Bastard's Counterattack [Rebirth]

The Seventh Prince, the God of Plague!

His biological mother, Concubine Chen, is his mother's cousin. Although they are cousins ​​in name, they have very little friendship, and our brothers have basically never had his care.

Reluctantly, Zhou Mingjie asked cautiously, "What orders does His Highness Seventh have?"

Zhao Zewu stared, and shouted in displeasure, "Come up if you're told, don't talk nonsense!"

"Yes." Zhou Mingjie had no choice but to obey orders, unable to compete with the prince who was known to be a jerk and unreasonable.

On the balcony on the second floor of the old hall, Zhao Zewu shook his sleeves to fan the wind, sweating slightly on his forehead, and turned his head to complain to his trusted servant: "Bah! I'm so annoying, my aunt's cousins ​​are amazing? Why do you always want to make friends with Master Wu?"

"Lord Wu calm down."

"Your Highness is a well-known and proud son of heaven, Mr. Zhou and the others must respect you of course."

The two servants smiled obsequiously, and the one holding the fan took the fan, and the one holding the cold soup held the cold soup: "It's too hot outside the terrace, please go back to the house to rest."

"Your Highness, can you have some iced mung bean and lily soup? It can relieve the heat."

Zhao Zewu was groaning, feeling weak and bored. Just as he was about to return to the comfortable inner room, he glanced down, only to see Rong Youtang and Xu Lingyun meeting downstairs to study the direction of the newly cut doors and windows. Liang waved his hands and shouted: "Hey, Brother Rong, why are you here?"

God of Plague Appears!

Rong Youtang took a breath and suddenly felt a headache.

"My dear brother, His Highness the Seventh Prince is calling you. He has been supervising the construction and renovation for the whole month, and he sits in the conference hall on the second floor." Xu Lingyun introduced in a low voice.

"The chamber?"

"That's right. On the first day, he ordered someone to tidy up the second floor, and hung a plaque to declare it clearly." Xu Lingyun didn't dare to show a teasing attitude, and tried his best to keep his face sullen.

"Oh, that's how it is." Rong Youtang cleared his throat, the corners of his mouth twitched, as if he had suddenly realized, the two walked side by side into the open courtyard, and saluted from afar: "Your Majesty, Rong Youtang, pay my respects to His Highness the Seventh Highness."

"My subordinate Xu Lingyun, I have met His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince."

Zhao Zewu supported the balcony railing with his hands, bent down to look down, and fixed his eyes on a pair of handsome young scholars. He said happily, "Get up, there is no need to be polite. Hey, how did you two get together?"

"His Royal Highness Seventh: Your Majesty is compiled by the Hanlin Academy, and I was ordered by Master Qiao, the academician of the Academy, to visit." Rong Youtang briefly explained.

"Your Highness, your Majesty is in the same year as Lord Rong. Although he has other important tasks recently, he has been thinking about the renovation of the old hall. When I was checking the books, I have been planning to clean up this place. Fortunately, Your Highness is dedicated and capable. Only then can the old hall be given a new look." Xu Lingyun justly flattered the Seventh Prince.

"Hahaha." Zhao Zewu smiled brightly, in a very good mood, waved his hand proudly, and said boldly: "What's so difficult about this? Just ask for an imperial decree to call a few painters from the Ministry of Industry."

"Although it is so, only His Highness can do it so beautifully, and I admire it." Xu Lingyun sighed, his expression was very sincere, which attracted Rong Youtang's surprise.

Xu Lingyun, on the other hand, was frank and upright, and winked quietly at Rong Youtang, who smiled kindly and nodded, understanding very well.

How can a person not bow his head in front of the prince in the court?

Those who are lofty and arrogant will inevitably be isolated and excluded by their colleagues, and they are likely to achieve nothing.Besides, flattering is never easy, especially when facing the seventh prince who is moody and doesn't act according to common sense.

"Oh, you scholars." Zhao Zewu clicked his tongue, and shouted in pity, "You two come up and rest for a while."

