Powerful Song Dynasty

Chapter 73 The Cunning Zhang Qiyuan
Five or six days after the old man was buried, Wang Xiu settled the affairs of the children and prepared to return to Shangshui after the announcement of the results in a few days.The release of the test list affects the hearts of the people in the state, and those who can make the list can only chat with dozens of people, how difficult it is!
He and He Wei didn't visit the county seat either. To be honest, the economy of the state capital of the Song Dynasty was indeed prosperous.The only pity is that the money has depreciated too much, and the price of the real thing is very expensive.

For example, during the Zhenzong era, money used to be able to afford ten stones of medium-sized japonica rice, but now you can only buy one stone. There are some things that can’t be helped!Wang Anshi made a lot of money without throttling expenditure, and Cai Jing's big money ran rampant for a while, resulting in the upper reaches of wealth, forming a pattern of rich people and poor people. The purchasing power of the people declined, and money became less and less valuable.

In other words, during the Zhenzong era, I only received a consistent amount of money every month, but I was able to support a large family with a little surplus. At this time, the imperial court increased my salary, but it was only enough for my own food and clothing, and I could not take care of my family.

Wang Xiu didn't ask these questions, he bought everything he should buy, and the list will be released in a few days, he was in the same mood as Shi Zimen, wondering if he could be on the list.

However, it's too bad if I don't come out today!

Wanqiu is the ancient Huaiyang County, and the Caishui River passes by the city. There is a big flood every year. Now that the Mid-Autumn Festival has passed, the autumn is full of vigor, but the river is still abundant, and it pours into the Huai River in a mighty way to the southeast.

After a hundred years of development, the Caihe River outside Wanqiu City has gradually formed a bustling commercial area. The embankments on both sides are paved with bluestone pavement, filled with pavilions, tiles, fences, and restaurants. It is a good place for people to relax.

Especially in autumn, when the weather is sunny, waiting for high-rise buildings, displaying seasonal fruits, and looking at the endless Chenzhou purple, it makes people feel refreshed and happy. A new word is a new word, which attracts Chenzhou literati and poets.

Zhu Qianqian did his best to invite Zhang Bangchang to the Caihe branch of Huixuanlou through the state's signing of the magistrate's office, and invited Wang Xiu and He Wei.

The banquet that Wang Xiu couldn't shirk, after all, Zhang Zhizhou was there, so he had to give him face. He arranged for the inn boy to bring Zong Liang and the others to eat.

When he arrived, Zhang Bangchang and Ma Gong hadn't arrived yet, and Zhu Qianqian and his son had already been waiting. What surprised him most was that Zhang Qiyuan was present, so he had to have another plan.

This is the highest floor of Caihe branch of Huixuan Building, the most luxurious attic, with wide open windows on all sides, exquisite vermilion lacquer railings, half-draped bead curtains, and the breeze blowing by, making people intoxicated.The seats had already been arranged properly, and seven sandalwood tables were placed according to the height of the status, each with four dishes of meat and vegetable cold dishes, two tripods of seasonal fruits, two boxes of exquisite pastries, and an antique copper pot with a faint fragrance of wine.

Wang Xiu greeted the Zhu family father and son and Zhang Qiyuan calmly, and said some insipid words, which seemed not abrupt to Zhang Qiyuan's arrival.

Similarly, Zhang Qiyuan also had a gentle and elegant posture, and in his peaceful smile, there was a bit of a gifted man, and even Wang Xiu was stunned for a while.

After a while, Zhang Bangchang and Ma Gongshi, who were wearing a brown gown, came to the hall together, and everyone couldn't help being polite.

After a while of humility, Zhang Bangchang and Ma Gongshi naturally took the two seats. As the proprietor, Zhu Qianxi accompanied Zhang Bangchang. Under the hood, the most tragic one is Zhu Rong, who was deliberately placed at the head of Wang Xiu, with Zhu Qianxi's kind intentions.

Although the official banquets of the Song Dynasty were divided into seats, there were also ups and downs. The venerable was located in the north and south, facing the main entrance, and the humble were on both sides. head.

With the voice of greetings, the servants pass on the dishes, delicacies from mountains and seas, all kinds of meat and vegetables are available, and the wine girl holds a pot to pour wine. Zhu Qianxi's invitation is also a cost. Not only the wine and dishes are excellent, but the wine girl is also the Caihe branch of Huixuanlou The most beautiful one, next to each of them, is all dressed in colorful clothes with high temples, with affectionate eyes, and a look that you can pick and choose after drinking.

Nine cups of wine are required on formal occasions to get to the point. The royal court is all accompanied by rituals and music. Although rituals and music are omitted here, it is also in accordance with the rules. Drinking a cup of wine for each dish is the ultimate number of justice and nine.

Zhang Bangchang secretly observed Wang Xiu, always dignified, without squinting, as if he was born in a noble family, he couldn't help but secretly praised him.However, Zhang Qiyuan, who is also a scholar of Shangshui, behaved no less, and seemed to be more handsome, which pleased him quite a lot.

At this time, Zhang Qiyuan's face did not change, but he was thinking, and there was a sternness hidden deep in the eyelids.

