Chapter 699 Top flatterer, if you don’t join the club, who will? [Please vote for me!]
The morning sun pierced the already sparse white fog and quietly fell on the construction site of the main grotto.
It illuminated the female officers and soldiers on the construction site who were either lighting fires and cooking, or looking up in trance.
This sun-drenched scene is nothing new.
Because the Xunyang Grottoes are on the north bank of Shuangfengjian, and the Donglin Buddha faces south, this location has the best lighting.
But what’s surprising is:
The red sun peeking over the river quietly, the first ray of sunlight that hit the Xunyang Grottoes fell on the golden Buddha head of the Donglin Buddha and the cliff next to it.
This means that at the moment of sunrise, when almost all parts of the Xunyang Grottoes on the north bank of Shuangfengjian are in darkness, it is the golden Buddha head that is the first to be bathed in the sunlight and emit a dazzling golden light, signaling a new day.
Officially arrived.
This scene, in the eyes of most of the tired people who had stayed up late, was like a miracle.
It brings a vague sense of destiny.
At this moment, Ouyang Rong, who looked back and forth at the sun, discovered this.
Rong Zhen, who was still frowning in thought, also discovered this, and his attention instantly shifted to the golden Buddha head.
The same was true for Aunt Song, Yi Qianqiu, Miaozhen, Lao Yangtou and others. They didn't slow down much when they discovered this scene. They stepped forward one after another and came to the high platform where Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen were. They looked up at the Golden Buddha together.
head.
On the construction site, the busy female officers and soldiers gradually realized this and put down their work. Their surprised and exclamations came one after another, forming an uncontrollable sound that was louder than the sound of cooking and lighting a fire.
Everyone looked up at the golden scene under the early morning sun.
For a while, the main grotto construction site, which had been a bit relaxed and noisy, became silent again.
Ouyang Rong saw that in the distance, among the crowd of workers waiting outside the main grotto, there were already young and middle-aged workers who believed in Buddhism. They began to kneel down and worship, put their hands together, and call for miracles.
During this ceremony for the body and head of the Buddha to be reunited, the deputy abbot of Donglin Temple who had not yet left also came over, followed by a large number of novice disciples from Donglin Temple.
Seeing this scene at this moment, the white-haired deputy abbot, who had been celibate for many years, had a wrinkled old face full of joy. He led a group of disciples and sat cross-legged on the spot, and began to close his eyes and chant sutras, and began to sing piously.
This move by the monks ignited the warm atmosphere in the audience.
Ouyang Rong suddenly noticed that Rong Zhen, Aunt Song, Yi Qianqiu and others were casting strange looks at him.
There is admiration, admiration, and confusion.
Yi Qianqiu couldn't help but said: "This scene of the Buddha's golden light will definitely become a scene in Xunyang, and even in the south of the Yangtze River. It is truly a unique sight. I am honored to witness it for the first time."
Rong Zhen spoke in a low voice: "Ouyang Lianghan, I didn't expect that the big Buddha you planned would have such a surprise. The saint must like it."
Aunt Song was overjoyed and said in a determined tone:
"Of course the saint likes it. Thanks to Bachelor Ouyang's hard work, I understand why the saint gave you the bachelor's degree in Xiuwen Pavilion in the first place, and also ordered me to personally invite you to accept the order... It's such a big deal, if you don't join the library, who will?"
Ouyang Rong:......
Li Congshan and others were envious: "Yes, the next step is for Bachelor Ouyang to enter the sixth film."
Everyone around him praised Ouyang Rong one after another, and looked at Ouyang Rong with increasingly different eyes.
Ouyang Rong's expression was a bit hard to describe.
I really want to say sincerely that he is also fooled by this fresh and refined flattery.
How can human calculations compare to heaven's calculations? It's just coincidence.
In other words, except for the lighting position of facing south, he did not pay attention to such fancy auspicious additions at all.
At the beginning of the design of the Xunyang Grottoes, the Donglin Giant Buddha's moisture-proof and earthquake-proofing and other matters had the highest priority, and everything else was of secondary importance.
At this moment, Rong Zhen suddenly turned his head and ordered in public:
"Come here, ask a painter to come over. First draw this scene and record it in a book. I will send someone to the capital in person and hand it to the saint's desk."
When Sister Song heard this, her eyes lit up and she agreed: "That's right, find a painter to come over and record it for the saint to see."
On the side, a middle-aged female official looked hesitant: "There are painters, but they are amateurs. They are not as lifelike as the palace painters. If you can't use them, I'm afraid it will stain the saint's eyes."
Yi Qianqiu interrupted at this time:
"How about asking Jiang Governor Shi Yuan Huaimin to paint it? I heard that this man has superb painting skills and will definitely be qualified for the job. Let him record this god-given scene and present it to Your Majesty."
Rong Zhen pondered for a moment and asked:
"He is in Xunyang City, can he make it in time?"
Yi Qianqiu argued:
"There's enough time, and who said we have to paint it today? Even if we can't catch up with the golden scene now, we can still catch up with it tomorrow. As long as the Buddha is still there, this ingenious scene will always exist."
