The bearer lowered the sedan chair and opened the curtain. A young official wearing a green robe and official uniform walked out in front of everyone.
The official uniform is pressed tightly, the figure is straight, the face is calm but majestic, he is the current parent official of Chuning County, the county magistrate of Chuning County, the top two in the current department, Baiyunbian!
The Long family father and son and a group of gentry, who were chatting and laughing in the main hall earlier, had arrived at the sedan in the blink of an eye.
Long Zhengqing laughed and said, "Your Majesty the County Lord has come here, the humble abode is filled with splendor, and the whole family is flattered!"
There was a smile on Bai Yunbian's face, "Mr. Long is a model country gentleman. He has made great contributions to the county's orderly public security and harmony with his neighbors. The county should congratulate him."
After saying that, he looked at Mr. Long beside him and praised: "Young Master is really a talented person. He is young and promising. He will definitely have great potential in the future!"
When his son was praised, the smile on Long Zhengqing's face as a father became more sincere, "Compared to the county magistrate, who here dares to say that he is young and promising!"
All the gentry also agreed and praised him. Bai Yunbian waved his hands modestly, but he couldn't close his mouth with laughter.
After being polite, Long Zhengqing extended his hand and said, "Come on, come on, Lord County Lord, please come in!"
Seeing Bai Yunbian's carefree look, Xia Jingyun couldn't help but smile.
Chen Fugui leaned close to his ear and whispered: "Master, you look like an old father happily watching his son grow up."
Xia Jingyun's lips twitched and she rolled her eyes at him, "I will tell him the truth."
Chen Fugui's face fell and he said quickly: "Sir, I was just joking."
Just as they were talking, a long sigh came from the ears of the two of them, "A real man should be like this!"
The two turned to look at a young scholar, his eyes following the back of the white clouds, his expression full of yearning and passion.
Xia Jingyun smiled and cupped his hands, "Brother, it seems that you admire this Lord Bai County?"
The scholar nodded, "Baixianzun is young and has achieved the top spot in one fell swoop. How can scholars like us not admire him for his ability?"
Xia Jingyun nodded slightly, "That's true, but spring has just passed not long ago. This County Lord Bai has been here only a few days, right? Why does he seem to be quite familiar with the local gentry?"
The scholar was slightly proud and said: "What you say makes no sense. We are scholars who have learned the words of sages and learned the skills of managing the world and benefiting the people. We hold the seal of the court and patrol the land on behalf of heaven. The local gentry should be respectful and obedient. Don’t go!”
Xia Jingyun and Chen Fugui, who couldn't bear it anymore, stopped and turned to look at him. The scholar said coyly: "Okay, to be honest, I heard it was because of Jinke's number one scholar."
"Oh?" Xia Jingyun raised his eyebrows and returned to him.
"When Bai Xianzun first came, everyone actually didn't take him seriously. After all, in Chuning County, there is the Ye family, the Cao Gang, and the head of the canal transport. There are ships from the south and horses from the north, and there are rich people, each with their own abilities. The foundation. However, the day after Bai Xianzun arrived, news came out that Duke Zhuangyuan was appointed as an imperial envoy and would inspect Longshou Prefecture."
"Then there was news that Bai Xianzun and the imperial envoy were close friends. At first, the imperial envoy traveled to Yunmeng Prefecture with Bai Xianzun, and then he was grateful for Bai Xianzun's kindness. After he came to Beijing, he strongly invited Bai Xianzun to stay at his home. Bai Xianzun The county magistrate couldn't refuse, so they lived together for several months. After that, the two of them had a first-class name and a second-class name. It became a good story for a while. After everyone heard this, who would dare to offend the county magistrate Bai! Even Those slippery subordinates in the county have become honest."
Chen Fugui couldn't help but turned his head and suppressed a smile. When he heard this statement, it was the news that Mr. Bai himself had released!
Although Xia Jingyun also found it interesting, he still felt quite pleased in his heart.
At least Bai Yunbian knew how to take advantage of the situation, and he didn't just raise his head and pretend to beep.
