cloud temple phoenix hairpin

Chapter 48

Chapter 43

Jiangzhou is located on the plain downstream of the junction of the Honghe River and the Dajiang-Haikou. In the event of a major astronomical storm, the low-lying terrain is prone to flooding.Only a few decades ago, after a prefect named Duyue asked for orders to lead the peasants to build a dam along the river, there were no more floods in the past few decades, and the weather was smooth.The local people also affectionately call this Tangba Duyueba to commemorate the prefect.

However, Ming Yu knew that on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival next month, there would be a huge hurricane in the East China Sea that had not been seen in decades. At that time, with the high tide, the river would be flooded, and those who had protected the people of Jiangzhou for decades would be overwhelmed. The dam couldn't withstand the flood that has only been encountered once in the past few decades, and broke through a section of Yanlai Bay at the corner of the Honghe River.Ming Yu remembered that although Xie Ruchun, the prefect at that time, mobilized the people to protect the pond, he was not prepared enough. He did not expect that Yanlai Bay would be washed away and the breach would cause floods to flow into the city, submerging tens of thousands of hectares of fertile land in Jiangzhou, and destroying countless houses.No matter how low the terrain is, the people cannot avoid disasters, and the casualties are countless.Even the two stone lions at the gate of the magistrate's yamen were submerged by the flood.Rongyin Hall was also flooded three feet.After the flood, Zhengde was furious when he heard the news, and ordered Xie Ruchun, the magistrate, to rescue the victims, and Rongyintang also participated in the relief.It wasn't until half a year passed, and in the spring of the second year, that the people gradually returned to their previous lives.

This flood not only suffered the people of Jiangzhou, but also degraded Xie Ruchun's official career, and he has been in a slump ever since.His tenure as magistrate expired this year, and he had high hopes of being transferred to Beijing.But because of this natural and man-made disaster, Emperor Zhengde later issued an imperial decree to reprimand him, saying that he was negligent in his duties.If it weren't for his role as the survey envoy of the Zuo Army, he might be reprimanded.In the second year, he was transferred to Liangzhou.Ming Yu and Xie Mingrou only exchange letters once a year.Two years later, she married into the Hou's residence, and news of her disappeared. Since then, there has been no news of her young and old friends.

This disaster left a deep impression on Ming Yu, so she naturally remembered it clearly.On the thirteenth day of the next month, when all the people in the city were preparing to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, the unprecedented torrential rain lasted for a day and a night.That night the geese came to the bay and broke through.Mingyu got up the next day, and what greeted his eyes was Wang Ze, the muddy yellow muddy water engulfed the courtyard below Yilu's building, and the family had to rely on boats to get in and out.

But only one month left.

Ming Yu is not sure whether the flood that will harm many people in Jiangzhou, including the magistrate Xie Ruchun, will follow the trajectory of the previous life.But since she knew it was possible, she couldn't ignore it.Although the flood didn't cause much damage to his family, it just flooded the fields and manor below and lost property.But it took away many loved ones.In the relief hall of the Ruan family, after the flood, there were suddenly many homeless children, and it was overcrowded for a while.Ming Yu still remembers the horror and sadness in those pairs of eyes on those dirty little faces.

She couldn't just go and tell her father or Xie Ruchun that on the thirteenth day of next month, there might be a storm that had not been seen in decades, Yanlai Bay would burst, and Jiangzhou would become a whole.But because she had been thinking about this a long time ago, she also had countermeasures.

In Jiangzhou City, there is a Hu Banxian that everyone knows.

A year ago, Hu Banxian was just a fortune-teller living in a ruined temple, relying on a three-inch tongue, doing divination and divination in the streets and alleys every day, barely earning a living.His fame was full of drama.At that time, Li Ying, a well-known wealthy businessman in the east of Jiangzhou City, was killed in his room together with his concubine in the middle of the night.Xie Ruchun couldn't catch the murderer, and the gate of Mrs. Li's mansion was crying and grabbing land. It became a hot topic of discussion among the people in the city. Because the Li family had some distant relatives with Jiangnan Governor's Mansion, even the Governor was alarmed and ordered Xie Ruchun to set a deadline solve the case.When he was in a state of desperation, Hu Banxian approached Ruan Hongtian, and said that he did divination last night, and figured out that this case was that Mrs. Li conspired with the housekeeper who was her relative to murder the husband who loved the concubine in order to seek family wealth.

