How many buildings are in the mist

In May, I don't know who first spread the rumors about who was the richest among the Jiankang family.Gradually, it became a nursery rhyme. Children played in the street every day, chanting "first grandson, second Gu, third Xie Cui, fourth Chen Chu, five Yu and six kings" and so on.It was like this at first, but within a few days, the words turned into one looking after the second grandson, or one Xie, the second Cui, the third looking after the fourth grandson.No one could figure out which family was the richest, so the children just talked about it casually - the content was random, but the location was deliberately set near the Sun and Gu's family and where the prodigal sons of the two families often came and went.At the same time, I don't know who took the lead in saying that, among the high-ranking nobles who often gather, the saying that Gu Su's son Gu Kang belittled Sun Qian began to spread.There are three reasons why Gu Kang underestimated Sun Qian, one is moral character, the other is talent, and the third is wealth.The first two points are indeed not comparable to Sun Qian recently. One is the scandal that he reported a false case and his family secretly stole the things given to Yu Jun. It really damaged his hypocritical "virtue". He is No.1 in the civil and martial arts competition, so he is qualified to despise him.

But who is Sun Qian? Xie Yan told Feng Zizhang that at best he is a dog, at worst he is a wild dog or a mad dog.So under the intentional or unintentional instigation, Sun Qian really had a big fight with Gu Kang at a banquet that was unexpectedly shared with Gu Kang.Whoever called Gu Kang is also a good face.It is true that he looks down on Sun Qian on weekdays. He never said anything bad about him, but now he sees such an ignorant person who dares to criticize himself, and admits what he has not said, as if the other party dared to look at him and trampled on him. His self-esteem, brother, today I have to let you know what a real celebrity is!

The two began to fight {119} from the level of the family banquet.Today you have a banquet for guests, and tomorrow I will have a banquet for guests; you send precious fruits from the South China Sea, and I have sea cucumbers from Duanbu; you have singing girls from the Western Regions, and I have Xianbei musicians.After fighting for several days, all the guests said that you don't want to fight anymore. You held the banquet on the same day. Whose house are we going to?Sun Qian heard it, thought for a while, went out on purpose, and ran to the street to listen to the nursery rhymes—he didn’t know that the children around his house were taught what they read—and said that he paid attention to his second grandson, Going home immediately changed the way of fighting for wealth.

How about keeping people from knowing?Young master, I want the whole city to know! !

The next day, the people of Jiankang were curious, why did the whole street become red overnight?Walking over to see, the Sun family actually surrounded their own yard with silk and satin, which is more than ten miles long; the servants of the Sun family are still spraying perfume made of flower petals on it, and the fragrance spreads several streets far away. Kang can smell it.The Gu family lived not far away, and Gu Kang had to pass outside Sun’s house when he went to court—it was the most beautiful section of the road paved with silk and satin.Sure enough, only one day later, the people of Jiankang were awakened by the smell of the ointment on the outer wall of Gu's house.Everyone walked along the incense and saw that the walls were colorful. Even people who don't know much about spices and don't know what precious pigments are there can see that it costs a lot, let alone the children of aristocratic families who are proficient in this way. .Gu Kang’s bragging effect was even more lasting, because he deliberately sent people to the main market in Jiankang to buy precious spices and pigments on a large scale. The wall is gone.What about Sun Qian?On the same day, I sent someone to raise the price, the reason was that I would also use these spices to make perfume, and even gave birth to the idea of ​​using the same formula to dye cloth by myself.

For this reason, the whole city has a lot of discussion, and the parents of the two families of course know about it.There is no doubt that the two prodigal sons were reprimanded and even beaten.Sun Mu is stingy and saves face. What he pursues is the balance between face and money, but what his son did completely broke this balance and directly made him sick.And what about Sun Qian?He was severely beaten and lay on the bed, unable to move. His thighs, buttocks, and back hurt. It was minor, but he was hit on the face with a few whips, which ruined his acquaintance, so he had to ask for help everywhere.However, several doctors said there was no way.In the midst of anxiety, the good "someone" recommended a witch doctor to his sister, saying that not only the occult technique, but also crooked prescriptions, not to mention the guaranteed cure, the skin quality can be much better than before the treatment.

