Sheng Shian

Luojiang gourd pass.

The Japanese pirates who have been harassing for several days have calmed down a bit in the past two days, but the floods have not stopped. The construction of the Luojiang River is still very serious, and the houses of the people have also been harassed.

Li Yunfu looked through the window pane of the salty and damp cabin in Zhuguan. Although it was a rare clear sky, the thick clouds were undoubtedly not the calm before the storm.

Li Yunfu's brows were tightly furrowed, and his depression was hard to dissipate. The canal water conservancy project was the most massive project in Daqi in decades, and it consumed countless manpower and materials a day. Therefore, most of General Xiao's troops were used to maintain the normal construction period of the water conservancy project. As a result, the people will not only suffer from natural disasters, but also from bandits.

Li Yunfu spread out a ten-foot-long scroll. He took a bath for the first time in three days and changed into the cleanest clothes at the gate, but after a morning, there was a damp smell. He Shou's "Luojiang Waterscape" was completed.

There was a burst of waves outside the window, and the drawing paper was also stained with damp, and it would get wet with ink at every turn. Li Yunfu had to be extremely careful, and specially set up a piece of rice paper beside him, and tried a stroke of ink every time he wrote a stroke.

Luojiang county magistrate passed by and saw that he hadn't rested, so he knocked on the door and came in and said: "Li Yushi has been walking around for dozens of days. , might as well sleep first."

Li Yunfu smiled, his lips were dry, and another part was torn apart by this movement: "Thank you for your concern, the county magistrate, I will go to rest after drawing this picture."

The county magistrate stepped forward and took a look: "Is the censor preparing a gift for the Longevity Festival?"

"Exactly."

The county magistrate pinched his fingers, as if calculating something, muttered twice and said: "There is still some time, Li Yushi can draw for more than three days, why rush for a while? Even the soldiers in the army today Take the order to recharge your energy and store up your energy, and Li Yushi must not burn his bones."

"The current situation is still difficult, and there are still tough battles to be fought in the future. Every minute and every second is precious. If this painting can be completed as soon as possible, please hurry up." Li Yunfu licked the inkwell with the hook pen, and turned to the side Test ink on rice paper.

"The censor is hard-working and acts morally and righteously, which is admirable." The county magistrate cupped his hands, looked at his painting technique, and was quite impressed, then glanced at the test pen aside, and said in surprise: "The bottom of Li Yushi's pen Spring breeze, regardless of Shengmo, the most wonderful thing is that even the test pen becomes a picture of officialdom..."

When Li Yunfu heard the words and looked, he didn't know when thick and thin lines actually outlined a heroic outline and eyebrows. His pen paused, and a thick and colorful black spot was placed on the birthday celebration picture.

And the county magistrate is still sighing: "Although the brushwork is unintentional, it has a romantic charm, especially this pair of startling eyebrows... Eh, speaking of it... it seems a bit familiar..."

The county magistrate was still thinking about it, Li Yunfu came back to his senses in astonishment, and saw a black spot on the picture of He Shou, hurriedly changed the big script pen, dipped the ink, and then poured thick ink on the test pen paper for a hair crown, Immediately, the valiant and heroic figure became a scholar with strict hair restrictions.

The county magistrate looked at this stroke suspiciously: "It seems that I have never seen it before..."

"The faces are similar, so it's not surprising that they look familiar..." Li Yunfu heaved a sigh of relief, and the black dots in "Luojiang Water Scenery" were slightly smudged, and they instantly turned decay into magic, and turned into the splendor of the setting sun in the sky.

The county magistrate clapped his hands suddenly: "Yes!"

Li Yunfu's heart skipped a beat.

The county magistrate walked to the test pen paper, covered the black hair crown on the picture, and said in amazement: "If these two pens are missing, you will be a handsome and heroic young master Xiao!"

Li Yunfu blushed impressively.

He also didn't know why he drew Xiao Jibei, and he didn't know why he couldn't draw his friends, but his beating heart had only one thought, which was not to let others know.

The county magistrate was bored, so he covered it with one hand and took it away with the other, as if surprised.

Li Yunfu blinked quickly, seeing that Yuguan only thought of the most suitable person, and hurriedly added two more strokes.

The county magistrate didn't understand this move, so he blocked the crown again: "Li Yushi's pen is interesting and tight. He was still majestic and heroic just now. After a few pens, he was replaced by a jade-faced scholar..."

He pointed to the hair on the sideburns, the first black ink hair crown and said: "However, the ink here is still a little heavy, and there is some meaning of rewriting... It's a pity..."

Li Yunfu turned his face away to draw the birthday celebration picture, and said unnaturally: "Try the pen at random, without any rules, there is nothing to regret...I made the county magistrate laugh..."

The county magistrate was not bothered, and adjusted the ink for him and said with emotion: "Speaking of which, Li Yushi and Mr. Xiao are also good friends who don't know each other. They used to fight against each other day and night, but now they are like brothers who are inseparable. generally."

Li Yunfu listened a little distracted.

The county magistrate continued: "I remember that the censor broke his foot while moving the foundation a few days ago. A person as proud as Mr. Xiao actually braved the pouring rain for more than two hours to send the censor back from the gorge."

"Later, it rained too hard and the dam was unbearable. When it was on the verge of bursting, it was also a good plan that Mr. Xiao and Li Yushi talked about all night by candlelight. We cherish each other in terms of talents, and we are in the same boat when we talk about love. This is a confidant, husband. What can I ask for..."

