Chapter 537 A Minor Twist at the West Gate (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
"Military Advisor Chen, what kind of work is your city defense department doing? You've delayed the progress of the Donglin Buddha project. Can you afford to take responsibility for that?"
At the top of the city wall, Wang Lengran, who was standing next to Wei Shaoqi with a cold and indifferent expression, jumped out immediately, shifting the blame and cursing loudly.
Chen You shrank back, a look of panic on her face:
"Your Excellency, the Buddha statue arrived suddenly without any prior notice. Your subordinates..."
"You mean, it's my fault?"
In front of everyone, Wang Lengran raised his voice.
"Alright. Lord Wang, please calm down. Now is not the time to argue and assign blame. Let's solve the problem first."
Lin Cheng raised his hand to stop Wang Lengran, turned his head, and asked seriously:
"Your city defense division is familiar with the west gate. How long will it take to remove the obstructing wooden pillars and beams?"
"A quarter of an hour, just a quarter of an hour, Lord Lin. There are only a few wooden pillars in the way. Just remove them. It will take no more than two quarters of an hour at the slowest, and as fast as a quarter of an hour..." Chen You was so nervous that he was almost incoherent.
Lin Cheng breathed a slight sigh of relief, and the expressions of Wei Shaoqi and Wang Lengran behind him also eased a little.
"Then what are you standing there for? Hurry up and go down and get people to demolish it." Wang Lengran said irritably.
Lin Cheng patted Chen You on the shoulder as she left, his tone slightly gentler.
"Go ahead, Captain Zhu who delivered the Buddha statue downstairs will lead his soldiers to cooperate with your city defense division to dismantle it quickly."
"Very well, gentlemen, please wait a moment. Your humble servant and Military Advisor Yan will go and dismantle it right away."
Chen You looked flattered and bowed as she hurriedly retreated.
Wei Shaoqi glanced at Wang Lengran, who then went down from the city wall to supervise.
From beginning to end, Lin Cheng and Rong Zhen stood on the city wall with a wide view, without moving an inch.
Li Xian, Li Dalang, Xie Lingjiang, and others behind witnessed this scene.
Li Dalang noticed his father's cold expression and lack of interest in inquiring. Since the incident with the Wang mother and son, his father had stopped trying to curry favor with them and no longer sought credit for the Buddha statue in Xingzifang. The current welcoming of the Buddha head was merely a formality; a proper attitude was still necessary.
Xie Lingjiang stood behind Li Xian and his son, watching for a while the backs of Rong Zhen and Lin Cheng from the Imperial Observatory.
A moment later, she glanced sideways and saw a middle-aged female official quickly climb up the city wall behind her, come up behind Lin Cheng and Rong Zhen, her face solemn, and speak in a low voice.
With the exceptional hearing of a Confucian scholar of the sixth rank, Xie Lingjiang could only faintly hear a few scattered words from Lin Cheng's voice carried by the west wind:
"...A slight delay...It's nothing...Tell the teachers not to disturb us...The student council will be careful...to not give him a chance to draw his sword...They're watching us from above..."
At this moment, Rong Zhen suddenly turned around and looked at her, and Xie Lingjiang immediately lowered her eyes.
However, avoiding eye contact, she vaguely sensed that the lady-in-waiting's gaze seemed not to be observing her expression, but rather... fixed on her body.
Xie Lingjiang frowned slightly and couldn't help but look up, but Rong Zhen had already looked away.
While waiting for the bridge archway to be cleared, the other people on the city tower were not idle either.
Pei Shisan Niang and Shen Bingqiang came with Wei Shaoqi and Wang Lengran.
Unlike Shen Bingqiang, who had an air of pride and arrogance.
Pei Shisan Niang lowered her eyes and bowed her head meekly.
However, she slightly rolled her beautiful eyes upward, observing the subtle expressions of the nobles and officials on the city tower. From these small gestures, she could discern some of the conflicts and general power dynamics within the Xunyang City officialdom.
