Not long after, Hu Mu hurried to the Song Palace.
When Zhang Anshi asked someone to inquire about the situation at the Postal Department, Hu Mu felt that it was inconvenient to send a message, so he might as well come face-to-face to report it.
Zhang Anshi sat upright, Hu Mu bowed first and said: "Your Highness..."
Zhang Anshi motioned for him to sit down and said, "Does the Post Office have any news?"
Hu Mu said truthfully: "The current news is too complicated, and I dare not report it easily to the lower officials."
Zhang Anshi was born in Jinyiwei, so of course he knew what Hu Mu said.
In fact, whenever it comes to news in this world, the most difficult thing is not to obtain it.
Because it is easy to obtain information, but in fact, the most difficult thing is that once you plan to obtain information, the stronger your ability to collect information, the more elite soldiers and generals you have under you, then... once something happens, there will definitely be
News is pouring in like a snowflake.
The problem lies here. Everyone who collects information reports according to their own situation.
The more information is collected, hundreds of thousands of messages are sent from various stations every day, which makes the original fog even more confusing.
Therefore, the difficulty is not in collecting information, but in analyzing the information and ensuring that the most accurate one is found among the countless information.
Zhang Anshi understood the difficulty here better than anyone else, so he said: "Jin Yiwei can help. In addition, we will try our best to contact the Fujian Post Office and Guangxi Post Office."
After a pause, Zhang Anshi asked: "Have you not contacted the Fujian Post Office yet?"
Hu Mu then said: "Fuzhou has been besieged by rebels and news has been banned. However, we are currently trying to find ways to restore contact."
Zhang Anshi nodded. He did not blame Hu Mu. He knew very well that the postal department's responsibility was not to be a royal guard after all. It was suddenly attacked by the rebels. Under the destruction of the rebels, many places were not well connected, but it was excusable.
At this moment, Hu Mu seemed to have thought of something, and said with some hesitation: "There is one more thing..."
Having said this, Hu Mu paused.
Seeing Hu Mu's expression of difficulty in speaking, Zhang Anshi couldn't help but said: "There is no need to talk to outsiders here, just say what you have to say."
Hu Mu thought for a while and said: "The Xia family...someone came to the Postal Department...to inquire...to find out about Xia Xuan."
Zhang Anshi couldn't remember who this person was for a while, so he couldn't help but frown and said: "Which Xia Xuan?"
Hu Mu said: "This Xia Xuan is Xia Yuanji's son. Because he is the son of an old man and he is the only child of the Xia family, Xia Yuanji is very doting on him. Maybe it is also because he is overly doted on, so... the relationship between father and son is normal.
There were some quarrels, and Xia Xuan was so angry that she came to the Postal Department. The official thought, this Xia Xuan is going to apply, so there is no reason to turn him away. Our Postal Department is hiring people, so...
...then sent him to Fujian."
Zhang Anshi had no expression on his face after hearing this. This was a family matter, and it just happened to be mixed up with the Postal Department. Hu Mu did not make any mistakes in the whole process. Naturally, there was no need to blame.
So Zhang Anshi said: "We are in Fujian. Are the Xia family afraid that something will go wrong? If you are afraid, why don't you come to me?"
Hu Mu was very understanding and said: "Xia Gong is arrogant, so naturally he refuses to come...Besides, this is a scandal, and the so-called family scandal cannot be made public."
Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "This Mr. Xia... has an interesting son. No matter what, you don't have to take it to heart. You have done nothing wrong. If something happens, it will only be a fate."
Zhang Anshi found that the older he got, the more he believed in fate.
It's not because I really care about fate.
What's more, he discovered that fate can really take the blame. If someone loses something in their family, you go over and pat them on the shoulder, and say in a compassionate and mysterious tone, it's all fate. ...you can shirk all the responsibilities that may or may not be related to you.
Hu Mu nodded, and the two of them talked for a while, with many things on his mind, so he said goodbye and left.
…………
Xia Mansion.
Xia Yuanji has not yet left for his hometown.
