The little maid's brother is on duty in the front yard, and the little lady Wei Rui has told her that as soon as Chen Caozhi's husband arrives, he will rush to Xiyuan to report the news. This is why every time Chen Caozhi comes to Lu Na
In the study room, Lu Weirui will appear later.
This time, Lu Weirui came to the front hall from Xiyuan before Chen Caozhi arrived. She knew that her father had sent someone to invite Chen Caozhi, saying that there were distinguished guests who wanted to see Chen Caozhi. She asked the deacon waiting in the corridor.
I know that the visitor is a descendant of the Xi family in Gaoping and a member of the army of the Grand Sima Huan Wen. I wonder what urgent matter you have to ask Chen Caozhi?
Lu Weirui was sitting on her knees behind the screen in the main hall, with a maid holding a hoe and hairpin standing behind her. The warm breeze of early summer blew over, and the snow-white curtains rippled like water. There was a sweet fragrance of flowers in the room, because Lu Weirui had just left Xiyuan.
The white orchids have come down, and hundreds of white orchids in Xiyuan are in bloom. When you walk under the flower trees, your hair and clothes are fragrant.
When Lu Weirui heard Chen Langjun's voice, she couldn't help but straighten her waist. Her eyes were particularly clear. She listened to Chen Langjun's words attentively. She felt that Chen Langjun's voice was slightly hoarse. After listening for a while, she finally understood that Chen Langjun
Jun spent three hours arguing with this guest Xi yesterday, no wonder his voice became hoarse.
After sitting for a while, after hearing Xi Canjun say that he still wanted to argue with Chen Langjun, Lu Weirui frowned slightly, smiled at the corner of her mouth, shook her head, knowing that it was inconvenient to meet Chen Langjun today, got up and went out of the back door of the main hall, giving instructions
The little brother with a hoe took a basket of freshly picked loquat fruits and sent it to the concierge, and handed it to Chen Langjun's big entourage. After thinking about it, he asked him to send two more baskets. She had seen Ran Sheng eat wheat cakes, and he was really gobbling it up.
I'm afraid that before Chen Langjun even saw the basket of loquats, Ran Sheng would eat all the loquats alone.
…
It was already time for Chen Caozhi to arrive at the Lu Mansion. After sitting in the hall for a while, the steward of the Lu Mansion came to inform that the banquet was ready. Lu Na invited Xi Chao and Chen Caozhi to sit down, drink pear blossom wine, and taste Taihu Lake.
whitebait--
Xi Chao was a tall man and had always been unworthy of his talents. Now he was a popular figure in Huan Wen's army. Moreover, Xi Chao's father, Xi Xu, had some friendship with Lu Na, so Lu Na treated Xi Chao very politely. Xi Chao didn't like the excitement, so
Lu Na also did not invite any officials from the county government, but the gentry from the city accompanied him.
Under the two corridors, there were Lu family prostitutes playing music and singing. Although there were only three guests, there were dozens of servants and waiters. The Lu family's luxury was evident.
The deacon came to report that Chu Chenglang asked for an audience. Chu Jian must have heard that Xi Chao was here and wanted to come to see him. Lu Na refused: "No! Just say that I have a distinguished guest to accompany me. If Chu Chenglang has official business, I will talk to him at the office tomorrow."
Xi Chao heard Lu Na's slightly harsh tone and couldn't help but feel a little strange. Is the Wu Commandery Governor at odds with the Prime Minister?
Lu Na explained: "This Chu Chenglang is narrow-minded and has no magnanimity. He and Cao Zhi are from Qiantang County. He does not want to support the juniors, but he has repeatedly wanted to suppress the juniors from his hometown. He first hinted that Dr. Xu Zao would not accept Cao Zhi's admission.
Later, he ordered his son to instigate and use my nephew Lu Qin to be hostile to Cao Zhi. The most annoying thing was to take in the scum Chen Liu who was expelled from the clan by the Chen family of Qiantang, and framed Chen Caozhi in front of Yu Neishi.
If you don't pay attention, Cao Zhi's qualifications for product designation will be revoked in court, which will bring disgrace to your grace during the product designation assessment, and even me, the prefect of Wu County, will lose face."
