Shanglin Night Snow

A severe frost had passed, and Yan Jing ushered in the winter order in time.

At dusk, the crowds on a small path along the river outside the city were thin, and a blue-covered carriage came from afar, going against the wind.

The north wind was blowing against the car windows, pouring in from time to time through the cracks in the curtains. Xun Miao, who was huddled in a corner of the car, shivered from the cold, and regretted not taking the heater out with her. At this moment, the car was as cold as an ice cellar. It's hard to bear.

As the saying goes, there are unpredictable things in the sky, and it seems true.

Today is a ten-day rest, because the old man Li is sick, so he borrowed Guo's carriage to go out of the city to explore in the afternoon. Until, when he came out of Li's house, although it was raining and the clouds were clear, it was cold and windy. All the way up to this point, his hands and feet were numb from the cold. All he wanted was to get home quickly, drink a cup of hot tea in front of the stove, and drive away the casualties. The bitter cold air on Feng Chen's upper body.However, things turned out to be contrary to expectations. It seems that the carriage has been here for more than half a day. Except for the creaking of the wheels and the whistling wind, there is still silence. It seems that this country road is endless and hopeless.

Gritting my teeth and opening the curtains to look around, the view is still bleak, and the shadows of trees swaying in the wind on the embankment sway from time to time, making my heart chill with bared teeth and claws; the surrounding area is empty, and there are almost no villagers in the village.It seems that arriving home before dark is really an extravagant hope.

Sighing, he was about to put down the curtain of the car, but the two figures flashing across the bank made him stop suddenly, blinking his eyes that were a little blurred by the cold wind, and his heart was full of doubts...

As expected, it was already dark when we got home.

After suffering from the cold for half a day, Xun Miao entered the house to drink a cup of hot tea to drive away the cold, and the dinner was delivered.

Looking at the little boy who put the food box on the table and turned to leave, Xun Miao suddenly seemed to have a flash of inspiration, calling him, opened the food box and brought out a plate of crispy duck with oily sauce and brought it to him: "Take it here. eat."

The latter didn't answer and looked at him warily.

Xun Miao sneered: "I just want to ask, is that Qin official in the house at the moment?"

Cursing his lips, the little boy swallowed the sentence "I know it", and looked up at the sky: "I only serve the general, how do I know what others are like?" Glancing at the duck, his face was full of disdain: "This food is too oily, I can't eat it. used."

Xun Miao secretly sighed: No wonder the meals delivered are mostly porridge, fruit and snacks... It's really hard to see that he is so refined in his diet!After thinking about it, he put down the duck and went into the inner room. When he came out, he already had a string of copper coins in his hand. He noticed that the boy's eyes were bright, and he knew that the plan was right, so he went straight to the point: "You and the boy in the Qin official's courtyard Are you familiar with it? It’s not difficult to inquire about it.”

The little boy scratched his neck for a moment, then said slowly, "Just now when I went to the back kitchen, I met the servant of Qin Guanren who also went to pick up the meal, saying that Qin Guanren just arrived home and he was hungry at the moment, so he wanted to go back quickly. "

Xun Miao nodded, gestured to hand over the copper coins, the boy continued respectfully, but the man would not let go: "Can he say where the Qin officials are going in the afternoon?"

The little boy smiled flatteringly: "I'll find out after asking." After saying that, he felt that his hand was heavy, the money was finally his.

"Don't make people suspicious, and don't say that I asked." Xun Miao took out the dishes in the food box and put them on the table, casually, "Otherwise, from now on, this thing--" His eyes lighted up in his hands, "But it's gone."

"I know this!" Stuffing the money into his pocket, the little boy nodded like pecking rice, and turned away.

After dinner, Xun Miao was supposed to sort out the news collected in the previous two days, so that he could compile a tabloid in the future.

It is said that after several months of hard work, "Yan Jing Wen Jian Lu" has become famous. It stands out from the tabloids that only catch wind and shadows, echoes others' opinions, and does not seek to understand it. .On the other hand, every time a tabloid is sold, he can get [-]% of the profit. If this goes on, within three to five years, he may be as good as the prime minister in the account in one year!In this way, Xun Miao occasionally thinks about it but is also embarrassed-does he really need to seek a foreign job?According to this month's progress, it seems that there is no big regret in dying of old age in the secretary's province...

The sound of "Du Du" from the outside pulled people back from the dream of wealth and honor. Facing the blank paper in front of him, Xun Miao felt a little annoyed, but had no choice but to put down his pen and stand up.

"Is Prime Minister Xun Sheng here?" Qin Liuzhi's voice sounded outside the door.

Xun Miao was startled, turned around and put away the booklet on the case before opening the door.