From the beginning to the end, Zhu Rong failed his father's painstaking efforts. He only wanted to humiliate Wang Xiu, and even had malicious intentions.

After the nine cups, the stage of toasting each other began. Everyone chatted happily. Zhu Qianqian was in good spirits and frequently toasted Zhang Bangchang and others, but Wang Xiu was in a flat mood.

After Zhang Qiyuan toasted Zhang Bangchang, he glanced at Wang Xiu again, and said with a faint smile, "To have a good time today, why don't we make a drinking order so that Master Zhang and Master Ma can have fun."

Zhang Bangchang's eyes lit up, he clapped his hands and praised: "That's right, that's right, if there is something, don't order it, like eating abalone's wings and not eating them."

Mr. Ma nodded endlessly, and said: "Since the four virtuous nephews are Confucian scholars, they should eat without saying a word, and should use the five-element boxing order. You juniors also let me have some fun."

Wang Xiu looked at Zhang Qiyuan thoughtfully, "he" and he rarely went to the wine shop, and he looked like someone from a wealthy family, so he couldn't help guessing Zhang Qiyuan's intentions.

Zhang Bangchang clapped his hands immediately and said with a smile: "The relationship is good, who will come first?"

Zhu Qianxie saw Zhang Bangchang's words to decide the world, and immediately echoed: "My eldest brother and the Wang family's junior officials will come first." His intention was good, and the Five Elements Wine Order is a kind of elegance, different from ordinary people, whether they win or lose. Shengdou Xiaomin has some miscellaneous knowledge mixed in, but it can enhance the relationship between the two parties.

Seeing Zhu Qianxie's kind face and kind eyes, Wang Xiu knew what he meant, and smiled gently in return, which made Zhu Qianxie very happy.

Zhu Rong, however, had a complicated smile on his face, glanced at Zhang Qiyuan secretly, and played Wuxingquan with Wang Xiu.

Wang Xiu extended his thumb, and Zhu Rong extended his index finger.

Ma Gongshi gritted his teeth and said to Zhang Bangchang: "My lord, gold can defeat wood, and a small official of the Wang family wins."

Zhang Bangchang Nianxu nodded and said: "The first battle was successful, but I don't know how to win or lose."

"Then wait and see."

Ring finger, thumb, and Wang Xiuying again, the gestures of the two kept changing, maybe it was Wang Xiu's luck, Zhu Rong was restrained nine times in a row, he was so angry that he cursed Wang Xiu secretly, but he had to drink glass by glass.

Five Elements Boxing Wine Order uses the five fingers to represent the five elements, the thumb is gold, the index finger is wood, the middle finger is water, the ring finger is fire, and the little finger is earth.Zhu Rong suffered a great loss, only one time he stretched out his index finger by chance, and Wang Xiu stretched out his middle finger.

Facing Zhu Rong's embarrassment, Zhang Bangchang and Ma Gongshi laughed, Zhu Qianqian was also embarrassed and happy, as long as Wang Xiuneng was happy, he was the one who could talk to Shen Mo, even more useful than Zhang Bangchang and other officials.

Zhang Qiyuan squinted his eyes, looked at Wang Xiu carefully, and felt more and more the changes in this guy. In less than a year, he was almost judged against the two. He recalled all kinds of things, and there was always an indescribable feeling that Wang Xiu became more and more mysterious in his eyes.

Suddenly, the sense of crisis that already existed in his heart aggravated a little again, making him feel a little urgent, his hands trembled slightly, he picked up the glass, and the wine spilled a little.

"What's wrong with nephew Zhang Xian?" After all, Ma's business is the business of the magistrate's office, and his eyesight is by no means comparable to that of ordinary officials.

Zhang Qiyuan was suddenly startled, and secretly scolded himself for expressing his emotions and anger. This was definitely a fatal mistake. He immediately adjusted his mentality, smiled gently, and said, "My lord, I'm in Xiamenglang. I just feel a little touched by Wuxingquan."

"Feeling?" Ma Gongshi was startled, but became interested.

Zhang Bangchang was also aroused, put a piece of mutton in his mouth, and squinted at Zhang Qiyuan. To be honest, he really admired the elegant and handsome Zhang Qiyuan.

The corners of Zhang Qiyuan's mouth turned up, and he said: "My lord doesn't know, Wang Dalang has made nine steps in Shangshui."

"What, nine steps into a chapter?" Zhang Bangchang took a breath, looked at Wang Xiu in surprise, and wanted to size up the monster, but what Zhang Qiyuan said next directly turned him into petrification.

"Not only nine steps into a word, but Mr. Zhongli can't change a single word."

"Hiss." Everyone was amazed. Although Cao Wei and Chen Siwang had seven steps to complete the chapter, the nine-step lyrics were a bit appalling.

But Zhu Qianqian smiled first and said: "I don't want a small official to be a great talent. Isn't it like picking something out of a bag to solve the test this year?"

Wang Xiu smiled and did not explain, but he glanced at Zhang Qiyuan cryptically, seeing the harmless smile of the other person, he felt uneasy for no reason.

(End of this chapter)