"But the lord is supervising the painter—"

"Hey, how dare they not do their best? If you catch the lazy guy, drag him down and beat him to death on the spot!" Zhao Zewu commanded majesticly, and then ordered: "Come up! Come up! Master Wu has something important to discuss with you."

"Yes."

Rong and Xu had no choice but to go upstairs.

Stepping into the old hall, the old furniture, moth-eaten bookcases and other things accumulated in the room have long been emptied, and the cobweb dust has been swept away; It was sealed, some of them were enlarged, and some were newly excavated. The ventilation and lighting are good, and the room is bright. Dozens of craftsmen are busy filling and repairing, sweating profusely.

"Brother Xu and others have worked hard, I am ashamed that I was not able to help." Rong Youtang looked around, very surprised: It seems that His Highness the Seventh Prince really put a lot of thought into it!After three days of farewell, shouldn't it be admirable?

The two stepped up the stairs leading to the second floor side by side, Xu Lingyun whispered and laughed: "Why didn't you help? Others may not know, but brother Yu knows." He didn't break the point, and worked with the Seventh Prince for a month. Yu, has roughly guessed the role played by Rong Youtang in the reconstruction of the old hall.

"Brother Xu also knows me." Rong Youtang joked.

"Changing the old hall into a Hanlin hall will benefit the predecessors and future generations, and the merits will be immeasurable." Xu Lingyun greatly appreciated it.

"Is everything going well?" Rong Youtang asked with concern.

"His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince is very courageous, and he can hold on completely. The silver money, bricks, stones, wood, paint craftsmen, etc. are all in place in time, and it is estimated that it will be completed in another month." Xu Lingyun spoke quickly and was full of energy.

It's unheard of for the notorious Seventh Prince to do serious things!Even Emperor Chengtian found it strange, who would dare to obstruct it?

Rong Youtang suppressed a smile, let out a sigh of relief, and said, "That's very good. When the criminal department's case is over, I will come back to help as soon as possible."

"Okay, I really look forward to working with you!" Xu Lingyun said bluntly.

They climbed up to the second floor, and the door of the meeting hall was opened. Unexpectedly, as soon as they reached the threshold, they heard the Seventh Prince scolding in disgust: "What is this writing? It doesn't make any sense!"

"Hey, aren't you Jinke Tanhua? Why are you so stupid? You can't supervise the craftsmen's work, and you can't check the wood. Now you can't write a manuscript! It's useless." Zhao Zewu was full of doubts, crumpled the paper into a ball a few times, got very angry, and smashed the paper ball on Deng Kui's head.

The paper ball "squeaked"

Deng Kui, Tanhua of Jinke, blushed immediately, and then his face turned blue, white, and black. The article of 'Books of sages into the hands of poor children'? Your officer—"

"Alright, alright!"

The Seventh Prince waved his hand in boredom, frowned and said, "I really don't know how you got into Tanhua! I've said it several times, but you still can't write what Master Wu is thinking."

What do you mean?I'm not the roundworm in your stomach. Since you are capable, why don't you do it yourself?

Deng Kui dared not speak out, and felt humiliated. He has been living in extreme torment for the past few days, and it can be said that life would be worse than death!

"Your Highness, calm down. If you are not satisfied, just write. You can always change the appearance you are satisfied with. Calm down." Zhou Mingjie smoothed things over in a friendly voice.Human nature, he couldn't help vaguely calling himself the cousin of the Seventh Prince.

——No one knows, because the seventh prince often makes mistakes, he is reprimanded by his father and brother every now and then, and he hates people who are good at being teachers.

"Stupid and dull, of course Master Wu is not satisfied!"

The Seventh Prince immediately cast his anger on Zhou Mingjie, squinted with his hands behind his back, and arrogantly ordered: "Aren't you also a Jinshi? Then try to write an article until Master Wu is satisfied."

Heh, I'm deflated, are you rushing to pretend to be a good person?Write, write!Deng Kui, who swallowed his anger, sneered secretly, gloating and waiting to see Zhou Mingjie's joke.

"This..." Zhou Mingjie was taken aback.

