Chapter 346 Calm and Proud
Xunyang Ferry.
After the large ship left, only Ouyang Rong and Wang Junzhi, who had come to see them off, remained at the dock.
The two turned their heads and looked at each other.
Wang Junzhi took out a handkerchief, wiped his hands, and explained with a smile:
"Brother Zi'ang and Brother Shuqing had a very pleasant conversation, so they decided to see him off on his way to take up his post in Longcheng, and take the opportunity to visit the nearby Yunmeng Marshland."
Ouyang Rong nodded.
Wang Junzhi put away the handkerchief, smiled gently, and without lingering, turned and left.
Ouyang Rong watched his retreating figure silently, then turned around and glanced back at the gradually shrinking boat shadows on the distant river.
Yan Liulang came forward: "Magistrate, where to now..."
Ouyang Rong suddenly moved, passing in front of him and heading straight towards the east side of Xunyang Ferry.
There is a ship registration office there, which handles the registration procedures for all the ships that are moored.
Yan Liulang was slightly taken aback, then immediately shut his mouth and followed the steps of the prefect.
Immediately, he saw the Prefect stride into the gates of the Shipping Bureau and stop at the desk of a yawning clerk on early duty.
The magistrate extended his palm and said calmly:
"Bring me the paperwork for that big ship that just left, where it departed from and where it was headed."
The yawning clerk was taken aback and was about to put on a stern face when he immediately noticed that behind the boastful young man in plain clothes, a blue-clad constable stepped forward quickly, holding a bronze plaque in his hand.
"Alright, please wait a moment, gentlemen."
The clerk greeted them with a smile and searched through the documents.
Yan Liulang didn't pay much attention to the clerk's sudden change in attitude, and glanced sideways at the prefect standing quietly with his hands behind his back at the table.
His eyes were as serene as a deep pool.
...
Xunyang Ancient Ferry, known as the first ferry crossing in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, has been left behind.
Standing on the deck, watching the bow of the ship cutting through the waves with the wind, Du Shuqing stared for a while before turning around.
He silently walked past the excited and talkative Yue Zi'ang beside him, and nimbly slipped into the rear cabin.
He addressed the two figures engrossed in playing chess inside the cabin:
"Master Yan, what should we do with the house on Luming Street?"
Du Shuqing spread out a bunch of keys in his hand and asked blankly.
Li Zhengyan was playing chess with Wei Shaoqi, his eyes fixed on the black and white pieces on the board, and said without looking up:
"What else can we do?" He sighed softly. "Let's go."
"yes."
Wei Shaoqi said, "He has served as the magistrate of Longcheng and should know people there."
Du Shuqing glanced sideways.
Li Zhengyan nodded: "This is something we need to be careful about."
Du Shuqing hummed in agreement, put away the key, and left silently.
After everyone left, only the two players remained in the cabin.
Li Zhengyan placed a black piece and sighed regretfully:
"Jiangzhou certainly has the aura of royalty, and its location is excellent; it's truly a wonderful place."
Wei Shaoqi succinctly stated: "It serves as the southeastern gateway to Hongzhou."
Li Zhengyan nodded: "Especially Jiangzhou, which is easily accessible by going down the Xunyang River to Nanjing and Yangzhou, and is also the gateway to both."
The cabin fell silent, save for the clattering sound of chess pieces being placed on the board.
Li Zhengyan suddenly threw the chess piece back into the jar, stood up, and waved his hand:
"Let's go. We can't stay in Jiangzhou any longer. Our paths are different, and we can't make plans together."
"I'll leave the rest to Junzhi."
Wei Shaoqi ignored him and pointed to the chessboard, saying:
"Master Yan, please sit down. This game of chess isn't over yet."
"Ahem." Li Zhengyan coughed.
“What good is it for Mr. Wei to play chess with me and this terrible chess player? If you want to play chess, I’ll go out and call Shuqing to play with you.”
Wei Shaoqi sighed, "Yan Gong's chess skills are not good."
"You know my character in chess."
"for example?"
"For example, like this."
Li Zhengyan calmly waved his sleeve, scattering the lost chessboard, and nodded: "Smash the board."
