golden scales

"It's really Wu's luck that the two brothers took time to come here." Wu Weiye stepped out of the second door and bowed to the two men who were over forty years old.

The two men looked kind and elegant, seeing Wu Weiye saluted first, they hurriedly avoided returning the salute, one only called him a good brother, while the other called Wu Weiye "senior".

These two people are Jinshi from Huaiqing Mansion's native place, and the one who calls Wu Weiye brother and brother, whose surname is Zhang and Sanjiu, is the top three Jinshi in the fourth year of Chongzhen.Wu Weiye is the second best in the same discipline, so he is only in order of age.The other person, Shen Jiaxian, was ten or twenty years older than Wu Weiye, but because he was a Jinshi in the seven years of Chongzhen, he was one subject behind Wu Weiye, so he was called senior.

Wu Weiye had already seen the family backgrounds of the two from the "Jin Gentleman Record" published by Huaiqing Mansion. He knew that Zhang San was from Meng County and Shen Jiaxian was from Hanoi. The former group of Huaiqing nobles drew a clear line.

Wu Weiye remembered that his teacher Zhang Pu said: If there are more than three people, there will be a crowd. Where there are crowds, there must be a party.Even if they are also rich and powerful, there must be old grievances and new competitions, and it is impossible to be monolithic.Now that the two Jinshi came to visit, it just confirmed Zhang Pu's old saying.

Since the three of them are Jinshi, there is no need for too much etiquette.Especially Zhang Sanjiu, he was the same year as Wu Weiye, and he was also a landlord. He was very enthusiastic at the moment, as if he was half the owner of this place.Although Wu Weiye had hardly met him before, he still had to follow the current rules and act like an old friend reunited.

This is why Zhang San dared to strike late: he was the only one in Xinweike in the entire Huaiqing Mansion in the fourth year of Chongzhen.

The relationship in the same year was no weaker than the iron buddies who slept in the same dormitory in later generations.

Letting the two into the inner hall, Wu Weiye ordered Uncle Zhong to serve Jiangnan Autumn Tea. Although it has been kept for many months, it is considered a rare treasure.

Zhang and Shen were quite gracious, and they didn't mention what happened, they just sipped tea and chatted.

After all, Wu Weiye was not as seasoned as they were, and he was influenced by the efficiency-seeking environment of the Eastern Palace. I remember well, Xiuyang was the first to select the Laiyang Commander, right?"

Shen Jiaxian knew clearly that Wu Weiye had never heard of him, ninety-nine out of ten learned about him only after reading "Jin Gentleman Records", but he had to put on an air of being flattered, and thanked him: "It's really frustrating to bother seniors to worry about him." A certain fear."

"Hey," Wu Weiye raised his hand, "Brother Yu, when he knew Laiyang Mansion, he often heard the folks praise Shen Jun Qinghui, but seeing him now, he is indeed elegant and elegant, worthy of the name of Confucianism."

"Excellent reputation, brother Meicun is really too famous." Shen Jiaxian changed his title in a timely manner, bringing the relationship between the two into a layer, and it was on par with Zhang San.

Wu Weiye chuckled, and then said to Zhang San: "Brother Zhulin also benefits the people. When Wu passed by Liaocheng, he saw that there was a lot of incense in the Yousheng Temple. I had thought for a long time that if I met him, I would ask for advice."

Zhang San said with a reserved smile: "How can a fool be so virtuous, but he is just adhering to the teachings of the sages and worthy of his true heart." After he finished speaking, he immediately suppressed his smile and showed a dignified face, finally pointing out the theme of this time, sighing Said: "Alas! It's a pity that there are no heroes at that time, so Zhuzi became famous. Zhang is just a mediocre person, a mediocre person, who only did some trivial things, but let Shengmin treat him so favorably, which shows how the world is festering!"

Shen Jiaxian was in Laiyang, and Zhang San was in Liaocheng, and they both left very good official voices.In this era, being able to be evaluated as "Qinghui" by the common people shows that Shen Jiaxian lived a simple life, did not treat the subordinates harshly, and most people were convinced in the handling of the case.

Zhang San knew that when he guarded Liaocheng, Puzhou, and Fanxian County, it was the famine in Shandong, and he was in danger.After he was transferred away, the people in these three places built a living shrine for him, which shows that there were indeed countless living people at that time, and his merits and virtues were manifested.

Shen Jiaxian was later transferred from Laiyang to Shaanxi, and Zhang San was promoted to the head of the Ministry of War. When the country was in crisis, neither of them died, nor did they go to the emperor's presence, but returned to their hometowns and lived a good life as a gentry.From this point of view, although the two are capable, they lack loyalty to Daming.