"What? You can't either? Tsk, you Jinshi."

Zhou Mingjie refused to accept it, subconsciously raised his head and chest, and blurted out: "But according to His Highness's order!"

"Hmph." Zhao Zewu stood with his hands behind his back, touched the ball of paper with his toes, and ordered: "You two go away, think about it carefully, and write a new article quickly."

"Yes." Zhou Minghong and Deng Kui couldn't resist, they could only obey orders, picked up the ball of paper resignedly, and hurried to the corner of the meeting room to rewrite.

What is His Highness the seventh tormenting about?

Outside the door, Rong Youtang and Xu Lingyun looked at each other in embarrassment, and at the same time they took two steps forward, cupping their hands and saying: "Your Majesty, Rong Youtang/Xu Lingyun, please see His Highness the Seventh Highness."

Zhao Zewu turned around and took two steps, looked at the door with his head, relaxed his attitude, and said, "Come in."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Hey, what are you two doing? Watch the tea."

"Yes, here we come!"

"Your Highness, would you like to order Hongyunlou or Yuanhelou today?" The two servants were clearing the table outside the terrace and busy finalizing the dinner dishes for the Seventh Prince.

"It doesn't matter, it's equally unpalatable, you can figure it out." The Seventh Prince sat down heavily, with a long face.

After a while, the three sat down, and the servant served hot tea.

"Brother Rong, aren't you assisting in the criminal investigation? The case is over?" Zhao Zewu inevitably asked the same question.

"Not yet." Rong Youtang had no choice but to explain again: "Today's appointment is relatively early, and the next official has always been concerned about the renovation of the old hall, so I came here to have a look."

Zhao Zewu raised his chin, raised his hand and gestured in a circle, and asked happily: "How is the renovation going? Isn't it good? Master Wu personally supervised the construction, how can it be bad!"

I let you say it all by yourself, what else can I say...

Rong Youtang almost couldn't hold back his laughter, and he affirmed seriously: "Your Highness the Seventh Highness made a move, and it really is extraordinary. Seeing that this place has been refurbished, turning the messy and dark into clean and bright, it can be called a new atmosphere in the new hall."

"In particular, the four windows on the first floor pointed out by His Highness are extremely delicately opened. It changed from the previous dark and gloomy. It's wonderful!" Xu Lingyun joked.He has only been an official for a few months, and he has no power or power, so he can only rely on his own research to make progress.

Zhao Zewu was triumphant, his eyes were narrowed into slits when he smiled, and he felt that the feeling of being praised positively was strange and satisfying.He recounted in high spirits: "Hey, at the beginning of the survey and planning, the doctor of the Ministry of Industry and Construction Division was a bit conservative and tried his best to save money, but what can be improved by saving too much? My Highness thought it was inappropriate, so I mentioned a few things. In this sentence, the emperor agrees very much."

"Your Highness the Seventh Prince has a long-term vision, and His Majesty naturally agrees." Xu Lingyun was just right, and flattered him with a "slap".

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Zhao Zewu seriously put forward his thoughts.

"Are you going to propose to open the Hanlin Academy's vast collection of books to the children of poor families?" Rong Youtang leaned slightly, quite shocked, and looked at the Seventh Prince with a new eye.

Zhao Zewu nodded, and shouted loudly: "That's right. Oh, your Hanlin Academy has built a huge library, which claims to have a collection of 10,000+ volumes, but what's the use of it? Master Wu went shopping a few times and found that there is no It's a pity that no one borrows books and puts the books on the shelves in vain."

"Your Highness has good intentions and is committed to promoting wisdom education, and I admire you." Rong Youtang politely boasted, and then reminded gently: "However, although the Imperial Academy has a collection of 10,000+ volumes, most of them are history books and various court records. The model memorials, local chronicles of various provinces, prefectures and counties, representative works of Confucianism, etc., are only less than half of the four books and five classics that ordinary students need."