Hearing people talk about their acquaintance, Li Yunfu drew a piece of Yunshan with light ink, and his heart seemed to soften. He smiled and said with some pride: "It is indeed a blessing to meet such a talented person like Jibei who has a family and a country in his heart." What more can I ask for?"

The county magistrate flashed his eyes, and his tone changed sharply, with a hint of sadness: "Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety have been difficult to achieve, Mr. Xiao is a pity..."

Li Yunfu was puzzled and asked, "What does the county magistrate mean?"

The county magistrate went to the panes, opened two more, and a gust of wind passed through the hall, almost blowing over Li Yunfu's scroll: "How does the censor see this day?"

"The mountain and rain are about to come and the wind will fill the building."

"Exactly." The county magistrate Linjiang Jingtan said: "Three years ago, the Luojiang River also suffered from floods like this. At that time, General Xiao led the troops. The Japanese pirates in that battle were still more than ten thousand troops today, and Xiao's soldiers were like stepping into the land of no one. The Japanese pirates were driven back in one fell swoop, and the invincible momentum made the thieves from a hundred miles away frightened by the wind, and dared not invade the slightest for several years. Therefore, General Xiao is like a god in the hearts of Luojiang people."

Li Yunfu frowned more and more, he asked: "How long did the previous battle take?"

The county magistrate said, "Not in two months."

Li Yunfu put down his pen.

He cupped his hands and said, "The county magistrate is looking for me today because he has something important to do. You might as well speak up."

The county magistrate knelt down with a "boom" and said, "Although the officials are soft-spoken, I can't bear to see the people suffer!"

"The lower official grew up younger than the Luo River, so he knows the climate laws of this place like the palm of his hand. According to the celestial phenomena observed by the lower official, within three days, the flood will strike again, and it will definitely become more turbulent. It will not be safe for several months."

The magistrate choked with sobs: "The Japanese pirates are cruel and take pleasure in slaughtering cities and looting. If General Xiao devotes all his attention to the construction of this project in a few months, dare to ask the people of Luojiang, what is the situation! What is the fate!"

This remark touched on Li Yunfu's doubts.

He has always wondered why General Xiao defended the building with heavy troops, but did not mention Japanese cholera. Last time, a group of Japanese pirates sneaked into the city gate along the river to openly provoke, but General Xiao did not move, not even increasing the guards at the city gate. Pai, instead inspected the water conservancy.

"There are no noble men under the great reputation. General Xiao has not lost a single defeat against the Japanese pirates for decades. I hope the county magistrate can be at ease." Li Yunfu comforted: "The situation of marching formation is changing and unpredictable. If you don’t even trust the coach, how can you fight a battle?”

"General Xiao should have been Minister of the Ministry of War." The county magistrate said.

Li Yunfu was stunned.

After the county magistrate gave a brief account of the "one-day difference" between General Xiao and Fu Shangshu, he said: "I have no doubt that General Xiao is loyal, but it is such a pity, is there really no complaint?"

"The lower officials have the courage to use the heart of a villain to measure the belly of a gentleman. When the time and place are favorable, if General Xiao allows the situation to develop into a desperate situation, and then he sends troops to quell the Japanese invasion and maintain the smooth construction, isn't he the number one hero?"

Li Yunfu's face changed: "Cheng Feng, do you know that today's words are a crime of confusing the army? The crime can be executed!"

"The lower official knows, but Luojiang is the hometown of the lower official." The county magistrate took off his hat and kowtowed: "To the lower official, whether it is true or false, it is a crime of sowing dissension and disturbing people's hearts, but as long as Luojiang The people are safe and sound, and the officials are willing to be punished!"

Li Yunfu couldn't bear to see him crying and bleeding, so he said: "I don't know what the county magistrate said, so please be careful in the future."

The county magistrate trembled, as if in a slumped state: "The position of the imperial censor, corrective and harsh inspections, and direct admonition to the saints, I thought that my lord had a heart of concern for the people and the power to turn the world around, so I was wrong... "

The county magistrate looked gloomy, kowtowed and said: "Thank you for your kindness, my lord."

Li Yunfu bent down to stop him, and helped him up: "The county magistrate pays homage, how can I bear it."

"I know that the county magistrate is disappointed, but as the county magistrate said, the censor's words are often listened to, and if he just draws conclusions based on groundless rumors, he will draw conclusions. How is it different from the sycophant who turned black and white and killed good generals?"

Li Yunfu patted the folds of his clothes: "The general guards the battlefield. If you and I can't fight the enemy bravely, at least we can ensure that they have nothing to worry about."

"What about the common people?" The county magistrate took two steps back and said, "The soldiers still have swords and swords to guard against them, so why should the common people be innocent? If there is a chance of this, it would be the mountains of dead bodies and bloody seas piled up by the people of Luojiang River. Do you see? Or are you afraid of the rich and powerful to settle accounts?"

"If it endangers the common people, I will be a death remonstrance." Li Yunfu was overwhelmed by the pressure, but he did not lose his mind. He had his own judgment and persistence, and he said: "The county magistrate, please go back."

The county magistrate intertwined his hands and bowed: "The lower officials have done their best, and good fortune will follow Luojiang's destiny."

"Thank you sir for listening to my nonsense."

The county magistrate withdrew.

Li Yunfu picked up the pen again, but at this time his pen force seemed heavy and oppressive. He did not know the cause and effect before, and he had already suspected that General Xiao was acting strangely.

So he didn't blame the county magistrate, otherwise no matter how soft-hearted he was, he would not show mercy to those who confused the army.

He faintly agrees with the county magistrate.

"Yun Fu, what are you painting?" Xiao Jibei broke in, with the heat of the sun on his body, and snatched his dangling pen.