Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 15 1.15

Volume One

1.15 Wu Xun is to rest with the country

"White snow is falling in the quiet village, pigeons are flying under the hazy sky, and the two names are engraved in the birch forest. They swear to each other." Standing at the door and looking at the falling snow, Zhou Yang spoke in a tone-deaf voice. I was singing a song that was obviously not in tune. Fortunately, there was no one around, so I didn't have to worry about scaring anyone.

"Master, stop singing!" Well, it wasn't like there was no one at all. Qingwen ran over covering her ears with an impatient expression on her face, "Shouldn't you continue to practice swordsmanship? Or you can just lift a stone roller, as the saying goes Isn’t it said that ‘nothing of gold can buy an inch of time’? You still”

"Damn girl, I have never been lazy in the past half month. Can't you see the progress of the young master?" Zhou Yang angrily pulled the maid who had no superiority or inferiority for a few PP, "You can't practice to death anymore. Do you understand that only by combining work and rest can we make faster progress? Only those who can rest can work, understand?"

"But the young master's archery is still barely stable at four out of nine shots. Didn't you say that this won't work, and it must be five out of nine shots?" Qingwen's faint voice left Zhou Yang completely speechless, "I remember the martial arts exams The deadline is early February next year, and time is running out.”

"Yes, little housekeeper." Zhou Yang messed up the girl's hair angrily, because he was really unable to refute, "Okay, it's past lunch time now, there won't be any guests, and I just have something to go out for. Come on, you close the door and take care of your home, no one will pay attention to me until I come back, do you understand?"

"Humph!" Qingwen immediately turned her back with a clear attitude.

"Be good!" Zhou Yang couldn't help but laugh. He took out the pack horse from the yard, which had already hung a strong bow and a quiver on the left and right. He said "drive" and ran towards the Tiexuan Temple. In fact, this horse was really It's very average. I really want to say that the speed is not even as good as his own long-distance running, but the advantage is that he can save energy and practice his riding skills at the same time. With the long sword at his waist, he looks like he is hunting in the snow, so he can talk about anything.

"Master, I'm sorry. I was out hunting and had fun and missed the time. I passed by your temple and wanted to stay overnight to avoid the wind and snow. I will leave tomorrow. I will need a piece of sesame oil money by then. Is it possible?" I put it on the ground for more than 20 miles. This era is really not that far away. Zhou Yang felt quite exhausted while trotting all the way across the horse. Fortunately, it was not too far away. On the gate of the monastery in front of him, the plaque of "Tiekan Temple" was quite eye-catching.

"This -" the monk who knew the guest at the door looked embarrassed, "donor, please forgive me, this temple is the family temple of Ningrong's second house in the capital. Today, the master's family is here to fulfill their vows. It is really inconvenient to receive foreign guests. If the donor doesn't mind, you can go to the opposite side. Ask Shuiyue An at Shuiyue An, it’s cheaper to stay overnight or get a tip.”

"Oh?" Zhou Yang's heart moved. It seemed that the time given by Su Yun was indeed correct. He looked at Shuiyue Nunnery not far across the way, resisted the urge to ask, "Why is the nunnery still accepting male guests?" and thanked him. After that, we took our horses there - both temples are built on the mountain, and you have to walk up the steps to enter, which is really not suitable for riding a horse.

"Are you staying here, the benefactor? There are just a few guest rooms in the small temple. It's fine if the benefactor doesn't mind." After a moment, he looked at the bald monk in front of him, who was dressed like a nun, but his face was filled with peach blossoms, and he spoke like "A guest is here to play." "Zhike Ni's tone, Zhou Yang felt as if time and space were confused. His first reaction was "Buddha Yuan", which has been very "famous" on the modern Internet for some time, um, "Buddha Yuan"?
"Um - yes, I just don't know if it's convenient." No matter what, we have to find a place to stay. The Shuiyue Temple in front of us is less than a hundred meters away from Tiekang Temple. It is definitely the most suitable location. Even if Zhou Yang has Although he was doubtful, he decided to endure it and said, "Please help me arrange my horse as well. I have to go out later."

"Donor, don't worry." Zhikuni's eyes were almost shining, which made Zhou Yang feel uneasy no matter what.

After less than one stick of incense, Zhou Yang, whose clothes were pulled into wrinkles and his face was red, almost "escaped" from Shuiyue Nunnery. His expression was like a mask, and his feelings were that of a nunnery with a plaque hanging on it. There are many "hunting groups" dressed similarly to him in the "theme hotel", and "Buddhist training" is going on in the hot hall, which is really fun.

"Thank you, Master. You just need to help me take care of my horse. I'll give you the money for the sesame oil tomorrow." He pushed the last Chikni who was still trying to pull him in, and then closed the door hard. Zhou Yang trotted around. After arriving at the back of Tiekan Temple, proceed to the next step of "planning".

This is naturally the guest room area in the inner courtyard of the temple, and it is not difficult to find, because from a height, only a small courtyard near the wall of this guest room has smoke pillars. Zhou Yang quickly climbed over the courtyard wall and pushed it open without a latch. Entering the courtyard through the main entrance, you soon heard people chatting - Suyun said that once entering the family temple, all the followers will be placed in the front yard, and only the family members, that is, Li Wan and his wife, can enter the guest rooms in the backyard. she.

"Suyun, did you ask someone to come in?" It was probably because Zhou Yang opened, closed, and bolted the door loudly that Li Wan's confused voice came from the guest room.

"No, no." Suyun's eyes were evasive and her tone was weak.

"Suyun!" Li Wan's voice became severe.

