The second phase of Zheyi Canal was completed.
When Diao County Prime Minister excitedly ran into the lobby to inform him of the news, Ouyang Rong was immersed in writing an important letter.
"Finished today?" Ouyang Rong paused, rubbed his brows and raised his head, slightly surprised.
He subconsciously glanced out the window. It was a sunny morning again.
Since the rainy season has passed and the summer solstice has entered, Longcheng County has been sunny every day.
The recent crisis of gate collapse due to rising water levels in Yunmengze seemed as if it had never happened.
Ouyang Rong's eyes were also a little dazed. He put down his pen and said:
"It's really hard work these days. It starts and stops. Let's go and have a look."
Ouyang Rong did not move immediately. He lowered his head and silently put away the letters on the table that were almost written on him. After putting them away, he stood up and left his seat.
Diao Xiancheng didn't pay attention to these small details. The Ming Dynasty really liked to stay in the lobby of the county government and write letters recently, and asked Liu Ashan to send them frequently. Maybe he was repairing books and contacting friends in the same year.
Diao Xiancheng quite understood.
If he is like Ouyang Rong who has made great achievements in flood control and is famous, he will also contact and build relationships in order to get a better official position. It is best to be directly transferred back to the capital to become a noble official in the capital, so as to have a taste of what is called the empire. The prosperous fireworks of Luodu in the heart.
Ouyang Rong smiled warmly and was in a good mood. He left the county government office with Diao Xiancheng...
In the evening, the two of them happily returned to Luming Street, surrounded by a group of scribes.
"Ming Mansion, this canal opening is really spectacular! I have only seen such a magnificent scene in my life."
On the road, in the carriage, Diao Xian Cheng had a smile on his face and savored the taste with relish.
It seemed that the scene of clearing the canal in the afternoon was still a bit shocking to him.
Ouyang Rong nodded and breathed a sigh of relief.
Diao County Prime Minister said again: "This is something that will benefit the present and will benefit the future. How about we write a letter and report it to the Jiangzhou government and the imperial court?"
Ouyang Rong turned around and asked curiously: "Didn't you report it before?"
"Master Mingfu, you don't understand. You have contributed to the governance of the place, but you can't keep quiet about it. Even if you have already said it, you should write more letters and talk about it several times, focusing on describing how important it is to accomplish it. The people above Only in this way can you remember your merits. Otherwise, noble people tend to forget things and forget about them when they turn around. Wouldn’t it be in vain?
Diao County Cheng stroked his beard and leaned his head over:
"We can write another letter to Governor Wang and ask him to give us more credit. After all, this is under his rule, and it can be considered a part of his credit. Of course, Lord Mingfu has the greatest credit, and so do the lower officials. Secondly, assist..."
Ouyang Rong turned his head and looked at the old county magistrate who was constantly imparting his experience. The latter had an energetic look on his face.
Ouyang Rong was surprisingly not annoyed or angry today. He nodded and waved casually:
"Okay, let's leave this matter to Mr. Diao. Just don't boast about it."
After a pause, he turned around and said:
"By the way, what I said yesterday may be a bit offensive. Don't take it too seriously, Mr. Diao. I think it's quite safe for Mr. Diao to do things. Staying in this small county is indeed a bit humiliating.
"But these days, I am very happy to be able to manage the county government together with Mr. Diao."
The young magistrate smiled sincerely, opened the curtains with his fingers, looked at the dusk street outside, and said.
Diao Xiancheng was stunned at first, "What words? Oh, sir, you are referring to what you said at the dock yesterday. Even the subordinates have forgotten..."
The old county magistrate laughed and waved his hand.
Don't take anything to heart.
Ouyang Rong laughed, suddenly put down the curtain, and said without looking back:
"By the way, Mr. Diao, I forgot to mention it. I may take a leave tomorrow and the day after tomorrow to return to my hometown to worship my ancestors. This matter will also be reported to Jiangzhou... At that time, the affairs in the county will be left to Mr. Diao for the time being. Agent."
"Mingfu wants to return to his hometown to worship his ancestors?"
