Chapter 7 The Seventh Chapter of Longma Spirit Diligence and Affection
Qianlong returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation that night, and it was already the right time card.Starting from the beginning of Mao to do business, it took me seven and a half hours. In addition to performing official duties, meeting foreign officials, and meeting government affairs, I also got involved in fighting for Zhang Tingyu's life.At that time, I was in high spirits, but I didn't feel anything. Now I calmed down, but my heart was full of turmoil, and my thoughts were chaotic.At one moment I thought about the matter of neqin, at another moment I thought about the Huanghuai water transport, and at the same time I thought about Yin Jishan.Thinking of Zhang Tingyu's contempt, talking endlessly about the favor of the holy ancestor emperor to him, and the appearance of pretending to be a minister, it is really disgusting; suddenly thinking about the case of Dezhou, "the Yanzheng Yamen is there, will it have something to do with Gao Heng?" The matter of cheating", suddenly thinking about the court relationship between Fu Heng and others, and Fu Heng thought of Tang'er again, "I don't know how tall Kang'er is"... My heart felt hot, cold, annoyed, and warm. From time to time, I feel excited... I can't hold back the seven meat and eight vegetarian.While in a trance under the altar, Bu Xiao reported behind him:
"Master, should dinner be served in the side hall, or in the East Pavilion?"
"Huh? Huh..." Qianlong came back to his senses, swung his arms loosely, and saw Wang Zhi coming over with a green-headed silver platter, looked at it, casually flipped over Yingying's brand, and said: "I don't need to pass on the meal, I want to have a light bite. Tell Master Chun to come to this little room to prepare supper for me." Because in the courtyard, apart from Wansi raw silk crowns, hoods, and gowns, I went to Buku on the spot and practiced again. After a round of Tai Chi, I was sweating profusely, and my heart was refreshed a lot.After tidying up, seeing Mrs. Wang standing under the eaves of the East Chamber with a small bamboo basket in her arms, staring at it, Qianlong asked with a smile: "There is still a lack of vegetables in this house, and you just brought them from your palace?"
Concubine Chun Wang came dressed up, her upper body was a lotus-colored vest with a jade white shirt, her lower body was a light yellow pleated skirt, her semi-dewy red embroidered plum shoes, her "handle head" was removed, and she was dressed in a bun. Son, tied with red velvet knots, Crow Crow's thick hair combed slickly, knife-cut sideburns with an oval face, apricot eyes, really looks like a lotus.Seeing Qianlong questioning and staring at herself for examination, Wang was a little embarrassed, squatting Fu'er lightly saluted, and said: "Although there are many vegetables here, they need to be rectified now. I am afraid that the master will be hungry, so I brought some snacks, which are a bit fashionable. dishes..."
"Okay!" Qianlong looked at her again, asked for a fan and shook it, walked up the steps, and said, "Bring in the dim sum. I'm going in while reading the brochure. You go to cook!" Saying this, he entered the hall, Then he called: "Bu Yi, it's dark in the east pavilion, add another candle. Take a small basin of ice and put it on the kang—it's too stuffy in the hall." He looked at the memorials stacked on the kang case, as if Reluctantly hesitated for a moment, he got on the kang, sighed, pulled out a memorial in one hand, and picked up the vermilion pen in the other.
I read a few copies in a row, all of which were written by the governors of other provinces to report their annual success and debt.Although Qianlong paid attention, he didn't pay special attention to it. He only paid special attention to Gansu, Shaanxi and Liangjiang.In Gansu and Shaanxi, there was heavy snowfall in winter, and another rain in March. Although there has been little rain since April, the soil moisture is good. They all said that if there is no wind damage, the summer harvest can be expected to be 90%.Some state capitals in Liangjiang were flooded, but Su, Chang, Hu, Wuxi, and Jiangning were all "well-acquainted", and they immediately felt relieved.I only approved "I got it" on a few books, and after thinking about it, I wrote on the Gansu book: "The fodder grass and charcoal that I played have been sent to Shanxi at a par price! This kind of thing is the responsibility of one of your parents. It was early to prepare for the rainy day, but it was troublesome for me to work on my behalf, and it was all places that Qing hadn’t paid attention to. The Hui people’s residences in that place are the most in the provinces, and there are mixed places with Hui and Han people. The customs are different, and it is easy to cause conflicts and fights. It is also good at mediating." After writing, he picked up again. I have read the brochure of the golden 鉷 carefully, and it says:
The minister is very good at helping the victims of disasters, and everything is done if it is forewarned, and if it is not forewarned, it will be abandoned. This is what is called it.I am about to make a southern tour, and the country has a system for all confessions.Please tell your subordinate officials that anyone who uses me to go out and waste money, disturb the people and invite favor, will be severely punished.There has been an order to transfer Yin Jishan to return to the post of Governor of Jiang, and when he arrives, he will be handed over from official duties. You have already advanced to the position of Zhengqing of Guanglu Temple, so you don't need to come to Beijing, just wait in Nanjing.Qing's transfer is due to his seniority and seniority, there is no other reason, so don't have the intention of harboring self-doubt--Another question, do you have any relatives between Jin Hui and you?How does he observe his weekdays?Another fold secret Chen Yiwen.
