Chapter 28 Chapter Twenty Eight

Zhu Huaijing returned to his office, hung up on Secretary-General Liu, and said that he had just returned from Li Mingxi's place.Unfortunately, that painting has already been bought.Li Mingxi refused to say who bought it, nor did he want to say how much it was sold for, saying that the person who bought the painting had explained it.Secretary-General Liu just said it's okay, thank you for your hard work.Zhu Huaijing could hear that Secretary-General Liu's tone was flat, but infinitely regretful. Back home, Xiangmei poured water for him to wash his face.He's a little tired these days, so he wants to go to bed early.Just after falling asleep, Li Mingxi called: "Hey, let me tell you, you should keep that painting well."

As soon as Zhu Huaijing heard it, he knew that Li Mingxi was sober now, and he must be very regretful.He thought, let Li Mingxi think that the painting is still in his hands, maybe this lunatic will want to go back one day.He wanted Li Mingxi to die, so he said: "I said that someone wanted to buy this painting, but you just said that you don't want money and give it to me. Who wants you to know? It's Mayor Pi. This painting has already been sold." It's hanging in Mayor Pi's study." Li Mingxi groaned, and said, "He wants it? Mayor Pi who is in a very happy mood? Oh my god, that painting is a hidden gem."

Zhu Huaijing scolded Li Mingxi: "Don't be arrogant, you always look down on anyone. If you didn't have the care of Mayor Pi and Secretary-General Liu this time, would you be able to hold the art exhibition? Are you popular? China's affairs, do it You have to strengthen leadership in everything, you can’t accept it!” The two had a verbal battle on the phone for a while, but no one could convince the other, so they put the phone down.The usual arguments between the two of them are just for the sake of arguing, trying to have a good time. Xiangmei heard some tricks, so she asked what kind of treasure is so valuable?Zhu Huaijing told Xiangmei, which made Xiangmei tsk-tsk for a long time.Xiangmei's tsk-tsk sound made Zhu Huaijing suddenly think why not keep this painting for his own collection?This painting is worth a lot now, and it will increase in value in the future.But I didn't even think about staying by myself, I just thought about giving it away.It can be seen that he is a slave character after all!Thinking of it this way, Zhu Huaijing was so ashamed that he didn't feel sleepy anymore.

Now Zhu Huaijing's daily schedule is very tight.In the early morning, he had to drive Yuqin to the Workers' Cultural Palace to practice tennis.This was Zhu Huaijing's idea.He told Yuqin that to improve her quality of life, she should do some exercise every day.And playing bowling every day is indeed too extravagant, so let's play tennis.Yuqin readily agrees.Zhu Huaijing had another plan in his heart.Because Mayor Pi has also become obsessed with tennis recently, he goes to Nantian Gymnasium to play for a while every morning.Zhu Huaijing wanted to improve his tennis skills before going to Nantian to play with Mayor Pi.So for the time being, go to the Workers' Cultural Palace.However, although it is called the Workers' Cultural Palace, there are probably not many workers who really go to play.The workers are worrying about being laid off. Who goes to play tennis every day?Of course Zhu Huaijing persisted in his work during the day, and managed to satisfy the mayor and secretary-general.Secretary-General Liu has repeatedly emphasized at the cadre meeting that whether the work of the general office is done well depends on whether the leaders are satisfied or not.In the evening, Zhu Huaijing would either play cards with Mayor Pi, or eat, drink tea and play bowling with Pi Jie, Pei Danian, Huang Dahong and Song Daqing.Yuqin does not necessarily participate in all evening activities, she will go when the occasion is suitable.Zhu Huaijing feels that the daytime work is very routine and has no real interest. The meaningful life is outside of eight hours.No wonder it is full of things like drinking, reciting poems, and celebrating birthdays.Jia Zheng and the others are all officials, and their official activities are often explained in one sentence in the book, either "Jia Zheng just came down to the Yamen and was asking Jia Lian about getting the car", or "But Jia Zheng has been working since he was working. The palm print of the Ministry, everyone in the family will get rich."

In the blink of an eye, in July, a major flood once again swept through several cities in Jingdu City.If there is a severe disaster in some areas, the disaster in Wuxian County is said to be once in a hundred years.The entire flood fighting and relief work lasted more than 20 days.After the flood receded, the municipal government called on the people of the city to quickly invest in post-disaster recovery and production for self-help.Zhang Tianqi from Wu County is the most experienced. While deploying the people of the county to repair the flooded projects, their successful practices were published in the "Jingdu Daily".Mayor Pi appreciated Zhang Tianqi, so he personally led the leaders of relevant departments to Wu County to inspect the work.Recently, the leaders of the city have been going to Wu County frequently, of course for the various experiences there.But those who know officialdom routines know that Zhang Tianqi is about to be promoted.Because the leaders of the city went to Wu County like a revolving lantern, in order to create an atmosphere of public opinion for Zhang Tianqi's promotion.Some people say that Zhang Tianqi will be the deputy secretary of Ruoyou's prefectural committee, while others say that he will be the deputy commissioner.Zhu Huaijing knew the inside story, but when asked by people who were not very close, he always kept his mouth shut.Zhu Huaijing wasn't supposed to go to Wu County this time, but Mayor Pi knew that he was from Wu County, so he took him with him.

Mayor Pi's going down this time is different from the past.He said that just after the catastrophe, people's lives were very difficult.We must carry forward the style of hard work and don't make a show of ostentation.He instructed all units not to bring their own cars, but to take government buses.However, the government buses are domestically produced, without air conditioning, and the leaders of some departments are too old to bear sitting on a hot day.Secretary-General Liu instructed Han Changxing, the director of administration, to borrow a Japanese-made bus from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.So this time Mayor Pi went down really easily.There was only one police car clearing the way ahead, followed by a news gathering vehicle.Police cars are still needed, otherwise the safety on the road will not be guaranteed.The news interview vehicle is also necessary, because broadcasting the instructions of the leaders through the news is also a way to guide the work, not just for the camera as some people understand.

Zhu Huaijing and Fang Mingyuan did not sit in the police car in front, but also sat in the bus.It's just that they are younger people and sit at the back.Only Zhai Jipeng, Mayor Pi's guard, sat in the police car.Chen Yan also didn't sit in the interview car at the back, because she was the only lady, so everyone let her sit next to Mayor Pi in the front.After getting in the car, everyone chatted and laughed for a while, then talked about the quality problems of domestic and imported cars, and lamented the future of China's auto industry.As soon as they heard that the government had borrowed the car from ICBC, some department leaders were moved.President Li of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China was also present, but Director Guo of the Water Conservancy Department did not shy away from it, nor was he afraid that Mayor Pi would be unhappy, saying: "Mayor Pi, the government's cars are not as good as those of the bank. I’m not talking about our city government or our Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. What I’m saying is that the current system determines that the government’s powers are not concentrated enough and departments are mostly decentralized.”

