On the third day of November, the heavy snow season has passed early, and the winter solstice is approaching. From midnight, heavy snow fell, and it didn't stop until the morning. There is a vast expanse of white everywhere, and there are few pedestrians.
A boy quickly arrived at the inn where Meng Xun was staying, stamped his feet and said, "Is Member Meng here?"
The boy at the inn invited Meng Xun to stay. Meng Xun took a look and saw that he was from Tao Yuan's maternal family. He asked hurriedly: "Is there any news today?"
The boy said: "The painting boat on the Luo River. You have to go quickly. If it is late, the boat will sail."
Meng Xun was startled: "With this weather, the river won't freeze?"
The boy smiled and said, "No. The weather is warm these days, and it's not too cold when it snows. Don't worry."
Meng Xun thanked him, took out a few copper coins and asked the boy to buy candies, and then hurried to find Cao Tongzhang.
Cao Tongzhang was wrapped in a mink coat and warming himself by the fire. In this era, cotton was not popular, and ordinary people did not even have later quilts. The so-called quilt is nothing more than cotton reed flowers, catkins, etc. Only good people can use cotton. When morning comes, I don't have the habit of staying in bed and get up early.
After entering the door, Meng Xun looked around and said, "Today Tao Yuan is gambling on the boat in Luohe. Brother, hurry up and get ready. I'll call Yuan Yuan Cheng and Yuan Sun to come over."
Cao Tongzhang was startled for a moment: "Above the painting boat? What did Tao Yuanwai think? In this weather, are you not afraid of the Luohe River freezing?"
Meng Xun said: "How can we care so much? Anyway, the river is not frozen now, so just go ahead."
After saying that, he hurried out the door and went to find Cheng Qing and Sun Ping.
In less than half an hour, everyone packed up and headed north in a hurry.
The painting boat outside Tao Yuan stopped near Tianjin Bridge, and several people headed north. At this time, the snow was falling harder and harder, flying in the air and filling my neck. Several people hunched their necks, sleeved their hands, and walked forward in the wind and snow.
At this time, there was no one on the Tianjin Bridge, and a painting boat was parked under the bridge, looking lonely.
Meng Xun scolded: "Tao Yuanwai took some wrong medicine. In such weather, he has to set up a bet on the painting boat! Wouldn't it be nice to find a yard and have a fire!"
While cursing, he got off the dock. When they arrived, they saw Mr. Tao standing outside in the wind and snow, holding his hands in his hands and saying with a smile, "You guys have been working hard on the road!"
Meng Xun said: "It's really hard work! I don't know how much wind I drank along the way!"
Tao Yuan said hurriedly: "Please sit inside quickly! There is a fire inside, hot tea, and two worlds outside!"
Meng Xun pointed at Cheng Qing and Sun Ping, and said to Mr. Tao: "This one is Mr. Cheng, and this one is Mr. Sun. They are both people I know well. I have some free time today, so come and have some fun on the boat."
Tao Yuanwai, with a smile on his face, asked the two of them. The gazes he looked at the two of them were indeed like knives.
Cheng Qing and Sun Ping remained calm, returned the gift to Mr. Tao, and walked into the boat.
Outside the boat is a small room, used to store umbrellas and the like, while isolating the inside from the outside. After entering the small house and opening the door, you entered the painting boat. As soon as you enter, there is a large fire pit with charcoal burning inside.
Cao Tongzhang took off his mink coat and said, "As soon as I entered, it was so hot that I couldn't wear the coat. Mr. Tao was very thoughtful. It was such a cold day in this boat. It was snowing heavily outside and inside the house. But it’s as warm as spring.”
A boy had already come over, took Cao Tongzhang's coat, and led several people to sit inside.
There was no gambling started at this time, it looked more like an old friend visiting. Several people sat at the table, and the boy served tea, peaceful and distant.
In Henan Mansion, Wang Xiaolie's residence, Chen Qiudao and Chen Yuyi were sitting around the table. Next to them were a group of officials from the Xuanfu Division and the Henan Prefecture.
After a year of hard work, officials finally completed the work and the system is generally complete. Although most Wang Xiaolie was not satisfied, someone finally found someone.
At the end of the table, Wang Xiaohunter was holding a cup of hot tea. He said: "I called everyone here today because it is a rare heavy snowfall. Let's chat some gossip. Besides, a group of Dangxiang sheep were delivered a few days ago. They are said to be delicious, so we will have a meal together."
The officials sitting below thanked him one after another.
Wang Xiaolie said: "I went to the Garden Department a few days ago and encountered gamblers fighting in the street. I asked Cui Qing to find out about the situation, and today I will talk about how we should manage it based on this incident. To be honest , I’m still exploring, so if you have any different opinions, feel free to mention them.”
Having said this, Wang Xiaolie took a sip of tea. I frowned, wondering where to start.
Below, Henan Prefecture judge Gao Ying and signing judge Wang Yang were very nervous. This is their duty. Due to his position, Wang Xiaolie seldom cares about the affairs of Henan Mansion. They handle the specific matters. A fight was discovered in Luoyang City, and the two people were guilty of a serious crime.
After thinking for a while, Wang Xiaolie said: "I always hope to have a basis for doing things, and I don't want to think of anything to do. I can't go out and encounter someone fighting in the street, so I ask Henan Prefecture to strengthen security. I can't just because two people fighting If you are a gambler, just quit gambling. This is wrong. What if it was just a coincidence that they were unlucky enough to meet me that day?"
Having said this, Gao Ying and Wang Yang let out a sigh of relief. The most fearful thing is that if Wang Xiaolie wants to come out, it will be difficult to handle. The Xuanfu Division was stationed in Luoyang City, so Wang Xiaolie would inevitably have to go out. Once you go out, you are bound to encounter something. If it's either a fight or a quarrel in the street, Henan Mansion will be in great trouble.
】
Wang Xiaolie said: "So I came back and asked Cui Qing to check that place. I didn't expect that after such a check, I found a problem. It was originally a land without an owner, and most of the people fled. And it was not a deep house compound, there were many It was a small family. After the capture of Luoyang City at the beginning of the year, the fleeing people gathered in that place because of convenience. The Henan Prefecture also took care of it. There was a police chief there and there were people patrolling. However, it could not handle the large number of people. Ah, and most of these people have no means of making a living. Over time, they have to make a living, so prostitution, gambling and other non-profitable businesses have become rampant there."
Chen Qiudao said: "This is also human nature, do you always have to eat?"
Wang Xiaolie nodded: "Yes, when people live in this world, they always need to eat. If you don't give them food, they will have to find a way on their own. All national laws and human feelings are useless. So we have to solve the problems there, Just give them food to eat.”
At this point, Wang Xiaolie asked Gao Ying: "Has Henan Mansion found a way to give them something to do? This is not the way to go."
Gao Ying said: "The Yingtian Division once wanted them to go to Yingtian, but there was very little response."
Wang Xiaolie said: "According to Cui Qing, most of the people there are people from Luoyang City. They are city people, and if they are allowed to camp in the fields, of course many people are unwilling. The living habits of city people are different from those of Luoyang City. It’s different in rural areas, so you still have to pay attention.”
Having said this, Wang Xiaolie lowered his head and thought about this matter.
