Chapter 27 Chapter One
At dusk, Di Gong and Ma Rong rode along an official road parallel to the Jinhua River.
The setting sun is like fire, and the hot wind follows.The robes of the two of them had been soaked for a long time and stuck to their backs, they were very embarrassed.After running for a whole day, I felt my lips were parched and extremely sleepy.
"My lord, there is a faint light flashing ahead, and there may be a town. Let's go and stay overnight, and we will go tomorrow." Ma Rong said.
Di Gong nodded: "If there is a town ahead, it must be Jinshan Port. It is still sixty miles away from Jinhua City."
A small temple appeared on the west side of the official road, and the Buddhist affairs were upright.There are crowds of pilgrims inside and outside the mountain gate, and there are a lot of smoke and candles.A hastily built paper and wooden archway towered high above the archway. Under the archway, there were many flags and flags, and ghost objects were piled up. The white paper ghost lanterns hanging around were already lit up.On the confession case, there are plates, stacks of fresh fruits and melons, and candied pastries.
"The last three days of ghost sacrifices are so prosperous." Di Gong sighed.
It turns out that folk sacrifices to ghosts began on July 15th, and the Thirty Dark Days ended.The last three days are especially climax, very lively.The common people regard it as a new year's festival. Although they are not very respectful, they offer sacrifices in a lively and colorful way, which is full of scenes.
Ma Rongxuan was looking at it interestingly, and saw a large stone archway standing in front of him.At the intersection.The eaves of Chongxie Mountain are guarded by two lions. Although the twelve stone pillars have been eroded by wind and rain, they are still rugged and tough.There are four big characters "Jinshan Leyuan" written on the forehead.
Di Gongdao: "It's really Jinshan Port. This Leyuan is very famous. There are mostly flower streets and willow alleys in it, where fats and powders are mixed everywhere, and bamboo and silk are produced at every household. It is said that the wind here occupies the most scenery, it is Princes, grandchildren, officials, gentry, and businessmen from Hangzhou, Taiwan, Wen, and counties all come here to enjoy themselves, and regard it as a land of luxury, gentleness and wealth."
Ma Rong was speechless: "It turns out that the weather is so bad. Master, why don't you go to the Le Garden to stay overnight and watch it again."
Di Gong smiled and agreed, so he rode his horse through the big archway, crossed a small arch bridge, and entered the "Jinshan Leyuan".
Ma Rong said again: "Master, I saw the words 'Yihun Bridge' engraved on this bridge, and I became more and more excited. The stream under the bridge is full of rouge and gold powder."
There are red lights everywhere in Leyuan, and the fragrant wind blows.In the shade of green trees.Xiuge and Zhulou are row upon row, and the sound of sandalwood boards and silk bamboo is faintly heard.Passing through Zhaogong Temple, there is not much to go on, and when you turn north, you will see a large inn with the words "Yongle Inn" embroidered on the colorful cloth.The door is still full of lights, and people come and go like flowing water.
The two got off their mounts, tied them to an ancient willow outside the inn, flicked their clothes and went into the Yongle inn.
The chubby shopkeeper was standing at the door, holding a copper water pipe, chatting with customers leisurely.Di Gong went forward and bowed to salute, intending to stay.
Seeing that it was a merchant dressed up as a merchant, the shopkeeper hurriedly put on a smiling face and bowed to each other, saying: "To tell you the truth, the shop is full of guests and there are no rooms left. It has been like this every day for the past half month. I will ask you two other hotels. "
Ma Rong was in a hurry, and hurriedly said: "The shopkeeper, no matter how high the rent is, we will accept it. We only need one room for my master to live in. It's so late. Where can I find a hotel? If I find it, it may be full. gone."
The shopkeeper went to the account counter and took out the register book and flipped through it, with a look of embarrassment on his face.
At this time, the tent with a gray beard came up to him and said, "How about letting this guest officer live in the Red Pavilion?"
The fat shopkeeper frowned. "The Red Pavilion is definitely an upper-class guest room in our store, and it is empty tonight. It's just that the rent is expensive, and there are many inconveniences..."
Ma Rong said: "Since it's an upper-class guest room in your store, what's the inconvenience? Just rent it to us.
The shopkeeper said: "Well... this Red Pavilion only lives in one guest official as usual, and there is no limit to female family members. It's not convenient for you two."
"As I said earlier, it's enough to arrange the master. I can go to another place and find a small inn at random."
Di Gongdao, "We will start our journey early tomorrow morning. It's only for one night. Let's take care of it."
The fat shopkeeper was still hesitating, his embarrassment did not fade away.The gray-bearded accountant hurriedly took a pen and inkstone and asked to fill in the register.
