No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 296

"Tanlang is going to the dinner?"

"more or less."

"Private family dinner, or public banquet?"

"Eat whatever you want, a small dinner at Xunyang Tower. Auntie, I won't take you with me."

"Okay, Tanlang, be safe."

"Ah."

In the evening, at the Huaiye Lane residence, Ouyang Rong spread his arms and finished dressing with the busy help of Zhen Shuyuan and Ye Weila.

This time he went out wearing ordinary soap clothes and a futou, which was not as troublesome as wearing official uniforms on duty in the past. However, Zhen Shuyuan, Ye Weilai and other female relatives in the family were particularly concerned about the male master's clothes.

They circled around him to check and dress him up, and then let him go after tidying up.

Ouyang Rong stepped out and the cold and charming woman in a skirt who saw him off suddenly said, "By the way, Tan Lang, there is something I forgot to mention."

"what's up."

"Didn't I receive a famous invitation at Xunyangdu when I first came here? That woman, Mrs. Pei, personally came to visit yesterday and invited me to attend some women's gatherings in the city."

Ouyang Rong turned around and asked directly: "Auntie, do you want to go?"

"I don't want to move around very much." Zhen Shuyuan shook her head and suddenly smiled and said: "Actually, I feel that the woman is a bit careless and showing off her kindness. We are both women, Tan Lang. Auntie, my nose is very sharp, so We can’t go even more, and we can’t cause trouble to Tan Lang.”

Ouyang Rong looked at Zhen Shuyuan, a little surprised, lowered his eyes and nodded:

"Auntie is still considerate, well, then don't go. From now on, I will decline any invitations over there. If you approach me in a roundabout way, just say I'm not at home."

"Okay." Zhen Shuyuan nodded: "I will refuse any gifts or anything else."

"Thank you, auntie."

Ouyang Rong patted his sleeves and left the Huaiye Lane mansion with the breeze in his sleeves.

Zhen Shuyuan looked at her nephew's handsome back with mixed feelings and muttered:
"Well, I don't know who Tanlang went to meet for dinner, why he is so happy, and when he comes back from work today, he is in such a good mood...

"Could it be that you're having dinner with Huan Huan? Well, it's not like... I was so busy the past few days. Huan Huan is here and Tan Lang is not here. It's been a long time since the beauty was left alone."

Zhen Shuyuan turned her head and looked at Ye Weilai, who was watching obediently.

The two women turned back together.

Before entering the house, Zhen Shuyuan suddenly remembered something and looked down at her own skirt.Especially a piece of pure goose yellow silk at the crook of both arms.

"The woman surnamed Pei is very well-dressed, and she seems to like wearing silk fabrics. The silk fabric she wore when we visited yesterday was really nice, and she does look like a lady.

"Well, let Banxi go to the tailor shop in the city another day and buy one..."

The cold and charming woman in the skirt nodded and murmured, then walked through the door with lotus steps.

……

Ouyang Rong did not go to have a private meeting with his junior sister tonight as Zhen Shuyuan expected.

Now that we have arrived in Xunyang City, the younger junior sister cannot often disguise herself as a man and follow her. After all, she is a noblewoman with the fifth surname, so she still has to take care of the Xie family in Chen County.

So these days, the junior sister is spending time with Wei Mei, Li Guo'er and the others at Prince Xunyang's Mansion, and doesn't have much time to see Ouyang Rong during the day.

Tonight, Ouyang Rong did not invite her to the banquet invited by Wang Caozhi and others at Xunyang Tower.

He was dressed in low-key regular clothes and wore a skirt knife, and attended the meeting alone.

Arrive at Xunyang Tower and go to the reserved small box.

Almost no one recognized Ouyang Rong along the way.

After all, as the governor of Jiangxi, he kept a very low profile. Apart from the dinner on the day he took office, he never showed up for any banquets.

No one knew or disturbed him, but Ouyang Rong felt quite good.

Shaoqing, led by a pretty maid, Ouyang Rong came to a low-luxury box on the third floor overlooking the Xunyang River.

"Brother-in-law!"