Wei Shaoqi nodded, then suddenly returned to the topic from not long ago:
“Wang Lengran and his ilk are nothing to fear, but with Ouyang Lianghan in Jiangzhou, it’s really impossible to stay here for long. It’s time to leave.”
"I haven't asked yet, but what does Mr. Wei think of Ouyang Lianghan?"
Wei Shaoqi pointed to the square chessboard in front of him, a mess of black and white round pieces, and said bluntly:
"Square as if acting righteously, round as if using wisdom, moving as if displaying talent, still as if complacent."
Li Zhengyan couldn't help but turn around and take a few more glances at Mr. Wei, who was always stingy with praise.
These four lines of praise roughly mean that one's behavior is upright and disciplined, yet one's wisdom is shrewd and adaptable; one's actions are bold and decisive, yet one's heart is calm and peaceful.
"What a smug and self-satisfied look."
Li Zhengyan nodded in agreement:
"What's most remarkable is that he has such composure at such a young age. I wonder what he went through when he was exiled to Longcheng. He's so unlike a young man."
"Indeed, the presence of such a person is the destiny of Wei Zhou."
After a pause, Wei Shaoqi sighed:
"If Ouyang Lianghan had been able to receive the imperial decree and enter the Censorate at the end of last year, then Yan Gong and I could have gotten to know him sooner, and we wouldn't be in this predicament in Jiangzhou today."
Li Zhengyan looked surprised:
"Mr. Wei rarely praises people like this."
Wei Shaoqi shook his head: "Since the reform of the government, we have seen too many times when there are no heroes and when scoundrels become famous. It is rare to meet someone who lives up to his reputation."
He remarked with emotion, "He truly deserves the Master's favor, allowing him to defy the imperial decree and remain in Jiangzhou."
Upon hearing Wei Shaoqi's reverent use of the word "Master," Li Zhengyan lowered his eyes and remained silent.
Wei Shaoqi seemed to notice the awkward silence and shut up.
After a moment of silence, someone in the cabin tidied up the messy chessboard and casually asked:
"Where should we go next, Guizhou?"
"No." The person who had smashed the chessboard with his sleeve fell silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Hongzhou."
"color."
...
Ouyang Rong walked out of the Shipbuilding and Trade Bureau under the morning light.
Yan Liulang, who was following behind, flipped through the documents in his hand and muttered:
"It seems there's no problem. It did indeed start from Jinling and pass through Longcheng and Yixian."
Ouyang Rong neither agreed nor disagreed.
The two returned to the main hall of Jiangzhou.
"Wait at the door for a moment."
Ouyang Rong entered the main hall, picked up a pen and wrote a letter, then went out and handed it to Yan Liulang, instructing him:
“Yan Liulang sent it to Magistrate Diao for me… no, Magistrate Diao.”
Yan Liulang chuckled when he heard Ouyang Rong say it was a slip of the tongue.
"Yes, Your Excellency."
He turned to leave.
"etc."
Ouyang Rong turned around, called out to Yan Liulang, and asked:
"Keep an eye on Wang Junzhi. See what he's been up to lately, except for going to class at the state school."
Yan Liulang said, "Wang Junzhi was introduced by Yue Zi'ang and subsequently participated in three elegant gatherings of the Chrysanthemum Poetry Society, where he had some contact with the little princess of the Xunyang Prince's Mansion."
Ouyang Rong frowned slightly.
Yan Liulang observed his expression and asked, "My lord, is there something amiss?"
"It's nothing," Ouyang Rong shook his head.
"Does Your Excellency dislike this person?"
"I can't say."
Yan Liulang thought for a moment, then hesitated and said:
“Mingfu, after all, she is Dalang’s sister, so she’s not an outsider. You can have Dalang pass on a message: if you have anything to say or any advice, it’s better to tell her directly.”
After that misunderstanding, Li Guo'er adopted a "keep away" attitude.
Ouyang Rong nodded slightly, but said nothing more.
There are some things that he, as the chief strategist of the Prince of Xunyang's mansion, cannot conveniently say.
And his attitude has always been like this:
We should be inclusive of newcomers and not exclude any talented individuals who are not recognized and who seek refuge with the Prince of Xunyang, provided that we do not lead them astray.