The reason why he did not leave was because the Shinto of Zhu Di's mausoleum needed to be repaired, so the emperor issued an order and ordered Xia Yuanji to inspect and supervise.
Many high-ranking ministers, including nobles and even relatives of the emperor, can always exert some residual enthusiasm. Even veteran ministers like Xia Yuanji have lost Zhu Di's trust, but this kind of trust is purely Zhu Di's opinion. Xia Yuanji is no longer able to take on the big responsibility, and it just conflicts with his own opinions.
But he actually knew a lot about Xia Yuanji's character. He knew that he could ignore other things, but he was still loyal, and he could also strictly demand himself and examine himself.
The construction of this Shinto was related to Zhu Di's posthumous affairs, so he was naturally more concerned about it.
He first ordered the Supervisor of Ceremonies to inquire, but he was not at ease, and then ordered the Duke of Wei. Finally, he was worried that the Duke of Wei was just a warrior and was not careful enough in his actions, so he ordered the crown prince and grand master Xia Yuanji to supervise the matter.
What this involves is not the quality of the project, but the fact that this is Shinto after all, and it is the road used to worship Zhu Di in the future. Therefore, it is more about whether Shinto conforms to ancient etiquette, or whether during the construction process, What taboos will be violated?
Therefore, this kind of thing is very relaxing.
But after reporting the actual repair situation to Zhu Di, Xia Yuanji received the bad news.
Fujian rebelled.
And his son, it is said... is also in Fujian.
When the news came, he fell into silence as if mute.
The family was in a mess, and some people wanted Xia Yuanji to go to the Song Palace to inquire.
Xia Yuanji only shook his head.
Then someone else wanted Xia Yuanji to go to the Post Office, but Xia Yuanji still shook his head and said nothing.
As a last resort, the family had to go to the Post Office by themselves.
However, after repeated inquiries, the Postal Department still had no idea about Xia Xuan's whereabouts.
In fact, the Postal Service itself doesn't know what's going on.
The manager of the Xia family returned to the Xia family's mansion with disappointment as if he were mourning his heir, and then came to see Xia Yuanji.
"Master..." the butler said with a bitter face.
Xia Yuanji was sitting in his study. This study was carefully decorated by him. There were many books in it. Book collecting was his biggest hobby in his life. The furnishings were very simple, and the air was filled with the aroma of ink and books.
There are several paintings on the wall, almost all of which are not written by famous artists.
This is actually a sight in Beijing.
Generally speaking, if it is a calligraphy calligraphy written by a famous calligrapher, merchants and dignitaries are often willing to spend a lot of money to buy it, and then hang it at home.
People like Xia Yuanji, however, often do not pursue calligraphy from such famous artists. Sometimes, they may collect calligraphy and paintings that are not well-known in daily life, and some simply post calligraphy from themselves or their relatives and friends.
This is not because the calligraphy of famous people is too expensive, but because people who have reached Xia Yuanji's level no longer envy the so-called famous people.
A famous artist is like a label. For those who are not proficient in calligraphy and painting, if you buy his calligraphy, you will never make a mistake. Even if you are blind, you will never suffer a loss as long as you buy according to the original calligraphy of a famous person.
But for those who are truly discerning and good at calligraphy and painting, they rarely join in the fun. This is probably because, in their view, even famous artists have good and bad calligraphy.
Mo Bao still needs to be in good condition.
On the contrary, there are some less well-known calligraphy. Perhaps this is the pinnacle work of a certain calligrapher and painter. Even if it is not very famous, it is extremely unique and worth collecting.
Xia Yuanji falls into the latter category.
In the past, after official duties, Xia Yuanji would occasionally take a nap in this study, look at the collection of books here, and occasionally look up at some of his collection of calligraphy and paintings. Xia Yuanji felt very relaxed.
But now, his expression was tense, and he had been silent so far. Waiting for the steward to come in, he only raised his head slightly.