Although Director Guo said it in a very methodical and reasonable way, when he said this, the originally relaxed scene suddenly changed.No one spoke for a while, and the sound of the car's air conditioner could almost be heard.Everyone was a little embarrassed, waiting for someone to say something to lighten the atmosphere.Mayor Pi turned his head and smiled, and said: "Old Guo made a lot of sense. I think the current system really needs to be reformed, but comrades in the department also need to change their concept, that is, they are part of the government. I once criticized There was a department leader who always liked to talk about your government, your government, as if his department was not a government department. What is the government? Is the government just the leaders of our cities? The government is composed of government units. System reform is not It happens overnight, and we cannot wait until everything is straightened out before obeying the unified call of the government. Therefore, I often emphasize a point of view, that is, during the period of system transition, we must especially emphasize discipline and keep pace."

Then everyone relaxed, saying that Mayor Pi was right.In fact, these people sometimes only care about the interests of departments and do not listen to the government's greetings.Everyone talks in a rambling style, and they talk nonsense as they talk.Because they are all leaders at a certain level, it is very casual to say anything.And because there was a beautiful lady in the car, everyone talked nonsense more vigorously, and each one became wilder than the other.Director Guo realized that what he said just now made Mayor Pi feel uncomfortable, and also made everyone present feel embarrassed, so he deliberately looked relaxed and told a joke.He said there was an archaeologist who meant that to his daughter-in-law.The daughter-in-law complained to the mother-in-law, and the mother-in-law thought of an idea and explained to the daughter-in-law so and so.One day, the archaeologist's son went on a business trip, and his wife went back to her natal home.At night, the daughter-in-law pretended to be coquettish, suggesting that her father-in-law would go to her at night.In the dark at night, the father-in-law touched it excitedly, and the two started to do it.The archaeologist sighed happily while doing it, saying that it tastes different if it is tender.Suddenly, the lights in the room came on, and it turned out that his wife was lying underneath.The wife slapped the archaeologist and said, thanks to you being an archaeologist, you can't prove it more than 20 years earlier than tomorrow!Suddenly the whole room burst into laughter.After hearing this, Mayor Pi laughed and criticized people, saying that everyone was only allowed to talk under the edge of the bed and above the belt.When he said this, some people immediately summarized his words as the principle of one up and one down about nonsense.Up and down, it goes without saying, everyone laughed, saying that this is a classic joke born today, and that Mayor Pi has greatly enriched the treasure house of folk oral literature.

According to usual practice, if there are leaders of the prefectural committee and administrative office, they should go to the border of the district to greet Mayor Pi, and leaders of Wu County should go to the county border to greet them.But Mayor Pi ordered that everything be kept simple and not to engage in these red tapes.As a result, prefectures and counties were exempted from the routine rules.It was eleven o'clock in the morning when Mayor Pi and his entourage arrived in Wuxian County. Instead of going to the hotel to rest as arranged by the county, they went directly to the construction site of the water damage restoration project.If there were prefectural party secretary Wu Zhiren and Zhang Tianqi, they would have already been waiting there.This is a section of embankment where the Wushui River was washed away. From a distance, you can see the red flag waving and the crowds of people.Seeing this scene, Mayor Pi was very satisfied, and walked towards the working masses with great interest.A gray-haired old lady was carrying a load of soil, trembling.When Mayor Pi saw him, he hurried forward and asked the old lady: "How are you, old man! Are you here to participate in repairing the embankment at such an old age?" The old lady just nodded and bowed repeatedly, and said repeatedly: "Hello, the People's Government!" Hello, leaders!" Mayor Pi took over the burden from the old lady and picked a load of soil himself.Zhang Tianqi hurriedly explained to the comrades in the county around him, asking them to call the old lady back to rest.Immediately someone helped the old lady away.The old lady didn't want to leave, and tried hard to break free.Zhu Huaijing watched the whole process behind his back, and he was sweating for Zhang Tianqi.It turned out that this old lady was a well-known lunatic Xia in Wu County.Zhu Huaijing remembered that when he was very young, the old lady was a lunatic, wandering around the city all day long, joining in wherever there was excitement.When she talks to you, the first two or three sentences are like an innocent person, and after a few sentences, she becomes a mess.People in the city were most afraid of Madman Xia disturbing them when they had weddings and weddings. When they saw her coming, they tried to persuade her with good words, and at the same time sent someone to call her family to take her back.When Mayor Pi greeted Madman Xia kindly just now, Zhu Huaijing noticed that Zhang Tianqi's face was almost pale.Fortunately, Mayor Pi didn't have time to chat with Madman Xia, and only heard two innocent words from her.Mayor Pi picked up a load of soil, and none of the bureau chiefs present dared to stand idly by, and took over the burden of the masses one after another, each carrying a load.Then, Mayor Pi walked into the crowd, raised his hand, and said: "Comrades have worked hard! On behalf of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government, I extend my condolences to you! I am happy to see that the people of Wuxian County are not afraid of hardships and difficulties. Full of fighting confidence. On the construction site, there are middle school students in their teens who are young, and old ladies in their 70s and 80s who are older. I am very moved and educated. I believe that there are party committees and governments at all levels With the correct leadership and hard-working masses, we will be able to overcome difficulties, resume production, and rebuild a happy homeland!" Chen Yan and her colleagues carried cameras and ran back and forth with Mayor Pi.

