Just when Zhang Pu was a little unable to step down, several people suddenly broke in.
When he heard the movement and looked up, he couldn't help but froze for a moment. Because he recognized these people, weren't they the Dongchang officers who had been guarding him? Why were they wearing ordinary clothes?
These Dongchang servants in plain clothes ignored him and walked directly to Jiang Dong. The leader among them said with a hint of admiration: "There are indeed people at the stall, over there on the street, who are causing trouble. As long as they are literati, Those who dressed up would stop them and ask them questions, and persuaded them to go back."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Pu suddenly understood and breathed a sigh of relief.
No wonder! Otherwise, with his status, talent and reputation, how could no one come?
Just when he was about to ask for details excitedly, he heard the Dongchang captain continue to report to Jiang Dong: "But my subordinates have been observing for a while and there are actually very few literati coming here!"
As soon as Zhang Pu heard this, he was struck by lightning, and the smile he had just shown was cut off.
It can be seen that this news hit him hard. He has always been quite confident in his status and talents. Otherwise, he would not have been able to make Zhou Yanru, the first assistant to him, his puppet in the original history.
"How could this happen? Why did this happen? Why didn't they come..."
Seeing that Zhang Pu was hit hard and looked a little out of sorts, Jiang Dong waved his hand and asked Yi Cheng to retreat.
After waiting for a while, he opened his mouth and said to Zhang Pu: "Your Excellency, don't worry too much. There may be other intersections where someone is discouraging your guests from coming."
Hearing this, Zhang Pu felt as if he had grasped a life-saving straw. He looked at Jiang Dong with eyes full of hope, and nodded repeatedly: "The stall owner is right, it must be like this. I don't know who is so bold, You dare to go against me, you must find out who is blocking people from coming..."
Seeing his aggressive look, Jiang Dong had to remind him to be calm, and at the same time said to him: "Sir, don't worry, I will send someone to check, and the results will be available soon."
Hearing this, Zhang Pu finally calmed down a little again, nodded and said: "Then there will be a waiter!"
When he said this, he said it sincerely for the first time, which he had never thought of before.
When it was getting dark, no one came. Regarding this, Zhang Pu could only comfort himself in his heart. It was not that the people he invited did not come, but that they were intercepted midway.
When we go back to Dongchang to find out, we must look good to those who deliberately embarrass us!
At about this time, the plainclothes sergeant sent out by Jiang Dong to investigate also came back. Naturally, they reported it to Jiang Dong, but Zhang Pu was nearby and could hear it.
"Sir, my subordinates heard some news, all related to Zhang Xunjian."
"Zhang Xunjian wanted to investigate the quota of privileges and exemptions for officials and gentry, as well as the payment of arrears. After word spread to Jiangnan, the literati gathered at gatherings and criticized Zhang Xunjian..."
Zhang Pu listened silently on the side, and he expected this in his heart, so he was not surprised.
"Some of them spoke harshly, saying that Zhang Xunjian forgot how he became famous after he climbed high. If they hadn't supported him, how could Zhang Xunjian have become famous in the world... "
When the servant who spoke said this, he seemed to know that something was wrong, so he turned to look at Zhang Pu beside him, and explained sincerely: "These are the exact words. I reported it to the stall owner truthfully. Please forgive me." !”
Zhang Pu was already filled with anger after hearing this, but he didn't want to get angry at this servant. He just nodded with a livid face to show that he didn't care.
What does Zhang Pu care about most? He cares most about his origin, because this is the eternal pain in his heart.
Since childhood, Zhang Pu has been constantly humiliated because of his humble background. It is for this reason that he studies hard and strives to get ahead, showing those who look down on him that Zhang Pu, despite his poor background, can still accomplish something!
Now that he has become a Jinshi and has become an imperial envoy, he goes south to inspect places. Just like that, he did not expect that someone would dare to use his origin to humiliate him. It would be strange if he is not angry!
After the officer finished his explanation and got Zhang Pu's understanding, he turned around again and continued to report to Jiang Dong.
"Those people said that Zhang Xun was not the one to restore the society. Since he wanted to be unjust, they should not blame them for turning against him. Yesterday, they could support Zhang Xun to represent the restoration of the society, so today they can support another person."
"My subordinates have heard about it, and now there is a new saying among the scholars in the south of the Yangtze River, saying that the Fourth Young Master of Jinling is also known as the Fourth Young Master of Fushe..."
