In the yamen of Jingzhao Mansion, Zuo Gongming was looking at piles of files without a clue.
Zuo Gongming came to take up his post in the mansion after the court yesterday, and twelve hours have passed since a quarter past noon today. The first thing he did after arriving here was to read through all the files in the mansion, trying to find any clues. The reason why he did this was not that the officials in the government office did not cooperate with him, but that the officials below him really didn't know anything about it. Come to think of it, who are the people in Changzhishan? Since he didn't choose to report to the officials, there was no way he could ask for any information. Even if Wu Ren wanted to do something, he still had to think about it, right? That's why Zuo Gongming chose to start from the past files.
I don't know if it was the first thing that made the new official take office or it was always like this. Twelve hours had passed and Zuo Gongming didn't even close his eyes. He had already taken a rough look at the files in the room. This speed and the office style of the people under the order The officials were stunned.
Having said that, although Zuo Gongming is a bit tough and even smelly, it is appropriate to be sent to replace Wu Ren because he is gifted with an eye for ten lines and a photographic memory. After he flipped through the mountain-like pile of files, he had roughly memorized them, especially those files that were habitually stolen. He had specially taken them out for reference. But even so, he still felt clueless.
Who has the guts to sneak into Chang Mansion and steal things?
What is this person's true purpose?
What exactly was lost in the Chang Mansion?
Didn't this thief leave any clues?
Too many questions appeared in Zuo Gongming's mind at the same time, as if they were like a knotted string, making it impossible to find any clue. Just when he was making no progress, a waiter suddenly came in from outside and said to Zuo Gongming: "Sir, someone wants to see you."
"Ask for a meeting? Didn't you see that I am busy?" Zuo Gongming replied extremely impatiently.
Naturally, the waiter did not dare to disobey, but this visitor did have a high profile. In desperation, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue: "Sir, the man said... that he is from the Jiang family."
"Jiang Mansion?"
Hearing the word 'Jiang Mansion', Zuo Gongming suddenly raised his head, then dropped the file and walked towards the hall.
When I came to the lobby, I saw a familiar figure appearing in front of me. If I took a closer look, if that person wasn't Jiang Bai, the head of the Jiang family, who was he? Even though the official duties are as heavy as Mount Tai at the moment, Zuo Gongming still smiles after seeing Jiang Bai. He hurriedly stepped forward and greeted—
"Brother Bai! Long time no see! Why did you come to me?"
Jiang Bai seemed to be very familiar with Zuo Gongming, otherwise he would not have taken the initiative to come to this government office. Jiang Bai cupped his hands and congratulated—
"Master Zuo! Congratulations!"
Facing Jiang Bai's thanks, Zuo Gongming smiled bitterly and said: "Why are you so happy? It's just a small temple at the foot of the emperor."
"Lord Zuo, you are joking. Your place is the largest temple outside of the north. If all of your temples are small, then there will be no 'big temple' in Chang'an."
Zuo Gongming shook his head helplessly and said: "Brother Bai, come! Go into the back room and say -"
Jiang Bai waved his hand and said, "No, Brother Yu is here today to deliver the post."
"Post? What's happening in your house?" Zuo Gongming was confused for a while. Seeing the smile on Jiang Bai's face, Zuo Gongming thought for a moment, and then he suddenly said: "Oh! I remembered it. I heard that Mr. Jiang's choice of wife caused a lot of trouble in the city a few days ago. It must have been settled at this time. , then I will definitely come..."
"No... no..." Seeing Zuo Gongming mention this, Jiang Bai was a little dumbfounded. He quickly explained: "Quinzi has... ran away from home for several days..."
"runaway?"
"Oh, what a sin... What a sin!" Jiang Bai looked regretful, but when he remembered the purpose of his trip, he immediately put on a smile and said, "We will discuss this in detail at the banquet!"
After saying that, he stuffed the invitation into the hands of Zuo Gongming who looked puzzled.
Zuo Gongming was a little confused as he held the invitation. Looking at Jiang Bai's retreating figure, he suddenly felt a little embarrassed. Although he hadn't yet found out the purpose of the banquet, he probably had to go, because if the Jiang family hadn't acted in a righteous way, Zuo Gongming would probably have gone. Gongming had already starved to death and was living as a lonely ghost on the street.
At that time, Zuo Gongming resigned from office angrily because he offended Wang Yanqing. As a scholar, he naturally had some character, and he did not bother to do rough and dirty work. But he wanted to be a teacher or a student, but because his relationship with Wang Yanqing was known all over the city, no school dared to admit him. In the end, he even ended up on the street and almost starved to death on the street.
One day, the sedan chair of Jiang Mansion passed by Zuo Gongming, who had passed out on the ground. Old Mrs. Jiang, who was sitting in the sedan chair, saw that this man had a sallow complexion, cleft lips and dry tongue. He was no different from the refugees who did not have enough to eat during the natural disaster. Seeing this scene Old Mrs. Jiang was a little confused. Now that there is no disaster, no disaster, no war, where did these 'disaster victims' come from? But he was a good-hearted old man, so he ordered his servants to go to the street to buy some food and handed it over. The servant walked up to Zuo Gongming with the food and kicked him, and then said proudly: "You are lucky to meet my Jiang family, otherwise you will starve to death on this street."
It would have been better not to say this. As soon as Zuo Gongming said this, he immediately spat at this person. This made the servant very angry, thinking that the stinky beggar was shameless, so he threw the food in his hand at Zuo Gongming's face, and then started punching and kicking him.
