It was already dark when Mr. Han returned to the county government office, but the lights were still on in the government office.
Seeing him coming back, everyone rushed to pick him up.
"Sir, have you caught that little lady?" they asked.
Master Han looked slightly embarrassed.
"Found it..." he said, hurriedly changing the subject and asking everyone how things were going in the city.
"...the monks were all arrested...it was just the gangsters who had colluded with Monk Ningde before and took the opportunity to cause trouble..." the county magistrate said.
This is indeed a problem.
Magistrate Han nodded.
"This is a short period of time, but I'm afraid that the long days will make the people uneasy." Another subordinate said.
"...Yes, that little lady just threw away her hands and walked away, but she left a mess that is difficult to clean up..."
"...Those people insist that Master Ningde had previous achievements, but this little lady had robbed him of them..."
"…Today, someone secretly built a Dharma assembly to worship Ningde. Fortunately, we arrived and dispersed it in time…"
There was a lot of discussion in the official hall.
Mr. Han couldn't help but stretched out his hand to hold his sleeves.
"Everyone has worked hard. It's getting late today. Let's go and rest first. We'll discuss it tomorrow," he said.
Everyone nodded, packed up their things and left.
"Sir, has that lady been captured?" The county magistrate walked at the end and asked after everyone else had left.
Master Han sighed and shook his head.
"How can we get entangled in other people's affairs?" he said.
"My lord, it was she who killed Ningde." The county magistrate said, frowning, "Didn't we agree that please... that lady come back? After all, she killed someone, so it's not an exaggeration to go through the motions."
In fact, the most convenient and best way to deal with the aftermath of this matter is to blame it on this little lady. The government does not have to step in to solve the problem. They can just sit back and watch, and then take the opportunity to calm down and guide the people, instead of them facing it head on.
Master Han shook his head, reached out and pinched his sleeves again.
Yes, he had agreed to do this at the time, but when he saw the lady, he felt that it was not good to do so.
"Since we have classified it as a disaster caused by the demon monk, then this lady's killing was just to drive away evil and should not be punished. I asked her and asked her to sign a bond, so it has nothing to do with her." Master Han said.
"Sir, then we have a relationship!" the county magistrate said anxiously.
"It's true that we have a relationship. The disaster was originally caused by my lax control. If that lady killed someone, I handed the knife to him." Mr. Han said, "Don't involve others in this matter.
, I will solve it myself, at least that lady has solved the biggest problem by killing Ning De."
Mr. Han is good at everything, but he is obviously a scholar but he is too martial.
The county magistrate shook his head.
"Yes." He bowed and bowed before leaving.
When I walked out of the door, I thought of something and stopped. As expected, I saw Mr. Han reaching out and pinching his sleeves again.
It's really strange. What's in it?
The county magistrate frowned and walked away.
Mr. Han almost didn't sleep all night. He only had to lie down when it was almost dawn, and went out to report that someone was at home.
"I've heard that even Suzhou knows about such a big thing." Mrs. Han said as soon as she entered the door, reaching out to pat her heart, "What's going on?"
"What did you say?" Mr. Han asked without answering.
"You can say anything. Some people say it was your government who did it, and they said it was for profit." Mrs. Han said.
"It's really ridiculous." Mr. Han said as he rolled his sleeves.
"Of course I know it's ridiculous, but sir." Mrs. Han turned around and said anxiously, "Three people make a tiger."
He also asked if the murderer had been caught?
Master Han pinched his sleeves again and did not want to answer this question.
"Don't worry, I will deal with it myself." He said.
"How to deal with it?" Mrs. Han asked worriedly.
Mr. Han didn't want to talk about this, so he changed the subject and asked people at home.
"Yuan Dynasty is going to his father-in-law." Mrs. Han said, "Next year he will go to Beijing for the big exam. Maybe he should tell him, if we are afraid that Yuan Dynasty will regret it, why not get married earlier, and we have to delay it."
"He is a newlywed for the good of the Yuan Dynasty. How can he read a good book?" Mr. Han said, "This is a reassurance for the character of our Han family. Even if he wins, he will not regret the marriage."
