Chapter 57 Chapter fifty-seven
Some people say that history is made by man.However, it is also the lost history that makes some people.
The 5,000-year history of China is like a thick scroll.When you slowly push it away, what you see is the fierce battle of gold and iron horses, the heroism of unifying the country, the merits of emperors and generals, and the elegy of broken mountains and rivers... However, hidden in such a grand historical picture Behind it are countless stories and characters that will never be known.What they have said, what they have done, the joys and sorrows they have experienced, life and death will always be hidden behind such a magnificent picture scroll.But it is undeniable that everything about them also belongs to the same history, or it is no exaggeration to say that everything they have done that we can only assume and cannot be verified has also created this history!
It was about five o'clock, and the world was still immersed in tranquility.There is the gurgling river flowing in the ears, and the crowing of cocks in the distant villages from time to time.Nearby is the fragrance of rice fields, and occasionally the river breeze brings the aroma of farmhouse smoke.It won't be long before the industrious Xichuan farmers will go to work in the fields, and a new day will begin in this day-to-day cycle.
Zhang Qianyu leaned out from the black-covered boat, and the rising sun in the east touched his full forehead softly.The golden color reflected by the river water reflected on his face, making his face even more rosy.He didn't sleep well last night.For more than ten years, he has always dealt with war horses, even if he sleeps on horseback, he will feel comfortable.It was the first time he slept on the boat overnight, swaying from side to side, and going upstream, the slow and fast water of the Pijiang River made him feel a little sick.
"Perhaps, my jujube swayed so sadly that night..." He thought so, and he couldn't help turning around to visit a ship docked in front. The beloved horse, who was born and died for the first time, is quietly huddled in that cabin at this moment... He continued to look upstream to the west - where he could faintly see the surrounding mountains in the morning mist, at the end of the Pijiang River, the mountains In the mountains, perhaps there is hidden the Chengdu dragon vein that the lord mentioned.Five boats of more than a hundred generals, servants, and soldiers who followed him to the post docked along the south bank of the Pijiang River, and were tightly tied to wooden posts on the bank with thick hemp ropes.The not-so-broad river draws a zigzag bend here, and the originally tame river here is somewhat playful against the wooden boats carrying people and horses.Zhang Qianyu couldn't help laughing at himself: in the past when he was marching and fighting, he didn't have the ability to fight the world; but now he is on the boat, but he can't figure out the character of this water at all - he is a warrior, but he doesn't swing a knife and jump a horse Having established outstanding feats, on the contrary, he won the trust of the lord with his courage and open mouth. I don't know if this is luck or a pity.However, going to Daojiang County, he had to deal with the rolling river.As the saying goes, the boat is naturally straight when it reaches the bridge, and everything has not yet come, so there is absolutely no reason for cowardice.Thinking of this, he straightened his not-so-tall body, and shouted to the front with a resonant voice: "Let's set sail!"
"Let's sail, hello—"
"Oh... the master has spoken and set sail—" With the shouts of several boatmen, several strands of hemp rope were slowly released.More than a dozen boatmen on both sides of the big boat took off their shirts, revealing their strong chests and masculine muscles.A row of wooden oars passed by, and a fast boat in the west started slowly and went upstream.
Hurry up, you will be able to reach Daojiang before the sun goes down——I am the first Daojiang magistrate under the rule of the lord!Thinking of this, Zhang Qianyu's red face revealed a look of complacency that was hard to detect by others.He couldn't help turning his head again, wanting to see the prefectural city of Chengdu hundreds of miles away—at the moment of turning around, he was surprised to see a black spot floating on the river in the distance: yes, it was a small boat slowly Move over.Zhang Qianyu ordered the boatmen to stop, and he faintly realized that this boat was chasing him.In fact, this is undeniable. Although Wanli Bridge is busy every day, most of them are merchant ships going down the current. There are few ships going up the current to Qingcheng and guiding the river, let alone a day that has moved during the fifth watch. Where is Ye Bianzhou!Could it be that the lord has something to say?He was thinking to himself...
As the boat moved closer, he gradually saw that there were only two people on board.A big man wearing a bamboo hat swayed vigorously at the stern of the boat, splashing water like crystals that could radiate the blush of the morning sun.Standing at the bow was a thin figure, wearing a blue gown, and this person seemed to be smiling at him.