Zhao Zewu raised his legs, shook them briskly, and said nonchalantly, "Even if there are only half of them, there are tens of thousands of copies. That's enough! Oh, Master Wu didn't know that poor scholars couldn't even afford books. It’s pitiful to read it in turn. Anyway, the Imperial Academy has a lot of books, and those of you who have passed the Jinshi exam are busy seeking officials, so it’s useless to keep them, so you can simply lend them to poor scholars.”

Cough!

How dare you say it!If you are heard by the old Hanlin seniors who have devoted their lives to writing books, they may jointly impeach you...

Rong Youtang raised his sleeves, cleared his throat, pondered for a moment, and pointed out seriously: "The original intention of this plan is very good, but how to implement it? If you really want to borrow books, the Imperial Academy must set up a special place to be responsible for verification and recording, which is bound to be complicated. Trivial and overwhelmed. According to my humble opinion, it is better to allow the academies to borrow books in batches instead. With their assistance, it will be much easier and faster. Moreover, the bibliography must be carefully finalized, the borrowers must be appropriately restricted, returned on time, and the books must be taken care of—— "

"Get it!"

Zhao Zewu called to stop with a bitter face, then slapped his thigh, and said happily: "You are worthy of being the number one scholar, and you can talk about the heart of Lord Wu! Let me tell you, His Highness only has preliminary ideas, specific measures, specific measures... hey , Aren’t you the Hanlin Academy’s editor? Think about it quickly, and compile the specific measures into an article quickly and safely, and Lord Wu is waiting to use it.”

Oh, it was only a whim of yours?

"I—" Rong Youtang didn't know whether to laugh or cry, he hesitated to speak.

"You don't want to? Are you not Hanlin?" Zhao Zewu immediately lowered his face and opened his eyes wide.

Xin Hanlin Rong Youtang could only nod his head: "Since that's the case, the next official has the courage to give it a try."

"Be sure to do your best and show the attitude of your being the No. [-] scholar. Don't ruin Master Wu's good idea." Zhao Zewu ordered domineeringly.

"Yes." Rong Youtang was helpless, Xu Lingyun was very sympathetic, but unfortunately there was nothing he could do, he had an errand, so he went down to supervise the craftsmen after drinking a cup of tea.

Zhou Mingjie and Deng Kui stood beside them anxiously, wanting to participate in the discussion, but were repeatedly pushed back by the Seventh Prince, embarrassed and annoyed.

In order to complete the Seventh Prince's head-slapping strategy, Rong Youtang spent a full two hours, taking it seriously as a serious matter, adding, deleting, altering, and finally compiling a memorial.

It was already night at this time, but the second floor of the old hall was brightly lit. The Seventh Prince couldn't wait to pick up the memorial and read it carefully, but he was still dissatisfied and muttered reluctantly: "It's all right for you, just try to write what His Highness wants."

If you are not satisfied, write it yourself!

Rong Youtang was hungry, and was urged to eat only a few mouthfuls of dinner. He was dizzy and tired, and reminded him from exhaustion: "Your Highness, please take a look first. If you have a good idea at the moment, you can add a few words, and you can write it down immediately." Can."

"Hmm." Zhao Zewu nodded indiscriminately, folded the memorial to dry the ink, stuffed it into his arms, got up and walked out, hurriedly, and ordered: "Okay, it's getting late, you go home and rest Let's invite Master Wu to drink again some other day—huh?"

Zhao Zewu realized later that he found Zhou Mingjie and Deng Kui on the other side of the screen in the meeting room, and asked in surprise, "Why are you two still here?"

"How dare you leave without His Highness's permission?" Zhou Mingjie spat out the answer through his teeth, his face turning into a liver-colored aggrieved face.

Deng Kui was so angry that he lost his temper. He was so hungry that his chest was pressed against his back, his hands and feet were weak, and he almost begged for mercy and said: "This is an article written by Xiaguan and Mr. Zhou. Please read it." Transcribed documents.

Unexpectedly, the Seventh Prince didn't reach out to take it, he put his hands behind his back, bent his head and tilted his head to look at a few lines, then straightened up, frowned in disgust, and criticized bluntly: "Tsk, what's the difference between this one and the one just now? Did you two write such a thing together?"

