Shen Langgui

On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, the northern capital, the imperial palace.

At Yin time, the city is snowed heavily and the roads are broken, and there are few people walking in the deep alleys of Jiaomen.However, the Meridian Gate is open, and at this time there is already a crowd of people, civil and military officials dismounted from their sedan chairs, or in groups of three or four, or alone, waiting here for the sound of the drum from the city tower.

There is an official of outstanding stature, who is no different from a military general, but he is wearing a fourth-rank civil official uniform.This man was particularly thin, with long sleeves flapping in the wind, and he was whispering to the boy who put up his cloak to keep out the wind: "The door will open in a while, go back quickly."

But the round-faced servant was stubborn: "Young Master, who has just recovered from a cold illness, is most afraid of being exposed to the wind. If your body breaks down, not only will Yinzhang not be able to spare me, but I will also be the first one to question Master Shen."

This master and servant are Xun He and Yan Ru.

Xun He wanted to persuade him, but a group of officials happened to walk towards him, laughing up and down, and the latter joked, "General Shen is really powerful, but I heard that he got involved with Qiu Langzhong."

"Which Qiu doctor?"

"Hey, there's another one, the one who sells the seller for glory. This guy surnamed Qiu went to Wu's family and made a fortune in silk trading. After Wu Xiang fell from power, he took advantage of the wind and was the first to support the relocation of the capital. After winning the Holy Family, the Holy Majesty sent him a fourth-rank errand."

"After explaining it this way, I understand. This kind of person can't do anything for the sake of fame and fortune. The surname Qiu doesn't hesitate to show off his ass, and he wants to hook General Shen into his hands."

"That's right, the man surnamed Qiu must have used some kind of seductive sorcery, otherwise, General Shen comes from a noble family, so why would he bother to look at this kind of person."

……

"Hmm!..." Yan Ru's mouth was tightly covered by Xun He, so she couldn't curse out, but Yan Ru was so depressed that she couldn't stop kicking her legs.Xun He didn't let go until the group of officials walked away.Yan Ru immediately turned around, and said angrily: "How could they smear the young master like this! Why did you stop me! Master Shen is here, so he must go up and lick the mouths of those guys, young master, why are you?!..."

"Hush," Xun He put his index finger between his lips.At the right time, with strong snow and strong wind, a dead leaf was wrapped around for a long time, and finally fell to the feet of the two of them, Xun Gu kicked the dead leaf, pointed back at an evergreen cypress by the city gate, and said lightly, "Why do you ask? The leaves are the same, the Shen family is like the cypress tree, and Master Shen is the green leaf on the tree that lasts through winter; but I am this dead leaf, a snowstorm can tear me off and fall to the ground Let people trample on you."

Yan Ru blinked a few times before she understood, and she said in a crying voice: "No, if Lord Shen is here, he will definitely protect the young master."

Xun He smiled wryly, and asked instead: "Master Shen got into trouble, are you worried?"

Although Yan Ru didn't understand why, she still nodded firmly and replied, "Of course I'm worried!"

"That's right, so don't tell Master Shen about these things." Because, I am Master Shen's trouble.

Not wanting to embarrass Yan Ru, Xun He swallowed the last sentence and only smiled bitterly.Then the bells and drums of the city tower rang, and all the civil and military officials were arranged in order of rank and filed into the palace.

Hall of Supreme Harmony.The silver candle smokes the sky and the purple mo grows, and the minister Mu Enbo is on the phoenix pool.The ministers of civil and military affairs are lined up on the left and right, and an official in the central open place holds a wat board and plays aloud:

"...In half a year, the Jiangning Weaving Bureau has developed from being limited when it was first established, to now it has 20 workshops, [-] looms, and [-] acres of mulberry fields. In June this summer, I was ordered to go to Chang'an to negotiate with Simon and sign a contract. The agreement for the annual supply of [-] horses will be handed over in May next year. So far, more than [-]% of the construction has been completed, and the prospects are promising. The two manufacturing offices in Suzhou and Hangzhou were affected by the flood this summer, and the output was limited. The Jiangning Weaving Bureau was ordered to take over the Chongyang Manufacturing Office. The mission is to hand over [-] bolts of silk and satin as scheduled."

"Okay." Emperor Cheng clapped his palms, obviously pleased with the longan, "In just half a year, Jiangning weaving can grow from small to large. Qiu Langzhong, you have contributed a lot."

