Chen Shi

What kind of aristocratic families in the south of the Yangtze River refer to, there are two kinds of divisions: the government and the aristocratic families themselves.The government attaches great importance to inheritance and continuation. Many big families have already declined, and they are still among them. The newly rising families lack foundation, no matter what their strength and prestige are.After all, this is an era where power comes first.

After absorbing the Lin and Hu families, the Rong family became extremely powerful. In just a few months, they overtook Fang and Wu and became the leader of the family, becoming the uncrowned king of the south of the Yangtze River recognized by the family.The Jiangnan mentioned here mainly refers to the area of ​​Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and does not include Jiangxi and Fujian.In other words, although the Jiangnan family cried and supported the Southwest King, Jiangxi and Fujian were still separated between them and Guangdong and Guangxi controlled by the Southwest King.

The two places are not close to each other, and it is inconvenient to travel between the mountains and rivers, and let the Rong family who does not support the Southwest King grow bigger, Chen Xuanxiang's mood can be imagined.

Those at the top are angry, and those at the bottom cry.

The several big families who were busy fighting in the house and palace and competing for beauty and favor finally came to their senses.To fight against the outside world, you must first settle down inside, and the prerequisite for pleasing the Southwest King is to keep the capital of Jiangnan.

They also knew that the Rong family was already a gigantic monster with the combined strength of the three families.Just as Rong Yun's 14th birthday was approaching, they made up their minds and prepared to resort to a tried-and-tested trick-marriage.The Fang family and the Wu family each have a prostitute daughter, who is eleven or two years old, Xu Xixi Wang is too young, and Xu Rongyun is just right.

If you want to get married, you must first win the relationship.

The Fang and Wu families, who were originally focused on the Southwest King, quickly turned their heads and paid attention to Rong Yun again.The Rong family didn't have any female relatives, so the young master and the master came to make connections.

The young ones talk about wind, flowers, snow, moon, piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, while the older ones talk about the country, the country, and the common people.Rong Yun received two receptions, and was very annoying. The third time, she avoided seeing her and let Tan Shu, who had recovered from her injuries, go out to deal with it.

Tan Shu had a great time coping with it, anyway, it was just... nonsense.

Regardless of the truth, in the eyes of outsiders, this is a sign of the warm relationship between the Rong family and them.Therefore, Fang and Wu's trustees and matchmakers went very smoothly, and both matchmakers promised to play by ear on their birthdays.

On the tenth day of September, the Double Ninth Festival had just passed, and Hangzhou City was extremely lively, even Huangkou's children knew that the young master of the Rong family celebrated his birthday today, and the dignitaries and dignitaries from Jinling also came to celebrate.

The road leading to Rong's house had already been cleaned, and occasionally some people stood by the side of the road to watch the well-dressed distinguished guests pass by on horseback or in sedan chairs.

Rong Yun woke up early, not to entertain guests, but to wait at the kitchen door for Chen Zhi to make longevity noodles.

Chen Zhi deftly used the rolling pin to pull the noodles until the big bowl almost couldn't hold it before stopping and started cooking the noodles.

Rong Yun knowingly asked: "Does the face have to be so long?"

Chen Zhi said: "Longevity noodles and longevity noodles, of course, the longer the better." Although there is no basis, but compared with Rong Yun's life span in the previous two lives, he would rather believe it.

When the noodles came out of the pot, Rong Yun was about to serve them, when a surprised voice sounded behind her: "They said you were in the kitchen, so it turned out that you were making longevity noodles." Tan Shu stepped in while talking.

Rong Yun deeply regretted giving him the freedom to come in and out at will.

Tan Shu looked at the face and saw that the soup was rich, the colors were bright, and the noodles were well-proportioned in thickness. He felt his appetite whetted: "I didn't expect Chen Xianren to have such a good craftsmanship. Do the math, my birthday is coming soon..."

Rong Yun quickly interrupted: "Master said that I will only cook it for me in this life."

Chen Zhi: "..." When did he say that?Is it okay to make it for yourself? ...Oh, yes, he is no longer a human being.

Tan Shu turned his head, facing Rong Yun with the back of his head, showing a pitiful expression to Chen Zhi.

Chen Zhi blinked, indicating that there was a chance to make it for him.

