Juyuan Pavilion is the only wealthy place in the Tuoba family. There is a small pond under the three-story wooden building. There is a very delicate rockery in the middle of the pond. It is said to be a rockery, but it is actually just a pile of dozens of large rocks.
It's just a small stone bag. At a glance, this building, this mountain, and this pond all have a small character.
Mao Santang stood for several hours. At this time, he had lost all his strength and did not care about his image. He lifted up his official robe and sat on the bluestone by the pond. Logically speaking, Mao Santang had just passed his forties, even if he was not as good as a martial arts practitioner.
A person with a strong body wouldn't be in such a bad state. It's not all because he has been unsteady in his heart over the years and has been exhausted both physically and mentally. His body is getting worse day by day.
Seeing that the official was so tired, the servants of the Tuoba family asked Mao Santang to go upstairs to rest many times, but Mao Santang declined them all. This is the Tuoba family, not the three-acre land of the county magistrate's office.
If you say a few polite words, you will take it seriously, but Mao Santang is really a fool.
Mao Santang seemed to be staring at the water in a daze, but in fact, he was thinking about why Tuoba Jiong invited him to drink. He couldn't feel at ease if he didn't understand. As he was thinking about it, a deep and steady voice suddenly came from behind him...
"My Juyuan Pavilion can't compare to the county governor's mansion. It's a joke to the county governor!"
When Mao Santang heard the words of the person behind him, he hurriedly stood up and bowed to salute. His movements were a little too hasty and he almost lost his waist. He grinned in pain, but he squeezed out a smile and said: "Master, the Juyuan Pavilion has lost those carved beams and golden tiles."
The silver embellishment makes it even more elegant and unique. From this Juyuan Pavilion, you can see that the owner of the house is not just a mortal!"
"Sir, you are joking! Bo Ju is just an ordinary person who has read more books and practiced martial arts." Tuoba Jiong said with a smile.
Tuoba Jiong, whose courtesy name is Boju. When Mao Santang saw Tuoba Jiong calling himself this way, he felt a little relieved and couldn't help but flatter him: "The master of the family is very knowledgeable and talented, and his martial arts is even on par with the saints. I admire him from the bottom of my heart!"
"My lord, please stop praising Bo Ju, otherwise Bo Ju will have to find a way to get in! My lord has been waiting for a long time, so he must be hungry already. Why don't we go upstairs and have a drink and chat," Tuoba said with a smile.
On the third floor of Juyuan Pavilion, there were two people at a table, two meat dishes, two vegetarian dishes, and a pot of wine. Tuoba Jiong personally filled up the wine for Mao Santang, and then he said with a smile: "It's been a few years now, sir.
Are you living comfortably in Jiangning City?"
Even though Mao Santang was living an uncomfortable life, he didn't dare to write it on his face, let alone say it out loud. He just smiled and said: "Thanks to the master of the family, I have gained several pounds since I came to Jiangning City."
Woolen cloth!"
Telling lies with your eyes open is nothing for an old man in the officialdom. He saw that Mao Santang's face was as usual and there was nothing unnatural about him. Tuoba Jiong raised his head and glanced at Mao Santang, then smiled and said: "That's good.
!That’s good! I’m afraid that your Excellency is not acclimated to the local environment. It seems that I am too worried about the poor people! Since you are still used to staying in my Jiangning City, I think it’s better for you to take your wife’s family over from Zhuo County and live a more comfortable life.
, to save my wife from suffering in that bitter cold place!"
As he said that, Tuoba Jiong poured wine for Mao Santang and looked at Mao Santang with a smile.
Tuoba Jiong's words just now made Mao Santang break into a cold sweat. Tuoba Jiong's seemingly caring words were actually asking him for attitude. If he didn't answer well, Mao Santang might get the prince of hell.
Then it’s time to report in.
I saw Mao Santang wiping the sweat on his forehead with his sleeve, and said cautiously: "My son has been talking to me about his mother these days. I am also thinking about sending people back to Zhuojun in a few days to take care of his mother."
The old mother and madam have both taken it over, and the master’s thoughts are in line with the official’s thoughts.”
Tuoba Jiong smiled and raised his glass and said, "Bo Ju is ashamed of your filial piety and friendship for your wife! This glass of wine, Bo Ju respects you!"
At this moment, Mao Santang felt as miserable as if he had eaten coptis! But he smiled and said: "As a son and a husband, this is what you should do."
Tuoba Jiong struck while the iron was hot and said: "I think it's okay for those scoundrels in Jiangning City who are in charge of your government soldiers, but if you let them pick up the madam and the old man, it won't work! For the safety of the madam and the old man, I happened to form a new team
If you support the black cavalry, let the black cavalry go to Zhuo County!"
Mao Santang quickly smiled and said: "That's great! Of course we can't let the black knight run away in vain. The travel expenses and hard-earned money for this round trip will be paid by the lower officials. Does the family owner think so?"
Mao Santang thought to himself, Tuoba Jiong wants to completely control me! This is not leaving a way for the Mao family to survive!
But Tuoba Jiong said at this time: "It's not about money. As long as you can live comfortably in my Jiangning City, it's okay for Bo Ju to put in some effort! By the way, I heard that Lu Zhaoxing and the second prince are very close."
Recently, it seems that the prince of Daxing is not living a good life!"
Mao Santang felt that his thinking was not keeping up with Tuoba Jiong. Why did he keep talking about royal matters? He couldn't help but laugh: "This low-ranking official really doesn't know!"
Tuoba Jiong's expression was slightly cold, and he sighed: "I regard you as a confidant, but you don't regard Bo Ju as a friend!"
