No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 699: Top Flatterer, If You Don’t Enter the Ministry, Who Will? [Please Give Me a Monthly Vote! ]

The morning sun pierced through the already sparse white mist and quietly fell on the construction site of the main cave.

It illuminated the female officials and soldiers on the construction site, who were either making fires and cooking, or looking up in thought.

This sun-drenched scene is nothing new.

Because the Xunyang Grottoes are on the north bank of Shuangfengjian, and the Donglin Buddha faces north and south, this location has the best lighting.

But what is surprising is that:
The red sun was quietly peeking out over the river. The first ray of sunlight it shone on the Xunyang Grottoes fell on the golden head of the Donglin Buddha and the cliff next to it.

This means that at the moment of sunrise, when almost everywhere in the Xunyang Grottoes on the north bank of Shuangfengjian was in darkness, the golden Buddha head was the first to bathe in the sunlight and emit a dazzling golden light, heralding the official arrival of a new day.

This scene seemed like a miracle to most of the people present who were exhausted from staying up late.

It brings a sense of destiny.

At this moment, Ouyang Rong, who was looking at the sun from front to back, was not the only one who noticed this.

Rong Zhen, who was originally frowning in thought, also noticed this and his attention instantly shifted to the golden Buddha head.

The same was true for Nanny Song, Yi Qianqiu, Miaozhen, Old Yang and others. They were not much slower than others and noticed this scene. They all stepped forward and came to the high platform where Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen were, and looked up at the golden Buddha head together.

On the construction site, the busy female officials and soldiers also noticed this one after another. They put down their work and exclaimed in surprise and exclamation one after another, forming an irrepressible sound wave that was louder than the sound of cooking and lighting a fire.

Everyone looked up at the golden sight under the morning sun.

For a moment, the main cave construction site, which had been somewhat relaxed and noisy, became quiet again.

Ouyang Rong saw that among the crowd of workers waiting outside the main cave in the distance, there were already young and middle-aged workers who believed in Buddhism. They began to kneel down and kowtow, put their hands together, and shouted for a miracle.

The deputy abbot of Donglin Temple, who had not yet left, also came to the ceremony of reuniting the Buddha's body and head, and he was followed by a large number of Donglin Temple's novice disciples.

Seeing this scene, the white-haired deputy abbot who had been celibate for many years, with his wrinkled old face full of joy, sat cross-legged on the spot with a group of disciples, closed their eyes and began to recite scriptures and sing devoutly.

The monks' actions ignited the enthusiastic atmosphere in the whole venue.

Ouyang Rong suddenly discovered that Rong Zhen, Nanny Song, Yi Qianqiu and others were giving him strange looks.

There is admiration, respect, and mixed feelings.

Yi Qianqiu could not help but say: "This scene of Buddha emitting golden light will surely become a sight in Xunyang and even Jiangnan in the future. It is truly unique. I am honored to witness it for the first time."

Rong Zhen whispered, "Ouyang Lianghan, I didn't expect that the big Buddha you planned would have this surprise. The saint will definitely like it."

Nanny Song was overjoyed and said with a firm tone:

"Of course the saint likes it. Scholar Ouyang, you have worked hard. I now understand why the saint granted you the title of Xiuwenguan Bachelor and ordered me to personally invite you to come out of seclusion to receive the imperial decree... With such a big gesture, if you don't join the academy, who will?"

Ouyang Rong:......

Li Congshan and others envied: "That's right, the next step is that Mr. Ouyang will probably enter the Six Ministries."

Everyone around started to praise him, and the way they looked at Ouyang Rong became more and more different.

Ouyang Rong looked a little embarrassed.

I really want to say honestly that he was just being deceived by this refreshing and unconventional flattery.

Man's plans can never compare to God's plans, it's just a coincidence.

In other words, apart from setting a north-facing and south-facing location for good lighting, he didn't pay any attention to such fancy auspicious additions.

When Xunyang Grottoes were first designed, the moisture-proof and earthquake-resistant aspects of the Donglin Buddha were given the highest priority, and all others were secondary.

At this moment, Rong Zhen suddenly turned around and ordered in front of everyone:

"Come here, find a painter to draw this scene first and record it in the book. I will send someone to personally deliver it to the capital and hand it to the Saint's desk."

When Nanny Song heard this, her eyes lit up and she agreed: "That's right, find a painter to record it for the Saint to see."

A middle-aged female official at the side said hesitantly, "There are painters, but they are amateurs. They are not as lifelike as the court painters. I am afraid that they will offend the saints."

Yi Qianqiu interrupted at this time:
"How about asking Jiangzhou Chief Yuan Huaimin to paint it? I heard that he has superb painting skills and will definitely be able to do the job. Let him record this divine scene and present it to Your Majesty."

Rong Zhen hesitated for a moment and asked:
"He's in Xunyang City. Is it too late?"

