Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 781
"Master, the carriage is ready and the stove, food and drink are all ready. When do you think we should leave?"

In a three-entry courtyard in the east city of the capital, the steward in a green coat and a small hat greeted Wu Weiye, who had just finished breakfast and was sitting in the second-entry unobstructed flower hall drinking tea and looking at the sky, and asked for instructions.

"Has there been any movement from the master of the Gong family?"

Wu Weiye, who was dressed in casual clothes, put down his tea cup and looked at the butler and asked.

Although he has been married and established for many years, because his parents are still alive, the people in the mansion follow the rules and call him young master instead of master.

It was mid-September in the 18th year of Chongzhen, and the autumn wind was blowing everywhere, and the weather was getting cooler day by day, and the red leaves on the west mountain of the capital were already in full bloom. Wouldn't it be beautiful to express one's feelings while being poetic at the same time as the scenery.

Gong Dingne, Wu Weiye, and Qian Qianyi, who are a few years younger than Wumei Village, are known as the "Three Masters of Jiangzuo", and they are also top figures in poetry, calligraphy and painting. Goofing around with a seventh-rank idle job in Guanglu Temple is far behind Wumei Village, who is in charge of Huangming Weekly and is full of vigor.

The reason is very simple, Gong Xiaosheng is hated by the present, of course, the person concerned is completely unaware of this.

Out of great distaste for Gong Dingnei's clumsy performance in the history of surrendering Li Zicheng first and then Dorgon, Zhu Youjian, who traveled through history, was in Chongzhen for 12 years. Among them, Gong Dingnei was sent to Guanglu Temple, but his rank was not promoted. The reason was that "it is useless to write a letter without knowing why." Direction in life.

Suffering in frustration for several years, Gong Dingnei also tried every means to ask his master, Tongnian, and his old friend's house, trying to get the big guys to lend a helping hand and get him out of Guanglu Temple. However, no matter how many people Gong Dingnei mobilized to speak for him, all his entrustments disappeared like stones and seas as soon as they entered the official department.

Zhou Yun, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, has been in charge of the yamen for seven years, and he is accustomed to the emperor's unexpected rewards and dismissals several times during this period. Although he does not know why Gong Dingne is hated by the emperor, he does know that As long as the emperor doesn't speak, this kind of "imperial" person must not move casually, no matter how deep Gong Dingnie's connections are.

Therefore, Zhou Yun took a ignorant attitude towards Gong Dingne's jumping up and down, and smiled and said nothing to those who came to intercede for him. This kind of behavior happened more often, and those who were willing to stand up for Gong Dingne gradually disappeared without a trace. .

Seeing that Wumei Village, whom he was friendly with, has become a well-known figure in the capital because of its position, but he has changed from a popular Botai speech officer to a low-level official in a deserted yamen, Gong Dingne's heart He was both envious and jealous, but in the end he had no choice but to sigh in private, lamenting the impermanence of life.

Unlike others who gradually distanced themselves from Gong Dingne after seeing his downfall, Wu Weiye, who has a pure heart, is still as enthusiastic about Gong Dingne as ever. What he values ​​is Gong Xiaosheng's talent, and his talent in poetry and painting Every time he was full of praise, he often invited Gong Dingne to come to the house for a banquet on weekdays, and he didn't mean to dislike him at all. This act of righteousness also relieved Gong Dingne's depressed mood a little.

"Brother Meicun, Brother Yu, isn't it here?"

Speaking of Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrived. Before the housekeeper could reply, Gong Dingnei, who was also in a blue plain robe, walked into the courtyard, and smiled at Wu Weiye.

"Okay, good! Brother Xiaosheng is here, but I asked Editor-in-Chief Zhu for a two-day vacation, in order to be able to climb high and look far away with my brother, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of thousands of mountains!

go go go go go!There is still a long way to go, let's hurry up and leave! "

Xiangshan is located about [-] miles west of the capital, with steep terrain, green peaks, abundant springs and lush forests. The main peak, Xianglu Peak (commonly known as Guijiansorrow), is nearly [-] feet above sea level, with strange mountains and dense vegetation.

There are blooming flowers in spring, cool and pleasant summer, and silver makeup in winter.In particular, Xiangshan red leaves are the most famous.

