Eighty-eight, who sees lonely people walking around alone?
Yu Xi, the internal historian and Dazhongzheng of Yangzhou, whose aunt was the empress of Emperor Ming of Jin Dynasty. After the six-year-old Jin Cheng Emperor Sima Yan came to the throne, Empress Dowager Yu came to the court. All political affairs were decided by her brother Yu Liang, who led the Yangtze River as the emperor's uncle. , the governor of the three prefectures of Jing and Yu, the governor of the six prefectures, and the governor of Wuchang. His power surpassed that of the Langya Wang family. After Yu Liang died of illness, his two younger brothers were promoted to Gao Run, and Yu Bing was appointed as the Central Secretary Supervisor. He was the governor of Yangzhou and the governor of Yang Yu. In the military affairs of the three states of Yanzhou, he was appointed as the general who conquered the captives. During the holiday, he acted as king to guide and assist the government, and was given the title of General Zuo. Yu Yi was appointed as the general who conquered the west, and the governor of Jingzhou. The power of the Yu family reached its peak.
Yu Xi is the eldest son of Yu Bing. It is a common practice in the Yu family to take "Cold Stone Powder", so Yu's children live longer. Fourteen years ago, Yu Bing and Yu Yi passed away one after another, because there is no particularly outstanding person in the Yu family. , Huan Wen, who was born in Longkang of the Qiao Kingdom and married a princess of Nankang, took away the power of the Yu family on the grounds that the Yu Xi brothers were young and unqualified, and became the general of Anxi and the governor of Jingzhou. Therefore, Yu Xi regarded Huan Wen as his enemy.
During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, not only family status was important, but also people were important. Although noble families could occupy high positions, how high the position was, how powerful the power was, and whether they could continue to be in power depended on the talents and reputation of the representative members of the family. Director Wang After the death of Langya Wang family, it declined; after the death of Yu Bing and Geng Yi, the Geng family fell into despair. Now the Eastern Jin Dynasty is dominated by the Longkanghuan family. It is understandable that Yu Xizhi was unsuccessful. Although in the eyes of others, The internal history of Yangzhou is also a very noble position, ranking above the prefect of the county and second only to the governor in the state. But for Yu Xi, his uncle, father, and uncle were all military governors of several states, and concurrently served as governors of several states, and In his hands, he could only serve as a deputy in a state, and he felt that he could not inherit his father's family business. He became depressed and indulged in drinking and drinking. After taking the medicine, he even laughed and cursed, often doing shocking things.
On the 18th day of March, Yu Xi and several subordinate officials set off from Weitang to the county town of Wu County. Weitang was about thirty miles away from Wu County. As soon as the group left the official post, they saw a man crawling by the roadside, hissing. He shouted: "Yu Zhongzheng - Yu Zhongzheng, a small citizen named Chen Liu of Tang Dynasty accused his brother Chen Caozhi of bullying his brother to occupy the land. The small man came here to argue with him, but he actually ordered people to beat me to disability. Please ask Yu Zhongzheng Make decisions for the common people."
Yu Xi had some difficulty in dispersing the medicine for the past two days, and felt hot in his heart. He asked impatiently: "Do I have to take care of these things? Are the officials in the prefecture all made of clay and wood?"
Chen Liu slumped half of his shoulders and knelt down and said: "Yu Zhongzheng, only Yu Zhongzheng can take care of this matter. Chen Caozhi is a newly promoted sixth-rank official from Sanqi Changshi Quanli. He thought he would be able to do it in a short time." I received the certificate of exemption from the sixth grade. I am extremely arrogant and domineering in my clan. He occupied my land and beat me. Yu Zhongzheng, please take a look——"
Chen Liu stretched out his right hand to pull open the collar of his left shoulder, revealing his deformed shoulder that was still red and swollen, and cried: "Yu Zhong is looking at it, this is my evil brother who is committing an attack and beat me almost to death." At this time, Chen Liu I was almost grateful for Ran Sheng's blow. It was a cruel trick. If he had to do it himself, he would definitely be reluctant to use such a heavy hand, so it wouldn't have such a shocking effect.
Yu Xi frowned and said to the officials next to him: "It turns out that it is Chen Caozhi who is going to be ordered this time. I have seen this name before. Did you guys see it? This is how Quan Li, the regular servant of Sanqi, visits the deceased. His character is Even such a despicable person was promoted—by the way, the Qiantang Chen family is not a noble family, right?"
