Great Qing Xiangguo

Chapter 102

The emperor intends to stay at Xixi Villa of the Gao family, and Gao Shiqi has already told his family to prepare to pick him up.Gao's house is closed to the outside world, but it has been secretly busy for more than two months.The day the holy driver approached, Gao Shiqi led two relatives and rushed back to Hangzhou with fast horses.Ah Shan got the letter, and hurriedly led all the officials out of the city to welcome him.Gao Shiqi got off his horse outside the city, changed into a sedan chair and entered the city.Instead of going back to Xixi Villa first, he went straight to the Yuhang County Government Office.

Gao Shiqi didn't talk much all the way, and only when he arrived at the county government office did he say: "The emperor will arrive in a few days, and he will be staying in the humble house. I'll come back and have a look."

Ah Shan wiped the sweat off his face, and said: "It's really a blessing! Liu Xiangnian's supervision of the construction of the palace is not effective, if the emperor hadn't stayed at Mr. Gao's house, the head of the lower official would have to move!"

Gao Shiqi knew that Liu Xiangnian was the honest official recommended by Chen Tingjing back then, so he looked around and asked with a smile, "Who is Liu Xiangnian?"

Ah Shan hurriedly said: "Back to Mr. Gao, I have already sent someone to call Liu Xiangnian to meet Mr. Gao, but he refused to come because he said that he wanted to supervise the construction of the palace."

Gao Shiqi's face was not happy, and he said: "What kind of palace do you want to build? Didn't the emperor tell you not to build it long ago?"

Ah Shan didn't know how to answer, he hesitated for a long time, and said: "Liu Xiangnian said he was supervising the construction of the palace, but he was actually procrastinating there on purpose. The officials thought that it was one thing for the emperor not to allow the construction, but Liu Xiangnian deliberately slowed down the work, but it was disrespectful!"

Gao Shiqi waved his hand and said, "Don't talk about Liu Xiangnian, go, go and see things."

It turned out that Gao Shiqi was thinking about the treasures he had collected, and he had to look at them himself before he could rest assured.After entering the warehouse, Gao Shiqi said: "I don't have time to look at those strange stones and beautiful jade. I only look at calligraphy and paintings."

The yamen servant opened a piece of ancient calligraphy, Gao Shiqi looked at it for a while, then nodded: "This is the real work."

Li Qilong hurriedly shouted: "It's true, put it over there!"

The master took the ancient calligraphy and put it in another part of the room.

Gao Shiqi looked at each piece, and divided the real ones into two rooms for storage.At this time, the yamen servant unfolded Mi Fu's "Spring Mountain Rises Pine Picture", Gao Shiqi was silent for a long time, and said: "Fake!"

Li Qilong was very surprised: "Fake?"

Gao Shiqi said with a smile: "The old man almost missed it."

Li Qilong was puzzled, but he didn't dare to say more.After reading the calligraphy and painting, Gao Shiqi said: "Regardless of whether it is true or false, they will be classified into different categories and sent to Xixi Villa. The real ones will be presented to the emperor tomorrow, and the fake ones will grow eyes when the old man is free, so as not to regret losing pearls." .”

Ah Shan hurriedly ordered Li Qilong to send someone to send the calligraphy and paintings to Xixi Villa.The master of the Yuhang County Yamen whispered to Li Qilong behind the scenes: "Master, there is no way that the things from Zhang Xiangfu's house are fake? How does Mr. Gao say that "The Picture of Ruisong in Spring Mountain" is fake?"

Li Qilong quickly shook his head and said: "Don't talk about it, just trust Mr. Gao's eyes."

Gao Shiqi was at home preparing to pick him up, and Ah Shan rushed to visit him.It turned out that Ah Shan suddenly received an imperial edict that the emperor wanted to inspect the Qiantang Navy, and ordered to quickly build a platform by the river.The Shangyu specifically instructed that this matter should be discussed with Gao Shiqi.Gao Shiqi's face turned blue with anxiety, because the emperor will arrive tomorrow, it's not easy to set up a stage temporarily!
Gao Shiqi said: "Master Taiwan, please do your best in this matter. Building this platform is related to the safety of the emperor, and there must be a reliable and capable person."