The housekeeper had no choice but to say: "Sir, the Postal Department... still didn't know anything about it. They said they were... looking for... But the villain thought they were prevaricating. This young man was young and suddenly encountered a military rebellion. Hearing that
Fujian has been massacred by the rebels. Rivers of blood have been shed. Ten houses are empty. There are hundreds of thousands of people who have been held hostage by the rebels. I'm afraid... I'm afraid... If I say something that shouldn't be said, I'm afraid.
The young master is in danger but not in good luck."
Xia Yuanji, whose face was already gloomy, seemed to suddenly turn sallower.
He pursed his lips and looked at the steward for a while, then suddenly let out a long sigh and said, "I was too pampered. This is retribution."
The steward hesitated for a moment and begged: "Master...if I could go, maybe..."
Without waiting for the steward to continue, Xia Yuanji said: "Let's take a trip? Where to go? To the palace? Or to the Song Dynasty Prince's Mansion? Hey... I'm gone, what can I say? I beg them to try their best to send a large number of people
Manpower, go look for Xuan'er? Hey...how can you say this?"
"You yourself said that now the Chief Envoy in Fujian has reached the point where every ten rooms are empty, and rivers of blood have flowed. At this time, I don't know how many people have become lonely ghosts, and I don't know how many people are crying.
At that time, how could I shamelessly make such a request? Are you just for my son, regardless of the common people? "
"This..." The steward looked at Xia Yuanji with a look of sorrow and indignation and said, "My master said at the beginning that this investigation of hidden households would lead to bad things sooner or later. You see... this is just because you don't listen to your master's words. You have to do this. What now?
"
Xia Yuanji slowly closed his eyes and said with a hint of helplessness: "When the matter has reached this point, it is no longer useful to talk about it. At the beginning, I thought that the key points of the matter should be stopped. It is difficult to be confused about many things, but only in order to stabilize the world.
But...since you don't listen, if you complain about this at this point, you will only be laughed at. Now...things have happened, and we can only do our best to suppress the rebellion."
The steward said: "But young master..."
Xia Yuanji shook his head faintly and said: "I always had a son, I held him in the palm of my hand, and obeyed him in everything. Now I have reaped the consequences, so what else can I do? Alas... everything is over.
Well, it's all over. The officialdom has been ups and downs, fame and fortune, but now... it's all in vain. It's really embarrassing to say that. I studied hard in a humble life, became an official in the court, worked conscientiously, and can even be said to be a very human minister. Now...
If I leave in the future, I will not be able to live up to my ancestors, and I will not even have a trace of incense behind me. It is really hard to describe."
As he spoke, he became more and more decadent, his eyes no longer looked as bright as before, and his whole person looked like a zombie.
The steward looked at Xia Yuanji's appearance and said angrily: "The same goes for His Majesty the King of Song. His Majesty ordered him to recruit people. What has become of the Chief Envoy of Guangxi and the Chief Envoy of Fujian now, but he is still indifferent and just continues to rely on him."
In this capital city, you are unwilling to leave even half a step, and the world is in chaos. How can there be a coach who is so motionless?"
"Now people in the capital are talking about it, saying that the King of Song is afraid of death and does not dare to join the army. Your Majesty is too fond of him and ignores it. If you are the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and you usually like to speak uprightly,
I'm afraid I have to impeach him."
His words were inevitably mixed with many emotions.
This is true. His young master's life or death is uncertain. Of course he hopes that the rebellion will be put down as soon as possible. If it is put down as soon as possible, the young master will have more hope of living. However, Zhang Anshi is so undisciplined that no one can stand it.
Xia Yuanji finally had a hint of anger on his face, but then he became even more depressed. He just smiled bitterly and shook his head, seemingly speechless.
After a long time, Xia Yuanji said: "Xia Xuan, this child, has never known the heights of the world since he was a child. He is also reckless and does not act secretly. With this change, and his temperament of being a master and a master, I'm afraid... he really has a narrow escape. Others can survive.
He will definitely survive, you...make preparations earlier...I have this longevity material..."
When he said this, the manager couldn't help but shed tears. People at Xia Yuanji's age often prepared birthday materials and made coffins in advance. The ancients paid more attention to things after death, so they usually prepared them while they were still alive.
Good all this.