Zhang Qianyu couldn't help rubbing his eyes, a happy smile suddenly appeared on his face - the person standing at the bow turned out to be his old friend Zheng Xu!
As the boat approached, Zheng Xu cupped his hands to say hello to Zhang Qianyu, and said, "How is my brother?"
Seeing that Zheng Xu's beard and beard had turned gray, Zhang Qianyu couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "Time is not forgiving! Brother, you have grown much older these past few years!" He couldn't help but recall the life and death with Zheng Xu on the plank road that night.In the past ten years since then, the two have worked together and forged a deep relationship.In the second year of Dashun, Wang Jian sent Hua Hong soldiers to Dongchuan to help Gu Yanhui. On the day the army set off, he and Wang Jian said goodbye outside the city.Originally, he planned to go to Qingcheng by land, but he was unable to go to the post because of the war in Pengzhou on the way.There was no other way, Zhang Qianyu could only return to Chengdu and live in the south of the city.Soon after, Zheng Xu was sent by Wang Jian to visit Zhu Quanzhong in the Central Plains, and the two never met again.Unexpectedly, the two years of staying here passed by in a blink of an eye.Seeing that Wang Zongkan was about to capture Pengzhou and the entire Xichuan was about to be recovered, Wang Jian remembered Zhang Qianyu who had not yet taken office.In order to get acquainted with the gurgling river flowing into Chengdu from the dragon vein, Qianyu deliberately took a boat from Wanli Bridge.I never thought that I would run into Zheng Xu in the early morning of this day.
Zheng Xu didn't seem to care about Qianyu bluntly saying that he was old, still smiling.When his former friends asked him why he chased him all night, he slowly revealed the whole story...
It turned out that Zheng Xu traveled all the way back to Chengdu to report to Wang Jian, only to find out that Zhang Qianyu had been sent to guide Jiang by Wang Jian.At that moment, his heart was full of joy and sadness.Firstly, he was delighted that the lord was able to understand the great role of the Weiwei Weir in Chengdu so quickly, and followed the precedent of Prime Minister Zhuge of the Shu Han Dynasty to send a special person to manage the ancient weir;However, apart from joy, he was inevitably disappointed.The deep relationship he has formed with Qianyu over the past ten years makes him unable to bear the fact that his old friend is far away alone in a foreign land.
Zheng Xu suddenly had an impulse, this kind of sudden passion was far from his calm personality, and a thought flashed in his mind: ask the lord for orders to go with his old friend!Zheng Xu, who is nearly fifty years old, usually speaks and deeds tepidly, but at this time his impulse has overshadowed his reason.Zheng Xu's actions really surprised Wang Jian.
Wang Jian reluctantly said: "Sir, I have been with me for many years, and I am used to having you by my side. Now that I am far away, how can I be willing?"
Zheng Xu shook his head and said with a wry smile: "Zheng Xu is a scholar, and he was not abandoned to stay in the army, and was loved and entrusted with important tasks by the lord. Over the years, he has done some business with the lord, which also showed me a Xichuan that is about to rise. There are a lot of talents around the lord. Mr. Boya can support the lord to open up the territory and expand the territory. The deputy envoy Zhang Gong loves the people like a son and manages the city well. For a moment. Zheng Xu can only copy documents in Chengdu, so why not let me go to Qingcheng and Daojiang, where I firmly believe that I can help Qianyu to do something for the Lord!"
Wang Jian was silent, he understood Zheng Xu's talent and courage.Zhang Qianyu really needs the help of someone like Zheng Xu if he wants to complete the task well there.But in the bottom of his heart, he couldn't bear to part with this unknown scholar who had done meritorious service several times.He said earnestly: "Mr. is far away from home, please write to me more! I will miss you!"
Zheng Xu didn't care to wipe away the tears from the corners of his eyes, he bowed deeply to Wang Jian: "My lord, take care of yourself!" Afterwards, he stepped out of the mansion gate and headed straight for Wanli Bridge.But when they got to the bridge, they were told that Zhang Qianyu and his party had left two hours ago.Zheng Xu was so anxious that he finally found a small boat and paid the boatman ten times the price, so he chased him day and night.The boatman shook the scull hard all night, and finally caught up with Zhang Qianyu's fleet just before dawn...
