Assassin He Chunxia

Chapter 53

Boating on the water, three people and three horses, spring is coming, the two sides of the river are green, the grass and flowers are fragrant, Zhangzhou porridge stands at the head of the boat, and the spirit is full of energy and poetry.

"Ah, the monkeys on both sides of the strait couldn't stop crying, and a red apricot came out of the wall."

Zhu Jinchan sat on the edge of the boat pondering the map, when he heard, one staggered and almost fell into the water, "Brother, is the gentleman who taught you reading still alive?"

"It's long gone, why?"

"Be careful tonight, you should be alive."

He Xiaoyun came over with the oars, "You shouldn't listen to your waterways, clean is clean, but this waterway is too complicated, you say you know the way, but the result is to look at the map, do you really understand? It's not good. Let's go ashore and see where we are, or go overland."

"Don't be noisy." Zhu Jinchan's cheeks were slightly red, don't go over and ignore him, Zhang Zhou Porridge came over with an "ah", "If you don't know the way, don't walk around, will there be any river gods in this water, Jiaolong? And so on, in case of any taboos, thunderstorms, overturned rivers, my water is not good, don't scare me, let's go back to the land."

"Hmph, you are thin and tender, and I will throw you down to sacrifice to the sky later, and let the river god lead the way." Zhu Jinchan was not forgiving, and he was a little anxious in his heart. He compared the map over and over again. With a sigh, he led Zhang Zhouporridge to drive slowly on one side of the boat. Zhang Zhouporridge whistled from time to time, and the shadows of the trees on the shore moved, as if some animals were jumping and accompanying him.To a fork in the waterway, stop the boat to fish, and wait for the passing boats to ask the way.

He Xiaoyun sat cross-legged on the bow of the boat, pressed the fishing rod under his wrist, quietly closed his eyes and exercised, the pores all over his body opened, warm and extremely comfortable, suddenly a pain in his heart, lingering poison attacked his heart, sighed, secretly restrained.Zhang Zhou Porridge is a young man, can't sit still, and uses a rod as a gun to tie the fish to play, but a few of them are actually stabbed, the fish's body is pierced, and they can't survive. Inside, there was a bloody smell on the boat, and Zhu Jinchan scolded him when he heard it, "What's the trouble, it will really attract the river god later."

The sound of the water was gurgling, and there was a faint sound of singing.

"The green banana garden, the newly embroidered mandarin duck and Luo fan. The weather is warm, and the whole body is tired. The lotus is full of steps, and the swing is in front of the easel."

The female voice was tactful and playful, He Xiaoyun opened his eyes, Zhang Zhouporridge was already standing beside him and looked at it. There was an old man in the canoe, and the old man was holding a pole. The singing girl should be sitting in the cabin, not to be seen.

"Tang Yin's "The Hillside Sheep" is a good song and a good song. Brother He, you are probably thinking, isn't there a beautiful woman sitting in this cabin?" Zhu Jinchan saw the two of them staring at the boat intently. Saying sour words, He Xiaoyun responded with a smile, not ashamed. When the singing resumed, she also opened her mouth and sang along with the beautiful and sad song.

"I wanted to go up a few times, and I wanted to be ashamed. I went to sleep under the pillow in the yarn kitchen. Fang Nian, Fang Nian is pitiful, during this time, I didn't dare to say anything."

Zhu Jinchan's dejected and mournful admiration against the Shang tune was extremely sonorous and powerful, with a firmness and a softness, in sharp contrast to the previous woman.Zhang Zhoucong felt something, humming for a long time, hesitating to say anything, He Xiaoyun sighed, "This song was originally written about a young girl trapped in a boudoir, subject to feudal ethics, and she has nowhere to say, I wish the girl to sing like this, But she has become trapped in a boudoir, restricted by rituals, and still wants to yearn for the outside world, warm and free. A good chivalrous girl."

