lady, please calm down

Chapter 286 Jin Zicheng, the Way of Heaven

"The east wind blooms thousands of trees at night. It blows down like stars like rain
Suddenly looking back, the man was in the dim light.Brother Chen, what a wonderful word!As soon as this word came out, there was no more Yuanxi poem in the world."

On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, at Caizhou's left-behind department official's office, Xin Qiji, the commander of the Yingzhou Flying Tiger Army who came to attend the meeting of the left-behind department, took a copy of "Caizhou Five Days Talk" published the day before yesterday, and his eyes turned red after reciting it aloud.

Chen Chu, who was sitting at the top, touched his nose quite uncomfortably.

"Tan Fu, our first poem, Lu Anhou, is really very interesting?" Wu Kui, who rushed back from Shouzhou to attend the meeting, saw Xiao Xin so excited and couldn't help but asked curiously.

"Of course it exploded!"

People who often stay with Chen Chu always like to imitate his strange words.

In order to teach the rough people here who don’t understand the beauty of poetry how good Brother Chen is, Xiao Xin used his own experience as an example: “Wu Yuhou, let’s put it this way, if I can produce lyrics of Brother Chen’s level in this life, I would rather shorten my life by ten years!"

"Ouch!"

Wu Kui, the eldest son and others really couldn't understand the beauty of "that man is in the dim light", but Xiao Xin said that he would rather live ten years less in exchange for it, so my brother Chu is definitely awesome!

Chen Jing'an, who was sitting first in the next row, couldn't help wiping his beard and nodding, and looked at Chen Chu with an eager look.

He is the initiator of Chen Chu's lyrics.

After the tenth day of the first lunar month, nine people from Da Qi Qi Yao's newspaper office, Han Fang, Dong Xi and other northern scholars invited by Chen Jingan arrived in Caizhou one after another with their students and children.

For a time, scholars and scholars could be seen everywhere in Caizhou City, and there were endless poetry gatherings.

Chen Jing'an had long heard that Marquis Lu An could compose poems. At this time, many scholars gathered together, so they naturally refused to miss this opportunity to build Chen Chu's image.

A local military leader who likes to "violate the forbidden by force" is naturally wary of and disliked by the scholars. Unless the military leader also has a literary background and a cultured military leader who can be regarded as one of their own, it will naturally make the scholars feel close to him on a psychological level. Some.

So, on the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, Chen Jingan locked himself and Chen Chu in the duty room, asking the latter to compose a new poem on the occasion of the Lantern Festival.

Then, there was this song "The Sapphire Case. New Year's Eve".

Chen Jingan originally wanted to help Chen Chu polish it up, but after seeing this word, he forcibly resisted the urge to worship the latter as his disciple.
Damn, there are few works of such quality in the Qi and Zhou Dynasties, not to mention Chen Jingan, that can match it.

Changing any word is a blasphemy to the word!
The day before yesterday, the sapphire case was discussed and printed on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. Paper was expensive in Luoyang for a while.

After the [-] copies of each issue of the newspaper were sold out, some readers who had not been able to buy them bought the newspaper back from readers at ten times or even twenty times the original price.

What is even more unexpected is that since yesterday, scholars have been coming to the left-behind Siguan Yamen to hand in greeting cards, asking for advice on poetry and discussing the meaning of scriptures with Marquis Lu An.
I understand the meaning of your mother selling mahuaer!

In order to avoid showing cowardice, Chen Chu was not seen at all.

At the beginning of noon, the New Year's meeting ended. Peng Er and Wu Kui, who had missed their eldest son's wedding because they were stationed in Shouzhou years ago, called Xiao Xin and asked their eldest son to make up for the banquet.

The eldest son smiled honestly, and they walked out of the government office with their arms around each other.

Chen Chu and Chen Jing'an went back to the study room to discuss how to meet with Han Fang, Dong Xi and others next. After saying a few words, another greeting card came in from the government office, signed "Henan East Road Luzhou Scholar" Xu Dong'.

Chen Chu didn't know this person, and he thought he was here to ask for advice. Unable to bear the trouble, Chen Chu handed the greeting card to Chen Jing'an and said with a wry smile: "I had known this, I would have done such a serious sapphire case."

Hearing that Chen Chu was upset, Chen Jing'an was happy, but said: "I asked Yuan Zhang to be arty, but I didn't let you be the leader of the Ci world. Yuan Zhang composed such an unprecedented Yuanxi Ci poem, who is to blame?"

