Ouyang Rong found that Yuan Huaimin was familiar with people he saw.
He rode Dongmei, left Jiangzhou Hall, and returned to Huaiye Lane for lunch.
Yuan Huaimin also followed, riding his thin black horse.
"Lord Changshi, it turns out he lives so close."
Ouyang Rong nodded.
Yuan Huaimin was curious: "Master Chang Shi, are you going back home for dinner?"
Ouyang Rong ignored him.
Yuan Huaimin twirled his beard with his fingers and said seriously:
"Dongmei is a divine horse. Mr. Changshi is young and promising. Riding this horse is really heroic. A BMW is worthy of a hero."
Ouyang Rong twitched the corner of his mouth.
Yuan Huaimin looked around and said mysteriously:
"Lord Chang Shi, to tell you the truth, Xiaguan was once a famous romantic talent and dashing poet in Chang'an City.
"It's not Xiaguan's boast, it's the people in Chang'an City who said it. Xiaguan's literary talents are second to none in Daqian. I don't know how many oiran beauties were sought after in Chang'an back then, but Xiaguan didn't care at all at that time..."
When Ouyang Rong and his party approached the Huaiye Lane house, Yuan Huaimin leaned his head in and talked incessantly, which attracted several long-term attendants from Nanlong's hometown around Ouyang Rong to look sideways and with disgust in their eyes.
Ouyang Rong suddenly turned around: "So, what does Yuan Sima want to say?"
Yuan Huaimin wiped his mouth and nodded seriously:
"I would like to write a poem about Lord Changshi riding the divine horse Dongmei. How about it?" He sighed: "This is a good opportunity for celebrities to make history. Lord Changshi should seize it."
Ouyang Rong stared at the somewhat narcissistic Yuan Sima for a while.
"Let's say goodbye to writing poems... Dongmei really can't lend you money. I have something to do in the afternoon and have to go out of the city. Let's wait for another day." He sighed and asked: "Yuan Sima, where do you live? Why don't you go back for dinner?"
Yuan Huaimin: "The official is temporarily staying at Xingzifang."
You Changsui interrupted curiously: "Sir, if you have an official status, how can you live in a place with such an environment and poor public security?"
When Yuan Huaimin heard this, he was not annoyed at all. He laughed and scratched his head: "I'm shy in my pocket, I'm shy in my pocket..."
Ouyang Rong sat on the horse with his back straight, looked forward, and said calmly:
"If you haven't clicked Mao, you haven't clicked Mao. Half a stone's salary has been deducted. Yuan Sima took this as a warning. Come early in the next few days. There are only a few days left at the end of the year."
"Okay, okay." Yuan Huaimin nodded in shame.
Ouyang Rong felt a little embarrassed for agreeing so readily. When he saw the door of the mansion, he asked casually:
"It seems quite far back to Xingzifang. Do you want to go in for a meal?"
"Okay, okay!" Yuan Huaimin nodded vigorously and agreed first. Then he blushed and said, "Well, I'm going to bother Chang Shi's family."
Ouyang Rong turned around silently and couldn't help but glance at Yuan Huaimin, who was not acquainted with him at all.
"That's alright. The humble house is simple and the food is simple. Don't blame Yuan Sima."
"it's okay no problem."
Ouyang Rong took Yuan Huaimin back to his mansion for lunch.
In the main hall, Zhen Shuyuan had prepared a sumptuous meal and directed the maids to place fruits. Ye Weilai handed Ouyang Rong a hot towel to apply on his face and poured hot water to wash his hands.
The two girls were quite curious about this weird colleague Tan Lang brought back.
After a cup of tea, at the dining table, they looked at Yuan Huaimin devouring his food and looked at each other, speechless.
Yuan Huaimin feasted happily and slurred his words: "Lord Chang Shi, 伱... you are not living a simple life here. If I take you to my humble house another day, then you will be living a simple life."
