Chapter 64 Good trip to Qingshan

To be fair, it can be seen that Anhua County is by no means a place where corruption and abuses persist.

Since Zhuo Siheng walked into the territory of Anhua County, the several mountain villages he passed through were not rich in supplies, but their folk customs were simple, and they were not hungry. Most of the chickens and dogs were happy and peaceful. While drinking water and taking a rest, they all had a good time.

Asking the residents here, you can also learn that they usually do not have redundant taxes and levies, and the government rarely enforces harsh policies. Many villagers do not even know the name of the county magistrate. When they pay grain and silk every year, they only say that it is for the court, and they do not know anything else.

It can be seen that at least the people of Anhua County do not have any pains and difficulties that Zhuo Siheng has to solve in one day. However, this does not mean that there are no problems here.

Zhuo Siheng felt deeply that the problem lay with these officials who ate with him.

The dishes served during the banquet were mostly local specialities, but the flavor was unique and not extravagant. The wine was also freshly brewed from local spring water. It was clear and sweet, and it was not expensive. However, after three rounds of wine, He Mengchun and the governor suddenly called everyone together.

Zhuo Tongsheng was welcome to compose a poem to celebrate the occasion, and someone was asked to record it, intending to record it into a volume for circulation. Zhuo Siheng almost spit out the wine he drank.

It's just a reception banquet for a small governor, and it's so arty?

Who would have thought that those officials would also come up with rhymes one after another, and actually start composing a poem line by line!

Zhuo Siheng followed Mr. Zeng and went to some literati banquets in the imperial capital. Although there were occasional chants, most of them were meaningful, and rarely made a fuss about one person or one thing. Then look at the people writing poems.

He Mengchun, who looked quite pleased with himself, had a rough idea of ​​the official customs here.

What is good at the top will be bad at the bottom.

He Mengchun wrote poems and inscriptions everywhere. He must have regarded himself as a romantic scribe and used this method to supervise his subordinates. Therefore, everyone studied poetry and pursued elegance and noble ideas, and naturally he was not that concerned about local civil affairs.

Everyone at the banquet was chanting, but Pan Guangling, who seemed to have been forced to come here, remained silent. When it was his turn, he only said coldly that he was not from the imperial examination, did not understand poetry, and had no taste.

Zhuo Siheng didn't hate the cold water he poured on him, because he was extremely embarrassed at this time, but he just thought to himself that this kid had never been in the official circles of the Imperial Capital, and his face, body, and mouth were full of disdain and disgust.

But this is not his fault.

Thinking of this, Zhuo Siheng also admired Pan Guangling a little more, but he couldn't say it directly.

Finally, when the urge to write poems was over, Mr. He enthusiastically expressed that he would travel with Zhuo Siheng to the nearby famous mountains and beautiful scenery tomorrow and take him to appreciate the great rivers and mountains in this county.

It was really not good to go sightseeing on the second day after taking office. However, Zhuo Siheng already had his own plan in mind. He immediately agreed and then asked with a troubled face: "It's just that the local villagers have a strong accent and it's difficult to talk to them. I don't know."

How does Mr. He enjoy himself with the people when he usually travels?"

"To be fair to Zhuo Tongfan, it is naturally difficult for you to understand the local accent when you come here. Even though I have been in office for six years, it is still difficult to understand the local dialect..." He Mengchun said with a smile, "This trip, bring a few words with you.

It is enough for someone who has a basic knowledge of the local dialect to accompany us. If there are too many people, it will really ruin the elegance of our trip while enjoying the fun!"

After Zhuo Siheng got the information he wanted, he just smiled and nodded, indicating that He Mengchun could arrange tomorrow's itinerary. At this time, Chang Shi Cuilu suddenly said: "Most of the local dialects here can be heard but the pronunciation is not correct. Only

Secretary Pan is good at this pronunciation and this way of speaking, why not let him go along and translate it?"

Zhuo Siheng saw that Pan Guangling's face was turning dark green and then flushed red, as if it was about to explode at any moment. One or two officials sitting next to him seemed to be tugging at the hem of his robe, making it clear that he must not do anything today.

No more insults.

Perhaps Pan Guangling was about to say something blunt because he was busy with official duties, but Cui Changshi stopped him in advance and said: "The new Lord Tongpan's inspection of the local customs and customs in the county is also an important official matter. If there is no one with the same language to guide me, how can I teach you?"

Your Excellency, you understand the folk customs and observe the people's conditions. How can you then implement the judgment to benefit one party? Could it be that Secretary Pan has to shirk such a top priority official matter?"

Zhuo Siheng didn't like being used as a target in words. Seeing that Pan Guangling was about to lose his breath, he suddenly came up with an idea and was smiling instantly: "Since Cui Changshi said so, Secretary Pan will

Mr. He, please come with me and explain to me some local affairs and folk customs on the way."

