Chapter 14: Xu Shi's Shortcomings (Part 1)

  The friendship between Xu's family and Zheng's family can be traced back to Zheng Da Shi's father Zheng Wei Yi.

  At that time, Zheng Wei led the Zheng family to go north with troops and once fought side by side with Xu Ge's grandfather. At that time, the Xu family in Qi Lu was slightly famous but not a big merchant. It wasn't until they had this relationship with the Zheng family that the Xu family began to rise.

  By the time of Xu Gai's generation, the Xu family had become a prominent and wealthy merchant family in the He Luo region.

  But as time passed and the imperial court paid more attention to the Hebei region, some businesses had to be temporarily suspended.

  After all, as a Kanto aristocratic family, the Zheng family was impacted by the Guanlong military nobility and had to be more cautious.

  Things that are forbidden can no longer continue, and Xugai also had the idea of withdrawing from the river and returning to his hometown. Zheng Dashi and Zheng Renji both expressed their agreement with this. However, Xugai made a request, which was to let Xu Shiyou bow under the Zheng family gate, so that he could make progress in the future. After all, the Xu family's wealth was wealthy, but their social status was not high. As the son of a merchant, Xu Shiyou wanted to stand out and would have many difficulties. If there was support from the Zheng family, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for Xu Shiyou. Considering the friendship between the two families, Zheng Renji also nodded in agreement.

  This is why Zheng Renji had Zheng Dashi take Xu Shiyan to Luoyang.

  After returning to the camp, Zheng Shian's enthusiasm seemed low.

  Yan Qing found it a bit strange and asked: "Grandfather, you seem unhappy?"

  Zheng Shi'an sighed, "Yan Qing, didn't you notice anything unusual?"

  "What's wrong?"

  "This time, Da Gongzi asked me to bring Xu Shiyan with me to Luoyang. For you, it's probably not a good thing."

  Zheng Yanqing sat in the car with his hands unconsciously clasped together, like an old monk in meditation, neither affirming nor denying.

  To be honest, Zheng Shi'an was genuinely satisfied with this grandson. In the past, he had been injured in the lower body while rescuing Zheng Da Shi, which made him disabled and unable to have children. But God treated him kindly and sent him a grandson. Yan Qing was clever, sensible, and knew how to be filial... If there was anything that wasn't satisfying, it was that he was too steady.

  Stability is a good thing, but if it's on a child, it always makes people feel like they're missing some vitality.

  Seeing Zheng Yanqing not speaking, Zheng Shian sighed and didn't continue. After all, this was just his speculation, without evidence to say things out loud, it might backfire. Zheng Shian also didn't want Zheng Yanqing to have too much pressure.

  In fact, Zheng Yanqing had already understood.

  Isn't it just a matter of one carrot and one hole?

  He is the person Zheng Dashan intends, but does not represent Zheng Renji's intention.

  Who knows, did Zheng Renji let Xu Shiyan go to Luoyang with another intention? If so, what should Yan Qing do next?

  As for his own future, Zheng Yankai was not very concerned about it.

  He is still young, as long as Zheng Dashan is alive, Zheng Shian will not lose favor. As long as Zheng Shian does not lose favor, he has no problem.

  But one day the Son of Heaven and one day a minister, in the gate shut aristocratic families, also applies.

  Zheng Renji and Zheng Shi'an didn't have much affection, far from the trust that Zheng Dash had. Since taking office, Zheng Renji hasn't spent much time at home, so naturally there would be trusted people by his side. Zheng Dash sent Zheng Shi'an over with good intentions, but Zheng Renji might not necessarily accept him. Even if he did, Zheng Shi'an wouldn't have as much power as he did when he was in An Yuantang.

  This is where the key lies!

  Zheng Dashan is almost sixty years old, which in ancient times was considered a ripe old age.

  Heaven knows how much longer he can live? If Zheng Dasu dies, then Zheng Shian's good days are probably over too.

  So, from now on in Luoyang, Zheng Shi'an's attitude will determine his future position in Anyuan Hall...

  But how can we persuade Zheng Shisan?

