Chaos of Ming 1628

His laughter was quite loud, and the room was brightly lit. Although the windows were closed, Sun Qing knew that the person inside was watching.

Unexpectedly, she was one of the leaders of the Hegan Cultural Association.

To become the leader, one must first possess unparalleled literary talent and foundation. One stroke of the pen will be enough to impress even the most learned young scholars.

Not only must one have a reputation and prestige, but one must also have extensive connections with scholars from all over the world.

He is of fair character, knowledgeable in etiquette and law, and able to maintain order.

The key is to have money. Only with abundant financial resources can one afford the enormous expenses of compiling an anthology.

Therefore, even if a room in a building cannot fully possess all four of the above qualities, it should at least have all of them, and one of them should be particularly outstanding.

Let's talk about the boy's questioning of him earlier.

It's not hard for him to have such suspicions, since the postmaster had just explained that the other leader was Mr. Song.

There was a man who was both a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations and a master calligrapher of the Ming Dynasty, known throughout the court and the common people, with extensive connections. He remained independent of the eunuch faction, earning the respect of scholars across the land. Not only was he a man of great literary talent, but he was also well-versed in military strategy. His commentary on any article could inspire conviction.

He is Song Xian, and he deserves to be the head of the association.

As for this woman, she is probably exceptionally wealthy.

Sun Qing shook his head, looking at the boy. How could such a good-for-nothing ask the last question?

This is clearly a test.

After all, Song Xian was a staunch supporter of Sun Chengzong. It was one thing for him to conceal his identity in ordinary times. However, to participate in the literary gathering, one would inevitably have to arrive here early. How could the Sun family not know about such a sensational event?

"Idiot!" Sun Qing retorted without any politeness, "Do I even need a business card?"

"Aren't these so-called name cards just for outsiders? What about wandering knights, what about commoners... they're all just thresholds set up for them."

Sun Qing looked at him, suddenly smiled, and said slowly, "Ridiculous, why would I tell you all this?"

He carefully examined the people on the veranda, then suddenly smiled: "Don't tell me I'm not a stranger. Even if I wanted to write a name card, what business is it of yours?"

The boy suddenly stopped talking.

"But you," Sun Qing's gaze passed through the boy and landed on the room behind him, "I see only emptiness in your eyes and a lack of knowledge. Do you even have the right to go in?"

"You!" The boy was furious and began to roll up his sleeves.

"Little brother," a soft voice called from inside the house, followed by a woman's light laughter, "Don't be rude to Young Master Sun!"

After saying that, he added, "Young Master Sun, please don't be offended. My younger brother may seem unconventional, but he cares most about the rules."

"He was being presumptuous."

Sun Qing was secretly startled; even the way the woman upstairs spoke was strikingly similar to Qingqing's. She seemed casual, yet she went through everyone's names.

The reason why some people don't need visiting cards is that they already have a certain reputation in the local area, and their strength has long been recognized by some people.

What does someone like Sun Qing have to do with getting in through connections?

If they say they won't go, then Song Xian is the head of the association, and it would be too unreasonable for the Sun family members not to go and see him.

"These words truly make me ashamed; I will prepare immediately."

Sun Qing should have attended the so-called Riverbank Literary Gathering. Even more fortunately, Song Xian was the one hosting it.

He already knew that Song Xian was Lao Yu. Now that this old man who had been feigning madness was going to come out into the open, it was a good thing for Sun Qing.

Song Xian's identity is known to everyone, and despite being by his side for so long, his identity has never been revealed.

Regardless of the other party's purpose, Sun Qing knew that stepping forward to acknowledge him now would save a lot of trouble and was tantamount to indirectly acknowledging his identity.

Back in the room, after much deliberation, I picked up my pen again.

He's quite good himself, especially skilled in penmanship. He knows a little bit of calligraphy, but not much.

All I can say is that the handwriting is neat and legible.

Sun Qing used all his knowledge to write the following line.

"The Sun family of Gaoyang, a commoner, went to the elegant gathering by the riverbank to seek instruction, having heard of his reputation."

The key to writing a good business card lies in the writing itself. If we are discussing current affairs, errors are inevitable, and saying too much or too little is not acceptable.

Writing poetry and prose is the best approach. After the late Ming Dynasty, there were very few poems and prose works that were truly timely, stunning, and uncriticized.

Moreover, today's display is only a temporary pleasure and may not last long.

