Chapter 5 Discuss difficult problems

The guests showed up quickly. Walking in the front is Chen Zaizhu.He is short and fat, with a square face, a big mouth, small eyes, and light eyebrows, and he always puts on a cheerful look.In the eyes of ordinary people, he has a straightforward temperament and a strong heart. Only a few people such as Qian Qianyi know that this person is actually deep in wisdom, shrewd and capable, and he does not reveal it.He is the brother-in-law of Qian Qianyi's wife, Mrs. Chen, and he has handled several extremely difficult events for Qian Qianyi, so Qian Qianyi has always relied heavily on this wife-in-law.

Walking behind is Qian Qianyi's brother Qian Yangxian.He has the same dark face and high nose bridge as Qian Qianyi, only taller and thinner, with a pair of eyes that keep rolling.In the early years, he used to run the pier for Qian Qianyi, but in recent years, because of severe rheumatism, he seldom went out for a walk.Now, holding on to a quinoa stick, he habitually beat his waist and eyes with the back of his hand as he walked. Because he was a frequent visitor to his close relatives, Qian Qianyi was not too polite, he bowed to each other, and then sat down as the guest and the host.The old servant Qian Sheng brought tea, and Qian Qianyi knew that Chen Zaizhu was very picky about tea tasting, so when he asked if it was "Mao Jian", he waved his hand and ordered to exchange it for "Yuan Pian", which cost three taels of silver a catty.Chen Zaizhu nodded, took the tea from Qian Sheng, and asked with a smile:

"Qian Sheng, your child has entered school, and now you are the father of a scholar. Why are you still busy here if you don't go home to enjoy the blessings?" Qian Sheng was delivering a cup of tea to Qian Qianyi's hand. Hearing this, he turned his flat and wrinkled face and said unhappily: "Uncle, it's fine if others want to drive me away, even you are old." Drive me away? If I had known what would happen in the end, I would never have asked him to read any books!" "Hey, that's amazing!" Qian Yang interjected first, "This is the blessing you obtained in your previous life. No matter how many people are looking forward to it, you are not happy!"

"That's right, maybe your child will be admitted to a Juren this year, and a Jinshi next year. By then, you will be an old man. I'm afraid we won't be able to please you!" Chen Zaizhu was still smiling, but he didn't know. Whether he is sarcastic or sincere. "It doesn't matter whether he lifts it or not, anyway, my old Qian Sheng is still old Qian Sheng, and I am still here to serve the master and wife!" Qian Sheng blushed and said stubbornly, then turned around and walked out with a thump. up. "Hey, what a guy!" Chen Zaizhu was amazed, "It looks like he's really a bully swallowing weights—he's determined!"

Qian Qianyi was leaning on the chair, and had been silent at first, but now he raised his eyelids and found that Chen Zaizhu was looking at him, so he said vaguely: "I haven't taken any more since I registered for his child last year. He treats him like a servant. But he is used to serving me since he was a child, so..." "Hey, there are less and less loyal people like him in the world today." Qian Yangxian seemed quite emotional, "It's true that when you hear that slaves gain power, they turn their faces and deny their masters, even if you are kind to him. No matter how serious the righteousness is, it is useless, and there are even wanton beatings and breaking into the house. So, this old Qian Sheng, let alone, it is really rare!"

After saying this, the two guests fell silent together.Because they knew that Qian Qianyi called them here in a hurry, it would definitely not be for no reason, there must be something important.So, now they all looked at their master, waiting for him to speak. But Qian Qianyi kept silent.Because firstly, Qian Sheng and Li Bao were still coming in and out to arrange refreshments; secondly, Qian Qianyi felt that the matter to be discussed was really extraordinary.Although the two people in front of him are his confidantes who have followed him for many years, he does not intend to tell the whole story immediately, but how to talk to them and to what extent, he has not considered clearly, so he is still hesitating.

Seeing the master's expression, Chen Zaizhu and Qian Yang knew that he still needed time to think, so they didn't rush him.Qian Yang picked up the cup first, took a sip of tea slowly, and suddenly said with a smile: "Just now, a guest came from Gusu, and it was interesting to talk about something." Chen Zaizhu looked at him cheerfully, and asked with great interest, "Oh? I would like to hear more about it." Qian Yang took another sip of tea first, looked at Qian Qianyi, and then at Chen Zaizhu: "Well, I don't know you two—have you heard of Chen Yuanyuan?"