Di Gong dipped his brush and ink to fill in several empty items such as "July 28", "Di Renjie Puyang County Magistrate", "He was appointed by the capital", and "Accompanying Ma Rong".
The fat shopkeeper looked at it, and was startled: "It turned out that the magistrate Di of the Puyang Zhengtang condescended to come here. The small shop is full of splendor, and it's an honor. It's just... just like I said, this red pavilion is a bit unstable..."
Di Gong said with a smile: "Since there is no one to live in, why not make money when it is empty. Pay the rent as usual, so there is no need for the shopkeeper to say more."
The gray-bearded tent held a lantern to lure Di Gong and Ma Rong into the back garden of the store.Along the way, the flowers and trees are scattered, and the rare fruits are arranged, and the sweeping is very clean.The guests come and go, and they are also well-dressed, and the sound of singing, dancing and playing can be heard everywhere.
After a while, I saw an exquisite and delicate small attic, which was painted with red paint inside and out, shining brightly.
"This is the Red Pavilion where the County Magistrate Di stayed tonight. There is a large garden at the back. It is not connected to other buildings on all sides, and it is very quiet. This Red Pavilion is usually used to welcome dignitaries, and the rent is just right for the Magistrate Di. Spectrum. Just..."
Duke Di asked, "Just what?"
The old accountant twitched his head and lowered his gray beard: "It's just too quiet, and I'm afraid it's inconvenient. If there's an emergency, it's too late."
Di Gong said with a smile: "It's such a clear night and the moon is white. Yizheng needs to rest alone. Why do you call people for no reason?"
Wei Wei, the old accountant, remained silent.Go up five or six steps of white jade, push open the carved dragon gate of the red pavilion, and raise the lantern high to attract Duke Di and Ma Rong into the pavilion.
The pavilion is richly decorated, and the doors, windows, tables, chairs, desks and screens are all made of antiques.Several scrolls of golden and green landscapes are hung on the east wall, and there is a small terrace outside the west door. "The terrace is covered with green shade on three sides, and wisteria is entwined. Under the terrace, there are clusters of flowers and trees, dense and green, which is just a corner of the big garden. In the distance, there is a tall restaurant with brilliant lights, and intermittent silk pipes are coming out. song music.
The old accountant said again: "The inside and outside of this pavilion are covered in red. There used to be a plaque written as 'Ruge'. We all call it Red Pavilion. —— I don't know if we can take advantage of Di County Magistrate's will and have the right to be wronged for a night. This is The outer hall, the bedroom is in the inner room." As he spoke, he took out a key from his pocket to unlock the door.
Di Gong was surprised: "Why does the bedroom in this room need to be locked?"
The old accountant answered irrelevantly: "This lock is equipped with double springs, which can be opened from the inside and the outside. There has only been one key since ancient times, and the guest officer holds it himself."
The door of the bedroom was opened, and the room was also painted with red paint and a red carpet was laid.The red light flickered under the light of the lanterns, just in time with the moving scene of the last sunset glow in the western sky from the window.
Di Gong saw that the curtains, bed mats were all extremely rare, and the window grilles in the corners were spotless, with a satisfied smile on his face.
Seeing that Mr. Di was satisfied, the old accountant felt relieved.
"Magistrate Di, please take it easy. I'll call the maid to bring tea. I don't know if Magistrate Di will go to the Garden Restaurant for dinner, or wait in the room."
"I'm tired and don't want to go out anymore. You call the servants to bring dinner to the room. Ma Rong, how about you?"
Ma Rong said: "I'll go to the street to eat. Oh, our horses are still outside."
The old accountant smiled and said, "Don't worry about it, I'll send someone into the stable to feed the bran." After saying that, he left.
Di Gong asked: "Ma Rong, where do you plan to live tonight?"
Ma Rong said with a smile: "If you grow up to Jinshan Leyuan, a world of flowers and flowers, I'm afraid there will be no place to stay overnight. Don't worry, master."
"I'm only worried about the two gold ingots on your body. Your second uncle in the capital has worked hard all his life and has no children. He gave you all his savings as a gift, not to let you have a good time."
"My lord, these two gold ingots are to be kept for my later life, to build a house and buy a boat, how could I not cherish them? - I still have two liang of silver on hand, which is more than enough to spend tonight. "
Di Gong laughed: "Be careful of being scammed by gangsters, stolen by my son, and coaxed by my sister. Remember, I will come here to find me early in the morning. I will rush to Jinhua City for lunch. I will also visit Luo Yingyuan County, my friend of the same year. Order."
The maid brought a cup of fragrant tea on a wooden tray.Di Gong ordered to put it on the round tea table on the terrace.
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