Ah Shan said: "Lord Gao, as long as Liu Xiangnian is willing to do things, he is the most contingency. It's just that this time he deliberately delayed all the tasks assigned to him."

Gao Shiqi smiled and said: "Liu Xiangnian was an honest official recommended by Mr. Chen Tingjing back then. He is a rare talent. He cannot be charged for failing to handle the errand of picking up the driver. Let Liu Xiangnian handle the errand of the inspection stand. His chance to make meritorious deeds."

Ah Shan knew that the stage was set up hastily, and there might be troubles, but he said: "Master Gao is so sympathetic to his subordinates, I should learn from you in this humble position."

Gao Shiqi was very benevolent, and said: "We are all working for the emperor, it is not easy, we should be considerate of each other! Go, let's call Liu Xiangnian, and go to the Qiantang River together."

At this time, a yamen servant rushed over and whispered to Ah Shan.Ah Shan's face turned pale immediately: "Huh? Liu Xiangnian is completely reversed!"

Gao Shiqi hurriedly asked: "What made the Taiwan makers so furious?"

Ah Shan lowered his head and said, "Master Gao, Liu Xiangnian actually hung up the signboard of the Sacred Edict Lecture Hall in a brothel!"

Gao Shiqi stomped his feet and was furious: "Ah? This is disrespectful! He will be beheaded! This Liu Xiangnian, how could he be so ridiculous? Poor Master Chen Tingjing has always been full of praise for him! Hurry up and call him!" Gao Shiqi Qi looked very sorry, shaking his head and sighing.

The people sent by Ashan rushed to Qinghefang, but they saw Liu Xiangnian leading a few yamen servants, making arrangements in the hall, and the door of the door had already hung the plaque of the lecture hall.In the past, some people were stunned and some laughed.A bold man actually laughed loudly and said: "This is an anecdote in the world! Today, if a brothel is converted into a lecture hall, maybe someday the government office will be converted into a brothel!" Liu Xiangnian just pretended not to hear it, even though he ordered the government servants to clean up the house.

It's busy here, when someone from the governor's yamen came into the room and sent a message: "Master Liu, Mr. Zhan Shifu, Mr. Taiwan, please go!"

Liu Xiangnian had no choice but to put aside the matter of the oracle lecture hall for the time being, hurried to the riverside, and said: "Liu Xiangnian of Beifu pays his respects to Mr. Gao and Mr. Zaotai!"

Gao Shiqi asked softly, "Are you Liu Xiangnian?"

Liu Xiangnian said: "It's Beifu."

Gao Shiqi suddenly raised his voice: "You are so daring!"

Liu Xiangnian still lowered his head, and said: "Returning to Mr. Gao, I don't know what I did wrong."

Gao Shiqi was trembling with anger, and said, "How dare you turn a brothel into an oracle? This is a serious crime of beheading!"

But Liu Xiangnian seemed to be fine, and said: "If Beifu should be killed, all the courtiers and Zhejiang officials should be killed!"

Gao Shiqi was so angry that his lips trembled, he couldn't speak, he pointed at Liu Xiangnian with his hand, but looked at Ah Shan.Ah Shan said: "Liu Xiangnian, Mr. Gao has taken great care of you. Just now he was saying that he asked you to set up a platform by the river to prepare for the emperor to inspect the navy, so as to give you a chance to make meritorious deeds and atone for your sins. But you don't know what's good and what's wrong, yes. Master Gao is so rude!"

Liu Xiangnian raised his eyes to look at Gao Shiqi, then lowered his head, and said, "Master Gao, please listen to me for a reason. Gold powder from Suzhou and Hangzhou dynasties, fireworks through the ages, which inch has never left the footprints of a prostitute? According to the reasoning of your lords, how can a holy car come to this place? You know that Hangzhou is such a place, but you coax the emperor to come, don’t you all commit a crime of disrespect?”