After listening to Zheng Xu's narration, Qianyu was so moved that he didn't know what to say.Hurry up and invite Zheng Xu to the big ship, and pay the boatman heavily.
The two came to the bow side by side.Zhang Qianyu couldn't help but feel excited, and the feeling of happiness and fulfillment made him see that his future would be infinitely brilliant - because he firmly believed that with Zheng Xu around, he would definitely accomplish something astonishing in Weiweiyan!
The rice fields on both sides of the Pijiang River are green and verdant, and with the sound of wooden paddles stirring the river water, they slowly recede from sight.Zhang Qianyu breathed in this long-lost fresh breath, and asked Zheng Xu beside him: "Brother, I went to Xuanyi to pay a visit to Zhu Gong. It is a narrow escape! People say that Zhu Quanzhong is a hero in the Central Plains, with superb martial arts and strict military management; but I heard that This person is cunning and temperamental, I don't know what kind of Zhu Gong I saw when I went here?"
Zheng Xu didn't answer directly. He looked at the paddy fields in the distance, and saw a piece of fresh green in front of him, so green that people's eyes had an unprecedented sense of relaxation and comfort.He seemed to be able to see that within a few months, there would be a scene of a busy harvest here.The huge Xichuan, the vast Chengdu Plain, such fertile fields are the most powerful guarantee of life.
"My lord wants to imitate the Shu Han based on the three rivers and observe the changes in the world. Zhu Quanzhong's power must not be underestimated in the chaos and strife in the Central Plains. The lord sent me here to pay a visit. One is to spy on the strength of the princes of the Central Plains, and the other is to let Zhu Wen I know my lord's great talent and general plan." Having said this, Zheng Xu paused, as if remembering Zhu Wen's cold brow.As early as when the Huangchao rebellion was put down, Zhu Wen's powerful rebellion helped Tang Ting ruin the future of the rebel army.The first emperor Xizong was overjoyed and gave him the name "Quanzhong".However, since then, Zhu Wen has been using troops in the Central Plains all year round, making it difficult to see how many signs of his "full loyalty" he has. "Zhu Quanzhong's army is really strict. Li Ke didn't take advantage of him with such a prairie wolf... How about his appearance, hehe, I also met him when I was hired that day. It's a good one." face!"
"Oh? Then what did he and his brother talk about?"
"He asked me if the road to the Jiange was dangerous. I told him, it was extremely dangerous! Zhu Quanzhong didn't believe me, looked at me sideways and asked: 'How does the virtuous master live so well?'"
Zhang Qianyu's eyes widened. He could imagine Zheng Xu's composure in the hands of Zhu Wen, but he couldn't guess how his brother responded at that time.Zheng Xu laughed aloud: "I told him: 'If you don't hear about it in detail, you may miss Zhu Gong's military aircraft!' He laughed and sent me back to give the Lord a message. After a while, he would send someone to come. Chengdu, see how the eighth brother Wang Guangtu, who is famous in Sanchuan, manages the army."
The two chatted and laughed all the way, and a group of light boats sailed upstream, fluttering and migrating.Along the way, Zhang Qianyu witnessed the rich scenery of the fertile Chengdu Plain irrigated by the river, and seemed to have entered this peaceful and dispute-free paradise.The faint mountain scenery can be seen in the distance, as if the color of the ink painting is infiltrated and swayed, it becomes more intense and clear.With the breeze, the coolness on the water hits, and I feel that this is no longer the warm weather in Chengdu Fucheng.All around, there are large and small ditches dug by the people spontaneously, and water is introduced into the fields.The fan-like canal network in front of me changed the appearance of the vast plain and nearby hills here.The Chengdu Plain under the rule of ancient Shu used to be a flood country with frequent droughts and floods, but now it has already become ten thousand mu of fertile land.
"My lord, the convenience ahead is the Guankou Wharf of Daojiang, and we will disembark there."
Zhang Qianyu looked at the sky, the sun was leaning against the top of a distant mountain just now, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, looking extremely relaxed. "I thought I couldn't reach Daojiang until it was dark, but I didn't expect that the sun hadn't set yet." He couldn't hide his excitement, "Brother, I want to go to Weiwei Weir after getting off the boat!"
