's eyes hinted that Zhao Shen, who was standing beside him, immediately yelled and cursed.

After hearing this, these haggard victims did not retreat but advanced. They all looked at Fang Yizhen and Fang Linyuan eagerly for a while, as if they were coveting the two carriages carrying food and clean water behind them, but they were hindered by Those guards did not dare to move forward with their majesty.The headed burly man took a step forward when he saw this, and brought a group of refugees to kneel down to Fang Yizhen, and said: "Don't dare to lie to your lord, the young ones just heard that the two princes are coming, This is why we stay here together, I just ask the adults to give us a meal and save my life. If the two adults refuse, we might as well die here."

Fang Yizhen was taken aback when he heard that, what the big man said at this time was not the script they discussed before.A few untouchables in the district actually used their accents to play tricks in front of their majestic prince!As soon as he stared, he wanted to reprimand him and drive him away, but he heard Fang Linyuan who was standing next to him say first:

"This strong man, the supplies and food distributed by the imperial court have been delivered continuously. He will arrive at Gaoshan City tomorrow at the latest. Presumably the King of Gaoshan will bring people to distribute them soon." Fang Linyuan's voice was clear and gentle. Listening to these ordinary people who have just experienced life and death, it is like the sound of nature, which makes people unconsciously have more hope for life. "The king and the emperor's brother came in a hurry, and they can't take care of you all for a while. At most, they can let the women and children have a full meal first. However, the embankment of the Yi River not far from here is being rebuilt, and there is a shortage of manpower. The king looks at you There are also many young and strong people in the village, why don't you just go there to find a job, the court will certainly not shorten your rations, although it is hard work, you will be able to survive the disaster year safely."

As soon as his words fell, there was a murmur of discussion among the refugees.They are all honest and kind farmers. If they really have a way to survive, how can they be reduced to the field of robbing passers-by in groups.Now seeing the Seventh Prince sitting upright on that steed horse, he gave them the motivation to survive in a few words, how could they not regard him as a god who saved the world?

"Have you heard, folks, the Seventh Prince has promised to save us! Your Majesty and the court have not abandoned us!" An ecstatic voice sounded from the crowd, and Feng Yinran looked for it, but pretended to be Zhen Yi, a refugee, was saying loudly: "Everyone, hurry up and thank the Seventh Prince for his kindness!"

After hearing his advice, the foolish refugees quickly knelt down and worshiped Fang Linyuan three times.Seeing these people praising the "seven princes" deliberately, Fang Yizhen's face was already blackened, but he couldn't get angry, so he reluctantly said to the guards around him: "Branch According to the words of the king, go get some food and give it to these victims."

Fang Yizhen yelled loudly, but it couldn't cover the voices of the victims.He was annoyed at himself, but he saw a dirty child approaching his carriage at some point. On his thin face with a pointed chin, a pair of black eyes looked extra large, looking at him curiously and timidly. he.

Startled by the sudden appearance of the child, Fang Yizhen let out a cry of surprise, raised the whip in his hand angrily and whipped it towards the child's face.Unexpectedly, just as he raised his hand, a small finger knife flew over, cut off the horsewhip in his hand, and nailed it to the carriage beside him.