"Why don't you know!" Chen Zaizhu blinked his small eyes happily, "Chen Yuanyuan, the girl who is so popular in Gusu City! Beauty, art, and talent are three things! I saw her in Huqiu Mountain Pond the year before last. On her side. Hey, the performance of "The Story of Red Plum" in Yiyang accent is like "clouds come out of the mountains, like pearls on the plate, it makes people want to die"!...Well, by the way, these few sentences are still Rugao's preposterous Jiang’s criticism. I heard that Pijiang and Yuanyuan have already made an appointment, and they will marry her back sooner or later—Making Pijiang, in all fairness, can be regarded as a good son of the world, and he is worthy of Yuanyuan—but , what's the matter, her?"

Qian Yang put the teacup on the table first, and sighed, "There's a big mess!" Qian Qianyi, who was twiddling his beard and half listening, had his eyelids twitch and turned his face away. Qian Yangxian went on to say: "This——I'm afraid it's an injustice. It's because of Chen Yuanyuan's self-esteem that she is peerless, unparalleled in singing and dancing, she has a big air, and her reputation is becoming more and more famous. Unexpectedly, she committed a crime." This evil star is none other than Tian Hongyu, the father-in-law of the country. A few days ago, Emperor Tian sent someone to Gusu to buy a girl. Hearing Yuanyuan's name, he appointed her to buy her. Yuanyuan was frightened Hiding in Tibet, thanks to a few lonely old people who are good friends, willing to work for her, they mobilized hundreds of idlers and rogues to guard Yuanyuan every day, and they even squeezed their fists, sleeves, danced with guns and clubs, and wanted to be with Tianfu. People fight together. Now this matter has reached the Suzhou Mansion, and the servants of the Tian Mansion go to the yamen every day to force the dignitaries, and the magistrate is so anxious that he is dizzy, running around in circles. I don't know how this matter will end! "

Chen Zaizhu shook his head like a rattle drum: "Hey, hey! Is Tian's relative aggressive? His daughter is the emperor's favorite concubine. This time, Yuanyuan may be doomed." "It's hard to say." Qian Yang blinked his eyes first, "I think Chen Yuanyuan is self-reliant on her beauty, art, and talent. I'm afraid that as soon as she enters the Tianfu, she will be favored and spoiled. She will enjoy endless glory from then on. Wealthy. This small calamity, but knowing that it is not a blessing?" "But Tian Hongyu is nothing but a vulgar thing." Qian Qianyi said suddenly, "Even if the power is in the hands of the government, and the wealth is incomparable to the enemy, I don't understand the taste! I'm afraid Yuanyuan is still a secret investment in the end."