"Hmph." Zhu Jinchan was secretly delighted, thinking that you know the goods, his face was still expressionless.

The boat approached slowly, and an old woman came out of the cabin, with coarse clothes, neatly packed, and a light-colored flower beside her ear. Figure, "Huh" Both of them were a little surprised.

"It was this mother-in-law who sang just now?" Zhu Jinchan said with a smile, and the old woman nodded, "The waterway is lonely, the old lady sings to relieve the boredom, but it's a girl, the last few lines are really good."

The dream of beauty in Zhang Zhouporg's heart was broken, and he was in a daze. He Xiaoyun laughed a few times and bowed to the two elders, "May I ask the two seniors, which direction is Jinan House going in? How far is it?"

The old man saw that the three of them were dressed in ordinary clothes, and the clothes were made of exquisite materials. It was only the children of the rich who came out for an outing and got lost. He frowned and said, "Jinan House is a long time away from here. Next time you go out for a cruise, be careful. There are many waterways nearby. Maybe it's floating there." Pointing in a direction, He Xiaoyun nodded and thanked him, the old woman said to Zhu Jinchan, "We're going there too, our ship is fast, we can wait for you, let's go together."

"it is good."

Zhang Zhou Porridge was puzzled, "It should be our boat." He took the oars and rowed, and whistled extremely loudly.

The old man glanced at the postures of He Xiaoyun and Zhang Zhoucong holding the oars, shook his head disdainfully, and rowed the boat to the front to lead the way.

The two boats are not far apart. Zhu Jinchan and the old lady chatted with each other. I know that the two old people are from the countryside of Binzhou. After passing the examination as a scholar, he was attracted by the owner of a candle stall, willing to marry his daughter who was born deaf.When the old couple got the letter, they hurriedly sold all the valuable things in the family, and personally sent the money to Jinan Mansion as a bride price for their son.

"This mother-in-law, you don't look like you're from a farmer. Have you ever read a book before?"

Since ancient times, women have not been allowed to study in private schools. People who can afford a husband are either rich or expensive, but this mother-in-law has thick knuckles and calluses. She is clearly accustomed to farm work.Or do you say that you are not tall, just to accompany the maid?In an instant, Zhu Jinchan's mind flashed for a few moments, guessing her life.

The old woman glanced at the old man in front of the boat, sighed and smiled, "Both of us are surnamed Cao. I used to be a young lady from a big family. He was my servant. After a long time, I stole some gold and silver jewelry and eloped with him." The old man heard her turn back and whistled like Zhang Zhou Porridge. The two looked at each other and sighed. The old man stopped looking at her and concentrated on punting the boat.

For the ethereal things, suffering for a lifetime, do you regret it?Zhu Jinchan expressed a lot of emotion, but did not speak. Granny Cao leaned forward and whispered, "You are not too young, you look like you have not yet had a child." She deliberately squinted at He Xiaoyun, and regarded the two as a couple. , Zhu Jinchan blushed, just about to retort, "I didn't give birth, we are not."

She was interrupted by Granny Cao, "Ah, a woman's life is not a life of devotion. When you are young, you dedicate it to love, and when you are pregnant, you dedicate it to your son and daughter, and to your family. Look at you two, you are both at this age. Son, I want to have a very deep relationship, he can't bear you, but this woman, you still have to worry about it, and persuade that person in your family to take a concubine as soon as possible, give birth to a son, and adopt it to yourself, isn't that the same as his own?"

Zhu Jinchan was trembling with anger, one dodged into the cabin, leaned on the side of his horse, and hugged its neck.If you don't know, it's not surprising that she is not annoyed by Granny Cao's words, but just as Granny Cao said, she has passed through the most beautiful youth of a woman, and she has even passed the age of marriage and childbirth. , act only according to one's own preferences, come and go freely.She also came from a wealthy family. Occasionally, when she thinks about it, she is determined not to return to the cage of strict etiquette. Now listening to the mother-in-law, she thinks that she is alone, and she has no worries. There is not even a messenger who is willing to elope with her. , The anger came from it, the blood rushed to the head, and I almost burst into tears.