In the afternoon of the day.

Chen Jingan went to the post house to visit Han Fang and Dong Xi, two great Confucian scholars. Both of them reluctantly moved here because Chen Jingan sent several handwritten letters to invite them. Naturally, they were showing off their airs.

Chen Jing'an, who had expected this, was not annoyed at all. He bowed to the two old men over fifty years old with the courtesy of a junior.

At the beginning of the day, Chen Jingan took the two of them out of the city to the construction site of the liberal arts college under construction in the southeast of the city.

Although it is a bleak winter, the College of Liberal Arts is located in front of a river with mountains on its back, so it will be a location with excellent scenery in spring and summer.

The three of them sat down in a balcony. Chen Jingan introduced them to them with a smile: "Mr. Han, Gong Dong, please look over there."

The place Chen Jing'an pointed to is located in the middle of a hilly mountain, facing the Ruhe River. There is a row of two-story elegant houses under construction.

Although it has not yet been completed, the four-season osmanthus, chicken-foot maple, and Taihu stones with their roots wrapped in soil have been transported to the small courtyard. It is expected that when the courtyard is completed, it will be a quiet and elegant place to live.

"All these courtyards are built with earth dragons for heating in winter. The roofs are embedded with flowing eaves, which makes it cool and refreshing even in the hot summer."

Han Fang and Dong Xi are both from the North, so Earth Dragon is not unusual.

But this flowing eaves requires cool running water to drip down the roof tiles from a high place to cool down the room.

This project is so ingenious and complicated that it is rarely built even for ordinary gentry houses.

Seeing that both of them were looking at the mountain, Chen Jing'an added: "That place is called Confucian Scholars Building. Famous scholars from all over the world invited by Caizhou Prefecture can live there for free. In another two months, the two gentlemen can move in."

The Expert Building. Well, although the Confucian Scholar Building is exquisite, it is not a rare house in the world. Han Fang withdrew his gaze, smoothed his beard and said calmly: "If it weren't for Shou Qian's repeated invitations, I would not be willing to travel thousands of miles again. Come here. I have no plans to live in Caizhou permanently."

"The same is true for me." Dong Xi coughed as he spoke, and a disciple immediately gave him a thick coat and put it on him.

Seeing this, Chen Jingan didn't say much. He just smiled and told the two of them that an 'Academician of the Academy of Arts' award ceremony would be arranged in a few days, and the third prince of Da Qi would be present in person.

As for academicians’ annual allowances and bonuses, they have already been disclosed in the letter.

It is not appropriate to discuss these matters face to face, after all, a gentleman does not talk about benefits.

"I'm not here for fame and fortune. I'm just taking this opportunity to preach my Confucian principles and educate the people. I see that An Hou is a scholar along the way, so I came here despite the fatigue of the journey."

Even though both parties were tacitly aware of certain facts, Han Fang still forced a decent rhetoric.

"I am the same." Dong Xi also expressed his attitude.

"Han Gong and Dong Gong are worried about the integrity of the world, and the younger generation knows it."

Chen Jingan had a look of admiration on his face, and then asked tentatively: "Can you please two gentlemen to write a few articles for me, Caizhou?"

When Dong Xi heard this, he glanced at Han Fang. The latter pondered for a moment, stroking his beard and said: "There is nothing wrong with writing an article, but I can only live in poverty and have few desires in this life, but I can't tell lies! If you are humble! If you want me to write an essay, you have to wait until I carefully inspect Caizhou. As for whether Caizhou in the article is good or bad, I can only judge based on what I saw and heard."

"Same is true for me!" Dong Xi said hurriedly.

This is not enough!

"Sincerity is the way of heaven! Only sincerity can break through the hypocrisy in the world, and only truth can break through the hypocrisy in the world! These two gentlemen are admirable!"

Chen Jing'an first flattered him, and then said: "In that case, shall I take you two gentlemen back to the city to look around?"

"Alright."

Han Fang nodded.

At the beginning of Shenshi, a carriage with several people entered the city.

Chen Jingan's carriage was in front, and the carriage shared by Han and Dong was behind.

Although they have lived in the inn for a day, the two of them have not yet walked around the streets. Today is the first time to observe this newly famous city in detail.

Inside the south gate, a long queue formed in front of a recruiting point. A young man with a slightly immature appearance stood in the queue. It seemed that he was very excited about joining the army.