He flipped through the notebooks and saw Yin Jishan's copybook, so he took it out and wrote on the respect note:
The prelude is known.Recently, I heard that there are also opium smokers in Nanjing and other places.You are very good at handling the opium. All the opium that comes from the park will be collected by the customs according to the heavy tax on drugs, so that it will not be allowed to enter the people lightly.Today's Western ships come to China for more than 40 times as much trade as in the early years of Qianlong, and the population of Guangzhou has also increased by more than ten times. Chinese and foreign countries are mixed, and Hua and Yi coexist. , Its harm is beyond words!Since England has a request to open a business office, why not make the best use of the situation and allow it to open a shop, and still supervise and supervise it with the "Ship Lifting Department".All traders in Guangzhou, Jia Shimin, should apply for the previous decree, strictly prohibiting bandits from communicating with foreigners, and those who trade privately with foreigners or enter foreign religions without authorization must implement the law to prevent it from happening.
When Qianlong wrote this, he seemed to think of something, flipped through the memorials he had read for a while, pulled out Yin Jishan's original book, and stared at it for a while with a frown. It said request for instructions on relaxing the ban on silk exports:
In the past, because the value of things such as silk and satin in the mainland was increasing, and because of the ban on going abroad, it was used by the people.It has been going on for a long time, but the price of silk in the mainland has not decreased, and there are even more expensive ones.It can be seen that the population is increasing day by day, the people are prosperous and the people are rich.The natural tendency of this thing is not the reason why it was all closed to the ocean...
That is to say, add another sentence to the invitation booklet:
Prelude, please relax the ban on silk export folds.Immediately relax the ban.That is to say, the Ministry of Households has approved the number of catties that each boat is allowed to carry, but silkworm lake silk satin horses and other items are still strictly prohibited, and no insinuation of entrainment and harm is allowed.Although Qing went to Jiangning to supervise the two rivers, the trade in Guangzhou is still related;Please!
After finishing writing, I looked at my watch, and it was almost the beginning of the Hai Dynasty, when I suddenly remembered that I hadn't had dinner yet.Seeing Mrs. Wang standing in front of the screen with her hands hanging down, she got off the kang with a smile and asked, "Have you prepared dinner for me? I left you in the cold—come, rub the neck of this right hand for me..." Then he stretched out his hand, and lightly stroked her protruding chest by the way.The eunuchs in the palace were very aware of these things, Bu Xiao took a look at them and quietly retreated out of the outer palace.
"Master, you can't afford to be a servant." Wang blushed slightly, holding Qianlong's hand with a pair of greasy teeth and jade-like hands, gently pressing Qianlong's right hand, half-supporting and half-handing to the dining table, Qianlong After sitting down, she knelt beside her, rubbed her hands, and said with a smile: "Compared to the serious things that the master does, the servants are not even a trivial matter...Look at the dishes on the table. On the east side is the crispy sweet and sour king." Melon, cold bean sprouts on the west side - the head has been chopped off and the heart is removed, there must be no beany smell - the south side is dry fried red shrimp, the north side is fried with fungus, and the middle dish is yellow, I am afraid that the master may not If you have used it, if you want to use it, the master will be right, and the servants will ask for a reward!"
Qianlong looked at the dish, it was neatly stacked, the teeth were as thin as a wooden comb, like vermicelli, but it was light yellow, like kohlrabi silk, but it was translucent, with pepper oil dripping on it, it looked extraordinarily fresh and refreshing under the lamp .He gently withdrew his hand, stretched out a few sticks and put them into his mouth to taste, while smiling, he said: "This dish is famous, green, red, soapy, white and yellow, and the five elements are in their respective positions. It's really thanks to your hard work... This dish is gourd. ? It's... vermicelli mixed with chicken, and it's not so crispy... It's Xungua? Xungua doesn't have this sticky powder to chew..."