Diao County Prime Minister asked curiously, but he immediately came to his senses and said in a daze:
"No wonder Xianguan saw Liu Ashan handling the matter of renting an official ship the day before yesterday. It turned out to be for this matter.
"It's okay, it's okay. Worshiping ancestors on the Hungry Ghost Festival is a matter of human ethics. The Jiangzhou government above will not refute the lies. The Ming government can just pack up and return home. The affairs of the county government will be placed on the shoulders of the lower officials! The Ming government's decree arrangements , everything is the same as before.”
Diao Xian Cheng's skinny chest, with only the ribs left, beat loudly.
Ouyang Rong nodded lightly.
"correct."
The smiling Diao Xian Cheng seemed to have remembered something and asked:
"Just in the afternoon, didn't Liu Zian propose to hold a ceremony to celebrate the opening of the canal on the fifteenth day of this month? Invite some wealthy merchants to come and make the Zheyi Canal famous in the water transport area of Jiangzhou, so that the new canal can be busy as soon as possible. What do you think of the Ming Dynasty regarding trade?"
"Liu Zian's proposal..."
Ouyang Rong's eyes flashed across the figure of Liu Zian, who had been at the Zheyi Canal not long ago, accompanying him respectfully every step of the way. He hesitated slightly and nodded lightly:
"This time, the Broken Wing Canal can be built early. Liu Zian and the Liu family have really contributed a lot... Well, let's do what he wants, but all the expenses will be paid for by Liu Zian, and the county government is just stepping in to make a formality. .
"Anyway, the Liu family also has some shares in Xinqu and Xindu. It will also be beneficial to him if Xindu becomes bustling as soon as possible."
Before Ouyang Rong decided to leave, he would carry out another wave of diligence and frugality to exploit the Liu family, a big and unfair family.
Thinking of this, he smiled sheepishly.
I don’t know if he was convinced by the dismemberment of the Liu family. So far, Liu Zian is indeed much more honest than Liu Ziwen. Ouyang Rong looked quite satisfied. These are law-abiding and good people. Other local tyrants and evil gentry should learn from it. , even if it is played by Shinobu, he still acts like a Ninja Turtle for me.
Even if these things Liu Zian did were heard by the dead Liu Ziwen, the latter's coffin board would definitely not be able to hold it down.
"I understand."
Diao Xian Cheng nodded and asked for instructions seriously:
"By the way, Liu Zian would like to invite you from the Ming Dynasty to come on the 15th and give a speech on the stage, so that everyone can admire the kindness of the parents and officials of this city."
"Three...four...five...do you have to wait five days?"
Ouyang Rong heard this and shook his head directly:
"Major Diao County, please go on stage to speak for me. I will return home tomorrow and tomorrow. I can't wait until the fifteenth day."
Being given the opportunity to make a grand appearance, Diao Xian Cheng immediately beamed with joy and readily agreed.
After a while, the carriage arrived at the county government office, and the two of them got out of the car and went back to their offices.
Ouyang Rong walked into the court, dismissed everyone, took out the unfinished letter left for his junior sister, and wrote while the sun had not completely set.
Maybe it's because of the great success of Zhiyiqu, which makes me feel good.
Or maybe it's because I've been writing intermittently these past two days, and the melancholy has faded a lot since it was interrupted many times.
Ouyang Rong silently filled out the signature, stamped it, and put the letter paper into the envelope.
He glanced at the sky, put the envelope in his arms, got up and returned home.
Returning to Meilu Garden, Ouyang Rong first returned to the study, took out a bronze animal face from the box, put it in his sleeve, and then left the yard and walked towards a certain yard of Meilu Garden.
When I knocked on the door and walked into the compound where Liu Ashan's family lived.
Liu Mu, Liu Ashan and A Qing, whom they haven't seen for a long time, are having dinner around the table.
When the family saw Ouyang Rong, they quickly stood up and saluted to greet him.
Ouyang Rong waved his hand and pushed them back on the stool. While laughing, he went to the kitchen to get a pair of bowls and chopsticks and returned. He rolled up his sleeves and sat down to eat with Ah Qing's family.
