"Master Ye, as the governor of Nanjing, you should set an example. Why did you come so late?" Wan Heshun asked reproachfully.
Ye Yongjia handed over the document in his hand: "Ye Moushi has a favor to ask, so I came slowly. I hope you will forgive me."
Wan Heshun read what was written on the document: "The New Year has arrived, and my subordinates urgently need to visit relatives and friends to pay New Year greetings and congratulate them. The etiquette of this village well cannot be taken lightly." Although a certain person was from the north, he had one or two relatives living in Jianghuai. He was so close that he had to visit him. He begged for three days' leave and paid homage to the prince. '
Wan Heshun slowly put down the letter and said with a smile: "According to the regulations of the Holy Dynasty, the New Year is a few days off. Since there are a lot of things in the city, I will let you take care of me these two days. You are exhausted, you might as well take a rest. .”
Ye Yongjia kowtowed and said, "Thank you so much, Prince, for your understanding."
After he left, Hu Qi came over and said to Wan He: "I'm afraid Ye Yongjia is telling lies. It's better to send someone to follow his whereabouts and see where he goes."
Wan Heshun's eyebrows furrowed, then he relaxed for a moment and sighed: "Hu Shangshu, people say, 'If you suspect someone, don't use it, but if you employ someone, don't doubt it.' Since we can't get rid of this person, we don't need to be too cautious."
Chen Tongpao was drinking New Year's wine at Guoxiang Mansion when he saw a government official coming to report: "There is someone who claims to be the prefect of Nanjing and wants to pay homage to you."
"I'll go right away." He sent the official away.
People passing by Hunan saw Chen Tongzhi put on his robe and asked quickly: "Is this the Ye Yongjia you mentioned?"
"That's right," the latter replied.
"He is a member of the Wandang Party. If you go to see him now, there is no guarantee that Governor Kuang will have any objections." All the people in Hunan said worriedly.
Tongpao Chen paused, then shook his head and said: "It doesn't matter, I have my own way. Chen will first accompany Magistrate Ye around."
"Is your master Tongzhi here?"
"Coming soon, coming soon, Mr. Chen said it himself..."
Ye Yongjia was being blocked by officers and soldiers, so he could only ask the government official anxiously. Suddenly, a sedan came from a distance and stopped in front of the city gate. A short official rolled out the curtains, tightened his clothes and gave orders. The soldiers said: "Disperse, this is the famous Magistrate Ye of Nanjing!"
"Brother Gongzhou!" Ye Yongjia ran up and bowed three times happily.
Chen Tongpao also returned the greeting with his hands raised: "Prefect Ye, how is the New Year? I have nowhere to go here and can't go back to my hometown, but Tinglong didn't forget to pay a visit to my friend!"
Ye Yongjia smiled and said: "Ye came here after taking leave, just to celebrate the New Year with you!"
"In that case, I want to show Tinglong the scenery of Yangzhou," he pointed to the west. "There is a temple mountain thirty miles outside the city. You will know the beauty of the mountains and rivers there once you go there. Why don't you take a few leisurely walks with me?" ?”
Seeing that his colleague was very attentive, Ye Yongjia nodded repeatedly: "Okay! I'm in a good mood today, so there's no harm in taking a trip!"
The two changed into civilian clothes, paddled the boat and left Jiangdu City, went down the river, reached the foot of the mountain, and left on foot.
When Ye Yongjia looked up, he saw a winding path on the mountain leading directly to the top of the mountain. There was a temple built there.
Chen Tongpao pointed it out and said: "This mountain is also called Pangu Mountain, so the temple enshrines the Pangu statue, hence its name."
The two chatted while walking up the mountain. When they reached the halfway point of the mountain, they saw several pavilions erected in front of them, so they sat down and rested against the pillars of the pavilion.
"What a beautiful scenery." Ye Yongjia looked into the distance and saw the gurgling streams and boats one after another. His vision suddenly widened and his mind was particularly broad.
"Nanjing is a city in the world, where famous people flock. The scenery there must be more magnificent. Magistrate Ye's vision should not be limited to this." Chen Tongpao looked at his obsessed look and asked softly.
Ye Yongjia withdrew his gaze, punched the pillar, and sighed: "I am burdened by power on weekdays and do things under others' noses. How can I have the time to do this..."
Chen Tongpao felt that there was something in his words, and smiled and said: "I'm afraid Tinglong will have a lot of difficulties."
Ye Yongjia turned around and said: "The Communists don't know something. The princes of Wanjun County have always regarded me as enemies, so they sent a clerk to my yamen. He is called an assistant, but in fact he is a monitor. This person holds great power, seizes credit and prestige, and is determined to eliminate him again and again. , completely frustrated. Ye really didn’t know why, so he thought of his brother and wanted to seek advice from him.”
Tongpao Chen stroked his beard and said slowly: "I don't know the situation there, so I can only try to explain." He cleared his throat, "The reason why Wan Heshun treats you as an enemy is because he comes to Yangzhou with me." It is very secret, and it is suspected to be the Liu Party, so it is natural to be on guard. In addition, the past few days have not been peaceful, and the whole territory of Yangzhou is almost controlled by Kuang Chang. The Liu Party is gaining momentum and has disturbed the peace of Wan and Lu. They must share the same hatred. Logically speaking, Tinglong's seizure of power...cannot be successful."
Ye Yongjia gritted his teeth: "Is there really nothing we can do?"
"Why don't you let me curb the Liu Party's momentum and prevent Nanjing from getting nervous? Maybe you can get one or two opportunities."
"What a great idea!" Ye Yongjia clapped his hands excitedly, but for a moment he became confused: "Only you? Can you contain your energy?"
Chen Tongpao said: "I happen to have such a method, it is very easy to do. Please Tinglong don't have such doubts."
Ye Yongjia saw that he analyzed everything very calmly. With just a few words, it was as if he was placed in the scene. In an instant, he understood the situation in Nanjing very well. In addition to his deep admiration, Ye Yongjia was also a little wary of him. In fact, being on guard is not very appropriate, it is a kind of fear from the heart. He was grateful that the goat-faced man was an ally and not an enemy to be dealt with.
"Prefect Ye?" Chen Tongpao glanced at him coldly.
Only then did he come back to his senses, still looking excited: "Gongzhou... Brother Gongzhou, this is such a wonderful idea!"
After the discussion, Tongpao and Ye Yongjia walked to the top of the mountain again, worshiped the statue in the temple, swam a few times, and hurried back home as they watched the sky getting dark.
"Tinglong must be exhausted," Tongpao Chen patted his shoulder, "I'll make some good tea at my house for you, a rare visitor, to try."
The two of them went into the inner study and sat down. The servant came to make tea. His colleague asked Ye Yongjia to take a sip. It was indeed good.
After drinking two bowls of tea, Ye Yongjia and his colleagues got excited about chatting, so he patted the table and said, "Brother Chen, I wonder if there is wine here? Isn't it enough to drink tea?"
The two looked at each other and burst into laughter. The colleague only said: "Master Ye is so interested, it would be a good thing for us to drink a few cups and get him drunk all night! I'll get the wine!"
Chen Tongpao went for a while and came back with empty hands. He dusted off his clothes and said with a smile: "I searched for a long time but couldn't find a jar of good wine. But Fan Zhuojing looked for it. She usually puts it away. She knows the wine. place."
"I didn't expect Master Chen to have a family?"
Before he could answer, there was a sudden sound from the curtain behind him and he heard the light footsteps. He turned around suddenly and was stunned for a moment.