Chen Liu stood up and tilted his shoulders and said, "Not a nobleman."
Yu Xi snorted coldly: "It's not that the nobles were promoted to the sixth rank. The sixth rank of the poor family is the highest rank. Quanli actually gave a man who deceived his brother the highest rank. It's really ridiculous. I will definitely tell the Great Situ Sima Yu
Reporting this matter, Zhongzhengguan promoted people with such low moral character, and it is difficult to escape the blame." He ordered his subordinates to let Chen Liu get on the bullock cart and go to Wu County together.
The prefect Lu Na led dozens of government officials out of the city to greet them, and placed Yu Xi and his party in the official post. The banquet was already prepared, and they immediately went to the banquet. However, Yu Xi only drank the wine he brought, fearing that Wu Jun's
The wine is not alcoholic, so people who take the powder are very particular about wine and food, especially wine, which is crucial to the dispersion.
Lu Na became ill because his son Changsheng took the powder, and now he hates "Wu Shi Powder" deeply. Seeing Yu Xi's pretentious look, he felt unhappy.
Yu Xi thought of Chen Liu with his crooked shoulders, and asked, "Brother Zuyan, is there anyone named Chen Caozhi among the people who are finalizing this product in your county?"
Lu Na laughed and said: "Has Chen Cao's reputation spread to Guangling? Even Yu Neishi knows about this Chen Caozhi?"
Yu Xi said cheerfully: "Sure enough, he is very famous. Quan Chang serves to promote such a genius. He is really unique and insightful. He must be famous all over the world."
Lu Na thought that Yu Xi was sincerely praising Chen Caozhi and said: "Chen Caozhi is indeed a genius and outstanding scholar. He has impressive qualities in music, calligraphy, painting, Xuan Confucianism, and is even proficient in medicine and gardening.
Quan Changshi once said that after visiting the remaining talents from the twelve counties of Wu County, it would be enough to get one of them, Chen Cao."
Yu Xi knew that Lu Na had a good relationship with Quan Li, so he naturally spoke for Quan Li. He sneered and said nothing and just drank.
…
Chen Xian, the head of the Chen clan in Qiantang, arrived at Wu County in the afternoon of March 15th. Chen Cao's decision was the top priority of the Chen clan in Qiantang. As early as the beginning of the year, Chen Xian had agreed with Chen Caozhi that he would
Come to Wu County before March 15th.
As soon as Chen Xian entered Wujun City, he heard rumors from the neighbors that Chen Caozhi, a young boy from Qian Tang Dynasty, was praying for his mother in Zhenqing Taoist Temple and copying "Laozi's Five Thousand Essays". He couldn't help but secretly nodded, and immediately found Zhenqing Taoist Temple, but saw that there was
It was crowded with people, men, women, old and young, all coming to see Chen Caozhi copy Taoist scriptures.
Chen Xian and his eldest son Chen Shang stood by the bronze tripod and watched Chen Cao for a while. From time to time, people came forward to polish ink and stretch paper for Chen Cao. Most of them were women, taking advantage of the opportunity of polishing ink, smiling or shyly talking.
Looking at Chen Caozhi, Chen Caozhi just smiled and nodded, then concentrated on copying without squinting, showing his outstanding grace.
Chen Shang smiled at his father Chen Xian and said: "Sixteenth brother has such a great reputation in Wu County. The final product is a matter of certainty. Father has nothing to worry about."
Chen Xian nodded happily and did not immediately go forward to meet Chen Caozhi. He waited until the evening when Chen Caozhi finished copying three volumes of "Laozi's Five Thousand Essays" before walking over to meet him. He did not notice a plain skirt beside the pillar of the side hall.
The graceful girl also wanted to come forward to talk to Chen Caozhi. Seeing that Chen Xian and his son had taken the lead, she smiled and shook her head, glanced at Chen Cao, and left with her maid.
When Chen Caozhi saw that his fourth uncle Chen Xian and his brother Chen Shang had finally arrived, he felt relieved. With his fourth uncle here, he no longer had to worry about Chen Liu secretly causing trouble.