"Master, let's not say what it is." Wang Shi was at the side, and used a small spoon to serve Qianlong a bowl of sticky millet ginkgo porridge, put it on the table in front of Qianlong, and handed a small steamed bun with elephant eyes to Qianlong. Qianlong smiled and said: "Master, you can use it well, don't care what it is." Qianlong took another bite with a smile, and said: "My master said, 'It must also be named'.--Use it well, look at it well, smell it Well, that's needless to say." Seeing that Qianlong's appetite was so great that he ate three steamed buns and all kinds of side dishes, Wang was busy serving Xiao Kuan, and said with a smile: "This is my pious heart. When it arrives—this is grown in our hometown, it’s called stir melon—steam it and cut it open, use chopsticks to stir in the skin of the melon for a while, and it will naturally become silk, and it’s ready after stirring in cold boiled water. I’ll try it at the back of my palace It has been planted for a few years, and only three have grown this year, specially prepared to appetize the master..."
Qianlong was sweating profusely after eating, and she fanned and handed out towels, toothpicks, poured mouthwash, talked with a smile, and waited on Qianlong so that his whole body was comfortable.Seeing Qin Meimei coming over, she smiled and said: "You serve me well, so naturally I will satisfy you too. But today I have turned over someone else's brand, let's go tomorrow, tomorrow night I will make your heart and soul feel at ease... Madam, where will I be?" I have to go again, will you accompany me?"
"Slaves should accompany the master." Wang lowered her voice, almost whispering, "...the master promised, don't forget. I said the same thing last time, so let the noble master comb the master's hair, Just let go. I... just fell into the red..."
"Okay! Don't forget this time!" Qianlong said and walked out of the hall, smiling at Wang Shi who rushed out in a small step: "This is a poem: 'Luohong is not a heartless thing, it turns into spring mud to protect flowers .'Let's go!"
Empress Fucha's official bed is in the main hall of Chuxiu Palace.Xian noble concubine Nala lived at the north end of the Xipian hall, while Hui concubine Niu Hulu originally lived at the south end. Because she was pregnant with Liujia, the southwest corner was not ventilated in summer, so she was afraid of the heat, so Empress Fucha ordered her to move to the west of the main hall. Nuan Pavilion, next to Haizi, with the cicada-wing screens open, there is a slight breeze, and there is no heat in the room.Qianlong entered the Guangliang Gate of Chuxiu Palace, but he saw that the courtyard was silent, with lights and candles flickering in every window, and there were only a dozen eunuchs standing guard at night in the corridor of the main hall, and a few rough envoys carrying small wooden barrels to each room. The delivery of hot water is also done on tiptoe, almost silently.Qin Meimei followed Qianlong, took a step forward and was about to enter the hall to inform the queen, Qianlong stopped him with a smile and waved his hand, stepped on Dan Chi lightly, pushed open the door and entered the main hall gate with his own hands.
Lainiang and other five or six maids in the palace took off their clothes and hid in the corner of the Dongnang Pavilion to wash their feet and wipe their feet because the queen had already rested and the palace gate had been unlocked, expecting no one would come. body, the emperor will suddenly come silently.With nowhere to hide and no time to get dressed, and unable to attend the ceremony, under the bright candles, everyone was ashamed and embarrassed, and Lai Niang blushed with embarrassment, pulled her feet out of the basin, and knelt on the ground with everyone.
Qianlong smiled all over his face, and pointed to the inner hall to signal them not to make noise, but he was not in a hurry to go in, and he didn't cry out. He stood under the lamp and watched with a low laugh: "What a picture of a group of beauties taking a bath——Parents Lu What's the point of being embarrassed?" He purposely approached Lainiang, staring at her neck that looked like teeth, her bare arms and thighs that looked like jade.Lainiang's upper body was only wearing a light-permeable moon-white market cloth vest, and the two bright red milk beans on the nipples were faintly visible through the clothes.Seeing Qianlong looking at her like this, Lai Niang's heart beat so fast that her ears rang, she stretched out her hands to cover her chest, only to realize that there was nothing to cover her chest, so she crossed her hands to protect her breasts, bowed her head and closed her eyes, muttering, I don't know what to say.
"It's not rude." Qianlong smiled and withdrew his provocative gaze, and said, "Since you're embarrassed, get up and change your clothes!" Then he entered the inner hall.At this time, the queen had learned that Qianlong was coming, and she had already put on her clothes. Following Qianlong's money, she bowed her knees and said with a smile, "Didn't Wansui overturn Yingying's brand? Why—" Speaking of which , Feeling slipped, but embarrassed, blushed and sipped tea without saying a word.It was rare for Qianlong to see the empress with such a shy face. The empress is naturally beautiful, a young woman in her early thirties, at the moment, she is blushing and smiling under the lamp, and her make-up is charming. This kind of style has never been seen before. Qianlong couldn't help feeling agitated, and sat next to him on the bed Bian held the Queen in his arms, and said in a low voice, "I'm lucky tonight. You are usually too dignified, but tonight is so rare. Let's have a 'Dun Lun' with you first, and then it's not too late to talk about Yingying... ..." hugging her shoulders, rubbing her nipples with her mouth, then pressing down... The eunuchs and maids in the pavilion have already quietly retreated out after seeing this.
