Fenghou

"This official, you... how do you know?"

Chapter 93 Yoshisuke

This middle-aged woman was the well-known Li Qingzhao, even in the Song Dynasty, she was very famous, but at this time she was in the most desolate, hesitant and depressed time in her life.

Just in March of this year, the calligraphy, painting and gold and stone collections she deposited in a friend's house were swept away by thieves, and the hard work of her and her husband's life was wiped out.

Li Qingzhao suffered from a serious illness and was just recovering from the illness. The family was so poor that there was no rice to cook, and everything that could be sold had been sold. She had no choice but to ask for help everywhere to see if she could find something to do.

However, Li Qingzhao was not well received by others, and repeatedly hit the wall, which almost made her despair. Today, she came to ask for the third time to ask Lu Yihao, the prime minister, and hoped that the court could reissue her husband Zhao Mingcheng's salary in the last few months, as well as her husband's salary after his death. funeral money.

The Song Dynasty was an era of literati, and there was no official who didn't like talented women, but there were two main reasons why a talented woman like Li Qingzhao who was famous all over the world was so downcast that no one paid attention to her.

The first one is age, of course. Scholars like to chant poems to the moon, young and talented women who are full of interest. Li Qingzhao is too old. She is 46 years old. Even Zhang Ruzhou, who later married her, peeped at her wealth, not her beauty.

When Zhang Ruzhou found out that she was already destitute, he lashed out at her and beat her up.

But her age was not the main reason for her frequent rebuffs. The main reason was her political stance. The entire imperial court and the emperor had been in exile for four years, and finally gained a foothold in Lin'an. Finally, she began to enjoy a peaceful life and regain the joy of life.

However, she was ignorant of current affairs and kept writing, croaking, 'Northern Expedition!Northern Expedition!Northern Expedition! '

She is like a Xianglin's wife in the Southern Song Dynasty. When she sees everyone, she wants the other party to support her political stance, wants to conquer the Central Plains, and dares to resist Jin.

So much so that all the court officials kept her at a respectful distance, for fear of getting too close to her, and labeled her as anti-golden.

The poem "Summer Quatrains" was written by Li Qingzhao when she passed by Gaixia the year before last, and it had been kept in her bookcase. No one in Lin'an knew about this poem. Today, someone recited this poem in Xiangguo Mansion, which of course surprised her.

But when I think about Li Qingzhao again, I am relieved. My husband showed this poem to some friends in Hongzhou, and it may have been circulated at that time.

Chen Qing said apologetically: "Chen Qing, the commander of the Xixi Army, has admired Madam's poem name for a long time, and today I take the liberty to meet you, Madam, please don't blame me!"

Although Chen Qing was a bit presumptuous, Li Qingzhao was not disgusted. When she heard that the other party was a general of the Western Army, she immediately became interested.

"Which army of the Western Army is General Chen?"

"I am the general under the command of King Dutong of the Bazi Army."

"I know that you moved from Taihang Mountain to Shaanxi, and you defeated the Jin soldiers in Heshangyuan at the beginning of the year, bringing hope to the people of the world!"

"What hope does Madam mean?"

"Hope to restore the homeland."

Li Qingzhao smiled slightly: "The general should belong to the anti-golden faction!"

Chen Qing nodded, "Every soldier of our Bazi Army is a firm anti-gold faction, so I have always admired Madam's persistence."

Li Qingzhao smiled wryly, "In the two years in Lin'an, this is the first time someone praised me for being persistent. To be honest, I was almost desperate."

"Despair? Why did Madam say that?"

At this moment, a group of young men came over, and Chen Qing recognized at a glance that the leader was Wang Bo. Although he was expelled from martial arts, it seemed that he was not affected at all.

"Brother Bo, I have rented the boat in Fengle Building for one night. Let's go play together tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, I have an appointment with my friends to go to Fengle Building. How about two days?"

"That's fine, I'll make a decision when Big Brother Bo decides which night!"

"Qi Yun, how much does it cost to rent the painting boat in Fengle Building for one night?"

"Not many, just five hundred guan, there are more than a dozen high-class beautiful girls, play with them as you like."

"Is Su Mi here?"

"Saburo still thinks about Su Mi? That woman is not something ordinary people can afford. Last time Liu Bao offered a thousand guan, even if he asked for a one-night affair, he couldn't get it."

A group of people talked and laughed, and stopped in front of the pavilion.

Wang Bo looked at Chen Qing with a half-smile and said, "What a coincidence! General Chen is here too?"

Chen Qing stood up and smiled at Li Qingzhao: "Madam, let's go for a walk over there!"

Li Qingzhao also hated Wang Bo and others, so he quickly stood up and followed Chen Qing away from the other side.

After walking more than ten steps, I heard someone teasing faintly: "I didn't expect this kid to have such a strong taste?"

