At the end of the Sui Dynasty

Chapter 105
Gao Shiheng is really a crow's mouth. On the third day of the winter month, that is, the second day after Gao Bufan and others arrived in Liucheng, the weather that was supposed to be clear turned sharply. In the morning, it was cloudy and the wind was like a knife. The rain wasn't too big, but it continued until dark before finally stopping.

It was freezing outside, and the north wind was howling, but the room in the inn was warm and melting. Gao Bufan and Cui Hu were sitting around the stove and chatting. The charcoal fire was burning in the stove, and a jug of turbid wine was still warming.

Cui Hu was very afraid of the cold after being injured and lost blood. Even in the room, he was tightly wrapped up. He asked with a smile while drinking: "Changqing, did you write the birthday poem? Why don't you take it out and let me see it first."

Gao Bufan smiled wryly and said: "Brother Cui, which pot does not open and which pot does not open? I am not good at writing birthday poems in Xiayuan. Today I was forced by you to drive ducks to the shelves, so I reluctantly agreed to Gongsun and everyone. What should I do now that I am having a headache? deal with it."

Cui Hu naturally didn't believe it. After all, Gao Bufan's masterpieces are handed down from generation to generation. It's not an exaggeration to say that he is talented. How could he not write birthday poems? I'm afraid he has concerns.

Cui Hu's heart moved, and he asked in a low voice: "Changqing doesn't seem to want to be famous in poetry, could it be that he heard some rumors about the emperor?"

Gao Bufan said vaguely: "Thanks to General Changsun for reminding me a few words."

Cui Hu suddenly realized when he heard the words, nodded and apologized and said: "General Changsun is a close minister of the emperor. Since he mentioned Changqing, there must be a reason. Today, I also have a part in motivating Changqing to write birthday poems for everyone. You are at a disadvantage."

Hearing this, Gao Bufan knew that Cui Hu had misunderstood. He really had some scruples about Yang Guang's "envy", but the real reason was that he really didn't know how to write birthday poems, but he didn't bother to point it out. After all, he had already "made" He wrote several masterpieces handed down from generation to generation, even if he explained it again, others would not believe it, so he shrugged and said: "It's okay, it's best if Gongsun Yingxiu doesn't ask me for birthday poems anymore, if you come to look for it, I can just fool around with one thing."

Cui Hu couldn't help but laugh and said: "Others are trying their best to please beauties, but Changqing is doing the opposite. Could it be that Changqing is not tempted by beauties like Gongsun and others?"

Gao Bufan said with a smile: "There are tens of thousands of beautiful flowers in this world. Just look at them and you don't need to pick them. If you really want to pick them, even the emperor can't pick them. You don't know, even the beauties in the harem It’s only three thousand, it’s like wearing shoes, you don’t have to look the best, the ones that fit your feet are the best.”

Cui Hu's eyes lit up when he heard the words, nodded and said: "Although Changqing's words are common, they are indeed very reasonable." After speaking, he jokingly said: "Then Changqing has chosen the shoes that fit your feet? If not, consider How about our Qinghe Cui family? I dare not say anything else, all the women of our Qinghe Cui family are well-versed in literature and etiquette, and there are quite a few of them who are both good in character and appearance."

Gao Bufan couldn't help laughing and said: "I'm just making an analogy, brother Cui is pretty good at hitting snakes with sticks."

Cui Hu laughed and said: "Talents are rare, I am happy to see Lie Xin, Changqing really don't think about it?"

"What's your virtue?" Gao Bufan sweated, and quickly changed the subject: "By the way, I heard that Brother Cui went to the street today to search for a birthday gift for Ke Dun, did you get anything?"

Seeing that Gao Bufan changed the subject, Cui Hu couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. It seems that Gao Changqing is the Wugou girl who belongs to the eldest grandson's family. There is no way, who let the old fox Changsun Sheng have sharp eyesight and be the first to make the decision? Before, Cui might have no chance, so let's wait and see.

It is said that after getting along with each other for this period of time, Cui Hu has realized Gao Bufan's excellence more and more. The boy who is only 15 years old is so outstanding in literature and martial arts. The key is his knowledge and brains. It is a pity that Gao Bufan seems not to be interested in marrying the Cui family.

However, Cui Hu was not displeased, he was just a bit regretful, after all, there is a first-come-first-come-first-served basis for everything, and the elder Sun Sheng came first, and if Gao Bufan easily turned to Cui, his character would be questionable!
Cui Hu waved his hands and said with a smile: "Liucheng is a small frontier town with poor countryside. What good things can you buy? After shopping for a day, I only found two things that I could afford. But it's still too shabby. I still have one more day tomorrow. I will try again." Go to the street to find out, by the way, what is Changqing planning to send to celebrate his birthday?"