Chen Xian heard that Chen Liu had also arrived in Wu County and joined Chu Jian's family. After being injured by Ran Sheng, he disappeared without a trace. He said to his son Chen Shang: "Look, I can't do it if I don't come. Chen Liu really can't die."
He repented and actually colluded with the Chu family. This was a complete renunciation of the Chen family's ancestors. Fortunately, he was not allowed to return to Chenjiawu years ago, otherwise he would have something to say this time. But now, he just
An unfounded person who has been expelled from the Chen clan, no matter how hard he tries, it will be unreasonable."
Ran Sheng on the side said: "Clan leader, Chen Liu was injured by me. He should be seriously injured. Chen Liu will use the injury to frame Mr. Cao Zhi."
The more Chen Xian thought about it, the angrier he became. If Chen Caozhi could not finalize the product this time, the blow to the Chen family of Qiantang would be fatal. The county's Chief Lu would definitely cause trouble. With Chu Jian's support, I'm afraid Wang Fujun would not be able to do anything.
Help Chen Caozhi. Chen Liu, the unfilial and rebellious son of the Chen family, wants to bring down the Chen family of Qiantang. He said angrily: "Good fight. If I see that scum, I will beat him up with my own hands." He also said: "
Xiao Sheng, if anyone asks you why you want to beat Chen Liu, just say it was me who instigated it. This scum of the clan is still out there ruining the reputation of my Chen family, so why not beat him to death."
Ran Sheng said happily: "Okay, next time I see Chen Liu again, I will punch him to death."
Chen Caozhi scolded: "Xiao Sheng, are you still so reckless?"
Ran Sheng said hurriedly: "I don't dare anymore, I don't dare anymore."
Chen Xian, his son, and a servant all had dinner at Zhenqing Taoist Temple. At the beginning of Xu Shi, Chen Caozhi led his fourth uncle and brother Cong to visit Dr. Xu Zao at the Xu Academy. They met Liu Shangzhi and Xu Miao at the bank of Xiaojing Lake.
Liu and Xu came to find Chen Caozhi, so they returned to Xu's school together. Chen Xian met Xu Zao and heard Xu Zao praising Chen Cao's character and knowledge.
, his youngest son Chen Tan will be fifteen years old next year and wants to come to Xu School to study, Xu Zao naturally agrees.
After Ding Chunqiu moved out, several rooms in Taolin Xiaozhu were vacant. Chen Xian, his son, and a servant all lived in Taolin Xiaozhu. Chen Caozhi asked his sixth uncle about his mother, Zongzhi, and Runer, and learned that Du An
That's good to be relieved.
It was late at night when they met. Chen Caozhi asked his fourth uncle to take a rest early. He took Ran Sheng back to Zhenqing Taoist Temple. Twenty-seven volumes of "Laozi's Five Thousand Essays" had been copied. Tomorrow is the last day, and the ten-day period will be completed.
When he arrives, he will return to Taolin Xiaozhu.
It is more than six miles from Taolin Xiaozhu to Zhenqing Taoist Temple. At the time of the first lunar month, a full moon hangs high in the sky. The clear waves of Xiaojing Lake are as clear as a mirror. The moonlight in the lake is dim, the green trees on the four sides are green, and the mixed fragrance of flowers is faint.
Permeated in this late spring night.
Chen Caozhi's heart was relaxed and his steps were brisk, when he suddenly heard someone calling from behind him: "Brother Zizhong——" When he looked back, it was Zhu Yingtai, followed by two servants and a maid.
Chen Cao said: "Brother Yingtai, haven't you rested yet? I have to rush back to the Taoist Temple to rest."
Zhu Yingtai said: "The bright moon is bright and it's hard to fall asleep. I thought about the three great monsters in Xu's school who were ranked first around the lake, so I came to take a walk by the lake. Brother Zizhong, would you like to accompany me for a walk?"
Chen Caozhi slowed down and walked side by side with Zhu Yingtai. He vaguely felt that Zhu Yingtai was a little strange. Looking sideways, he realized that Zhu Yingtai did not apply powder on his face. He must have washed the powder off at night. Under the moonlight,
The skin on the face appears to be very smooth and clean, as shiny as Yue kiln celadon. It looks much better than when applying powder, giving it a charming appearance.
