golden scales

"This article is not bad." Zhu Cihong picked out one essay from a group of scribes.

Although Zhang Shiqi is still called "prefect", he often goes to the Xi'an government office to convey some practical needs on behalf of the crown prince.But he was only the magistrate of Henan Prefecture, and Luoyang, the capital of Henan Prefecture, had already fallen, so he spent most of his time in Prince Qin's Mansion, following around Zhu Cihong.

Hou Fangyu put in a lot of effort in order to be "caught" by the prefect Zhang at the magistrate's yamen.

Zhang Shiqi stepped forward to take a look, and said: "Your Highness, this is the work of Hou Fangyu, he is the former household department..."

"Hou Xun's son." Zhu Cihong was obviously very impressed with him, and said, "Why did you go to your subordinate?"

"It's still an outside job now." Zhang Shiqi quickly explained, thinking: Is there any quarrel between the crown prince and Hou Xun?Why does it sound bad?

Zhu Cihong read it again, and said: "It's really well written. Sigh..." It's a pity that after the subjugation of the country, he finally stepped into the Manchu examination room. What's even more ridiculous is that he didn't pass the exam.

Zhang Shiqi didn't know what the crown prince was sighing, and asked cautiously: "Your Highness, is there something wrong with this person?"

Zhu Cihong shook his head and said: "This son is a member of the Fushe. The name of the ancient prose was short-lived. From this prose, it does not live up to its reputation. It is even rarer that he is willing to learn practical things. When Suihou Xun was in Beijing, he wrote the policy of farming. I was in the palace. I have also seen it."

Zhu Cihong is definitely not lying.Among the four princes in the late Ming Dynasty, he paid attention to only two: Fang Yizhi, who is like an encyclopedia, and Hou Fangyu, who left the story of "Peach Blossom Fan" with Li Xiangjun.

The former is the teacher of King Yong and King Ding. As a prince, it is inconvenient for him to get too close.Let the interested people see it and think that they want to poach the corners of the younger brothers.That's why the yellow mud was thrown in the crotch, and I couldn't explain it.As for Hou Fangyu, although he doesn't have so many miscellaneous studies, he has a very high reputation in his articles. Shi Kefa's letter to Dorgon was drafted by him, and he can be regarded as a figure that cannot be underestimated in the Jiangnan literary world.

"It's just that this son, Meng Lang, is too much. Not only does he like to participate in such trivial matters as "Liudu Fangchao", but he doesn't even know how to restrain himself in the examination room." Zhu Cihong was rather disappointed, "Haven't you read his trial strategy, sir?"

"Indeed not." Zhang Shiqi's forehead burst into cold sweat: If he passed the exam, I might read it again.Since I didn't win, how could I think of watching it?

"His trial strategy is well written, and it is included in many art-making textbooks in the southern province." Zhu Cihong snorted coldly: "It's just that he is a small student, and he actually criticized the Holy Son of Heaven! Isn't this so arrogant that it is invisible It's over!"

Hou Fangyu, like other talented scholars in Fushe, likes to point out the disadvantages of the current situation and discuss the gains and losses of the emperor.During the exam, Hou Fangyu got the question, and thought of his father being imprisoned, he wrote the composition "The Son of Heaven observes and observes to be clear", and openly accused Emperor Chongzhen of not being able to distinguish between the virtuous and the foolish.As a dutiful son, it is not a fault to have such emotions.But what problem can this solve?The Juren fame that was originally obtained also flew away.Four years have passed, and Hou Fangyu is still a student, rushing desperately to save his father, even going to the doctor in an emergency.

Zhu Cihong was not satisfied with Chongzhen's ability to govern and the means of governing the country, and he had no intention of covering up for Chongzhen.But Chongzhen is the biological father of his body after all, a good father who would rather reduce his own food and clothing than treat his children badly.Zhu Cihong will never forgive Hou Fangyu for this, no matter from the name on the outside, or the emotions from getting along with each other for a long time.

Moreover, in the composition of "observation is clear", the smoke of party struggle was vaguely revealed, which made Zhu Cihong even more unwilling to see Hou Fangyu participate in the center of power.

— but this article is too much to my liking.

Zhu Cihong took this article and read it again, and it was indeed detailed and appropriate.The article does not elaborate on the question of whether the origin of the world is "Qi" first and then "Li", or "Li" first and then "Qi", or "Li Qi is mixed without distinction".On the contrary, it emphasizes Zhang Zai's military experience before studying, and also writes about Hengqu's contribution to geography and agriculture.This is simply Zhu Cihong's caring little padded jacket, completely putting the crown prince on the same track as Mr. Zhang Hengqu, telling the world's great scholars confidently: Although the current crown prince is only famous for his knowledge of soldiers, but look at the sporadic works written by His Royal Highness, Who knows that the future will not be a generation of great masters connecting the past and the future!

"Let Hou Fangyu come and see me." Zhu Cihong compared Wu Weiye.Like Wu Weiye, who succumbed to the law and became a traitor who was a traitor in the Imperial Academy of the Qing Dynasty, Zhu Cihong impatiently rectified it carefully. Although he has entered a low ebb now, he has not labeled it a dead wood that cannot be carved—otherwise he would have He was driven out of the official post.After all, Hou Fangyu is only young and vigorous. If he keeps him with him and carves well, at least he can use his talents to do something more beneficial to the country.

Zhang Shiqi only read Hou Fangyu's article once and imprinted it in his mind, but he was a little puzzled: the style of writing was quite calm, which was quite inconsistent with Hou Fangyu's escaping writing in the past.Could it be that Hou Fangyu can really write as he pleases, and the way of writing has entered the realm of perfection?There are not many people in the world who can achieve this skill!