After Mayor Pi inspected the construction site, it was already past one noon.When I drove into the city, I saw that the streets were clean, the market was as usual, and there was no sign of flooding.Mayor Pi was very satisfied. He turned his head and said to Zhang Tianqi who was sitting in the back: "Very good! There is no disaster after the catastrophe, which shows that you have done a good job. In the old society, every time there was a catastrophe, people would be displaced and their faces looked hungry. They even starved to death." Back at the hotel, Mayor Pi went into the room to wash up and then went to the restaurant for dinner.When Mayor Pi saw the baijiu, he immediately frowned and said, "Comrade Tianqi, we can't be tight in the front and tight in the back!" Zhang Tianqi hurriedly asked someone to remove the baijiu.It would be much easier to eat without drinking, and the banquet was over after a while. Mayor Pi's room is a large suite on the second floor, next to the conference room.Across the conference room, there is a row of double rooms.Zhu Huaijing and Fang Mingyuan were arranged in the first room on this side of the conference room in order to be closer to Mayor Pi so that they could be there whenever they were called.The only person who came was Chen Yan, a lady who was arranged downstairs and lived alone in a double room.Fang Mingyuan looked around and asked Zhu Huaijing, "It's not appropriate for a lesbian Chen Yan to live down there. Why don't we switch her up and let her live up here." Zhu Huaijing understood and said that would be more appropriate.Fang Mingyuan finished the matter in a few minutes.Chen Yan came up with his luggage and said politely: "Then I will wrong you two." Fang Mingyuan joked: "You are welcome, taking care of ladies is a man's virtue! If Mayor Pi calls us, you can tell him we are His room number. He's resting now, so I won't tell him." Mayor Pi only rested for an hour at noon, and listened to Wu County's report on the flood in the afternoon.The county is mainly reported by Zhang Tianqi. Naturally, it is a report of several consecutive large rainfalls, how many millimeters of rainfall, how many meters the water level of the Wushui River has reached, how much it has exceeded the highest water level in history, and the entire county has been submerged or washed away farmland and houses. ,embankment.How many roads, bridges, and farmland infrastructure, how many people died, how much direct economic losses, and finally asked the city government to solve the special disaster relief funds, disaster relief food, disaster relief fertilizers, etc.Then, the comrades in the department expressed their opinions, all speaking in principle, and they all waited for Mayor Pi to make a final decision.The comrades in the county and the municipal departments all said it, and Mayor Pi said it now. Of course, in the news reports, it will be called Mayor Pi's important speech.Mayor Pi first fully affirmed the strong and powerful leadership shown by the Wuxian County Party Committee and the county government in the face of the disaster, and then highly appreciated the spirit of mutual support and close cooperation demonstrated by all levels and departments of Wuxian County in the face of the disaster, and finally He pointed out that the people of the whole county showed the spirit of hard work and solidarity in the face of the catastrophe.Speaking of the people, Mayor Pi expressed his emotions: "Our people are so kind, comrades! Our people's awareness is really high, comrades! On the construction site, I saw with my own eyes an old lady in her 70s and 80s Participating in labor there, I asked her how she went to the construction site at such an old age. The old lady didn’t have any rhetoric, but just said, the people’s government is good, and the leaders are good. What a simple people, how conscious the people! We believe that, With such good people, no difficulty can trouble us!" But what people are interested in below is not Mayor Pi's praise, even though it is an important speech.They only paid attention to the dry goods after Mayor Pi said these words.Therefore, Zhang Tianqi and the others listened intently to Mayor Pi's decision to settle the amount of disaster relief funds, disaster relief food, and disaster relief fertilizers.While making a decision, Mayor Pi pointed to the names of the leaders of relevant departments, asking them to be responsible for the implementation.After Mayor Pi finished speaking, Zhang Tianqi led the comrades in the county to applaud enthusiastically, thanking the municipal government for its kind care.Zhu Huaijing knew that how much the disaster relief money and goods decided by Mayor Pi could be cashed depended on how the county would do things.If you think that this is the decision of Mayor Pi, as if it was nailed and turned, and the department will definitely follow through, then you are wrong.But now there are no such unknown grassroots leaders, and they will go to the corresponding departments immediately.Although Mayor Pi made the decision based on the names of these department leaders, the county leaders still had to visit their docks from house to house, otherwise things would be difficult.Departments have their own routines for handling affairs. They can give you a thousand reasons for doing it for you, and they can give you 10,000 reasons for not doing it for you. After the meeting, it's dinner time.Mayor Pi went to the room to wash up first.Zhang Tianqi ran to Zhu Huaijing