The Moon Over Tang Dynasty Chapter 249

Chapter 249: The Bodhisattva has a strong heart and a strong heart

 This post becomes more interesting the more you read it? Qu Chongyu couldn't help but walked to the table, picked up the red post and looked at it several times, frowning and said, "Zhang Canjun said that he didn't plan to celebrate his birthday this year, but the family wanted to use the joy to cheer up. This matter was decided in a hurry. Even if the writing is a little cursory, isn't it very ordinary? "

Pei Xingjian continued with a smile, "It's very unusual. It is said that Zhang Canjun came to this room to deliver a post, and happened to meet Su Ziyu and Mr. Lu, who seemed to be an old acquaintance. It was also very unusual. He I handed over the post casually, and tomorrow the two people came to visit Su Ziyu casually to celebrate his birthday. It was also very ordinary..." He paused and smiled again, "I just want to know, during this day and a half, did any children of the Zhang family go to Su Ziyu? Have you seen Mr. Lu over there?”

Qu Chongyu's face darkened slightly, and his tone was somewhat unpleasant when he spoke, "Early this morning, Gaochang County Lieutenant Zhang Jin did bring two-color gifts to visit him, and it took about two cups of tea to come out. I heard that this Master Lu once lived in Xizhou and taught calligraphy articles by several disciples of the Zhang family..." He wanted to say that it was not unusual for disciples to visit the teacher like this, but looking at Pei Xingjian's smiling face, he just said "hum". He said, "Don't forget, Su Ziyu is now the dignified son of the Grand Protector of Anxi. Not many people know about his grievances with the Qu family. Even if these Xizhou surnames have the intention of being friends, they will not abandon them. Courage!”

Pei Xingjian looked Qu Chongyu up and down, and saw that although his face did not show anger, his whole person was already chilly. He couldn't help but smile and shake his head, "Since Yulang is so sure, do you want to make a bet with me? "

Qu Chongyu glanced at him coldly and made a bet with him? Haven't you suffered enough losses in the past few years? Thinking of Pei Xingjian's bets with others, he could not help but feel colder. He pondered for a long time before saying, "Keep the promise, I want to issue a notice tomorrow. Starting from October, the tax on Xizhou rice wine will be tripled." !”

Pei Xingjian raised his eyebrows, "Oh? That's what I had in mind, but I originally planned to issue the notice after you collect the grain. In that case, whatever, I will draft the document and issue it tomorrow." He looked at Zhuqu Chongyu laughed, "I just discovered today that Yulang, you actually have the heart of a Bodhisattva."

Qu Chongyu's face suddenly became stiff and he sneered, "I dare not compare myself with Chang Shi! Chongyu is stupid and doesn't know how to make people seek death."

Pei Xingjian still smiled calmly, "Yu Lang praised me, how can I be so kind? It's just that those people have been living so smoothly these years, and they have become more and more greedy, and they actually want to reach out to me, Mr. Pei, in his inner house. , If we don't let them learn a lesson, will they make their families worry about these dirty things every day in the future?”

Qu Chongyu snorted. Thinking of what would happen in the future, as Pei Xingjian expected, he felt angry, sad, and relieved, and could not help but be speechless for a long time.

The setting sun had just sunk behind the mountains outside Xizhou City, and in Luoyang Square, the two lantern trees that had just been decorated at the entrance of Zhang's Mansion were all lit up. Sixty-three lanterns with the Chinese character "longevity" were hung on each of the trees more than one foot high, and some exquisite figures of mountains and rivers were painted on the lanterns. They looked more and more dazzling in the gradually darkening twilight, attracting a large group of children to gather around. He clapped his hands and applauded.

The several guards guarding the gate of the square had already received their rewards. Seeing that the night was getting darker, not only did they not close the door, they also helped the servants of the Zhang Mansion to hang up two huge lanterns with the word "longevity" at the gate of the square, so that they could be seen from a distance. Got it crystal clear. After walking along the lights all the way to the door of Zhang's mansion, bypassing two lantern trees, and looking through the open door, there are bright lights everywhere, and people in well-dressed and elegant clothes are constantly coming and going. It is a scene of prosperity and wealth.

The residences in Xizhou City are not as big as those in Chang'an, and they are no more than three doors down. The female relatives who are good friends with the Zhang family have already come to the house at noon, and have already left one after another to say goodbye. At this time, most of the people who come to the door to congratulate are well-dressed people. Almost all the people on the nameplates of the Xizhou Dudu Mansion and several county government offices were present. Even those who couldn't come due to physical discomfort or official duties, they all sent their own people to give birthday gifts.

The sandalwood Buddha statue presented by Qu Zhizhan, the six-volume and three-color valerian screen presented by Qu Chongyu, and the large longevity characters presented by Pei Xingjian were all placed in the most conspicuous places in the hall. Visitors who are not well-informed will naturally comment on the carving of the Buddha statue, the painting with valerian and the sharp strokes of the Chinese character longevity, and then say a lot of colorful and good things. The room, which was originally full of guests, became more and more crowded. There seemed to be endless joy and excitement.

In the upper room in the backyard, little Zhishi hurriedly walked out from the inner room. Zhishi, who was sitting outside, reached out and picked out a golden dried apricot from the fruit plate in front of him. He looked up and saw that his sister had changed. Wearing apricot-yellow clothes embroidered with silver threads, I couldn't help laughing, "Haven't all the female guests been sent away? Who are you showing off to by dressing like this?"

Xiaozhi waved his hands and sighed, "We are not going to the A's family's yard. Several ladies from the Zhang family are still there to accompany us. You also know that my A's favorite person is dressed gorgeously. I didn't know that before." Although the lake-colored clothes look new in Chang'an, she is not happy when she sees them. Do you want to come with me?"

