Civil servants of the Tang Dynasty

Compared with the torrent in the middle of the river, these three deep pools surrounded by bluestones are very calm. On a moonlit and clear night, standing on the Dajian Mountain by the river and looking down, you can clearly see the three pools. Three rounds of the moon are reflected in the adjacent deep pool row, which has been praised by the people of Jinzhou in the past for its wonderful scenery, and it deserves to be ranked first among the eight scenic spots.

Tang Cheng was moved by what he said, and the two daughters were fascinated when they heard it. Unfortunately, after standing on the rocky cliff by the river, what they saw was a big disappointment. The three pools that were supposed to be Yinyue are now full of people. Ships of different sizes are all covered with mast decks, and you can't even see the shadow of the moon, let alone the beautiful scenery of March.

"Frustrated", although he cursed, Tang Cheng was really helpless in the face of this scene. Fortunately, the second daughter's most important thing was to go out with him, and she really didn't put much thought into enjoying the scenery.

The moon was bright and the river was mellow. The three of them held hands and walked slowly along the quiet rocky beach on the river bank, facing the wind blowing in the river. Although they didn't see the Three Pools Reflecting the Moon, Li Yingwan and Lancao were also very happy. It wasn't until more than two hours later that the three of them Excited to return.

Naturally, there must be a big battle that night. Maybe power is the best aphrodisiac for men. This night, Tang Cheng was alive and well, and Li Yingwan was a bit unbearable for his bravery and combat skills. In the end, Lancao came up to help and put on a double-flying show.

Tang Cheng woke up the next morning feeling refreshed. After he arrived at the Yamen, all the knives and pens of Sitian and Cao arrived, and even the most procrastinating Lao Liang arrived before him.

There are three fires for a new official to take office, so we have to guard against them!

After exchanging pleasantries, all the swordsmen and writers returned to their respective positions, while Tang Cheng went to the exclusive office that he had packed up yesterday.

Not long after going to the Yamen, the official document for Tang Cheng to take over as Sitian Cao's judge was delivered by Chen Bo, the recorder and military officer, and read it out in public.

After sending Chen Bo away, Tang Cheng returned to his office and began to perform his duties. The indispensable procedure was to talk to people one by one.

This is a regular article, there is really nothing to say, but in this conversation, Tang Cheng asked clearly about the Three Pools Reflecting the Moon incidentally.

It turns out that the three pools are not only beautiful, but also because of its special geographical situation, it has become one of the best wharves in the middle section of the Han River. Because the water in the pool is deep enough, those river boats with heavy drafts can berth on the shore. It is quiet, which makes loading and unloading of goods very convenient; more importantly, it is just in the upper reaches of the middle section of the Han River, and the terrain is much higher than that of the lower reaches. It is very convenient to travel to Jiangxiaguan in Wuchang and enter the Yangtze River waterway. It is very convenient to travel to and from various Daozhou water networks in the south of the Yangtze River.

But now the function of Santanyinyue as a pier is rarely used. It is only a few days a year. Feng Haizhou said with a smile: "The river is the most stable at this time of the year, so the ships that deliver salt and tea will come together. Ships come on weekdays." Not many. You don’t need to worry, you will be able to see the beautiful scenery of March and Shadow again after a few days.”

When Tang Cheng heard this, his heart suddenly moved. As a traveler, he knew the importance of convenient transportation for local development. The reason why Shannan Dongdao and Jinzhou are poor is not because they are not rich in resources, but because there are many mountains. Communication with the outside world is too difficult, since there is such a good dock that can connect the entire Jiangnan water network...

It wasn't until he listened carefully to Feng Haizhou's introduction that he realized that the crux of the problem was not on the river, but on land.The land transportation between Jinzhou and other states in Shannan East Road is very difficult, and it is not easy for people to travel, let alone transshipment of bulk goods.It is also because of this limitation that it is difficult for Three Pools Reflecting the Moon, the best pier in the middle reaches of the Han River, to play a role.

If a better land route can be dug and guarded by the good wharf of Three Pools Reflecting the Moon, wouldn't Jinzhou be able to become a bridgehead on the water of Shannan Dongdao to connect with the outside world?

