April 13th.
Not even a moment.
Cuiyun County Government.
Qiu Buwei stayed up all night and sat in the courtroom with two dark circles under his eyes. As the parent official of Cuiyun County, he was more nervous than anyone else.
Now he no longer cares about his official career. As long as he can spend today safely, he is going to burn incense and worship Buddha in the temple.
The government servants in the hall stood solemnly on both sides with water and fire sticks in their hands, but there was no one in the hall.
But the people outside the hall were already surrounded by people from Cuiyun County.
Qiu Buwei wanted to keep a low profile, so he did not post a notice. But I don't know who leaked the news. Just after noon, the people of Cuiyun County gathered in front of the county government one after another.
The court session was at 3:00 p.m., but it was already 3:00 p.m., and neither the plaintiff nor the defendant appeared in court.
For Qiu Buwei, this is undoubtedly good news. He even hopes that the two parties will never appear in Cuiyun County.
When Qiu Buwei was feeling worried, he suddenly saw the crowd watching outside the Yamen seemed to be separated by invisible forces, leaving a wide passage. Everyone looked scared, but there was a hint of excitement in their eyes.
Then a eunuch appeared in front of the passage with a whisk in hand, walked to the county government office, and screamed: "The King of Qi has arrived."
As a high-pitched voice sounded, a luxurious purple carriage slowly drove towards the county government office.
The carriage moved very slowly, but it brought an unprecedented sense of oppression to everyone.
The entire county government office became quiet, and everyone stared at the carriage in stunned silence.
Qiu Buwei was almost frightened out of his wits. He stood up in a hurry and stumbled to the county government office. After calming himself down, he said respectfully: "I welcome the eldest prince."
The eunuch walked to the carriage, set up the horse stool, then raised the curtain, and the eldest prince Zhou Yu stepped out of the carriage.
Zhou Yu is very majestic and imposing, and his tall body is like standing out among the chickens. He looked around, and everyone lowered their heads, as if they didn't dare to have any contact with him.
Finally, Zhou Yu looked at Qiu Buwei, walked slowly in front of him, and said with a smile: "County Magistrate Qiu."
Qiu Buwei lowered his body and hurriedly saluted and replied: "I have met the King of Qi, my official."
Zhou Yu said calmly: "There is no need to be polite, Magistrate Qiu. The purpose of our king's visit to Cuiyun County today is to understand the sentiments of the people. I heard that the county government was hearing a case, so I remembered my father's teachings. Everywhere you go, you must humbly ask the local officials for advice. To improve your knowledge, you won’t be able to catch something from the inside. That’s why I came to the county government office to watch your Excellency solve the case.”
Qiu Buwei hurriedly replied: "His Royal Highness the King of Qi is knowledgeable and knowledgeable, and his knowledge is far superior to that of the lower official. It is a great honor for the lower official to be given guidance by the King of Qi. I would also like to invite His Highness the King of Qi to sit down."
Zhou Yu smiled and said: "You are the parent officer of Cuiyun County, and this case is being tried by Magistrate Qiu. I am just here to observe, how can I sit on it? Just put a chair next to the desk, and I will sit there. That’s good.”
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the eunuch had already brought a chair and placed it on the left side of the desk, and then stood behind the chair.
When Qiu Buwei saw King Qi, he was panicked and had a small idea. He wanted to push the case to King Qi for trial. In this way, no matter what the final result was, he would not bear any responsibility.
However, King Qi insisted that he was just here to observe and refused to interfere in the matter. Qiu Buwei had no choice but to continue to hold this hot potato in his hand.
When Qiu Buwei was about to invite King Qi to sit down, he suddenly heard a clear and beautiful voice saying: "Ping Le has met the eldest brother."
Zhou Yu's expression did not change at all, as if everything was expected. He turned around slowly and saw Zhou Xuan Yingying standing in front of him, with a trace of apology in her eyes.
Zhou Yu only glanced at Zhou Xuan, and then her eyes fell on the young man walking with her.
And the young man had been looking at him with a scrutinizing gaze. Seeing Zhou Yu's gaze turned towards him, he withdrew his gaze, bowed slightly and said, "Su Shi has met His Highness King Qi."
Zhou Yu nodded slightly and said: "Master Su is not only the queen of a famous family, but also the chief poet of Jinghu Lake. His talent and learning are astonishing. No need to be polite."
Su Shi stood up straight and said with a smile, "Thank you, Your Highness Qi Qi."
Although Zhou Yu's expression was very indifferent, he looked directly at Su Shi with bright eyes and said slowly: "The king likes Mr. Su's poems very much. He has long wanted to invite Mr. Su to come and have a chat."
Su Shi smiled and said, "Su Shi is deeply honored to be invited by His Highness King Qi. It's just that I have little talent and knowledge, and I'm afraid that what I say will insult His Highness's hearing."
Zhou Yu looked at Su Shi quietly, as if he wanted to read his mind. However, Su Shi just stood there casually. Although his face had a humble expression, his eyes were wandering, as if he was wandering away from the world.
Zhou Yu smiled and said: "My father also likes Mr. Su's poems. He once told me that Mr. Su has a great talent and should serve the imperial court. Now the Ministry of Rites is short of a chief executive, and I am about to report it. Please, Father, recommend Young Master Su to be the head of the Ministry of Etiquette. From now on, Young Master Su and your eldest brother, General Su, will shine in both civil and military affairs. Isn’t that a good deal?"
Su Shi saluted and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty and King Qi." Then he showed a hint of embarrassment and sighed, "It's a pity that I haven't completed my studies. I'm afraid that I won't be able to serve as an official in the court for the time being."
Zhou Yu was slightly startled. Su Shi's background had already been clearly investigated by him. Now he was just a playboy, doing nothing all day long, and there was no school work that needed to be completed.
Even Zhou Xuan looked at him curiously and couldn't figure out why Su Shi would make up such an excuse.
Su Shi explained: "One month ago, Master Kong, who was offering sacrifices to Jiu from the Imperial Academy, felt pity for me when he saw that I was stupid, so he accepted me as his disciple and taught me carefully, just to live up to the name of the General's Mansion."
Speaking of this, he sighed again: "Master Kong once taught his students earnestly that they should not become officials before they have completed their studies. Otherwise, they will not only harm others and themselves, but also bring trouble to the general's government."
Zhou Yu's face darkened, and after a long time he said calmly: "It seems that Mr. Su will not accept my kindness."
Su Shi smiled and said: "Su Shi will keep King Qi's kindness in mind, but the time has not come yet."
Zhou Yu asked slowly: "Then when is the time?"
Su Shi said: "Of course I am successful in my studies and think I have the ability to serve the imperial court. At that time, Su Shi still counted on His Majesty's love and support from the King of Qi."
Zhou Yu said in a calm tone: "In that case, I will not force you. I will wait and see when the young master will succeed in his studies."
Su Shi lowered his head, with a faint smile on his lips.
He said calmly: "Although I am dull, I am more eager to learn, so His Highness King Qi will soon see Su Shi succeed in his studies. At that time, I hope King Qi will ignore the past grudges."
Zhou Yu laughed and said, "When Mr. Su completes his studies, Da Qian will have another talented person. I am not even happy about it, so how can I have any dissatisfaction with Mr. Su?"
Su Shi smiled slightly and thanked: "In that case, please wait and see, King Qi."