"Our Yuan Dynasty is so good." Mrs. Han said, "The half-year bonus from the capital has arrived again, and they also sent word that Miss Banqin has prepared a place to live when the Yuan Dynasty comes to Beijing to prepare for the exam..."
"Banqin!" Master Han shouted suddenly, interrupting Mrs. Han's words.
Mrs. Han was startled.
"It turns out to be Banqin." Mr. Han paced back and forth with an excited expression, then suddenly stopped, "Could it be the same person? Yes, yes, it's possible. We all came from different backgrounds and went to the capital..."
Mrs. Han was confused by his muttering, and she hurriedly reached out to hold him and asked. Mr. Han considered the matter and said it. Mrs. Han was also shocked when she heard it.
"How is this possible? Master, is it just the same name?" she said.
"It's also possible." Master Han said, "But do you know? The lady looked at me and the first thing she said to me was, your surname is Han? Where do you come from?"
No one would ask this sentence for no reason, just to confirm something.
Mrs. Han was also stunned.
"And after I mentioned Suzhou, the girl named Banqin burst into surprise." Master Han continued, looking at his wife and nodding.
"No way." Mrs. Han didn't know what to say, so she just repeated.
There was a moment of silence in the room.
"If that's the case, then it's not random that the lady gave me this, so I'm going to give it a try." Master Han said, with his hands on his sleeves, he seemed to have made up his mind.
"What are you trying?" Mrs. Han asked.
Master Han said nothing and took out a square piece of paper from his sleeve.
"I know when the solar eclipse is," he said slowly.
"Sir! What are you talking about?"
The officials and subordinates sitting in the official hall all sat up in surprise and looked at Mr. Han who was sitting there.
"That's right, I said I know when there will be a solar eclipse." Mr. Han said, "This is our opportunity. We can use this to convince the people of our government and eliminate the hidden dangers left by the demon monk in one fell swoop."
"Can your Excellency deduce the calendar?" the county magistrate asked.
"I can only read the Wuyin Yuan Calendar. As for the deduction, I don't have that ability." Mr. Han shook his head and said, pushing the paper in his hand forward, "Others told me."
This happened so suddenly that everyone in the official hall was stunned.
"Sir, is that the lady?" the county magistrate asked, his eyes falling on Master Han's sleeves.
So is this what you had in your sleeve when you came back yesterday?
So the lady used this in exchange for the adults not being held accountable?
Master Han nodded.
"Yes, she told me." He said, "She said she would give us another chance."
If it is true, it is indeed a great opportunity if it is put into good use.
But adults are too easy to deceive...
The people present couldn't help but whisper to each other.
"What if it's not allowed?" asked Su Rong, the county magistrate.
That would become a big joke, and it would most likely become an opportunity for the remnants of Monk Ningde.
The risk is too great.
"My lord, are you here just to say thank you?"
"As expected, his surname is Han."
"In that case, I will give you a chance."
She won’t harm herself! She won’t lie to herself!
Master Han took a deep breath and raised his head.
"It must be accurate," he said. "It will be announced to the public and the whole city will prepare for the rescue ceremony."
Everyone in the official hall looked at him with solemn and hesitant expressions.
"Sir, please think twice," the county magistrate said.
"Yes, sir, actually it doesn't matter even if you don't do anything." Another official hesitated and said.
He left office a few years later, and what happened to Panjiang County had nothing to do with him. But if he made this decision at this time, if there was no solar eclipse, it would become a big joke, and his official career would be over.
If he was still hesitant before, when he thought of this, Master Han actually smiled.
"How dare you sacrifice your life for national affairs." He said, shaking the paper in his hand, "Okay, this matter has been decided. An announcement will be made in my name, and the whole city will prepare for the rescue ceremony. If something goes wrong, I will take responsibility.
."
When the sky was dimming, the Panjiang County government office opened and several officers walked out, holding papers in their hands.
"You go over there, we'll go over here." The leader pointed with his hand and said.
Everyone responded and went their separate ways.
