In the afternoon of the next day, in the north city of Liaozhou, the back hall of the state government office.

Glancing again at the quarreling subordinates, Meng Hongwen maintained a dignified and solemn expression as usual, silently glancing at the four-character banner "Be Simple and Shou Zhuo" written in official script on the east wall to hide his inner disdain.

To be fair, Meng Hongwen has no interest in temple fame. Although he has little reputation as a talented person and has long been in the heart of the emperor, so what? He Meng Yifu is conceited about his unparalleled talent, but he does not seek to be heard by the princes. He only wants to be a master of swordsmanship.

He spent his whole life leisurely in the study room of Nan's hometown, reading his favorite books and writing his favorite words every day. However, a letter written by his teacher Jiang Ning that year forced him to give up the idea of ​​being alone.

There are only two sentences in the teacher's letter - a scholar must be ambitious! The national situation is difficult, and a gentleman should do something!

From taking the imperial examination for the first time to passing the imperial examination, Meng Hongwen effortlessly realized the dream that scholars all over the world have been striving for; from being a member of the Hanlin Academy to becoming a high official in the border areas, he easily reached a height that countless officials of the country and dynasty did not dare to dream of. Seeing that there will be another

In the year, after his two terms have expired, he will be able to join the cabinet as prime minister under the emperor's painstaking arrangements, as he originally envisioned, and take over the heavy responsibilities of his teacher, and then try to clean up the court, rectify the country, relieve the country's crisis, and support the building when it is about to collapse.

, who would have known... Looking back at the subordinate officials who had their own ulterior motives, Meng Hongwen sneered even more in his heart, so he covered his mouth with his fist and coughed lightly.

The originally noisy hall immediately fell silent.

Establishing prestige based on ability and gaining prestige based on identity are two completely different realms. The former is a matter of course, while the latter is just wishful thinking.

Meng Hongwen, who only took office at that time but in the next five years had a close fight with the Yan family of Liaohou Mansion, was obviously the former.

Even his enemies have to admit this.

"The crime of robbing prisoners cannot be pardoned, and the Liang thieves are even more guilty. The circumstances of this case are so bad that the country has never heard of it. You have been discussing it for a long time, what do you think?" Wait until all eyes are focused on you.

, Meng Hongwen finally asked.

"Sir, I have something to say." The middle-aged official sitting on the right side of Meng Hongwen immediately stood up and replied. This person is Xie Wencong, the governor of the state. Although he is the governor of Zuoer, he has no real power in his hands, but he is the leader of Liaozhou.

The banner figure jointly elected by several major clans other than the Yan family plays a decisive role in the local officialdom.

"It's okay to be wise but talk about it." Meng Hongwen nodded slightly. Although he had always despised Xie Wencong's official reputation, he still had the patience to address him by his first name, because "imperial power has never been sent to the countryside since ancient times" - clan power has always been local.

A powerful political force second only to the government. In many matters, relying on the two banners of "human ethics" and "propriety and law", family laws can force concessions to national laws, and clan elders can teach the governor to bow his head. No official who really wants to do things can

Don’t hold your nose and be conceited.

"Yes." Xie Wencong bowed his hands and said, "I believe that Thief Liang had previously thought that he was well known for his travels all over the world and was famous in the Liaobei Jianghu. Now there are people who are willing to risk the world's disapproval for him. This is just the meaning of the title.

We don’t really need to make a fuss, just——”

"What a 'making a fuss out of a molehill'! What a 'meaning in the question'!" Before Xie Wencong finished speaking, Chang Shi Zhouquan, who was sitting opposite him, sneered. Everyone else showed amusement at this. It turned out that Zhou Quan was the

He was a member of the Xiao Party who was privately called a "treacherous party" by the world. He not only opposed the Yan family, but also always opposed Meng Hongwen.

It's a mess, but I don't know what trouble he wants to make this time?

"Xie is not talented. I wonder why Mr. Zhou said this? I would like to hear your advice!" Seeing Zhou Quan's blatant provocation, Xie Wencong refused to give in.