He Xiaoyun lifted the curtain and entered the warehouse, met Zhu Jinchan's red eyes, a little overwhelmed, smiled awkwardly, and said, "I have explained to Granny Cao, there is no friendship between us, it is the sympathy between knights. "

Zhu Jinchan was secretly annoyed, only to hear "there is no friendship at all", and then he scolded, "Okay, you Jinyiwei, the dog officer, think this girl is not worthy of you, the dog officer in the unicorn suit? Go away, I don't want you. Get on my boat, get out!" He pushed him out with red eyes, and drove him straight to the front of the boat, forcing him to jump onto the Cao family's boat, He Xiaoyun had no choice but to do as he did.

Zhang Zhou Porridge was on the boat asking Old Man Cao how to make the oars, and when they saw Old Man Cao leaned into their ears and whispered, "The young couple are making trouble?" The two watched happily.

Zhu Jinchan's ear tip moved, he heard a whisper, stared at Zhang Zhouporridge, "Come here." Zhang Zhouporridge tilted his head to look at He Xiaoyun, He Xiaoyun sighed, and waved him to go to the boat first.

There was no more words along the way, the two boats went to a lake two or three miles outside Jinan Mansion, and stopped by the lake, Zhu Jinchan got off the boat straight away, picked up a big suitcase of his own, carried a Miao Dao on his horse and headed straight to Jinan Mansion.

Zhang Zhou porridge helped the two old men ashore, and He Xiaoyun finished counting the luggage and led the horse. When he first saw Miss Zhu that day, he seemed to be carrying two large boxes in both hands and remembered the pride of Zhu Jin Chan drinking three glasses of spirits that day, alas, chivalrous A woman is also a girl, and her mind is hard to guess. She shouldn't be angry, so let's just say goodbye?Or goodbye Huaian?All kinds of thoughts, alas, official business is important, do things first.

Zhang Zhou porridge whistled all the way, his mouth was dry, and he patted the teacher and said, "I'm sure my sister has gone into the city. I'll put the foxes here to keep them, and let's hurry into the city to do errands. Maybe we can find them. I wish my sister, when the time comes, I will persuade her, she is arrogant, please don't bully her."

He Xiaoyun squinted at him, "Okay."

The four entered the city, each had his own way, and parted ways.The guards at the gate of the city were very impressed by Zhu Jinchan, saying that she asked Dawei Escort the way to the semicolon, and He Xiaoyun wrote it down and worked first.

Zhang Zhou Porridge and He Xiaoyun searched the inn to store horses and luggage, asked the way to the official residence, used some food, changed into official clothes and went out to the street.He Xiaoyun explained as he walked, "Lu He, the prefect of Jinan Prefecture, is Mr. Su's classmate, and he is half a member of the Bamboo Forest Party, so this place is considered clean. The commander's order, we are here this time, for the details of the accounts and the responsibility of the officials, if it is not outrageous. Boundless, try to open one eye and close the other, and don't refute the prefect of Lu."

"Now that the Bamboo Forest Party is in power, the people in the East Palace must be in a panic. During this trip to Jinan, there will be officials presenting gifts, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, silver notes, and jewelry. Please accept them first, remember the names and taboos one by one, and transcribe two copies of the list. When you leave, Give one of the gifts to the prefect of Lu, and take the other list back to Beijing."

Zhang Zhouzhu was curious, "When I go out, I feel like the work done by the Metropolitan Police. Why are we here to do this?"

"The prefectural court sends people to the locality every year. People die every year, and few of them return to Beijing alive. No one dares to do this work. Only the sage has specially approved Jinyiwei to take over. This kind of thing must be done with caution. It's not a joke to hold ten thousand people to death."

"Isn't it just investigating corrupt officials, doing bad things, etc., that's so powerful."