As soon as Chen Qing turned his head, he looked at Qi Yun sharply. Wang Bo poked the short and fat Qi Yun with his elbow, and said with a teasing smile, "Don't annoy him, I'll give you an arrow later!"

Everyone laughed together.

Li Qingzhao calmly said to Chen Qing: "General, you don't need to be as knowledgeable as these dudes!"

"There are quite a few eunuchs' children. They are drunk all day long, making Lin'an a mess."

Li Qingzhao sighed softly, "They are just stealing the limelight. In fact, the whole of Lin'an is rapidly transforming into Bianliang, Tokyo. There are more than 100 restaurants by the West Lake under construction at the same time, and hundreds of painting boats for dignitaries. In the past, all the luxury stores in Bianliang opened in Lin'an, but now whoever talks about the Northern Expedition is stupid and ignorant of current affairs, that's what I mean by despair."

Chen Qing was a little ashamed, he almost invested in a restaurant by the West Lake.

Li Qingzhao glanced at him and said with a smile: "How is the situation in the Western Army? Do you plan to recapture Guanzhong?"

Chen Qing nodded, "Now stabilize the defense first, and then gradually counterattack. In fact, the officials also have this kind of thinking, otherwise they wouldn't have appointed me as the Qinzhou Zhizhi envoy."

Li Qingzhao lightly brushed his hair, and his eyes became brighter, "Hey! Sometimes I really want to go to the Northwest, and I can do my part to fight against the Jin soldiers. In Lin'an, there are debauched voices everywhere, which makes people feel chilling."

Chen Qing smiled slightly: "If Madam is willing to come to the Northwest to support the anti-golden struggle, we warmly welcome you."

Li Qingzhao said sadly: "My top priority now is to support myself. I can't find something to do. I only make a living by doing laundry with two maidservants who have been with me for many years."

Chen Qing knew that Li Qingzhao was forced to marry Zhang Ruzhou because she had no other way out, and her life was extremely difficult, but she would not take this step if there was any hope. He was full of sympathy for this talented poetess.

"How about I find something for my wife to do!"

Li Qingzhao's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "What does the general want me to do?"

"Copy the book!"

This job is not bad, it is very suitable for me, Li Qingzhao asked with a smile: "What book are you copying?"

"Any kind of book is fine, preferably the classics of the pre-Qin philosophers, various art of war, as well as "Han Shu", "Old Tang Book", "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" and so on. The price is one penny per word. Would you like to take it?"

Li Qingzhao suddenly understood, how can there be such an expensive price, this General Chen is actually subsidizing himself in disguise!

"I understand what the general wants, but it doesn't have to be like this!"

Chen Qing shook his head, "I don't like to read printed books. I like to read manuscripts with good calligraphy. It's really wronged me to let my wife be a copyist."

Li Qingzhao was in extreme embarrassment, and she stopped being hypocritical, and immediately agreed, "It is also Qingzhao's honor to be able to copy the book for the general!"

Chen Qing took out ten taels of silver and gave it to her at the beginning, and said with a smile: "This is ten taels of silver. Madam, please sort out the articles and poems written over the years, and copy a copy for me. Take advantage of it!"

……

At present, ten taels of silver can be exchanged for fifty pennies, which is a great help for Li Qingzhao, otherwise she will be kicked out of the house by the landlord.

Li Qingzhao was grateful again and again, and didn't stay in the Xiangguo Mansion, and left in a hurry. She didn't come here to celebrate her birthday, but just wanted to ask for her husband's salary. She didn't have much hope, but she didn't expect to meet Chen Qing, who solved her imminent livelihood crisis. .

"My nephew!"

Chen Qing turned his head and saw Huyan Zhengyan rushing over, accompanied by a fat black man, who was exactly Zhang Ruzhou who was planning Li Qingzhao's idea.

"Why is third uncle here?"

"Where is Lay Yi An? He was still in the pavilion just now."

"She went back. She was copying books for others, and others were in a hurry to ask for books, so she had to rush back."

Zhang Ruzhou next to him was stunned for a moment, "She is helping someone copy books? No way!"

"Why not?"

Chen Qing smiled slightly, "She is so poor now, she also wants to eat, doesn't she?"

Zhang Ruzhou's eyes widened, "The family is poor, what kind of joke is General Chen?"

Chen Qing said indifferently: "In March of this year, all the gold, stone and ancient paintings she deposited in a friend's house were swept away by thieves. Decades of painstaking efforts were gone, and she couldn't find it even after reporting to the official. You don't know about such a big matter. Know?"

Zhang Ruzhou was completely stunned, "This... I still have something to do, let's discuss it in detail!"