"Since my virtuous brother has such an interest, brother Yu will definitely accompany me!" He said, looking at the mountains from afar, he couldn't help but chant:
After singing, he couldn't help but sighed: "I read this poem before, how many times it made me dream of going to the Weiwei Weir to see this eternal miracle created by Li Bing, the Lord of Shu! I really want to follow you, my brother. Made it together!"
"Anchor hitch-"
"Come on—"
The boatmen on several boats stomped their feet one after the other and echoed in the Western Shu dialect. The big boat slowly berthed into the pier. Zhang Qianyu lifted up his long gown, and with the help of a servant, carefully stepped on the shaking wooden boards to the embankment.The moment his feet stepped on the shore, his heart was beating non-stop.Fortunately, the two-day and one-night water experience finally came to an end, allowing him, a landlubber, to step on the ground with peace of mind, feeling unprecedentedly secure.He turned around and switched from another servant to support Zheng Xu, who was also taking small steps...
At this time, a somewhat hoarse voice came from behind Qianyu: "Dare to ask, is this the new county magistrate Mr. Zhang?"
Qian Yu and Zheng Xu turned around and saw an old man.The silver threads are scattered on the forehead. It seems that he is nearly sixty years old, but his face doesn't look too old.The old man's clothes were very old, as if they had been washed consistently for more than ten years, and the dark blue blouse had bleached a little white.
"Next is Zhang Qianyu."
Hearing Qianyu's self-report, the old man's lips trembled slightly, and a smile creased the creases on his face: "This old man is Zhang Daogu, who is in charge of the Weiweiyan in this county."
"Oh..." Qianyu nodded.Perhaps this old man will help him in his future tenure.Judging from his attire, this eighth-rank sesame official is very clean.
Contrasted with Qianyu's calmness, Zheng Xu looked at the old man in front of him almost in surprise, and then asked respectfully: "Mr., excuse me, can I tell you your name again?"
The old man smiled and said: "I am the same as the county magistrate, with the same surname Zhang, and it is the ancient way of 'Tao Gu Ji Jin, saying far and close together'!" As soon as this remark came out, Qian Yu was quite surprised. The unattractive person could say such words out of his mouth, and then he looked at the old man in front of him again: behind the messy forehead was a carefully wrapped square scarf, the few wrinkles at the corners of his eyes showed his years of wind and rain, and his chapped lips were slightly closed , but reveals an atmosphere that is beautiful enough to be a blockbuster.Really very human!
"It turned out to be Zuo Buque Zhang Qingzhou, sorry, sorry!" Zheng Xu hurriedly saluted.
"I'm ashamed... I'm old and have no talent or virtue, this gentleman can still remember..."
Qianyu thought in his heart that this Zuo Buque's grade is only seventh grade, but the officials who walk under the Central Gate and saw that Zheng Xu was very respectful to him, he must have some knowledge, and he might even have been in a certain subject. Jinshi and the first.
In fact, it is true that Zhang Dao had been a Jinshi in ancient times, but what moved Zheng Xu was that he once submitted a "Five Dangers and Two Chaos Table" memorial to the emperor asking the court to cut down the vassal.Later, for unknown reasons, Li Ye sent him to Shu as an official.Zheng Xu wanted to pay a visit to Daogu for a long time, but he could hardly hear him.It never occurred to me that this old man who was loyal to the court but somewhat stubborn would live in seclusion in Daojiang as a small official.
Zhang Daogu lived in Daojiang for more than half a year, and lived a casual life under the influence of the sound of water in the thousand-year-old weir every day. Unexpectedly, when a new county magistrate was ushered in today, he would also welcome a new county magistrate. A confidant of one's own name.When he learned that Zhang Qianyu and Zheng Xu were going to see the face of the ancient weir immediately, Zhang Daogu was willing to guide the way.
Not long after, Qianyu and his party followed Zhang Daogu to Chongde Temple.Through the introduction of Daogu Road, Qianyu learned that this ancestral temple was built to commemorate Li Bing, the prefect of Shu County in the pre-Qin Dynasty who presided over the construction of the Weiwei Weir.Daogu led Qianyu and Zheng Xu up to a dilapidated attic. When Zhang Qianyu climbed up the last staircase and looked sideways, he was completely shocked by what he saw——