Old Mrs. Jiang saw that her servants had not returned after being gone for a long time, so she curiously got off the sedan and went to check. When the servants saw the master of the family coming, they told him everything that had just happened. When the old lady saw Zuo Gongming lying on the ground, although he was in a state of desolation, he had a proud look on his face. He seemed to be no ordinary person, so he curiously stepped forward to inquire. After several inquiries, he learned that this person was Zuo Gongming, who was famous and had offended Wang Yanqing.
Old Mrs. Jiang always liked to make friends with capable people. He had long heard of the talent of this scrawny Zuo beggar. Normally, he would have invited this person into his residence as an honored guest. However, Wang Yanqing's official power was too great. Even if his Jiang family has deep roots in Chang'an, he still has to consider this matter. The old lady thought about it again and again, and finally decided to bring Zuo Gongming into the palace.
Zuo Gongming was already so hungry that he was almost unconscious. He was even more unbearable after being beaten a lot earlier. At this moment, he saw the gorgeously dressed and imposing old lady treating him with courtesy and inviting him into the house for a chat. No matter how hard and proud his bones were, they softened at this moment - although he didn't know that the person in front of him was the head of the Jiang family, one of the three major families in Chang'an.
Next, Zuo Gongming first freshened up after entering the Jiang Mansion, and then wolfed down a big meal. After Zuo Gongming had had tea and a meal, Old Mrs. Jiang came to meet him. Although Zuo Gongming was a bit arrogant, his intelligence was evident in his movements. Old Mrs. Jiang suddenly felt very grateful for his talent, thinking that although this man was He offended the ministers of the dynasty, but the talent was rare, so he proposed to keep Zuo Gongming as an honored guest.
Zuo Gongming was naturally very moved when he saw Jiang Taigong's sincerity. The dignified head of the Jiang family actually invited him. No matter how arrogant he was, he could not refuse. Therefore, Zuo Gongming stayed in the Jiang Mansion. Although he had no specific position, everyone in the Jiang Mansion respected him very much. Jiang Bai was worthy of his brother, and his son Jiang Changming would often come to him for advice when he had doubts, so he could also be regarded as Jiang Changming. half a teacher. Zuo Gongming stayed in Jiang Mansion for three full years before he took part in the cold examination and was appreciated by the court again.
How could Zuo Gongming not repay such a great kindness? Besides, it was just a dinner, so no matter how busy Zuo Gongming was, he still had to find time to go there.
…
At the banquet, Mrs. Jiang sat happily, without any worry in her eyes that her grandson would run away from home.
Sitting at the table, Zuo Gongming tried to express his concern for Jiang Changming several times, but was blocked by Jiang Bai with wine. After drinking a few glasses of warm wine, Zuo Gongming gradually relaxed, and the sense of distance that he felt when he first returned to Jiang Mansion also disappeared. .
After three rounds of wine and five dishes, the atmosphere at the table gradually opened up.
Old Mrs. Jiang has not attended such a banquet for a long time, and this time she even drank a few glasses of wine. Looking at the thoughtful Zuo Gongming, Mrs. Jiang asked doubtfully: "Gongming, logically you should be happy when you reach this position. How can you be depressed?"
Zuo Gongming was still thinking about the theft case of the Chang Mansion. When Old Mrs. Jiang called him, he put down the shaking wine glass in his hand and said, "My dear friend, you don't know something. Although the Holy One trusts me, Gongming came here because of a difficult matter." If something is handled improperly and offends a small person, and betrays God's grace - then it will be a big deal!"
Although Zuo Gongming was in a very sensitive position at the moment, he did not hide it when facing his savior.
Old Mrs. Jiang showed a curious expression and said, "Oh? Is there such a thing? If you don't dislike me, can you tell me?"
Zuo Gongming was worried about this matter. At this moment, he no longer had any worries due to the strength of his drink, so he said with a bitter face: "Alas! General Chang's house was stolen. His Majesty was furious and dismissed Wu Ze. Gongming went to the capital. This is what Zhaofu is for."
Jiang Bai, who was sitting aside, asked: "Then... has the thief been caught?"
"Never."
"Then...do you know what Chang Mansion threw away?"
"Never."
"Then...now Master Zuo...do you have any clues?"
"Never."
Jiang Bai was a little embarrassed. He didn't have answers to three questions in a row. This was really like "one question and three questions". It seemed that Zuo Gongming did have reason to be depressed.
The wine table fell into a brief silence because of this little episode, and everyone stopped talking and laughing. After all, apart from the old lady, Zuo Gongming was the most respected person at this table. It can even be said that the old lady's 'status' is not as good as Zuo Gongming. At this time Zuo Gongming was in a low mood, so naturally the others couldn't be too cheerful.
The old man didn't pay attention to everyone's silence. He looked at Zuo Gongming and asked, "Did the Lord have any signs of deposing Wu Ze in advance?"
Zuo Gongming shook his head and said: "There is no news."
"The Holy Father didn't tell you anything?"
Zuo Gongming still shook his head: "No."
"oh……"
The old man twirled his beard and thought for a while, and then he suddenly laughed. Zuo Gongming saw the old lady suddenly laughing, and felt very puzzled. He asked doubtfully: "My dear friend, what is this..."
Old Mrs. Jiang smiled and said: "Gongming, I have something I don't know whether to say or not..."
Zuo Gongming said with great piety: "Old Madam, it's okay to just say it."