"Okay, it's me!" He silently praised the maid in his heart. Zhou Yang strode into the door and went straight to the bedroom. He happened to see the master and servant Li Wan sewing and chatting on the fire bed. But the atmosphere at the moment Not good. Li Wan stared at Su Yun who lowered his head and said nothing with a serious expression. He obviously understood that he had been "sold".

Probably due to the high temperature in the room, coupled with the confidence of the double insurance of the inner courtyard door and the guest room door, the two of them were dressed more casually, wearing simple silk shirts and a silk home gown, and they were even naked. Put your feet on. "Master Zhou, please wait a moment. I will go and pour you a cup of tea." Knowing that it was not suitable to stay any longer, Su Yun wisely chose to "pour tea and escape" and just went out, closing the bedroom door.

"Suyun, your hooves are so awesome." Li Wan almost fainted, but unfortunately she was pushed down on the kang before she could get angry. It wasn't that Zhou Yang was impatient, but that this girl's arrogance was a bit serious, no Be honest and don't expect to ask anything.

In the living room, Suyun's face turned red as she listened to the sounds inside. She resisted the feeling of going in and drank a sip of herbal tea from time to time. After more than half an hour, until there was no more sound, she took the basin towel that had been prepared and gently Open the door slightly and go in to clean up.

"You are quite capable. Suyun has been with me since I was a child, and you have managed my relationship for more than ten years." Li Wan was caught in the thin and warm brocade quilt, and he had no choice but to let it be touched, and could only use a sarcastic tone to gain some face. , "Today's wind and snow are not easy to carry. Zhou Zhuangshi must not have come here just for me, right?"

"Can't the palace judge be more confident?" Zhou Yang couldn't put it down and took advantage. Naturally, Zhou Yang was not idle, "There are some small things I want to ask."

"Really?" Li Wan interrupted her with a "I knew it was so" expression on his face, "I just don't know how Zhou Zhuangshi can confirm it, but I must know it?"

"What I've heard the most these days is the 'Four Kings and Eight Dukes', and Ning Rong's Second Mansion is the first of the Eight Dukes, so I came here specifically to ask." Li Wan's face changed slightly as soon as Zhou Yang spoke, "Especially I also heard that Prince Yi Zhong caused some trouble and even caused the Ning Rong Second Mansion to almost withdraw from the top level. If you can tell me, I hope to hear it."

"I don't know as much about Prince Yi Zhong as you do." Li Wan was silent for a moment, and then replied softly, "I only heard that the old Duke has always been trusted by the Emperor, and that the old Ning from the East Palace is in the 'Beijing Camp. He sat in the position of Jieduzhi for nearly 20 years, and after his death, the person who took over the position was Uncle Jing, who inherited the title."

"But as far as I know, at the beginning, the title of the Ning Mansion was a first-class uncle, and the title of the Rong Mansion was a third-class marquis. Why was it that when it was passed down to the current holder of the title, it was reduced to a first-class general, and Ning Rong's Second Mansion can be called a first-class general?" The only person who stands out is the current Jingying Jiedushi Master Jing." Zhou Yang said lightly, "Forget about your father-in-law, who is the sixth-rank director of the Ministry of Industry."

"Why are you asking these questions?" Li Wan frowned, "These things are not yours."

"Since I want to take the martial arts exam, I can't avoid being a high-ranking military officer. At least I can't stand on the wrong team and lose my head for no reason." Zhou Yang's reason is actually very far-fetched. Even if he becomes a martial arts scholar, it is far from enough. Qualifications are involved in high-level struggles. "Of course it's also for you. I want to know more. For example, I heard that the eldest gentleman in your house was born as a companion to Prince Yichuan. Why has he become a joke among the Wu Xun family now?"

"You know a lot!" Li Wan was quite surprised, but soon looked strange, "But who told you that the prince's companion must be a talented person in the world?"

"Is there any problem?" Zhou Yang was stunned for a moment, "I heard that your great master means "enhou", and these two words are not meant for everyone."

"Given by the Emperor." Li Wan looked at him sarcastically, "But it was because the eldest man was very unworthy when he was young. Even my grandfather had no choice but to worry about what would happen to him in the future, so he begged the Emperor for mercy on his deathbed. In recognition of his grandfather's lifelong military service and loyalty, the Supreme Emperor personally gave him the title 'Enhou' and made a promise of 'a lifetime of wealth'."

"Um, is there such a thing?" Zhou Yang was completely confused. This was inconsistent with the situation he had always known. "It wasn't because Prince Yi Zhong originally sided with him that he was implicated in losing his title of Duke and Marquis. During the inheritance, he was suddenly demoted. Fourth gear?"

"Why do you think so?" Li Wan was really surprised this time, "The succession of the title of the Great Zhou Dynasty is indeed downgrading to the nobility, but the super-rank fifth-level nobility must have military merits and military positions. If you can't stay in the army , no matter which level he is among the princes and uncles, he will be reduced to the first-class general. Unless he can serve in the army again, he will be passed on in this way from now on.

Uncle Jing had chosen to take the imperial examination. When Mr. Ning passed away, he had already been awarded the title of Jinshi, but without any actual military service, he could only inherit the title of first-class general. Fortunately, the Emperor was nostalgic and issued a favor order for him to inherit the position of Jiedu Envoy of the Beijing Camp. For this reason, he made a special purpose to seize his love. It was really a great favor from the emperor, but since he had already received the title in advance, there was no way to add it back.

Besides, Wu Xun is meant to live with the country, so why should he take sides? He only needs to be loyal to the royal family, and there is no need to compete for the "service of the dragon" like a civil servant. Anyway, after His Majesty ascends the throne, he will be rewarded no matter what. ; In addition, the Supreme Emperor is still here, and there are "two days in the sky" to do more and make more mistakes. Why do you need to do more and get yourself into trouble? "

Zhou Yang was completely confused!

(End of this chapter)