Since the Eastern Han Dynasty, celebrities have emerged in Xinye in large numbers. Four of the twenty-eight generals of Yuntai, including Deng Yu, Cen Peng, Ma Cheng, and Liu Long, were born in Xinye. In addition, Yin Lihua, the empress of Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty, and Deng Sui, the empress of Emperor He of the Han Dynasty, were born in Xinye. The famous Eastern Han Dynasty general She, the famous Three Kingdoms general Deng Ai, etc., Xinye can be said to be rich in resources, natural treasures and outstanding people.
Changes in dynasties caused the former prominent princely families to gradually decline and lose their glory. When the emperor ordered Jia Bizhi to compile the Genealogy of the Eighteen Prefectures, there were only three surnames in Xinye County: Deng, Cen, and Yin. Deng and Yin were designated as The fifth rank, and the Cen family fell to the sixth rank, becoming a second-class family.
Going south from Jiyang along Jishui, more than 40 miles away is Xinye County. The land on both sides of the river is fertile. The three tribes of Deng, Cen and Yin live on both sides of Jishui.
The three families all have more than a thousand people, and together with the tenants and tenants, there are more than a thousand young people in the village. There are not a few children in the family who are officials or engaged in business. The three families have profound heritage and are still the leading famous families in Xinye County.
Yinjiazhuang is on the east bank of Jishui River, right between Jiyang City and Xinye County. The manor has a dock, with an outer wall made of rammed earth and stone that is 25 feet high and 20 feet in diameter. It is like a small city. It is a place where supplies are stored and the core tribe members gather. Others build houses and live outside the dock, forming a village.
Knowing that Yang Quanqi was coming to visit Yinjiazhuang tomorrow, Deng Jing, the head of the Deng family, and Cen Na, the head of the Cen family, both arrived at Yinjiabao one day in advance.
The three families all had eyes and ears in Jiyang City, and Yang Quanqi knew the purpose of his trip. The three of them had to discuss it in advance whether to donate food for disaster relief.
Wubao Assembly Hall.
There was a large copper basin in the middle of the room, and the charcoal fire was blazing. The three of them sat around the copper basin, reading words, and chatting while eating.
Deng Jing twisted his beard and said: "We have lived in Xinye for a long time. Due to the court system, our neighbors did not dare to help openly when they were in trouble. Now that the government has come forward to raise food, we might as well help with all our strength, which can not only save our neighbors but also provide people with food." Grandmaster Yang has a good reputation, and you and I have a good reputation. Wouldn’t it be the best of all three?"
Cen Na drank all the wine and said in a rough voice: "Cen Hui sent someone to deliver a letter the day before yesterday, saying that Governor Yang forced donations from merchants, and the business of the shops in the city plummeted. This time Yang Quanqi came to ask for food. If he gave it easily, he might do it again in the future. Find a reason to open your mouth. The government is greedy and if I ask you to tell me, you will just break up and refuse to give me anything. What can anyone named Yang do to me?"
Yin Xi sneered and said: "To solicit donations from merchants is because Yang Taishou is sharpening his sword against Master Chen. There may be some big shot behind the scenes. Tell your brother quickly and tell him not to get involved and stay away to avoid getting into trouble." Upper body.”
Deng Jing stirred the charcoal fire in the basin and said, "Brother Yin, Lao Cen and I are up to you whether we will give you food or not."
Yin Xi is the oldest, already in his sixties. Deng Jing and Cen Na are both in their early fifties, and they respect Yin Xi as their brother. Yin Xi has always been far-sighted and strategic. In the past, when the three families were in danger, Yin Xi guided them through several times. Therefore, both Deng and Cen were willing to listen to Yin Xi's decision when encountering problems.
Combing his beard, Yin Xi said slowly and calmly: "The prefect personally came to collect food, how could you and I not give it to you? Don't you know that the county magistrate who broke the family and the magistrate who exterminated the family can't afford to offend him."
Zenna beat the mat with his hands and shouted loudly: "When the tiger falls in Pingyang, there is nothing we can do."
Deng Jing looked gloomy and sighed: "If this continues, our three families will disappear from the world like the Ma family and the Lai family."
Yin Xi's eyes flashed and he shouted: "Now that we know we are in decline, we should work harder. What's the use of lamenting and sighing."
After picking up the cup and taking a sip of wine, Yin Xi calmed down and said: "The food will be provided, but we have the final say on how much. When Governor Yang comes, we will listen to his words and watch his actions before making a decision."