and Fang Mingyuan's room, and said, "Please help me, both of you. Let's go and ask Mayor Pi for some white wine tonight. I know some old directors who don't drink a lot at each meal." I can't even keep my eyes open. It's night again, so I might as well have a drink." Zhu Huaijing and Fang Mingyuan just smiled and went upstairs with him.Knock on the door and go in. Mayor Pi just came out of the bathroom.Zhang Tianqi carefully stated the meaning of serving liquor, as if he was afraid of Mayor Pi's criticism.In fact, he wasn't that afraid in his heart, it was just to set off Mayor Pi's integrity.Mayor Pi really smiled and criticized people, saying: "Comrade Tianqi, in the face of a catastrophe, keep things simple." Zhang Tianqi continued to ask for instructions: "Every leader has been running for a day, it is very hard, let's not put more, each table has a bottle of liquor Mayor Pi smiled and said, "Tianqi, I can't beat you. Well, I can only have one bottle." Looking at the time, it was time to go down for dinner, so Zhang Tianqi invited Mayor Pi to eat. After entering the table, Mayor Pi saw that he was served Jiuguijiu, a famous Hunan wine, and his face became serious.When Zhang Tianqi saw it, he knew that Mayor Pi blamed the wine for being too high-end, but he was just confused, and had nothing to say: "Just one bottle, just one bottle." Isn't the wine very good?" Zhang Tianqi said a few words, and asked the hotel manager to change Wushuichun wine produced in Wu County.When Zhu Huaijing heard about the Wushuichun change, he immediately lost his appetite.The quality of the wine was so poor that I had a dry mouth and a headache after drinking it. After a while, the waitress came up with a white wine jug and poured wine for everyone.Zhu Huaijing didn't want to drink, so he covered the cup with his hand.Zhang Tianqi persuaded: "Director Zhu, don't be too polite, try a bar in your hometown. In the past few years, our winery has continuously improved its technology, and the quality of Wushuichun has improved. You should try it." Zhu Huaijing felt embarrassed when he said that. , had to ask for a cup.Zhang Tianqi raised his glass and thanked Mayor Pi and his party for their hard work.Zhu Huaijing took a sip and found that the taste of Wu Shuichun had really changed, it was delicious.Sure enough, Mayor Pi felt the same way, and said, "It's not bad, Wu Shui Chun is not bad." Everyone said the wine was good.Zhu Huaijing drank it with confidence.Taste it carefully, and feel that this is the flavor of Jiugui Liquor.Zhu Huaijing knew something in his heart, but he didn't reveal anything.He concluded that Zhang Tianqi ordered his subordinates to pour the alcoholic wine into the jug.All the people here are used to drinking high-end wine, and they can guess the brand as soon as the wine touches their mouths, but they are all pretending to be confused. Mayor Pi drank the refreshing Wushuichun, and expressed his satisfaction with the improvement of product quality of Wuxian winery in recent years.After a few cups, Mayor Pi got excited and told the story of Jiugui Liquor, saying: "Last year I went to Hunan for inspection and visited the Xiangquan Distillery that produces Jiugui Liquor. This factory is really good. Later I heard about Hunan The comrades told me such a story, which inspired me a lot. You may not know that there is a less famous brand of Hunan wine called Jinjiangquan. I can’t remember which area they are produced in. Although this wine is famous It’s not big, but it was served at a state banquet. I drank it, and it’s not bad. In fact, at first Xiangquan Distillery learned the technology from Jinjiangquan Distillery, including the recipe of the wine. But why did Xiangquan Distillery become famous later on, while Jinjiang Spring Liquor is unknown? There is a reason. It turns out that Jinjiang Spring was originally called Jinjiang Liquor, but there is also Jinjiang Liquor in Jiangxi, which has registered a trademark long ago. In this way, Jinjiang Liquor in Hunan can not only register a trademark, but also cannot make Advertisements are also considered to be copyright infringement. Hunan and Jiangxi, two Jinjiang wines, have been arguing, negotiating, and litigating for this trademark for many years. In the end, no one side made concessions. Hunan has no choice but to be free Abandoning the well-known brand of Jinjiang, they finally had to add the word "quan" after "Jinjiang". But after such a toss, Jinjiang Spring Liquor lost a good opportunity to compete in the market, and Xiangquan Winery has long since become an apprentice. Just give me an enlightenment: Although the quality of products must be emphasized, marketing work is also crucial. Therefore, the Wushui spring wine in our Wu County is not of poor quality, and we must grasp the marketing work.” Everyone said Pi The mayor's opinion is correct.Zhang Tianqi said that he must earnestly implement Mayor Pi's instructions.Because director Guo said something wrong in the car when he came, he always acted very active and wanted to eliminate the shadow.After Zhang Tianqi finished expressing his opinion, he hurriedly said: "This wine is really good. As long as it is done according to Mayor Pi's advice, it can create a famous brand. I think this wine is no worse than a drunkard." His words were self-defeating, and Zhang Tianqi The face is embarrassing.Mayor Pi shook his head and said: "The quality of this wine has improved, but there is still a certain gap compared with high-end wine." The winery is