"What was posted?"
"Are you talking bad about Master Ningde again?"
“I don’t know what I’m going to make up this time!”
The people around him started talking and followed suit. They watched the policemen posting notices on the street and swarmed over them.
"What did Kuai Nian Nian write?"
The literate ones were quickly pushed over and stood in front of the announcement and read it out word for word.
According to the Linde calendar, there will be a solar eclipse at a quarter past noon on the first day of July, when the entire city will come to rescue.
The whole place was in an uproar as soon as this statement came out.
"Another solar eclipse? Hasn't it already passed?"
"Isn't what Master Ningde said accurate?"
"What are the government doing? Who said that?"
"Is what the government said accurate?"
As the announcement was posted, noise spread throughout the city.
"Han Wenzhong!"
In the official hall, all Panjiang County officials stood with their hands bowed and they could feel the anger of the high-ranking official in front of them without raising their heads.
"I don't even know that you have become the master of Si Tiantai. It's really rude to serve as an official."
The official's face was livid, he gritted his teeth and said, and he actually bowed his hand in salute.
Mr. Han quickly bowed his head and saluted.
"I don't dare, I don't dare. I don't dare," he said repeatedly, "Master Dafu is joking."
"Am I kidding? Am I kidding, or are you kidding!" the official yelled, shaking a notice in his hand and rattling, "There will be a solar eclipse at a quarter of noon on the first day of July. Is this what I say or what you say.
"
"Sir, this is not a joke. According to the deduced calendar, there is indeed a solar eclipse." Master Han said.
As soon as he finished speaking, an official hit him with a bulletin.
"What if not?" the official yelled, "Instead of hunting down the murderer and appeasing the people, what will you do to replace him? Han Wenzhong, Master Ningde is dead, are you planning to become the second master to replace him?"
"Sir, I dare not and will not confuse the public with evil words. This is deduced based on the calendar and is not a prophecy of gods and Buddhas. I should bear in mind the teachings of the saints and do not use strange power to confuse the gods." Mr. Han said, "I am not a prophecy.
It is precisely through this matter that the officials want to let the people know and understand, so as not to be confused and confused by the demon monks again."
Solar eclipses and changes in the sky have always been deduced from the calendar. It is not a rare thing, and it does not feel magical if you want to understand the reason.
However, compared to deducing the calendar, Mr. Ofu is more concerned about the present.
"Then I want to ask you, Master Ningde said there was, but he was labeled a demon monk and killed in public. Now you say there is a solar eclipse. If there is no solar eclipse, what are you going to do? Also label him a demon monk.
Are you going to die to apologize to the people?" Lord Dafu asked.
Mr. Han, who had been scolded with his head down, raised his head at this moment.
"Okay." He said.
The official was stunned for a moment.
"What's good?" he asked.
"If there had been no solar eclipse, I would have died on the spot to apologize." Master Han said.
As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the hall was shocked.
"My lord, my lord, be careful what you say..."
"Sir, why are you doing this... If you have something to say, please say it..."
Immediately, voices of comfort rang out in the hall, and the official, already livid with anger, nodded.
"Okay, okay, Han Wenzhong, remember what you said." He said, fluffing his sleeves and striding away.
"Master Han... why are you doing this..."
Other people in the official hall stamped their feet, complained and felt helpless, and turned around to chase the official.
In a blink of an eye, Han Wenzhong was the only one left in the hall. Han Wenzhong straightened his clothes and stood up straight while looking outside.
Panjiang County has become very famous recently. First, Master Ningde was beheaded in public on the day of the solar eclipse. Then Panjiang County let the murderer go. Instead, it began to question Master Ningde's monstrous words and deceived the public. Before the people could understand these two things, Panjiang County
The Panjiang County government released another shocking news.
The county magistrate Han Wenzhong deduced the time of the solar eclipse and vowed to die on the spot if he was found guilty.
When Han Wenzhong entered the back house, Mrs. Han came to greet him crying.