Ouyang Rong took the bowl and picked up the vegetables, shook his head and said, "It's a simple meal. If Yuan Sima is late and doesn't order, won't he have no salary?"
"Sir Chang Shi's words are wrong. As long as the money and food are enough for food and use, it will be enough." Yuan Huaimin looked serious and said surprisingly firmly:
"Other times, we should do some meaningful things. There is no need to be annoyed by external things and pursue excessive pursuits. The same is true for being worthy."
Ouyang Rong nodded: "Then I will deduct half a stone from you today..."
Yuan Huaimin suddenly had a bitter look on his face: "Half a stone is missing. It's just not enough. I'll have to starve for three days."
Ouyang Rong's mouth twitched slightly, and he was stuck eating, right? Is it enough that the monthly salary after deductions for absences is enough for food?
"Yuan Sima is not bad at arithmetic. I will arrange some accounting for you tomorrow."
"..."
Yuan Huaimin was stunned while holding the bowl, and suddenly felt that the food in his mouth no longer tasted good: "Lord Chang Shi, this..."
Ouyang Rong suddenly asked: "What does Yuan Sima think is the most important thing for us?"
"I don't know what others say." Yuan Huaimin sat upright and said in a firm tone: "But what I say... Mr. Chang Shi, don't be frightened if you say it, or think that I am arrogant."
Ouyang Rong stretched out his hand and made a "please" gesture: "Say."
"I am going to write a poem that is unparalleled in the world! It will amaze the entire literary world of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and let the people of the two capitals compete to spread its praises and make it famous for generations to come."
Ouyang Rong raised his eyebrows slightly as he looked at the Jiangzhou Sima in front of him who was scolding Fang Qiu impassionedly with chopsticks in his hands, but could barely afford to eat and wanted to give him a meal.
In front of Ouyang Rong, the beautiful woman in the skirt and the beautiful girl with silver hair at the dining table, Yuan Huaimin's eyes were bright, spittle flew everywhere, and he waved his sleeves in high spirits and said:
"The ancients said that one has to make meritorious deeds and establish one's words. If you are not talented and have the ability of a long-time master, you will not be able to make virtues and meritorious deeds. But what's so difficult about establishing one's words?
"When my poetry comes out, Huai Min's name will surely be remembered by future generations!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent.
At the dining table, Ouyang Rong stared at Yuan Huaimin for a while, then stretched out his hand under his sleeve and moved the food in front of him a little further away.
Ouyang Rong nodded, as if to express his affirmation, and turned to eat.
Zhen Shuyuan and Ye Weilai also continued to pick up food for Tan Lang.
"..."
Looking at the three people who were eating quietly, Yuan Huaimin smiled sarcastically and said, "Ahem."
Keep cooking.
About a quarter of an hour later, Yuan Huaiming was full of wine and food. Under Zhen Shuyuan's politeness, he couldn't resist the hospitality, so he packed some dishes and left.
Returned with a full load.
"Tan Lang, your colleague is quite interesting."
Zhen Shuyuan covered her mouth and shook her head: "I heard that he was demoted? His mentality is quite open-minded, but he likes to talk a lot."
Ouyang Rong yawned: "I'm going to sleep. Call me before the second day of the new year."
He took Ye Weilai back to Yinbingzhai for a lunch break.
…
Kuanglu Mountain, the top of a certain main peak named Yunwu.
"The Ming Dynasty finally came to Kuanglu Mountain. Why don't you visit celebrities and have some fun?"
Yanrokuro put his hands on his knees and asked breathlessly towards the slender figure on the edge of the cliff ahead.
Ouyang Rong shook his head. He was on the top of the mountain, looking down at the scenery below seriously.
Kuanglu Mountain is not a mountain, but a group of mountains with a higher altitude.
The clouds and mist evaporated by the Yangtze River and Yunmengze flood into the Kuanglu Mountains, making them shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, like a fairyland.