Mao Santang thought to himself, it was fine just now, but he fell out of favor as soon as he fell out of favor, and his heart became anxious again just after he was relieved.
Before Mao Santang could say anything, Tuoba Jiong once again filled up the wine for Mao Santang and said at the same time: "No matter whether you regard Bo Ju as a friend or not, Bo Ju will have a heart-to-heart talk with you. Lu Zhaoxing bet on it.
It's too early. If the bet is wrong in the future, the Lu family of Zhuo County will be in trouble! The Lu family has too much time to take care of themselves, so how can they have the ability to care for others? Even if Lu Zhaoxing's good idea is successful, he will succeed.
It’s not long enough to reach Jiangning City!”
What Tuoba Jiong said is very straightforward. You, Mao Santang, will not be able to get ahead if you follow Lu Zhaoxing.
Mao Santang knows that the previous words are just foreshadowing. Now is the time to see the real deal. Who should I mess with? It's time for you, Mao Santang, to formally express your stance.
If you, Mao Santang, don’t drink the toast in front of you, the rest will be a fine drink. Mao Santang stood up, took the cup and drank it all in one gulp. Then he knelt on one knee and said, “Mao Santang is not talented, he is the head of the family.
Take care of Jiangning City with all your heart and mind!"
I saw Tuoba Jiong stood up with a smile, supported Mao Santang with both hands and said: "This can't be done. The friendship between you and me is important. As long as brothers live up to me, Bo Juding will live up to his brothers!"
Mao Santang no longer cares about whether it is true or false. Just as Tuoba Jiong said, Lu Zhaoxing cannot reach out his hand, and even if he does, he will be chopped off by Tuoba Jiong. Therefore, what is before him is
There is only one road, and he, Mao Santang, has to walk if he doesn't want to.
Mao Santang didn't know how he left Juyuan Pavilion, nor did he know how he left Tuoba's house. He even forgot why he came to Tuoba's house today. He only knew that the Mao family had already gone to Tuoba's house.
It is impossible to get off the chariot safely.
Before Mao Santang returned to the mansion, he ordered someone to find his son. The moment he saw his son, Mao Santang said with a cold face: "Starting from tomorrow, you will hand over the fish charm and step down as the governor.
"
Although the son of the county governor did not like the job of governor, he would not be happy if he was really not allowed to do it. He said very unhappy: "Dad, why is this? How can you say that you can't do it if you don't let me do it?"
Let it go!"
Mao Santang said with a cold face: "In the future, our Mao family will follow the Tuoba family's lead, so you, the governor, must be handed over. Our Mao family will no longer be able to hold military power no matter what. If we still hold on to the military power, then we will
This is the way to death!"
The county governor's son was not stupid, and he knew what he should do and what he shouldn't do. He smiled and said: "I have told dad a long time ago that in Jiangning City, our family has to listen to Tuoba Jiong, and you still don't do it!
"
"Don't talk to me like this. As soon as you are relieved of the post of lieutenant, you can follow the Black Cavalry northward and pick up your mother and the others!" Mao Santang dropped the words and turned back to the study.
Tuoba Jiong has not ignored Mao Santang in these years, but has been observing him to see if this person is usable. Fortunately, Mao Santang did not disappoint Tuoba Jiong, otherwise he, Mao Santang, would not have a chance.
Went to Juyuan Pavilion to have a drink.
Tuoba Jiong returned to the study and ordered someone to summon Wen Ruyu. Tuoba Jiong handed a sketch to Wen Ruyu's hand and whispered a few words, then Wen Ruyu bowed and left...
Wen Ruyu returned to the room, studied ink and copied a dozen identical sketches by herself, put them in her arms, and then came to the Qinhuai River. At this time, the Qinhuai River was more lively than in the morning, and the enthusiasm of those treasure hunters was unprecedentedly high, especially
This is the Zhuque Bridge section of the river, where the sound of people jumping into the water can be heard all the time.
Wen Ruyu watched a few big men from the rivers and lakes come ashore from the water, looking exhausted and dejected, so she quietly took out a sketch from her arms and threw it next to the men without anyone noticing.
"Grandma! I've been looking for this for three days. I'm exhausted. No matter what, I won't look for it anymore!" One of the big men shook his soaked clothes and sat down on the shore.
I saw another shirtless man in fine clothes, and said with a smile: "Second brother, are you giving up now? Did you say when you were drinking last night that if you get the treasure, you will redeem your life for Que'er from Chunhua Tower?"
"Don't listen to your second brother's farts! If you let the girl from Chunhualou drink two ounces of urine, you won't know who you are. I really thought that bird would fall in love with such a rude man like him!" The leading man glared at Sitting.
The second child on the shore cursed.
"Brother, Que'er and I truly love each other!"
The leader was about to scold the second brother a few more words, when he saw a gust of wind blowing by, and there was a piece of drawing paper with small calligraphy written on it under his feet. The boss picked up the drawing paper and took a casual look. It didn't matter.
I can no longer take my eyes off that piece of paper...
There were rivers, Suzaku Bridge, and the Academy, as well as winding lines and some tiny characters. Although the boss couldn't read, after looking at it for a while, he guessed that it was a construction drawing.
"Third brother, you know the writing? Come over here and see what's written here?"
The third child was still puzzled. The boss picked up a piece of paper and the man stopped moving. He thought he had been hit by some kind of witchcraft! Just as he was thinking about whether to knock the boss unconscious with a sap first and break the witchcraft, he heard the boss's call.
, I couldn’t help but feel lucky that I didn’t take action. If I hit it with a stick, the consequences might not be very good...