The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 375

Xu Xuan was sitting in his study writing at his desk. He was writing a remonstrance on the implementation of the land system and household tax reform, and on the preparation for the establishment of the first official newspaper of the imperial court - "Jiangning Zhibao".

Nowadays, the conservative and patriarchal factions are powerful in the court, represented by Prime Minister Song Qiqiu and the five courtiers around him known as the "Five Ghosts".

Xu Xuan knew that submitting this memorial to the court would be like throwing a stone into water, which would surely cause ripples.

Land system, household tax, commercial tax, military power, official power, these stubborn problems of the country, each involved many interests, and one move affected the whole body. Xu Xuan could predict how strong resistance his reform proposals would encounter.

Under the dim light of the oil lamp and candle, Xu Xuan raised his head and looked at the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall of the study with bloodshot eyes.

They were two poems that he copied by hand and had them framed by craftsmen after he returned from Jingzhou. One was called "Ode of Lime" and the other was called "Farewell to a Friend".

"Thousands of hammers have carved out the deep mountains, and the fire has burned them as if it were nothing. I am not afraid of my bones being shattered into pieces, I want to leave my innocence in the world."

Xu Xuan murmured, and every word sounded like gold, resounding in his ears, injecting powerful power into his slightly tired mind.

Xu Xuan took a deep breath and felt inspired and energetic. He rubbed his eyes and went back to his desk to write hard.

God allowed him to be born in a home with fine clothing and food, and also gave him talents that ordinary people could not match. He often felt that he had to leave something in this world, otherwise it would be a waste of God's love.

In the past, Xu Xuan dreamed of becoming a famous literati like Li Du of the former Tang Dynasty, leaving behind many poems that would be sung by future generations. Therefore, he was obsessed with being a literati and had an indifferent attitude towards his official career.

But with Jingzhou and his party, his thoughts changed.

There are many sufferings in the world, and poetry and poetry alone cannot solve the sufferings of the people.

He wanted to do more practical things for the people of the world.

Sometimes Xu Xuan stopped writing and thought hard, and sometimes he stared blankly at the two characters on the wall, lost in thought.

Whenever he felt hesitant or hesitant, he would look at these two poems.

There is also the "Snow Fu", which is regarded as a cultural treasure by Jiangning scholars.

Recently, a song "Song of All Living Beings" has been circulated in Jiangning city. The words are simple and unpretentious, but it tells the story of the difficulty of life for the people. In addition, the melody is sad and mournful, and the lyrics and music complement each other. It is sung by those with graceful singing voices, which makes the listeners cry. Lamented how difficult people's livelihood is.

Xu Xuan accidentally heard this song and was deeply shocked on the spot. After returning home, he copied down the words and prepared to find someone to frame them as another warning.

The only thing that Xu Xuan regretted was that except for the piece "Send Off to a Friend" when he left Jingzhou, he didn't get any other calligraphy works by Zhu Xiu.

Zhu Xiu's one-stroke calligraphy was unique and novel in style. Xu Xuan called it "Xiu Ti calligraphy". He often imitated it, but he could only use skin and flesh without essence and bones.

Thinking of Zhu Xiu, Xu Xuan was a little lost in thought. He smiled and shook his head, dismissed the distracting thoughts in his mind, and continued to compose a letter of advice.

There was a knock on the study door, and the servant said respectfully outside the door: "Master, there is a visitor outside the house delivering a letter, saying that an old friend of the master has come to Beijing and asks to see him."

Xu Xuan stopped writing and frowned: "Who is this person?"

The servant replied: "I don't know, I didn't know who the visitor was, but the concierge announced that there were four guests."

Xu Xuan put down his pen and glanced at the time. It was almost midnight, why would someone come to the house to see him so late?

"Bring the letter to me."

The servant pushed open the door and presented the letter.

"Your regards, Mr. Xu."