It's good for Sun Yue to try it, and it's good for Sun Qian to try it.Angry and ashamed, Sun Mu, who was so sick that he couldn't even go to court, was naturally recommended by the son who apologized for this witch doctor.For example, to deceive people, the more mysterious it is, the more people will believe it.And the problem can't be solved completely at once. You have to give a little bit of sweetness first, and then slowly give a little less, so that the unlucky person can be completely subdued.At first, Sun Mu followed the witch doctor's prescription and ate all the weird things. Sure enough, he was much better the next day, and he was able to go to court on the third day.Later, because the drug was discontinued for a while, the illness recurred. When the witch doctor came to see him, he said it was extremely serious, and asked Sun Mu to listen to him no matter what.Not this way, not that way.After taking several doses of medicine, until the end of May, Sun Mu was standing in the court hall, and his stomach and intestines suddenly turned up for some reason.He tried his best to endure, holding back the cold sweat on his forehead, but in the end he couldn't hold on—he had to complain that his political ally, Gu Heng, who was about to fall apart, talked too much—asked the emperor for leave, Feng Zihuan let him go first, and the result Before he could go far, the sound of vomiting came.Everyone in the court hall was surprised.It wasn't enough to vomit in the palace, Master Sun vomited all the way back, lying on the edge of his bullock cart all the way to vomit.When I got home, I finally pulled myself together, and when I angrily went to arrest the witch doctor, the witch doctor had long since disappeared.And the weird prescription given to him by the witch doctor and what he ate for it were known from the streets and taverns of the day to the whole city the next day.

Then it became the laughing stock of the whole town.

And what about the Gu family?When Gu Heng heard Sun Mu's joke, he didn't have a good face.I thought it must be the emperor's trick, it was Cui Xuanji or Xie Yan's bad idea!It just so happened that these useless things were all fooled!Gu Kang is included among these useless things.For this reason, Gu Heng taught his younger brother and Gu Kang's father, Gu Su, a lesson.Gu Kang can be regarded as one of the more accomplished sons and nephews. Gu Heng actually hopes that he can take over the position of patriarch in the future and support the family.Who knew that this kid would be proud of his talents, and he would fight for everything.He didn't set up a separate courtyard for himself, saying that it was for the convenience of going to the court, but in fact, it was not for the purpose of raising a group of concubines?When Sun Mu was sick at home, Gu Kang, who was not beaten but scolded, felt unconvinced, and had a banquet with his close friends and swallowed five stone powder together.Unexpectedly, two days later, the medicine brought by my friend included several other medicines - this friend is really considerate, seeing that his concubine is very beautiful, he was not tempted to snatch it, but just to cheer him up, what else did he say? The two phases are combined to take together, the effect is stronger.

It's not too much for Gu Kang to be proud of his talents, but it's not good to be lustful. Unfortunately, when Gu Heng wanted to take care of it, it was already too late.Gu Kang's friend was not wrong, but he was wrong in the measurement, and he did not estimate Gu Kang's greed well.One day he ate too much, he didn't go to court the next day, and he was reported to be molesting his servant at home - when he reported to the official, he ran out on the street in a daze, his clothes were disheveled and his hair was disheveled, like a wild beast Fortunately, he was held back by his loyal servants, so he didn't do anything uglier.

Gu Heng went to his house to see it himself, he didn't want to see the appearance of the house a second time.He left in a huff, and sent someone to lock up the kid, give him water, food and medicine, and he was not allowed to go out if he was unconscious.Then go to the emperor to plead guilty.The emperor didn't laugh at him, and didn't say anything other than "human nature", saying that since the servant was not violated, he would not pursue it anymore, but the servant was not allowed to do any harm.Gu Heng thanked En and resigned. When he returned home, he immediately sent the servant back to his hometown, and gave him more gold and silver. He didn't say much, and he was not allowed to stay in Jiankang for a moment.

