On this day, the weather suddenly changed. Since the morning, the sky in Yangzhou has been gloomy, and the sun has never been seen again. The sky is filled with gloomy clouds, the cold wind keeps coming, and the drizzling rain keeps falling, which makes people feel...
It was so cold and wet that I felt uncomfortable.
Looking at the gloomy weather, the faces of Zhao Deshun, the head of the Zhao family, and the elders also became gloomy.
Everyone in the Zhao family has been busy for more than three days for this ceremony, but now, because of the rain, many preparations have been wasted, such as the fireworks and firecrackers purchased with a lot of money, the massive gongs and drums troupe, and the decoration of flowers.
The curtained altar, etc., were originally well prepared, but at this time they were completely useless. Even if they were barely used, they looked miserable and in disarray under the wind and rain.
The carefully prepared grand ceremony encountered such an accident, and the effect of the grand ceremony was greatly reduced. Naturally, everyone in the Zhao family in Yangzhou would not be happy.
The most important thing is that in this grand return ceremony, there are many guests who are of extremely high status and grandeur. Not to mention the local wealthy squires, celebrities and businessmen invited by the Zhao family, under the invitation of Zhao Junchen
, many important officials of the imperial court were also very considerate, such as Zuo Lanshan, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Su Changzhen, Governor of Southern Zhili, etc., all came to the Zhao family mansion in person to attend the return ceremony of Zhao Junchen; in addition, like the chief minister
Although Assistant Zhou Shangjing, Pavilion Elder Shen Changmao and others did not come in person, they sent their close associates to congratulate him and sent him valuable gifts.
When the ceremony was about to be held, Emperor Deqing's eunuch Zhang De also rushed to the Zhao family's ancestral home, claiming that he was here on the order of Emperor Deqing. He also gave a high-quality jade to the Zhao family in Yangzhou as a gift to Zhao Junchen.
A congratulatory gift for recognizing an ancestor and returning to the clan.
Although Zhang De only stayed for a moment and then left. After all, he was the representative of Emperor Deqing and had a unique meaning. This also meant that the reputation of the Zhao family in Yangzhou had been spread to the ears of Emperor Deqing. This
For everyone in the Zhao family, such glory was so dazzling that it was almost unbelievable. Some of the dignified elders of the Zhao family even felt a little dizzy at that moment, as if they were in a dream.
They had known for a long time that once the Zhao family got into Zhao Junchen's lap, they would get countless benefits, but limited by their vision and knowledge, they didn't know how great these benefits were. Until then, they saw another person.
A number of important court officials and feudal officials came to the Zhao family in person to attend the celebration. Seeing that the cabinet ministers and even Emperor Deqing had sent envoys to congratulate them, as for those officials below the fifth rank, one by one
Everyone in the Zhao family was very polite when they came uninvited. Although this courtesy was only because of Zhao Junchen, everyone in the Zhao family still felt unprecedented honor and elation.
You know, the Zhao family in Yangzhou used to be just a rich family, not to mention important officials of the imperial court and feudal officials. Even a seventh-grade county magistrate can show off to the Zhao family casually, how is it like now? "Just a mere area"
A seventh-grade county magistrate. He is not even qualified to formally participate in the grand reunification ceremony. He can only send a gift and leave!
However, the most exciting part of glory is the pride in being under the spotlight, as well as the envious compliments and flattery from others.
It's a pity that because of the rain, all the guests attending the ceremony are now hiding in temporary rain shelters, and they are unable to show up, especially those high-ranking court officials. Naturally, they will not interact with the local landlords and wealthy people in Yangzhou.
They stayed together, but gathered alone in a shelter, separated from other guests on both sides. In this way, the local guests in Yangzhou could not see the high officials of the imperial court and the feudal officials, and they could not see clearly
I can't help but feel how much prestige and prestige the Zhao family has, which inevitably makes everyone in the Zhao family feel regretful about walking in brocade clothes at night.
For everyone in the Zhao family, this regret is huge. After all, if all walks of life in Yangzhou see the guest lineup of the Zhao family in Yangzhou, then the Zhao family's prestige will greatly increase, and they can completely go sideways in Yangzhou in the future.
Unfortunately, due to the rain, the effect was greatly reduced. In this case, it is not difficult to understand the gloomy expressions of the Zhao family.
Zhao Junchen didn't understand the little thoughts of the Zhao family, and he didn't care. At this time, he was in the living room of Zhao's house, talking to Zuo Lanshan, Su Changzhen and others.
At first, because of the grand return ceremony, Zuo Lanshan, Su Changzhen and others deliberately congratulated Zhao Junchen on his return to the Zhao family. However, when they saw Zhao Junchen's disinterested expression, they quickly understood.
Knowing Zhao Junchen's true attitude towards this matter, the conversation changed and they no longer mentioned the Zhao family's affairs, but shifted the topic to the situation in Southern Zhili in recent days.
"In recent days, the situation in South Zhili has been uneven. There are quite a lot of undercurrents, especially in Suzhou... I heard that a colleague from Suzhou suddenly disappeared a few days ago, causing a lot of confusion, and then two days later
The genius spread the news that this Suzhou colleague was not missing, but was secretly arrested by the Jin Yiwei people, but no one knew where he was detained and why he was detained."
While Zuo Lanshan was commenting, his expression seemed casual, but his eyes were fixed on Su Changzhen, obviously wanting to get some news from Su Changzhen.
Su Changzhen is the governor of Southern Zhili, and Suzhou is the seat of the governor's office. Logically speaking, he should be the most concerned about these matters. However, at this time, Su Changzhen acted as if the matter had nothing to do with him and explained casually.
Said: "As far as I know, the officials arrested by the Jinyiwei are not just Suzhou Tongzhi alone. In Suzhou alone, there are seven or eight civil and military officials who were secretly controlled by the Jinyiwei, including close associates of Suzhou Prefect Zhou Suhai.
Master... It seems that a violent shock in the official circles of Suzhou and even South Zhili is inevitable."
Zhao Junchen knew that this was Emperor Deqing's move against Zhou Shangjing. Although Emperor Deqing had not yet arrived in Suzhou, Emperor Deqing had already sent Jin Yiwei to control many Suzhou officials. Apparently, he wanted to collect evidence in advance to prepare for his next plan.
Prepare.
So, after hearing the discussion between Su and Zuo, Zhao Junchen also became interested and asked: "Oh? I have heard about this situation, but I don't know the details? So many Suzhou officials were imprisoned by Jin Yiwei
They were arrested secretly, but Suzhou Magistrate Zhou Suhai didn't respond at all?"
Hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, Su Changzhen looked quite strange. Just as he was about to say something, Zhao Deshun, the head of the Zhao family, suddenly came to the room. After taking a look at Su Changzhen and Zuo Lanshan, he asked Zhao Junchen hesitantly.
Said: "Sir, although the weather is not very good, the auspicious time has arrived. Should we hold the ceremony?"
Zhao Junchen waved his hand and said: "Don't worry, I'm still waiting for someone. When that person comes, let's start the ceremony again."
"But the time has come. If we delay the auspicious moment..."
Zhao Deshun planned to persuade him again, but he had no opinion after all. When he saw Zhao Junchen frowning slightly, he shut up in the middle of his words and left the room on his own initiative.
Zhao Junchen, on the other hand, continued to keep his eyes on Su Changzhen, hoping to get more detailed information from Su Changzhen.
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ps: During this period, many things suddenly happened, so the idea of coding was interrupted. I finally reorganized it and updated it for a long time. I am very sorry!
Also, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival everyone! (To be continued...)