"This..." Deng Kui was at a loss, extremely embarrassed.

"Zhou Mingjie approached, couldn't bear it anymore and said: "Your Highness, take a look first, if there is something wrong, just modify it, didn't you point out what Mr. Rong wrote seven or eight times? "

How much better can Rong Youtang be than us?

Rong Youtang smiled modestly, rubbed his sore wrist and the back of his neck, and prepared to go home.

"Brother Rong's article, Lord Wu, has been revised seven or eight times, but at your level, even if you change it seventy or eighty times, you still can't meet the requirements, so don't bother." Zhao Zewu sighed and persuaded: "Okay, okay, let's all go home, you are Jinshi anyway, don't bury your head in reading dead books, be flexible, don't be like elm lumps, you don't understand." After finishing speaking, he shook his arms and hips, swaggered, He greeted Rong Youtang without looking back: "Brother Rong, hurry up, Master Wu still has a few questions to test you."

"Yes." Rong Youtang agreed first, and then said politely: "You two brothers, take your leave."

On the second floor of the empty old hall, there were only Zhou Mingjie and Deng Kui with blue and red faces left.

Regarding the matter of borrowing books from the Hanlin Academy, Rong Youtang racked his brains to write an article, but he didn't take it to heart. In addition to assisting in the trial, he had to deal with a large number of farmland, household registration, and money and food files in charge of the Zhili head of the household department. .

Unexpectedly, a few days later, he suddenly received a summon from Emperor Chengtian!

His Majesty summoned me?Why?

Rong Youtang was apprehensive, and rushed to the imperial study in a daze.

"Report to Your Majesty, Lord Rong Youtang is asking to see you." The imperial servant informed.

"Xuan." Emperor Chengtian did not sit behind the desk as usual, but on the reclining chair by the window, with his eyes closed, two court ladies were kneeling and beating his legs.

Rong Youtang was cautious in his words and deeds, kowtowed according to the rules, knelt down and said: "My humble minister, Rong Youtang, see Your Majesty."

"Pingshen." Emperor Chengtian opened his eyes, habitually played with the jade finger on his thumb, and fixedly looked at the number one scholar he had chosen: he was indeed handsome.Although he comes from a humble and poor family, he is smart and witty, neither arrogant nor impatient, no wonder Yong'er appreciates it.

The emperor did not speak, Rong Youtang stood with his head bowed, his eyes on his nose, his nose on his heart, holding his breath and concentrating.

"Rong Qing, is this memorial written by you?" Emperor Chengtian clicked on the memorial on the desk, and asked in a flat tone.

what?

Rong Youtang raised his head in doubt, and looked at the unfolded memorial. With just one glance, his head buzzed: The Seventh Prince is going to play, and he is too lazy to copy it by himself?Just take what I wrote and give it to His Majesty?

"Huh?" Emperor Chengtian made a nasal sound.

There is no denying it at all, Rong Youtang took a deep breath, and said bravely, "Return to Your Majesty: It was dictated by His Highness the Seventh Highness and written on behalf of my minister."

"Secretary?" Emperor Chengtian raised his eyebrows.

"His Royal Highness Seventh supervised the reconstruction of the old hall of the Hanlin Academy, which took a lot of time and effort. He even had lunch and dinner in the meeting hall, so I listened to his dictation and wrote the memorial for him." Rong Youtang explained carefully.He was compiled by the Hanlin Academy and wrote on behalf of the prince, which is not too absurd.

Emperor Chengtian was full of interest, and asked leisurely: "The old seven actually eats in the old hall?"

"Wei Chen saw it with his own eyes."

"Hmm." Emperor Chengtian nodded in relief, his son was sensible and motivated, so he was naturally satisfied as a father.With drooping eyebrows, deep nasolabial folds, and thin lips, he asked slowly, "Rong Qing, what do you think of the Seventh Prince's plan?"

Rong Youtang avoided the important and ignored the trivial, and replied respectfully, "Your Highness Seven has a very good original intention, and he is dedicated to promoting the teaching of sages. If it succeeds, many students from poor families will benefit, be able to read a lot, and then become good talents."