Liu Ashan was a little embarrassed, so he got up and lit a few more oil lamps.
The east room is brighter.
Mother Liu silently went to the kitchen to get some jars of pickled radish and mustard, and placed them on the table not far from Ouyang Rong.
Ouyang Rong was a little embarrassed and quickly stopped them. At the dinner table, he asked Liu Mu's health and daily life with concern.
Ah Qing next to her, while eating, frequently turned her head to take a closer look at Ouyang Rong's gentle face when he was talking to her mother.
The little girl's big eyes were as clear as a spring, brighter than the candle next to her.
There is light secretly hidden inside.
Ah Qing even forgot to put the vegetables and just went to eat rice stupidly.
It was when her brother next to her stretched out a pair of chopsticks and took a bite of food that the little girl realized what she was doing.
Seeing his brother Liu Ashan's calm and inquiring eyes, Ah Qing buried her face in the bowl and began to chop the rice even more diligently.
Seeing this, Ouyang Rong followed Ah Shan, took a few bites of food to Ah Qing, turned around and continued chatting with Liu Mu and Ah Shan with a smile.
The little girl's ears seemed to be red, but it was not obvious under the orange candlelight.
No matter what, she must be very happy when Ouyang Rong suddenly comes to visit for dinner.
After dinner, Ah Qing jumped off the stool and went to fill Ouyang Rong's empty bowl with hot rice.
Of course, she also didn’t forget to take her brother Liu Ashan’s empty bowl.
"Ah Qing is so good."
Ouyang Rong glanced at the back of Ah Qing's small body as he went to the kitchen, turned to Liu Mu and Ah Shan and asked with a smile:
"Speaking of which, Ah Qing should be about the same age as Wei Lai, and the folk here should not be too young. Old madam, Ah Shan, when are you going to find a good match for her? Do you want me to help with the arrangements? ?”
After a pause, Ouyang Rong asked in a daze:
"By the way, someone must have come to propose marriage, right?"
Liu Ashan has always been with Ouyang Rong. Even though he does not have the title of master or servant, he is already a well-known figure in the county government.
These days, he has been helping Ouyang Rong with work, and he has also made a lot of friends. In addition, he is a native of Longcheng County. Naturally, many local officials have taken the initiative to make friends with wealthy families, and some people have thought of marriage. Nature also comes naturally.
After all, Liu Ashan’s family has a pretty girl who is about to get married. Even if the word "Yue" is tattooed on her forehead, it is not a big hindrance and it is not disfigurement. In Ouyang Rong’s words, she should still be on the wedding market in a small county in the south of the Yangtze River. popular items.
Sure enough, Liu Ashan and Liu Mu looked at each other, and the latter nodded slightly, then sighed, forced out a smile and said:
"To be honest with you, I have a good family with a well-off family who came to hint at the proposal of marriage, but it didn't work out."
"Why is this? Are they still picky about Ah Qing? Ah Qing is a good girl, and it is a blessing to marry her back. She is the shadow of a prosperous husband." Ouyang Rong said with a slight frown.
"It's A-mei who doesn't like it." Liu Ashan suddenly said in a low voice.
Ouyang Rong was stunned: "Aqing is picking? That's right, just forget it if you don't like it..." His expression hesitated, and the instantaneous change between before and after made him look a little bit double-standard.
"It's not that I don't like them, they are all honest and good men." Liu Ashan hesitated, looked at Ouyang Rong and said, "But my sister said she doesn't want to get married yet."
Ouyang Rong laughed and shook his head, without thinking much, he said directly:
"That's the little girl who loves home. You, the elder brother, have to take the lead. You should marry her a sister-in-law as soon as possible. When she sees you two happily together, she will be anxious and understand that she is an outsider in the family. ’.”
His tone was tongue-in-cheek.
The dull man in front of him didn't smile, maybe because he was used to being boring. He stared at the expression on Ouyang Rong's face for a while.
Liu Ashan's eyes were a little hesitant.
Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes while picking vegetables: "How are you doing, Ah Shan? I heard last time that your mother arranged for you a girl from a good family. How are you doing?"