This was originally something Xia Yuanji had prepared for himself, but now it was used on his own son. The white-haired man gave the black-haired man a gift. How desolate this was.
The steward's eyes were red and he said: "Young man, go and get ready. Master, you... also need to be tight on your body."
Xia Yuanji opened his mouth with great effort, as if the next words required a lot of effort. He said: "I will find his bones and I will be fine before they are buried. If I am no longer here, who will let that kid
How about being laid to rest?"
The manager was even more sad. He wiped his tears, nodded, and turned to leave.
…………
Fuzhou City.
More and more rebels are gathering near here.
At first, people in the city thought that rebels had gathered to attack Fujian, so the city began to panic.
The three divisions located in the city also had complicated thoughts at this time.
Whether they are chief envoys, general commanders, or inspectors, in fact, most of their thoughts are hoping that the rebels will cause trouble and the court will come to appease them, so as not to have people in the court treat them like these recently.
Local parents and officials shouted to beat and kill.
But on the other hand, the rebellion became more and more violent, and when the city of Fuzhou began to be in danger, they realized that the situation was too serious.
At this time, the rebels entered the city, and people came to recruit them in an endless stream.
Of course the chief envoy refused without hesitation.
But some people in the city inevitably began to collude with the rebels.
Every day, dozens or hundreds of letters were sent out within the city walls.
And the people outside the city also used bows and arrows to drop letters into the city, or... someone used the name of the envoy to surrender and entered the city to contact him.
For a moment, people were panicked. Some people had been waiting for the rebels to come. They waited for Fuzhou to fall into the hands of the rebels. The rebels captured the entire Fujian Chief Envoy, and then responded from all over the country.
Others are just out of fear and subconsciously hope to leave a way out for themselves to prevent the rebels from entering the city and becoming passive.
In fact, at this time, there was not much loyalty to Zhu Ming in the world.
You must know that the demise of the Yuan Dynasty only took a few decades, and the change of dynasties was actually a common occurrence in their eyes.
In just a few decades, didn't we experience the collapse of the Yuan Dynasty, the rule of Chen Youliang, Zhang Shicheng and others, and then the Ming Dynasty? Even the Ming Dynasty, didn't it also experience the Battle of Jingnan?
Suddenly, rumors that an emperor would be born in Fuzhou began to spread.
At this time... in this fortified city, no one expected that the rebels would be more panicked than they were.
From all directions, soldiers and horses from all directions are constantly attacking their periphery, and the opponent's combat effectiveness has become stronger and stronger.
What's even more frightening is that the number of the other party is several times that of the rebels.
The rebels' fighting spirit was quickly shattered. The civilians who had been coerced at first, now in small groups, began to throw themselves into the opponent's camp and began to put down the rebellion.
At this time, the number of rebels has been getting smaller and smaller, from tens of thousands... to less than ten thousand, and now, there are only a few thousand left.
More than seventy troops began to station themselves, forming an encirclement.
Tan Nan's troops number in the thousands, which is considered relatively large. As for other counties and townships, they number in the thousands and as few as one or two hundred. Now, they are gathered together in one place. After screening and running-in,
Finally... decided to launch a general attack.
Xia Xuan took the lead. They did not have war horses, but they borrowed some sharp swords and many wooden shields from other battalions.
Tannan camp has the strongest combat effectiveness because Deng Da and Xia Xuan specially organized a team of about a thousand people. They are all very hard-working and fight very bravely.
Among them, once a team of such desperate military horses is thrown in, it can immediately become a new force, quickly tear open the rebels, and then disperse them in one go.
After a little preparation, everyone had enough to eat and drink, and then Wu and the others were asked to take a nap directly. After replenishing their energy, they began to dress up.
There was a scarlet scar on Xia Xuan's face, which was left when he attacked the rebels. Although he used precious anti-inflammatory drugs, it did not cause inflammation, but because it was a new scar, it was particularly eye-catching.
He took the harpoon and immediately shouted with Wu Er, one on the left and one on the right.
Immediately afterwards, the villagers stood up one after another, with murderous intent in their eyes.