"Master Xie is a well-read man with extraordinary knowledge. He should be familiar with the laws of the country." Knowing that the other party wanted to minimize the big issue, Zhou Quan smiled sarcastically and said in a sinister manner, "According to the law, crossbow, armor, spear,

Spears, equipment and other items are forbidden weapons and are not allowed in private hands. If there are spears and spears, each will last for one and a half years. One crossbow, plus two ranks. A collar and three crossbows, travel two thousand miles.

Three collars and five crossbows, twisted. There are armors and crossbows. Each one is guilty of this crime. Those who make it privately will be charged with one level of private crime. The imperial decree is above, and the states and counties have always strictly controlled this. There are occasionally three kinds of crimes among the people.

Two crazy men are desperate to take risks, how can they easily gather dozens of finely crafted bows and crossbows, let alone use them to rob prisoners in the street?"

As soon as these words came out, everyone's expressions became more and more exciting. Xie Wencong was not an official with a formal imperial examination background, and his special position was completely created by several clans behind him with money and in-law relationships. Zhou Quan's words were simply a deliberate attempt to poke fun at him, Mr. Xie.

lung tube.

"The gangsters are the most lawless, how can we judge them according to common sense!" Upon hearing this, Xie Wencong's face, which had a normal appearance, turned pale and pale, and his eyes were so angry that they were about to burst into flames.

"Master Xie, what you said is wrong." Zhou Quan's smile became even wider, and his tone became more teasing, "People in the Jianghu say that they are unruly and unruly, but in fact, how many people actually dare to cross the Leichi? You must know that the courage of a mere ordinary man is in the Huanghuang Army.

The power of the formation is nothing but a joke! There is a saying that "your pride is as hard as iron, but you should know that the king's law is as hot as a furnace". The golden words of Emperor Taizu in the past are still in my ears. No matter how bold people in the world are, how can they dare to do this?

Are you bold enough to make a mistake?"

Seeing the careless quarrel between Xie and Zhou, Meng Hongwen was displeased and was about to stop him when he heard Xie Wencong gnash his teeth and question Zhou Quan.

"Since Mr. Zhou believes that this case was not committed by Jianghu people, then who was it?"

"With the huge number of banned soldiers involved in this case, and the fact that Liang Thief still tried to enter the city even after his whereabouts were exposed, haha——" Although he knew that Xie Wencong intended to misinterpret, Zhou Quan didn't care. Instead, he secretly laughed and said immediately,

He closed his mouth mid-sentence, picked up the tea in his hand and sipped it, pretending to be secretive.

It is said that a heavy hammer is not needed to play a drum. Although Zhou Quan is not very specific, but who can sit in the back hall of this government office today who is not a human spirit? Suddenly, their expressions changed, and they all quietly retracted their bodies into the armchairs, and then looked at their noses.

Even Xie Wencong's eyes flickered as he pretended to be a clay-embodied Bodhisattva. He actually changed his angry look before, took the initiative to stop his activities, and sat back silently.

Meng Hongwen sneered secretly when he saw this, but he didn't bother to point out Zhou Quan's evil intentions. He just waved his hand and said, "That's it for today" and sent everyone away. As soon as everyone left, someone walked out of the small door on the side. It was this morning.

Gongsun Feihong had just entered the city. Because the prison robbery case was so important, the Yan family could not send people to stop it as before, but the cold words from the generals who defended the city could not be avoided. Fortunately, Gongsun Feihong had already responded to this.

I was prepared, but I didn’t take it too seriously.

"Mr. Meng, I am incompetent and have caused you trouble." As soon as he came to stand in front of Meng Hongwen, Gongsun Feihong hurriedly bowed and apologized. Previously, he had been arranged by Meng Hongwen to hide behind the door and listen to everyone's conversation.

He knew clearly that Chang Shi Zhouquan intended to use the ban on soldiers to point the finger of the case at the Yan family, thus forcing Meng Hongwen to confront the latter head-on - Liaozhou is located in a border state with tight security, and military control is much stricter than elsewhere.