This sudden idea made Tang Cheng's heart thump. He has lived here since he traveled. Jinzhou has been gradually positioned as his hometown not only geographically but also psychologically. He can make such a promising contribution to his hometown. The great thing that will benefit future generations is enough to make his heart boil just because of the thing itself, not to mention the great achievements this thing has brought to the individual.

After the passion burned, Tang Cheng had to face a grim reality. This task was too big to be done in his current position. Even if he could motivate Sun Shijun, Jinzhou's meager financial resources alone would not be able to accomplish such a thing. Huge project.

Why!Aspirations are not rewarded. Faced with such a reality, Tang Cheng can only temporarily put aside this tempting idea, and do a good job in the immediate matter first.

There was an officer directly under Ma Biejia staring at him. When Tang Chengxin took office, as Sun Shijun said that day, everything should be cautious. He didn't burn fire or get mad. At the same time, those twists and turns behind him also made his subordinates and other people in the Jinzhou government gradually familiar with him.

Go to the office on time, leave the office on time, and after returning home, except to sleep, I plunge into the study of Old Master Yan, and occasionally go to see Mr. Yan who is quite a gentleman.It's a pity that this gentleman is too talented, he is either drunk, asleep, or just unable to see people all day long, Shu Xiu has been accepted for a month, and he has never even given Tang Cheng a class.

Yan and Yan are both teachers of Tang Cheng, but the difference is so big that it cannot be counted.

All in all, Tang Cheng's life seems to have returned to the state when he first entered the Yunxi County Government, busy and dull.

But this kind of life only lasted for more than half a month. On this day, Tang Cheng was calculating the change data of this year's fields in this state in the office, but he saw a servant from the envoy's mansion led by a handyman. The government has an urgent matter to ask, and this matter is so urgent that there is no delay, so Mr. Jun and his wife are waiting in the house!

Before the servants of the envoy's residence could say anything more, Tang Cheng had already got up and walked out quickly, with only one thought in his mind—something happened in Yangzhou.

Chapter 124 As long as you want, as long as I have

Everyone in the Jinzhou yamen knows that Mr. Shijun has a habit of never leaving the office unless he goes out to inspect the yamen. This habit has brought Sun Shijun a good reputation and has been maintained for so many years. .

But today, just as he was going to the government office, Mr. Sun gave up the habit of insisting on it for many years and went back to the mansion. Tang Chengdan felt the urgency of the matter from this action.

It was still the Flower Hall of the Governor's Mansion. After Tang Cheng came in, he was still holding the salute, and asked, "Is something wrong in Yangzhou? Is Brother Yujun all right?".

"This matter is not harmful to Yujun, Tang Cheng, don't worry, sit down and talk." Mrs. Sun's words made Tang Chengxin a lot. When he came here just now, what he was most worried about was what happened to Wu Yujun in Yangzhou , after all, there is Lin Ming's precedent.

Mrs. Sun only has such a younger brother. If something happens to him, will it be okay?

"Tang Cheng, look at this." Mr. Sun handed over a copy of the morning newspaper.

Tang Cheng took the Chaobao, and there was still a faint scent of ink. Obviously, this was the latest issue, and it was not copied out for a short time.

There was only one piece of news recorded in the newspaper, but the weight of this piece of news was enough to shake the entire Tang Dynasty.

The conflict between the prince Li Chongjun of this dynasty and Wu Sansi finally accumulated to an irreconcilable level. Under the strong pressure of Wu Sansi's plan to abolish the prince, the unbearable Li Chongjun brazenly launched a mutiny.

Not long ago, Li Chongjun led the Zuo Yulin General Li Duozuo, the Right Yulin Army Generals Li Sichong, Li Chengkuang and others to force the left and right Yulin Army and more than [-] horsemen to rush into the Liang Palace. He beheaded Wu Sansi and his son who were having a banquet, and more than ten members of the armed forces who came to the banquet were compensated for their deaths.

The Prince Liang's Mansion was successfully captured, and Li Chongjun, who was dripping blood in his hands, led his troops straight to Miyagi, and entered the palace by surprise, intending to kill Empress Wei and Wu Sansi's daughter-in-law, Princess Anle. At that time, Empress Wei and the princess had already arrived at the emperor's side first, and then the current emperor rushed to the Xuanwu Gate tower, and when he climbed up, the rebel army fell apart immediately, and most of them surrendered.