His tone was troubled, he didn't look at the guests, and his expression became darker and darker.In the end, he stood up, walked around the room, and murmured with his hands behind his hands in despair: "As soon as Hou Men entered the deep sea, Xiao Lang was a passerby from then on..." Chen Zaizhu blinked his eyes, and suddenly laughed haha: "Come on, this is really 'passionate but ruthlessly annoyed', in fact, it doesn't matter if it's 'Yuanyuan', 'Fangfang', Xiao Lang, or Mao Pijiang. , how can we care about other people's affairs in bed? Come on, let's drink tea seriously. Later, I also have something to hear, I'm afraid my brother-in-law is more interested!" Qian Yangxian rolled his eyes, and said, "It's just right, let's drink tea, drink tea." While they were talking, Qian Sheng and Li Bao had set out a table of refreshments on the table of the Eight Immortals: two Yixing sand pots, each soaked with newly replaced hair tips and scallops, and three extremely thin kiln cups, placed on the table There are seven or eight small dishes in the middle - dumplings, siu mai, stuffed pie, lentil cake, honey orange cake, leek box, and spring rolls.At this time, Qian Qianyi also came back to his senses, so he invited the two guests to the table, and said to Qian Sheng and Li Bao: "You guys wait outside, I will call you if something happens." Qian Sheng and Li Bao withdrew.The three people at the table drank tea and ate one or two snacks each.Qian Yang urged first: "Zhu Weng, what good news do you have?" Chen Zaizhu's mouth was full of orange cake.He nodded his head, blinked his eyes, finally swallowed the cake, took another sip of tea, and then said: "It's not a big deal, but it's also horrifying—I When I was in Beijing last year, I heard that the year before last when Meng Dong sacrificed to the Taimiao, all the ministers first waited outside the gate of the palace. At that time, the gate of the palace was not opened, and suddenly there was a strange noise inside. Everyone was wondering and saw the gate of the palace opened wide. The rest of the great husbands in the dragon robes and imperial crowns walked out slowly from the inside and disappeared in a blink of an eye. Looking at the door of the palace again, it was closed tightly again. Everyone who saw it at that time was terrified and dared not speak. When the emperor arrived and saluted, suddenly there was a strange phenomenon in the palace. The wind blew up, and all the lamps and candles were extinguished. All the ministers who accompanied the sacrifice fell down in dismay. The emperor also became ill due to fright, his lower body was numb, and he could not walk or stand. It took more than a hundred days to heal. On that day, the weather was fine, and there was no abnormal phenomenon. Long Yan was very happy when he heard it, and he sighed to the left and right, 'Old Zhou Ge is a blessed man after all!'" After Chen Zaizhu finished speaking, he took a sip of tea, put half a piece of honey cake in his mouth and chewed it, his face was still cheerful.He deliberately didn't add a comment, knowing that Qian Qianyi must understand what he meant. Sure enough, Qian Qianyi became pensive.He turned the Chengyao cup in his hand, as if he was studying the texture of it. After a long while, he finally said slowly: "Zai Zhu is right. This time, I'm afraid I have to open up Old Man Zhou's joints, but..." He After pondering, he stopped talking again. "But what?" Chen Zaizhu stared at him with a smile, "Did old man Zhou have a problem? And this problem has something to do with that guy in the crotch?"——Because Ruan Dacheng lived in Nanjing In Kusifang, the people who hated him at that time took a homonym and called him "Ruan in the crotch". Hearing Chen Zaizhu's words reveal the details, Qian Qianyi couldn't help being a little stunned.He hesitated and said: "...Well, in Zhu, you know everything?" Chen Zaizhu laughed: "I'm guessing too! When I left Beijing, my friend told me again and again: 'Mr. Zhou means that I hope that Donglin will not forget the old grudges, and I ask the shepherd to make this matter come true.' At that time, I I guessed it a little bit. Now that my brother asks this question, I guessed it right!" Qian Qianyi blinked his eyes and sighed: "Zaizhu is really a genius! With the help of you two, why should I worry? However, there is little hope of success in this matter, so I don't care if I don't mention it." He paused, looked at Chen Zaizhu and Qian Yangxian, and then slowly said: "I know that Zhou Zhou has always been very suspicious of me, but now he said that he is willing to put aside his past suspicions and draw on me, but he is probably not sincere. It's just a hindrance As for his comeback this time, he relied on Dong Lin's strength, and he had to deal with his feelings, but he deliberately raised such a difficult problem, so that I retreated!" He stroked his gray beard hanging down to his chest, his face There was a sneering expression on his face, "I have not started dealing with this Mr. Zhou since today. It can be said that I know myself and my enemy! All in all, as long as Zhou Yanru is in the court, I, Qian, will keep my place and lead the forest for a day." that is." Chen Zaizhu and Qian Yang glanced at each other first, not understanding why Qian Qianyi suddenly spoke of frustration. It is true that there had always been personal grievances between Qian and Zhou.This kind of personal grievance can be traced