Liu Ashan came back to his senses and when he heard Ouyang Rong mention it, a rare smile appeared on his thin face:
"Thank you for your concern, sir. I...I like her, and she also likes me!"
Halfway through, he quickly picked up the wine bottle, raised his head and drank three sips of rice wine, almost choking on his face.
Ouyang Rong blinked: "Aren't you talking to me?"
Liu Ashan was stunned for a moment, "Master, do you like hearing this?"
Ouyang Rong was calm and composed: "What I'm asking is, am I any different from ordinary people?"
Liu Ashan blurted out out of curiosity: "I thought the master didn't like love affairs between men and women, and only focused on official duties, like Master Xie..."
At this time, Ah Qing's figure appeared outside the door, and the man stopped talking.
I saw the little girl trotting back with two large bowls of hot rice, one by one, and she deftly and lightly handed them to Ouyang Rong and Ashan.
"Huhu... What are the master and brother talking about?" Ah Qing sat back on the wooden bench and asked in a low voice while blowing on his slightly red fingertips.
"Nothing." Liu Ashan shook his head.
Ouyang Rong teased: "We are talking about marriage."
Ah Qing's movements suddenly stopped, and his body tensed up.
Fortunately, Ouyang Rong didn't pause in speaking, and the voice came again:
"Your brother is a little embarrassed to mention this."
"oh oh."
Ah Qing nodded like a chicken pecking at rice. She patted her smooth forehead with the word "Yue" tattooed on it and looked away.
In the depths of his clear eyes, he didn't know whether he was relieved or disappointed.
After half a stick of incense, dinner was over.
"Ah Shan, come out."
Ouyang Rong stood in the yard, called out, and waited quietly.
Mother Liu tacitly went to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Liu Ashan, who was clearing the table with his sister, put down his work and walked out. He met Ouyang Rong, who seemed to be talking, and walked silently to the pavilion under the shade of a tree not far away.
But at this moment, Ah Qing ran out of the door with a small green cloth bundle in her arms, and caught up with the two of them. She said timidly:
"Master, there is something going on at my house."
"What's the matter?" Ouyang Rong immediately stopped and asked, "Is someone bullying you?"
"no."
Ah Qing's face also showed confusion, and he presented the green cloth bundle in his arms:
"Someone from the sword shop came to me during the day. It was Sister Cheng who used to run a breakfast stall and took care of the slave family. She gave this item to the slave family.
"She said that the old craftsman who likes to drink rice wine and has a bad temper asked her to send it to the slave family."
Ouyang Rong frowned slightly: "You're so good, why are you giving me a gift?"
Ah Qing recalled it for a moment and repeated: "It seems that the old gentleman said that this is a gift in return for the wine that the slave family bought for him, and he asked the slave family to put it away."
"What did you give as a gift? If it's too valuable, I'll return it."
Ah Qing lowered his head to open the baggage, put his little hand in, took out something, and handed it to Ouyang Rong with both hands.
She raised her little face and said:
"The old gentleman said that this gift is famous, and it's called 'Artisan's Work'. What does it say... I have nothing, so I only gave you a piece of Artisan's Artwork... and I told you not to forget this name."
"Well, by the way, the old gentleman also said that in the future, a strange woman may come to the slave family to ask for this thing. At that time, the slave family can decide for themselves whether to hand over this gift called 'craftsmanship' in exchange for other conditions. benefit."
Ouyang Rong was stunned for a while.
Taking a closer look, there was a blue origami butterfly flower lying quietly on the small hand of the delicate girl in front of her.
It's extremely familiar.
Ouyang Rong frowned slightly and said:
"Last time we raided the sword shop, the old man wanted to return it. I refused for you. Why did he send it again and give it a weird name...
"Artisan work?"
Ouyang Rong showed some curiosity on his face, murmured and chewed:
"Craftsmanship... In addition to the title of ordinary craftsmen, in Cihai, this word seems to generally refer to old-fashioned works made by ordinary craftsmen that are full of craftsmanship and lack spirituality...
"Is this old gentleman playing a fool's joke on Ah Qing? Is he still a child at heart?"
(End of chapter)