It is indeed a good place to escape the summer heat. Even in winter, there are spectacular snow scenes.
However, in the past two days, after Ouyang Rong completed the official documents in the morning, he took Yan Liulang out of the city in the afternoon to visit the surrounding mountains and plains, and finally arrived at Kuanglu Mountain today.
But it’s not just to see this amazing scenery.
"The main peak has a good view." Ouyang Rong suddenly said.
"Indeed... this mountain is inevitably too high and too difficult to climb. Could it be that the Ming Dynasty wants to choose this location?"
Yan Liulang thought for a while and suggested:
"To build the Giant Buddha, it is better to choose a flat land, or a place close to Xunyang City, so that it is convenient for the people and the use of materials."
"That's right." Ouyang Rong nodded in agreement.
Kuanglu Mountain is located on the east side of Xunyang City. Almost the entire Xunyang City is built with the Kuanglu Mountains on its back and the Yangtze River on the west.
Therefore, standing on the highest main peak of Kuanglu, one can clearly see the terrain and surroundings of the entire Xunyang City below.
Ouyang Rong looked at the entire Xunyang City reflected in his eyes and couldn't help but say to himself:
"Stand here and take a look, it's much clearer than in a picture album or something like that.
“Everything about Xunyang City is good, except that there is too little flat land around it, it is backed by Kuanglu, and it is surrounded by mountains or sandbanks.
“In other words, Xunyang City was originally built on the largest flat land here.
“From Chaishan and Xingzi Fang on the westernmost side, on the shore, to Lianxi Fang near the foot of Kuanglu Mountain on the easternmost side.
"It has been expanded to the extreme, leaving only hills that are difficult to expand..."
Ouyang Rong muttered:
“With such a compact space, where should we choose the location to build the Big Buddha?
"We can't just build a giant Buddha on the ground like Shangyang Palace in Luoyang. It's spectacular, but how much financial and material resources will it consume?
"Besides, Xunyang City has no room for such a large flat land, so we can't delay the people's livelihood..."
Ouyang Rong looked at the cliff and pondered.
Behind, Yan Liulang ran to get a bag of clear spring and came back, handed it to Ouyang Rong, and said eloquently:
"Mingfu, I heard that there is a Kangwang Valley to the south of this peak. There is a clear spring in the valley, called 'Gulian Spring'. It hangs hundreds of meters and is extremely clear. The tea brewed from this spring is unique in Kuanglu.
"There should be a lot of tea-loving celebrities there right now, should we go try it..."
Ahead, Ouyang Rong took the water bag and replied without looking back: "The clouds and mist in the mountains naturally produce good tea."
"Then Mingfu would like to go and have a look..."
Ouyang Rong suddenly stopped drinking water. His fingers holding the water bag pointed to the west. He ignored the spring water in the bag and interrupted Yan Liulang's words:
"What is that place?"
"ah?"
"What's that place called?"
Yan Liulang was stunned, turned around and found that Mingfu was pointing at two peaks not far to the west of Xunyang City.
The two peaks are quite short, with sparse vegetation in winter. The two mountains are bare and close together, with a long and narrow valley in between.
"Mingfu, wait a moment." Yan Liulang hurriedly flipped through the map, found the location, and after a while read out:
"Zhen Ming Mansion, it seems to be called... Shuangfengjian."
"The double peaks... they look familiar. Have I seen them somewhere?"
"Really? It seems we haven't been there yet." Yan Liulang was curious.
Ouyang Rong muttered for a while and turned his head quickly.
"Let's go down the mountain and have a look."
Why did he just climb up and have to go down again... Yan Liulang had no choice but to follow him obediently.
On the way, Ouyang Rong suddenly remembered where he had seen this place name.
…
late at night.
Chaisangfang, Huaiye Lane.
After winter in the south, the bamboo forests still have dark green leaves.