Zhishi waved his hands lightly, "That's all, I've already said all the auspicious words that should be said. Now that your family is reunited, what should I do?"

Xiao Zhishi smiled and said, "What did you say, sister? Who would treat you as an outsider?" She also knew in her heart that since Governor Qu was in poor health, he had no interest in political affairs, and Qi Yulang had no false feelings for the Zhi family. After that, my sister's status among the female relatives of Xizhou gradually changed slightly. Looking at Zhi's indifferent face and thinking about her future situation, Xiao Zhi suddenly couldn't bear it. He turned around and ordered his maid, "You go to the old lady first and say something back. I still have something to do here. I'll wait for you later." Go again." He winked at the other maid and told her to watch from outside. Then he sat down next to Zhi and sighed, "What a happy gathering it is, it's just a fake show from outside. I'm celebrating, but I don't know how much money I need to bring in. I have to settle the accounts tomorrow, and sometimes I have a headache.”

Zhishi glanced at her in surprise, "It's just a birthday party, why is it like this?"

Xiaozhi smiled slightly sarcastically, "My sister is in the Governor's Mansion, so naturally she doesn't know what's going on outside. Not only the Zhang family, but also the high-ranking families in Xizhou are all the same now. They look lively and wealthy outside. It's getting weaker inside! Speaking of which, thanks to my sister, we probably have more confidence.”

Zhi was silent for a moment before saying, "I've heard a lot of things, but I still say... didn't they all come here when they first returned to Xizhou and their salaries were so low? Now their salaries are twice as much as those of the imperial court." The quota is only much higher, and the income of the field shop has been much higher than before in the past few years, so why can it be difficult to survive? "

Xiao Zhishi sneered, "Don't you still have some wealth before? The governor also said that we have to live hard, and the expenses will naturally be less. In recent years, the salary has increased and the land has become abundant. How many people are thinking about it It's time to live a good life. Whose population has not doubled? When things are a bit unsatisfactory, what happened to the merchants in the past, but they don't think about how they can compare with the past? Our salt tax, wine rent, and trade income are not all ours? How can we compare with those merchants? What we have is just more land at home. , more rice grain, but how much money can I exchange for this rice grain now? "

"Today's birthday banquet, not to mention anything else, even the lights and candles, costs tens of thousands of dollars, but the birthday gifts received are just those frivolous items. I don't know whether they can be eaten or not. Sell ​​it! I don't know which item to use to fill this famine!” Xiaozhi sighed and sneered, “That's it, joining the army still thinks that I treat his concubines poorly. They are all dressed up like burnt cakes. It's really funny. Even if I still have a few money in my hand, I still want to keep Sanniang's dowry and the bridegroom's betrothal gift. Is it possible that I want to take it from us? Do you only have money to dress up those foxy girls?”

Ji looked at the girl, shook his head and laughed for a long time, "It is true that every family has its own difficulties! I only thought that I was unlucky, but it turns out that everyone has different grievances. Strangely, in the past half day, Even though people are complaining about the tripled liquor tax, everyone doesn't even follow the rules.”

Xiaozhi nodded and said, "We would like to be more particular, but where is the time to be particular now? Now that food prices are so low, who is not making money from wine? We said before that we would hand over military rations, and everyone was still a little happy, but The price of food and wine is probably about to rise sharply. If it can be doubled, how much deficit can be made up! This time, not only the price of food has only increased by 20 to 30%, but the prince is using this trick to force everyone. Selling all the surplus grain to the government, I'm really confused. It's not like the people of Xizhou don't have any surplus grain. It's not enough to ask us to pay for it together, but we are forcing ourselves like this!"

I don't know how many complaints I heard in the past half day, and I could only sigh at the moment, "The governor is also in a dilemma. Now the governor is pressing hard. He is afraid that the price of food in Xizhou will rise sharply, which will cause the situation to be unstable. , I must let everyone bear it, even if it is sold to the government, the profit will be 50% more than in previous years. If there is really a fuss, who among us can get away with it? "

The anger on Xiaozhi's face was still hard to calm down, and he muttered a few more words, but then he heard the maid outside the door say, "Alang is here!" Both of them were surprised, and Xiaozhi stood up and took a step to greet him. Zhang Huaiji had already lifted the curtain and came in. He frowned and said, "What time is it and you're still here!" He looked up and saw Zhi, he smiled and clasped his hands, "I didn't know my sister was here, I'm sorry."

Zhi Shi smiled and returned the gesture, "I don't dare to take it seriously. I asked Liu Niang to talk to me, and unknowingly I delayed her. It's late at night, and I should go back to serve the governor with medicine, so I'll take my leave."

Xiao Zhi's lips moved, and he was about to speak to save her. Hearing her talk about waiting for Governor Qu to take medicine, it was hard to say more. At that moment, he and Zhang Huaiji sent Zhi out of the door, and turned around to go to the courtyard where her parents-in-law were. But Zhang Huaiji pulled her back and said in a low voice, "Don't stay over there for too long. Find an excuse to call Min Niang out. I'll wait for you outside the hospital!"

Xiao Zhishi glanced at him in surprise. Under the bright light, it could be seen that Zhang Huaiji's face was slightly red, but he still frowned and explained, "Master Su is here to celebrate his birthday!"

p.s. In the early Tang Dynasty, the custom of celebrating birthdays was not very strong, including among the royal family (so the date of Wu Zetian's birthday is a mystery). Among the people, it is a rare thing to hold a big feast if it is not a birthday celebration. There are still about ten tickets left to add an update. If you want to see an additional update on Valentine's Day, hehe...

 (End of this chapter)

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