The person who reported the job was Qiu Xunhe, the weaving doctor of Jiangning Weaving Bureau.Hearing the praise from Emperor Cheng, Xun He hurriedly bowed and bowed: "Your Majesty's reputation, today's achievement is definitely not the work of one person. The Jiangning Weaving Bureau has the support of the imperial court, and it has the convenience of a fish and rice town. The combination of people and harmony is a testament to His Majesty's foresight!"

All the ministers shouted: "The emperor is wise!"

In the past, Chengdi was not happy and angry, and after being proclaimed emperor, he was even more refined and restrained. All the ministers supported him and only nodded slightly, and then told Xun He: "Come to the imperial study after the next court."

Then, another person stood up and reported: "Your Majesty, before I entered the palace, I received news that General Fuyuan Shen Yue will arrive in Beijing today."

He kept his hands down and looked for the abyss. Hearing this, he couldn't help but look sideways at Zi Chong.

"Well, the battle of the heart is the top, and the battle of the soldiers is the bottom. Shen Yue knows this well. In addition, Shen Yue is unreasonable, so he can turn decay into magic, and make the best use of the way of the military. The peace of southern Yunnan has really solved the big problem in my heart. .Zixiang, you and Shen Yue are on good terms, tell me how I should reward Shen Yue, so that Shen Yue will be more useful."

Zichong rolled his eyes and said respectfully, "Your Majesty is so kind, why did you say that?"

Emperor Cheng waved his hand: "You might as well say, I forgive you for your innocence."

Zichong clasped his fists and said, "As Your Majesty said, Shen Yue doesn't stick to common sense. I'm afraid it's not his wish to be promoted to rank, to be rewarded with treasures..." At this point, there was a sudden report outside the door:

"Minister of the Ministry of War, General Fuyuan Shen Yue, see you!"

Emperor Cheng immediately looked outside the hall: "Xuan!"

Xun He's mind went blank for a moment, he just felt a gust of wind sweeping by his side, and when he looked up again, the man had already walked to the front, kneeling and saluting.

All the officials focused on the back of the man, and Xun He's attention at this moment was like the stars and moons of the Milky Way.

"Shen Aiqing, don't come here without any harm." Although he greeted, Emperor Cheng did not let Shen Yue rest.

Shen Yue clasped his fists: "Thanks to Your Majesty's perseverance, the criminals were able to redeem their merits. This is the grain and grass book and the military horse book presented by Chief Ramo. Please have a look at it." Immediately, an eunuch took the things away.

"Well, I have carefully read the battle report in southern Yunnan. You have used both kindness and power, and you have not forgotten to maintain the court's prestige while being gentle. You have done a good job, let's get flat. Do you have any other matters to report?"

After a brief silence, the officials shouted long live, the consul and eunuch sang to leave the court, and everyone dispersed.

Xun He followed the emperor for a while.Emperor Cheng turned around suddenly, holding Xun He in his arms: "It's rare to see you once. Don't be so cautious."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Cheng held his hands behind his back and said slowly: "Needless to say about Jiangning's performance, just talk about the renovation of the new palace. With your support, the imperial court has been relieved, and I can finally free up money to strengthen the Great Wall. Looking for a gully!" , Back then, your father saved my life by sacrificing his own son, and now you are doing your best to share my worries. The Qiu family has been loyal for generations. Since becoming the throne, I have been thinking about what rewards I should give you. In the end, I made up my mind and decided Posthumously confer the title of Marquis Yunli on your father, no successor will be hereditary."

With a sound of 'pa', Xun He knelt down on the ground: "Qiu Xun He thanked the Lord for his kindness, and I will be a humble servant and be loyal to the Lord."

Emperor Cheng helped him up: "Hey, I haven't finished talking yet, so you are anxious to thank you. This year you are free, so find an opportunity to go south and move your mother's tablet back to Yangzhou. The Empress Dowager struggled to find You mother and son have been together for a long time, and said that once you find her, I will definitely recognize your mother as a stepmother and treat you as a brother. It is a pity that good fortune tricks people... your mother was displaced during her lifetime, and after she dies, let her return to her roots." Seeing Xun He was about to kneel down again, but Emperor Cheng supported him, and comforted him, "You deserve it, so you don't need to be polite."

After crossing the threshold and stepping into the imperial study, Emperor Cheng turned sideways and asked, "By the way, I heard that you and Shen..."

Xun He's heart skipped a beat, and Xian Tao entered the room at the right time, and reported: "Your Majesty, Zi Ping has arrived."

Emperor Cheng stifled the words that had reached his lips, and said lightly: "Let them in."