I wanted to go directly to the magistrate's office to inform him, but the government office was too high, so I was blocked from entering.Knowing that Ruan Hongtian had a long history with the magistrate, he found him to act for Tian.Ruan Hongtian didn't believe it.I saw that he spoke clearly, even the murder weapon was buried under the old osmanthus tree in Li's garden.Only then did he go over to mention it to Xie Ruchun in doubt.Xie Ruchun didn't know what to do. Seeing that there were clues to check, he didn't care about the truth. He brought someone to dig, and found a butcher's knife. The blood on the blade was still faintly discernible.Madam Li and the housekeeper were immediately arrested, and under interrogation, both of them were recruited.As soon as the case was settled, the reputation of Hu Banxian's straight-talking words spread throughout the city.There is an endless stream of people who come to him for fortune-telling and divination every day.He also moved out of the ruined temple a long time ago, and lived in a lively place in the city, sitting at home and continuing to display his eloquent tongue.

Ruan Hongtian escorted his wife and daughter back to Rongyintang from Mengxian County. Within two days, when he was in his shop in the city, he heard a report from a clerk that there was a Hu Banxian outside the door asking to see him.Ruan Hongtian was stunned for a moment, recalling the incident before, he asked to be brought in.

As soon as Hu Banxian saw Ruan Hongtian, he lowered his voice and said, "Master Ruan, last time I was trusted by the master, and raised the villain's words in front of Mr. Xie. The villain was very grateful. Last night, the villain got another divination. It's a big deal, but I dare not report it to Mr. Xie by myself, so after much deliberation, I had to ask Master Ruan again."

Ruan Hongtian didn't particularly believe in these divinations.It's just that the murder case last time was expected by him, and he was still puzzled.At this time, seeing him looking for him again, he said, "What's the matter?"

Hu Banxian hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said: "I watched the sky last night, and felt something strange, so I used the hexagrams and divination, and I actually calculated that there will be a strong wind and heavy rain that has not been seen in decades on the [-]th of next month. The whole city suffered countless casualties..."

Ruan Hongtian was taken aback, and said, "How dare you talk about such a big matter?"

Sweat broke out on Hu Banxian's forehead, and he hurriedly said: "The little man dare not talk nonsense. In fact, all the astronomical phenomena and hexagrams point out this. And judging from the hexagrams, it points to the mouth of Yanlai Bay. I think the pond and dam there can't resist it." Just hold on to the flushing, and then break into the water, rushing for thousands of miles."

The Ruan family has many good farms in the Yanlai Bay area.Ruan Hongtian heard that he spoke in a serious manner, even telling the place, suddenly remembered that he also revealed the real murderer in one word last time, hesitated for a moment.Finally realizing that the matter is of great importance, he got up and said, "It's rare for you to be so considerate of the common people. Since you have said it, no matter whether you have it or not, I will pass it on to Mr. Xie on your behalf."

Hu Banxian cried and said with a sad face: "I didn't want to say it. If there is no such thing at that time, Mr. Xie is afraid that I will be punished for the crime of deceiving people. Just think again, this matter concerns the people of Jiangzhou. For the well-being of the people, this is why I have to risk my life to let Master Xie know, so I have to prepare early and take precautions."

Ruan Hongtian saw that although his expression was ugly, his words were sonorous, and he said that he was really worried about the people, so he comforted him: "Since you have predicted such astronomical phenomena, no matter what the time will be, you should let your parents and officials know about it. It is true that there will be nothing at that time, and it is better to take precautions than to be unprepared. Don't worry. If there is such a thing at that time, you will make a great contribution. If you are safe and sound, I will definitely protect you in front of Mr. Xie."

Only then did Hu Banxian feel relieved, wiped the sweat off his forehead, thanked him repeatedly, nodded and left.