Han Fang looked through the window and sighed with emotion after a long time, "What a good man, I don't know how to study scriptures and serve the country, but I am willing to be a soldier who kills! You must know that the way to govern the country and the people is all in books, how can you convince others with your strength?" It’s just giving up the basics and pursuing the weak!”

"What Mr. Han said is true!"

After a while, the carriage entered the most prosperous Yaqian Street in the city.

The New Year has just passed, and all walks of life are busy in the new year.

Last year, the left-behind department successively obtained large sums of money from thieves and gentry in Huaiyuan County, Suzhou, and then redistributed part of the money back to the people in the form of military pay, procurement, factory workers' salaries, and soldiers' home loans.

The constant flow of goods made Caizhou more prosperous than the surrounding cities.

Even the local vendors on the street wear fine cotton shirts under their tattered jackets.The owner and shopkeeper of the merchant on the street did not avoid people and wore the silk outside.

Qi Lu records that except for scholars, officials and their families, farmers, workers, and merchants are not allowed to wear silk.

On the surface, it was to curb extravagance, but in fact it was to suppress the agricultural, industrial and commercial classes and highlight the lofty status of scholars.

Although in practice, this law is almost non-existent, it is equally rare for traders and servants to dare to wear silk and satin, as in Caizhou.

Han Fang couldn't help shaking his head and said angrily: "Such extravagant customs are actually the path to destruction! In the Zhou Dynasty, Ding Weiqian was also like this in Tokyo City. He lost half of his country. Unexpectedly, in just a few years, this People in Caizhou have forgotten the lessons learned from past mistakes!”

"It's a pole, it's a pole!"

It's hard to say whether the Zhou Kingdom lost half of its kingdom because of extravagance.

But ordinary people dared to wear clothes of the same fabric as scholars, which was the main reason that made Han Fang and Dong Xi unhappy.

A quarter of an hour later, Han and Dong followed Chen Jingan with dark faces and got off the carriage in front of a merchant called 'Sihai Auction House'.

After being introduced into the inner room by Chen Jing'an, the store steward heard the names of Han and Dong. He was surprised and bowed repeatedly, saying: "It turns out that Mr. Han, the Kuangcao from Guandong, has arrived! The plum blossoms in our store are so brilliant!"

Han Fang, who originally wanted to make a few comments to find fault, couldn't help but feel slightly shy.

He loved to copy Zhang Xu's Kuangcao in the Tang Dynasty, but he usually worked hard on scholarship and was nothing in calligraphy, let alone the title of "Guandong Kuangcao".

"It's overstated, it's overstated."

Han Fang looked humble on the outside, but he was impressed in his heart, and his words couldn't help but become kinder.

"Han Gong's famous calligraphy master is well-known in Caizhou. Years ago, a piece of calligraphy by Han Gong was circulated here. It was auctioned in our house. Several customers competed to increase the price. Finally, it was sold at a price of 600 taels! It broke the record of contemporary calligraphy in our shop. Transaction Record!"

The steward looked at Han Fang eagerly, as if he wished Mr. Han could leave a piece of calligraphy on the spot.

600 two!
Even for Han Fang, who has a small fortune, it is not a small amount!
At the same time, Han Fang still felt a little bit pained. He didn't know which student had exchanged his calligraphy treasure for the money, but he himself lost nothing!

Furthermore, are my words really worth this price?

"Is what you said true?" Han Fang asked doubtfully.

"Of course it's true!" The steward became excited, as if someone had insulted his faith, "If Mr. Han doesn't believe it, he can write it down on the spot!"

"Yes! Since Mr. Han is here, why not leave another pair of calligraphy treasures for me in Caizhou!" Chen Jingan also encouraged from the side.

Seeing Han Fang's slightest movement, the steward immediately ordered someone to take the pen and ink and polish it himself.

After a few more reserved attempts by Han Fang, Chen Jing'an's ability to flatter others was much better than that of Chen Chu. With his persuasion, Han Fang finally started writing.

'A gentleman is sincere, the way of heaven'

Just a few breaths, just six words.

Afterwards, Chen Jingan took the two of them into a hidden private room on the second floor of the auction hall.

When the steward entered the auction hall with the still-dry calligraphy and said, "I have newly acquired the calligraphy treasure of Mr. Han from Hedong," the actors, uh, calligraphy enthusiasts in the hall immediately went into a rage.

I didn’t even have time to set the base price. Someone had already made an offer below, and the price was 300 taels.
Amid the increasing price increases, Han Fang, who was hiding in the box, had the same reaction as He Xingfu did at the beginning, nervous, excited, and irritated.