But then he woke up and wondered what was going on with this feeling of relief. He was not his son.
"So, these people are giving Bai County respect, but they are actually doing it for the imperial envoy's sake?"
"Isn't it!" The scholar said with emotion: "You are the number one scholar who has won three yuan in a row! If I have a chance this time, I really want to see it with my own eyes. It is best to touch it and feel the nobility. Maybe three years later, I can also win a Jinshi or something, and I will honor my ancestors!"
Xia Jingyun reached out and patted his shoulder, "I see that my brother has a lot of talent, and I will definitely have the opportunity to further his ambitions in the future."
The scholar glanced at his shoulder with disgust, and then at Xia Jingyun, complaining that this man was not polite with his hands and feet, and said displeasedly: "You are already so old, don't you think it's a bit shabby to call me brother? ?”
Chen Fugui finally couldn't help it and burst into laughter.
Only then did Xia Jingyun realize that he still had a big beard. He couldn't help but touch his nose in embarrassment and changed his words: "My little brother knows these things so clearly. Doesn't he seem to be an ordinary person?"
The scholar shook his head and sighed, "It's just because we are distant relatives of the Long family, and our fathers have been begging for food on the water transport, so we have some understanding of it. There is nothing unusual about it."
However, Xia Jingyun's eyes lit up and he was planning something on his mind.
He wanted to find out the information before his whereabouts were exposed. Isn't someone like the person in front of him a good candidate?
But it is not an easy task to deepen the connection with the other party quietly.
Just as he was talking, suddenly a loud shout came from the door, "The villain is here to congratulate the third elder on the orders of the fifth elder!"
The gentry and dignitaries who were chatting and laughing in the main hall, and the young masters who were cheering in the side hall all stopped and looked over.
The scholar whispered: "The fifth elder and the clan uncle have never dealt with each other. I'm afraid they are here to stir up trouble."
Xia Jingyun looked at the man holding the box and recalled in his mind the message You Qianli told him yesterday:
Although the Cao Gang respects the gang leader, it is not monolithic. Each of the five elders is responsible for certain aspects. Among them, the first elder and the third elder are the gang leader's core supporters. The second elder concentrates on doing his own thing and generally does not contradict the gang leader. However, the fourth elder and The fifth elders, especially the fifth elder, are often at odds with the gang leader because they are young and powerful and act resolutely, and because they are sworn enemies of the third elder.
To put it simply, the structure of the Cao Gang is that the gang leader leads two elders into one faction, one elder is neutral, and the remaining two are opposed.
Xia Jingyun analyzed that the recent changes in the Cao Gang either fell on the gang leader or on the fifth elder. Today was the right time.
While he was thinking about it, Long Zhengqing had already stood up and said calmly: "Lao Wu is interested."
After saying that, he winked at the butler on the side. The butler hurriedly walked over and was about to take the box. The person who sent the box did not hand it over, but said loudly: "The fifth elder said that there must be a group of people here today." The fifth elder specially ordered the villain to come up with a small topic for entertainment to make it more interesting."
Long Zhengqing, the third elder of the Caobang, turned cold when he heard this, "Today is my wife's birthday, it's too much!"
Seeing the big shot of the Cao Gang getting angry, the atmosphere suddenly became serious.
Unexpectedly, the messenger was not afraid and said with a smile: "The fifth elder also said that it doesn't matter if the third elder doesn't dare to play. His congratulatory gift has been sent and he means it. I wish you all good food and drink."
After speaking, he handed the box forward.
Everyone's eyes turned to Long Zhengqing, this was a declaration of war!
If you don't accept the move, you will be embarrassed. If you accept the move, you may not be embarrassed, but it may be more embarrassing. And for a big shot, the most important thing is face.
"Stop!" Long Zhengqing said coldly: "Whatever trick Lao Wu has, I'll follow it up! Go back and tell him that there are limits to your wanton behavior. Don't lose all the Cao Gang's face and dignity!"
"The villain will convey the words of the third elder."