"What are you doing?" Rong Yun said dissatisfiedly, who could guess what Tan Shu was doing just from his reaction.

Chen Zhi raised his airs and said, "This is how my teacher taught you to treat your friends?"

Ever since their butt blossomed, the way Rong Yun and Chen Zhi get along has changed a lot.Rong Yun no longer cried and fussed like a child, her words and deeds became much more obedient.Chen Zhi no longer pampered him without a bottom line, and had to correct his behavior from time to time.

The two of them didn't think much of it, but Tan Shu felt uncomfortable and changed the subject: "The first batch of guests have arrived."

Rong Yun waved her hand and said, "It's just as good as you receive."

Tan Shu said: "Hangzhou Wang Taishou and Jinling Lu Taishou hope that you will take some time to talk about something in private."

Rong Yun nodded, but felt a little strange.At that time, Northern Yan, Southern Qi, and Eastern Chen were divided into three parts of the world, and the official system was different.Among them, the official position of prefect was used by Northern Yan and Southern Qi, and the prefect was used by Eastern Chen.Later, the Chen Dynasty ruled the world. In order to appease the surrenders of Northern Yan and Southern Qi, the old lands of the two countries were allowed to continue to use the old system, and the area in the south of the Yangtze River was still used to be called the magistrate.Lin Zhiyuan was born in a family in the south of the Yangtze River, so he should be called "Prefect".

Because Huang Gui always used "prefect", Tan Shu and Chen Zhi were used to it, and did not notice the difference between the two.

But in front of the hot noodles, Rong Yun didn't think deeply, and after dismissing Tan Shu, she happily sat down to eat the noodles.After eating, Chen Zhi asked someone to carry a small box to him, saying it was a gift.

Rong Yun was pleasantly surprised.In his impression, Chen Zhi was sometimes aloof and aloof, and had a low regard for customs. When he was on the mountain, he only ate a little richer during the Chinese New Year, so he didn't dare to have higher expectations at all. .

"Open it and have a look." Chen Zhi was both embarrassed and sad by his elated expression.

"Thank you, master!" Rong Yun opened the box and found a fox collar cloak.

Chen Zhi said: "I see that you like the cloak very much... Since the one in the study belongs to your father, you should put it away carefully and use this one in the future."

Rong Yun couldn't bear it, but she was really moved in her heart.He really liked the cloak since he was a child, but he didn't expect to be noticed by his master. He suddenly felt sweet in his heart and mouth, and almost wanted to hug the cloak and roll around on the ground to express his joy.

"Master..." His eyes were slightly red, he glanced at Chen Zhi moved, then quickly lowered his head, rubbing his face against the fox collar of his cloak, and waited until he calmed down before raising his head and saying, "In this world, Master He's the best person for me."

When people get along with each other for a long time, they will naturally develop feelings.

At this moment, Chen Zhi didn't want to care about who Rong Yun used to be and what he would do in the future, at least at this moment, all he saw was a 14-year-old boy who was full of attachment and admiration for him.

Rong Yun's birthday party was held all day long.

Those who are of high status are placed at the dinner party, and those who come to the lunch party are all related but not so important guests.

Rong Yun went out to socialize at the beginning of the luncheon, and after a few glasses of wine, she asked Tan Shu to help her back on the grounds that she was too drunk.After a short rest, Tan Shu came to inform him that senior officials from Jinling and Hangzhou had arrived.

Although the Jiangsu and Zhejiang government now depends on the face of the aristocratic family to act, they still have to give the face that should be given.

Rong Yun made a face and went out to greet her.

At this time, the major families also arrived one after another.

When Rong Yun came out, she bumped into Fang's family.The head of the Fang family brought his second son Fang Zhongwen and the youngest daughter Fang Yuyu to congratulate, and introduced people by the way.Fang Yuyu is 11 years old this year, her facial features have not yet fully developed, and she has already seen the embryonic form of a beauty. When she saw Rong Yun, she even gave a shy look.

However, Rong Yun's heart is not here, it is tantamount to winking at the blind man.

The Patriarch of the Fang family was dissatisfied with his perfunctory. In a blink of an eye, officials from Jinling and Hangzhou came in chatting and laughing, his face changed slightly, and he quickly adjusted his mood to greet him: "Master Wang! Lord Lu! I haven't seen you for a few days, don't come All right!"