As soon as the matter was over, the queen was still delicate and soft, hugging Qianlong and said in a low voice: "...don't get up in a hurry—for fear of wronging Yingying...the emperor really knows the hearts of ministers and concubines—listen to me... ...The two sons have not been raised, so I am a bit unwilling..." Qianlong stroked her hair, wiped the sweat from her forehead with his fingers, and said, "You are still young and have such a good nature. The Emperor Heavenly Bodhisattva will protect you Yes. Think about this——" Qianlong took her hand and touched his lower body, "ask Qin Meimei to invite me—— Lai Niang, ask Lai Niang to invite——Of course I will do my best for you first..." Queen Seeing him get up, he also got up slowly, hiding his chest that was numb from Qianlong's rubbing, and smiled "chuck".
"why are you laughing?"
"It's not a smile, I'm a little scared."
"afraid?"
"I'm afraid that Lai Nizi will rob the 'Emperor Gang'." The queen joked half leaning on the big welcoming pillow, and said: "You know, I am limited when it comes to pillows and mats. Just now, I feel a little swollen now. ...Forgive me for being lazy and not getting up." She slowed down her voice and became solemn. "When a woman comes to the palace, she is blessed to be a concubine with her master. People in the world think that they are no different from gods, but they don't know that there are different ranks in this palace, and each has endless troubles. There are dozens of imperial concubines, imperial concubines, concubines, concubines, nobles, promises, and often present. Whether she can survive or not, it all depends on whether she is proud of herself in front of the emperor. The backer behind her depends on whether she has given birth to an elder brother, or not. I also have to give birth to a princess, so I have a support and a threshold for walking around, right? I rule the Sixth Palace, and I have heard a lot and seen a lot. Sometimes I feel sorry for these people when I think about it. I don’t need to guess, this time Nala must be "walking" outside the palace, Yingying—and even Yanhong is waiting for you. Of course, it is the emperor's favorite, and it is even more important that the Guanyin empress sent a child. , Your Majesty, don’t be too sentimental, your body is made of iron, how many nails can you hammer in?” After speaking, he sighed and looked at the flickering candlelight without saying a word.
Seeing her sentimentality, Qianlong couldn't help smiling.He stepped forward to take her hand, patted her hand gently and said with a smile: "Okay, okay... You understand what you mean, but I won't mess with flowers anymore, okay? You have a kind heart, Guanyin wants to give a child, so naturally go first I gave it to you." "That's everyone's blessing." The queen also smiled and said: "I'm just talking for nothing, in fact, what is a woman, the emperor is the most important thing. I'm optimistic about Lai Niang. The one was brought in by suffering and had no natal family to go to; the two have always served me faithfully. I am afraid that she will be left behind in the future; the three I will ask someone to use her character to go out and be pushed over by others. Very expensive. I usually pay attention to her, and the emperor is very sympathetic and loving to her. When I turned around and opened my face, I simply said "yes"..." After saying that, he called "Lainiang come in!" Qianlong was so happy that he leaned down and kissed her On the forehead, he whispered: "I'm not in such a hurry, I'll do it as soon as I say it, and I'll do it seriously some other day—you are so kind!" Hearing the sound of Lainiang picking up the curtain, she stood up straight, coughed dryly and said nothing .
"The emperor is going to Chengqian Palace." The queen called her here. She originally explained it to her face, but now she felt that she was not solemn, so she changed her words and said: "You accompany me there, and there is a pile of flowers on the table for you, Lord Yanhong." Take it with her son—she said she wanted it during the day, but she said it was for her, but she forgot it later.”
This mission was sent suddenly in the middle of the night, anyone who listened to it was an "excuse", and "accompanying" was the real meaning. Lainiang immediately understood, she blushed blushingly, put her neck and scarf on and jumped on her toes, and replied "" Yes", followed Qianlong out of the palace step by step.When Qianlong looked at it, he saw that Nala came over from the moon shadow on the west wall to greet An, he couldn't help smiling, and said in a warm voice: "The dew has come down, and you are still standing here to enjoy the moon? Go back, it's cold." With the moonlight on his back, Lashi couldn't see his expression clearly, he just said softly: "Master, also be careful about the cold weather..." After saying that, he staggered back unwillingly.