Even so, there are still rumors about Gu Kang's scandal all over the city.

Of course Feng Zizhang has also heard about it, but she is more happy than others, because she can know the truth that others cannot know.Although she has no interest in these messy things in essence, she always wants to know how her sweetheart does these things, because Xie Yan—the elf monkey in front of her, who looks like a gentleman—always She can do some strange tricks that others can't think of, so strange that she thinks it should be written in the book.

"so--"

"Ok?"

"I can understand two people competing for wealth. What's the matter with nursery rhymes?" She usually doesn't ask about these things, as long as Xie Yan doesn't tell her, she doesn't ask.Concentrate on dealing with those humble scholars.Now that things are over, she has the mood and time to chat.

"Nursery rhymes are very simple. Those who initiated the discussion at the beginning were either my friends in the Jianghu, or friends of soldiers that Cui Xuanji trusted very much in the Habayashi Army. Most people's mouths are naturally concerned about these things. Just say casually Once you say it, let the children hear it deliberately, especially if you say it in a catchy form so that it is easy for the children to learn, so why worry about them not repeating it. It’s like writing words on cloth strips and hanging them there for people to see .”

"Then they continue to tell the legend for you?"

"Yeah, why not? But as far as I know, when they continued to spread the word, they didn't have to say too much, and the people naturally started talking about it."

"Where is the messenger among the clans?"

Xie Yan looked at Feng Zizhang and smiled, his eyes narrowed, "Gu Kang never looked up to Sun Qian, or in other words, no one in the aristocratic family actually liked him. I just let my second sister look down on her When I held a banquet, I told Sun Yue incidentally. In other places, I always ask my friends from the rivers and lakes to tell those singing girls, and then let the singing girls pass on the word. As time goes by, naturally there will be things that don’t exist. .”

Feng Zizhang laughed, "It's true that three people became tigers. But think about it, Gu Kang is a scholar after all, and his way of showing off is better than that of Sun Qian. I came out of the palace that day, and when I passed by, I looked at the Gu family. The wall, like that, cinnamon, turmeric, chicken tongue smell {120}, whatever is expensive and beautiful, put it on. I guess there is even safflower {121}, because the color is between orange yellow and red , not evenly, but it is really different from other reds, and the aroma is very similar. If you do this, Gu Kang can be regarded as painting a thousand taels of gold on the wall."

Xie Yan laughed loudly, "That's not true! Eh, I heard that His Majesty ordered Gu Kang not to be prosecuted, but what about fighting for wealth? Not prosecuted?"

"Not only are they not held accountable, even the walls are not allowed to be painted back, but the silk and satin are allowed to be removed and distributed to the poor."

"Good guy, sincerely let the Gu family not come to power. Is this His Majesty's idea?"

"No, my idea."

"what??"

"What, I don't look like someone who can come up with such an idea?"

"No, no, I thought it was Cui Xuanji's idea." Feng Zizhang smiled, took a sip from his teacup, and continued: "I went to the palace that day, my sister told me about it, and I asked the same thing. Hers. I said, it's not good to let Cui Xuanji come up with ideas, but my sister said, don't let her worry about such things, it's all come to this point. I can only say that the Sun family is nothing to worry about, and attack the Sun family It won't take much. It's just the Gu family. If they don't show their eyes for a while, they won't stop. Anyway, the wall is pretty, so don't change it, so as not to waste money again, let them not change it, forgive me They dare not object."

Xie Yan nodded with a smile, Feng Zizhang asked: "I haven't finished asking."

"You ask you ask."

"You also found the witch doctor?"

"That witch doctor is my friend from the rivers and lakes, you have seen it before."