Prefect Lu was an official in Jinling, and he has dealt with him for many years, which can be regarded as a "deep friendship". No matter what thoughts he has in his heart about his deployment of resources from the south of the Yangtze River to supply the Southwest King, on the surface he is full of enthusiasm.

Wang Zhifu is different.Back then, he was more inclined to Rong Yucheng, otherwise he would not have brought the head of the Luo family to justice after his accident. Now that the Rong family has gained power, they naturally don't have a good look at the head of the Fang family who "eating inside and out".

The Patriarch of the Fang family didn't take it seriously and said: "Little brother Rong is a birthday star, so he must be very busy, go get busy. I haven't seen you for a few days, just to catch up with the old days."

Wang Zhifu said: "Unfortunately, we have something to discuss with Nephew Rong Xian, so we can only talk about it at another time."

The head of the Fang family is called Rong Yun's younger brother, but he is called Xian nephew, and there is a difference in seniority immediately.

The head of the Fang family was still holding his breath, but Fang Zhongwen behind him couldn't hold back: "My Fang family is also from the Jinling family. Since we are talking about things, we should have a share!"

Lu Zhifu laughed and said, "It's the Rong family's tax, it's not a big deal."

Prefect Wang said: "It's really not a big deal, it's not appropriate to alarm the Southwest King."

This is a blatant slap in the face, not to mention Fang Zhongwen, even the head of the Fang family couldn't help but change his face.Rong Yun had had enough of watching the show, so she came out at the right time to smooth things over, and asked Tan Shu to lead the head of the Fang family to the garden, while she took a few adults to the flower hall.

It was rare that so many people visited the garden, Chen Zhi couldn't help showing off his flowers and plants.

The guests knew that he was not only Rong Yun's master, but also the legendary Living Immortal of Siming, and they all played a very cooperative role. Every time they saw a potted flower, they must admire it.Knowing that there was a lot of water in it, Chen Zhi still felt extremely satisfied and brought batch after batch of guests.

When it was Fang's turn, he treated everyone equally and worked hard as a guide.

Fang Yuyu was the most active, pestering him with questions for a long time, and at the end, he asked in a secretive way: "What kind of flowers does Brother Rong like?"

Chen Zhi didn't realize who Brother Rong was at first, but when he saw Tan Shu blinking, he suddenly realized: "He doesn't like these things very much."

After the Fang family left, Tan Shu leaned over: "It seems that the Fang family is going to attack Rong Yun."

Chen Zhi asked nervously, "What do you do?"

Tan Shu said, "Beauty Pass."

Chen Zhi frowned and said, "Rong Yun is only 14 years old."

"Already 14 years old."

Chen Zhi stared blankly at the pot of peacock epiphyllum, and suddenly smiled and said: "That's true." That smile came and went quickly, like a dragonfly touching water, without a trace, "Is his destined queen this Miss Fang?" ?”

Tan Shu said, "Huang Gui didn't make it clear."

Chen Zhi raised his eyebrows and said, "What do you mean not clear?"

Tan Shu said: "Huang Gui only said that he would meet Wang's daughter, but he didn't say that Wang's is that Wang's." He thought for a while, and suddenly said, "Hangzhou prefect's surname is Wang."

Chen Zhi said: "Wang is a great surname, so there are so many people in the world."

"That's true."

"And you said it wasn't clear...how could it be possible that Heavenly Dao didn't have a clear hint?"

Tan Shu said: "I have also asked, but there is no answer. There is no answer. The prophecy of the way of heaven is based on the foundation of people. If people are uncertain, the future will naturally be doubtful. However, Huang Tianya only cares about the country. Leave those minutiae matters to the heavens to worry about."

The two were talking when they heard the servant report that the head of the Wu family had arrived.

Tan Shu ran to receive them, and after a while, he brought the Wu family over, followed by a beautiful little girl.

With the experience of last time, Chen Zhi was very calm this time, and let it go after a few casual introductions.Miss Wu's personality was also more quiet, and she left after listening.

Tan Shu came over to chat again: "It seems that the lord has the blessing of equal people."

Chen Zhi said, "Don't forget Wang's daughter."

"The emperor has three palaces and six courtyards. One Fang family and one Wu family are not too many. It's just that the Rong family may become the second southwestern palace in the future." Tan Shu was a little troubled.