The messenger bowed and opened the box directly. He saw a jade ruler lying inside. He held up the jade ruler and said, "The question asked by the fifth elder is, how can the third elder with only one foot in length be able to do it in one place?" Using the stick of incense, measure the height of the house that is now standing."
Everyone was stunned when they heard this.
Some people with the simplest minds have the mentality of watching the fun, thinking that this is the time, and happily waiting to watch the fun;
Those who looked a little deeper thought that the fifth elder was determined to embarrass the third elder and disrupt his good deeds by causing such a difficult problem at this time. The two had quite a grudge;
Others, who are thinking further, are thinking about the factional dispute within the Cao Gang, which seems to be coming to light soon. If the Ye family cannot take strong measures to suppress it, there may be a big chaos;
And the very few who really knew the inside story focused their attention on that question.
Although Long Zhengqing's face was still gloomy, his anger gradually became less intense.
Knowing the real disputes and struggles within the gang, he knew that Lao Wu was giving him problems, but he was also trying to point him out.
You only have so much ability, but do you understand how much weight your Ye family and Caobang have in this world?
Nowadays, the situation in the world is urgent. How can we continue to live in the same leisurely way as before?
But he thought clearly, but he couldn't get rid of the resentment in his heart when he was asked a difficult question in front of so many people.
He snorted, "Since Lao Wu wants to play a trick with me and all the sages here, and it's hard to refuse such kindness, how can we refuse? It's just a trivial matter. Please feel free to answer it!"
When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but curse the old fox in their hearts.
It was originally a grudge between him and the fifth elder, but this sentence involved everyone present.
If you lose, it’s hard to publicize this matter because of your dignity. What a thief!
But then again, the fifth elder is indeed a bit too much. If he does this in front of everyone, he somewhat ignores everyone!
Everyone felt some common hatred and began to ponder this question, and then many people's expressions became solemn.
First of all, it is not easy to measure the specific height of this house;
Secondly, the tools must be limited by just a short ruler;
Finally, you have to test it within one stick of incense, which is really difficult.
Some of them couldn't speak more clearly and just started shouting.
"What's so difficult about this? Can't we just find someone who is flexible, climb to the roof, hang down a rope or ink line, and then use a ruler to measure it?"
Someone next to me immediately retorted, "I said you can only use a ruler. If you use rope and ink line, it is against the rules."
"Then I'll set up a ladder and measure it foot by foot!"
"Isn't that ladder still illegal?"
"Hey! According to what you said, did that person also violate the rules? Why, he still wants to become a ruler and do it himself!"
"You're just making excuses. I'm too lazy to tell you!"
"If you ask me, what's the difficulty? Just find the builders who built the house and ask them. You don't even need a ruler."
"Where can you find it within this stick of incense?"
Listening to everyone's discussion, the Long family father and son also understood the difficulty, and their hearts gradually sank. It seemed that Lao Wu was well prepared!
The young master in the side hall and the powerful gentry in the main hall all frowned. When they came here today, they were naturally more interested in the Long family and his son, hoping to find a solution.
But if you think about it carefully, this is really not a simple matter.
Seeing that the noise around him gradually became silent, the messenger who delivered the box raised his chin slightly and said with a bit of pride, "It's okay if the third elder can't answer. Please accept the gift so that I can go back and recover."
"You!" Young Master Long was furious when he saw his father being humiliated, but there was nothing he could do.
In the crowd, Xia Jingyun looked at the scholar next to him, "Little brother, do you want to be in the limelight?"
The scholar turned to look at him in surprise. Xia Jingyun smiled and said, "I have a way to solve this problem. I can teach you the way."
The scholar frowned, looking puzzled, "It's such a good thing, why don't you go by yourself?"
"I am just a nobody. Even if I solve this problem, I will only get some gold and silver, a few words of praise, and maybe even attract the displeasure and hatred of the fifth elder. But little brother, you are different. You are a member of the Long family. , it is only natural that you should come forward to solve problems. What's more, if you succeed, how can the Long family not look down upon you? Then they will help you recruit a few famous teachers, or send you to a state school. Maybe your success in the imperial examination will be even worse. I'm sure. You and I hit it off right away, so I will give you the limelight."
