On the way back to Taoyuan from Jiangdu, Meng Xinghe took Mengdie and sat in the carriage in front. There was another carriage behind him, and there were only four people in it. Meng Xinghe didn't want to be too public. The carriage was ordinary, and he didn't Sitting in a luxurious official sedan, he just felt that returning to Taoyuan did not require so much mobilization and turmoil in the city. Although the ancients often returned to their hometowns in fine clothes, Meng Xinghe also wanted to return to Taoyuan in glory, but after thinking about it, he decided not to do it and kept a low profile. .
After walking and stopping on the road for a few days, they finally arrived in Taoyuan County. After not seeing each other for several months, Meng Xinghe suddenly felt a little more nostalgic and timid. What he saw in his eyes was still the county town that was far less prosperous than Jiangdu. It was not grand or spectacular, like It is the kind of mountain city that is hidden away from the hustle and bustle. You can hear the crowing of cocks and the barking of dogs everywhere, just like the feeling of a small country with few people written in Lao Dan's Tao Te Ching.
When they arrived at the city gate entering and leaving Taoyuan County, the soldiers guarding the city checked the vehicles entering and exiting out of routine duty. They stopped Meng Xinghe's carriage and opened the curtain of the carriage to check. They saw a young man sitting inside who looked familiar but could not recall it. Who was it? He looked aside and saw a woman as beautiful as a fairy sitting in the young master's arms. The soldier was crying all over the floor and was dumbfounded. He didn't even stop him and immediately let him go.
After entering the city, Mengdie, who had always been a good girl, pinched Meng Xinghe's thigh, feeling a little resentful and said: "It turns out that there are many unruly people in the poor mountains and rivers."
Meng Xinghe did not argue. It was not that the soldier was lustful, but that his wife was indeed too beautiful. She was the center of attention wherever she went. This made him a little proud. He would take her back to Mengjiacun tomorrow, envying those who usually looked at him. A pleasant country fellow.
I drove to Cuiweiju and waited for Meng Xinghe to get out of the car. The servant Xiao Wuzi saw his young master coming back outside the door. He was so happy that he didn't even take care of the business in the store. He ran out with a look on his face. He was overjoyed and said: "Master, you are back." Xiao Wuzi looked at the people who appeared behind Meng Xinghe, "Madam and Miss Xue did not come back with the master."
Both her mother and Xue Shiyu were detained in Chang'an. Meng Xinghe had no intention of hiding it and said: "They are both in Chang'an and can't come back yet."
In Xiao Wuzi's impression, Chang'an was the best place in the world. He said "good" several times and thought that it would be great if he and the young master could go to Chang'an to see it in the future. He quickly invited Meng Xinghe and others into the house. go.
Meng Xinghe and the others just walked into Cuiweiju. All the diners inside all turned their attention to Mr. Hualiu who came in front of the door. Not long ago, there was a commotion in the city. I heard that this guy was the top scorer in the imperial examination this year. At first, no one was interested. I believe that a prodigal son who is addicted to eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, and other evil deeds can have such a promising future. However, when the court documents were sent to the Taoyuan County government office, and even the county school announced it with lights and decorations for many days, everyone was so unbelievable that they believed this thing. It's a big event when the sun rises to the west. Now that we know that the person who appears here is this year's No. 1 Scholar, almost everyone has forgotten his previous misdeeds. Instead, how can he get in touch with this great man?
Whether good, bad, or contemptuous, Meng Xinghe ignored it as always. Most of the diners in Cuiwei Center now recognize what kind of master Meng was in the past, but now the environment has changed. The status has changed, and the light coming out of other people's eyes has become less sharp. It can even be said that it is still gentle. However, Meng Xinghe, who has long been accustomed to others looking at people with colored glasses, walked on calmly. On the second floor, I plan to rest here for two days before preparing to return to Mengjiacun.
In the evening, Meng Xinghe and others were still having dinner on the second floor. Xiao Wuzi ran up to disturb him and said that the county magistrate was here and wanted to see the young master. He was very anxious. Meng Xinghe learned from Mr. Lu that since Ma Shouyi's death, the higher-ups had sent more troops to Taoyuan. I appointed a county magistrate, with the surname Shan and the double name Wen Tao. He was a post-county magistrate. He could only be officially promoted after two years of assessment. In the past, his political performance in other counties was mediocre, so he was demoted one level and sent to Taoyuan. After being in charge of Taoyuan for a few months There is nothing novel in the work, he is the kind of mediocre local official who lives a comfortable life.
Meng Xinghe didn't want to meet him at first, but he still gave the county magistrate surnamed Shan a favor and asked Xiao Wuzi to take him to the side hall to wait. Meng Xinghe didn't show off his authority. After eating for five minutes, he got up and went there. receive.
Shan Wentao is a man in his early forties. People in ancient times usually had short lifespans, so he looks similar to a man in his sixties or seventies. He has a Chinese character face, a mustache, a red nose, two small eyes that form a line, and he smiles. He looked like a smiling tiger, feeling like a fat rat in a warehouse. When he saw Meng Xinghe walking in from the door of the side hall, his original restless posture suddenly became more frightened, and he was submissive, and he knelt down on the ground with a plop. After performing the official courtesy, he said: "Shan Wentao, the alternate magistrate of Taoyuan County, pays homage to Lord Shangshu." He was really not afraid of shortening Meng Xinghe's life, so he knelt down and kowtowed.
"Master Shan is the parent official of this county, so you must be more polite." Meng Xinghe asked Xiao Wuzi to give Master Shan a cup of tea, and continued, "I don't know why you are looking for this official."
Master Shan was so stunned that he didn't dare to drink the tea, and immediately said: "Xia, Xia, Xiaguan, I am from the gentry family of Taoyuan Township. I have come to ask you, Lord Shangshu, to honor me as the chief judge of this year's poetry competition." Master Shan pinched The teacup is waiting for Meng Xinghe's answer. Last year, Du Shangshu was able to participate, and the county produced a top scholar. If Meng Shangshu can also participate this year, will Taoyuan be able to produce a top scholar again? Then he, the county magistrate Even if the political performance is mediocre, there is still room for making trouble in the court. What's more, in the eyes of the squires, it is a great achievement, and it is a pleasure to rely on them to do things.
Meng Xinghe suddenly remembered that there is a poetry competition in Taoyuan every year before the provincial examination. Last year, he participated in the competition and won the first place, so he had such a charming relationship with Xue Shiyu. Who would have thought that in a twist of events, when he participated again this year, he actually... He has become the chief judge. This seems to have the feeling that mountains and rivers cannot change, and water cannot change people. It is true that times have changed, and things in the world are unpredictable.
He agreed immediately, on that day by the way, so as not to delay his return to Mengjiacun.
Master Shan was so happy that he wished he could kneel down and kowtow a few more times, and said: "It will be held at the Chunxiang Tower in Taoyuan tomorrow night at dusk. At that time, the official will come in person to welcome you."
Meng Xinghe knew the general idea, and Master Shan also saw the interest and immediately resigned. Even if he had something else to do with Master Meng today, he would suppress it for the time being and wait for tomorrow to take advantage of the situation.