Without waiting for Rong Zhen, Grandma Song and others spoke.
Ouyang Rong, who had been silent all this time, interjected:
"Yuan Changshi is indeed qualified for the job. There is no one more suitable than him in Jiangzhou. Although he has made small mistakes, his painting skills are solid and do not distinguish between right and wrong. Moreover, knowing people and making good use of them is the virtuous style of a saint.
"
Rong Zhen then reluctantly agreed: "It's not impossible, this matter can be discussed."
Yi Qianqiu seemed to be relieved.
I couldn't help but take another look at Ouyang Rong, with a slightly grateful expression on his face.
Ouyang Rong didn't look at her.
He also did not expect that Yi Qianqiu would come forward like this to fight for Yuan Huaimin's opportunity to present paintings, and he was always thinking about Yuan Huaimin.
As a good friend, Ouyang Rong actually didn't expect this just now.
I don’t know what Yuan Huaimin will think after knowing Yi Qianqiu’s painstaking efforts...
Unexpectedly creating a stunning scene, it was a minor episode that made everyone present beam with joy. This time it was a real achievement.
But there's still business to be done.
Soon, the morning time passed.
After everyone replenished their food, they returned to their respective positions and stayed in the main grotto until evening.
However, it is not as tight as before and is slightly looser.
During this period, female officers or informants came from outside to report the situation.
In the evening, it was finally confirmed that there were indeed no traces of those Tiannan Jianghu rebels around Xunyang.
They really didn't come.
Regardless of whether there is a conspiracy or not, it is true that the Donglin Giant Buddha was successfully built.
To use what Ouyang Rong Conongzhen heard before, after the Giant Buddha lands, there will be no chance for Tiannan Jianghu.
Ouyang Rong gave Rong Zhen some suggestions.
Rong Zhen nodded heavily, seeming to agree.
She immediately summoned Nanny Song, Yi Qianqiu and others to hold a temporary meeting.
Unify opinions and make decisions:
The Donglin Giant Buddha was successfully built, but the ban on Xunyang Grottoes will not be lifted immediately.
It will last until the ten-day period announced previously.
In addition, before temporarily disbanding in the evening, Rong Zhen also issued hush orders one after another.
The news that the Donglin Giant Buddha has been completed is not allowed to be disclosed to the outside world, and the matter is temporarily blocked.
As for those workers who have seen the truth, as well as the monks from Donglin Temple, they are required to stay in Xunyang Grottoes and not be released for the time being...
Everyone returned home, and everything seemed to be business as usual.
Soon, two nights and one day passed by in a hurry, and the agreed ten-day period ended on time.
On this day, the Shuangfeng Peak, including the Xunyang Grottoes, was officially released from the blockade.
On the morning of that day, Jiangzhou Hall lifted the flood curfew in Xunyang City, and at the same time announced to the outside world that the Jiangzhou government's flood control and emergency repairs on Shuangfengjian had been completed.
Moreover, the construction of the Donglin Giant Buddha, which has been suspended for a decade, continues and is expected to be completed soon!
…
morning.
The temperature is slightly cooler.
Ouyang Rong held the piano case in his arms and walked out of the Xunyang Grottoes under the sight of a pair of whistles.
How he came here before is how he left today.
However, Ouyang Rong left a little early. Shuangfengjian was nominally to be unsealed later in the morning, but he was the chief official of Jiangzhou and needed to return to Xunyang City first to preside over the Jiangzhou lobby and issue orders, so he left first.
Rong Zhen also came to see him off in person.
In fact, Wang Caozhi also came with him and was about to send Ouyang Rong off, but when he saw that Rong Zhen was about to send him off, he obediently got out of the way.
The two of them crossed the river together, left Xunyang Grottoes, and came to the south bank of Shuangfengjian.
Ali's carriage was parked on the side of the official road waiting.
Ouyang Rong looked back. From his perspective, looking from a distance, the Donglin Buddha on the north bank still lacked the Buddha's head and was not completed.
Si Tianjian's deception continues.
It was not removed immediately.
I don’t know if Yunmeng was confused by this scene.
Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen looked at each other, and he was about to speak.
At this moment, a somewhat excited voice came from the side:
"Mingfu, you finally came out."
The two turned around and saw that it was Yan Liulang.
Behind him were four arresters in green clothes, but they were either sitting or lying on the seats of a pavilion by the roadside.
Yan Liulang and his entourage were a little tired from the journey, and seemed to have been waiting for Ouyang Rong for a long time on the official road outside Shuangfeng Peak.
Ouyang Rong immediately asked:
"What's up."
Rong Zhen didn't look sideways and walked a little further away, taking the initiative to avoid suspicion.
However, Yan Liulang, who received Ouyang Rong's look, did not avoid him and directly reported in a loud voice:
"It's not a big deal to report to Ming Mansion, it's just a little strange...