Hearing this, Zhang Pu's face turned as dark as Bao Gong's, and he suddenly interrupted and asked: "Which four?"
When the officer heard this, he turned to look at him and replied: "Gaocheng is brave to open up the frontier, Tongcheng is full of wisdom, Yixing is Chen Zhenhui, and Shangqiuhou is Fangyu."
In the original history, these four people were indeed known as the "Four Young Masters of Fushe", but they would not become famous until Zhang Pu's death. However, in this plane, it was because of the butterfly effect that the name was known in advance by those who were interested.
Naturally, Zhang Pu had heard of the reputations of these four people and knew that these four people were indeed knowledgeable. What made Zhang Pu even more vaguely jealous was that these four people were all descendants of officials, and their background was much better than his.
After answering Zhang Pu's questions, the officer turned back and continued to report the news to Jiang Dong.
"Those people were on the streets trying to dissuade those who came, saying that Governor Zhang was coming to ask for money this time, and whoever wanted more money could come."
Of course, the invitations sent out by Zhang Pu must be at least scholar level or above. As for scholars, there are exemptions. This is what those people are referring to.
Zhang Pu frowned when he heard this. Before he could get angry, he heard Fan Yi continue to say: "Also, they told those who came over that two of the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai have now arrived in Yangzhou, Qian Qianyi Following up, yesterday evening, we made a temporary decision to hold a poetry tea party this afternoon. Therefore, after hearing this, those people all went to Qian Qianyi's place."
Qian Qianyi was the leader of the Donglin Party and the leader of the poetry world. Regardless of his qualifications or talent, he was not comparable to Zhang Pu, a rising star.
But the only thing is that Qian Qianyi was dismissed from office by the court at this time, and he was just an ordinary citizen. That's why when Banya mentioned him, he didn't have any respect at all and just called him by his name.
On Zhang Pu's side, he was an imperial envoy, patrolling the place. In terms of official status, he had to overshadow Qian Qianyi.
However, it is obvious that the literati gathered here in Yangzhou Prefecture did not sell Zhang Pu's account, and went to support Qian Qianyi's side one after another.
On an impromptu basis, I held a poetry tea party at the same time as myself! Zhang Pu thought in his heart, how could he not know that this was definitely intentional, just to lose his face!
Thinking of this, Zhang Pu couldn't help but get extremely angry: A person takes a breath of life, and a Buddha fights for a stick of incense. These people are so unwilling to give him face, and even go out of their way to lose his face. This is simply more uncomfortable for him than killing him!
So much so that he didn't even hear what the officer was saying next, and he felt his anger getting stronger and stronger. Suddenly, he shouted loudly: "Let's go, in this case, I have to go over." Look at Qian Qianyi’s poetry tea party!”
If it were normal times, it would be absolutely impossible for him to call Qian Qianyi directly, at least he would have to have an honorific title. But at this time, he not only called his name directly, but even expressed anger.
When Jiang Dong heard this, he couldn't help but feel happy. It seemed that the emperor's plan was a conspiracy. As long as Zhang Pu was allowed to go south, no matter whether he wanted it or not, he would be ostracized by corrupt officials, and eventually Zhang Pu and those who originally supported him would be forced to People are against each other.
Seeing Zhang Pu taking a step to leave, he quickly stepped forward, stopped Zhang Pu and said, "Zhang Xunjian, they are in Fengyue Place. According to Ming law, officials cannot go."
Although there is indeed such a rule, it has long been completely forgotten. Only Jiang Dong, who was born as a refugee and a stall owner in Dongchang, still remembers this rule.
Zhang Pu was a little stunned after hearing this, but Jiang Dong immediately said: "If you must go, you can change into casual clothes and go."
Seeing Zhang Pu like this, he was definitely looking for trouble with Qian Qianyi. According to the emperor's wishes, it is best for them to conflict. Therefore, he was not going to stop him, so he gave Zhang Pu an idea, at least on the surface it was acceptable. Otherwise, if Zhang Pu wore official robes and went to Fengyue's place, he would definitely be impeached by the imperial censor in the context of his current offense.