Qianlong moved forward, looked at Nala's back, and felt sorry for her, she was the concubine with the most luck, she would always look up her brand every now and then, but the fate was not good, she gave birth to two elder brothers and both died of acne , it was so easy to raise a daughter, and she died before she was three years old, and she didn't even know the cause of the disease... Just as she was thinking about it, Lai Niang, who was guiding her with a lamp, said timidly: "Long live, you are in a trance, what should you do?" Turning the corner..." Qianlong smiled, quickly turned to the north, glanced at the eunuch following behind, and asked, "Lai Niang, guess what I'm thinking?"
"Slaves don't dare to guess randomly, the master is of course thinking about major events in the world..."
"You guessed it right. The Tian family has no trivial matters. The queen raised two elder brothers, and the first one went there when he was two years old. Prince Duanhui was only nine years old, and he also died of acne. The son has not been raised either. Now there are only two older brothers and third elder brothers, compared to the holy grandfather..."
Lainiang found it difficult to answer this question, but she had to answer it. After muttering for a long while, Lainiang said: "Your son's breath is determined by heaven. Master Niang, Master Niu, Master Nala, Master Chen, Master Wang and others They are still young. The master is so holy and benevolent, he is in his prime, so there is no need to worry about this."
After being silent for a while, Qianlong smiled and asked, "What are you thinking right now?"
"I didn't think about anything... the slave girl is very strange tonight."
"strangeness?"
"That's right! Lord Long Live usually comes at night, and the master and empress always have to send him out of the hall. Today—"
"I didn't get up today, did I?"
"Ok."
Qianlong couldn't help laughing out loud, put his arm around Lainiang's shoulders, and whispered with unstoppable laughter: "Stupid girl, she is afraid...to flow..."
"Flow...flow what?"
Qianlong smiled "hee", kissed her lightly on the cheek, and whispered: "This is a major matter that hinders the country and the country, and it is also a major matter of human relations..." Lainiang asked with her hot face up in the dark night: "...What is a major matter of human relations? The more I talk about it, the more confused I become?!" Qianlong whispered: "The queen said that she wants to enter you as a concubine. On that day, if I don't teach you, you will know." A palace lantern flashed out, knowing that it was to welcome him, he let go of Lainiang.Lainiang was already dizzy and weak, she could barely move.
Ah Gui arrived in Beijing five days late.He is a bachelor, his parents died in his early years, and he only has a few distant relatives. When he was unhappy, he was very affectionate. After he made a fortune, he was far away from Beijing. Inside the post house.Seeing that the sky is getting late, I want to have a quiet night's rest. After meeting the king tomorrow, I will see friends like Fu Heng and Qian Du again.Therefore, I only ordered someone to send a letter of report to the military plane, ate a few mouthfuls of dinner indiscriminately, and then took a few masters out for a walk.
After leaving Beijing for a few years, the scenery here has changed again.In the area around Hongguoyuan to the east of the post house, some prince’s mansion has been turned into. A parapet wall was built against the uneven terrain. The Baiyun Temple on the southwest side was originally a desolate mass grave, but now rows of them are built in a criss-cross pattern. The houses are full of locust trees, elms, willows, poplars and various courtyard trees. Occasionally, when the wind blows, you can faintly hear the melodious knocking sound of the bells in the temple.From Baiyun Temple to the northwest, the pines, cypresses, junipers, cypresses, and catalpas of Qingfan Temple are still the same.It was dark and dark, and there were bursts of evening drums.At this time, the golden crow falls to the west, and the tired bird returns to loneliness.The sunset burns like a salted egg yolk, and it is as red as blood. The smoky earth and all the grass and trees, the houses, the tall castellated pheasant at the west gate, and the cornices and wings of the temple half hidden in the lush forest and bamboo They are all covered with a layer of dark red light, and the crows hovering over the distant towers and Qingfan Temple are dancing up and down, as if bathing and playing in the purple sunset glow.Returning to this vibrant inland from the sandy sun, white grass and barren sand, looking at the smoke from the kitchen, listening to the sound of people and dogs barking in the alleys and children shouting and chasing and frolicking, it really feels like a world away. feel.Suddenly, he thought of Cao Zhan again. Every time he went to Cao's house, he, Le Min and Qian Du would pass by the small road to the southwest.Now this road has been buried in a lush maple forest, and there is a newly opened pond in the middle... He only copied half of it, and I heard that the other half has also been written. Did Grandpa copy it?Cao Xueqin, a unparalleled genius, never dies in poverty all his life. He is a little-known official under his banner, but encounters him again and again.Life, where does this start?
By his side is his number one guest, Yulin, who has been following him as his teacher since the Shaanzhou prison violence.Seeing that the young coach had been silent for a long time, You Lin asked with a smile, "Jiamu Junmen, are you thinking about the right thing to do tomorrow?"