Xu Xuan took it and was stunned when he saw the handwriting on the cover of the letter. His eyes widened as if he couldn't believe it. He thought his eyes were dazzled. He rubbed it vigorously and looked again. The handwriting was solemn and solemn, like the handwriting written on the bright moon and clear wind. Isn't it the "Show Style Calligraphy" that I have been tracing for many days? !

Maybe I saw a ghost. Just now I secretly regretted that I didn't ask Zhu Xiu for a few calligraphy paintings when I left Jingzhou. Instead, I turned around and a letter with Zhu Xiu's handwriting was delivered to the desk.

Xu Xuan hurriedly opened it, unfolded the letter, and read it carefully under the light.

It can't be wrong, it can't be wrong, this round and flying Xing Kai is unique to Zhu Xiu, and no one in the world can imitate it so penetratingly.

Could it be that Zhu Xiu came to Jiangning?
Oh~ Zhu Xiaolang really can’t bear to talk about it~
Xu Xuan calmed down and quickly read it again. Only then did he understand a little bit.

Zhu Xiu learned that her family might live in Jiangning, so she disguised herself and came to Jiangning to find relatives, and then accidentally got involved in a dispute with the Zhou family.
Now things have changed. Zhu Xiu sent his family to the Xu Mansion and asked Xu Xuan to take care of them temporarily.

Without hesitation, Xu Xuan folded the letter and put it aside, got up in a hurry, and ordered: "Go and inform Madam, please come to the front hall to welcome the guests with me."

After saying that, Xu Xuan quickly left the study and rushed to the gate of the mansion.

The servant was stunned for a moment. Why is such an important guest asking Mrs. Labor to come forward?
The servant did not dare to neglect and ran all the way to the back house to report.

Outside the gate of Xu Mansion, Zha Hui and Zhu Wu's family got off the carriage and stood at the foot of the steps waiting.

Looking at the imposing Wutou gate and the Xu Mansion plaque hanging high, the Zhu Wu family felt a little uneasy.

They have never entered the mansion of an official.

"Young man, I want to ask you, how old is this official Xu?"

Wu Youdi secretly pulled Rachahui's sleeve and asked in a low voice.

Zha Hui bowed hurriedly and said: "Old Madam, just ask me to check Hui. As for the old lady, this Xu Shangshu is a high-ranking official and very famous. They say that he has been a child prodigy since he was a child. He wrote poems at the age of three and composed poems at the age of five. The article is the Wenqu star from heaven descending to earth!”

Wu Youdi, Zhu Wu, and Yang Qiaolian were stunned for a moment.

"Then how big an official is Xu Shangshu?" Zhu Wu asked in a low voice.

Zha Hui scratched his head and vowed: "Let's put it this way, our Banqiao store is under the jurisdiction of Shangyuan County, and Shangyuan County is under the jurisdiction of Jiangning Prefecture. When the Shangyuan County magistrate met the Jiangning Prefecture Yin, he bowed and called himself a lower official. Jiangning Prefecture Yin When I see this Xu Shangshu, I have to bow down and call myself an official!"

"Oh~"

The three Zhu family members opened their eyes wide and exclaimed in exclamation. After saying this, they understood that Xu Shangshu was really a high official!
Wu Youdi said again worriedly: "Brother Xiu asked us to join this Xu Shangshu, he is a high-ranking official, can he pay attention to us?"

Zhu Wu asked Zha Hui: "How big an official can my brother be in the north?"

Zha Hui smiled bitterly and said: "I don't even know, this little guy! I only heard the official Pan and the official surnamed Hu call the junior official Hou Ye."

Zhu Wu and Wu Youdi were still confused and couldn't figure out how big an official the Marquis was.

Zhu Liang raised his head and said, "I know, my uncle is a general! He has soldiers under his command!"

Zhu Wu lightly slapped him on the back of the head: "Stop talking nonsense, you kid knows nothing!"

"I knew it!" Zhu Liang covered his head angrily.

