20 Zhuzhou Flood
On the attic, the doors and windows are slightly opened.
Under the attic, the soldiers stood in silence.
In the dark, be prepared!
Pei Yuning bent his elbows, placed them on his forehead, and closed his eyes to rest.
Zhang Quanfu and Li Ming stood on both sides, watching each other's minds, and there was an inexplicable silence.
Kneeling in front of him were the Grand Tutor Zhang Chongshan and the Minister Xiao Huanshan.
Zhang Quanfu thought to himself: What on earth is His Majesty going to do? This incognito visit to the minister's residence also secretly called Minister Xiao to come.
Since you can't see someone's daughter, you call me over to ask her? ?
"Get up." Pei Yuning slowly opened his eyes and said in a calm voice.
The two men who were kneeling gave thanks and stood up, then remained standing without saying a word.
Especially Xiao Huanshan, who was inexplicably called here by Lord Zhang and met an unexpected person, which was really frightening.
"I came here uninvited. I am being rude."
Zhang Chongshan's legs went weak after hearing this. How could His Majesty be disrespectful? He was afraid that he would be caught by the pigtails if he was disrespectful at the birthday banquet. He hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please excuse me. It is a great honor for me and my family that Your Majesty can come."
Pei Yuning tapped her fingertips lightly, "I was just in a spur of the moment today, and I haven't congratulated you on your birthday yet, Zhang Quanfu..."
Zhang Quanfu bowed and went out, took a box from the waiter outside the door, and said with a smile, "Master Zhang, please!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhang Chongshan took it with both hands, feeling somewhat delighted. Not everyone can get the grace of Your Majesty, especially since this was just a small birthday banquet.
"It's nothing serious. Lord Zhang can go and entertain your guests. This birthday gift was carefully prepared by His Majesty. I hope you can enjoy it with you all. But I hope you won't tell anyone that His Majesty is leaving the palace today. Give His Majesty some peace." Zhang Quanfu instructed Zhang Chongshan with a smile.
It is up to the Grand Tutor to figure out how to share the enjoyment.
But it is imperative to publicize this matter so that all officials will be convinced.
Zhang Chongshan felt a little trembling after hearing this, "Yes... I'll take my leave!" He glanced at Xiao Huanshan beside him with an inexplicable look.
When Zhang Chongshan came out of the attic, he was still feeling scared. Why was this guy so interested today?
He just quickly instructed the butler behind him to serve carefully and not let anyone disturb him, and to satisfy any requests!
If there is something you cannot decide, you should follow the decision of the person upstairs. If he is blind, you can just beat him to death with a stick.
"Your Majesty, is there something important that has happened to me?" Xiao Huanshan asked with his hands clasped together.
"No, I just heard that Minister Xiao is an excellent chess player. Can he play a game with me?" Pei Yuning suddenly had an idea and asked.
Xiao Huanshan said hurriedly, "I dare not. It is my honor to be invited by Your Majesty."
After saying this, Zhang Quanfu asked someone to set up the chessboard.
One black and one white.
Pei Yuning plays black and Xiao Huanshan plays white.
"Minister Xiao, please go first." Pei Yuning raised his hand to give way.
Xiao Huanshan swallowed the words he was about to say and responded again.
According to the rules of chess, black should move first.
Your Majesty has always been strict with himself...but today's chess...
The two of them walked back and forth in silence for ten steps.
A cup of tea passed.
"Minister Xiao, how do you feel about coming to Zhang Mansion today?" Pei Yuning gently placed a piece on the ground before speaking.
Minister Xiao's eyebrows trembled, and he smiled and said, "Everything is in place for this banquet, and it is a sunny and sunny day. Good friends are gathering together, cooking wine and tea. I believe that you will feel at home."
Pei Yuning looked indifferent, holding a chess piece in his hand and rubbing it gently, "Everything is settled, let's make some wine and tea."
As soon as the words were spoken, the chess piece fell.
The sun is shining brightly at this moment, and a bird is perched on the window sill.
The voice was calm, but inexplicably chilling!
Xiao Huanshan's heart was shocked. Is His Majesty dissatisfied?
Looking down at the chessboard, the black pieces are surrounding the white pieces, and the white pieces are already in a weak position. The black pieces are like a coiled dragon, with the dragon's tail tightening around the white pieces' head.
Xiao Huanshan hurriedly stood up and was about to kneel. Pei Yuning raised his hand and gestured, "Sit down."
Xiao Huanshan responded with fear and trepidation, but he felt extremely distressed in his heart.
If I had known the situation would be like this, I would not have attended the banquet.
"Yesterday, the governor of Zhuzhou sent a memorial to the emperor, which reported the flood in Zhuzhou this year..."
Xiao Huanshan frowned when he heard about the flood. This matter had been discussed for a long time in the court. In the end, the tax revenue of Zhuzhou was reduced for this year and next year, and silver was specially allocated for the victims to rebuild their houses.
Why did the state historian report this matter so quickly?
Are you here to cry poor?