With Xia Jingyun's ability to fool even the emperor, it was no problem to fool this simple scholar. After a few words, the other party's eyes could not hide the heat and excitement.
"Brother, if you can help me, it would be a great kindness. I would be very grateful!"
Xia Jingyun held his arm, "But I have a condition."
"Brother, please speak!"
"I have always admired Young Master Long and want to make friends with him. After this is accomplished, I would like to ask my little brother to help me introduce him to Young Master Long."
The scholar immediately looked embarrassed, "I can't even talk to him, how can I recommend him?"
Xia Jingyun smiled, "I couldn't speak before, but if little brother rescues the Long family at this critical moment, can I still be speechless?"
The scholar thought the same thing and nodded immediately, "Okay, as long as this matter is completed, I will definitely recommend it to you!"
"Okay!" Xia Jingyun said with a smile: "Then listen carefully, this is all it takes."
In the main hall, Long Zhengqing couldn't help but turn around and look at everyone, "Everyone, if you have any good ideas, I hope you can give me some advice."
Everyone looked at me and me, but none of them had a suitable solution. In the end, they all turned their attention to Bai Yunbian, the magistrate of Chuning County who was sitting on the main seat.
Bai Yunbian panicked secretly, I'm not a dog named Xia, how can I have so many tricks.
But this was a rare opportunity for him to establish his authority in Chuning County, and he didn't want to give up just like that. He pondered for a moment, and when he was about to speak, he heard a shout from outside the hall, "I have a way!"
When the scholar opened his mouth, an elder from the Long family immediately recognized him. When he saw the nerd appeared, he quickly scolded: "What are you doing? Just stay here and don't cause trouble!"
Then another old man came over, who was obviously closer to him than the previous one. He took his arm and scolded him in a low voice: "You are crazy! If you want to show off, you have to separate the occasions. Look at the time. !”
A fellow tribesman even sneered, "Are you stupid for reading? You think this is in your backyard! Oh, I forgot, your house doesn't even have a backyard!"
Some guests nearby started talking among themselves, "Hey, isn't this the scholar from the Long family?"
"I heard that Jinke failed again and almost committed suicide. Why are you so brave now?"
"I guess it's just a broken pot. Do you want to give it a try?"
Listening to everyone's words, the scholar who finally plucked up the courage to take that step turned red in the face and hesitated on his feet.
The messenger who delivered the gift glanced at him and said with a smile: "There are indeed talents among the three elders!"
This was a compliment on the surface, but the ridicule in his tone was obvious.
The third elder also looked at the younger member of the clan whose name he could no longer remember with a sullen face, showing displeasure.
The butler on the side observed the words and immediately said: "Go down, go down, you have no place to speak here!"
When the scholar heard this, all his courage and passion retreated in an instant, and the dream he had always longed for seemed to be shattered like a dream bubble with these words.
He lowered his head and was about to turn around when he heard a rough voice coming from his ear.
"This is really a joke. When outsiders make things difficult for you, you can't solve it yourself. There are tribesmen who are willing to help but they still look down on you. Why are you so determined to suffer this shame and humiliation?"
The housekeeper of Long Mansion was furious when he heard this, "Who is talking here?"
But Bai Yunbian at the entrance of the main hall was suddenly startled.
This sound!
He quickly followed his gaze and saw Chen Fugui's honest face with thick eyebrows and big eyes.
Beside Chen Fugui, there was a dog who winked at him mischievously!
Even though he has a mustache, he would still recognize it even if it turned into ashes!
I knew it!
I knew it!
Bai Yunbian shouted silently in his heart, I knew this guy wouldn't be so honest, he could always come up with some new tricks!
So he also saw his glorious appearance just now?
"Mr. Bai County, what's wrong?"
The people around him saw something wrong in his eyes and quickly asked with concern to please him.
Although Bai Yunbian was still immersed in the strong shock and imagination brought about by the sudden discovery of Xia Jingyun's figure, he was not stupid. When he saw Xia Jingyun and Chen Fugui's appearance, he knew that they did not want to be discovered, so his heart moved and he tacitly agreed Cooperation began.