Gao Shiqi said that it was unreasonable, and he was very angry.However, Liu Xiangnian seemed to be taking advantage of the reason, and said: "Mantangchun's brothel can't continue to open, and the Beifu spent money to sell it cheaply, and turned it into a sacred lecture hall, saving the hard-earned money of the people. Otherwise, build another The oracle lecture hall costs more money."

Li Qilong also happened to be present, and interjected: "Master Gao, Master Taiwan, please calm down! Please refer to Liu Xiangnian's booklet, I will write it. I know that people do not do secret things. It's been a long time."

Liu Xiangnian glanced at Li Qilong, and said with a sneer: "Li Zhixian, you must be confused as an official, right? With your official status, you are not qualified to ask the emperor!"

Gao Shiqi raised his head and sighed, with a look of compassion, he said: "Okay, okay, don't quarrel! It's a big thing to welcome you now. I and Chen Tingjing are in the same court, and we have a deep friendship. Humans are not grass and trees. Can you be ruthless? It doesn’t matter if you scold me for selfishness behind your back, I still want to protect Mr. Liu. Xiangnian, it’s up to you to build the reviewing stand, you have to do your best!”

Liu Xiangnian knew it was difficult, but he had no choice but to thank Gao Shiqi.Ah Shan was filled with emotion, and said: "Master Gao is really a prime minister! Liu Xiangnian is so offensive, but you are only thinking of him."

Gao Shiqi sighed: "My lord, even if I don't cherish the talent of Liu Xiangnian, I have to think of Mr. Chen Tingjing. If Liu Xiangnian is really convicted, Mr. Chen will be involved! Well, don't say any more. Let's set up the stage here." It’s not right, let’s walk around and see.”

Walking along the embankment for a further distance, seeing the rushing water and the thundering waves, Gao Shiqi said, "This place is very good!"

Liu Xiangnian became anxious, and said: "Master Gao, the river here is so fast, how can we set up a stage?"

Ah Shan seemed to understand Gao Shiqi's intentions, and immediately echoed: "How can you see the majesty of a navy in a place with calm winds and calm waves? Mr. Gao, you really chose the right place."

Gao Shiqi didn't say much, he just said: "Master Liu, it's settled like this, you should set up the stage properly."

Liu Xiangnian became stubborn again, and said: "Lord Gao, this errand cannot be handled by the humble government!"

Gao Shiqi looked at Liu Xiangnian with gentle eyes, and said: "Xiangnian, I want to save you. You are already submerged in the water, and I want to pull you ashore, but you have to do your best! Besides, Your Majesty Inspecting the Navy in Hangzhou, you are not going to build this platform, who will build it? Master Taiwan, let's go."

Gao Shiqi dismissed these words and led A Shan, Li Qilong and other officials away, leaving Liu Xiangnian standing alone by the river in a daze.Watching the sedan chairs of Gao Shiqi and others go away, Liu Xiangnian knew that this errand could only be done anyway, so he rode his horse to the construction site of the palace.

Liu Xiangnian has not been here for many days, and the masters are wondering.Liu Xiangnian said: "Masters, to tell you the truth, I don't want you to do it in such a hurry, I just want to wait for the emperor to order to stop the construction of the palace. Now I know, the emperor really forbids the construction of this palace. What a waste of money! Construction of the palace But it costs money. Money doesn’t fall from the sky, it’s the blood and sweat of the people. Let me tell you today that the palace will not be built.”

A master said: "It's fine if we don't build it. We can go home tomorrow. But what about the wages?"

Liu Xiangnian said: "Of course you won't lose your wages. But I, Mr. Liu, would like to ask everyone to do me a last favor. I offended people because I opposed the construction of the palace. They wanted to harm me and deliberately ordered me to die in the fast-flowing river. Set up a platform for the emperor to inspect the navy. The emperor will come to Hangzhou tomorrow, but it is almost dark now. If the platform is not set up well, my head will have to move."