Chen Zhi said, "You talk too much."

Inexplicably upset.

Chen Zhi came out of the garden, wandered around in a daze, walked into the flower hall, saw a group of people sitting around and felt disturbed, was about to leave, but was caught by the sharp-eyed Rong Yun, and dragged him in to listen.

Rong Yun's position is in the middle, and Chen Zhi sits next to him, which is also an eye-catching position, and it is very far away from the door. If you move casually, someone will look at it, so it is very difficult to sneak around.I thought they were going to talk about some drowsy things again, and I was ready to stay awake in a daze, but who knew that their topic would revolve around conscription.

There are two types of military service in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. One is to stay in the barracks and is under the jurisdiction of the government, which is called officers and soldiers; They will not be dispatched until military affairs, this kind of family soldiers.

The latter system has advantages and disadvantages.Needless to say, the advantage is that the government does not need to spend money, and the disadvantage is also obvious, that is, it is out of control.

For example, now, several big families are obviously inclined towards the King of the Southwest. When sending the sons of the families to Guangzhou, they took part of the family soldiers away, euphemistically called escort, but they have been sent to the place for several months, and they have not returned. It was obviously done to please the Southwest King.

It's no wonder that Wang Zhifu hates the Fang family so much.

They sought Rong Yun to increase their military service.This matter is not only about recruiting people, but also considering the transportation, food and wages, and the labor force to maintain the economy of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Lu Zhifu said: "This is a big matter. We have considered it again and again before discussing it with the Rong family. Now that the Southwest King's ambitions have been clearly revealed, it will be a matter of time before he will fight the North. Before the Northern Expedition, he will definitely subdue him first." Fujian and Jiangxi."

Rong Yun was afraid that Chen Zhi would not understand the reason, and explained: "The Chen Dynasty was corrupt, and the rebels rose up everywhere. Gao Delai, one of the three most powerful, recruited troops in Fujian and Jiangxi, and received positive responses. After Gao Delai died in battle, In order to protect themselves, the prefects of Fujian and Guangxi surrendered to Emperor Yan, Gao Delai’s sworn brother and later enthroned as emperor. Unexpectedly, Emperor Yan died not long after, and the world was divided. Fujian and Jiangxi took the opportunity to restore autonomy. But Not long after, Chen Xuanxiang inherited the throne of the Southwest, and also took over Guangdong and Guangxi. Fujian and Jiangxi were afraid that it would be their turn to attach themselves to the Yan Dynasty again in name. In this way, they could use the Yan Dynasty to intimidate the Southwest King, but they would not be affected by the occupation of the North , under the control of the Yan Dynasty, which has no remote control. In times of peace, it is naturally a good business with huge profits."

Hearing Cui Yan's news from Rong Yun's mouth, I really felt an inexplicable sense of disobedience.

Chen Zhi walked away for a while, then followed his words and thought: In times of peace, it is a good business with huge profits, but in times of war, it is a source of disaster.Regardless of who is in charge of Fujian and Jiangxi, since they belong to the Yan Dynasty in name, the Southwest King must tear them apart first.They must break through, and Jiangsu and Zhejiang will be next...

Therefore, strictly speaking, they have a close relationship with Fujian and Jiangxi.

Lu Zhifu said: "Patriarch Rong thinks thoroughly. Therefore, it is imminent to recruit troops."

Chen Zhishen thought so.

Since many things were inexplicably brought forward, the Southwest King's Hundred Beauty Banquet might also be brought forward.This is Rong Yun's first step on the road to proclaiming himself emperor, and she must do it steadily.

Although he didn't speak, others kept paying attention to his expression.Seeing him nodding in agreement, they all expressed their willingness to listen to his opinion.

Chen Zhi had no choice but to say: "A man who is born in the world should protect his family and the country. Disputes are everywhere in the world, and we should take precautions before they happen."

All the officials Qiqi said that the immortal is really highly respected and far-sighted.

Chen Zhi blushed a little.It's really unintentional to flatter so fake.

They didn't care about it, but Rong Yun paid attention to every word he said. She immediately changed her silence and said loudly that what Master said was right, and she would do what Master said.

The officials looked at the two with emotion.

It's really a master-student relationship.