  According to Yi Wenqing's understanding, this is a rather stubborn old man. You can say he is serious and meticulous, but you can also think he is being overbearing and self-righteous. If Zheng Renji thinks he is the latter, then the problem becomes serious...

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  That night, Zheng Yance was contemplating his future.

  The Shouyang Wine House was also immersed in a noisy atmosphere.

  It can be opened in Yezi and occupies the head of Ao, naturally there is a different general background. The behind-the-scenes boss of Shouyang Wine House is actually Zhang Zhongjian's father, Yangzhou's richest man Zhang Jiling. However, Zhang Zhongjian will not intervene in the wine house affairs, in fact, this wine house has become the property of Wu County Zhang family, and it is also Zhang Jiling's return to Zhang family's courtesy call gift.

  The nominal manager of the First Sun Wine House is a clansman of the Zhang family.

  But the real controller was Zhang Zhuang, the county clerk of Yanling. This Zhang Zhuang was the son of Zhang Jilu's elder brother Zhang Jixun.

  Wu County Zhang family, when Crown Prince Yang Guang stationed in Jiangdu, they had already defected.

  During the struggle between Yang Guang and Yang Yong, Yang Guang spent a large amount of gold and silver to buy off the nobles in the court. The Zhang family played the role of the gold master, and for Yang Guang's requests, they were always responsive. After Yang Guang became the crown prince, on the surface, he could not give too many rewards to the Zhang family, but secretly, he still arranged many official positions for the sons and younger brothers of the Zhang family.

  Zhang Cong quietly arrived in Yangshi and took over the Shouyang Wine House under such circumstances.

  That night, he was entertaining Zhang Zhongjian at home and did not know what happened in the Shouyang Wine Tower. However, early next morning, he received the news. It is said that last night in the wine tower, a divine child appeared, writing a poem with an unprecedented font. When he rushed to the Shouyang Wine Tower, the wine tower where Xu Ge entertained his guests last night was already crowded with people. He squeezed into the crowd and saw four lines of verse written on the wall, iron brush and silver hook, with a strong and majestic style.

  Scholars and gentlemen, they all gathered in front of the wall, discussing and appreciating it.

  Or praising those words, or commenting on that poem... Some people even hastily called the tavern boy to engrave and print the poem, and after returning home, they played with the copy.

  "Who was drinking in this building last night?"

  Zhang Cong was also a connoisseur and at a glance, he could tell that the font on the wall was extraordinary.

  He pulled the owner of the wine shop aside and questioned him carefully.

  The landlord said: "Last night was Xu Ge, a man from Lixia, who entertained guests here. But what kind of guest he entertained is not clear."

  "What's wrong?"

  As the chief clerk of the county government, he would certainly know Xu Ge's background.

  Zhang Cong's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and then he asked: "Who was serving in the building last night?"

  "It seems like Xiu Nu's group is performing this song and dance... Xu Gei didn't even let anyone serve on the upper floor, just ordered a few songs and dances."

  Zhang Cong said: "Have Xiuniang come over immediately."

  The shopkeeper didn't dare to slack off and quickly went to fetch all the geishas who sang and danced in the building last night.

  Zhang Cong inquired carefully. Although these Kabuki actors didn't know much either, they managed to ask out some clues after all.

  The person who writes poetry is indeed a yellow-mouthed child.

  According to Na Xiuniang, he was only eight or nine years old... Xu Ge seemed to have brought someone along, a white-haired old man.

  There were two hosts and guests, with an extraordinary demeanor.

  One seems like an official's son, and another appears to be surnamed Sun.

  Others, the Kabuki actors couldn't say anything else, only that the little poet was the grandson of that white-haired old man. Moreover, listening to their conversation, the calligraphy on the wall was created by that poetic child alone.

  "Then did they ask what kind of font this is?"

  "It seems so... Mr. Sun asked a question, and then that little kid answered that it was Yong E body."

  "Ode to Goose?"

  Xiu Nu made an effort to recall, "Mr. Sun at that time also praised and said, 'Yong E Shu Yong E', very fitting, very fitting!"