back to the second year of Chongzhen. At that time, some important figures of the Donglin Party, such as Gu Xiancheng, Gao Panlong, Li Sancai, Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou, Zou Yuanbiao, Huang Zunsu, etc., had died in the fierce party struggle. , Qian Qianyi, as the surviving prestigious member, was pushed out to compete for a cabinet position.Unexpectedly, they were hostile by Wen Tiren, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Zhou Yanru, the right servant of the Ministry of Rites. , The muddled old accounts of bribery and fraud were read in front of the emperor.As a result, not only did Qian Qianyi's dream of becoming a prime minister come to naught, but even the black hat of the right servant of the Ministry of Rites was removed, and he stumbled back to his hometown of Changshu.Up to now, it has been a full thirteen years.On the contrary, during this period, Wen Tiren and Zhou Yanru entered the cabinet one after another, ranking as the first assistant.Over the years, they have been paying close attention to Qian Qianyi, sparing no effort to suppress and attack him, fearing that he will have a chance to come back... Chen Zaizhu and Qian Yang knew about this situation first.However, the relationship in the officialdom is extremely complicated, and there is no permanent pattern between the enemy and the enemy.For example, Zhou Yanru was against Donglin in the past, but this time, he rejoined the cabinet because of Donglin's recommendation.What's more, Qian Qianyi's nemesis Wen Tiren resigned due to illness in the ninth year of Chongzhen.Now in the imperial court, the voice of using Qian Qianyi is getting louder and louder.Why did Qian Qianyi become so passive and hesitant when things came to an end, and hesitated to move forward?This really puzzled the two confidants.Especially Chen Zaizhu, he thought that even though he spent more money in going to Beijing this time, he finally fulfilled his mission and deserved credit for it. Now that Qian Qianyi poured cold water on his head, he was quite unconvinced .Then he gave a dry cough, cleared his throat, and said: "Brother-in-law's concern is that the group of scholars in Fushe is not easy to deal with? Then, my younger brother is already familiar with it. According to my humble opinion, the group of scholars in Fushe who really hate Ruan Yuanhai are actually those ten or eight. A troublemaker. Most of the rest of the people just follow the crowd and make a fuss. Besides, as far as I know, even in Fushe, there are many people who don't approve of pushing Ruan Yuanhai too far..." "Who?" Qian Qianyi asked. "Zheng Chaozong from Guangling is one, and there are Li Shuzhang and Xia Yizhong from Yunjian. There are not many people." Qian Qianyi shook his head: "Well -- let's go on." "Besides, there are quite a few people in Fushe in Changshu. As long as my brother-in-law says something, who would dare not obey?" Chen Zaizhu hastily added, and then, leaning his body more towards Qian Qianyi, continued in a low voice, "Now I know Well, on March 28th, Fushe will hold a meeting again in Huqiu. This time the main coalition of the meeting happens to be Zheng Chaozong and Li Shuzhang. Why don't we take this opportunity to contact Zheng, Li and the people above, um, Naturally, there can be more—as long as we send people to lobby. At that time, at the meeting, we will expose the great righteousness of eradicating cliques and sects and helping each other when the country is in dire straits, and bring up Ruan Yuanhai's matter. As long as the majority agrees, a public discussion is made, and it is reported to the court, no matter how strong those troublesome thorns are, it will be of no avail!" Chen Zaizhu finished speaking in one breath, and looked at Qian Qianyi intently.Because of his nervousness, even the cheerful expression that often hung on his face disappeared. For a while, Qian Qianyi held his beard and remained silent, as if he was thinking about it, but finally shook his head.He raised his eyes, and was about to speak, when he suddenly saw Li Bao standing outside the window, poking his head, and stopped.He slapped the table angrily and said, "You bastard, what are you doing there?" Li Bao hurried in and presented a greeting card. Qian Qianyi took it angrily, glanced at it, and was about to throw it straight at Li Bao, as if thinking of something, he glanced at the post again, and suddenly his face changed slightly.He flashed his gaze at Chen and Qian, slowly put the greeting cards in his hands, stood up, and said in a casual tone: "Please wait a moment, both of you, I will be back soon after I leave." Chen Zaizhu and Qian Yangxian watched the back of Qian Qianyi walking out in a hurry, a little confused, so they had to drink tea slowly and wait while talking about unimportant things. Who was content to wait for an hour, it was almost dark, and Qian Qianyi hadn't come back yet.The two waited distraughtly and fidgeted.After some difficulty, I saw Li Bao hurried in and said, "I would like to report to the two masters, my master said that he has something important to do right now, and he can't come back to see the two masters off. Please go back to the mansion first. , my master will apologize face to face in another day." Chen Zaizhu and Qian Yang heard it first, and couldn't help looking at each other. Although they felt rather disappointed, they had no choice but to get up together and go out downstairs.