Chapter 61 wake up call

Xu Shiqi's yamen located on Xingbu Street has an unusual atmosphere today. Outside the gate, there are several official fans lined up. Seven or eight horses with bright saddles are resting under the shadow of the wall, and a group of people dressed in soaps are standing quietly waiting.Obviously, some important officials came to the yamen, and there were more than one. "Well, I don't know who is here? It doesn't look like a banquet, so why did you choose such a time to call me?" Huang Zongxi thought suspiciously, reined in his horse in front of the door, and jumped off the ground.

"I'm telling you, my lord has a guest right now, and he told me that when Mr. Huang comes, please serve tea at the small flower hall of the private yamen first." After the messenger went to the door to inquire about the situation, he came back and said this. Huang Zongxi nodded, knowing that these guests just came by chance and had nothing to do with him.So he threw the reins to Chengchai, and followed the courtier who greeted him to the private yamen.He has long heard people say that Xu Shiqi has been trusted by the emperor because of his strict law enforcement and integrity since he became the minister of punishment.Just now on the road, he suddenly thought that he just took this opportunity to discuss with Xu Shiqi about the matter he was going to submit to the court, and if possible, he might as well entrust him to submit it on his behalf.Now, Huang Zongxi was getting more and more excited by this thought, even though he knew he couldn't see Xu Shiqi right away, he still kept looking inside with wide eyes as he walked, hoping to find the figure of his master by accident.

Sure enough, by coincidence, as soon as he entered the second gate, he heard voices, three officials in gauze hats and green robes were coming down from the lobby.Behind them is the tall Xu Shiqi.He was wearing black gauze on his head and a third-grade crimson men's suit, and he seemed to be seeing off guests. Huang Zongxi hesitated for a moment, not sure whether to go forward to meet him, but then he found Xu Shiqi glanced at him coldly, without any expression.Huang Zongxi didn't dare to Meng Lang, and quickly stepped aside to let them pass. Those guests did not pay attention to Huang Zongxi.They walked on their own, looking preoccupied and depressed, as if they had hit a snag.When he was about to walk out of the second gate, one of the officials with a bony nose and two mustaches suddenly turned around and said:

"This matter is very important, I hope Mr. Xu think twice!" But Xu Shiqi didn't say a word, his bluish-gray rectangular face was tense, as if he didn't hear this sentence at all.The official blinked, a look of resentment flashed across his face, but finally he lowered his head helplessly and walked out sullenly. Huang Zongxi watched their backs, feeling a little puzzled.However, he also understood that with his current status, it was not his turn to worry about the affairs of the court.So, he ignored it, and walked briskly inside, while thinking about how to present his plan to the master.

Just as Huang Zongxi sat down in the small flower hall, Xu Shiqi followed him in.It seemed that he was still angry at the unknown but obviously unpleasant meeting just now.Even though Huang Zongxi stood up to salute and greet him, he kept his face sullen and kept silent. He only cupped his hands slightly, and motioned for Huang Zongxi to sit down, and he himself sat down on a rosewood hexagonal armchair. "Well, I don't know what to call me here for?" Huang Zongxi thought.Seeing that the master was frowning all by himself and didn't speak, he couldn't help being a little strange and uneasy. He wanted to ask a question, but he held back temporarily. He just opened his eyes eagerly and leaned forward slightly, showing an inquiring, The look of all ears.

Finally, Xu Shiqi spoke slowly. "What are you doing these days?" He asked in a calm tone without any expression on his face. "Oh, please take care of me, brother," Huang Zongxi hurriedly replied, arching his hands, "I haven't done anything these days. I was sick for a few days when I first arrived, but after I recovered, I looked around the city and visited a few people by the way." Friends. The other thing is to prepare for the exam. And, and..." "Well, you seem to have a lot of entertainment, I heard." Xu Shiqi reminded, at the same time, as if he didn't want to expose the sharpness of this reminder too early, he lowered his eyes.

Huang Zongxi wanted to continue talking about his letter, but suddenly the other party came up with such a sentence, which made him choke. "Yes, they all came to invite my younger brother, and the hospitality is hard to turn down, so..." He hesitated for a while, admitted honestly, and at the same time thought to himself: "Could it be that my brother doesn't take it seriously for my extra entertainment? This is a misunderstanding!" He was about to make a mistake. Some explanations, but Xu Shiqi has put aside this topic. "So, how are you getting ready?" He still asked calmly.

"Ah, brother means..." "Of course it's the country test!" "This... little brother is still in preparation." "How to prepare, can you tell me?" "Also... just prepare as usual, actually, nothing..." Huang Zongxi replied vaguely, and suddenly blushed.In fact, for more than half a month, he almost forgot about taking the exam, "Anyway, there is still a month or two, let's talk about it later!" Thinking of being questioned seriously. Xu Shiqi glanced at him sharply: "Brother, do you think that this subject is sure to pass?"

"Ah, how dare little brother!" "But is it possible?" "This—of course..." "Since it's in my sights, but I'm not sure about it," Xu Shiqi's tone became severe, "but he's busy with entertainment and banquets every day. Is this appropriate?" Huang Zongxi was stunned, and his face flushed with shame: "Brother is right, but..." But Xu Shiqi made a gesture that did not allow him to argue: "I didn't want to blame you!" He said angrily, "But I heard that you are going around in the outside these days, it is very shameful. Thinking of the teacher's kindness to me when he was alive Righteousness, but I have to say it!"