Ruan Hongtian didn't dare to neglect, and immediately went to Xie's mansion at the south gate.When he was led into the study, he saw Xie Ruchun and his nephew Xie Zuiqiao were there together.After exchanging a few words of pleasantries, without beating around the bush, I just said what Hu Banxian said just now.

Both Xie Ruchun and Xie Zuiqiao were a little surprised.After a long while, Xie Ruchun frowned and said: "I never believed in such divination. Only the last time the Li family's murder case was really expected by him, and the case was solved according to what he told. It really surprised me After that, in order to find out his truth, I secretly sent people to pretend to be fortune tellers to tell him divination. I saw that he was just showing off his tongue and fooling some ignorant people. I think he was expected that time The real culprit is just a coincidence. Now he is talking like this again, it is really puzzling."

Ruan Hongtian said: "I'm half-believing too. But he even told the date and Yanlaiwan. Because of the importance of this matter, I dare not hide it. Come here and let your lord know."

Xie Ruchun said: "The dam has been erected for many years, and there was not much money spent on repairs in these years. The repairs in the past few years were nothing more than minor troubles. The Yanlai Bay area is indeed the weakest. The ordinary river and sea tides can withstand it. If there is a big tide that happens once in decades, it may not be true. I just don’t know if Hu Banxian’s words are credible or not. The ponds and dams around Yanlai Bay are very long. Little news, if there is no such thing at that time, I am afraid that the superiors will find out that I am a majestic court official, and I actually listened to the words of a charlatan..."

Xie Zuiqiao had also heard about Hu Banxian before, and now he heard that he had taken up such a divination. Seeing his uncle's hesitation, he said: "This matter is indeed as Ruan Shishu said, it is related to the people's livelihood. I would rather believe it. It’s also unbelievable. Since the man’s words are so convincing, it’s better for uncle to prepare earlier. If it’s true, he won’t be in a mess.”

Xie Ruchun said: "It's better to find out more about Hu Banxian's place."

"Uncle, don't worry, leave this matter to me."

Xie Ruchun knew that this nephew had always done things safely, so he nodded in agreement.

Xie Zuiqiao doesn't believe in divination, but he happened to be still here when the Li family's murder happened, and he knew that it was because of Hu Banxian's words that his uncle caught the real murderer and solved the case. There are indeed visions in the space that I cannot understand.Now, after more than a year, that Hu Banxian surfaced again, and only then did he reveal a bigger secret. Naturally, he couldn't hold back his curiosity, and wanted to find out for himself.After coming out from the south gate, I found out that Hu Banxian lived in the busiest temple street, so I went straight to look for him.When he didn't want to be taken to his residence, he saw General Tie guarding the door.The neighbor on the side said that he left yesterday, and he didn't know where he went.I had no choice but to go back and report the matter to my uncle Xie Ruchun.Xie Ruchun called Ruan Hongtian again, and they discussed it, Xie Ruchun said that Hu Banxian must be talking nonsense, and now he is scared and fled in fear of crime.

Ruan Hongtian said: "My lord's words are not unreasonable. It's just that I think there may be something hidden in it. If he just ran away because he was afraid of crime, why did he bother to talk to me a few days ago?" Words? Could it be that he has indeed calculated the hexagram, but he is not sure. He is afraid that if there is no such thing at that time, the adults will blame him, so he avoided it?"

Xie Zuiqiao nodded and said: "Uncle Ruan's words are also reasonable. From my nephew's point of view, now that I know there is such a possibility, it is better to take some precautions. If he is really right, it will affect thousands of people. matter of livelihood."

Seeing that Xie Ruchun was still hesitating, Ruan Hongtian knew what was wrong with him, and said with great emotion: "My lord, don't worry. My family has fields and farmers in that area. I am obliged to protect the pond. You don't need to disturb the superior, I will work together with you .”

Xie Ruchun knew that the Ruan family was rich.Since he said he was willing to protect the pond, he didn't have to ask Shangguan for the money to protect the pond.A stone fell to the ground in his heart, nodded and said: "It's so good! This is something that benefits the common people. As a parent and official, I have a duty to do so!" Immediately, he called the master, not mentioning Hu Banxian, only saying that it was the month of approaching wind and rain He was afraid that the ponds and dams on the riverside would not be able to withstand the tide, so we wanted to discuss the matter of protecting the ponds.The master readily obeyed, and several people made a general discussion together, and then dispersed first.