"I received intelligence two days ago that the Hukou County water thieves were suspected of heading north, and their traces appeared a hundred miles outside Xunyang City. But now, I can't find any trace of them. I always feel uneasy and a little worried.
.”
Ouyang Rong frowned and said, "King Xunyang...are you okay over there in Xunyang City?"
With Rong Zhen beside him, he changed his mind midway.
Yan Liulang shook his head: "No, nothing happened in the city during the past few days when Mingfu was away."
"That's good."
At this time, Rong Zhen suddenly said to Ouyang Rong:
"I will ask Duan Quanwu to lead troops to capture the bandits later. This time the reinforcements will be 500 people... Don't worry, these water thieves alone will not be able to cause too much trouble."
Ouyang Rong pondered for a moment and nodded:
"Okay, then it's time to work."
Ouyang Rong suddenly asked Yan Liulang again:
"When did these water thieves appear near Xunyang City? In the past two days? When was it specifically?"
Yan Liulang made an estimate and reported: "The afternoon of the day before yesterday."
Ouyang Rong narrowed his eyes.
On the afternoon of the day before yesterday, that is, the afternoon of two days ago, I calculated with my fingers that it seemed to be the time when the Donglin Giant Buddha's body and head were combined and completely completed.
Is it a coincidence or intentional?
Is the unusual behavior of these water thieves in Hukou County related to the completion of the Donglin Giant Buddha?
Could it be said that the Tiannan Jianghu rebels were not deceived and actually took action?
But why not just come over and interrupt the Buddha's landing?
Ouyang Rong's brows gradually furrowed.
At this time, I heard Rong Zhen taking the initiative to say:
"You go back to the city first. The Imperial Palace will be very busy these two days. I will go to you the day after tomorrow to discuss the next matters..."
Ouyang Rong interrupted and asked: "Rong Nu Shi is talking about holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony?"
"Um."
This was an important topic discussed at the previous meeting: after the completion of the Donglin Giant Buddha, whether to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to announce the completion of the entire Jiangnan Road and the completion of the Giant Buddha.
At that time, he even painted this grand scene of the official-civilian friendship and presented it to Luoyang and presented it to the saint.
Of course, this is not done immediately, but is held on the day when the Donglin Giant Buddha is completed in name. But in fact... the Donglin Giant Buddha has already landed on the ground at this moment, hiding and guarding against the Tiannan Jianghu rebels.
However, Ouyang Rong had reservations about this matter at the time.
He has a low-key temperament and doesn't like to show off.
To put it bluntly, this matter is just like the previous discussion about inviting Yuan Huaimin to come over and paint a miraculous picture of the golden light of the Buddha's head, both of which were used to please the saint in Luoyang who had a "great joy".
Rong Zhen said softly: "This matter is yet to be decided. It also requires your cooperation with Jiangzhou Hall. I have no experience in this matter, so I still need you to be the abbot."
Ouyang Rong pondered: "Okay, I just want to go back this time and ask the prince and Yuan Changshi."
"Okay, please be safe on the road."
"Okay, let Nu Shi stay."
The two separated without any delay.
Rong Zhen returned to Xunyang Grottoes first, and Wang Caozhi prepared to follow.
Because in name, the Donglin Giant Buddha has not yet landed. Since he wants to act, he has to act in a complete set. He still needs to stay here, with Rong Zhen, Yi Qianqiu and the others, to act for a few more days.
Wang Caozhi suddenly felt someone tapping him on the shoulder.
After being stunned for a moment, he looked back and saw that Ouyang Rong's figure had already gotten into the carriage.
Moreover, a faint voice came from inside the car:
"Get in the car."
Wang Caozhi followed him honestly...
About a quarter of an hour later, Wang Caozhi got out of the car and stood silently on the side of the road.
He watched calmly as Ouyang Rong's carriage slowly drove away. After a while, he looked back at the Xunyang Grottoes.
…
In the morning, people left from time to time in the Xunyang Grottoes after the lockdown was lifted.
There is Princess Anhui's carriage.
There is a figure of Lao Yangtou who returned to the Xinzhou Prison.
There was also a team of Li Congshan, Miaozhen and others who returned to the palace to continue guarding.
In addition, there are some scattered figures, such as the female officer who hurriedly led the team to report the news to the Chinese army camp on the front line.
At a certain moment, a thin-faced man walked out of the Xunyang Grottoes among the crowd.
He waved at the official road, and soon, a carriage that had been waiting in a remote place for a long time slowly drove out and stopped in front of him.
The thin-faced man quietly boarded the carriage and drove towards Xunyang City.
Not long after the thin-faced man's carriage left, Wang Caozhi's figure walked out of a treeline on the roadside.
Wang Caozhi looked thoughtfully at the direction in which the thin-faced man's carriage was leaving.
He waved his hand without looking back, and a clever follower behind him came forward:
"What are your orders, Master?"
"Did that person see clearly?"
"Uh-huh."
Wang Caozhi whispered a few words, and the clever follower immediately nodded, and after a while, the figure disappeared from the place.