…………
At three o'clock in the morning, dust was flying on the official road, and a dozen riders were galloping towards the Yinjiabao.
The smoke alarmed the villagers on the watchtower, and a sharp whistle sounded. The wooden fence was lowered to block the road. From the village, villagers with knives and guns rushed out in groups and gathered towards the wooden fence.
Yang Quanqi and others reined in their horses in front of the wooden fence. Dihong, the accompanying scholar, shouted loudly: "The governor of Xinye and Sima Jianwei came to visit the Lord of Yin Fort, but they are not allowed to leave immediately."
The wooden fence was pulled up, and Yang Quanqi led everyone forward slowly. Yang Anxuan looked at the surrounding scenery with interest.
In front of you is a large field of fertile land, with green wheat fields and withered rice fields. Farmers are working on the vegetable fields. There are mulberry trees and fruit trees planted in front of and behind the houses and on the hills beside the road. There are residual lotuses in the ponds and puddles, and fish are jumping and splashing in the water. .
Hearing the sound of horse hooves, dogs barking and chickens crowing, pigs and sheep running around, there is a sense of vitality. Yang Anxuan thought to himself, the traffic on the vast streets, the chickens and dogs hearing each other, it was like a paradise scene.
A dozen people came out of Wubao. The old man at the head led everyone to bow in front of Yang Quanqi's horse and said: "The common people Yin Xi pays homage to Governor Yang."
Yang Quanqi jumped off his horse and returned the courtesy: "I don't dare. Mr. Yin doesn't need to be polite. Yang came to greet me, and I hope Haihan will do it. Everyone, please get up."
Yin Xi and others led the way and the group entered Wubao.
The Wubao area is larger than the ruined fort in Panlong Mountain. It is built along the wall of the dock and is divided into two floors. The lower floor should be the warehouse and the residence of the servants, and the upper floor is the living room of the Yin clan. There are two to three hundred houses. .
To the north is the ancestral hall, which is dedicated to the ancestors of the Yin family. Yin Xi led Yang Quanqi to the meeting hall on the right side of the ancestral hall and respectfully invited Yang Quanqi to take a seat.
Yang Quanqi refused and repeatedly gave in, and sat on the left and right sides of the guest and host.
Yang Anxuan saw that there were old and young people across from him. After Yin Xi introduced him, he found out that the person sitting under Yin Xi with a thin face was Deng Jing, the head of the Deng family, and the one with a big head and a tiger forehead was Cen Na, the head of the Cen family. Most of those young people were from the three families. Sons and nephews.
Yang Quanqi smiled and said: "Yang has heard about Mr. Yin's name for a long time. He should have come to visit him earlier. The affairs in the county are complicated and have been delayed until now. Don't blame Mr. Yin."
Then he smiled at Deng Jing and Cen Na and said, "Yang originally wanted to visit Duke Yin, and then visit Duke Deng and Cen, but he didn't expect to see them both here. It's really a blessing."
After a brief exchange of greetings, Yang Quanqi said: "Yang came to Xinye for the first time and wanted to invite some talented people who are familiar with the local conditions to serve as assistant officials. The three families of Yin, Deng and Cen are prominent families in the county, and there are many talented people in the family. We also invite three Great help.”
Yin Xi and others were overjoyed, and the young people in the audience were even more delighted, whispering to each other excitedly.
It should be noted that in addition to the nine-rank Zhongzheng system, local chief executives such as governors and county governors can appoint their own assistant officials, and through recommendation or promotion, they can serve in the central government or become local governors.
The three families of Yin, Deng, and Cen were classified as second-class families. It became difficult for the children of the family to become officials. It would be a shortcut if they were recruited by the county governor.
Yin Xi bowed and thanked him: "Thank you very much for your kindness, Grand Administrator. Our three families have selected talented people from our clans to serve them wholeheartedly. I wonder when the Grand Administrator will recruit people? How many people will we recruit?"
"This matter is not urgent. In the next few years, I will summon the talented people from the county to visit the spring and compose elegant poems. At that time, I will invite the three descendants of the clan to come and participate, and select the wise ones for appointment." Yang Quanqi stroked his beard and smiled. road.
Human Day, the seventh day of the first lunar month, is an important festival. On that day, people eat Qibao soup, wear flowers, go out to explore spring, and literati climb high to compose poems.
Yin Xi and others understood that Yang Taishou first drew a piece of cake. The size of the cake would depend on how much food the three families donated.