Two days later, Xie Yilin chased after Xie Zuiqiao and asked him if he had asked Xie Jingzhu about the matter in advance. He said that August [-]th was Ming Yu's birthday, if he didn't ask, he might not have time to prepare a congratulatory gift.

The matter of Hu Banxian was too important, Xie Zuiqiao was still checking his whereabouts for the past few days, so he forgot about it for a while.At this moment when the cousin asked again, the girl's bright eyes suddenly appeared in front of her eyes, she was stunned for a moment, and said: "I will help you ask today."

Xie Jingzhu lost her mother at home in Beijing, and her father was busy with official duties. For nearly three years, she has been living with her uncle and aunt here. She is used to life in the south of the Yangtze River. Accompanied, and made friends like Ming Yu, thinking that he will return to Beijing with his elder brother in a short time, it is inevitable to feel a little melancholy these days.That night, I went back to my room and was sitting under the lamp reading a book, when I saw my elder brother coming over, I was a little surprised and hurried to welcome him in.Hearing him ask a few questions about his daily life, he answered them one by one.Suddenly I heard my elder brother say: "I heard that next month's [-]th is the birthday of the eldest daughter of the Ruan family. Sister, do you know what she likes? If you want to give a gift, what should you give?"

Xie Jingzhu was surprised, she looked up, but before she could speak, Xie Zuiqiao hurriedly waved her hand and said, "Sister, don't misunderstand. It's not that I want to know. Someone asked me to ask my sister."

Xie Jingzhu thought for a while, and already knew who that person was.He burst out laughing and said, "Brother doesn't tell me, I know. Brother Lin must have asked you to inquire about it, right? He accidentally ran into Sister Ruan in our yard last year, and she blushed like a boiled shrimp. So-so. From then on, he kept beating around the bush and asking me and my cousin about Sister Ruan. After being ashamed by my cousin several times, he calmed down. Now I think it was because he was afraid of being laughed at by my cousin again, so I pushed my brother away. Did you come and ask me?"

Xie Zuiqiao was startled.On the way back from Mengcheng a few days ago, although he had already found out that his cousin had a crush on the eldest girl of the Ruan family, at the time he thought it was just a boy's whim.I didn't expect to find out now that this girl I would occasionally think of was not only seen and remembered by someone earlier than me, but also so eager and undisguised. Big cousin...

For a moment, he felt his heart was blocked.

Xie Jingzhu didn't notice his silence, but just smiled and said, "I haven't seen anything in Sister Ruan's house, and she wouldn't care for even the best gold, jade, silk and satin in the eyes of others. Besides, on her 14th birthday next month, it wouldn't be interesting to give those vulgar things to her." .”

"Then what does she like?"

Xie Zuiqiao immediately asked.It wasn't until the words came out that I felt a little too urgent.

Xie Jingzhu didn't realize that he was unusual, but just thought about it, and said: "My cousin and I are going to give her the purse and sachet handkerchief embroidered by ourselves. If there is something she likes, I can't say for sure."

"Sister, think about it again, didn't Yilin entrust me, it's not good to just dismiss him with just one sentence."

Xie Zuiqiao touched his chin and asked again.

"Anyway, as long as it's a gift from heart, she doesn't need to be expensive, she will like it."

Xie Jingzhu smiled at him.

Xie Zuiqiao was speechless for a moment.After asking for a long time, I didn't ask anything in the end, which is actually a bit depressed.

"How? Can I ask?"

Xie Yilin was waiting outside, seeing his cousin coming out, he hurried over to ask.

Xie Zuiqiao learned his sister's last sentence once, and saw his cousin's expression changed from joyful anticipation to dejection, and the gloomy feeling in his heart suddenly disappeared.

"Yilin, you are still young, you should focus on your studies. Be careful that your uncle and aunt know about it. And you will be promising in the future, so don't bother trying to please the girl, the girl will put you at ease."

Xie Zuiqiao coughed, patted his shoulder, and said earnestly.

(End of this chapter)