"It's easy to talk about the right thing." Agui came back to his senses, and said with a smile: "I was wondering if the emperor would ask me to return to Jinchuan. Jinchuan's soldiers broke up the mess again, and I brought them all out. soldiers, I’m afraid we can’t grant permission—too much money is needed for mobilization—if they don’t change soldiers, they are all afraid of Sha Luoben, and morale is a matter.” You Lin laughed and said: “The Southwest Route Army has not been affected by Jinchuan’s matter. The morale of the whole army will not be low. The North Route Army needs to rectify, and all of them will be replaced by the Sichuan Army. The three people who followed you deep into the scraping ear cliff were added to the army as the shed leader of the sentry team, and they were brought together at once. But as far as I can see, Mr. Fu Liu has been fighting for this job. The emperor transferred you back to Beijing because he wanted to stay by his side to consult with the military, so he may not ask you to send troops to let go." Ah Gui laughed and said, "Master Liu is a hero, I don't know. It spoiled his interest. I don't compete with the sixth master for errands. There are plenty of opportunities to fight."
You Lin is someone who has been with Ah Gui for more than ten years, so she understands his thoughts perfectly.As a minister of military affairs, he first has the status of a prime minister. He just fights blindly, and at most he is a general of the Shangzhu Kingdom. "Don't fight with the sixth master", that's what it means.Thinking about it, he said with a smile: "In my opinion, Dong Weng still has to fight, and it's best to fight just right. The emperor has made up his mind. If you fight, you can even fight for the position of governor of Sichuan. This battle is easier to fight; Your Majesty is uncertain, so you should fight even more, and don't be called 'fear of war'. You know, after the war in Sichuan, the government and the people are also concerned about civil affairs."
"Okay! See it through!" Agui held the sword in his hand and laughed, Gu Pan looked heroic, "Draft me another letter of invitation tonight, be more aggressive. You might as well be harsher when scolding Naqin and Qingfu." , write down my loyalty—here I will show you the bottom line, I want to lead soldiers, and you masters will follow me to protect them from military merits; The palace examination is the way of Wen Jinshi. As long as you serve the country faithfully, I will definitely not teach you to suffer." You Lin smiled and said: "The bluebottle fly can only fly for a few weapons, and the tail of a horse can reach thousands of miles. It is good to enjoy the shade under the big tree. Naturally, it must follow the head of the card."
The two were talking, when they suddenly heard a sound of thunder from the west, it was really someone firing a thunderbolt in the jar, although it was not very loud, it shook people's hearts.Then a gust of cool wind swept across the ground, with a slight rainy smell.Everyone looked to the west, only to see the towering clouds billowing up, the red sunset glow disappeared at some point, layer after layer of clouds, or light blue, or slightly brown, or crimson red, or lead gray , as if being destroyed by some invisible force, they alternately overlapped and curled up, closing half of the blue sky.In an instant, the earth, gardens, and houses were shrouded in dark twilight.Lightning appeared and disappeared in the dark clouds, but the thunder was not very loud, like wheels rolling on a stone bridge, rolling closer and closer.
"It's raining." Agui turned her back to the sky, opened her arms, and let the cool wind soak her body with hot sweat, saying: "It's so refreshing!" But Yulin said: "The cloud is hideous and terrible, I think it looks like hail Junmen, let's go back to the posthouse!" Before he could speak, the postman ran over from a distance, and shouted, "Master Junmen—Neiting Ji Zhongtang is here to pay homage, sir, come back..." Said Panting and approaching, he bowed again with a smile, "All the people in the post station have come out to look for the master, and I never thought that the master would transfer to this place..."
Agui didn't wait for him to finish, turned around and left.At this time, the sky was covered with dark clouds, only the pole-high blue sky on the eastern horizon was left, and it was almost impossible to see the road clearly in the dark color.Suddenly there was a bright flash, shining brightly all over the sky, and almost at the same time, like someone smashing a porcelain jar, there was a scorching thunder, the earth trembled, and crackling hailstones fell all over the sky.Hailstones the size of corn seeds hit people's necks and faces indiscriminately in the slanting and horizontal wind, and sometimes they rushed directly in the face, causing pain all over their faces.The Yicheng yelled "Oh my god", turned around and withdrew the girl and ran away.Agui looked back at his own Geshha, still in the same ranks, guarding him tightly with his waist knife in his hand, licking his lips in satisfaction, but saw his youngest soldier named He Shen catching up, saying: "Mr. Master Men, you don’t wear a big hat, the hailstone hurts your life, this one is a little smaller, so you can block it if you put it on!” Agui stared at his handsome face, and took the hat he held in both hands. hat, and smiled gently: "Little devil head, yellow hair is not off, I know the protection officer. Xiaoshi! Don't you be afraid of pain?" But he refused to wear it. Xiying Gelong Guerrilla sent you to escort me, right? So gentle and weak, like a girl, fifteen years old? Just eat food and serve as a soldier?" Said, walking slowly.Although the hailstorm was still falling, its momentum had already weakened.