——Well, the previous Shuzi Wu was one of them.

Zhang Shiqi suddenly had some associations, and then recalled Wu Weiye's memorials and scriptures, there were six or seven points.With this association, the article, which originally had a strong flavor of Guanzhong, gradually revealed a bit or two of the delicacy of Jiangnan water town.

When Hou Fangyu saw Zhang Shiqi, he bowed respectfully and saluted.But Zhang Shiqi lost the preferential treatment given to him in the past, and asked with a straight face: "Who wrote the composition you handed in a few days ago?" When he asked such a question, he no longer believed that the original author was Hou Fangyu.

Hou Fangyu was full of surprises in his heart: the joy is that this masterpiece really caught the eyes of the prince, otherwise Zhang Shiqi would not need to check the author again; the surprise is that Zhang Shiqi, a small person, can't be underestimated, I don't know if he has seen the clues.

In order to meet the crown prince and rescue his father, Hou Fangyu collected himself and said loudly, "It's because of the student's impression."

Zhang Shiqi glanced at Hou Fangyu again, and said in his heart: My question is very insulting to him.He is so calm and composed, is it because he is magnanimous and ashamed?Or is it the work of greed?

"Follow me in, don't be rude in front of the prince." Zhang Shiqi turned around and walked in.

Hou Fangyu was overjoyed, and hurriedly followed Zhang Shiqi inside.It was the first time for him to enter the Prince Qin's Mansion, and he only felt that the scenery here really had the characteristics of northern gardens. It is full of grandeur and grandeur, and it pays attention to the unobstructed view.

Arriving at the door of the study room temporarily opened by the crown prince, the servant announced, and soon came the crisp sound of "Xuan".Hearing that the voice has not yet matured, but he already has masculinity, so he must be the crown prince.

Hou Fangyu covered his chest with one hand, held down the heart that was about to jump out of his chest, and moved in step by step.

Zhu Cihong gave Hou Fangyu a thorough look the moment he entered the door.According to the aesthetics of later generations, Hou Fangyu is too weak, but according to the almost pathological aesthetics of the current late Ming Dynasty, this is called gentleness.

"Hou Fangyu?" Zhu Cihong called out, "I didn't expect you to have such insight into Guan Xue."

"Students only have one or two superficial views, and dare not be praised by His Highness." Hou Fangyu saluted and bowed his head to the case.

Zhu Cilang asked him to sit aside, and said: "When you are in Ruzhou that day, you want to see Gu, and you must ask Gu for help if you have something to do."

Hou Fangyu's heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself: This His Highness is really quick to talk!Forget it, it's best to say it outright, wait a minute...do you want to cry a few times first?

"It's the student's father!" Hou Fangyu cried, and prostrated himself on the ground again: "My father is the former Minister of the Ministry of Households, Hou Gongxuan. He has been offended since the ninth year of Chongzhen and has been detained in prison. I hate the students for being weak and weak. Contributed meritorious service to the country, but cannot atone for sins, thank you Your Highness..."

Zhu Cihong waved his hand and said impatiently: "Don't cry yet! Do you know where your father is being held?"

"Prison!" Hou Fangyu said in a trembling voice.

"So you know." Zhu Cihong curled his lips: "Since you know it's a prison, you still come to me to beg for mercy? Could it be that you want to rebel against your father alone!" Zhu Cihong's love for talent that was so hard to muster was dispelled again.

He had already gone to Emperor Chongzhen to beg for love once for Wu Xin's sake, how could there be any reason to beg again?This kind of thing can never happen again.At that time, His Majesty the Father was willing to see someone assisting his son. Now that the Crown Prince has Long Jie, Shang Fang, and elite guards, he defeated Li Zicheng and captured Liu Zongmin alive.

Moreover, the relationship between Hou Xun and Zuo Liangyu is unclear. There is a legend that Zuo Liangyu was Hou Xun's wine server at the beginning, which is equivalent to prohibiting prostitution, and this legend was passed down by the young master Hou in front of him.Regardless of whether it is true or not, Zuo Liangyu now has tens of thousands of soldiers, does not listen to the imperial court's dispatch, and eats Nanjing every few times, like a hungry wolf that is about to break free from its chains. If the imperial court does not tie up his benefactor, Hou Xun, will it? Let Zuo Liangyu have nothing to worry about after returning to his hometown?

If you say it again: the crown prince saved Hou Xun because he didn't care about drinking, he cared about Huguang Zuozhen!

At that time, how will Zhu Cihong deal with himself?

"You are a filial son, do you want to be an unfilial son alone!" Zhu Cihong said coldly.

Hou Fangyu was so frightened that he choked.He had never thought about problems from the crown prince's point of view. Hearing what the prince said at this time, it seemed that the road to the East Palace was wrong from beginning to end!

It was as if a basin of cold water was being poured on his head, and countless gloomy shadows appeared all around, laughing at this Mr. Hou, who never looked at people squarely, as if saying: "Haha, you idiot! An idiot with all the tricks!"

Hou Fangyu felt dizzy and dizzy, and a loud shout suddenly sounded in his ear, waking him up.

"Report to Your Highness! Xu Dun asks to see you!"

The concierge of every powerful family has a list, which lists all kinds of guests.Some guests can welcome in first and then inform, which is the so-called good family; some guests can inform when they see it;

On the East Palace list, Wu Tong is the representative of the first category, and Xu Dun is the representative of the second category.

Even the crown prince himself did not expect Xu Dun to appear at this time. (To be continued.)