He pointed at the scholar who was frozen on the spot and said with a smile: "Except for Mr. Long, I think we can let this person try. I can see that his eyes are firm, his expression is confident, and his steps are calm. He must be a mature man with a plan. Maybe He can solve the problem for you without me taking any action!"
Everyone was dumbfounded. They looked at the scholar who shrank like a quail. How could he have anything to do with being firm and confident?
But no matter in the officialdom or in the workplace, if the leader says you can do it, it doesn’t matter if you don’t.
Therefore, the third elder Long Zhengqing could not refute Bai Yunbian's face because of this, so he had no choice but to say: "Then you give it a try. If it succeeds, you will be rewarded heavily."
The situation quietly took a turn for the worse, and the scholar couldn't help but glance at Bai Yunbian gratefully. He was worthy of being Mr. Bai, and worthy of being a role model for scholars of our generation!
He walked out of the crowd and came to the front of the hall. He had never been watched by so many eyes before, and instantly felt that his throat was dry and his calves were a little tight.
The fifth elder's messenger smiled disapprovingly, "What's this little brother's magic trick?"
The scholar silently went over the method taught to him by the man with a moustache who did not know etiquette. Gradually, he became more confident. He calmed down and said, "This method is not difficult! Give me the ruler!"
The messenger sneered, took out the ruler and handed it to the scholar.
The scholar knelt down, placed the ruler on the open space in front of him, pointed at the shadow on the ground, and said loudly:
"We only need to put this ruler on the ground, mark its shadow length, and calculate its proportion. Then, by measuring the shadow length of the roof, we can easily calculate the height of the house!"
The messenger's expression froze.
The scholar immediately opened his mouth and said: "Xiaosheng also said something to the fifth elder, one foot is short and two feet is high. There is the most righteous principle between heaven and earth."
Although he didn't know what it meant, the mustache insisted that he add it, so he had no choice but to do it.
After everyone heard this, they were stunned for a moment, then cheered and cheered.
"Wonderful, isn't this just like a sundial?"
"Yes, with this method, you really only need a ruler!"
“And it’s close to noon at this time, so the shadows are shorter, so the energy can be released in just one cup of tea without even using a stick of incense!”
"Wonderful! Why didn't I think of that! Otherwise, this scenery should be mine!"
"That's how this thing is. It's so simple once someone points it out. But if you don't point it out, you won't be able to figure it out even if you scratch your head. Just save it!"
In the main hall, everyone was also quite surprised and praised him one after another.
"There are indeed many talented people in the Third Elder clan!"
"Yes, such ingenuity and quick wit are absolutely extraordinary!"
The third elder's face glowed red and he smiled brightly, "If you give me a prize, please give me a prize."
He looked at the younger member of the clan, especially when he heard the last words he said. He couldn't help but feel a little shocked. The other party actually guessed what the fifth elder meant, and also used the same reasoning on this matter. Went back.
I didn't expect that there are such talents in my clan. I must reuse them!
Everyone in the main hall didn't even say a word of praise, but someone immediately pointed the target of their praise at Bai Yunbian in a smart and philistine way.
"Speaking of which, you have to have the wisdom of Bai County to recognize people! This person is so talented and learned that he almost cannot get justice!"
"Isn't that right? We can only see the appearance, but Mr. Bai can see through the inner meaning of this person. With such a good understanding of people, no wonder he can win the first place in one fell swoop and get the top spot!"
"Hey! Let me tell you, these top two players have all wronged Mr. Bai. Didn't Mr. Bai sleep well that day? If Mr. Bai performs normally, all the top two players will be in the bag!"
"What is Yijia? Let me see, the position of number one scholar should belong to Young Master Bai!"
Everyone was talking more and more exaggeratedly. Bai Yunbian listened with interest and glanced across the field without trace, and saw Xia Jingyun looking at him with a half-smile.
Yesterday there was a bit of a glitch, so the update was a bit late, sorry!
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(End of chapter)