The evening breeze blew by, and among the swaying bamboo shadows, there was a small bamboo forest courtyard with the lights still on.
In the room, there is a desk piled high with papers. Ouyang Rong wears a fox fur cloak on his back and a blanket on his legs. He has his head buried in the papers and his eyes unblinking for a long time, flipping through the information.
There was a small stove at his feet under the table, and the red hot coals emitted some heat waves that distorted the air.
It adds some warmth to the room with the windows closed.
But in front of the small stove, there was a petite white-haired girl sitting on a small bench, covered with a blanket, hugging her knees and burying her head in her arms, accompanying her master in reading at night.
At a certain moment, Ouyang Rong put down an old slip and took a long breath: "This is it, I finally found it."
He murmured, stretched, and out of the corner of his eye saw the girl on the small bench in front of him.
Ye Weilai curled up her delicate body, closed her eyes and put her face on her knees, her body swaying slightly like the candlelight on the desk.
Ouyang Rong stood up gently, took off his fox fur cloak and walked over, covering the sleeping girl, picked her up by the waist, and walked to the neat bed in the back room.
"Um, Master... Master, are you finished?"
"Shhh."
Ouyang Rong's index finger pressed on Ye Weilai's soft pink lips, and she subconsciously sucked them in her mouth. For some reason, she sucked them skillfully... Maybe she recognized the wrong thing?
"..." Ouyang Rong carried her back to the bed, covered her with a quilt, returned to the desk, and wiped his fingers.
People's saliva is sticky when they sleep, and girls are no exception.
Ouyang Rong shook his head and picked up the old slip on the table that had been stored in the Jiangzhou lobby warehouse for an unknown period of time.
He walked to the window, wandered around, and read carefully with his eyes lowered.
This is a water control slip in his hand, proposing a water conservancy plan to control floods near Xunyang City.
Yes, Xunyang City, like many counties below, is also troubled by floods, but it is not as serious as Longcheng and other counties.
Mainly concentrated in the Yangtze River flood season in summer.
Therefore, Ouyang Rong is not in a hurry. He planned to spend the Yuanzheng and Winter Solstice holidays before starting preparations for disaster prevention, but now it seems that he can prepare in advance...
Ouyang Rong glanced at the signature on the slip. The proposer of this water control plan was a northern official who was demoted to Jiangzhou more than ten years ago. His hometown was close to the Yellow River and he was quite proficient in water conservancy knowledge.
This person handed the flood control slip to Jiangzhou Hall, but in the end it was not accepted by Jiangzhou Hall and was shelved.
The reason why Ouyang Rong had the impression was that he had recently prepared the "Ten Essays on Water Control in the South of the Yangtze River" and "Reading and Viewing the Maps of the River Systems in the South of the Yangtze River" for submission.
At that time, he made a lot of preparations. He privately checked the water control plans proposed by many states and counties in Jiangnan, and he was able to learn from everyone's strengths.
So I have some memories of this plan involving water control in Xunyang City.
After returning from Kuanglu Mountain, Ouyang Rong went to the warehouse in Jiangzhou Hall to dig out the manuscript and slips that day.
Because this water control plan mentions the Shuangfeng Peak and focuses on it.
Ouyang Rong read through it again, nodded and said to himself:
“The floods in Xunyang City are different from those in Longcheng County. Longcheng was trapped by the floods in Yunmengze upstream, while Xunyang City was hit by the rising flood season of the adjacent Yangtze River.
"The Xunyang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, converges south of the two peaks. It is blocked by this mountain and cannot flow north, so it is easy to form a vast ocean and flood, submerging Xunyang City on the shore."
Holding the slip in his hand, he frowned slightly and thought:
“This idea of digging the twin peaks is a bit fanciful, but it can be slightly improved.
“A canal was dug between the two peaks to dredge the Xunshui River and flow it into the Yangtze River, thereby solving the flood problem in Xunyang City…
"There's a head start."
(End of chapter)