"Corruption must be divided into how to be greedy. Some officials are very capable of doing things, they are from the local area, they are well-organized in local governance, they are loved by the people, they do not keep official accounts, and they only accept bribes from wealthy people. There are also some clear streamers who do not love money. , but likes calligraphy and painting antiques, and collects all kinds of things. These people are afraid that they have the ability to be related. After they are killed, it will be difficult to manage the local area. Hundreds of times, the relationship is intricate, and you are moving like you are walking on thin ice. You are also an official now, and you have to learn to be smart if you are not smart."

Zhang Zhou Porridge's head got bigger, so he could only sigh.

As they were walking, several officials dressed as yamen came face to face, please come up to greet the two, and light up Lu He's private seal, "Hello, please? Are you He Qianhu?" He Xiaoyun nodded, and the officials immediately Line up to clear the way and lead the way for the two of them.

The road went farther and farther, but it was not the way the servant pointed to the yamen before.Zhang Zhoucong noticed that several people leading the way were equipped with weapons, and he and his brother did not take weapons out of the street. He remembered that his brother had said that people died every year, and few returned alive. He was a little worried, and he looked over and whispered, "Master Brother, let's be careful."

He Xiaoyun shook his head, "The death of the Duchayuan is the face of the Duchayuan. If something happens to us in official uniforms, it will be the face of the sage, don't worry."

Everyone walked to the Daming Lake, a small courtyard in an elegant and quiet place. The rest were led to the door and did not enter.

When I was admitted to the hospital, the ancient trees were entrenched in the courtyard. Under the tree, there was a table, a book and a pot of tea, waiting for a long time.

"Jinyiwei Qianhu He Xiaoyun."

"Jinyiwei Xiaoqi Zhang Zhou Porridge."

"It's under Lu He." Lu He stood up, his beautiful beard drooped, and there were faint tears in his eyes, "You two, it's too late!"

The words were mixed with joy and sorrow, and the emotions were solemn and full, Zhang Zhouzhu turned his head sideways, "Master, do you two know each other?"

"Mr. Lu has been standing in Jinan for many years, and finally this day will come." He Xiaoyun clasped his fists and bowed, Lu He hurriedly stepped forward and pulled the two to sit down.

"The East Palace is determined not to rise? Now it is said that Mr. Su has the power in the world, is it true? Then." Lu He suddenly paused, sighed and said, "The liquidation of the East Palace, are you going to start?"

"Mr. Su's meaning." He Xiaoyun and Lu He looked at each other and nodded silently.

Lu He stroked his beard, his expression changed repeatedly in a short period of time, worried, joyful, fearful, and then sighed several times, "In the past many years, Donggong was very powerful after all, and his side and his subordinates were often attracted, although I am not ashamed to be with him. , but in order to secure this position, sometimes I have to bow my head, convicted a few wrong cases, recommended a few mediocre talents, and accepted a few farmyards."

"Come and check, I really don't know how to tell you. You feel more real than me in Beijing affairs. I know I'm not worthy of being a parent official, but the bad greed left by the East Palace has been deeply embedded in every grassroots level. The official heart." Lu He got up and patted the old tree beside him, "It's rotten from the root."

"The imperial examination a few days ago, the title of a scholar, can be clearly marked with a price of dozens of taels. Everyone is chasing profits frantically, as if there is nothing in this world that cannot be done with money. When I was young, people around me were still thinking about it. To study as an official and as a parent, you must do a lot, and now." Lu He shook his head, "It's enough to have money."

"I've thought about resigning countless times, but what made me feel the most uncomfortable was another thought." Lu He pointed to the soles of his feet, "I can't bear to part with this small courtyard."

He Xiaoyun was silent, not knowing how to answer, only drinking tea.

Lu He smiled bitterly, "He Qianhu will come here this time, and a list will be handed back to Beijing."

"The first one, just write me Lu He."

(End of this chapter)