Then He Shen didn't wear a hat, and walked behind Ah Gui, with a clear and childish voice, and replied: "Biao Xia is at a disadvantage and looks like a woman, but in fact, he can suffer the most! He has no mother at the age of three. My father died at the age of eight. Begging for food, taking care of relatives, stealing chickens and dogs to gamble... I have done everything. I may not believe it, but I was the one who stabbed to death the third son of Jingxi Taibao three years ago in the gambling house of Cai’s house——It was Master Liu Tongxun who decided I am only twelve years old, and I am only twelve years old, and I am killing a bully, so that the dead army will not flow to Zhangjiakou. Hey! What kind of bird is this hailstone? There was a strong wind in the camp outside Zhangjiakou, and stones the size of fists were flying all over the sky. Shabby. I am small, but I am strong!"
"Oh!" Ah Gui thought of it all of a sudden, and said with a smile: "I was not in Beijing at the time, and I heard that there was a little Qin Wuyang who killed people in the daytime, so it was you! I gave Gelong an order to assign you to curry favor with me, but Do you want to?" "Yes!" Xiao Heshen jumped up and down happily, and said, "I would like to have fun with my master, send troops and horses, and also have a beautiful scenery! People go to high places, who wouldn't want to be a ——" He stretched out his five fingers and crawled, "This thing!" Agui couldn't help laughing.
Back at the post station, it was completely dark and the hail had stopped, but it was still raining. The watermelon lanterns were reflected in the courtyard corridor, and the ground had accumulated an inch-thick ice particle, soaked in the rain, becoming like Green-brown rock sugar beans, gurgling when stepped on.Under the candlelight in the main room, I saw Ji Yun half leaning on the chair, smoking a fist-sized cigarette pot, Agui stepped in hastily, bowed and smiled and said, "Ji Zhongtang, I've kept you waiting for a long time." How did you know that I came back?" Seeing that Qian Du was also standing by the east wall, he said again: "You money devil is here too—I'm going to settle accounts with you!"
"Jiamu!" Ji Yun knocked out his cigarette, stood up and helped Agui who was beckoning Qian'er, and said with a smile, "I've become a drowned general—get up and change clothes quickly!" Shen had already come in with a stack of dry clothes.Qian Du watched He Shen wait for A Gui to change clothes, and said beside him: "What are you and me? I was going to talk about you - I wrote a letter four months ago, asking for two antelope horns, even his mother Are you so busy?" Ji Yun smiled and said: "You sent the letter to the military aircraft department, and now the emperor may know it, and the lower officials know at least a hundred——New Minister of Military Aircraft , who won't come to introduce? Even I am afraid of future generations, so let's do some fancy tricks first."
Agui changed her clothes, sat down with Qian Du with a smile, and said to He Shen: "Little devil, try to get two dishes of side dishes, and Master Ji and Master Qian will have a drink and chat!" He Shen hurriedly agreed, and he bowed like a shrimp Backed away.
"That's it," Ah Gui said to Qian Du: "The army is short of horses. I confiscated 200 horses from the Burni tribe, and the Mongols asked for tea bricks in exchange. Waiting for you to transport them, you got me two. Make money from carts and tell me to buy it myself from the Datong Tea Horse Market—twice the price in the mainland. You are really good at it! If you are my subordinate, I will take you to death!" Qian Du laughed and said: "You So powerful? Tea bricks need to be made from tea leaves. Now the new tea has just come out. I invited the Ministry of War to make it half a month ago. It’s already on the way. I’m more thoughtful than you—not only the horse needs tea, but also In your big camp, there are no vegetables, only mutton, and you have to ask for tea! That little money is for your emergency, and if I give you pocket money, do you still hate cutting your hands?" After saying that, he pursed his lips and ate tea and smiled.
While talking, He Shen wore a big hat and bent over to bring in a small plate.This little guy is really capable of doing things. He brought four cold dishes in a short time, a plate of fried shredded beef with green peppers, and a plate of steamed deer tail. There are six plates in the middle, and there is a well-simmered pork knuckle in the middle, which weighs five or six catties. It is heavy, and it has just come out of the cage, and it is steaming on the table.Ji Yun stood up happily, looked at Shi Zi and asked He Wen: "This is made by the masters of the post station? This is right for my temper!" "Master Zhongtang can eat meat, and everyone in the world doesn't know?" He Shen said with a smile in a soft voice: "We are servants, don't figure out who is the taste of the men? - You can't make these in the post house. Next door is the Luqing Building. I just made it out of the big kitchen. , Even their boss doesn’t know!” Ji Yun looked at He Shen suspiciously, and said with a smile: “Are you afraid that it’s under the guise of me and Gui Junmen? boss?"