When entering, Shen Yue saw Xun He standing with his hands down, not looking sideways, when passing by, Shen Yue coughed lightly, and went to salute in front of the emperor.

Apart from Shen Yue, there were also the left minister Zhao Gongping and the right minister Zichong.After Emperor Cheng sat down, he said to Shen Yue: "Shen Yue, you are upright, and I don't make many circles with you. Are you satisfied with the reinstatement of your official position?"

Resuming his original post means that Shen Yue will work in the capital, and he will be separated from Xun He.Normally, Shen Yue would be very unwilling, not to mention that he is still in a stalemate with Xun He, and the conflict has not been resolved yet, so how can Shen Yue let it go.

Shen Yue was in a difficult situation, Zi Chong got up and kowtowed, and said: "I would like to ask you to say something."

Emperor Cheng flicked his sleeves and signaled Zichong to flatten his body: "It's okay, you only said half of what you said, let's continue."

"My minister believes that Shen Yue's contribution to suppressing the rebellion is great, but it is still not enough to offset the serious crime of deceiving the emperor. Your Majesty should never use it to punish the people. However, I heard that Yongkang Xinxiu Second County 'changed rice into mulberry'. In terms of planning, Shen Yue is also the planner. 'Changing rice into mulberry' is a pioneering reform, and I invite the emperor to send Shen Yue to this place to exercise the power of Jiupin County Registrar and supervise the reform."

Xun He stared at Zi Chong's back, frowned, and understood a little after a while.

"Well, what do you think of Zhao Xiang?" Chengdi raised his eyebrows and asked Zhao Xiang who was sitting on the other side.

Zhao Gongping took a step forward and bowed, and said: "I don't agree with Zixiang's opinion. The court is employing people, and General Shen is a pillar of victory. The emperor should think about the court, abandon the past, reward him properly, and let him Talent is at its best.”

"Gongping, Zichong, you two are right, I can't decide for a while." Emperor Cheng stood up, walked to Xunhe, and asked, "What about Xunhe?"

Xun He got up quickly: "Xun He is a small local official, how dare he guide the government with the two benevolent ministers."

Emperor Cheng patted Xun He on the shoulder: "Hey, if you tell me, just say it."

"Yes. In my humble opinion, the emperor should adopt..." Xun He swallowed, and continued, "It is better to adopt Zhao Xiang's strategy, regardless of previous suspicions, and let others do what they can. First, to swear to His Majesty's greatness, and second, to add strength to the court." Minister."

"Hehe." Emperor Cheng smiled, and still did not express his position. After returning to the case and sitting down, he said to Shen Yue, "Shen Yue, I have never forgotten that you have contributed so much to the world for me. , I force you. I will give you a time limit of three days, and after three days, whether you are appointed or not, you will come to the Imperial Study in person and give me an answer."

Shen Yue immediately prostrated himself on the ground: "Thank you Lord Long En."

When the imperial study room came out, Shen Yue's face was black and smelly, and he strode away first.Although Zhao Xiang was curious about Shen Yue's hesitation, he didn't dare to follow up and ask more questions.Zichong didn't touch a single leaf, and went out of the palace gate and boarded the carriage.Only Xun He was so preoccupied that he turned the wrong way again and again, and it took half an hour to find out the palace.

His own carriage stopped in front of the Meridian Gate, Xun He stepped forward in a daze, raised the curtain, but when he lifted his leg, he was pulled into the carriage by a force.

"Qiu Xunhe!" Shen Yue grabbed Xunhe's collar and gritted his teeth, "What do you mean!"

In order to go south to reunite with Xun He, Shen Yue did not hesitate to risk resisting the edict, but Xun He actually sided with Zhao Xiang and supported Shen Yue to stay in Beijing.How could Shen Yue swallow this breath!

Xun He seemed to have expected Shen Yue to do this, no matter when he was picked up, or now when he was held in Shen Yue's hand like a rag, Xun He always looked absent-minded.

After a long time, Xun He said in a soft voice: "The compartment of the low-ranking class is cramped, which insults the general's prestige... General, you should go back to where you should go."

Shen Yue's eyes were hot, he could feel it himself, in the blink of an eye, two lines of hot tears would surely roll down.It's a pity that Xun He lowered his eyelids, he couldn't see, let alone feel.

Slowly, Shen Yue let go of his fingers, and Xun He fell on the seat.Shen Yue flicked the hem of his clothes, raised the curtain of the car, and said: "Okay, as you wish, I will go back to be my general. But the first thing I did when I took office was to take off your official hat, and I will beat you up." You can't go back to your original form!"