Xi Chao showed no sign of surprise and said: "Li Kang from Wei Dynasty said in "Theory of Destiny" that if the trees are beautiful in the forest, the wind will destroy them; if the weeds come out of the bank, the current will be turbulent; if you walk higher than others, everyone will
It must not be so', not to mention that Cao was born in a humble background, so it is naturally much more difficult than others to make a difference."
Xi Chao spoke very bluntly. Lu Na glanced at Chen Cao and felt deeply sorry for this handsome and talented young man. He said, "I want to make Cao Cao the literary director of my county. What do you think of Xi joining the army?"
The Prefectural Literary Bureau is a sinecure position, which is different from the busy officials. Non-gentlemen cannot take up the position. Although the County Literary Bureau is a lower level, it is undoubtedly an extremely rare official position for the children of poor families, not prestigious Confucian scholars. Unable to take this position, Lu Na had great love for Chen Caozhi.
Xi Chao smiled and said: "Do you want to retain Chen Caozhi, Ambassador Lu? I also want to report to Ming Huan, the Grand Sima, to recruit Cao Zhi to the Western Prefecture."
Lu Na thought that Xi Chao was joking. He joined Huan Wen's army as a Sima and joined the army. Who were the people in the records office? The Wang family of Langya, the Wang family of Taiyuan, the Xie family of Chenjun, the Xi family of Gaoping, the Gu family of Wujun, and so on. First of all, they are not top-notch nobles. They have been in the military government for several years, and they have come out to be strong men who are in charge of one side. They are either governors or prefects. Of course, it is not a bad idea to work in the military government as a subordinate and a subordinate, but that is not possible. On the first day of his career, he smiled and said: "How can I do my literary work in Xifu and enjoy leisure time in poetry and painting? It is suitable for me to do it, but I am still young. Next year, I will send people to Qiantang to recruit in May next year."
Chen Caozhi thanked Lu Shijun for his love. Xi Chao smiled and said nothing more. He just asked the waiter to remove the prostitutes behind the scenes because they thought the music was too noisy.
Lu Na smiled and said: "Let Cao Zhi play a piece for Xi Canjun later. Cao Zhi's recorder was praised by King Huanye and has become famous in Jiangzuo."
Xi Chao asked in surprise: "Is Cao Zhi's recorder so exquisite that even Huan Yi, who has the best music in Jiangzuo, appreciates Cao Zhi?"
Lu Na immediately ordered people to go to the study to fetch "Huan Yi Presenting the Flute" written by Wei Collaboration. Xi Chao admired it carefully and marveled at it. He said: "Cao Zhi's ferry was waiting for the ship. I felt something in my heart. I had no intention of playing it. I passed by the Huan Yi River and had no intention of listening. In other words, this so-called conditional method, Buddhism all arises from the harmony of causes and conditions, the beauty of music, and mutual understanding of friends, so why not! I am letting Cao Cao play the flute to entertain me, and it is difficult for Cao Cao to have such leisurely feelings in a hurry. How can I show it? The beauty of music! If you really want to listen to Cao Zhi’s music, you have to have a chance.”
Lu Na said: "Free and unrestrained, round and unobstructed, this is the 'mind has no intention' theory of support. The guest has entered the Buddha deeply."
After hearing what Xi Chao said, Chen Caozhi couldn't help but feel grateful. Xi Chao said this as a kind of respect for him. Music requires mood. He, Chen Caozhi, is not a musician. Playing the flute is not his profession. .
The luncheon ended at the end of the day. Xi Chao had previously seen Chen Caozhi's painting "Blue River Peach Forest" and learned that Chen Cao's residence was the thatched cottage in the painting. He was very interested and went to visit. He also asked Lu Shijun not to accompany him. He wanted to continue arguing with Chen Caozhi.
When Lu Na saw that Xi Chao admired Chen Caozhi so much, he was also very happy for Chen Caozhi. What was a little strange was that Chen Caozhi was a follower of Tianshi Dao, so why could he be so proficient in Buddhist scriptures? Cao Zhi was really unfathomable. .
Xi Chao only brought two followers carrying swords, and followed Chen Caozhi's ox cart on horseback. They left the west gate of the county and came to the bank of Xiaojing Lake.