As for Yuan Huaimin, he remained in a state of curiosity, looking around curiously. He even asked a childish question that left everyone bored and speechless:
"Your Highness, Lord Lin, Lady Rongzhen, is this the start of the construction of the Great Buddha? How come it's so fast... Is this the Buddha's head? Hmm, such a huge thing has been transported here, why haven't we heard anything about it..."
Wei Shaoqi chuckled.
Rong Zhen's pretty face was icy cold.
Li Xian and Li Dalang exchanged a glance but remained silent.
While Lin Cheng and Rong Zhen silently observed the gloomy gray sky surrounding the city wall, Lin Cheng smiled and said:
"These days, Chief Secretary Yuan has been managing the Jiangzhou government and dealing with people's livelihood issues. This can be considered as sharing my burden in the statue making in Xingzifang. He has really worked hard. Oh, and so has Sima Ouyang."
"By the way, where is Ouyang Sima? Why...didn't he come?"
Lin Cheng let out a soft "hmm," glancing at the people behind him with concern and a curious expression.
"I don't know, Brother Lianghan didn't come to work this morning either," Yuan Huaimin shook his head.
Li Xian, Li Dalang, and Xie Lingjiang all remained silent, as if they were outsiders, their main focus being "fast forward and skipping".
Other Jiangzhou officials, having heard rumors about the ideological conflict between Ouyang Rong and Lin Cheng, remained silent.
Lin Cheng sighed softly: "It's my fault. It's probably still about what happened last time. They probably have some grievances against me and the court..."
Rongzhen suddenly spoke:
"Old Master Yu just arrived in Xunyang and took a liking to the pipa music of Lady Qin at Xunyang Tower. This morning I met Commander Ouyang and asked him to help me find Lady Qin."
"His Majesty values Elder Yu highly, and Sima Ouyang is also sharing His Majesty's burdens."
Xie Lingjiang and the others couldn't help but turn their heads. They saw that this usually concise and to the point female historian, after explaining in front of everyone, said with a somewhat serious expression:
“Sima Ouyang was not absent. He was also showing his loyalty to His Majesty.”
Lin Cheng turned his head, looked at Rong Zhen for a while, and nodded slightly:
"Alright. But it would be best to call Ouyang Sima over from the Xingzi Lake construction site later, after all, it's such an important moment..."
Rongzhen suddenly interrupted him:
"Lin Cheng, I heard that a few days ago, there was an accident at the Xingzi Lake construction site, resulting in the sudden deaths of many people. However, the Prefectural Government has blocked the news in the city, causing rumors to spread everywhere. Many people and laborers are privately questioning the Buddha statue, and their dissatisfaction is accumulating... Is this true or false?"
The lady historian asked this question seriously in front of everyone on the city wall, showing no respect whatsoever.
However, Lin Cheng's expression showed no anger whatsoever.
Wei Shaoqi, standing to the side, interjected, asking in a serious tone:
"Who told you this, Your Excellency? What is your source? Could you please tell us?"
Rong Zhen coldly questioned, "Wei Shaoqi, are you trying to silence us?"
Wei Shaoqi said in a nonchalant tone, "How dare I? But those troublemakers spreading rumors really need to be dealt with; they deserve a slap in the face..."
She took a deep breath:
"Today is a day to welcome the Buddha's head, a day that should benefit the country and bring joy to the people. However, we have not seen many people going out to watch. Every household has kept their doors tightly shut... They are all frightened by your violent behavior and dare not come to watch."
"Back then, when Ouyang Sima was building the Xunyang Grottoes, even before it was completed, groups of people would go there to enjoy the autumn scenery."
"The statues in Xingzifang are fine as they are, but they've made a mess of the public opinion, becoming universally disliked and tarnishing His Majesty's holy name. Don't you have any remorse at all?"
Wei Shaoqi waved his hand dismissively:
"Reflect? Reflect on what? It's good that there aren't these noisy onlookers; it even relieves the pressure on the guards. Since you want the statue finished as soon as possible, just ignore these trivial noises. Besides, this isn't Luoyang; it's thousands of miles away from the capital. What's the big deal? What's there to be afraid of?"