Looking at Zhang Ruzhou's distraught figure, Huyan Zhengyan asked with a smile: "Is it true that Lay Yi'an's collection is gone, or is it to break Zhang Ruzhou's thoughts?"

"It's true that there are none. He can go to the government to inquire. If he wants to covet Lay Yi'an's wealth, it is a big mistake."

Huyan Zhengyan smiled and said: "Now not only Zhang Ruzhou is in despair, but all the people who want to marry their daughter to you are also in despair. I really don't understand what you think, the house is gone, who wants to marry your daughter?" Give you?"

Chen Qing chuckled, "When the Song Dynasty moves its capital back to Bianliang, Tokyo one day, the house in Lin'an may not be so valuable!"

Masahiko Huyan pouted, "How is it possible?"

"Everything is possible, Third Uncle, don't be so sure and leave yourself a way out."

Huyan Zhengyan was in doubt, at this moment, the butler hurried over, cupped his fists at Chen Qing and said, "General Chen, my master is here to invite you!"

Chapter 94 Face to Face

Chen Qing followed the housekeeper to the back house and walked into a courtyard. The housekeeper smiled and said, "This is my master's study. He has something to ask you for."

Lu Yihao wanted to find him, which was beyond Chen Qing's expectation.

"What does Mr. Lu want from me?"

The butler smiled and shook his head, "I don't know either, please, my lord!"

Lu Yihao wore a wide Zen robe and a flat scarf today, and smiled and asked Chen Qing to sit down, "General Chen must prepare himself, he may return to the northwest in advance."

"why?"

"Your envoy Zhang Xuanfu wrote a letter. The Kingdom of Jin is constantly dispatching troops to Guanzhong. It is very likely that there will be a big battle this winter and next spring. Wu Jie hopes that you will go back as soon as possible."

"Then what about my martial arts?"

"The official means to let you graduate with an exception!"

Chen Qing didn't speak for a while, he didn't expect that he would graduate early, let alone that this matter would alarm the emperor, is it a bit of a fuss.

Lu Yihao seemed to understand Chen Qing's thoughts, smiled and said: "The key is that Wu Jie regards you very seriously, so your return will become an important part of the Song army's preparations for war, and it is not surprising that the officials have been alarmed."

Chen Qing nodded silently, "Then when shall I go back?"

"It depends on your arrangement, just a few days! Return immediately after completing the formalities."

"I understand, thank Xiangguo for telling me."

At this time, a maid came in to serve them tea, but for some reason, Chen Qing always felt that this maid was a bit different, and he couldn't tell the difference, it seemed that her temperament didn't look like a maid, so Chen Qing couldn't help but look at her more glance.

I saw that she was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with fair skin, a long face, a small mouth with clear outlines, rosy and full, a high nose bridge, a pair of big eyes, slightly drooping eyelids, dense and long eyelashes, and a pair of slender hands. And slender, her height is about 1.7 meters, and she looks extremely gentle and majestic.

The girl quickly glanced at Chen Qing with her pretty eyes, and then slowly backed away. Lu Yihao watched her walk away meaningfully.

"There is another thing. The officials are not very happy that you use your own money to issue pensions to the soldiers. The pension money will be made up for you next year, but the officials hope that this kind of thing will only happen once, and it will not happen again in the future. occur."

Chen Qing smiled wryly for a while and said, "Is this also what Zhang Xuanfu said in the letter?"

Lu Yihao nodded, "I checked, it should be you who sold the house that the government rewarded you, right?"

"Exactly! I sold 3000 taels of money, and the [-] taels of silver that the government rewarded before, and the prize money I won in riding and archery, etc., add up to [-] taels of money, and I can give you [-] taels of silver. The family members of the [-] soldiers who died in battle were given pensions. In fact, there is still a shortfall of [-] guan.”

"You write it all down. The emperor wants to know how you have so much money. Someone has already impeached you. The source of the huge amount of money is unknown."

"Fan Zongyin?"

Lu Yihao shook his head, "It's Qin Hui!"

Chen Qing immediately picked up a pen and made a detailed list, and pushed it to Lu Yihao.

"I see, you go! Complete the formalities and return to the Western Army as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Lu Xianggong, for speaking up for the humble position."

"Remember, General Chen, the army is the emperor's army. You must not overstep your authority. This is a big taboo."

Chen Qing saluted deeply, turned around and left.

Lu Yihao watched his tall and straight back go away, and sighed softly, "Fortunately, there are such soldiers, my Song Dynasty has hope!"

At this time, the girl who served tea just now came in and gave a blessing, "See you, grandfather!"

Lu Yihao smiled slightly and said, "How about it, do you still like it?"

The girl bit her lip lightly, and nodded shyly.

"Xiu'er, you can't just look at the appearance!"

The girl shook her head lightly, "Xiu'er is not only concerned with appearance."