If someone possesses extraordinary talent, why shouldn't Ouyang Rong willingly relinquish his position as chief strategist?
Only those who are both insecure and arrogant cling to their positions and are jealous of those who are talented.
Of course, sometimes, this attitude of not competing is the greatest competition, only it is unconscious.
Previously, he had never said anything bad about Yue Ziang, who was an extreme radical youth, in front of Li Xian and his son.
Expelling him from the palace was a decision made by Li Xian and his son to avoid suspicion at the time.
The reason why Li Xian and his son refused to meet the extremely famous Li Zhengyan and Wei Shaoqi was that they were worried that contacting such extreme conservatives who were scapegoats would cause trouble.
Ouyang Rong also did not speak ill of her behind her back beforehand.
However, Ouyang Rong was actually worried and wary about the possible motives of Li Zhengyan, Wei Shaoqi and others.
If Li Xian and his son had actually met with them, Ouyang Rong, out of duty as a strategist, would have given them a few words of advice afterward, but that didn't happen.
However, given Wang Junzhi's slow approach, Ouyang Rong couldn't say much at the moment.
In particular, he most likely went through the introduction route of Li Guo'er.
It might just be Wang Junzhi's normal act of seeking refuge after staying in Jiangzhou, and has nothing to do with Li Zhengyan and others, after all, the allure of the Xunyang Prince's Mansion is too great.
Ouyang Rong could not determine it.
We can only wait and see.
Actually, putting aside the issues of their positions and the troubles of being convicted, he had developed a rather favorable impression of Li Zhengyan and his group after spending time with them these past few days.
They even sympathize with their plight of being cut off and abandoned by the current pro-Central China faction.
But this is not a reason for him to treat his junior sister, the women of Huaiye Lane, and the future and lives of the Prince of Xunyang as a game.
Ouyang Rong is determined to follow a pre-planned path and venture out.
This was something he had discussed with everyone when he became the "strategist of the Su family":
Endure this darkness before dawn, never give up no matter what, wait for the situation in the capital to change, help Li Xian's family return to the capital, inherit the throne, and eventually reclaim the throne.
As for what happens next...
It was on that summer afternoon, on the Dragon-Slaying Platform at the Ancient Yue Sword Shop, that Ouyang Rong and Li Dalang made their promise.
He helped Li Xian's family return to the capital.
In return, they provided Ouyang Rong with a grand stage to realize his ambitions.
During the process, those carrying firewood will not freeze to death in the wind and snow.
Knowing the trajectory of his past life, Ouyang Rong clearly understood that there was another prosperous era to come, hidden behind the current chaos of the Wei Zhou Dynasty under the rule of a female ruler.
That was the most prosperous era for this young, unified dynasty that changed from Gan to Zhou.
It was also a lingering hope in Ouyang Rong's heart.
He wanted to go to that prosperous era, to see it, to touch it, and to change something.
At the same time, Ouyang Rong, who had experienced Longcheng County, did not want this prosperous era to become a prosperous era for only a few people in the two capitals within the pass.
Just like what he did in Dragon City, he tried to save the lonely wild geese scattered across the land under the prosperous world.
When Ouyang Rong first took office as magistrate of Longcheng, he often asked himself:
Is this hell compared to my previous life?
Yes, it is hell.
But ever since he woke up for the second time and crawled out of that Pure Land Palace, Ouyang Rong completely gave up any hope for the afterlife or the Pure Land, and settled down.
Since the Avici Hell cannot be transformed into the Pure Land of Lotus in one fell swoop, let's make it a little better.
He still clearly remembers the words he carved next to the "Return Home" stone inscription before climbing out of the underground palace that day:
Today we hold the long spear in our hands, when will we bind the azure dragon?
What is a long tassel?
One word of "craftsmanship" is far from enough.
He also wants to obtain the "sword of power" that all men in the world dream of, to cut off the many ills of this dynasty.
All of this requires Ouyang Rong to wait patiently and endure this darkness before dawn.
From the Yingzhou Rebellion to the Wei clan's encouragement of the central government and the construction of the Great Buddha, to the denigration by radical conservatives like Li Zhengyan, and then to the recent Guizhou Massacre and the Guizhou garrison mutiny.