organizing technical research, striving to improve the quality of Wushuichun to a higher level as soon as possible." After dinner and washing up, Fang Mingyuan invited Zhu Huaijing to the rooms of the directors.Zhu Huaijing was only acquainted with the directors of the finance and trade department, and he was not familiar with the other departments, so he went with him.Fang Mingyuan was familiar with them all.First, I went to the room of President Li of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.After taking a shower, President Li was rubbing his hair with a towel.Seeing that Zhu Fang and the two had left, Xingchang Li said, "Mayor Pi, don't you want to do some activities at night?" Fang Mingyuan said, "Mayor Pi hasn't rested all day today, and he was reading documents at noon. Let him rest." The three of them They talked for a while.Not long after that, Fang Mingyuan said: "President Li has worked very hard today, go to bed early, and we won't bother you." The two left.Just as he was about to open the door, someone knocked on the door.When he opened the door, Zhu Huaijing recognized that they were the two presidents of the People's Bank of Wu County and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, who had come to visit the pier. The two went to Director Guo's room again.There were already two people sitting inside, and upon introduction, they were the two directors and deputy directors of the Wu County Water Conservancy Bureau.Zhu Fang and the two said that it was all right, so they came over to take a look.Director Guo asked: "How will Mayor Pi make arrangements for the evening?" Fang Mingyuan said: "He is very tired today, let him rest." Seeing that there were so many people inside, the two of them did not sit down, they just stood and chatted for a while, and then went to String another door.The two walked around one by one like this, and went to the room of each director.Just didn't go to Chen Yan's room.Zhu Huaijing suddenly understood Fang Mingyuan's intentions. It turned out that he didn't want the directors to disturb the mayor's rest at night.Fang Mingyuan did it skillfully, so Zhu Huaijing didn't point it out.Officials are usually more casual outside than in the office. The directors knew that this was a good opportunity to get close to Mayor Tongpi, but it was a pity that Fang Mingyuan cleverly blocked them all. When the two returned to their room, someone was already waiting at the door.It was Long Wen, director of Wuxian State Taxation Bureau, who came to visit Zhu Huaijing.Long Wen was cultivated by Zhu Huaijing when he was the deputy county magistrate, and he has always been respectful in front of Zhu Huaijing.Fang Mingyuan saw that the two of them were old friends meeting, and it was inconvenient for him to sit here, so he said he would go to Xiao Huo's side.Xiao Cheng shared a room with the driver of the police car.Zhu Huaijing asked Long Wen whether his work was going well?Long Wen said it was okay, Comrade Tianqi was very supportive of his work.He also said that the first-level cadre of the county bureau is the oldest.Zhu Huaijing saw that Long Wen was a little complacent, so he knew that Zhang Tianqi must have made a wish to him, maybe he wanted him to be a deputy county magistrate or something.The two were talking, Zhang Tianqi knocked on the door and came in.Seeing Long Wen here, Zhang Tianqi asked: "Lao Long, have you visited Director Ma of your city's National Taxation Bureau?" Long Wen said: "I'm going right away." Long Wen went out with a smile.It turned out that Zhang Tianqi asked all the bureau chiefs in Wuxian County to meet with the leaders of their superior departments.It can be seen that Zhang Tianqi is well versed in officialdom routines and has done everything comprehensively.Zhu Huaijing knew that Long Wen didn't go to visit Director Ma of the Municipal State Taxation Bureau first, but he came to visit him first, so he naturally benefited from it, and he liked Long Wen even more, and felt that he was right. Seeing Zhang Tianqi's polite words, Zhu Huaijing's face became serious, and he couldn't guess what important matter he had to say, so he looked at Zhang Tianqi with an inquiring look.Zhang Tianqi sighed, turned his head to the side, and said softly, "Huaijing, something is wrong." Although Zhang Tianqi said lightly, his expression was serious. Zhu Huaijing was startled and asked, "What's the matter? It's not a big problem, is it?" ?” Zhang Tianqi shook his head, but what he said was a big deal. It turns out that whenever a leader comes down to inspect, the subordinates will be tense, as if they are facing an enemy, and they must make preparations one by one from reporting materials, inspection sites, daily life to safety guarantees.Of course, it also depends on the level of leadership.In general, the leaders of the region usually only need to make preparations for reporting and make proper living arrangements. The security task is not big, and it is only necessary to prevent someone from pestering the leader to file a complaint.It would be scary if the leaders above the city level came down. Of course, they did not dare to be sloppy in all preparations for work and life. The most worrying thing was the security guard.Naturally, the security specifications vary depending on the level of leadership.But the people below will do things. As long as the leaders come from above, they often make extraordinary arrangements in terms of safety and security specifications. Those who don’t