Qin Liu was trembling with his hands wrapped in his sleeves, and he was out of shape even in his bow. Xun Miao hurriedly let him into the room, baked it by the charcoal basin for a while, and then slowly came over, turned around and smiled: "Thank you, Cheng Rong I am sheltering from the cold here. The day before yesterday, General Guo had some transcribed and transcribed matters in the Daoist Mansion, so I took advantage of the opportunity to inquire. Unexpectedly, he went to the eldest lady's place, and I waited in the courtyard for a while. But it is no match for the cold night."

In the past, Xun Miao might also have some admiration for his knowledge, interest and courtesy, but now, he always feels that his words and deeds are suspected of being pretentious, so he casually responded with a few sentences, and then changed the subject: "So It's cold, I heard you went out in the afternoon? Be careful of catching a cold."

Qin Liu obviously didn't understand the tentative meaning in his words, and was grateful: "I went out today to buy some poetry and prose books nearby to help the exam. I said that the weather in the afternoon was fine, but I didn't expect it to be rainy soon after I went out. Not going well."

Xun Miao fiddled with the brazier, and said casually: "Just went to the study?" Before he finished speaking, the door was pushed open again, and the voice of a child came: "Mr. Xun Guan, I have already gone to inquire..."

Xun Miao coughed heavily, and deliberately took two steps away, so that the rushing intruder could see the person beside him at a glance.

"Hmm..." Realizing something was wrong, the little boy immediately fell silent, rolled his eyes, and spread his hands, "I went to find out, the bitch of the Li family is really irritable, and has already bitten several male dogs that the teacher borrowed for breeding. , the officials must never let Xifu go!"

Xun Miao sighed pretentiously: "It seems that this is the only way to go. Tomorrow, you will go to Mrs. Li for me to accompany you, and say that Xifu has been a little irritable recently, and it is not suitable for breeding. I hope she will understand."

The little boy should go down by himself, and said that Guo Kai has returned.Qin Liuzhi bid farewell and went, while Xun Miao pushed the boat along, saying: "It's just right, I still have some things to discuss with General Guo, so I will go with you."

When the two of them entered the room, Guo Kai was drinking by himself: he just went to have dinner with his old lady, and he was already exhausted in order to deal with the ingenious questions he asked one after another about the gift of marriage. A shock.Seeing those two people coming, he invited him to sit down together.Qin Liu didn't drink alcohol, so he used tea as a substitute, but he was as reserved as usual, and he hesitated to bring up the past. Fortunately, Guo Kai didn't forget it, and kept his promise now, ordering the young servant to send him the account documents that need to be transcribed tomorrow. Send it, but also persuade him to do what he can, and don't work too hard.

Seeing this, Xun Miao seemed worried: "Brother Qin is sick, besides, he has to go to the autumn exam next year. Now, after studying hard, he still has to copy these things, but how can he take care of it?"

Qin Liu hurriedly said that it's okay, saying that now that he has recovered from his illness, it would not be difficult to take one or two hours during the day to copy, and besides, there is still some time before next year's autumn Fu (1), and he must find some work to support himself born.

This remark made sense, so Xun Miao didn't persuade him any more.But when it comes to Qiufu, he became interested and talked about it through wine. After he was admitted to the imperial examination, he was called famous in the Golden Palace, rode a horse through the streets, and talked about the magnificent scenery of Qionglin Banquet.Qin Liuzhi, a failed candidate, was obsessed with this, and was fascinated by it for a while.

Finally finished talking about the Qionglin Banquet, Xun Miao drank a glass and changed the subject: "I remember that in the last scientific examination, 220 Jinshi were admitted. After Qiang Hu was established, the imperial court was inadequacy in the administration of military affairs, education, finance and taxation in the northwest, and ordered them to offer suggestions. Most of the testers were ignorant of the side affairs, so they were unable to answer. Taking this as an example, I thought Brother Qin studied hard In addition to poetry and books, it is also necessary to inquire more about government affairs and state affairs, which will be beneficial to the exam."

Qin Liu nodded straightly.

Xun Miao asked again: "I don't know what was the question of the provincial examination back then?"

Qin Liu thought for a while: "I remember that the theory of policy is based on the old stories of Liang Wupingyan and Qin Wen's conquest of Jin, and asked why the same things have different merits."

Xun Miao was curious: "Then, how did you answer?"

The man thought about it for a while: "This question really makes us discuss the arbitrariness of the emperor. I tried to compare Zhou Wen and Xian Erdi as examples. I think it is not advisable to act arbitrarily for a long time, but there are exceptions. For example, Changyuan During the battle, if Emperor Wen hadn't been able to overcome all opinions and take up the full-time role of Wei Xuan, the Northern Zhou Dynasty would have ended in fifty years!" His raised eyes revealed self-mockery: "I'm short-sighted and short-sighted, and you two laugh at me .”