"Hmph." Emperor Chengtian snorted, sat up slowly, and the palace maid hurriedly supported him. He objectively commented: "You are really weird, even Lao Qi said good things about you."

Rong Youtang thumped and fell to his knees, saying: "This humble minister is terrified."

"What are you afraid of?" Emperor Chengtian sat upright, his eyes sharp and focused, and the court lady knelt on her knees to put on shoes for him.

Rong Youtang said modestly: "This humble minister is stupid and clumsy, His Highness the Seventh Highness is absurd."

"As for the strategy, I believe it was Lao Qi who figured it out; but the specific rules and regulations are not his handwriting." Zhizi Mo Ruofu, Cheng Tiandi pointed out bluntly.

Rong Youtang bowed his head and remained silent after saying too many mistakes.

Emperor Chengtian paced slowly, and said in a leisurely manner: "Lao Qi has some truths. The library should not simply lock up the books, but should try to give readers a reference, so as to play the role of enlightenment."

"Your Majesty's words are very true." Rong Youtang agreed in a polite manner.

"I have already agreed to play, and Lao Qi will be in charge. There are a certain number of academies in the capital, so there shouldn't be any major troubles." Emperor Chengtian said calmly, obviously mentally prepared for the worst.

"Your Majesty is wise."

"Stay flat." Emperor Chengtian walked out with his hands behind his hands, and ordered: "Follow me to the Imperial Garden to disperse."

Visiting the Imperial Garden?

"Yes." Rong Youtang was puzzled, and he paid extra attention.

Not long after, the emperor and his party appeared in a corner of the imperial garden, surrounded by servants and imperial guards.

In September, sweet-scented osmanthus is fragrant, chrysanthemums are in full bloom, delicate and fresh, and the autumn scenery is pleasant.

"How old is Rong Qing?"

"Return to Your Majesty: I have reached the age of seventeen."

"Hmm." Emperor Chengtian smiled, stopped in front of a osmanthus tree in full bloom with flowers the size of rice grains, and said leisurely: "You are about the same age as Xiaoba."

"The Eighth Highness is beyond words, how can a humble official compare with him." Rong Youtang was uncertain, and followed him at a distance of several feet, lest he accidentally offend the emperor.

"A 17-year-old number one scholar is really rare."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your unconventional support."

"Scientific examinations are used to select talents for the country. As long as you have outstanding talents, it doesn't matter if you are younger." Emperor Chengtian sniffed the sweet-scented osmanthus, glanced at Rong Youtang, and commented meaningfully: "This flower is fragrant and sweet, and the nose is cloudy. Lost tranquility."

Rong Youtang's heart sank gradually, he was keenly aware that something was wrong, tried his best to calm down, and said: "Your Majesty is wise."

Emperor Chengtian raised his foot forward, and said in a deep voice: "Once you are in high school, you will become famous at a young age. Remember to guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and don't disappoint my trust and cultivation."

"This humble minister will definitely remember His Majesty's teachings, and will never dare to disappoint the mighty Emperor." Rong Youtang replied humbly, with cold sweat on his palms.

"You are quite capable in doing things, diligent and loyal, I know that."

"I'm just doing my best, I just hope not to delay my official duties." Rong Youtang's heart beat like a drum, vaguely guessing the emperor's intention.

Osmanthus Garden is next to Chrysanthemum Terrace.

All kinds of chrysanthemums are blooming, and they are so beautiful. Emperor Chengtian watched them for a moment, expressionless, and pointedly said: "Aomei, Youlan, Jianzhu, and Danchrysanthemum are all noble and pure, indifferent and elegant, and they are described by literati. Each of the 'Four Gentlemen' is worthy of admiration. Flowers and trees are like this, and people should be like this. They must be upright and dignified, and possess the five virtues of benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, courage, and purity, in order to be respected by others."

After a pause, Emperor Chengtian asked solemnly:

"Rong Qing, what do you think?"