His hands unconsciously grasped the window lattice.

Every price increase is an affirmation and recognition of Han Fang’s calligraphy skills!

In the end, after nearly twenty rounds of bidding, the word frame was sold at a price of 880 taels.
When the salesman dropped the hammer, Han Fang almost collapsed and sat on the ground.

In his life, he had received countless praises and admirations after his academic success, but this was the first time that he was so exciting.

Fun!

Night, Xu time.

Accompanied by Chen Jing'an, Han and Dong returned to the posthouse after having had enough wine and food.

The weather is severely cold, but Caizhou's strong consumption power makes the night no cooler than the day.

Children gathered in small groups on the street to set off the fireworks saved for the New Year's Eve. Vendors hanging lanterns continued to parade through the streets. Street merchants were still brightly lit both inside and outside.

Panic is like a night in the world.

People, the same people, those who wear silk still wear silk.

But at this time, Han Fang's mood was different.
"Look! Even these hawkers and merchants can wear cotton and silk, which is enough to prove that Caizhou is rich! No wonder the people here are so insightful. 'A person with real warehouses knows etiquette, and enough food and clothing knows honor and disgrace.' Taishi is honest and does not deceive Humans too!”

Han Fang felt this!

"." Dong Xi glanced at him and finally stopped saying 'yes'.

A few hours ago, who said that extravagance in Caizhou was the path to death?
However, Dong Xi knew full well that he could not mention the matter at this time. Didn't you hear Han Fang say that the people of Caizhou are very knowledgeable?
People have bought Han Fang's calligraphy at such a high price, so they are certainly knowledgeable and knowledgeable.

Even if you can feel that there is something fishy, ​​you can't expose it. Where do the so-called "celebrities" come from? Isn't it just that everyone flatters each other?

It's so sincere that people use real money to hold it!
At the beginning of Haishi.

Marquis Mansion in Sajin Alley.

Chen Chu has been busy in Wangxiangyuan for a while. His daughter, whose nickname is Xiao Yuanbao, doesn't have a very good appetite, but Yunong has a lot of stock.

After putting both mother and daughter to sleep, Chen Chu returned to Hanchundang's study.

There are no important secrets in the study room at the back of the house, so Mao'er and Caihua can come and go at will.

When Chen Chu entered, the two of them were gathered in front of the bookcase, admiring a set of calligraphy.

Seeing him come in, the cat raised his head and stopped talking.

Cai Hua didn't care so much, she just picked up the calligraphy and shook it, "Good man, you don't know this, you are just trying to collect calligraphy and painting! Is this calligraphy worth 880 taels? Let me tell you, it's not worth even [-] taels of silver." !”

"Hey~hey! Be careful not to burn it!"

When Chen Chu saw that Cai Hua was holding the calligraphy very close to the candle, he quickly stepped forward, took it back from Cai Hua's hand, and laid it on the desk again.

Then he chuckled, took the pen and licked the ink, and randomly daubed out the word "jun" in "Gentleman's sincerity, the way of heaven".

Just when Mao'er and Cai Hua looked confused, Chen Chu added another word.

The two took a closer look and laughed.

That 'Jun Zicheng, the Way of Heaven' was changed to 'Jin Zicheng, the Way of Heaven'.

Hey, don't tell me, what happened today was quite appropriate.
Under the candlelight, Mao'er smiled implicitly, and Cai Hua smiled charmingly.

The misty halos are each beautiful.

Chen Chu, who had just been distracted in order to help Yunong, had a lingering look on their faces.

Mao'er, who has been married for many years, understands Guanren's thoughts best. He couldn't help but tilted his head and looked at Cai Hua. That means that you just entered the house on New Year's Eve and Guanren has been with you for half a month. It's time for him to come and greet you today. It's time for spring.

In fact, it means to drive Cai Hua away quickly and return to your Qingpu Garden as soon as possible.

Cai Hua didn't know whether she didn't understand Mao'er's eyes or deliberately pretended not to understand. Anyway, she suddenly widened her narrow fox eyes and pretended to be surprised: "You want the three of us to sleep together again?" ah?"

"Bah~" This was the most difficult thing for Mao'er to say. He couldn't help but blush and spat, "Don't talk nonsense! I didn't think about it! Go, go, you two go to Qingpu Garden to have a rest!"

Mao'er couldn't help but push the two of them out.

Cai Hua smiled, like a little fox who had succeeded in his evil scheme.
(End of this chapter)