"Sir, why are you doing this? It will be done as soon as it is done, and it is not the time you said it. If it is wrong at that time, even if it is harmful to your reputation, it will still be a shirk. Now you are throwing out this
If you say this, how will it end?" she cried.
"Father."
There was also a young man shouting in the room, with a bit of surprise on his face.
"When did father learn about the calendar?"
Looking at him, Han Wenzhong smiled.
"I didn't deduce it, it was told to me by others," he said.
"Oh, by the way, that person, that person may be a member of the Banqin family in Beijing. That's why your father trusts them so much." Mrs. Han thought of something and hurriedly pulled her son to wipe his tears and said.
Banqin?
Han Yuanchao was stunned.
Master Han described to him the description of the woman that day.
"Father, I have never met Banqin's family, so I don't recognize what you are talking about." Han Yuanchao said with a wry smile.
"What about this Banqin?" Mrs. Han said hurriedly, urging Mr. Han to describe it.
Han Yuanchao had a complicated expression on his face.
"Speaking of it, there are indeed some similarities, I can't even remember it clearly." He said, smiling and nodding to his mother, "The ages and accents are very similar."
Mrs. Han immediately breathed a sigh of relief, folded her hands and chanted Buddha's name, and Mr. Han also nodded and exhaled.
"You're tired too. Go and have a rest. I'll have a few words with Yuan Chao," he said.
Mrs. Han was really tired from worrying these days, so she was helped down by her maid.
Only the father and son were left in the room, and the atmosphere was a bit stagnant.
"Yuan Dynasty, this Banqin is not the Banqin you recognize, right?" Master Han spoke first.
Han Yuanchao lowered his head.
"Father, I just can't remember the child clearly, and I haven't seen him a few times at that time... so..." he said.
Master Han didn't speak, just looked at him.
After a while of silence.
"Yes, according to father's description, this Banqin is not the Banqin I recognize in Beijing." Han Yuanchao raised his head and said.
Therefore, it is a stranger whom he does not know, not a person who is treated specially because of his acquaintance.
So this prediction….
Master Han's expression changed slightly, so this is a gamble...
"Father, do you regret it?" Han Yuan took a step forward and asked.
Master Han turned to look at him and smiled.
"Even if there are tens of thousands of people, I can go to the place of righteousness," he said.
………………………………
Regardless of whether some people are impatient and want to pull the moon, push the sun, shake the leakage, and urge the drum, or some people are praying to Buddha and praying to God and want time to stand still, June is over and July is still coming at its own leisurely pace.
The city gate in Panjiang County is packed with people.
This time no one restricted the passage, but no one wanted to pass.
From morning to noon, the people were sweating profusely under the still hot July sun.
"Does this look like there is a solar eclipse?"
"Whether Master Ningde has immeasurable merit or the government's words are precise, it all depends on today."
"If there really is a solar eclipse, I will believe whatever the government says in the future."
"If they fool us, they will be the murderers of Master Ningde!"
This kind of discussion is like the constant rustling of the wind in the bamboo forest.
Han Wenzhong stood in the middle under the city gate. He was in official uniform and looked solemn. I don't know if it was because it was too hot. The officials and subordinates around him were standing a little far away from him. Looking at him from a distance, he was alone and conspicuous.
.
"...I'm afraid I'll have to worry about you when the time comes."
Several officials under the pergola on the city wall were laughing at a seated official and pointing the maid next to him to fan himself more quickly.
The sitting official sneered and looked at the people under the city gate.
"The credibility of the government has been completely ruined. I am just doing my best. As for the result, I am not sure whether the people will believe me." He said lightly, "I can deal with the superiors, but I cannot deceive people.
."
"After all, it's the adults who have worked so hard." The officials nodded and bowed.
"How about it if it's not hard work? Does it mean that seeing the government office in Panjiang County being set on fire by the common people will bring glory to our government?" Lord Dafu said angrily.
The officials said yes again.
"What is he doing?" Dafu said suddenly, raising his body and leaning forward.
Everyone looked over and saw Han Wenzhong directing two officers to insert a bamboo pole into the ground, which immediately cast a shadow on the ground.