After hearing this, the masters all said what should I do?The night is dark and the wind is high, the waves are bigger, people can't do anything when they go down to the river!Liu Xiangnian didn't speak, just looked at the masters.Suddenly a master shouted loudly: "Brothers, Mr. Liu is a good official. No matter how difficult it is, we will have to spend the whole night to set up the platform." Everyone was quiet for a while, and they all said that they would risk their lives to set up the platform.

Liu Xiangnian bowed deeply to the masters and said, "I, Liu Xiangnian, thank you all!"

The masters said again, Mr. Liu, please rest assured that the wood is ready-made here, and everyone's craftsmanship is also top-notch. Keep it safe and set up the table before dawn.

Not long after it got dark, Chen Tingjing was coming back from an unannounced visit outside, when he met the people who were being escorted by the yamen servants and rushed to the suburbs.Yamen servants lit torches and yelled loudly.Chen Tingjing understood eighty-nine points in his heart, so he asked Liu Jing to go over and ask clearly.Liu Jing went to ask an old man: "Old man, where are you going?"

The old man said: "Welcome to the holy car!"

Liu Jing said: "In the middle of the night, what kind of holy driver are you welcoming?"

The old man sighed: "It's said in the yamen that Sheng Jia will arrive as soon as he says, there's no guarantee, we have to wait early!"

Chen Tingjing stood far away, and when Liu Jing came back to explain the truth, he shook his head and said: "The emperor said that the people will not avoid him, the people want to see the emperor, and the emperor also wants to see the people. But things have changed in the next step! "

Zhen'er said: "Poor these people!"

Chen Tingjing said: "They have to stand all night! If the older ones stand all night, they might die! Liu Jing, go and talk about it. You don't have to stay overnight. Go back to sleep."

Liu Jing walked into the middle of the street and shouted loudly: "Folks, don't go!"

The common people felt strange and stopped, looking back at Liu Jing.Liu Jing said again: "Shengjia will arrive tomorrow, you all go back to sleep!"

The master ran over and took a picture of Liu Jing with a torch: "Hey, which fairy are you? I missed the holy driver, be careful with your head!"

Liu Jing didn't answer, but said: "Welcoming Shengjia is such an important matter, why don't you see your county magistrate?"

The master smiled and said: "What a joke, the county magistrate is worth standing with them all night? The magistrate is asleep!"

Liu Jing asked: "You magistrates, aren't you afraid of missing the holy driver?"

The master said: "Don't worry about it, as long as there is news from Shengjia, the county magistrate will arrive on a flying horse!"

Liu Jing shouted loudly again: "Folks, listen up, the magistrate is sleeping at home, but wants you to stand all night, is there any reason in the world?"

A commoner laughed instead and said, "This man is wrong, how can we ordinary people compare with the county magistrate?"

The master laughed even more, and said: "Listen, listen to yourself! The common people understand this, but you don't."

Liu Jing ignored the master, and just shouted: "Folks, go back to sleep, and everyone will come here again at Mao tomorrow, and I will go with you to meet the holy driver!"

Another commoner laughed and said, "Who are you? You eat garlic because of a stomach ailment. What a big breath."

The master laughed even more proudly, and said: "Listen, do they listen to you? Listen to the yamen! Well, this kid has said everything he wants to say, whether you like it or not. Let's go Let's welcome the holy driver!"

Zhang Xiangfu was also in the crowd, so he shouted: "Folks, let's listen to this brother, he is right! It's not a war, there is an emergency, and the emperor doesn't need to travel at night!"

Some of the people nodded, some shook their heads, making a lot of noise.

Zhang Xiangfu said again: "It's up to you to listen or not, I'm going back to sleep!"

Master shouted sharply: "Don't go back!"

Zhang Xiangfu shouted again: "The emperor is sleeping right now, and the county magistrate is sleeping, what do you want us to do?"

The crowd became agitated and began to push back.The yamen servants stopped them and beat them with sticks.After all, the people are so numerous that the yamen servants cannot stop them.There are also dozens of people who are timid and dare not go back, but still follow the yamen servants to the suburbs.

(End of this chapter)