"Alright..." Lin Cheng began, preparing to mediate the fight.
Just then, a series of muffled thuds suddenly came from the underpass below.
The city wall beneath everyone's feet trembled slightly.
"What's going on?!"
"What happened? Did the earth suddenly turn upside down?"
Lin Cheng and Rong Zhen's expressions changed simultaneously, and they leaped onto the roof of the highest point of the city tower, one on the left and one on the right.
Xie Lingjiang immediately shielded Li Xian and his son. Wei Shaoqi also shrank behind the Xianbei guards.
An official hurried upstairs to report:
"Something terrible has happened! Lord Lin, Lord Wang, several pillars and beams were just removed from the bridge arch, and all the newly laid bricks have fallen down, injuring people."
"What about the Buddha's head? How is the Buddha's head?"
Lin Cheng immediately disregarded his guard against the cauldron sword that was skilled in the "Return to the Past" technique and rushed downstairs.
Upon arriving at the bridge arch, they found it still shrouded in dust, obscuring their work. After seven or eight breaths, most of the dust had dissipated, leaving about ten soldiers either knocked unconscious or with broken arms.
He also saw Chen You, Yan Liulang, and others emerge looking disheveled.
"Lord Lin, it's nothing, nothing. It was just a minor accident. I didn't expect it to be so unstable up there. We only had to remove a few pillars. However, all the new bricks that were installed during the previous repairs fell off. Oh... it's alright, a small problem. As long as the city gate tower didn't collapse, that's all that matters."
Chen You said with a bitter face, looked around, and then waved her hand vigorously to show that she was unharmed.
Although the city gate tower did not collapse, the dimly lit bridge archway was filled with broken bricks and dust. Wang Lengran, who had been hit on the forehead, walked out in a disheveled state, still spitting out ash.
He questioned Chen You with a displeased expression, implicating the wronged Chen You and the taciturn Yan Liulang.
"Why are you two running so fast? You were just beside me when the bricks came flying down, why didn't you protect me? It's my duty, how dare you two do this!"
Chen You looked somewhat guilty, but Yan Liulang remained silent, ignoring him, and went to help the other soldiers guarding the Buddha's head.
However, now is not the time to pursue this matter.
Lin Cheng hurriedly stepped forward and ordered someone to check the Buddha head. They found that it was indeed not damaged. After all, the Buddha head had been transported along the way and had been protected from the wind and rain by a fixed wooden frame and tarpaulin. It had also blocked the falling bricks.
After a short while, the inventory was completed. The bridge arch was safe, and the Buddha head was also safe. Upon inspection, only a few people were injured.
Lin Cheng and the others breathed a sigh of relief. The former frowned slightly and looked up at the exposed old brick ceiling of the bridge arch.
After that, he dared not leave the Buddha's head for even a moment longer. The little accident just now made Lin Cheng, who was somewhat superstitious, look a bit gloomy. Mainly because it was a bad omen. How could he encounter such a thing as soon as he entered the city?
Shortly afterward, the underpass was completely cleared and traffic could resume.
The female officials, including Rongzhen, who were on guard at the city gate, came downstairs and, together with Lin Cheng and the soldiers, closely escorted the carriages carrying the Buddha statue into the city. The rolling wheels headed to the Xingzi Lake construction site.
Li Xian and the others made excuses, saying they were feeling unwell, and did not continue to the Xingzifang construction site. Lin Cheng politely tried to persuade them to stay, but to no avail, and did not care.
Yuan Huaimin also wanted to flee, but as the chief secretary representing the Jiangzhou government, he couldn't just leave without going. So he had no choice but to follow along like a nobody.
While Lin Cheng and his female subordinates were not paying attention, Rong Zhen glanced back at Xie Lingjiang's graceful and beautiful back.
This noble lady from the Xie family is not dressed as a man today, but is dressed as a lady for the first time ever.
"Are you going to the poetry gathering to accompany him...?"
With a soft murmur, she reached out and touched a bright orange sachet hidden in her sleeve.
There were many people on the city wall, and Rongzhen, being shy, subconsciously put it away before going up the city wall.