The success fell short, and Li Chongjun, who escaped by chance, led more than a hundred of his subordinates to flee from Suzhangmen in Miyagi to Zhongnan Mountain, and is currently being rounded up by the court.

Tang Cheng also heard his teacher mention Li Chongjun's mutiny when he was in college, but at that time he just heard it and forgot it, and he didn't even remember the time of the mutiny.

For him at the time, the mutiny of more than 300 years ago was not of much interest. There are too many such things in history books.

But the situation was different after time travelling. The morning newspaper in his hand contained very few words about the mutiny, but it took Tang Cheng almost two sticks of incense to read it before raising his head.Between the lines, what he felt as a native of the Tang Dynasty and a civil servant in the Tang Dynasty was the sound of blood and killing.

Before this mutiny, in Chang'an City, the imperial capital, regardless of the son of heaven, the four most powerful families were the power minister Wu Sansi and Prince Li Chongjun standing in front of the stage, and An Guoxiang's mansion and Princess Taiping's mansion of Zhenguo hiding behind. .After a mutiny, Wu Sansi and his son died on the spot, Li Chongjun was on the run for the crime, and the four powerful forces that were powerful enough to influence the court and the world suddenly went to two families. How far-reaching impact and impact will it bring?

Although Tang Cheng vaguely knew that there would be this mutiny, and even arranged some things in Yangzhou based on it, but when the incident actually happened, what Tang Cheng felt the most was bewilderment.

All he knows is the main thread of history, but he knows nothing about the details and the subsequent impact, and he can't see clearly.But in terms of his current status, it is these details that are more useful, such as what impact and changes this mutiny will bring to Shannan Dongdao and Jinzhou officialdom, and whether this change will affect Sun Shijun , and thus affect him?

Careful recollection, careful analysis, but no results, holding this morning newspaper in his hand, Tang Chengzhen wished to travel back again, to find out exactly what kind of changes Li Chongjun's mutiny had brought to Shannan Dongdao and Jinzhou officialdom.

"After this mutiny, the court has been troubled since then!".

Sun Shijun reached out to take the newspaper from Tang Cheng, his expression was the same as Tang Cheng's, no longer the gentle and warm smile like Jiangnan in the past, replaced by a solemn and serious one.

Silently folded the newspaper and put it away. Sun Shijun didn't say anything about Tang Cheng's emotion. After a long silence, he finally said a word, "Tang Cheng, you should go back and prepare now. You will leave for Yangzhou tomorrow morning." .

"Yes", when Tang Cheng nodded in agreement, he was a little disappointed in his heart. The emotion he said just now was from the heart, but also contained the meaning of temptation.

He wanted to capture some information from Sun Shijun's words - information about his close relationship with Lin Baiyu, the observer of the Dao. As a loyal confidant of the prince Li Chongjun, after this mutiny, Lin Baiyu would definitely be finished. The officials in Shannan Dongdao who are closely related to him are afraid... This is the Tang Dynasty where one person committed a crime and implicated the nine clans!

After all, if he could know some information earlier, he would have more time to prepare. Although Tang Cheng didn't want to break up with Sun Shijun, even if he wanted to, he couldn't do it, but the shop at home or even in Yangzhou What should be prepared in business should always be prepared in advance.

It's a pity that Mr. Sun didn't say anything!

After turning back to the state office and telling Feng Haizhou to temporarily take over the official affairs of Cao, Tang Cheng went straight out of the office and went home to prepare for a long journey. As for how to explain how to go for so many days, Mr. Sun will cover it for him.

Before Li Yingwan got out of the excitement of seeing Mrs. Sun and Mrs. Zhang, he heard the news that Tang Cheng was going to Yangzhou again, and he was naturally reluctant to part with it.

But this woman was really smart, seeing that Tang Cheng was in a bad mood, she didn't say a single word except Yin Yin told her to be careful on the road and pay attention to her body, and she took the bluegrass and started to prepare her luggage.

When the second daughter was busy, Tang Cheng sat silently, not knowing what he was thinking, "Yingwan, how much cash does our family have now?".

"Still those, what? Ah Cheng, do you want to use them?"

"All my expenses for going to Yangzhou can be paid in the Yamen." Tang Cheng shook his head, "The season is almost the same. Except for the expenses that should be shared by the family, all the cash is stored in tung oil, and there is no need for a penny. save up".