"Master Xiang, please rest assured!" He Shen smiled and poured wine, "How dare I tarnish my reputation? Now that I have money, even bastard opera singers and trumpeters can buy officials. You get what you pay for, and it's suitable for all ages. No deception. I will give more money, and the cook and waiter will slap the boss’s guests with all their might, and I’m worried about it. I serve the man well, and I’m also worried about it...” The three of them laughed straight away, Drink and talk casually with a toast.
Ji Yun doesn't drink a lot, he just drank lightly and wanted to accompany him, and he just gorged himself with a fat pork knuckle in his mouth.In an instant, most of it was eaten.Satisfied, he wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and He Shen had already brought him hot water and fragrant soap for washing.Ji Yun smiled and said: "Good boy, I know how to serve you! You just eat, I'm already full. When I came out of the upper study, I've already eaten two big pieces of giblets!" Qian Du laughed and said, "I heard that you I don’t eat much grains, I only eat meat blindly. I saw it today and it really deserves my reputation. It’s a shame that my stomach is unambiguous. I’m full from watching it.” Ji Yun smiled and said: “This is given by my parents. I can’t help it. ——You drink, I just accompany you."
"Grand Ji came here so specially, why don't you just eat braised elbows?" Ah Gui took a few more bites and then put it down, "I know you are the number one busy person, even if the governor comes to Beijing, you may not be there. Just wait."
Ji Yun put down the wine glass in his hand, his black and red face became solemn, and he arched his hands and said: "I have obeyed the emperor's order, and you want me to talk to you first when you arrive in Beijing. So there are my family members here and Luheyi Wait, tomorrow you will meet with the Lord, there are many people in the Qianqing Palace, there may not be time for a long talk—if the Lord asks, will it be against the order if I didn't see you?" When he said this, even Qian Du couldn't sit still, Both of them got up hurriedly, Qian Du said with a smile: "You didn't say a word before you came, I will avoid it now."
"You don't have to evade, the Lord told me to invite you to join us." Ji Yun smiled, got up and left the table with the two of them.Going back to the Dafang table and sitting down, ordered Heshen to make tea and quit, and then asked Agui: "You are familiar with Le Min and Li Shiyao, aren't you?" , saying "unfamiliar" without telling the truth, it is not appropriate to say that they are close friends, and I don't know what roles the two played in the defeat of Jinchuan, thinking about it and said: "We are close friends, and Qian Du knows best. One is to eat wine." Qian Du didn't expect Ah Gui to be so careful, he leaned forward and said, "That's true." Ji Yun only smiled, and asked Ah Gui:
"Do you know the character and talent of these two people?"
"Return to your lord." Agui was more careful, and said: "We only meet occasionally for drinks and articles. We have never worked together on errands, nor have we talked in private. We can only look at it with a cold eye and measure it with our hearts. Li Shiyao is good at talent, quick and capable, killing He is decisive and bold. The disadvantage is that he is too sharp, a little arrogant, and a bit rough and informal. Le Min is steady, solid, strong, and the office is cautious and hardworking. He is restrained and meticulous. It seems too careful point."
Ji Yun nodded.Turning around, he asked Qian Du again: "Long Live Lord knows your situation. How about Zhuang Yougong?" Entering the courtyard, there were at least ten or twenty people listening to the voice.阿桂正要问，和珅已经进来，笑着禀道：“军门，来了一群大人要见您，有的是去过纪大人那边又踅到这边来的。标下问了问，有四个礼部堂官，四个翰林院庶吉士，说是纪中堂的同年；三个户部郎官，七个内务府笔帖式，是桂军门的亲戚，有的是好朋友，听说您回京，特地来看您的。”
“你且请大人们回步。”阿桂一听就笑了，“这会子我和纪大人说话，明日面君过后大家再相聚，替我道乏。”和珅陪笑道：“我和他们说了。他们说和大人们是最亲厚的好友。要等着给您接风。”
纪昀看着钱度一笑，说道：“臣门若市，这是自然之理。总归阿桂和我如今正熏灼得意。要是抄家杀头，他们逃得比避瘟疫还快呢！”阿桂想想，仍是不可开罪，因笑道：“和珅告诉大家，且在西厢避雨说话等着。我们说完差使再过去见面。”
“是！”和珅极干净利落地打个千儿，退了出去