use police cars to clear the way will make the screaming in front of them so white and terrifying. One step, one post, five steps, one whistle.This is not giving money or goods, but eating and playing is not against integrity; moreover, China has already broken down its etiquette more than 2,500 years ago, and no one will hold you accountable for exceeding the standard of reception etiquette.Zhang Tianqi attaches great importance to the reception work. He used the famous saying that diplomacy is no small matter, and he often said that reception is no small matter.This time, after receiving a notice from the city that Mayor Pi was coming to Wu County, Zhang Tianqi personally arranged the reception work and instructed the relevant departments to implement it separately.The task of cleaning up street beggars, lunatics, and fortune tellers is the responsibility of the Public Security Bureau and the Civil Affairs Bureau.In the past, whenever a leader from above wanted to come, the Public Security Bureau and the Civil Affairs Bureau would take those street beggars, lunatics, fortune tellers, etc. into custody for a few days.But in the past few years, the county's finances have become more and more tight, and it is very troublesome to support these various people, so as long as there are people from above, the county will gather these street vagrants and send them hundreds of kilometers away by car.Wu County usually sends these people to Meishi, because every time the leaders of Meishi come to send these people to Wu County.The two places sent it back and forth, almost becoming a retaliatory action.It will be almost ten days and a half months before those homeless people return to Wu County from the place of deportation.Of course, some people just never returned to Wu County.When Zhu Huaijing was still in Wu County, someone had already invented the method of sending homeless people.When he first heard about this practice, he thought it was very inhumane, but it was not his job, so he couldn't say much.After the police and civil affairs gathered those people, they were half coaxed, half forced, and pulled into the car.The car traveled hundreds of kilometers to the wilderness and ridges, and when they arrived in Meishi, they were coaxed out of the car, saying that they would let them relax and have lunch.When these people got out of the car, the driver slammed the door and drove back to Wuxian County quickly.Those blind, crippled, and lunatics cursed and no one heard them.This time, in order to welcome the arrival of Mayor Pi, Wu County attaches great importance to improving street order.Because since the post-disaster recovery work is done well, there should be no beggars and other idlers on the streets.Therefore, the Public Security Bureau and the Civil Affairs Bureau each sent a deputy director to personally escort the car and send the street homeless to Meishi.But no one expected that the car fell off the cliff halfway, and all the 46 homeless people on board, the two deputy mayors and the driver were killed. "Who would have thought that this would happen?" Zhang Tianqi's tone of voice changed, as if he was recovering from a serious illness. "Fortunately, we rented a car from a passenger transportation company, and now we are only reporting passenger transportation accidents." Unexpectedly, Zhang Tianqi was smiling in front of Mayor Pi during the day, but he was carrying such a heavy burden in his heart. Zhu Huaijing comforted him and said, "Since we can cover up the past like this, it should be fine, right?" Zhang Tianqi shook his head and said, "It's all right, it's your classmate Zeng Li!" "Why is it him again? He is so well informed?" Zhu Huaijing asked. Zhang Tianqi said: "This Zeng Li, I'm afraid there is something wrong with him. He happened to come back this time to take care of his younger brother's business. His younger brother is in the coal mine. Now he has been laid off and is idle at home. He went to Chairman Wang of the County Political Consultative Conference. I want to transfer my brother to a job. Chairman Wang told me about this. I think comrades who work outside have problems at home, and the county can solve it as much as possible. I discussed with several leaders and wanted to transfer his brother to the county. The real estate bureau came. It happened that the driver who died this time was a neighbor of Zeng Li’s family, so let him know about it. Originally, we had already done the work of the two deputy directors and the driver’s family. Come out, the county will try to solve it. These reporters, why don’t they know how to focus on the overall situation and stability? They only want to add chaos! What benefits did he gain by exposing him? Should the county care about his family affairs? I didn’t expect you to come, and I was about to send Mayor Pi away and ran to ask you for help. I know that you guys have a good relationship, so maybe he can listen to you.” Zhu Huaijing felt that this matter was really difficult to handle. He knew that Zeng Li only accepted death and refused to accommodate.But he was really worried about Zhang Tianqi.It's okay if this matter is not found out, but if it is found out, Zhang Tianqi's promotion may be ruined. "Can you take care of the time? When we go back to Jingdu, Zeng Li won't publish the manuscript early?" Zhu Huaijing said. "It's not too late, he's still here, staying in the hostel of the County Armed Forces Department. I sent someone to invite him to dinner, but he couldn't invite