Seeing his depression, Guo Kai comforted himself: "This article is actually quite insightful. It's better to recall it some other day and copy it down, and have a look at it with Xun Shengcheng, so that I can give you some pointers."

Xun Miao had nothing to do, Qin Liuzhi thanked the two immediately, drank another cup of tea, and got up to leave.Xun Miao went out with Guo Kai to see off the guests, halfway there he suddenly felt his sleeves tighten, and when he turned around, he saw a boy who had disappeared for a long time.Comprehending, he stopped for a while, seeing that the two had come to the door, the little boy said softly: "Official Qin went out alone in the afternoon, and said he went to the study." guest farewell.

"Zhiwei is looking for me?" Looking at the person who followed him back to the house, Guo Kai asked knowingly.

Xun Miao nodded: "I have read the manuscripts sent this time, and many of them involve the privacy of courtiers and officials. Does Brother Guo know?"

Guo Kai nodded: ""Yanjing Hearing and Seeing Record" wants to be promoted to a higher level. It is widely known, and it cannot be limited to spreading anecdotes. Compared with this, the privacy of high-ranking officials, nobles, and royal family members is very secret about government affairs. I like to hear and hear more." After a pause, "Don't forget Zhiwei, the original intention of publishing this tabloid."

"I know this, I just didn't think about it..." Xun Miao sighed, looking disappointed, "Brother Guo said at the beginning that this newspaper was ordered to be published to punish those who did not respect themselves in the court, but now, I am worried..."

"The matter has come to this point, you and I should settle down as we come, so that we can do our duty." Guo Kai interrupted him, "Yu Ze, there is no need to think about it, it is useless to think about it."

"It's also..." Xun Miao smiled wryly, since the matter has never been left to him from the beginning to the end, what good is it to regret it?It's better to burn three more sticks of incense in the morning, and burn a few more stacks of paper during festivals, so that it's hard to find peace of mind.

"...Zhiwei?" The man seemed to have said something, Xun Miao came back to his senses and could only be embarrassed, "I was distracted just now, what did Brother Guo say?"

The man was helpless: "I'm asking you, why are you suspicious of Qin Liuzhi?" His tone was calm, as if he was asking him why he blushed after only three cups or two.

Xun Miao walked to the table and poured a cup of tea by himself, and instead of answering, asked, "Brother Guo, what do Qin Liu Zhiwen do?"

Guo Kai shook his head: "It's really hard to say. After all, I have never discussed poetry and prose with him in depth. I only see him as a gentleman, and he looks like a scholar." More, think it is insightful?"

Xun Miao inadvertently circled around with him: "In Xun's opinion, Qin Liuzhi only knows a little bit of writing, and as for his literary talent, it can be said that he is stretched thin. I really don't dare to believe that he has passed the test." He pondered, "Actually, it's better to say that his demeanor and words are so forced..."

Guo Xie knew what he meant, but he disagreed: "I have thoroughly checked his identity, and there is no fraud!" He sat down and poured himself a cup, "Have you never thought that this person has been sick for a long time? , so that he is unfamiliar with his studies? And you have just personally verified that if he has not passed the provincial examination, he will not be able to answer fluently like that."

Xun Miao shook his head: "However, his talent is superficial, and it does not seem to be caused by unfamiliarity! Besides, even if he knows the provincial test questions and can answer one or two, it may be because he is afraid that I will ask questions, and he has done his homework earlier."

Guo Kai looked impatient: "Speaking of the present, you have guessed all of them wholeheartedly. However, it is rash to conclude that he is suspicious based on a brief discussion of poetry and books for a while?"

Seeing hesitation, Xun Miao turned around and walked a few steps: "I didn't suspect for no reason, but there was a reason for it. This evening, when I came back from outside the city, I saw Qin Liuzhi staying in a remote place in the outskirts alone, but just now I took the opportunity to ask But he said that he only went to the nearby study in the afternoon."

"So..." Guo Kai tapped his forehead: "What if you are wrong? Besides, people have some unspeakable secrets that they don't want to reveal to heretics. Even if he really concealed something about going out of the city to meet friends, it may not be true. Out of malice?"

"However, what if the person he saw is also familiar to you?" Xun Miao said three words slowly with stubborn eyes.

It was freezing cold, and the north wind was howling.

Not far away in the west courtyard of the Shao family.

"Ah Choo!" Shao Jingheng rubbed his nose, and cast uneasy eyes to the opposite side, "I may have caught cold when I accompanied Concubine Jing and my aunt out of the city to Fuquan Temple today, Your Majesty should go back to the palace, don't catch the cold."