If it was Wu Weiye from two years ago, he would definitely disdain to associate with these two people.However, along the way, Wu Weiye has become more open-minded and more mature, knowing that if he doesn't want to be a clay sculpture in the hall, he can only find local powerful families as allies.

And Zhang Sanjiu and Shen Jiaxian obviously came for this.

Seeing that Wu Weiye was smiling and silent, Zhang San continued: "The day the country changed, brother Yu was in a panic, and started to follow Shengjia out of the city, but then he got separated. He had to go back to his hometown. Who knows that he fell into the hands of thieves after returning to his hometown. , finally looking forward to seeing Master Wang, wouldn't it be a joy!"

Wu Weiye let out an "oh", glanced at Zhang San with some deep meaning, and said, "Wu was also in the queue that day, maybe he was at the front, so it doesn't seem that there is any confusion." Although the order was not good, it was not enough to get lost. Wu Weiye lifted Zhang Sanjiu's scars, but told him not to lie to the story.

Shen Jiaxian said naturally, "During the national change, my mind was confused, and I lost half of my seven souls, and my whole body was muddled. Now that Master Wang has returned to the Central Plains, we should do our best even if we are in our hometown. "

Wu Weiye said "oh" again, with an embarrassed expression on his face, got up and said, "Apologize, change clothes."

"Please." The two said quickly.

Wu Weiye quickly walked out of the inner hall, and at the back of the room beside him, Uncle Zhong was already waiting there.While asking Uncle Zhong to change into a blue cotton robe for him, he asked, "Aren't these two together?"

Uncle Zhong said in a low voice: "These two people had flaws in their official careers and were squeezed out by the township party, so they came together. Zhang San wanted to seek recovery, and wanted the master to give a post so that he could go to Jinan. But Shen Jiaxian was much more reserved. I'm probably content to be a rich man in my hometown, and I'm just asking for the protection of the master."

Wu Weiye carefully recalled the words of the two of them, and then realized that Zhang San wanted to be cleared of the crime of escape, while Shen Jiaxian's focus was on Huaiqing.

Knowing the hole cards of the two, Wu Weiye regained his composure, asked the maid to wash his hands and face, and scented him, before striding back to the inner hall, where he confessed his guilt and took his seat.

"Where did you just say?" Wu Weiye slapped his forehead lightly, and said, "Oh! Yes, now there are strong enemies in the north and feudal towns in the south. Finally, Master Wang has recovered Henan, but there is a long way to go. Two sages If a gentleman can contribute to the country and settle down his hometown, it is really a blessing for the country and the people! It's just that Wu is new to your land, but he is underestimated by the gentry. I wonder if the two virtuous men can teach me?"

Standing behind the screen, Uncle Zhong thought to himself: My young master still lacks sophistication.At this time, it is time to tease Zhang and Shen to fight those gentry, and it is only right for the magistrate to sit in the court to judge.How can you jump down and stir up by yourself?Winning like this is unarmed, and losing is shameful... But with a guillotine in hand, he won't lose, it's just a lot uglier.

Zhang Sanjiu and Shen Jiaxian were really overjoyed when they heard the words, they no longer hide it, and before the magistrate Mingzun regretted it, they first sat down to solidify this alliance.

Zhang San clasped his hands and said: "The local style of study is prosperous. Since the Kingdom of China, there have been [-] Jinshi. Compared with the big southern provinces, it is inherently inferior. In the north, it can be regarded as a place for writing."

Shen Jiaxian also said: "The folk customs are also very simple. My Huaiqing is backed by mountains and facing the river. The terrain is flat. Over the years, the virtuous people in the village have never forgotten to open canals for irrigation. It has long been known as 'Little Jiangnan in Northern Henan' and is the granary of Henan Province. The people were displaced because of natural disasters[***], if there is a talented person like Meicun, it will not be difficult to restore the prosperity of the past!"

Wu Weiye had been nurtured under the gate of the East Palace for so long before he realized that the key to the prosperity of a place lies in the talents and products.As long as there are enough talents to serve and produce products to support the people, this place will be safe and prosperous.I didn't expect that these two top three fellow Jinshi also had this kind of insight, and it is true that ordinary affairs can sharpen talents.

Wu Weiye said: "The past is unbearable to look back on, and the future is still waiting for the present. I wonder if the two virtuous people are willing to help me? When there is a great order here, Wu will definitely know about Bingguo, so that the two virtuous talents will not be buried in the rivers and lakes."

With a common goal, a common enemy, and a promise for the future, Zhang and Shen naturally bowed and saluted sincerely, and said in unison: "Don't dare to ask for what you want!"

Wu Weiye stepped forward and took the two of them's hands, and said solemnly: "I hope to report the emperor's favor and save Li Shu, the wind is cold and the blood is hot, and I will not hesitate!"

"I would like to take Plum Village as the head of the horse!" The two responded in unison. (To be continued.)