"Zhuzhou is a remote place with high mountains and difficult access by car. It takes more than two months to travel from Kyoto to Zhuzhou by horse carriage, and more than a month by fast horse. Fortunately, it takes only 15 days to reach Zhuzhou by water via Fujiang River. However, the rising water level of Fujiang River broke the river embankment and caused a flood. I remember that in early May, 200,000 taels of silver were allocated for disaster relief in Zhuzhou. Minister Xiao, do you remember?"
Pei Yuning slowly placed the chess pieces down, and the pieces faced each other head-on, like a mighty thunder.
Xiao Huanshan naturally remembered, "I remember that it was me and the Right Assistant Minister Yang who wrote the document together and submitted it to Your Majesty for inspection before we estimated the amount of silver needed."
Pei Yuning nodded and chuckled, "That's right, but this memorial from the state historian surprised me a little."
This laugh made Xiao Huanshan a little stunned, and he looked up to observe His Majesty.
The young king had a gloomy face and no smile in his eyes, just like the eve of a storm. Xiao Huanshan was secretly frightened.
"The memorial to the state history contains a compilation of the population, and after the disaster, the population of Nagisa was nearly 2,000 more than before."
Xiao Huanshan raised his head suddenly, "Two thousand people?"
How is this possible? ?
Unlike him, Pei Yuning continued calmly, "These two thousand people are all refugees."
Refugees? Xiao Huanshan frowned. This was not good news.
Two thousand refugees could be considered the entire population of a smaller county or town.
But I haven't heard of any petitions from other states asking for help, so that can only be a deliberate concealment.
Zhuzhou is close to Huaizhou, Yinzhou, Ruzhou and Liuzhou. Huaizhou has always had prosperous overseas trade and many ambitious scholars. If a disaster occurs, it cannot be easily concealed.
Ruzhou is close to the capital and there is no big river passing through it. The former Ruzhou prefect had just returned to the capital to take up his post, so it is impossible for him to conceal anything.
The area near Liuzhou has always had a dry climate and is dry all year round. The area is sparsely populated, and it is impossible for a large number of refugees to exist.
Then only Yinzhou is left. Yinzhou borders Zhuzhou and Huaizhou, but the Fujiang River first reaches Zhuzhou and flows through Yinzhou, but then splits in Yinzhou, one connecting to Huaizhou and the other to Cangzhou.
Moreover, Yinzhou is far away from the capital, and to the north there are the Xinman and Mengqi people, who often cause wars.
Although Huaizhou is rich, there is a mountain separating the two places, making it difficult to cross, so only Zhuzhou is left.
But Zhuzhou had just suffered a disaster, so it was impossible that Yinzhou had not heard the news.
It is unreasonable for refugees to go to Zhuzhou!
The more Xiao Huanshan thought about it, the more frightened he became. "Your Majesty, this is very strange! I think we should discuss this matter with the ministers immediately!"
Pei Yuning raised his eyes, his face dark and dark.
To discuss?
Yinzhou has always been a place of many affairs and complicated terrain. The foreign tribes Xinyi and Mengqi are eyeing it covetously. There are still hidden secrets about the affairs of the refugees, but the transmission of information is so blocked.
It seems that the foreign minions in the court are quite powerful. If we alert them, wouldn’t we lose the big picture?
Pei Yuning didn't say anything. His eyes were as dark as ink as he looked straight at Xiao Huanshan, as if he wanted to see through his heart.
Xiao Huanshan was shocked and lowered his head quickly. That look frightened him.
It seemed like he was mocking and sarcastic, as if he was planning a strategy, and the sharpness in his eyes was eye-catching.
Xiao Huanshan had a vague guess in his heart, but he never dared to believe it. Now His Majesty's attitude made him think more.
**
"Miss? Why don't you go and chat with other ladies?" Lanzhi saw that her own lady had finally come out and didn't like to deal with other people. How could this be possible?
Didn't see the smug look on the Second Miss's face? Even the Fourth Miss, who seemed to be a quiet person, started to get intimate with several other young ladies after entering the banquet.
Xiao Tingyun propped up his forehead with one hand, squinted his eyes comfortably, and smiled after listening, "What is there to talk about? It's better to save time for me to catch up on sleep."
Cai Xing nodded slightly, "Indeed, Miss's health is the most important."
Lanzhi pursed her lips, "But Miss must be bored alone."
"Puchi" Xiao Tingyun chuckled, "With a girl like you here, I won't be bored just by looking at you."
"Hmph!" Lanzhi stamped her feet. "Young lady always teases me. I won't dare to say anything from now on."
"Look at me, look at me, I'm not afraid of being teased!" A lively voice came, and Xiao Tingyun looked at the person who came when he heard the voice.
It was a girl I didn't know. She was very pretty and charming. She would smile when she saw people and it was difficult for her to turn her face cold and chase people away.
Liu Yuhua lifted her skirt slightly, smiled, and bowed to Xiao Tingyun as if she were one of the same generation. "I am from the Liu family, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice. I am the second child. Sister, you can call me Yuhua."
Xiao Tingyun stood up and returned the greeting, smiling and saying, "Xiao Tingyun of the Xiao family of Dingbei Marquis."
"Wow..." Liu Yuhua was a little excited. The beauty's voice was indeed beautiful! ! !