Zhang Pu understood Jiang Dong's good intentions, but still persisted and said without hesitation: "As a patrol censor, I have the duty to monitor the local officials. Now I heard that local officials were drinking and having fun at Fengyue Hall. How can I let them corrupt the court's rules and regulations! No need to change out of official uniforms, just go like this, I want to see how many officials are so bold that they dare to violate laws and disciplines!"
Jiang Dong couldn't help but be stunned when he heard this. He had never thought of this. Unexpectedly, Zhang Pu found an excuse without blinking. He is very strong!
If he went there in civilian clothes, it would be equivalent to losing his status as an imperial envoy, and they would all be reciting poems and writing poems as equals, and they might continue to make things difficult for them; if he went there in official uniform and said he was going to check on officials, that would be quite serious. Stronger.
It can be seen from this that the words and deeds of those people have obviously touched Zhang Pu's anger, making him so angry.
Haha, these scholars either don't do it, but once they do do it, they will be more vicious than people like me!
Thinking this, Jiang Dong immediately clasped his fists and accepted the order: "I will obey your wishes!"
After finishing speaking, he immediately said to his subordinates: "Did you hear that? Gather the brothers and get started!"
"Follow your orders!" The servants, all of whom were not afraid of big troubles, responded loudly and immediately began to assemble. The servants in civilian clothes also hurriedly changed into official uniforms.
…………
The most famous romantic place in Yangzhou Prefecture is the Qiuyue Pavilion, which occupies a large area in the city. Not only is the environment here well-arranged, but more importantly, the madam here is a man who knows how to run a business and has a strong background. The girls under her are all beautiful and talented. Therefore, it became a gathering place for literati and poets in Yangzhou Prefecture.
This time, the madam here paid a lot of money and contacted Yingtian Mansion to invite Li Xiangjun and Liu Rushi, two of the eight beauties of Qinhuai, saying that they would hold an oiran competition.
It happened that Qian Qianyi was dismissed from office and returned to his hometown. This old man was nostalgic for flowers and had been pursuing Liu Rushi. When he heard the news, of course he wanted to praise Liu Rushi, so he immediately followed him.
As an equally famous romantic woman, Li Xiangjun naturally had his followers and also came with him.
At this time, outside Qiuyue Pavilion, one could faintly hear the sound of silk and bamboo coming from inside, as well as the loud cheers of the literati and poets, and of course, the delicate voices of some women were also indispensable. Just outside, you can feel how lively it is here.
Because there were too many people, the poetry tea party here was held in the largest Chunnuan Building in Qiuyue Pavilion. Qian Qianyi, whose hair and beard were half white, was sitting in the front seat. Next to him was a petite and beautiful woman; and next to him, sitting beside him, was a young and talented man with a majestic appearance. Judging from his age, he could probably be... Qian Qianyi’s grandson. But now, two people with a big age difference were drinking and having fun together, and they were also accompanied by a beautiful woman.
Each of them had a smile on their face. Some were drinking and eating, some were teasing the women around them, and some were talking to each other. The atmosphere was very lively.
Suddenly, there was a man dressed as a scribe outside, hurried in, and said loudly: "The hour has passed over there, and there are not even half a person there, hahaha..."
Although he didn't say where exactly, the people here all knew where he was pointing, and couldn't help laughing.
The young man next to Qian Qianyi was also happy. He immediately raised his cup and said to Qian Qianyi who was talking to Liu Rushi: "Mr. Yushan gave us a big sigh of relief at this poetry tea party. Happy, happy, students." Here’s to you, let’s do it first!”
Seeing him finish it off, the crowd of people waiting immediately cheered loudly. Qian Qianyi also smiled and said with a smile: "He is just a common man. He doesn't know how high the sky is, so he should learn a lesson."
He is qualified to say this. At that time, he was a top three Jinshi and was awarded the title of Editor of the Hanlin Academy. And even in terms of being an official, he has been a minister of the Ministry of Rites, and has been on the cabinet recommendation list. No matter in every aspect, he is better than Zhang Pu. At most, he is older than Zhang Pu, but this has also become his capital to rely on his old age.
Having said this, he looked at the young man next to him and said with a smile: "On the other hand, Chaozong, you are very knowledgeable at a young age. In my opinion, you are far better than that person. Let me tell you, resume society. It’s up to you young people to take the lead!”
Chaozong is the name of Hou Fangyu, one of the four sons of Fushe. This young man was naturally Hou Fangyu who later worked for the Manchu Qing Dynasty.
