Chapter 68 Get away and return to the south

Hong Chengchou talked with Huang Shu in the Governor's Xingyuan.They didn't know that Qian Qianyi, who had decided to resign from office, had returned to Nanjing after a month and a half of trekking by land and water.He didn't go home first, but got off the boat, and immediately got on a sedan chair and rushed to the Governor's Xingyuan, intending to report to Hong Chengchou. Qian Qianyi finally got what he wanted this time, and naturally he couldn't do without the help of Gong Dingzi, Chen Mingxia and others.However, since Tan Tai's joints were first opened up, things went quite smoothly afterwards.The request to retreat was submitted in mid-February, and it was approved in early March.Qian Qianyi is already returning home, after non-stop hasty preparations - packing his luggage, saying goodbye to his majesty, saying goodbye to his superiors and colleagues, going out to pay visits, receiving visitors, attending various farewell banquets endlessly, etc. , on March 16th, I finally cleared all the red tape and got on the train.Along the way, he tried not to stop as much as possible, and drove south with all his heart, leaving Zhili, Lishan Mountain, crossing the Yellow River, and descending Yangzhou. Finally, today—that is, at noon on the third day of May, he entered the Qinhuai River from the Yangtze River. From a distance, I saw the majestic tower of Shichengmen again.

Although it was less than a year since he left Nanjing, Qian Qianyi felt as if he had fallen into a suffocating cage, and he didn't know how long it had been.Undoubtedly, the Qing Dynasty did not embarrass him. During his tenure in Beijing, although he could not be said to have been highly valued, at least everyone treated him with courtesy.Moreover, compared with the emperor's moodiness and partisan strife in the imperial court during the years of being an official in the Ming Dynasty, the sense of security is even a little more.However, even so, Qian Qianyi still felt uncomfortable all the time.Whether it's the routine going to court with the class, or the daily interaction in the officialdom, I always feel that everything is different, as if it's not the same thing in a lifetime.What he saw was not what he wanted to see; what he heard was not what he wanted to hear.But in such an environment, he had to see and listen, not only that, but he also had to put on a look of interest and joy from time to time.This can make life very difficult.What's more, Liu Rushi and her family are not around, even if they return to the residence, there is no one to talk to, and there is no way to forget all kinds of awkwardness and unhappiness outside, even if it is temporary!It was precisely because he felt that he could not last even one day in Beijing, so when Gong Dingzi and later Chen Mingxia expressed their willingness to help him escape and return to the south, he was so ecstatic that he was rescued, and from then on he ran to Gong Dingzi every two days. , Asking about the progress, anxious like an ant on a hot pot.However, after all, it took another three full months before the matter was finally settled.Now, he finally returned to the south of the Yangtze River alive, and saw the Hushan city and the city of his hometown again. "Oh, I don't know how it is? How is Sun Ai? How is everyone in the family? It is said that they have moved out of the bureaucracy and lived outside. So everything is okay? Naturally, they already know that I am coming back , because the people who went ahead sent out three days ago, they should have heard the news! Hey, they must be waiting anxiously for my arrival right now?" When the official ship slowly approached the pier outside the Shicheng Gate, Qian Qianyi He also became more and more distracted, so that before reaching the shore, he stood up first, stretched his neck and kept looking...

However, unexpectedly, the subordinates who disembarked first went to the pier for a long time, but came back and reported that although there were not many people coming and going on the shore, some of them were waiting to pick them up.However, no one came to pick him up.This made Qian Qianyi quite puzzled, because it stands to reason that when they heard that he had returned from a long journey, his family would definitely send family members to pick up the boat.Even if Qian Sunai and Chen Zaizhu couldn't come due to important matters, at least Li Bao would definitely come.Even if something happened to the family, or they had moved back to the countryside of Changshu, and they didn't know about it at all, then the government should send someone.Because he has ordered the people who went ahead to report to the government at the same time.However, the subordinate said that he had already searched for it at the same time, and there was no government official on the pier. "Hey, could it be that something happened to the person who reported the letter and the letter was not delivered? Right now, there is chaos everywhere, and the roads are not safe. Of course, this is also possible... But, could it be for other reasons, for example, if she took advantage of my absence? At that time, I made up my own mind and secretly communicated with the Anti-Qingyi Brigade, which resulted in disaster? Or after Gong Xiaosheng and Chen Baishi entrusted me to come back, they tried to contact all parties to make a plan, and the incident had already been detected by the court. Will something be done against me?" With such suspicion, Qian Qianyi suddenly became tense, and sweat broke out on his back.For a moment, he peeped towards the shore in fear, and even considered whether he should not even go to the shore at all, and try to escape immediately?However, in the end he gave up this plan, because if he got to that point, he would not be able to escape.What's more, things may not really be as speculated.Of course, in this way, I'm afraid it's temporarily inappropriate to just focus on drilling home.After pondering for a while, he finally decided to report to Hong Chengchou at the governor's office first. Firstly, it showed that he attached great importance to the fulfillment of procedures; secondly, even if something happened at home, it could also show that he didn't know anything about it...