The governor's office, which is under the personal control of Yan Rong, is responsible for the production of weapons and generals in the state. As long as there is a will to do so, the batch of crossbows involved in the case will eventually be brought to the Yan family's head. It will just take a few twists and turns in the middle.

With Meng Hongwen's mind, it is impossible not to be unclear about Zhou Quan's intention to lure the tiger into a fight, but as for official matters, if no one points out some things, everyone who knows the benefits will naturally pretend to be confused, just like before

As during the discussion, no matter what position they held on the case, everyone tacitly ignored the ban and didn't mention it. But once someone takes the initiative to break this layer of paper, it will be difficult for others to avoid it. Even if they know everything.

This person has sinister intentions, and Meng Hongwen is afraid that he can only bite the bullet and fight with the Yan family.

Unexpectedly, Gongsun Feihong was anxiously waiting for Meng Hongwen to vent his anger on him, but he saw the other man calmly picked up the tea cup and took a few sips, and then moved his fingers to signal him to take a seat.

"The general gave me a big gift." After drinking tea, Meng Hongwen said with a smile.

"Sir, you - where do you start with these words?" Gongsun Feihong was filled with astonishment. Although he didn't know what was going on, he could tell that what the other party said was not irony.

Unexpectedly, Meng Hongwen was so secretive that he chuckled and patted the armrest of the armchair, then stood up and walked outside the door, looking up at the few strands of ice hanging from the eaves.

"Next, I would like to ask the general to assist me in thoroughly investigating this case. As for the court, I will go to your majesty and explain it on the general's behalf. With your majesty's wisdom, I hope you will give me your approval."

At the same time, Zhaodefang Wutong Courtyard.

It's cold and freezing, and most of the flowers and trees in the north are out of season, but the large garden of Wutong Courtyard is different from other places. Under the wall of the courtyard covered with heavy snow, the red and purple maple trees and the fragrant fragrance are hard to miss.

The golden osmanthus trees still have elegant branches and lovely leaves, and the tall and straight camphor and locust trees are still like giant canopy umbrellas. Walking along the winding gravel path, you can see rare birds such as longevity belts, peacocks, and birds of paradise from time to time.

The branches pass by, revealing colorful silhouettes. I wonder who has such ability to allow these southern birds to overwinter safely in the north.

After walking around the huge lake rock at the end of the path, the sight suddenly opened up, and there was another cave. The large artificial lake with an area of ​​more than ten acres was connected to the running water. The surface of the lake that seemed as smooth as a mirror was actually flowing slowly all the time. The water that had condensed last night

Thin ice is layered on the shore, and it looks like waves and snow from a distance. There are more than a dozen waterside pavilions and pavilions connected by curved bridges and verandas scattered along the lake shore. Regardless of the superb construction skills, only that one

A thick nanmu beam that can be hugged by a single person is an expense that ordinary people cannot imagine.

When he was here for the first time, Tian Zhitang couldn't help but secretly dumbfounded. After all, he was a prince who passed the imperial decree. This Wutong Courtyard was just one of the many properties owned by the Yan family, but a garden alone was enough to put many wealthy families to shame.

The grandeur of Dihua House, as well as the exquisiteness and remoteness of the Jiangnan Garden, are really "multi-faceted scenery, close to the mountains and forests." Along the way, the garden is full of rockeries, rocks, flowers and trees, pavilions, water pavilions, small bridges and flat lakes, all of which highlight the unique charm of the place.

The wealth and wealth that the world envies.

Continuing to walk along the shore, I saw another golden green calyx blooming silently by the lake. Because it was too close to the nearby rockery, the shape of the tree that should have been beautiful and elegant has been squeezed and crooked, and it was unable to spread its branches and leaves as much as it wanted. Just a glance,

Tian Zhitang can taste some different flavors from it.

It is said that although there are many wonderful flowers and trees in Wutong Courtyard, this one is the most loved by Xia Jiyao.