"Ah, brother, please just teach me the lesson, and my younger brother will obey you!" Huang Zongxi hurriedly stood up, arched his hands respectfully, and at the same time was secretly surprised, not knowing what mistake he had made, which made the other party furious. Xu Shiqi did not continue immediately.He seemed to be trying to suppress his anger, and after a while, he asked coldly: "I heard that these days, you don't know how to restrain yourself outside, and you say a lot of nonsense, even rude words, which are not as good as the emperor. , can this matter? Huh?"

Huang Zongxi was listening to the lecture with his head bowed. Hearing this, he couldn't help raising his head and looked at his master in bewilderment.He didn't expect that the other party was angry because of this matter, on the contrary, he was full of hope to get the support and help from the other party!In fact, Huang Zongxi has always believed that opening up the way of speaking and expanding the right to judge the right and wrong of the government to the vast number of insightful people, so that people can bluntly put forward opinions on major national affairs, will be of great help to brainstorming, remedying shortcomings, and revitalizing the country. For the country, it is a very important link.Recently, he has expressed some opinions on the current situation, but he asked himself that none of them were out of selfishness, they were all for the sake of the safety of the country, the survival of the family and the country, and he did not seem to have criticized the emperor.What's more, even the emperor's opinion may not be good at all; it is the duty of a courtier to be outspoken and dare to advise.Why did Xu Shiqi take this kind of thing so seriously and get so angry?Huang Zongxi was quite surprised by this, and was a little disappointed, so he couldn't help being stunned. Seeing Huang Zongxi remain silent, Xu Shiqi became excited again.He stood up, took two steps forward, turned around suddenly, and reprimanded in a low voice: "This is an important place for the capital. Under the chariot, it's not Jiangnan, understand? In Jiangnan, you can talk nonsense as much as you want. , and no one cares about you. But this is the capital! Every word and deed must be cautious and follow the rules! But you—” he raised his voice, “you have passed the age, and you are still so ignorant and reckless. What if In the event of an accident, how can I protect you? How can I be worthy of the underground teacher?" "Brother is right to blame. However, my younger brother thinks that his comments are upright, and there is nothing to hide." Huang Zongxi replied calmly.Now, he had recovered from his initial shock and was ready to make a case. "You—" Xu Shiqi, who was greatly irritated by the opponent's obsession, opened his eyes wide.His mouth was trembling, obviously intending to give a more severe reprimand, but he changed his mind temporarily, and only took out a handfold from his sleeve and threw it on the table. "Look for yourself!" He said coldly, then put his hands on his hips, and turned his back angrily, as if he planned to never pay attention to this matter again. Huang Zongxi looked at the master's back suspiciously, slowly picked up the pocketbook, opened it, and glanced at it.Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat, he hastily raised his hands to his eyes, and read line by line.Finally, he froze in astonishment.It turned out that in the past few days, every word he said on social occasions related to the current situation has been recorded verbatim in this handbook! Suddenly, a hideous and frightening name flashed into Huang Zongxi's mind: "Ah, Dongchang! There is no doubt that this was done by the police in Dongchang! Or, it was Jin Yiwei. But how can this confidential handwriting be done?" Will it be in the hands of your elder brother?" Huang Zongxi was shocked, but also puzzled.He raised his head involuntarily, but found that Xu Shiqi was also turning his head. Xu Shiqi looked at him sternly: "Hmph, see clearly? If Master Xiong Yushan from the Pedestrian Division and Commander Luo from Jinyiwei had a fellowship, and knew about it, he interceded for you and suppressed the paper. I'm afraid you're already in jail!" "..." "Lord Xiong specially brought this note to Brother Yu this morning, and told me to pass it on to my virtuous brother. From now on, I must be careful in my words and deeds. I must not be capricious and go to justice. Master Xiong also said that if my virtuous brother repeats the same mistakes, he will be punished." There is nothing I can do to help!" Maybe because seeing Huang Zongxi bowed his head and said nothing, Xu Shiqi softened his tone a little later. "However, my younger brother asks himself that he has a pure heart, and everything he says and does is for the sake of the people of the country. I really don't know what crime he committed!" Huang Zongxi raised his head to meet Xu Shiqi's gaze, his eyes were full of distress. "Nonsense! You have only been here for a month, how much can you know about the situation in Beijing and the details of the court, so you can talk and slander?" "This, little brother really doesn't know!" Huang Zongxi said in a loud voice suddenly, "but I do know that if everyone stands upright, looks sideways, and keeps silent, the country will not be far from subjugation!" Xu Shiqi was not wary of him doing this, but was taken aback.Instinctively, he looked out the window for a moment, then turned around. "Okay, according to what your Excellency said, today's matter, is it Brother Yu?" He asked angrily, his blue-gray face turned deep purple with anger, "Okay, if that's the case, I don't care!" He walked out the door With one finger, "Your Excellency, please go ahead!" Huang Zongxi froze for a moment, his expression changed involuntarily.He looked at Xu Shiqi silently, his expression becoming more and more stubborn and stubborn.Finally, he knelt down slowly, kowtowed on the ground, then stood up and walked out without a word. Xu Shiqi gasped, and stared dumbfounded at Huang Zongxi stepping over the threshold and down the steps.Suddenly, he stomped his feet vigorously and shouted angrily: "Stop, come back to me!"