If Rong Yucheng had a spirit in the sky, seeing his son so filial, he would surely rest in peace.

After the general direction is determined, the rest is the small details.

Rong Yun knew that Chen Zhi was impatient to hear this, so she said that today's birthday had a lot of visitors, so it's inconvenient to talk about it in detail, so it's better to wait until tomorrow to make an appointment.When the others got the promise, they all agreed.

The most lively part of the banquet is at night.

After sitting at the table, it is easy to drink too much between the toasts.

Chen Zhi is a living god, other people dare not pour alcohol, and when they come to toast, they have to say that you are free.Rong Yun was not so lucky, whether it was the Fang family who was holding their breath, or the officials who were happy after "successful", they respected him when they caught him.

At the beginning, Tan Shu was able to help block a few cups, but later he was separated from them by caring people and defeated each one.

Chen Zhi watched it at first, but seeing that the trouble was getting worse and worse, he finally came out to clean up the mess.

Fang Zhongwen was still making trouble, he held Rong Yun's arm and said, "Brother Rong is so generous! Come, come, let's have another drink!... If you don't drink, do you look down on your brother!"

Seeing that she couldn't get rid of him, Rong Yun, who was leaning on Chen Zhi drunkenly, was secretly angry, and suddenly stood up straight, and said very soberly: "Your father calls me Brother Rong, you call me Brother Rong, dare we be happy brothers three people."

Fang Zhongwen was stunned for a moment, before he could react, he saw Rong Yun leaning softly on Chen Zhi's body again, muttering: "Master, I'm so sad! My head hurts so much, I can't walk anymore. Master..."

Chen Zhi: "..." When he was so blind that he couldn't see what happened just now?

Thinking so, in the end, for the sake of his birthday, he helped him back to his room.

Back in the room, Rong Yun began to mutter for water, to wash her face, to take off her clothes...

Chen Zhi waited on him for a while, and felt that he was specialized in surgery, and he was not the material, so he was going to find other people to come and help, and just after taking a step, Rong Yun called out in a daze, "Father."

My heart suddenly softened.

This is a veritable misfortune for three lifetimes, the parents' fate is weak, the father's path is premature death, scum and early death, and early death, and the mother's fate is the unchanging premature death.

He sat down by the bed, sighed and said, "Stop pretending, just tell me what you want to do."

Rong Yun turned around and hugged his waist, rubbed her head on her thigh, and whispered, "Master, I'm sick from drinking."

Chen Zhi touched his flushed face, thinking that he must be really drunk, so he wanted to get up and ask someone to cook the hangover soup, and when he moved, he was hugged even tighter.

"Master, don't go." Rong Yun whispered, "I will be obedient from now on, Master, don't be angry, don't ignore me, don't go."

This was all because of how many years ago he got angry. He didn't remember it, but he still missed it.

Chen Zhi rubbed his temples helplessly, and said in a low voice, "You start a family first." After thinking about it, he felt that it was a bit too early to start a family at the age of 15, so he changed his words, "Even if the marriage is settled first, Master will sooner." Rest assured."

Rong Yun's face was half buried in his lap, but her eyes were wide awake, and she said drunken words: "What about after you get married and start a career?"

Chen Zhi said: "In the future, you will be a father and have your own children..." Pictures of little Yung Yun appeared in his mind, and he found it very interesting, so he couldn't help but smile.

Rong Yun continued to ask: "Will Master help me take care of the child?"

Chen Zhi hesitated for a moment.Although he was extremely unwilling to lie to him, many of the previous problems could be plausibly perfunctory.But today's self is in a strange mood, and suddenly he doesn't want to talk nonsense perfunctorily.

After all, at that time, he had long since retired, and there was "no bones left" in the world.

His hesitation made Rong Yun's eyes turn red, and she shed tears in an instant.

Chen Zhi noticed something, and was about to bow his head, but Rong Yun buried his head deeper: "Master, can I get married with you?"

……

Chen Zhi sat for a while.

I can't tell what it's like, I say it's a bolt from the blue, but it's not that unexpected, I say it's anger and disappointment, it doesn't seem to be that deep, it's just... an unprecedented confusion about myself, Rong Yun, fate, and the future.

It's been too long.

When it was so long that Rong Yun couldn't help but want to raise her head, a very soft "Of course not" sounded from above.