"Everyone can look at the time. If there is any inaccuracy at noon, I will apologize." Han Wenzhong said loudly, pointing at the bamboo pole. [Note 1]
The whole place was in an uproar again, and they all looked at the bamboo pole projection. The projection moved little by little, and it seemed that it would be a quarter past noon in the blink of an eye.
"This... this..." The big man on the city gate turned red angrily and pointed with his hand.
"My lord, please calm down. My lord, please calm down." People around him were busy fanning and patting him.
However, the official of the government could not calm down. He pushed away the crowd and walked quickly to the city wall, pointing down with his hand.
"Why should I give up my anger! Han Wenzhong will really seek death sooner or later..." he roared.
Just as he finished speaking, a strong gust of wind came, causing everyone to panic, and soon the bright sky turned dark.
"The sun is getting dark! The sun is getting dark!"
The shouts of countless people came from under the city gate, roaring like thunder, drowning out the rest of Lord Dafu's words.
And Mr. Ofu could not say the rest of his words.
He looked up at the sky with a horrified expression, and all his thoughts disappeared as the sun disappeared piece by piece.
Solar eclipse! Solar eclipse! Sure enough, solar eclipse!
"Quick, quick, help!"
He shouted loudly, grabbed the sword of the guard on the side and knocked on the city wall without hesitation.
The sky was dark, the city was boiling, gongs and drums were beating.
Mrs. Han, who had been kneeling in the courtyard, leaned over and cried loudly, kowtowing repeatedly.
"Thank you Bodhisattva for your blessing. Thank you Bodhisattva for your blessing."
Behind her, the servants at home were already screaming and running to beat the gongs and drums that had been prepared.
His vision was dim and his ears were filled with the sound of gongs and drums and screams. Han Yuanchao, who was standing in the crowd, was swayed by the crowd. His eyes passed through the figures and fell in front of him. Looking at his father who was standing more upright, he couldn't help but grin.
.
At this time in the capital, the whole city was shaking as the sun suddenly disappeared from the sky.
From the emperor's palace to the common people, they were all running around in a panic, shouting, gongs, and drums, screaming, and crying.
Standing on the second floor of Desheng Building, Qin Shisanlang opened the window.
Chun Ling and others lying on the ground behind him screamed even louder.
"I wonder if the officials of Sitiantai will tell the emperor in a moment that this is the result of their praying to gods and Buddhas." Qin Shisanlang said with a smile.
Madam Zhu, who came from the side, also smiled and looked up at the sky in the dim darkness.
"They should say that the events of heaven cannot be predicted by humans, and deviations are natural. Then they will ask the emperor to cultivate his moral character in order to thank heaven for his punishment," she said.
Qin Shisanlang laughed, and suddenly the laughter stopped, and people couldn't help but lean more towards the window.
"Oh my God..." he said.
Everyone was looking up to the sky, but he was looking down. Madam Zhu followed curiously and looked startled.
On the chaotic street, four lanterns suddenly lit up, and a carriage was slowly moving behind it. The curtains were raised, and through the lanterns, a young woman could be seen sitting inside, alone in the darkness.
Like a star, too bright to look directly at.
Whose daughter is this?
"You are carrying a lantern when you go out in broad daylight. Could it be that you expected it?" she couldn't help but say.
No one answered her words, and Qin Shisanlang beside him turned around and walked away quickly.
Madam Zhu looked back with a bit of surprise, and saw that the always calm and unhurried Qin Shisanlang had already begun to run, opened the door, and the sound of stepping footsteps came from the porch.
Madam Zhu withdrew her gaze and looked downstairs at the street again, looking at the bright and colorful figure slowly moving among the chaotically running and screaming people.
"Is this the she he was talking about?" she said to herself with a slight smile.
************************************
Two chapters combined into one. Have a happy weekend everyone. After reading the update, go to bed when you need to go to bed and play when you need to play without worrying about it (*^__^*) Hee hee...
Note 1: The solar eclipse story is based on Li Chunfeng of the Tang Dynasty. (To be continued)