Chen Cao got off the ox cart, and Xi Chao also dismounted and handed the reins to his entourage. Seeing the Lion Mountain sitting upright, the clear water of Xiaojing Lake rippling, the lakeshore surrounded by green trees, and the pleasant scenery, he asked Chen Cao: "What about that?" Next to it is the Xu School? It’s really a good place to study.”
The two of them walked slowly along the bank of Xiaojing Lake in the direction of Taolin Xiaozhu. Xi Chao turned his head and looked at Chen Caozhi. The afternoon sun shone in his face. This handsome young man's hair was as black as paint and his face was as bright as the moon. Although he was born in a humble family, he didn't have that kind of personality. With a timid attitude and a calm demeanor, he said: "Chen Caozhi, are you and I meeting you at Tongxuan Tower just like Huan Yi meeting you at Fenglin Ferry?"
Chen Cao's way: "All things arise, change, decay, and perish, and they must have their causes, and the conditions are attached to them. - My mother once promised me a longevity lantern at Lingyin Temple in Qiantang, and asked me to worship the Buddha and make offerings to the monks every year on the Buddha's birthday.
And Xi Canjun also believed in Buddhism, which is why I studied here. Xi Canjun went to Kuaiji to ask Xie Anshi to come out of the mountain. This was fate. We met by chance, and there was a hearty debate at Tongxuan Temple Pagoda."
Xi Chao laughed loudly and said: "It is indeed fate. It seems that I must meet Chen Caozhi. Well, I will help you along."
Considering Xi Chao's family background, reputation and official position, saying such words will not make people think that he is arrogant at all, but rather, he is unruffled and free and easy.
Xi Chao changed the topic and asked, "Does Cao Zhi know the Xie family in Chen County?"
Chen Cao said: "Many people have heard it, but they don't know it."
Xi Chao said: "You said before that Xie Wanshi could take on heavy responsibilities, but Xie Anshi couldn't. Why did you say that?"
Xi Chao is a very smart man. If Chen Caozhi doesn't show his pragmatic talents other than Xuan Confucian calligraphy and painting, why would Xi Chao support a poor scholar who only talks about empty talk?
The Xie family in the county is a cunning rabbit with three caves. Xie Yi is the governor of Yuzhou. Yuzhou is the foundation of the Xie family and can accumulate money; Xie Shang is the Fujun, attached to Huan Da Sima's family and has certain military power;
Lin Qingyu, the three complement each other and are actually an excellent strategy to protect the portal——"
Xi Chao's eyes were filled with brilliance and he praised: "Wonderful theory, please continue."
Chen Cao said: "Three years ago, Xie Yi and Xie Shang passed away one after another. The Xie family tried their best to promote Xie Wan. Xie Wan was the governor of Yuzhou and the military commander of Huainan. He had great power for a while. This is what I said about Xie Wanshi's ability to take on important tasks. Xie Anshi
There is no basis for conjecture.”
Xi Chao sighed: "In the past, Zhuge Kongming lived high in Longzhong, but he knew the affairs of the world. Cao Cao had such insight when he was sixteen years old. Xi Chao admired him very much. Huan Da Sima was thirsty for talents. If Cao Cao had not entered the Western Prefecture, he would have been so talented.
Isn't that a pity - Fangzhi, I want to ask you about your current plans and see if I can help you."
Chen Caozhi turned his head to meet Xi Chao's gaze and said slowly: "There is something I have never said to my mother. Today I tell Brother Xi that my most urgent idea is to return the Qiantang Chen family to the noble family.
Only after this step can you consider other things.”
Xi Chao did not show any surprise on his face, his smile did not diminish, and he nodded: "I think so too. If you want to join Huan Da Sima's sect, you must be a nobleman. Although Huan Da Sima values hard work, he despises those who can do it."
He is a famous person who only knows how to talk, but since the Grand Sima has the reputation of the world, if he re-appoints a child from a poor family, it will inevitably arouse the criticism of other high-ranking families——"
Chen Caozhi looked calm and listened quietly to Xi Chao's words.
Xi Chao said: "The Qiantang Chen family is a branch of the Yingchuan Chen family. The Yingchuan Chen family has been divided over the past hundred years. Some stayed in the north to serve the Murong family, and some moved south. There are two branches that moved south, one is in Qiantang, and the other is in Qiantang.