Looking back now... I wish she had worn it.
...
It was still dark.
Huang Feihong pushed open the courtyard gate and strode off.
He was wearing a felt hat, which was left by that young master.
Huang Feihong patted his round belly and let out a long breath.
Great! I had a delicious meal of braised beef this morning.
My own daughter is the most considerate.
It looks like it's going to rain today; it's only just getting light.
The bearded man, with a small bundle slung across his shoulder, met up with his companions at the city gate and they headed to the Xingzi Lake construction site for work.
Upon arriving at the construction site, we lined up, and the guards at the entrance conducted a routine body search.
"The paper money and wine inside are for the seventh-day memorial service for our deceased brothers..."
Even after winter set in, construction workers at the Buddha site continued to work overtime. Although the supply speed in the city was better than in the remote wilderness like Xunyang Grottoes, the cold weather still made construction quite difficult. A few days ago, more than ten construction workers were smashed into mincemeat by falling objects from above the Buddha statue.
This matter has been sealed off by the governor's office.
However, everyone on the construction site knew that morale was a bit low.
To prevent the news from spreading, it was kept a secret.
However, many people, either out of sympathy or because they couldn't let go of their friend, secretly paid their respects in private.
After the body search, the overseer came over and inspected the small bundles they had secretly brought, seemingly unsurprised by the sacrificial items inside.
They took out several items from the small bundles that Huang Feihong and the others had brought.
It mainly contained a few wine gourds and stacks of paper money.
After examining the paper money, the overseer picked up one of the small gourds, opened it, and sniffed it.
"Damn, what the hell is this weird taste? And why is there blood in the wine?"
"Monkey blood wine, my daughter brought it back for me." Huang Feihong chuckled.
"What's making that noise inside?" The foreman shook the gourd, and it seemed like there was a small, round, hard object inside.
Huang Feihong scratched his head: "There's still a snake gallbladder in the gourd. Brother Yuan, would you like to try monkey blood with snake gallbladder? It's very nourishing."
"Fuck your mother, what a fart!"
After being secretly given some braised meat wrapped in oil paper, the supervisor loosened his grip slightly.
However, the foreman, known as Brother Yuan, rudely confiscated the paper money and waved his hand:
"No burning of paper money is allowed today. It's an order from above that nothing flammable is allowed. It seems to be saying that fire is taboo today, as it's unlucky. Don't blame us for being insensitive."
As they spoke, the foreman poured out a little wine from each of their gourds, including Huang Feihong's monkey blood wine. Unlike the cloudy yellow wine, it was a dark red liquid with some ash floating on top, like the ashes of burnt paper.
However, the foreman paid no attention, simply holding a tinderbox close to test it, and finding it wouldn't light, he handed the gourd back and ordered:
"Take a sip now, then go inside."
"Remember, keep your distance when you offer sacrifices. Don't get too close to the Buddha statue. The area is heavily guarded today. Even I can't get close. You should stay away. But if the adults see you, they'll investigate and won't be able to protect you either."
Yes, yes, yes.
In front of the overseers, each took a sip from their gourds of wine, and Huang Feihong and the others carried the sacrificial wine inside.
A short while later, Huang Feihong and his companions knelt and paid their respects to their deceased comrades in an open space. After that, they went their separate ways, and Huang Feihong returned to the water room where he worked.
The water room is relatively close to the Buddha, but there is a fire lookout tower next to it.
He noticed that the number of guards on the watchtower had doubled, and the number of guards along the way was also unusually large.
Today, nothing happened in the water room, and all the workers on the construction site were fine. All the workers inside the Buddha statue had been evacuated, and no one was allowed to approach the Buddha statue anymore. However, everyone still arrived on time and stayed at their posts, saying it was just in case.
Huang Feihong, carrying a gourd containing a snake gall bladder, walked into a familiar work cubicle and sat down on the floor.
The man in the felt hat tilted his head back and drank, his mouth full of a fishy, sour taste. He would occasionally wipe the corner of his bright red mouth with his fist and wait quietly.
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(End of this chapter)
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