  Mr. Sun...

  Isn't it Sun Simiao?

  Last night, my younger brother came over and mentioned that he had traveled with Mr. Sun Simiao before. However, everyone knows that Mr. Sun is a man of simple tastes and dislikes noise, so although Zhang Zhuang had the intention to pay his respects at the time, he eventually restrained himself. Sanlang said that Mr. Sun was traveling with the grandson of Du Gongbu, presumably it was that official's son... Yong E Tongzi? Could it be someone from the Zheng family?

  "Have you sent someone to find Xu Ge and ask him?"

  "Someone has already been sent..." The shopkeeper hastily replied: "Last night when Xu Ge and the others left, it was already late at night, and I didn't want to disturb them in the middle of the night. After dawn, I sent someone over. As a result, the people in his mansion said that Xu Ge had left as soon as it got light."

  "Is he gone?"

  "It's said that Xu Gei is preparing to end his business here and return to his hometown of Hu Lao to retire. His family members had all left Yan Shi more than ten days ago, leaving only Xu Gei and his eldest son behind. This morning, Xu Gei left... According to his family members, his residence has been sold to a merchant from Luoyang, and the procedures are almost complete, just waiting for the merchant to come and take over."

  Xu Gai ended his career in Yan Shi, and Zhang Zhuang, who was the chief clerk of Yan Shi, was also aware of it.

  But in his view, Xu Ge was just a businessman and not worth paying too much attention to. Besides, he was going home to retire, which was reasonable. For a businessman who was about to leave, Zhang Zhuang would not invest too much energy.

  At this time, when he heard the shopkeeper mention it, he suddenly remembered this matter.

  Zhang Cong was curious in his heart and hastily ordered someone to prepare pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and wrote a letter.

  He was just about to send someone to catch up with Zhang Zhongjian and ask him about this matter. At this time, someone outside reported that the county magistrate of Yanling had arrived.

  Zhang Cong was startled at once and became flustered.

  Although he is a member of the Zhang clan and has Yang Guang as his backer, he doesn't dare to be even slightly negligent towards this county magistrate of Yanling.

  No more, the county magistrate of Yanling is the nephew of Pei Yun, the imperial censor of the current dynasty, and also a descendant of the Pei family in Wenxi, Hedong.

  The Zhang family was also a renowned and respected clan, but compared to the He Dong Pei family, it was clearly inferior by one level. The He Dong Pei family was even more prominent as the leader of the four clans in He Dong, with intricate connections to the Guandong aristocracy, far surpassing the Wu County Zhang family's status as a Jiangnan gentry clan.

  Zhang Cong immediately ordered someone to welcome him, and then handed the letter over to the innkeeper, asking him to send someone to chase after Zhang Zhongjian.

  Ke was so busy that he had forgotten about this matter. When he remembered and sent someone to chase after them, it was already noon. By then, Zhang Zhongjian's convoy had long gone, and it would not be easy to catch up with them.

  The county magistrate of Yanling was full of praise after reading the poem on the wall.

  And named this pavilion after Zheng Yanqing's poem as "Yong E Lou", and had a stele erected by the pond behind the wine house.

  The county magistrate ordered the scholars present to compose a rhapsody, and then named the pond Beiguan Pond to distinguish it from Wang Xizhi's hometown Lan Ting Goose Pond. He also had Zhang Zhuang rubbings of the poems on the wall, and after returning to the county government office, he personally wrote two letters. One was to his cousin, the imperial censor Pei Yun; the other was to his cousin and good friend, the commander of the Thousand Bulls Guard, Pei Renji.

  The letter says that the Yan Shi suddenly appeared in a goose-like body, which is an unprecedented innovation since ancient times.

  In the letter, he called Zheng Yanqing "Goose Boy" and praised him for creating the Ren Shu script at a young age, comparable to the two Wangs of the Southern Dynasty.

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  Note: This refers to Du Gongbo, not Du Fu, but rather the grandfather of Du Ruhui, who was the Minister of Works of the Sui Dynasty, Du Guo.