The ajar door of Xu Mansion opened, and several servants holding lanterns walked out from both sides. A thin scribe stepped across the threshold, looked at the four people, and quickly stepped forward to salute:

“I don’t know that when a distinguished guest comes to visit, it would be disrespectful to greet him from afar, disrespectful and disrespectful!”

Zha Hui and Zhu Wu's family were shocked. They didn't expect the visitor to be so polite, and they saluted at a loss.

Xu Xuan glanced at everyone, and soon had a suspicion in his mind. He smiled at Wu Youdi and said, "That is Xu Xuan. Do you dare to ask my sister-in-law if she is the mother of Zhu Xiaolangjun?"

With courage, Wu Youdi curtsied stiffly: "I have met Mr. Xu, the old lady is exactly that." Xu Xuan bowed politely again.

Wu Youdi didn't know how to deal with it. She had never even seen the county magistrate in her life, but now she met a high-ranking official who was higher than the county magistrate. He was still treating her with courtesy. Wu Youdi I was so nervous that my palms were sweating.

Xu Xuan saw everyone's restraint and said with a smile: "You don't need to be restrained. Xu and Mr. Zhu Xiaolang are sworn friends. Regardless of age and nationality, they are just like-minded. Zhu Shaolang entrusted you to Xu as a sign of gratitude to Xu. trust.

Everyone, please, let us come into the house to talk. "

Xu Xuan stepped aside and politely invited everyone into the house.

Zhu Wu supported his mother, and Yang Qiaolian held the two dolls. The family carefully crossed the threshold and entered the Xu Mansion.

Xu Xuan's wife, Mrs. Wang, also rushed over and was stunned when she saw her husband inviting a group of strangers dressed as civilians with frightened expressions into the house.

But she was also knowledgeable and reasonable. She smiled, nodded to everyone, and invited them to rest in the front hall.

"Officers, who are they?" Wang asked softly, pulling Xu Xuan's sleeve.

Xu Xuan smiled, patted his wife's hand and said: "I made friends with a young friend in Jingzhou, do you remember?"

Mrs. Wang pursed her lips and smiled: "Officials often hold "Xue Fu" and "Farewell to Friends" and recite them. I can't even remember them."

Xu Xuan smiled and said: "These are the relatives of my little friend who lives in Jiangning. It was not easy to find him. Now that he has something important to do, he asked me to take care of him temporarily."

"That's it." Wang nodded.

"Madam, let me entertain guests, but don't be scornful because they are from ordinary families." Xu Xuan warned.

Mrs. Wang rolled her eyes at him and said angrily: "Is this the kind of person who praises the superior and the inferior, despises the poor and loves the rich?"

"Hehe~ Madame is from the famous Wang family in Taiyuan. Naturally, the family education is decent, so I have to worry too much about my husband!"

Just as he was talking, the sound of galloping horse hooves came from the quiet street. Xu Xuan asked Wang to go greet the guests first and stepped out of the house to take a look in confusion.

"Mr. Xu!"

The horses stopped in front of the Xu Mansion. A man in black got off his horse and hurried up the steps.

Xu Xuan took a closer look and saw that the person who came looked familiar. He was surprised and said: "You are Zhu Shaolang's bodyguard. His name is Hu, Hu Guangyue!"

Hu Guangyue said hurriedly: "That's right, the villain!"

"Zhu Shaolang is really in Jiangning!" Xu Xuan was overjoyed. Hu Guangyue was here, and Zhu Xiu must be here too.

Hu Guangyue said anxiously: "I have been ordered to come here. I have important matters to discuss with Mr. Xu."

Immediately, Hu Guangyue came closer and quickly told in a low voice that Zhou Xian was arrested and sent to Jujingyuan, that Zhou Ling and others might want to murder Zhou Zong, and then framed them in the name of assassins.

Xu Xuan's expression changed several times after hearing this, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead and back.