Now, he has handed in the greeting card.On the way from the pier, except for the strict inspection of the city gates, the streets and alleys in the city were still deserted compared to when he left a year ago, and he didn't find anything special. In this situation, Qian Qianyi felt a little more at ease.Therefore, when the door officer came out again and said, "Your Majesty welcomes you", he cleaned up his clothes as usual, and then walked in. The yamen where Hong Chengchou was stationed in Jie was the old Metropolitan Procuratorate.The hall inside is tall and the weather is strict.Qian Qianyi remembers that during the year when Hongguang established the dynasty, Liu Zongzhou of the Donglin faction was initially in charge here. Soon after Liu Zongzhou was repelled and resigned, he was replaced by Li Zhanlai of the Ma and Ruan factions to control the supervisory power.But in less than half a year, Zuo Liangyu came to "the Qing emperor's side". Then the Qing soldiers went south, Hongguang fled, the small court collapsed in an instant, and the ministers and workers scattered in a hurry.Up to now, no matter which faction they belong to, they have all ended up in ruins...

Feeling secretly in his heart, Qian Qianyi looked up, only to find that Hong Chengchou was already standing in front of the steps of the signing room.There was a person standing next to him, Qian Qianyi thought that shrewd and capable face looked familiar, but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be his old acquaintance Huang Shu! "Ah, so it's him! Why..." However, before he could think about it, Hong and Huang had already crossed their hands and came forward with smiles on their faces.Therefore, Qian Qianyi quickly collected himself, bowed his head, and greeted the other party.

"Half a month ago, the students had learned in the residence newspaper that the elder Mu had the celebration of returning to the field, so he looked forward to it every day. Unexpectedly, it was only today that he was able to pick up Zhiyu! Hey, the journey went smoothly, right? ?” Hong Chengchou said politely with a smile while narrowing his eyes as he let the guests into the room. "Oh, don't dare!" Qian Qianyi cupped his hands hastily, "Thanks to your lord's blessing, Qianyi's trip went smoothly!" "Then," Hong Chengchou took a cup of tea from the servant and continued to ask with a smile, "When did Mr. Mu arrive?"

"Oh, the student just got off the boat." "So, Elder Mu hasn't returned home yet?" "Students come to see the adults as soon as they get off the boat, so it's not time to go home." Hearing what Qian Qianyi said, Hong Chengchou turned his face away, exchanged a look with Huang Shu, then nodded, and said: "Master Mu is traveling thousands of miles away, and the car and boat are exhausted. He should go back to his house first and rest for a few days. It's not too late, so why bother to meet?" "Oh," said Qian Qianyi, clasping his hands, "my lord was ordered by the imperial court to be stationed in the south of the Yangtze River. No matter whether the government or the people, they are all subject to restraint. From now on, students are subordinates, so you should report as soon as possible!"

Hong Chengchou shook his head and said, "Old Mu is serious—then, what are your plans for the future? Is there anything you need students to help with?" "I am very grateful for the kindness of your lord! Only Qianyi, with his old and sick body, was allowed by the Holy Master to be released to his mother. From now on, he will have to live on his last breath, and his wish is fulfilled. Other than that, there is no other request!" At this point in the conversation, the greetings between the host and the guest came to an end, and at the same time, Qian Qianyi had reported.So next, the topic naturally turned to news from the north and the south.However, since Qian and Hong didn't have much contact in the past, at best they were just casual acquaintances on the scene.As for Huang Shu, who was sitting on the side, although he was an old acquaintance, in front of his boss, he could only help and make amends.Therefore, the whole conversation can only stay in the endless entertainment, such as the situation of acquaintances in Beijing, the recent war in the south of the Yangtze River, and so on.On one occasion, Hong Chengchou asked the guest with concern about the plan for setting up official positions in Jiangnan Province and the list of officials he requested to use at the end of last year.When he learned that the imperial court had finally officially approved Qian Qianyi's departure from the capital, the frontier official immediately seemed very happy, and became more polite and enthusiastic towards the guests...