According to their positions, Pan Guangling is the director of the work department in Liucaoli of the county government office, and Zhuo Siheng is the general judge, who happens to be his direct boss. There is no need to say "labor". However, the atmosphere was tense just now. When he said this, he was shocked.

After walking up a level, Pan Guangling couldn't get angry again, so he could only respond dully, his brows furrowed but not relaxed.

Pan Guangling's brows wrinkled until the next day.

While walking along the mountain road, Zhuo Siheng saw Pan Guangling's painful expression and found it interesting but also intolerable.

The remaining veins of the Panling Mountains twist and overlap, just in time to surround Quanzhang City. Where the blue rocks rise, there are rushing torrents. Although the road cut along the mountain wall is relatively flat, it can only accommodate three or four people side by side. Occasionally,

People should give way to people coming and going. Perhaps in order to show that he is friendly to the people, He Mengchun would greet people when he met them, but since he did not understand the dialect, Pan Guangling had to translate everything.

Walking to the gate of Lengquan Peak, there is a resting pavilion. The three characters "Guyan Pavilion" written on the plaque are clearly written by He Mengchun. However, there is a stone tablet on one side, which is engraved with the chronicle of this pavilion. It is also written by He Mengchun.

Master He wrote it himself. It turns out that this pavilion was repaired by him because "the scenery is so beautiful that people forget to return home. Fortunately, they traveled here and took the morning light with them." After Zhuo Siheng looked at it, he turned to He Mengchun and said with a smile: "The name of this mountain is

It's a cold spring. Just now passers-by said it was translated by Secretary Pan. It was named after a Bodhisattva spring on the top of the mountain. Master He named the pavilion "Guyan". He must have used the words "Guyan spring dripping, deep valley"

The allusion of "Niaoguanguan"?"

For a moment, Zhuo Siheng felt that Mr. He was about to shed tears. He seemed to have finally found Ziqi's Boya. He took Zhuo Siheng's hand and said with emotion: "I have been in the county for the past few years."

There are countless officials, literati and poets coming like clouds, but you, Yunshan, are the only ones who know how I use my words. It shows that you are my Lanting acquaintance given by God!"

Zhuo Siheng felt that Pan Guangling was afraid that he would vomit before the goosebumps fell to the ground if he continued talking, so he quickly patted the back of Mr. He's hand to comfort him and said: "Your Excellency, you are so complimentary. Everyone is tired by now, but the mountains here are beautiful and the clouds are gathering. I

If you want to go up again and see the scenery in the distance, my lord, please rest here for a while, and wait for me to come back and ask for some advice from you."

He Mengchun was really tired. Hearing what Zhuo Siheng said again, he immediately became interested. He just said that he would also chant some good words to wait for him to come down the mountain. Zhuo Siheng took two steps forward and then turned around, looking at him with a look of disdain.

The indifferent Pan Guangling said: "Sister Pan, please come with me."

Even though he was reluctant, Pan Guangling followed Zhuo Siheng with a sullen face, and continued walking up the mountain one after the other.

The mountain roads connecting villages and towns mostly wind under the pavilion, and the higher you go up, the fewer people are walking. Zhuo Siheng sweated a lot due to the heat and humidity, but when the mountain breeze blew, the sticky feeling immediately dissipated, and there was no one in front or behind him.

He slowed down and said to Pan Guangling: "Thank you, Secretary Pan, for helping me pick up my luggage."

Pan Guangling had a cold face and voice, and said expressionlessly: "I dare not fail to do what my father has entrusted me to do."

His father is the colleague that Mr. Zeng said he had a good relationship with in the past: Jinzhou Governor Shi Pan Weishan. Before leaving, Mr. Zeng had sent a letter in advance and asked Zhuo Siheng to stay away temporarily to avoid gossip.

The eldest son of the state historian is serving as the director of Gongcao in Anhua County. He will make arrangements for Zhuo Siheng. Therefore, when he was in Jiangnan Mansion, Zhuo Siheng sent him to pay homage first because he already knew that someone would take care of him.

"Then please ask Secretary Pan to thank uncle on my behalf."

Pan Guangling suddenly stopped, stared at Zhuo Siheng coldly and said: "My father was also entrusted by Lord Zeng. It would be better for Lord Zhuo to go directly to thank Lord Zeng himself, and avoid all these twists and turns."

There was so much contempt and disdain in his tone. Zhuo Siheng sighed in his heart and said, if I hadn't just followed the Fengya governor, there would have been no chance for us to talk openly. I am a newbie here and I can't invite local officials alone.

It can only be like this, but in the eyes of others, he seems to be following the crowd. I have stayed in the center of the Imperial Capital for too long, and I can no longer speak directly to communicate with Leng Touqing. The place is no better than where I came from, so I should pay more attention in the future.