The two of them had already mentioned this matter, and seeing Tang Cheng's solemnity, Li Yingwan nodded in agreement without asking any further questions.

Since the affairs in the yamen are uncertain, those who can be grasped must be held first. With money in hand, at least there is still room for retreat in case of emergency.

"You can talk to the fourth uncle about this matter. If he is also interested, the two families will do it together." Tang Cheng stood up and walked to the prepared luggage. "It will take a long time to go to Yangzhou. It's almost the same as last time, you should pay more attention to the second elder Yingwan in the family."

"Let's go now?" At the same time as handing over the luggage, Li Yingwan had already snuggled into Tang Cheng's arms, "Can't we leave tomorrow morning?".

Although the woman's voice was deep and full of parting emotions, the orchid grass on one side was even more unbearable than hers, and the reddish eye sockets were full of mist, and she was about to cry.

"Go early to return early", Tang Cheng felt uncomfortable at such a time, and patted Li Yingwan comfortingly.With his luggage on his shoulders, he walked up to Lancao and hugged her into his arms, "I'll be back earlier."

After finishing speaking, Tang Cheng let go of the orchid grass, turned around and left the room without stopping.

Compared with the previous time when he came back, Tang Cheng was faster this time and took less time to go to Yangzhou.

When he set foot on the bustling Huaishui Wharf outside Yangzhou City again, it was the middle of October, and in about half a month, the tung fruit on Shannan Dongdao should be able to be picked.

Although it was late autumn and early winter, the city of Yangzhou was still bustling and bustling for ten miles. When Tang Cheng led his horse to the inn where he stayed last time, he made a deliberate circle and passed the 24 bridge.

Without the bright moon, without the green smoked willows, without the singing girls playing in costumes, the 24 bridge with people coming and going also lost its clear and quiet spirit. All that remains are memories.

The memory is not only related, but more about the woman who was fond of men's clothes, and those two moonlit nights, and the unspoken tacit understanding like old friends for many years in the moonlit nights.

"Your surname is Tang?" It was a young man in servant uniform who spoke.

Tang Cheng turned his head in surprise, "Yes."

"My son is from Jinzhou?"

Hearing this question, Tang Cheng didn't answer, instead he asked with a slight smile, "Are you from the Shibo Ambassador's Office?".

"Exactly," the servant gave another salute, and took the reins from Tang Cheng's hand, "The carriage is ready, my lord, please follow me."

The carriage parked by the bridge is a Xuan carriage style, and the curtains from the curtains to the windows are all made of Tang Cheng's favorite light bamboo satin.

Seeing this, Tang Cheng knew that the car must have been sent by Zheng Lingyi.

Stepping on the xuan car, one can see a small table. On the small table is a small bottle of exquisite red clay stove. The tea cauldron was steaming and steaming, but it looked like it was about to boil.

In late autumn and early winter, everything in front of him, and even the hiss of burning charcoal, made Tang Cheng, who had just gone on a long journey, feel a burst of warmth from the bottom of his heart.

In addition to a set of exquisite white porcelain tea cups from the criminal kiln, there are two small cups of Tiantian lotus seed cakes and two small cups of preserved red apricots beside the small red clay stove on the small table. A favorite food in the house.

Looking at all the exquisite furnishings in front of him, Tang Cheng felt that most of the hard work of the journey was gone. After sitting down with the pillow, he reached out to pick up the plain leaf on the small table.

Opening the plain cardboard, Zheng Lingyi's familiar pen with hairpin flowers is in lower script.

There is neither a title nor an endnote. What is recorded in Zanhua Xiaokai is exactly a folk song of the Northern Dynasties during the Wei and Jin Dynasties:

tall mountain tree,

The wind blows the leaves away.

After traveling for more than a thousand miles,

When will I return to my old place?

Looking at the song "Purple Horse Song", Tang Cheng unexpectedly remembered the unknown folk song that Zheng Lingyi sang on a swing when he left Yangzhou last time:

Wen Huan went to Yangzhou to see off Chu Shantou.Put your hands around your waist to see, the river will not flow!

After sitting quietly for a while, Tang Cheng put Su Jian into his arms, and the carriage had already set off.

Lifting the curtain of bamboo pattern, Tang Cheng asked the servant on horseback outside the window, "How did you know I would be here today?".