Seeing this situation, Qian Qianyi, who had always harbored ulterior motives, also took the opportunity to ask the other party about the fact that he had sent someone to report in advance a few days ago.The answer I got was: apart from learning that Qian Qianyi's resignation was approved in the Di Bao, I didn't receive any report afterwards. "Oh, so the messenger has had an accident on the way! So . . . " he thought.Although this was indeed unexpected, but a stone finally fell to the ground in his heart, Qian Qianyi immediately remembered: I have been delayed for a long time, and I should go home quickly.As soon as this idea flashed, he immediately became a little impatient, so when there was a pause in the conversation, he immediately stood up and waved his hands to say goodbye.

"Old Mu is leaving now?" Hong Chengchou seemed surprised, but he didn't hold back, and stood up. "Well, after returning this time, Mr. Mu must still go back to live in Changshu, your hometown?" After taking two or three steps, Hong Chengchou said suddenly, "However, from the student's point of view, it's better to delay later. There will be a big battle in that area in a few days, and Guixiang may be affected. It is better to wait until the chaos is settled before making a final decision!" "Ah, my lord said, my hometown also..." Qian Qianyi was taken aback.

"Suppressing Zhejiang and Fujian, in this battle, the direction of the troops is unpredictable. It is best if it does not affect Guixiang. But don't be afraid of 10,000, just in case. Be careful, there will be no harm!" After a pause, he saw Qian Qianyi nodding his head in thought, without making a sound. He seemed to have remembered something, smiled slightly, and said, "Old Mu has been away from home for a long time, so he should go back to visit as soon as possible. If nothing else, Don't stay anywhere else!" After saying this, without waiting for Qian Qianyi to react, he turned his head and said to Huang Shu, "The students still have a lot of chores to take care of urgently, so I will send them off soon. How about asking Mr. Huang to do it for you?" Huang Shu naturally agreed.So, after Qian Qianyi and Hong Chengchou saluted and said goodbye in front of the dripping eaves, he made a gesture of concession and walked out with the guests. "Old Mu," when the two of them passed through the courtyard and exited the second hall, Huang Shu suddenly turned his head, looked at the guest flickeringly, and asked in a low voice, "Do you know Shen Shizhu and Shen Kuntong?" "Brother, you mean Shen Kuntong? Of course I recognize it." Qian Qianyi nodded and said, feeling a little strange about Huang Shu's secretive expression. "How's the friendship?" "Friends, he is a very active character in Fushe, and he used to come here often—but what happened to him?" "Well, if he visits Elder Mu again, Elder Mu must definitely tell the students!" "But--" Huang Shu didn't answer for now.He looked around and saw no one else, so he lowered his voice and said viciously: "He trafficked and conspired to rebel, he was confessed, and he is now being hunted down!" Qian Qianyi couldn't help being taken aback, he stammered and asked, "This... this..." "It's all because he is Fushe." Huang Shu ignored the other party's astonishment, and Guan Zi continued to say with a look of frustration, "Anyone in Nanjing who knows him is probably inseparable from it! Hey, it's not good, this time You and I will be killed by him!" Qian Qianyi was even more surprised: "Then..." "For the present plan," Huang Shu clenched his fists, "we must find him! Right now, he must be hiding. But the students predict that he will not hide for long, and he will come out again. If you find your old home, your old Don't make a fuss about it, you can stabilize him first, and then let someone tell me, I have my own way to deal with it!" Qian Qianyi blinked: "Since that's the case, why not tie him up immediately and send him to the government, wouldn't it be clean?" This suggestion was logical at first, but Huang Shu was clearly stunned for a moment, and then shook his head: "Hey, you don't know, if this matter can be handled like this, it would be great! But there is something evil in it!" After a pause, seeing that Qian Qianyi was still in a daze, he waved his hand angrily, and said, "In short, Hong Hengjiu has already handed over this matter to the students! Mu Laoqian will do as the students say, so that nothing will go wrong. Remember, remember!" After saying that, the two continued to walk forward.It wasn't until he left the gate and bid farewell to Huang Shu that he returned to his normal state.At the same time, as if thinking of something, and as if trying to cover up his anxiety and gaffe just now, he smiled slightly like Hong Chengchou, and said: "Old Mu has been away for a long time, and he seems to have neglected to take care of things at home. If you come back, then go back and watch immediately, so as not to keep your family members in suspense!" Qian Qianyi's heart couldn't help but ask suspiciously, "What does my brother mean—" Huang Shu didn't speak anymore, but just crossed his hands respectfully.Therefore, Qian Qianyi had no choice but to turn around suspiciously, and walked towards the sedan chair parked beside him.