"I've seen it before?" Feng Zizhang lowered his head and thought for a while, "Could it be that... the indistinguishable one?"

"Yes, that's him. I caught him while playing in Jiankang. He is not only proficient in medical skills, but also disguises himself. Most importantly, he loves to act. Originally, the joy of that guy's life was to expose those who deceived people with witchcraft. Man, now it's easy for him to perform in person."

"What about Gu Kang? Whose credit is it?"

"Of course it's also this guy. I just asked someone else to deliver it. These people who eat Wushi powder are all lunatics. Besides, which medicine is more effective, how can they not be fooled?"

Feng Zizhang let out a long breath, and said: "The two of you have calculated the tempers of these people together, and you have come up with a series of schemes."

"No, after all, we only planned to let them fight for wealth at the beginning, and it's enough to make the father of the family frustrated. When Sun Mu was ill, we thought of continuing to do this."

"Here, how much is your idea, how much is Cui Xuanji's idea?"

"Of course I have a lot of ideas, that guy, his thoughts are too positive all day long, how could he think so, so—"

"Such a bad and narrow idea?"

Feng Zizhang interrupted Xie Yan, and laughed to himself after he finished speaking.Looking at her smile, Xie Yan shook his head helplessly, and he laughed too.

As usual, Xie Ying loves to tease her like this the most.She, for sure, will fight back.But Feng Zizhang laughed at her, but she never got annoyed or fought back.It seems that I am used to this situation, and it even becomes a kind of enjoyment.

"You said, most of the children of the family are so unbearable, why did you come out and Cui Xuanji?"

Xie Yan thought that you were talking drunk, but he still seized the opportunity to reply: "The royal family is so withered, and the power struggle is so cruel, there is still a smart and indifferent you."

"It's not okay to praise me when you see an opportunity."

"Yo, if I don't praise you, who should I praise?"

The two laughed and quarreled for a while, but Feng Zizhang seemed to have realized it suddenly, and asked Xie Yan if Cui Xuanji's birthday was in May, "Yes, it's too early. It's the seventh day of May. Why do you ask this?"

"I suddenly remembered that it's the time of the year to offer sacrifices to Sister Xianzhi."

"Is there any relationship between these two things?"

"Relationship? Do you know that when I went to the palace that day, it was my sister who mentioned to me about Cui Xuanji's birthday. She said that she was treated badly, and she was on duty in the palace even on her birthday."

"Your Majesty said so?"

"Yes."

"Hiss, if you say it like this...Then Your Majesty, look..."

"I see? I see if my sister is interested?"

"Well, although I can't say, uh, that's what it means, but—"

"I see, whether sister knows or not is a matter of opinion. Is Cui Xuanji interested in sister? Do you know?"

"I don't know about her now. I know that when she was young, the people she admired the most were His Majesty and the Queen. I just don't know about it now..."

Xie Yan was meditating, Feng Zizhang turned his eyes away and looked at the flowers and plants in the courtyard, "It is said that the king is like a tiger. In such a close position, he has done so much for his sister. Maybe it is really affectionate. However, this is also very dangerous. ah."

Hearing this, Xie Yan said, "That guy never knew what was dangerous, he only knew what he wanted."

The author has something to say:

{119} The plot of the two fighting for wealth will be partly based on the real history of Shi Chong and Wang Kai fighting for wealth, with some changes.

{120} is clove.

{121} Here it is assumed to be crocus, that is, saffron.Saffron is native to Turkey and Iran. It is assumed in the article that China can already obtain it from commercial routes at this time. I have not verified in detail whether it can actually be obtained.The aroma of saffron comes from its stigma, but the stigma is very rare, there are only three stigmas in a bunch of flowers. 0.45 kilograms of dry saffron stigmas need to harvest 500 flowers, and the flowering period of saffron is very short, and workers need to work day and night when harvesting.In today's industrialized cultivation, the wholesale price of a pound of low-quality saffron stigmas can reach more than $[-].