"Returning to the son, the little one doesn't know." The servant's words and deeds were very respectful, "It's just that the six young people have been guarding the 24th bridge under the orders of my adults these days, and it's exactly [-] days today."

Seventy days!Looking back, Tang Chengxi immediately understood that seventy days ago was not the day when he bid farewell to Zheng Lingyi and returned to Jinzhou.

It turned out that his own people hadn't left Yangzhou yet, and Zheng Lingyi had already arranged someone here to wait for him to come back.

"Then how about making tea?" Tang Cheng's voice was a little out of tune because of the uneasy emotions in his heart.

"Among the six young people, only one person is in charge of making tea. The fire is not turned off, and the water is changed when it boils. This has been done every day for seventy days. Even the lotus cakes and preserved fruits are changed every day. They are all fresh, my lord. Feel free to use it.”

"Okay!" Tang Cheng, who didn't know what to say anymore, put down the curtains of the car.

The carriage rumbled straight up to Shugang. It was still Zheng's mansion, it was still the back garden of the mansion, and it was still the swing. The picturesque Zheng Lingyi swayed leisurely, and the wind cloak behind him floated in the sky along with the swing.

At this moment, Zheng Ling, whose face was blown red by the autumn wind, resembled the flying goddess in the murals of Wanfu Temple.

When swinging to a high place again, Zheng Lingyi on the swing smiled and said, "Tang Cheng, are you back?".

"I'm back!" Tang Cheng's words were as hurried as his footsteps.

When the swing fell back from a high place, Tang Cheng who came over did not wait for the swing to come to a stop, he had already carried Zheng Lingyi down in the air, and when the wind cloak fell down, he covered the two of them well.

"Thank you", today's Tang Cheng seemed extremely clumsy in words, in the dark, he really didn't know what to say other than these two words.

"If you want to thank me, you can't just say it." Both of them didn't raise the cloak, and Zheng Lingyi's smiling voice came out from the darkness, "Tell me, what do you want to thank me for?".

A moment of pondering.

"I can give you everything I have!"

"As long as you want it, as long as I have it!" Zheng Lingyi was also silent in the darkness. After a long time, her voice sounded again, still smiling, but with a slight trill, "I sang a song when you left last time. The first song, unfortunately, is a folk song from the former dynasty. I regretted it after I sang it. Why not use the ready-made one? I should ask you to write a song for me in advance. If you really want to thank me today, you can make it up This one, remember, this poem is written for me, it must always express my mood.”

This idea is not unreasonable, perhaps Zheng Lingyi is also proud of his own idea, and said with a crisp smile: "If I am willing to sing, I have accepted your thank you gift; if I refuse to sing, it means Ah Cheng You didn't guess what I was thinking at the time, you always have to start over, and wait until I am satisfied."

This time, the silence in the darkness lasted longer. After a long, long time, Zheng Lingyi, who lifted the wind cloak, shook his hand. Qing Xing, who was waiting in the distance, turned and left the garden after seeing this gesture. When she came in again a while later , followed by several musicians holding various pipa dental boards and other objects.

These musicians followed Qing Xing to the side of the swing.

""Folding Willows"" is a custom in the Tang Dynasty. It is good to fold willows as a gift when seeing off, especially wicker is essential, because "willow" and "stay" are homophonic, and this move means to keep guests.

"Folding Willows" was derived from this custom, and this tune is also the most commonly used farewell tune in the Tang Dynasty, especially in the Jiangnan area. After giving instructions to the musicians, Zheng Lingyi, who turned around and got on the swing again, waved to Tang Cheng, "Ah Cheng , Swing me up."

Time seemed to go back seventy years ago. Zheng Lingyi was sitting on the swing, while Tang Cheng was standing on the vacant swing pedal beside her.

The swing swayed leisurely, and the prosperous ten miles of Yangzhou under the Shugang appeared in front of Tang Cheng again. In the ups and downs of flying in the air, with the melodious sound of the pipa teeth, Zheng Lingyi, whose skirt fluttered, sang in the air:

Fold willows and hold Lang's hands.

Ask Lang when he will return, but look back without saying a word.

Fold the willow, complain about the willow,

How to shorten the long strip, only for the heart of the concubine, not the head of the horse?