Chen Caozhi only glanced at it and didn't look any further. He thought to himself: "This Zhu Yingtai is most likely a woman, but it has been so long and I haven't seen where Liang Shanbo is!" He asked: "Yingtai is a woman."
Brother, where is your brother?"
Zhu Yingtai said: "You just played a game of chess with me, and when you lost, you refused to come out with me. You were holding your breath and playing chess by yourself."
Chen Caozhi laughed: "With a brother as talented as you, even someone as talented as Zhu Yingting will inevitably feel a little depressed."
Zhu Yingtai said: "That's because he didn't work hard enough. If Brother Zizhong is so diligent, how can he be inferior to me in everything? - I haven't seen Brother Zizhong for many days. Both my brothers feel that they are not interested. What day will it be?"
Can we still talk to brother Zizhong?"
Chen Cao said: "Let's wait until the product is finalized. Xian Kunzhong is from Shangyu and also belongs to Wu County. Will you not participate in the final product this time?"
Zhu Yingtai said: "Yingting has been exempted from the imperial examination, but I don't want to finalize it. It is my ambition to wander around the forest."
Chen Cao smiled and thought to himself: "She is indeed a woman. What kind of grade should a woman be? I just wonder what grade Zhu Yingting has chosen?" But he didn't ask.
Zhu Yingtai asked: "Dare you ask about Brother Zizhong's ambition?"
Chen Caozhi smiled and said: "Brother Yingtai, do you want to learn from Confucius in asking about aspirations? My aspirations cannot be described. If they are small, they are only in front of me. If they are big, they are in the world."
Zhu Yingtai smiled and said: "I know that brother Zizhong is not a thing in the pond——"
Chen Caozhi didn't want to talk more about this, so he changed the subject and said, "Brother Yingtai, you see, walking around the lake has become really popular, and there are a few people walking over there."
Zhu Yingtai took a close look and said, "It's Zai Xingsan, it's He Zhu. I've met him several times."
The two of them were walking and chatting under the moonlight, talking about anecdotes about celebrities, flowers, birds, insects, fish, commenting on the quality of calligraphy tablets they had seen, and discussing the styles of the major painting schools in Jiangzuo. At this time, Zhu Yingtai restrained himself a little.
The aggressive words, the eloquent conversation, and the extreme elegance made Chen Caozhi forget his tiredness and became more and more interested in talking.
Unknowingly, Wu Jun Dacheng was sitting in front of the road. The Zhenqing Taoist Temple on the left side of the road still had lights on. It must be that the master of the temple, Li, was waiting for Chen Caozhi's return.
Chen Caozhi raised his head and looked at the moon, which was in the center of the sky, and said: "It's time, brother Yingtai, please come back."
Zhu Yingtai said "Oh" and said in surprise: "I just came here, then I will go back." He took two servants and a maid and walked back for a few steps, then turned around and said: "Brother Zizhong, don't you brag?"
I'm playing flute to see guests off, but my steps are too heavy to move."
Chen Caozhi said with a smile: "Ke Ting's flute is in a small building in Taolin, so he can't play music to send each other off. What can I do?"
Zhu Yingtai said: "Then I'll ask Brother Zi Zhong to send him off in person."
The bright moon was in the sky, frogs were croaking, but on this night of drunken spring breeze, Chen Caozhi felt refreshed and no longer sleepy, so he said: "Well, I will take you to the place where we will meet by Xiaojing Lake."
The two of them walked back slowly, resumed the previous conversation, talked about Jiang Zuo's romance, and then walked back to Xiaojing Lake——
Ran Sheng yawned and reminded the world: "Little husband Cao, Mr. Zhu, we are in the same place again. Let's break up. I'm so sleepy."
Chen Cao smiled and said: "Brother Yingtai, I really enjoyed our conversation tonight. Don't be too argumentative. It's very relaxed. In the past, when I talked to Brother Yingtai, my heartstrings would always be tense. I was afraid that you would catch a flaw in my words, and I would feel anxious.
Worried."
Zhu Yingtai pursed her lips and smiled silently, and said: "Am I so aggressive? But the purpose of arguing is to find all the omissions of the other party." He added: "Brother Zizhong has to get up early tomorrow to copy scriptures, but it doesn't matter to me. I will be better tomorrow."
It doesn't matter if you can't sleep, I'm not tired now anyway, I'll send you to Zhenqing Taoist Temple before I go back."