him. He has been staying at home since he came back, why is he staying in the hostel again?!" Zhang Tianqi looked at Zhu Huaijing, The gaze is asking. Zhu Huaijing looked at his watch and said, "It's not too late, I'll go there. But I can't guarantee that I can convince him." When the two came out, Zhang Tianqi's car was already waiting outside.Zhang Tianqi personally sent Zhu Huaijing to the gate of the Armed Forces Department, and let him get out of the car alone.It is inappropriate for Zhang Tianqi to accompany him.Zhu Huaijing asked Zhang Tianqi to go to work, so there was no need to wait for him.He knocked on the door according to the room number Zhang Tianqi said.Zeng Li opened the door, but he didn't expect it to be Zhu Huaijing, looking very surprised.Wu County Cable TV was broadcasting the news, Zhu Huaijing said that he arrived this morning, so he sat down and watched the news first.On the construction site, I saw Mayor Pi with a smile on his face, saying hello to an old lady who was carrying soil.The old lady nodded repeatedly and said: "Hello to the people's government and leaders!" Mayor Pi took over the old lady's burden and strode forward. Crazy Xia?" After speaking, his smile immediately subsided, "It's weird, why didn't Crazy Xia fall to his death this time?" Zhu Huaijing originally wanted the two of them to talk about other things first, and then get to the point.But when Zeng Li mentioned it himself, he said, "Zeng Li, why are you meddling in so much business?" Unexpectedly, Zeng Li sneered and said, "Nosy business? It's horrific! I always thought that your conscience was still alive, but I didn't expect that the longer you were immersed in the officialdom, the more... Sigh!" He didn't continue, shaking his head and sighing. Zhu Huaijing was used to arguing with him, so he wasn't angry. He just said, "You don't need to talk about officialdom in such a disdainful tone. Officialdom has its own rules of the game. If you don't understand it, you can't understand it by convention." Zeng Li got angry, pointed to the TV and said: "Look at the TV, the whole news program is full of common people nodding and bowing, thanking this and thanking that. The common people have been hit by a disaster, you send some relief items, and the common people will be happy." I am so grateful. I feel disgusted when I see this kind of intentionally directed TV news. You just reversed the relationship. You spend all your food and clothing with taxpayers’ money. You should thank the common people! I am very grateful Appreciate the old cleaner in the Kremlin, she said that her job is similar to Yeltsin's job. What Chinese officials need most is this kind of peace of mind. Since they say they are serving the people, there is no need to do something and have to be on TV Brighten up the camera in a flamboyant way. It’s not fun to shine on the camera by yourself, and you have to pull the common people out to support the moon! To put it bluntly, this means feudalism. I am a parent official, and the common people are the people under my rule.” Zhu Huaijing laughed instead, and said, "I heard you were coming, so I ran to see you right away, but I only listened to your speech." Zeng Li exaggeratedly cupped his hands and said: "Thank you! Don't be hypocritical, okay? I know you are entrusted by others. Those who live on the street, besides being poor, what crime do they have? Do you want to treat them like this? The government has no If we can provide them with ample food and clothing, shouldn’t they be allowed to retain the right to beg? Every country in the world, even in developed countries, has beggars, lunatics, and witches. This is nothing surprising. No one asks the government to solve all social problems, because This is impossible. France is more developed than us, right? But the Champs Elysees in Paris is still full of beggars. The French government did not send these beggars to other places for the sake of face, they just adopted the method of taxing beggars to control beggars there quantity." 朱怀镜发现好言相劝不会奏效，也不想同他进行这种没有意义的理论探讨，就直话直说：“曾俚，我佩服你的道义。我也觉得这事不该发生。但我跟你说，官场中人的思维方式就是面对事实处理问题，别的以后再说，甚至永远不说。你是乌县人，家里有事就得有求于乌县领导。这事你不闻不问，百事好说，不然，你家里的事情就不好办！” 曾俚头往沙发靠背上一搭，叹道：“我知道，你指的是我弟弟调工作的事。我不肯求人，但我只有我两兄弟，我老母亲以死相逼，硬要我出面找县里领导。老母亲哭哭啼啼，说我不争气，四十多岁的人了，媳妇都娶不上。弟弟上要养老，下要养小，又没有工作，不只有死路一条？我是没有办法，才硬着头皮找了政协王主席。如今他们却用这一条作为条件同我交换，真是卑鄙！家里也见我仇人样的，我只好住到这里来了。” 朱怀镜说：“你不能说人家卑鄙什么的。还没发生这事，县里就答应给你弟弟调工作了。县里没有几个好单位，让你弟弟进房产局，够可以的了。这说明县里领导还是看重你的。偏偏在这节骨眼上，你硬要同人家对着干，谁都会卡着你的事不办。人之常情啊。你弟弟的实际困难你能不考虑吗？你老母亲为这事真的有个三长两短你良心会安宁？” 曾俚使劲地拍打后脑，非常痛苦的样子，说：“好了好了，你别说了。我说怀镜你是怎么回事？你怎么总是给张天奇当说客？上次皇桃假种案的事，你缠着我说，这回又是你。” 朱怀镜笑笑，说：“你说反了。因为都是你，人家才找我说。谁都知道我俩的关系好。其实好什么呢？见面就叫你鞭笞得体无完肤。” “真的，我不明白，你怎么老是要维护张天奇这种人呢？是你们私交很好吗？曾俚问。” 朱怀镜一时不说话，意味深长地望了曾俚一会儿，说：“什么这种人？其实你对他并不了解，只是本能地反感。是不是你有天生的厌官情结？要说交情，我同他的交情远远不如我同你的交情。从严格的意义上说，我同他甚至可以说没有交情。但碰上这种事，我只能向着他，说服你。” “为什么？可以告诉我吗？”曾俚问。 朱怀镜笑笑，说道：“如果能说服你，我倒想同你探讨一下这个问题。其实我平时也没细想过这中间的道理，今天就来个自我心理解剖吧。你应该知道，如今在官场上要想有所作为，靠你一个人埋头奋斗、苦干傻干肯定不行，得编织一张互利互惠的关系网。当然你说这是结党营私也行，反正就是这么回事，褒贬不同而已。像张天奇这样风头正劲的人，谁都会乐意把他拉到自己的网内来。那么我有什么理由不帮他呢？兴许也用得上他帮忙。再说，这事虽与皮市长没关系，但的确又是为了接待皮市长而出的事，为什么要把这件事捅出来让皮市长难堪呢？皮市长对我也好，对张天奇也好，都是意义非同寻常的人物。还有，这事没拱出来屁事没有，一旦拱出来，肯定会处理几个责任人，并且牵涉到那么多人，社会影响太坏。何必不省些事呢？你别用这种眼光瞪我，你要是在我这位置上，你也会这样做的。” 曾俚摇头叹道：“怀镜，你居然这么麻木了？最可悲的是，你们这么多年都是这样对待这些人的，竟然没有一个人告状！这回死了那么多人，大家居然保持沉默！中国老百姓要到什么时候才真正觉悟？” “曾俚，你别玩深沉了。我们中国人温饱问题都还没完全解决哩！”朱怀镜一副故作潇洒的样子，几乎有些玩世不恭。看看时间，已是十一点多，他换上一副真诚的面孔，说：“曾俚，说真的，我从心眼里佩服你的侠肝义胆、你的社会良知。但面对现实你应该明白，有些事嘴上说说可以，写写文章可以，却是认真不得的。就说这个事情，你把它捅出去了，除了处理几个人，除了给当地政府添些麻烦，没有其他任何意义。难道中国的民主进程就从这个事情上推进了？只不过是把你老弟快要到手的饭碗砸掉了。” 