In a short period of time, a series of events occurred one after another.
Is the current state of affairs in Weizhou truly chaotic?
It's chaotic, of course it's chaotic.
Is it despicable that Empress Wei's heart, which belonged to one person but affected the hearts of millions, was so selfish?
Despicable.
Ouyang Rong nodded without hesitation.
Then he should use the most time-saving, labor-saving, and least intense method to end it.
Since the best answer is "monarchical autocracy" as recorded in the following pages of history, then...
So, the life-and-death struggles and bloodshed in the palace at the top are fine, as long as they don't affect the general peace and stability of the common people at the bottom.
Unless it becomes so that fresh blood can no longer be injected, and one has no choice but to trample the bones of nobles and officials throughout the streets.
Otherwise, the infighting and bloodshed within the ruling class is better than the upheaval and annihilation that occurs when the lower classes rise from the bottom up and change the world, leaving only one in ten people alive.
Saves time and effort, and has a low intensity.
The family of Xunyang Wang Lixian is the closest answer to him right now.
This is also why Ouyang Rong chose to take over from the Li Xian family when he left Longcheng, and put on the identity mask of "Strategist Tanlang" to assume this responsibility.
I just didn't expect that I would confess my love and get engaged to my junior sister in Xunyang City.
Thus, he acquired another identity mask: "the canteen contractor for his junior sister's son."
Fortunately, his junior sister, the women of Huaiye Lane, and the Prince of Xunyang's mansion were all in Xunyang City, and all by Ouyang Rong's side.
Personal desires and future aspirations are currently aligned and do not conflict.
So even though Xunyang City was a cage where one could walk on thin ice, his heart was at peace and he became even more serene.
Inside the main hall, Ouyang Rong sat down, calmly arranging documents on his desk, and said with his eyes lowered:
"Don't worry about Wang Junzhi for now. Liu Lang, if there's any reply from Longcheng, let me know immediately."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
...
Three days later, Ouyang Rong received a reply from Magistrate Diao.
Du Shuqing and his group have arrived in Longcheng.
Du Shuqing stayed and moved into the vacant Meiluxuan that night.
After silently reading the letter, Ouyang Rong wrote another letter, giving Magistrate Diao a few instructions, and sent it back.
After finishing, he leaned back in his chair, a slight sigh of relief on his face.
Li Zhengyan and his group have finally left, and it seems that nothing has happened so far.
However, there is some bad news right now.
Regarding the Merit Pagoda.
Whether it was due to expiration or the lack of a key element to trigger the event, the red blessings inside the Pagoda of Merit suddenly disappeared.
The purple mist on the bronze bell disappeared, and it remained motionless.
Restored to its original state
When Ouyang Rong discovered this the morning before yesterday, he couldn't help but frown.
However, considering that his merits were insufficient and it would be difficult to make up for the seven thousand in a short time, he could only console himself and turn to busy himself with important matters, having no time to regret it.
Ouyang Rong began searching for a way to help the soldiers of the Third Regiment of Jiangzhou Zhechong Prefecture escape their predicament.
I pondered this for several days.
That night, as usual, he came to the Xunyang Prince's Mansion to plot his night.
As soon as everyone in the study arrived, before Ouyang Rong could even speak, Li Xian suddenly brought up the matter of Qin Heng and the soldiers of the Third Regiment.
"Does my lord have a solution?"
Ouyang Rong looked somewhat surprised: "How did you know, Uncle?"
Wei Mei laughed and said, "Xie Xian's niece said that you have been troubled by this matter recently. A few days ago, when you went to the flower hall to deliver pastries, Qi Lang and I saw that when you were talking about serious matters, you looked worried and puzzled, as if you were thinking about something."
Li Xian chimed in: "I asked my niece that night, and it turns out it was about a mutiny of garrison soldiers."
Li Dalang said reproachfully, "Tanlang, really, why didn't you discuss this with us first?"
Li Guo'er, who was holding the cat, also glanced at it.
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong couldn't help but glance at his junior sister, and then at the Li Xian family who cared about him.
He felt a slight warmth in his heart.
(End of this chapter)
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