A big storm is brewing in Jiangning City.
~~~
Just after midnight, they gathered in Jingyuan.

The entire Jujing Garden is really too big, almost occupying the entire western foot of Fangshan Mountain.

The garden occupies a vast area, and at the foot of the mountain alone, there are six or seven canals dug to divert water from the Qinhuai River.

In some years, there is abundant rainfall, and the Qinhuai River surges. Canals that are not repaired in time are often washed away. They are destroyed and rebuilt, and rebuilt and rebuilt again, countless times.

More and more open ditches and underground rivers are left behind.

Although the River Affairs Bureau sends people to inspect the backfilled canals and ditches every year, over time, there will always be some omissions.

Ordinary people would not know about these underground ditches that can bypass the guards at the main gate of Jujingyuan and go straight to the Forbidden Garden. Only boatmen who are familiar with the direction of the water flow of the Qinhuai River and who have been running boats in Jiangning Mansion all year round will know something about it.

The boss of the Jingxiang boat who sold the boat to Zhu Xiu was an insider.

Following his instructions, Zhu Xiu and Pan Mei went ashore near Baizi Bridge. When they were near the main entrance of Jujingyuan, they walked to a tidal flat in the northeast corner. After passing through a waist-deep reed pond, they could walk around to the northeastern outer wall of Jujingyuan.

There is a dark ditch with accumulated water here. If you dive into the dark ditch, you can swim from the bottom of the outer wall and enter the Jujing Garden.

After a lot of effort, Zhu Xiu and Pan Mei climbed up into the ditch, all wet, and lay down on the grass to take a breath.

The underground ditch connects to an abandoned pond, which can be regarded as the exterior scene at the foot of Jujingyuan Mountain.

Since Li Hongji acquired Jujing Garden, the palaces, flower ponds, pavilions, etc. built at the foot of the mountain were abandoned, and they were demolished and moved to the middle of the mountain for reconstruction.

Therefore, at the foot of the mountain, except for an orchard and a few flat roads that lead directly to the mountainside, there is no other landscape.

"Mom, we Lao Pan should be a hero on land. Kung fu in the water is really not suitable for me."

Pan Mei choked a few mouthfuls of water, squatted aside and retched.

Pan Mei didn't know how to swim originally, but was forced to learn it while participating in special training at the Tiger Camp in Jingzhou.

When it comes to water skills, Zhu Xiu is much better than him. After all, he was only half a swimmer in his previous life.

Zhu Xiu wiped the muddy water from her face, crossed her arms and shivered.

It was very humid at night in Jiangning, and it was really cold when the wind blew all over me.

"I need to find some dry clothes to change into." Zhu Xiu's teeth chattered. He didn't want to catch a bad cold.

Pan Mei regained some energy, looked around and saw a room with lights on in the distance. There seemed to be someone, probably a slave responsible for guarding the orchard.

"Wait." Pan Mei muttered and hurried towards the wooden house in the dark.

Zhu Xiu got into the orchard, hid behind a pear tree and watched from a distance.

After Pan Mei touched the house, she pinched her nose and meowed like a cat.

In the dark night, I could only hear the sound of an old cat meowing in the distance.

After a while, the door of the house creaked open, and a man carrying a hatchet came out cursing and went around to the back of the house to check.

Soon, there was a muffled hum from behind the house. After the rustling sound, Pan Mei took off the man's clothes and put them on herself, then went into the house and rummaged for some dry clothes.

The two of them changed their clothes in the orchard, picked a few more pears to eat, figured out the way up the mountain, and hid all the way to the mountainside.

After another half an hour, the two found themselves outside Longqing Hall, but they were a little dumbfounded.

There is more than one palace on the mountainside. Going up, there are several magnificent palaces, one after another. I don’t know where Zhou Xian was taken.

At this moment, outside Jujingyuan, a fire suddenly broke out on Baizi Bridge. A cargo ship came from nowhere, hit Baizi Bridge and started a fire.

Looking from the mountainside, in the distance, a group of fire is particularly obvious in the darkness.

(End of this chapter)