曾俚听罢，双手捧着头，使劲地摇。朱怀镜看得出他真的很痛苦，不忍心再刺他，便断断续续说着一些安慰的话。曾俚一言不发，两眼望着电视出神。电视里正播着很无聊的电视剧，谁也没在意看。房里的空气像是闷热了许多。两人正沉默着，听得有人重重地擂门，叫道曾俚你滚出来。朱怀镜不知道出了什么事，吓得张大了嘴巴。曾俚起来开了门，一条黑脸汉子冲了进来，指着曾俚的鼻子臭骂。朱怀镜一听，更是吓得两耳发响。原来曾俚的老母亲真的想不开，服了毒药，正在医院抢救。这黑汉子是曾俚的弟弟，骂道，我不求你了，你只赔妈妈的老命！妈妈要是有个三长两短，我要喝你的血！ 朱怀镜忙劝开两兄弟，拉着曾俚奔医院去。小县城没有的士，叫车又来不及，两人拦了一辆人力三轮车。曾俚已吓懵了，一句话都说不出，只是朱怀镜催着车夫快点快点。 两人直奔急救室。走廊里黑压压地站着许多人，在叽叽喳喳地议论着。曾俚劈开人群往病房里挤，朱怀镜也跟了进去。只见老人家平静地躺在病床上，鼻子和手脚都插着管子。里面没有医生，只是四周站着些像是曾俚的家人。他们都怒视着曾俚。看样子抢救工作已经结束。曾俚走到床头，伏身跪下去，把头埋在老人家的枕边。朱怀镜看得出，曾俚哭了。 一会儿，有人推门进来了，病房里有了小小的骚动。朱怀镜回头一看，见是政协的王主席带着两个人进来了。王主席同朱怀镜是老熟人了，两人先握了手，轻声问好。朱怀镜上去拍拍曾俚，说王主席来了。曾俚抬头站了起来，两眼红得像在流血。王主席同曾俚握了手，说：“张书记指示了，要全力以赴抢救老人家。我刚才专门找院长和几位医生谈了下，了解了情况。他们说还算万幸，抢救及时，没有危险了。”王主席反复安慰了曾俚和曾俚的家人，同大家一一握了手，说明天再来看看，就走了。 王主席走了不久，曾俚请朱怀镜回去休息。朱怀镜客气的说没事的，再呆一会儿吧。曾俚就拉着朱怀镜往外走。外面仍有很多人，在小声说着这事。 “听说是为她大儿子，大儿子不听话。” “大儿子四十多岁了，还光棍一个。” “自己找不到老婆，家里大人介绍的，他又不肯要。” “哪一个是他大儿子？是那个高的还是矮的？” 朱怀镜感觉背膛痒痒的。后面有很多双眼睛望着他和曾俚，有很多双手朝他们指指戳戳，猜猜他俩谁是那个逆子。看来外面人并不知道曾俚老母亲是为了什么事想不开服了毒。说明县里将翻车的真相瞒得天紧。 曾俚把朱怀镜一直送到医院大门外面，拍拍朱怀镜的肩膀，哽咽道：“这事我不管了！”他说完就抬头望着天空。天空正好有一道流星，划着凄凉的弧线，消失了。朱怀镜很内疚似的，不敢再提那件事，只是默然以对。他知道曾俚抬头望天是为了掩饰眼中的泪水，便不忍心看他，低头说你回去好好照顾老人家吧。 朱怀镜独自走在街上，心里充满悲枪。心想曾俚在一边为着正义慷慨陈词的时候，他家中的老妈妈却正在因为他的正义走向死神。而在急救室走廊那些叽叽喳喳的人眼中，曾俚简直就是怪物。如此现实，除了让人世故、委琐和庸俗，还能叫人怎么样呢？ 朱怀镜连打电话给张天奇回话的兴趣都没有了，只有一个人在街上低头走着。某种莫名其妙的悲凉感重重地冲击着他，叫他鼻腔发酸，两眼发涩。他尽量走在树的黑影下，不想同熟人打招呼。乌县尽是他的熟人。 朱怀镜走进宾馆大厅，张天奇正好从电梯里出来，后面跟着秘书小唐。两人握了手，就到大厅一角的沙发里说话。小唐只远远的站在一边。朱怀镜说：“我说服了他，他答应不管这事了。”张天奇说：“谢谢你啊朱处长。”两人都没有提曾俚母亲服毒的事，免得尴尬。朱怀镜没有心境说话，就客气说：“张书记你今天忙了一天，回去休息吧。”两人便再次握手。朱怀镜回到你房间，感到精疲力竭。方明远已经上床，说不定还没睡着，但两人不再搭话。朱怀镜进卫生间洗漱，望着镜子里的自己，体会不了往日那种自鸣得意的成就感和优越感，反而觉得镜子里的这个男人好无聊。 以后的几天，皮市长一行去了若有地区的几个受灾县市，吴之人一路陪同。乌县那位七八十岁的老太太给皮市长的印象太深了，他每到一地都要说起她，而且很动情。他说同志们，老太太那么大的年纪了，还要主动参加修复水毁工程。这说明我们的人民太好了，他们是理解政府的。他们受了这么大的灾，不怨天，不尤人，真诚地感谢政府，感谢领导。多么质朴的感情啊！朱怀镜一次次地听着，一次次地感受着官场的滑稽。这几天他情绪不好，尽管没有流露，但脑子里想什么什么变味。他感到很累，很想就这么冬眠了。 皮市长在下面一共跑了四天，回来时正是星期五晚上。朱怀镜没有回家，径直去了玉琴那里。香妹反正不知道他回来。玉琴一见朱怀镜，就说他瘦了，而且又瘦又黑。朱怀镜并不多说，只道身体不太适。他便在这里昏昏沉沉地睡了两天。 这天早晨，朱怀镜同玉琴打完网球，驾车回家。玉琴突然问：“怀镜，李明溪是不是真的有些精神反常？”朱怀镜奇怪玉琴怎么突然问起这话来了，惑然道：“怎么？”玉琴说：“前几天，我在街上碰见李明溪，本想同他打招呼的，可他一个人做贼似的，挨着街边的墙根儿走，还不断地回头，那样子就像怕后面有人跟踪。人也瘦得不像样儿了，我都怀疑不是他了。” “是他，肯定是他。我老早几年就喊他疯子了，只怕会一语成谶的。”朱怀镜想起那天在美院见到李明溪的景况，内心很感慨。他默然一会儿，说：“我想最近抽个时间，约李明溪、曾俚玩一次。说实话，在荆都要说朋友，他们俩才是我什么话都可以说的朋友。这两位朋友最近都有些不太好过。”玉琴不知曾俚有什么事了，就问：“曾俚怎么了？”朱怀镜不好多说，只道：“他老母亲身体不好。” “玩什么好呢？老是吃饭多没意思。”玉琴说。吃饭的烦恼朱怀镜更甚，更何况最近上面在抓廉政建设，出入高档娱乐场所不太妥当，他便玩话道：“是啊！白酒更兼红酒，到黄昏，杯杯盏盏。这次第，怎一个喝字了得！”玉琴听得不太明白，却知道他在发酸气，笑话他书读多了。两人说笑着，顺路在一家小店里吃了早点。朱怀镜将玉琴送到龙兴，自己赶回去上班。 后来几天，两人一见面就商量怎么个玩法。朱怀镜似乎这时候才意识到要按自己的性子玩一次还真不容易，而平时的所谓玩，多半是为了应酬。直到星期四，两人才决定干脆沿着荆水河驱车去郊外，找个清澈的河段游泳。定了下来，朱怀镜就打电话约李明溪。李明溪要死不活的样子，自然推脱了半天。朱怀镜劝说了好一阵子，李明溪答应的，却让朱怀镜也邀一下卜未之老先生。朱怀镜说卜老那么大年纪了，怎么游得了泳？李明溪说他也不会游泳，出去散散心也好。朱怀镜知道李明溪同卜老说得到一块儿去，就答应也邀一下他老人家。曾俚好说，朱怀镜一约他就答应了。于是，星期五晚上，朱怀镜开车接了李明溪，两人一块儿去拜访卜老先生。 卜老的孙女儿开了门，认得他俩，客气地请两位进屋里坐。小姑娘领着客人往里屋走，说：“爷爷在他自己屋子里喝茶哩。”还没到卜老房前，小姑娘就叫道爷爷来客了。卜老应了声请请，人却没有出来。小姑娘推了门，却见卜老正挥毫泼墨。朱怀镜两人自然放轻脚步，小心进去了。卜老搁了笔，请两位坐。小姑娘这就倒了茶了来。 “卜老好雅兴啊。”朱怀镜说着，放下茶杯，过去看卜老写的字。却见写的是卜老自己新赋的一首诗： 后庭有树材不堪 一年一度挂榆钱 秋来借取三五万 求田问舍去荆山 落款是雅致堂主人卜未之八十三岁，某年仲夏。李明溪也凑上来欣赏，连说好字，好诗。卜未之连连摇头，说：“歪诗酸腐，自娱而已，并无实际意义。要说这诗，还受了明溪先生影响哩。”朱怀镜便想起了李明溪那“欲结草庐荆山下，种得老梅半亩寒”的蹩脚诗。心想这一老一少，真是迂得可爱。卜老的雅致堂可谓日进斗金，老人却自嘲他穷得捡榆钱儿。 朱怀镜笑道：“荆山的地价今年又涨了，真是寸土寸金了，不是一般人有钱去买的。” 卜老朗声大笑，然后稍一凝目，落笔在诗后题道： 涂鸦自娱，见笑大方。怀镜君说荆山地价狂飙，非常人敢问津也。老夫复学张打油凑成几句：荆山有土寸寸金，有钱有势你去争；我辈只啖风雨月，黄卷三车留儿孙。 朱怀镜抚掌而笑，暗自佩服卜老这么大年纪了，还如此才思敏捷。李明溪反复念着这首打油诗，只道：“我辈只啖风雨月”堪称佳句。 屋里有些热，老人家又没用空调。朱怀镜有些发胖，早汗涔涔的了。卜老见了，就说干脆去后面院子说话。两人便各自端着茶杯，随卜老到了后院。原来卜老诗里写的后庭并非虚拟。月正中天，满庭清辉。小院并不太宽，但在这拥挤的荆都，已经很不错了。小院角上有一棵大榆树，另有芭蕉一丛，老梅数树，错落坪间，很是随意。连着小院的也是一些平房，不挡风，也不遮眼。一边置有石桌石凳，坐下可以观花，可以望月。朱怀镜说好地方好地方。卜老说：“我们家本来是临街当铺的，后来城市规划一变，就被挤到这角落里来了。好在我也喜欢清静，正好合意。雅致堂行内人都知道，要来的再远再偏也绕着弯子来了。” “这就叫酒好不怕巷子深呢！”朱怀镜奉承道。卜老自然是谦虚着。再下来不免是间或插上几句。他听了一会儿就觉索然，却又不想显得自己太俗，只好歪着脑袋作文雅状。他感兴趣的倒是这小院，太有韵味了。这时正好有凉风掠过，蕉叶沙沙，梅树弄姿，月影摇曳。心想今晚应该带玉琴来。月光下的玉琴，肌肤必定跟牛奶似的。 今晚的李明溪并不显得半丝疯意，他同卜老说天说地说到石涛了。李明溪就大谈石涛的一画论，把中国画的天人合一，心物相应的道理说得玄玄乎乎，又说石涛一画论的哲学根基在老庄和《周易》，云云，朱怀镜越听越昏头。卜老却是拈须点头，连说有理。李明溪说得正在兴头上，卜老说：“今天怎么就说到石涛了，算是机缘吧。我有幸藏有苦瓜和尚石涛轶画一幅，平时从不拿出来给人看的。两位稍等。” 卜老起身进屋了。一会儿，廊檐下的一盏灯亮了，卜老抱着个长匣子走了出来。卜老把匣子小心地放在石桌上，只见匣子暗红发亮，想是上好的木料做的。卜者轻轻搓着手，半天没打开匣子。朱怀镜见李明溪屏住呼吸，几乎有些紧张了。卜老却是进行某种宗教仪式似的，神色肃穆，把匣子的扣锁一个一个掰开。终于打开了匣子，取出一个古黄色卷轴。徐徐展开，见是一幅《高山冷月图》。但见群峰如堵，崖生怪柏，冷月如钩。画面清朗空幻，似藏禅机。右上方有石涛自题七绝一首，已有多处漫漶不清： 栖栖乞食□复秋 禅疴沈沈苦云游 月冷峰高小乘□ 六十都行□□□ 落款题道：“庚辰暮秋清湘大涤子写。”另铃印章几枚。左下方又题小字若干。朱怀镜只隐隐知道清初大画家石涛号苦瓜和尚，但他不懂甄别古画，便认真看了题诗和落款。但题字不太好认，字迹多有模糊，朱怀镜便不念出声，惟恐出了洋相。李明溪却像着了魔，先是站着端详半天，再就凑近去细细审视。好半天，李明溪才倒抽一口凉气，点头不止，却默不作声。朱怀镜心想这画一定很贵的，就问：“石涛的画在市面上是什么行情？”说了这话他又怕俗了自己，好在卜老并不迂腐，淡然一笑，说：“那也得看作品。我几乎查阅过所有有关石涛的资料和石涛自己的《苦瓜和尚画语录》，找不到有关这幅画的蛛丝马迹。但从画风、纸绢、题跋、铃印习惯以及装演方面等判断，肯定是石涛的画。从收藏印章上看，至少经了三个人的手。我见识浅，不知这三位何许人也。也许是民间有闲有钱的藏家吧。可以说，这幅画是拾遗补阙的珍品，价值非同小可。” 朱怀镜听着好奇，问：“这画怎么到了你老手里？” 卜者摇摇头说：“这是非分之物！说来有个故事。五七年冬天，有位先生把这画送到我店里，说是要修补一下。我打开一看，见是石涛的画，吃了一惊。画有几处破损了。我说只怕要些日子才补得好，那位先生说没事的，只要能补好，时间长些没事。我花了整整一个月，才把这画补得同原样似的。可是，那位先生从此再也没有来过。那些年月，社会不太平。我猜想有兴趣有资本收藏古画的，多半都会成倒霉鬼。天知道那位先生哪里去了？反正他再也没有来过。我只好把这画保存下来。我从来没有把这画当做是我自己的收藏，就连拿出来给朋友们看都觉得不厚道。就连我家里人，只有我大儿子知道我手头有这么一幅画。我交代他，这画是别人的，说不定人家哪天就来取了。我百年之后，这画就让他代为保管。我立了条死规矩，家里哪怕穷到要饭了，也要把人家的画保管好，不准把人家的画卖了活命。今天我心血来潮，让两位看了这画，两位可要保密啊！夜里露水太重，收起来收起来。”卜老说罢就把画卷了起来。李明溪却像中了邪，望着月光下的梅树发呆。 朱怀镜想起前不久在报上看到的一则消息，说：“市面上字画赝品太多。报上报道，梵高有幅被日本一家公司以四千万美元买走。有位英国专家经过近一年的研究，断定这画是假冒的。梵高平生只作过六幅，加上这幅假的就有七幅了，显然不可能。这幅假最初的拥有者是梵高同时代的一位法国画家。” 卜老刚要说什么，李明溪像是突然清醒了，说：“你说的这事可能有。古玩古董就怕同时代仿冒的，最难甄别。” 卜老说：“朱先生说那位英国先生研究了近一年，这幅《高山冷月图》我可琢磨了四十多年。” 朱怀镜有些不好意思了，忙说：“我不是那意思。凭卜老的学养和经验，怎会看走眼？” 卜老摆手道：“学养谈不上，只是见得多了些。”李明溪便向卜老请教古书画甄别知识。卜老谦虚几句，便说了些要领。朱怀镜一听，简直太复杂了，要深谙各个朝代的世风、画风、绘画用材、各个画家的个人特点，以及当时建筑风格、衣冠服饰、起居习惯等等。心想让李明溪没完没了地请教下去，三天三夜都没得完。眼看时间差不多了，朱怀镜先拿别的话题岔开，再随意说道：“我和明溪，还有两位朋友，想趁明天休息时间，到外面去郊游。想请卜老同去，看您老的兴趣？” 卜老哈哈一笑，说：“谢谢了。我老不上路的，同你们年轻人一道去，不合适啊！还是你们几位尽兴吧。” 朱怀镜本来就觉得邀卜老一道去不太合适，这只是李明溪的主意。见卜老客气，朱怀镜就不再坚持了。