However, Zhuo Siheng felt that Pan Guangling was out of tune with the peaceful atmosphere of local officials, which was also rare.

Therefore, he was not angry and only replied calmly: "I have written to Mr. Zeng to report that I am safe and thank you for the arrangement. Thank you, Secretary Pan, for reminding me."

Pan Guangling's barbed words seemed to be plunging into a waveless pool, and he became even more angry. He simply turned away and walked quickly ahead, ignoring Zhuo Siheng.

It's great to be young... Zhuo Siheng looked at his back and sighed.

Then he thought about it, he was the same age as him, so he wasn't actually that old either? However, when he thought about Master Zeng and Governor He, who were also the same age, he suddenly realized.

Emperor, emperor, how many people's youth have you wasted...

I was speechless for a while. As I was about to reach the top, I suddenly saw a woodcutter dressed as a native coming down the mountain. He seemed to know Pan Guangling. When he saw him, he saluted and greeted him cordially in the local dialect.

Pan Guangling also spoke to the locals in a very proficient and authentic dialect. After greeting each other, they talked about farming matters and left Zhuo Siheng aside for a long time. Because he was in ordinary clothes, the farmers did not regard him as an official and only talked to him.

Pan Guangling had a lively chat, and Zhuo Siheng was enjoying himself by touching the grass, pulling on the vines, and smelling the flowers. Pan Guangling naturally saw all this, and he thought to himself that if those officials in the past would have been so angry,

His five eyes were covered with angry lines, but his new immediate boss seemed a little abnormal, like an idle young man from the imperial capital, without any sense of mission and crisis as an official in charge of government affairs.

It makes people angry just looking at it.

After the conversation was over, he went hiking with Zhuo Siheng. When they reached the top of the mountain, Zhuo Siheng looked out at Yunling and the green sea. He felt refreshed and refreshed.

Even Pan Guangling relieved the boredom he had felt all the way up to this point. He took a deep breath and exhaled it gently.

Zhuo Siheng felt that it was time and place to have a good talk with the angry young man in front of him.

"What do Secretary Pan think of that ancient rock pavilion?"

Pan Guangling suddenly became alert, stared at Zhuo Siheng for a while and said, "It took Mr. He half a year to build this pavilion. How could it be bad?"

Zhuo Siheng pretended not to understand the strangeness in the words, lowered his head and smiled and said: "It is true that there are often mountain rains and strong winds here, and it is damp and stuffy, and the buildings are easy to rot. But the pillars of the pavilion were painted with more than ten layers of thick paint, and

It was then sealed with varnish and oil, and no spots have been seen for several years, which shows that no corners were cut.”

Pan Guangling himself was an official of the Gong Cao, and he knew the construction best. He and the craftsmen drew the sketches of the ancient rock pavilion together and supervised the work personally. Naturally, the materials used were solid and there was no omission. However, I heard that Zhuo Siheng had only seen the pavilion.

He was surprised to know the intention after just a few glances.

But he still couldn't control his mouth and chuckled: "Even if some work is cut, with Mr. He's personal inscription on the forehead and the erection of a monument as a biography, the pavilion will definitely be very good."

Unexpectedly, Zhuo Siheng shook his head: "That's a bad statement. I think that pavilion is absolutely terrible."

Pan Guangling was stunned at first, and an evil fire rushed into his heart. The anger of the past two days surged out of his throat, and his voice unconsciously rose an octave and said: "Your Excellency, you haven't seen the pavilion being built with your own eyes, how do you know it's not good? This pavilion is not good.

It is based on mountain rocks and is buried deep with earth. It will never collapse unless there is a landslide or a crack in the ground. The roof tiles are made of local clay from Anhua County. Even if it rains, no grass will grow. How could I personally supervise the work?

Don’t you know? Oh, I understand, is it possible that some adult in the capital gave you some tips to let you know all kinds of mysteries, so that you can know the fortifications of a pavilion thousands of miles away without having to see it with your own eyes?"

After saying this, he regretted it.

His father always told him not to be impatient or to act impulsively, and even if he did not try to be tactful and flattering, he should at least be neither humble nor overbearing. However, he was really angry with the new general judge for his series of actions: even though the sea route was closer, he was still not convinced that he was going to take office.

He didn't care about the situation on the ground and went on his own way to the mountain road, causing everyone to wait and delay for him; until now, he was in harmony with the poems of the governor, Chang Shi and others, not seeking practical work, only talking about romance, and completely incompetent.

, but the flattery comes right out of the mouth!

However, as soon as these words come out, no matter how good-tempered Mr. Zhuo is, he will still get angry.

I'm afraid I'm going to offend someone again.
To be continued...