It’s really sad that a family in Changxing has been reduced from a wealthy family to a poor family. This is mainly because there are no outstanding people in the family, otherwise the resurgence of the Chen family is not impossible——"
Having said this, Xi Chao looked at Chen Caozhi: "Caozhi has the talent to manage the world. It would be a pity if he could only become a doctor of Confucianism because of his family background. So you must make the Qiantang Chen family a clan."
, the so-called fate meeting, because, already exists, the Chen family is from the Yingchuan family, the descendant of Chen Changwen, the founder of the Nine-Rank Official Law of Wei Guoshu Ling, and your current reputation is not low, this is all because,
Now there is no chance to add fuel to the flames. Let me point out a way for you. The genealogy commander Shi Jia Bizhi has an old relationship with me. You go to Jiankang to see him - no, you can't go. You must continue to build up your reputation and can't show your face to seek these things.
Let your capable brothers go. I will go to Jiankang on my way back from Kuaiji. I will explain the matter to Jia Bizhi and tell you what to do specifically. Jia Bizhi will give you some advice on Chen."
The confusing and dangerous road ahead suddenly became so clear. Chen Caozhi's heart was really full of ups and downs. His sister-in-law Ding Youwei had analyzed this for him, and Chen Caozhi also did it step by step, but there was no one in charge to guide and give guidance. It was like a dark night.
The groping was inevitably slow, so he immediately took a deep breath, turned around and faced Xi Chao, and bowed to the ground.
Xi Chao said with a smile: "Why be so polite? This is the reason. You and I hit it off like old friends. We will be colleagues in Xifu for a long time. You are only sixteen years old now. Next year, Prefect Lu will appoint you as a literary director. Don't accept it."
Zhao, learn from Dongshan Xie Anshi. After several recruitments, your reputation is getting bigger and bigger. Haha, when you are eighteen years old, you will be qualified as a second-class nobleman and your reputation will be great. At that time, Huan Da Sima will directly appoint you as
Secretary, wouldn’t it be wonderful to display what you have learned throughout your life, to contribute to the country, to revive the Northern Expedition, and to be famous in history?”
Chen Caozhi bowed and said: "I would like to join Huan, Grand Sima, and Xi to join the army at Jiwei to serve the country."
Xi Chao nodded and said: "Okay." He pointed forward and said: "Fuck, this is the Bixi Peach Forest you painted, right?"
It turned out that while talking and walking, they had arrived outside the small peach forest. Chen Caozhi smiled and said: "The peach blossoms have fallen into mud and been crushed into soil. There are only peach leaves and running water." Xi Chao was invited to sit down in the thatched cottage. Liu Shangzhi was also there.
, when I learned that the man with the beautiful beard in front of me was a guest named Xi Chao Xi from Manjiangzuo, I was a little at a loss for a moment.
Ran Sheng came in with two baskets of loquat fruits. He had long wanted to eat a large piece of them. He thought that these were given to Mr. Cao Zhi by Miss Wei Rui. He always informed Mr. Cao Zhi before he could eat them, so
Drooling and resisting the greed, he reported to Chen Caozhi at this time: "Young gentleman, this is a gift from Madam Lu. You have washed it. Eat it."
Xi Chao looked at the burly and childish-looking Ran Sheng with great interest. Hearing that this was a gift from the Lu family’s young lady, Xi Chao raised his eyebrows and asked: “She is Lu Shijun’s beloved daughter, who is also known as the Lu nymphomaniac.
Are you seated?" He said and looked towards Chen Caozhi.
Chen Caozhi looked as usual and said: "Exactly."
Xi Chao picked up a bright yellow loquat fruit, took a bite, it was fragrant and sweet, and said: "Yesterday I argued with Cao Zhi for three hours. I didn't feel hard at that time. I only felt a little pain in my throat at night. This loquat fruit can produce fluid and quench thirst.
It just happened to cure my throat, so I have to thank Miss Lu for it."
At this moment, I heard someone outside the thatched cottage laughing and saying, "It's the scent of loquat fruit - if Brother Zizhong has good fruit, why don't you invite me and my two brothers to share it?"
As they were talking, brothers Zhu Yingtai and Zhu Yingting arrived hand in hand.