Gao Bufan shrugged and said, "I didn't deliberately prepare it, it's just some silk cloth and a few hundred taels of gold."

Cui Hu nodded and said: "That's okay, but I think it's better for Changqing to carefully prepare one or two items, and whether it's expensive or not is the second. The key is to give Ke Dun a good impression, otherwise it's better not to give it away. After all, Changqing You represent the Bohai Gao clan, you must not be a groom!"

Gao Bufan hesitated when he heard the words: "Thank you Brother Cui for the reminder, but where can I find a special congratulatory gift in a hurry?"

Cui Hu pondered for a while, stood up and said: "Changqing, wait a moment, I will come as soon as I go!" After speaking, he stood up and left the room.

After a while, Cui Hu came in with a nearly two-foot-high wooden box, and gently placed it on the tea table.

Gao Bufan wondered, "Brother Cui, is this?"

Cui Hu smiled and opened the wooden box, and took out a Jade Guanyin statue from inside. It turned out to be pure milky white, shining brightly under the light, and it was very valuable at first glance.

"This Jade Guanyin is one of the two things that I found today. Although the workmanship is a bit rough, it is superior to the high-quality jade material. It is barely worth it." Cui Hu said with a smile: "If Chang Qing doesn't dislike it, go ahead and buy it." It was used as a birthday gift for Ke Dun, by the way, Ke Dun is a Buddhist, this Jade Guanyin is just right!"

Gao Bufan quickly waved his hand and said: "No, this is something that brother Cui has worked so hard to find, how can I steal the beauty of others, absolutely not!"

Cui Hu said with a look on his face: "I found two pieces today, and there is a better Tathagata Buddha statue in the room over there, so Chang Qing must not refuse, or you will not treat me as a friend."

When it came to this point, Gao Bufan had no choice but to say: "Okay, then I'd rather be respectful than obey, but I have to buy it from Brother Cui at the original price. After all, the money of Cui's family didn't come from the wind. If Brother Cui didn't Take it, brother Cui, please take this Jade Avalokitesvara back."

Cui Hu smiled wryly when he heard the words: "Changqing is really out of touch, well, I spent 500,000 on this Jade Guanyin."

500,000 money is equivalent to about 500 taels of silver, and Gao Bufan estimated the same, so he took out 50 taels of gold and paid it to Cui Hu, who accepted it without hesitation, because he knew that although Gao Bufan was young, he was very principled in his actions .

Gao Bufan put the Jade Avalokitesvara back into the wooden box, and placed it casually in a corner of the room. He didn't see how much he treasured the 500 taels worth of things. Cui Hu saw it in his eyes, and couldn't help secretly praising him in his heart. It is difficult for a person of color to achieve great things!
The two sat down again, each poured a glass of wine, and chatted again.Cui Hu asked casually: "Changqing should have heard about the background of everyone, Gongsun, right?"

Gao Bufan nodded and said: "I heard from the tribe that Gongsun Yingxiu is the adopted sister of the King of Qin, and that the Lixiang Garden she was born in is owned by Duke Yang Xuangan of Chu. I don't know if it is true or not."

Cui Hu smiled and said: "Of course it's true. In fact, most of the famous prostitutes and singers who are very popular are a means for the rich and powerful to recruit talents. Gongsun Yingxiu is secretly promoted by Yang Xuangan, Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Of course, there are very few folks. Some people know, but everyone in the upper circles knows it."

Gao Bufan said in surprise: "There is still this kind of coquettish operation...cough, I would like to hear the details!"

Cui Hu explained: "Usually, as long as you have power and fame, talents will naturally come to your door, so the method of raising famous prostitutes and singers is rarely used by the rich and powerful, but this method can recruit more talented people. People with real talents and real learning, as the saying goes, talented people match beautiful women. The more famous a beautiful woman is, the more talented people will naturally come here. Empress Mu's dignitaries even rewarded him with the famous prostitute in order to win her over."

Gao Bufan suddenly realized: "So that's how it is!"

Cui Huruo said meaningfully: "So congratulations Changqing, you are probably already in the sight of Yang Shangshu!"

Gao Bufan's heart trembled, Yang Xuangan had better forget it, the rebellion failed not long after, not only ransacked his family, but also burned himself in the sun, and everyone related to him was implicated, either his head fell to the ground, or he was demoted and exiled , whoever gets involved will be unlucky, it seems that in the future, I have to stay away from Gongsun Yingxiu, so as not to become a disaster for the fish in the pond!

(End of this chapter)