Yi Qianqiu argued:

"It's still in time, and who says I have to paint it today? Even if I can't catch up with the golden scene now, I can still catch up tomorrow. As long as the Buddha is still there, this scene of extraordinary craftsmanship will last forever."

Without waiting for Rong Zhen, Nanny Song and others to speak.

Ouyang Rong, who had been silent all this time, interrupted:
"Yuan Changshi is indeed qualified for the job. There is no one more suitable than him in Jiangzhou. Although he has made some minor mistakes, his painting skills are solid and he doesn't care about the crookedness of his buttocks. Moreover, knowing how to use people well is a virtue that saints always have."

Rong Zhen then reluctantly agreed: "It's not impossible, this matter can be discussed."

Yi Qianqiu seemed relieved.

He couldn't help but look at Ouyang Rong again, with a look of slight gratitude on his face.

Ouyang Rong didn't look at her.

He also did not expect that Yi Qianqiu would come forward in this way to give Yuan Huaimin the opportunity to present his paintings and always think about Yuan Huaimin.

As for his good friend, Ouyang Rong actually hadn't thought of this just now.

I don’t know what Yuan Huaimin would think after knowing Yi Qianqiu’s painstaking efforts…

The accidental creation of a stunning scene was an episode of moderate importance, making everyone present happy. This was real achievement.

But there is still business to be done.

Soon, the morning passed.

After replenishing their food, everyone returned to their respective positions and stayed in the main cave until evening.

But it's not as tight as before, it's a little looser.

During this period, female officials or informants came from outside from time to time to report the situation.

By the evening, it was finally confirmed that there were indeed no traces of those Tiannan Jianghu rebels around Xunyang.

They really didn't come.

Regardless of whether there was a conspiracy or not, the successful landing of the Donglin Buddha is true.

To use the words that Ouyang Rong Congrongzhen had heard before, after the big Buddha fell to the ground, Tiannan Jianghu would have even less chance.

Ouyang Rong gave Rong Zhen some suggestions.

Rong Zhen nodded heavily, as if to agree.

She immediately summoned Nanny Song, Yi Qianqiu and others to hold an emergency meeting.

Reach consensus and make a decision:
The Donglin Buddha has been successfully placed on the ground, but the ban on the Xunyang Grottoes will not be lifted immediately.

It will last for the ten days previously announced.

In addition, before temporarily disbanding in the evening, Rong Zhen also issued a series of gag orders.

It is not allowed to disclose the news that the Donglin Buddha has been completed to the outside world, and this matter is temporarily blocked.

As for the laborers who had seen the truth, as well as the monks of Donglin Temple, they were all asked to stay in Xunyang Grottoes and not be released for the time being...

Everyone returned home and everything seemed to be normal.

Soon, two nights and one day passed quickly, and the agreed ten-day period ended on time.

On this day, the blockade of Shuangfeng Peak, including Xunyang Grottoes, was officially lifted.

On the morning of that day, the Jiangzhou lobby lifted the flood curfew in Xunyang City and announced that the Jiangzhou government had completed the emergency repairs on Shuangfengjian.

In addition, the construction of the Donglin Buddha, which had been suspended for ten days, continues and is expected to be completed soon!

……

morning.

The temperature is slightly cool.

Ouyang Rong, holding the musical instrument case in his arms, walked out of the Xunyang Grottoes under the watchful eyes of a pair of sentries.

He left the same way he came before. However, Ouyang Rong left a little early. Shuangfeng Peak was nominally to be opened later in the morning, but he was the chief officer of Jiangzhou and needed to return to Xunyang City first to preside over the Jiangzhou lobby and issue orders, so he left first.

Rong Zhen also came and saw him off personally.

In fact, Wang Caozhi also came along, ready to send Ouyang Rong off, but when he saw Rong Zhen was about to send him off, he obediently stepped aside.

The two crossed the river together, left the Xunyang Grottoes, and came to the south bank of Shuangfengjian.

Ali's carriage was parked on the side of the official road waiting.

Ouyang Rong looked back. From his perspective, the Donglin Buddha on the north bank was still missing its head and had not been completed.

The Sitianjian's deception continues.

Didn't withdraw immediately.

I don’t know if Yunmeng was confused by this scene.

Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen looked at each other, and he was about to speak.

At this moment, a somewhat excited voice came from the side:

"Mingfu, you finally came out."

The two turned around and saw that it was Yan Liulang.

Behind him were four blue-robed constables, but they were either sitting or lying on the seats in a pavilion on the side of the road.

Yan Liulang and his group looked a little tired, as if they had been wandering on the official road outside Shuangfeng Peak waiting for Ouyang Rong for a long time.

Ouyang Rong immediately asked:

"what's up."

Rong Zhen looked straight ahead, walked a little further away, and took the initiative to avoid suspicion.

However, Yan Liulang, who received Ouyang Rong's gaze, did not avoid him and reported loudly:
"Reporting to the governor, it's not a big deal, just a little strange...