Every frosty autumn, Cotinus cotinus all over the mountain is in full swing and extremely magnificent.Especially in late autumn, the number of tourists doubles, attracting dignitaries, literati and scholars from the Gyeonggi area to come to enjoy the magnificent scenery of this forest.

Wu Weiye and Gong Dingnei took several servants, took two four-wheeled carriages, and drove for more than an hour on the widened and flat official road, and arrived at the foot of Xiangshan Mountain at about [-] am. Drive the carriage to Yong'an Temple at the foot of the mountain and park it. After negotiating with Zhike monk how much incense money to donate, this temple is designated as the place where the master will stay after returning from playing. The rest of the servants carry the four treasures of the study and the stove. Food and wine, etc., follow the owner to climb the mountain, so that he can find a place to eat, drink and rest on the mountain at noon.

It was late autumn, and there were many tourists on the mountain. They climbed all the way up along the winding path, and sometimes stopped at a certain platform, overlooking the magnificent autumn scenery of Xiangshan Mountain.

The red leaves of Xiangshan include Cotinus sinensis, Ingot maple, Triangular maple, Pentagonal maple, Acer palmatum, Torch and many other varieties, among which red is the main one.

However, each tree, or even each leaf, has different pigments due to different temperature and planting location. Therefore, various reds such as orange red, deep red, purple red, and brilliant red will appear.And Yuanbao maple will have two kinds of discoloration, some will turn yellow, some will turn red, it is the most pleasing tree species among all the red leaves.

Both Wu Weiye and Gong Dingnei came to Xiangshan for the first time. Both of them lived in the south, and they were deeply attracted by the unique beauty of the north. After the top of the mountain, stand at the highest point of Xiangshan Mountain and look at the silvery white tree trunks and golden leaves. The dazzling scenery makes you feel like you are in a fairyland.

The servants found a flat place, and after arranging the stove, wine and food properly, the two of them sang about the wine, full of pride, and the place where the wine was the most foolish was also full of poetry. Psalms, until it was late in the morning to pack up and go down the mountain hand in hand.

Gong Dingne was overwhelmed with alcohol, and went to the inn to sleep soundly after returning to the Zen temple, while Wu Weiye was a person who was excitable after drinking, seeing that the sky was not yet dusk, he simply ordered a servant out of the Zen temple The temple went to play elsewhere.

Not far from Yong'an Temple was a small village. Wu Weiye saw wisps of cooking smoke rising up, and he was so excited that he took his servants behind his back and walked towards the village.

This small village only has about a hundred households. At this time, every household is taking advantage of the light before dusk to prepare for dinner, so the small roads in the village are empty. Wu Weiye strolls on the loess road, looking at it with great interest. Looking at the houses and gatehouses of each household, I made a rough assessment of the wealth of the village in my heart.

Most of the houses in this unknown village are brick houses, and they all look like old houses that have been rebuilt not long ago. Only a few of them are that kind of adobe houses. This unfortunate change is taking place, which makes Wu Weiye feel very relieved.

Wu Weiye, who has always had a strong sense of literati and bureaucrats, still admires Zhu Youjian's policy policies over the past few years. This is why he is willing to commit himself to a low-level place like Huangming Weekly, and use pen and ink to describe what he hears and sees main reason.

In the more than a year in the newspaper office, deeply influenced by the pragmatic style of the editor-in-chief Zhu Shunshui, Wu Weiye also often went to the market to observe and feel the daily state of Shengdou people, hoping to publish some injustices he saw. I want to indirectly influence certain decisions of the imperial court and find a better livelihood for the common people.

When the emperor met several chief officials of the newspaper office, he specifically ordered: the newspaper must dare to speak out for the people, and it must become another type of supervisor besides the inspectorate and factory guards, and examine the major policies of the imperial court from the perspective of the people. , in order to promote the progress of civilized society.

During the observation and thinking along the way, before he knew it, Wu Weiye had come to the other side of the village. At this time, dusk had come, and Wu Weiye, who was about to return to the Zen temple, was about to turn around when he suddenly saw a small figure standing in front of him. Swaying in the small woods not far away.

Judging by the figure, it should be a small child. It is getting dark, what is he (she) doing in the woods?

With a thought, Wu Weiye decided to go over to find out.

(End of this chapter)