Deng Jing cupped his hands and said in salute: "Thanks to the Emperor's gift, the weather has been good in the past two years, and the village has a slight surplus of food. The court ordered relief for the victims, and the servants wanted to do their best and donate some food to the prefect for the disaster relief."
Yang Quanqi laughed loudly and said: "Yang admires the justice of the three justices. Yang thanked the three victims on behalf of the victims, and afterwards reported to the court to ask for merit for the three."
Yin Xi said: "Prefect Yang came from afar to rest his horse and rest in the fort overnight. I will order Dian Ji to take stock of the grain in the warehouse and load it into the truck tomorrow and send it to Jiyang."
Yang Quanqi nodded in agreement. Deng Jing and Cen Na said in unison: "The servants will leave for the fort immediately. We will take stock of the grain in the warehouse and send it to Jiyang together tomorrow."
Yin Xi feigned anger and said, "What's the hurry? We'll leave after dinner. Come and serve the wine."
The maids served wine and food, and the sound of silk and bamboo music sounded from the two corridors. The atmosphere was high, and everyone toasted to Governor Yang.
From the words of Yin, Deng, and Cen, he learned that the donated grain amounted to about a thousand stones, as well as chickens, ducks, pigs, sheep and other items. Yang Quanqi was in a good mood and raised his glasses frequently. The urgent need had been solved. After this incident, he was in Xinye County He has finally gained a foothold.
During the dinner, Yang Quanqi talked about the disaster relief strategy. When Cenna heard that the county was interested in recruiting troops, he asked, "Prefect Yang, there are many young men in our village. Can we get them to join the army?"
Yang Quanqi was already drunk and said with a smile: "Brother Cen, if you can recruit fifty people to join the army, I can appoint you as the commander of the camp. If you can recruit a hundred people, you can be a military commander."
"Seriously", Zenner's eyes widened. A military lord is a ninth-grade officer, who controls 200 people. Don't underestimate the ninth-grade officials. Only those with a civil service grade of fifth grade can serve as ninth-grade officials, and those below sixth grade can only serve as assistant officials.
Even Yin Xi and Deng Jing stopped holding their cups and thought in their minds: It is difficult for one family to recruit a hundred soldiers, but it is not difficult for three families to recruit a hundred soldiers together. The three families have supported each other for hundreds of years and are inseparable. The Cen family has practiced martial arts for generations. This position of military prince is suitable for the Cen family.
When Yang Quanqi got up, he pointed at Yang Anshen and said: "My eldest son Anshen will be appointed as the head of the Sima Mansion in Xiangyang in the next year. There is still a lack of assistants around him. If you have a disciple of similar age, you might as well give it a try."
The scribes in charge of the documents were of different grades, and the scribe of the Prefecture Sima Mansion was also of the ninth grade. This was undoubtedly another sweet date. The military prince was given to the Cen family, and the secretary should fall on the heads of the Yin and Deng families.
The young people from the three families cast their eager eyes on Yang Anshen. Yang Anshen stood up and greeted him with gentleness and grace.
Yang Anshen knew that if he chose a civil service, he would have no chance of joining the Yang family's army. However, the famous ancestors of the Yang family all relied on civil service and worked hard to become stronger, so they might not be able to rank among the three nobles and revitalize their family reputation.
Yin Xi smiled and raised his glass. Looking at Yang Quanqi's slightly tipsy state, he secretly sighed in his heart. This Yang Prefect looked drunk and lost his temper, but in fact he was not even half drunk.
After giving up the positions of military lord and secretary one after another, and adding the promised assistants, the price offered by Yang Taishou was not low, but the price he wanted to exchange for was not low.
Give him a plum and give him a peach. During the banquet, the three families decided to donate 50,000 kilograms of grain in addition to food, wine, food, livestock, and labor.
Yang Quanqi was very satisfied. The Yin, Deng, and Cen families were quite prestigious among the Xinye gentry, even the Jiyang Chen family could not match them. With the three families setting an example, the difficulty of raising food could be easily resolved.
The smile on Yin Xi's lips turned into a bitter smile as he bought horse bones for a fortune. He never thought that the three families of Yin, Deng and Cen would be used as horse bones by Governor Yang.
I remembered that my friend Fan Daoren from abroad came to visit six years ago and was shocked to see his five-year-old granddaughter. He secretly told Yin Xi that her granddaughter's appearance was extremely precious and that she should be raised well.
Survive in troubled times and struggle to move forward. The secret plan six years ago is now beginning to take shape, and the hope for the rise of the Yin family may lie in granddaughter Yin Huizhen.