"Two days ago, I received intelligence that the pirates from Hukou County were suspected to be heading north. Their tracks appeared a hundred miles outside Xunyang City. But now, they can't be found. I always feel uneasy and a little worried."

Ouyang Rong frowned and said, "Prince Xunyang... Is everything alright in Xunyang City?"

With Rongzhen beside him, he changed his words midway.

Yan Liulang shook his head: "No, nothing happened in the city during the few days when Mr. Ming was away."

"That's good."

At this time, Rong Zhen suddenly said to Ouyang Rong:

"I will ask Duan Quanwu to lead his troops to defeat the bandits. This time, we will send 500 reinforcements... Don't worry, these pirates alone won't cause much trouble."

Ouyang Rong pondered for a moment and nodded:

"Okay, then it's hard work."

Ouyang Rong suddenly asked Yan Liulang again:

"When did these pirates appear near Xunyang City? Two days ago? When exactly?"

Yan Liulang estimated and reported: "The afternoon of the day before yesterday."

Ouyang Rong narrowed his eyes.

The afternoon of the day before yesterday, that is, the afternoon two days ago, I calculated with my fingers, and it seemed that it was just the time when the body and head of the Donglin Buddha were put together and completely completed.

Is it a coincidence or intentional?

Is there any connection between the unusual movements of these pirates from Hukou County and the completion of the Donglin Buddha?
Could it be that the rebels in the Tiannan underworld were not deceived and were actually taking action?
But why not just come over and interrupt the Buddha's fall to the ground?

Ouyang Rong's brows gradually furrowed.

At this time, I heard Rong Zhen next to me take the initiative to say;
"You go back to the city first. The palace will be very busy these two days. I will come to you the day after tomorrow to discuss the next matters..."

Ouyang Rong interrupted and asked, "Ms. Rong, are you talking about holding a grand bride-cutting ceremony?"

"Ah."

This was an important topic discussed at the previous meeting: whether to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony after the completion of the Donglin Buddha, to announce to the entire Jiangnan Road that the Buddha had landed.

He even painted this grand scene of the gathering between officials and the people and presented it to the saint in Luoyang.

Of course, this will not be held immediately, but will be held on the nominal completion date of the Donglin Buddha. But in fact... the Donglin Buddha has already landed on the ground at this moment, hidden and not in use, to guard against the rebels in the Tiannan underworld.

However, Ouyang Rong had reservations about this matter at the time.

He is a low-key person and doesn't like to show off.

To put it bluntly, this matter is just like the previous discussion of inviting Yuan Huaimin to paint the miracle picture of the golden light of the Buddha's head, both of which are used to please the saint in Luoyang who is a bit "ambitious".

Rong Zhen said softly, "This matter is yet to be determined. It also requires the cooperation of you and the Jiangzhou Hall. I have no experience in these things, so you still have to be the abbot."

Ouyang Rong pondered and said, "Okay, it's a good opportunity for me to go back this time. I will ask the prince and Yuan Changshi."

"Okay, please be safe on the road."

"Okay, let Nu Shi stay."

The two separated without any hesitation.

Rong Zhen returned to Xunyang Grottoes first, and Wang Caozhi prepared to follow.

Because nominally, the Donglin Buddha has not yet landed, and if they are going to perform, they have to perform the whole thing. He needs to stay here and cooperate with Rong Zhen, Yi Qianqiu and others to perform for a few more days.

Wang Caozhi suddenly felt someone patting his shoulder.

After a moment's pause, he looked back and found that Ouyang Rong had already entered the carriage.

And, a faint voice came from the car:
"boarding."

Wang Caozhi followed him obediently...

About a quarter of an hour later, Wang Caozhi got out of the car and stood silently by the roadside.

He watched Ouyang Rong's carriage slowly go away without any expression. After a while, he turned around to look at the Xunyang Grottoes.

……

In the morning, people were leaving the Xunyang Grottoes from time to time after it was unsealed.

There is Princess Anhui's carriage.

There is the figure of Old Yang returning to the Xinzhou Prison.

There was also a team led by Li Congshan, Miaozhen and others who returned to the palace to continue guarding.

In addition, there were some scattered figures, such as the female officer who hurriedly led the team to the central military camp at the front line to report the news.

At some point, a thin-faced man mixed in with the crowd and walked out of the Xunyang Grottoes.

He waved his hand at the side of the official road, and soon, a carriage that had been waiting in a remote place for a long time slowly drove out and stopped in front of him.

The thin-faced man quietly got on the carriage and drove towards Xunyang City.

Not long after the thin-faced man's carriage left, Wang Caozhi appeared from a shady spot on the side of the road.

Wang Caozhi looked thoughtfully at the direction where the thin-faced man's carriage left.

He waved his hand without looking back, and a clever follower came forward:
"What do you want, Master?"

"Did that person see it clearly?"

"Uh-huh."

Wang Caozhi whispered a few words, and the clever follower immediately nodded. After a while, the figure disappeared on the spot.

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(End of this chapter)