The look in the eyes of the person in front of him was too obvious. Xiao Tingyun was a little confused. "What's wrong?"
Liu Yuhua waved her hands, trying to look calmer, but she couldn't help but said, "You look..."
After thinking for a long time, he couldn't think of how to describe it, so he winked at the girl behind him.
The maid at the back was somewhat helpless, and hurriedly bowed, and said without hesitation, "Don't blame me, Second Miss Xiao. My lady thinks you are like snow gathered in the moon, beautiful as a fairy, and bright as clouds."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Liu Yuhua nodded rapidly, "That's what I mean."
Xiao Tingyun had a strange look on her face. It was the first time in all the time she had been here that she had seen a girl boast about her good looks in front of her.
He caught a glimpse of Liu Yuhua's puppy-like eyes that were shining with light, and his mind turned into a thousand thoughts, and he suddenly had some epiphany.
Could this be the legendary...face control? ? ?
Xiao Tingyun laughed and said, "Thank you for your praise. I really don't deserve it."
"You're even more beautiful when you smile..." Liu Yuhua stared at Xiao Tingyun blankly and muttered.
"What?" Xiao Tingyun didn't hear clearly and asked again.
Liu Yuhua shook her head hastily, "Nothing!"
Liu Yuhua likes to look at beautiful women, no matter whether they are men or women, so the maids and servants around her are all good-looking. According to her, if they are good-looking, she will enjoy her meals more.
"Sister Xiao, have you been in Jiangnan all this time?"
Xiao Tingyun nodded, "Indeed, I'm staying in Jiangnan. The climate there is pleasant and the scenery is beautiful, which is good for my health."
"Indeed, I've often heard that there are many beauties in Jiangnan. After seeing Sister Xiao, I know she is right." Liu Yuhua said excitedly. She really wanted to go to Jiangnan to see for herself whether there were really so many beauties there.
These words made Xiao Tingyun laugh. He was undoubtedly a face-obsessed person.
Liu Yuhua was lively and talkative but not annoying, so Xiao Tingyun chatted with her for a while longer.
Most of them are about the scenery and interesting things in Jiangnan.
However, Xiao Tingyun spent the past few years recuperating from illness, and since he had been in this era for a short time, he had not been out for a long time.
Although he didn't know much about those things, Liu Yuhua listened very carefully.
While they were talking, they heard a noise not far away.
"How dare you come here? You..." A woman's angry voice came.
"Ms. Yang, I just bumped into you accidentally, and I've already apologized to you. Why are you still so persistent?" She accused the person in front of her of his behavior in a weak and pitiful voice.
Yang Mingzhu raised her chin and snorted, "You're not giving up? You ruined this dress, why don't you say anything?"
After saying that, Yang Mingzhu raised her wrist, and everyone saw that the silk thread at the sleeve was hooked, and suddenly her gorgeous dress looked like a girl's face was scratched, completely ruining her beauty.
Li Yunran looked at the line drawn by his nails and felt a little embarrassed. "Sorry, I will compensate you for your clothes."
"This is Shu embroidery, a new supply this year. A set of clothes is worth ten gold coins! Compensation? What are you going to use to compensate?" Yang Mingzhu smiled sarcastically.
"Oh my, how did such a beautiful dress get ruined like this?"
"Yes, no wonder Miss Yang is angry. I heard that this year's new Shu embroidery supply only has ten pieces. His Majesty has graciously given one piece to the Grand Princess, and the rest are in the hands of the ladies in the palace."
"Of course not. I also heard that Prince Yang was also injured because of her."
"Really?? What's going on?"
"I heard that Miss Li seduced Prince Yang and then slandered him for molesting her in the street..."
"No! It's said that Prince Yang tried to tease her in the street, but General Xu saw it and attacked him, injuring Prince Yang!"
"Ah? Then who is telling the truth?"
…
A group of people were chattering about Li Yunran, which made her feel extremely embarrassed. They were much more familiar with Yang Mingzhu than Li Yunran.
And based on their status and position, naturally more people stand on Yang Mingzhu's side.
"This...!" Li Yunran frowned, his tone somewhat anxious, "I didn't know about it, and it wasn't intentional at all, why did you humiliate me like this!"
Yang Mingzhu straightened her back and chest, looking arrogant, and sneered, "Humiliation? You don't deserve it! Because of you, my brother is still recuperating in the mansion, and you pretend to be pitiful and innocent, thinking that no one knows about your scandal."
Li Yunran is just an orphan living under someone else's roof. Although the noble ladies in the capital are not as open about their words as Yang Mingzhu.
But the vague indifference is what hurts the most. It's not that Li Yunran can't fit into this circle, but that this circle has never taken Li Yunran seriously and there has never been a place for her.
After these words were spoken, Li Yunran's eyes turned red, his fingertips tightened, and he felt very aggrieved.
"Miss Yang, although I am staying at Duke Xu's mansion temporarily, you cannot slander my innocence in public. I don't need to explain much about what your brother did in the capital. Everyone has seen it. You insist on being aggressive and embarrassing me. What grudge do you have that requires you to go to such lengths?!"
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