There is a pavilion with octagonal eaves in the center of the lake, connected to the water bank by a nine-curved bridge with red lacquered railings. At this time, there are several people sitting or standing in the pavilion, but the person at the top is not the owner Xia Jiyao, but a sickly man.

The gloomy old man couldn't see clearly due to his obstructed vision. Although Tian Zhitang concluded that this man was an extraordinary person, but not Yan Rong, the Marquis of Liao, he immediately didn't look at him too much and only looked at Xia Jiyao who was sitting under him.

He had long heard that Yan Rong's granddaughter was a beautiful woman, but since he came to Wutong Courtyard, he could only talk to her through the bead curtain. Thinking that today he was finally lucky enough to see her beauty, he was naturally curious.

It’s hard to suppress. Who knew that when I saw it, I felt somewhat disappointed.

To be fair, Xia Jiyao's beauty is not bad, but her eyes are narrow and her eyebrows are like the edge of a sword. Her cheekbones are high and her nose is as sharp as a knife. Such sharp lines can add color to a man's face, but they are too harsh for a woman. She is more heroic and feminine.

Not enough. However, the beauty of a woman depends on her appearance, her makeup, and her inner beauty. In terms of makeup, Xia Jiyao wore a plain winter coat today, with minimal makeup on her head and face, except for her hair.

The two flying phoenixes looking back at Jin Buyao only have a sleek and smooth sable short fur collar on their shoulders, which can be considered luxurious. They are wearing a long-sleeved wide shirt with a hanging gauze skirt. The clothes and belts are fluttering in the lake breeze, which is both smart and elegant.

, and quite ancient style. Not to mention her inner beauty, not to mention her splendid wisdom that has long been famous in the government and the public, her elegance and nobility cultivated in the palace of the top nobles in the country are enough to make 99% of the people in the world.

The woman pales in comparison. Even so, the phrase "the beauty of the country and the fragrance of the sky" when applied to her will inevitably sound like flattery.

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At least that's how it seems to Tian Zhitang.

After being introduced to the lake pavilion by the servants waiting at the bridge, Tian Zhitang was about to step forward to greet him. Xia Jiyao waved her hand to say no, and greeted with a smile: "Zhitang, now that the new year is approaching, there are many things at home, and I have been forgetting

Let me ask you. Qiu Gong said that you have lived in the south of the Yangtze River for a long time. Now that you have come to the north, are you still used to the food and accommodation?"

"Replying to the lady, Sister Luqin is thoughtful and considerate, and has carefully arranged all the daily needs of my subordinate. I am a rough man from the countryside, but it is really not a big deal to suddenly enjoy this blessing.

Habit." Tian Zhitang bowed and replied. What he said made Lu Qin beside Xia Jiyao smile and blink at him, with a happy look of "I guess you can talk."

Xia Jiyao also laughed when he heard this, looked back at the maid with a smug look on her face, shook her head and said to Tian Zhitang: "You are still too restrained. There are too many rules at home, and I am often annoyed by this. But...

, we should follow the rules when we go out, but when we are at home, you don’t need to be so cautious, you can be more casual, save that this girl Qin’er keeps nagging in front of me, saying that there is another boring person in the house. "

Tian Zhitang smiled respectfully, knowing that just listen to these words. Whoever takes it seriously is a fool. The so-called powerful people, power, status, wealth, etc. are all just prerequisites. What is really used to show their "nobleness" is precisely those who are

Etiquette, rules and red tape are scornful of ordinary people. Because of this, the powerful can eat braised vegetables with the style of a state banquet, while the nouveau riche can't help but look like dogs chewing steamed buns even if they are lucky enough to taste the imperial meal.<

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After the small talk, Xia Jiyao introduced everyone in the pavilion to Tian Zhitang, but only ignored the sick old man. After Tian Zhitang and several colleagues in management had finished greeting one by one, he cleared his throat and turned to the main topic of the day.<
Chapter completed!