Chen Cao said: "Don't send me off again. It's already late at night. Brother Yingtai, please go back. Don't let me worry about you." Before he finished speaking, he heard Zhu Yingting's call from the other side of the lake: "Brother - Yingtai.
Brother——"
Zhu Yingtai smiled and said: "Brother Zizhong, I'm leaving then. See you tomorrow." He waved his robe sleeves and turned around.
…
At midnight on March 19th, Chen Caozhi and Liu Shangzhi came to the Wu County Office. Nearly a hundred well-dressed scholars from the twelve counties of Wu County gathered together, including the Zhongzheng officials and the regular attendants of Wu County who had been promoted with full ceremony.
Each person has a small ebony writing desk. In addition to pen, ink, paper and inkstone, there is also a bamboo plaque with the name of the county and person engraved on it. There are two sets of these bamboo plaques. One set is given to the county prime minister of each county, who is responsible for checking the book.
If there are any mistakes in the scholars waiting for their entry in the county, each county will be fully responsible.
Qiantang County Prime Minister Feng Mengxiong arrived in Wu County one day later than Chen Xian. Because it was inconvenient to have more contact with scholars in the county before ordering the goods, Feng Mengxiong did not summon Chen Caozhi to see him. He only met Chen yesterday to verify his identity and distribute bamboo plaques.
Cao Zhi didn't say much, but his smile was obviously a little more cordial than towards Liu Shangzhi and others.
Ninety-six scholars took their seats with bamboo plaques facing each other. Young talents from the twelve counties of Wu County, the richest city in Jiangdong, gathered together. Seated in the high hall were Yangzhou's internal history and the state's Dazhong Zheng Yuxi, and Wu County's prefect Lu Na.
, Prime Minister Chu Jian, and then the county ministers of the twelve counties and some subordinate officials of the prefectures and counties.
First, the names of each county were chanted. The scholar whose name was read out had to stand up and salute the officials in the hall, and then sit down. County after county reported their names, and soon it was Qiantang County's turn.
He is called a son of a noble family, and then a student from a poor family——
Because Chen Caozhi was initially assigned to the sixth rank, he was ranked before Liu Shangzhi. When he heard Feng Xianxiang singing his name, he stood up, unfolded his sleeves, opened his arms, folded them in front of his chest, and bowed deeply.
, just as he was about to sit down, he heard Yu Xi in the high hall say: "Qian Tang and Chen Caozhi have withdrawn from this order and are waiting for disposal in the pavilion outside the hall."
Chen Caozhi's body stiffened. Feng Mengxiong, Lu Na, and even the officials and students in the hall except Chu Jian were all shocked. Chen Caozhi's character, talent, and reputation can be said to be the most outstanding among the nearly 100 students who participated in this competition.
Why did Dazhongzheng let Chen Caozhi withdraw from the final product as soon as he heard his name? Could it be that he was directly deciding the product without any assessment? But looking at Yu Xi's slightly mocking face, it doesn't seem like such a good thing.
Lu Na waved his hand, signaling Chen Caozhi to wait a moment, and asked Yu Xi: "Yu Zhongzheng, why did you ask Chen Caozhi to withdraw?"
Yu Xi was still shaking the tail in his hand in the court, and said calmly: "Chen Caozhi's conduct is too bad and he is not qualified to participate in the final selection."
Lu Na frowned and said, "Where did Yu Zhongzheng hear about Chen Cao's bad conduct? Or it's a villain's rumor. Yu Zhongzheng must not believe it."
Chu Jian on the side said: "Let Chen Caozhi withdraw first, so as not to affect the decisions of other scholars. Whether there are rumors will be discussed later."
Chu Jian's words are very poisonous. As long as Chen Caozhi withdraws now, the stain will be like a brand that cannot be removed.
Chen Caozhi said loudly: "Yu Dazhongzheng is a clear guide. I am reading the books of sages. I value my conduct more than my life. Yu Dazhongzheng said that my conduct is too bad, which is tantamount to putting me to death. Please allow me to show my innocence."
——”
Seeing Chen Cao's handsome and outstanding character, Yu Xi became even more disgusted and sneered: "How can you be innocent?"
Chen Caozhi asked back: "I dare to ask Yu Zhongzheng, but what is my bad conduct?"