Sun Qing hesitated for a long time, the candlelight flickering red, and he seemed somewhat dazed.

It was as if she had returned to her university days. Qingqing recited with a proud look on her face: "Quietly I leave, just as quietly I came; I wave my sleeves, without taking away a single cloud."

That was the first time they met in the club.

With a look of anticipation on her face, Qingqing said excitedly, "The words are concise yet profound, concealing the anxieties of the times and the disappointment of the nation."

I remember standing at the door, Sun Qing couldn't help but shake his head repeatedly: "Ridiculous, it's just a sentimental little poem reminiscing about my time in Cambridge, why force it to have a higher theme?"

"Can't you see something deeper?" Qingqing retorted angrily.

Sun Qing said nonchalantly, "It always throws in sentiments of national and familial love. Its writing style is so gentle; isn't it just about his ridiculous feelings for Lin Weiyin?"

"I don't think it's necessary to force a narrative of the times as one of misery."

The two argued heatedly, but through this dispute, they gradually entered each other's lives.

Dead memories are resurfacing, and before I knew it, these four lines had been written on the paper.

Shen Junru peeked over and frowned, "Why do I get dizzy just looking at these black tadpoles?"

"I'd better send it to you right away!" Shen Junru grabbed the name card and the poem and walked away. By the time Sun Qing reacted, she was already outside the door.

moment.

Shen Junru sat at the table and drank water in large gulps.

Looking at Sun Qing's calm expression, he grinned and said, "Hehe, hurry up and thank me."

"Thank you." Sun Qing said calmly. To be honest, he had never thought of using these words as a way to get in touch with the client.

"Hey, is this your attitude?" Shen Junru pouted and snorted in dissatisfaction. "That young lady is named Yang Qingqing, twenty years old. She's from Beijing."

"But we don't know whose family she is, we only know that she is extremely wealthy and a famous talented woman."

"Those who can attend the literary gathering are probably not part of the eunuch faction!"

Shen Junru finished speaking in one breath.

Sun Qing turned around abruptly. Yang Qingqing?!

Even their names are so similar. Could it be that fate is giving them another chance?

Aside from his ex-wife, Sun Qing had no information about Yang Qingqing in his mind.

On the morning of September 15th.

The day of the week the funeral will be held.

At the entrance of the county government office, all the white curtains had been removed.

Sun Qing walked to the door, frowning slightly.

"Now that our magistrate is gone, how will Jiahe County function?"

"What's there to be afraid of? Madam Fengsheng is in charge of things in the backyard now, why should we worry?"

"What? Lady Fengsheng's carriage is all ready, and she is said to be departing for the capital tonight."

"Why do they leave at night instead of during the day? These important figures are really strange!"

Several yamen runners were harnessing the carriage while whispering among themselves.

Sun Qing, please cough twice.

Upon hearing the sound, the two immediately fell silent. They hurriedly looked at Sun Qing, their faces turning pale, and exclaimed, "Young Master Sun!"

"The Heavenly Commander is already waiting for you in the backyard."

Sun Qing nodded and went inside.

In the courtyard, Tian Ergeng and the others were no longer dressed as sedan chair carriers, but had changed into the uniforms of imperial guards.

Tian Ergeng wore a scarlet official robe with wide wings, a lion pattern on his chest, a jade belt at his waist, and a gilded brocade guard badge on his left side.

The attendants lined up in two rows, each with an embroidered spring knife hanging from their waist.

The carriage curtains were tightly closed, and despite it being September, there were many blocks of ice inside.

Upon seeing Sun Qing arrive, Tian Ergeng didn't waste any words and immediately addressed the yamen runners.

He announced to the public: "The magistrate of Jiaohe County committed suicide out of fear of punishment. He is hereby appointed to temporarily take charge of all affairs. If anyone questions or disagrees, we will come to question him again."

Unaware of Tian Ergeng's identity, they felt no fear. Now that they knew he was the fearsome eldest son, Tian Ergeng, who dared to utter a single word.

Tian Ergeng paused for a moment, then looked at Sun Qing: "Although you are not officially the county magistrate for now, you are in charge of handling all matters, big and small, in the county."

"As for your appointment document, wait a moment over there." Tian Ergeng said meaningfully, "After the Ninth Prince nods, he will recommend your name."

"By the way, the Imperial Household Department's approval still requires a full set of procedures, so you should prepare them as soon as possible."

After he finished speaking, his gaze remained fixed on the carriage: "I've escorted Madam back to the capital!"