As soon as Ouyang Rong walked in, he heard a shout that echoed throughout the box.

I saw a "whirlwind" coming towards me.

A short young man rushed to the door to greet him.

Ouyang Rong stretched out a palm and pressed it on the short young man's chest.

Wang Caozhi found that he could not make half a step forward, but this did not stop his enthusiasm at all.

The short young man who was blocked by the palm of his hand leaned his head behind the weak crown Chang Shi, stretched his neck and looked out the door: "Brother-in-law, where is our sister?"

"..."

Ouyang Rong and the grain merchants in the entire box behind were speechless.

However, when thinking about Ouyang Rong's current official position and career prospects, as well as the huge profits gained from the previous construction of the Zhiyi Canal in Longcheng County, Shopkeeper Ma and other grain merchants immediately understood it very well, and even looked at the low-key official at the door. His eyes couldn't help but become hot.

Wang Caozhi rubbed his hands and asked enthusiastically: "Brother-in-law, why didn't our sister come?"

Then he winked and said: "Brother-in-law, there is no second half tonight. This meal is also vegetarian, without any meat. It's okay for you to bring our sister here. Sister Xie is in Xunyang City. How dare I be so ignorant, little brother."

Ouyang Rong gently pushed Wang Caozhi away and walked into the box, "Don't yell, I'm sure to beat you up, little junior sister."

"Brother-in-law, you don't understand women at all. It's too late for her to praise me."

Ouyang Rong ignored this guy whose face was thicker than the city wall.

"Shopkeeper Ma, Shopkeeper Li, Shopkeeper Sun..." Ouyang Rong walked to the table, picked up a glass of wine, glanced around, and accurately stated the names one by one, and raised his glass:
"You're all fine?"

Shopkeeper Ma and other big grain merchants were flattered, so they quickly returned the cup and drank it all in one gulp.

"Young people are ignorant and haven't celebrated Mr. Ouyang's promotion yet! It's a small gift, but I hope you'll accept it."

Ouyang Rong declined politely, and everyone pushed and pulled him. After some pleasantries, they all sat down.

Wang Caozhi stood up and bent down to pour wine into the wine glass in front of Ouyang Rong: "Brother-in-law, just accept it. If you don't accept it, everyone will feel uneasy."

Ouyang Rong shook his head, "Old rules, don't deal with these, let's talk about business."

Wang Caozhi, Shopkeeper Ma and other grain merchants looked at the weak-guan Changshi with complex eyes.

They had thought that the young county magistrate would have a prosperous career and a smooth journey with his considerable political achievements.

But I never expected that he would be promoted so quickly. Just after Zheyi Canal was built, he was promoted to the fifth rank of Changshi and the first state official.

This speed made even Wang Caozhi's eyelids jump when he first heard about it.Unlike many philistine and shrewd grain merchants, he has a vision that comes from his family background.
At a glance, it can be seen that behind this rapid promotion, he must have been appreciated by a noble person, and it is even possible that this noble person is directly the Empress Wei.

This is the real gold content behind the youngest fifth-grade long history in this dynasty.

"Brother-in-law." Wang Caozhi toasted with a toast and asked directly, "Why are we summoned here this time? Why do we need to talk in person on the spot?"

Shopkeeper Ma glanced at the night view of Xunyang outside the window and asked calmly: "Master Ouyang, could it be that... well, there is a slight problem in the Jiangzhou lobby and we need a little help from us?"

Ouyang Rong turned to look at Shopkeeper Ma and said in a nasal voice: "Hmm, Shopkeeper Ma has heard some rumors, why do you ask this?"

Shopkeeper Ma sneered: "My master, I know the officialdom of Jiangnan Road very well. I heard a little bit about it, but I don't know whether it is true or not..."

"I heard that the gentleman with the highest seat in the Jiangzhou Hall got his fortune and promotion thanks to the Wei family.

"And Mr. Ouyang, you...well, of course you are an upright gentleman. You are currently the second-in-command in Jiangzhou Hall. Have you been made things difficult for you?"

Ouyang Rong raised his eyebrows slightly.

I'm a little surprised how well-informed these merchants are.

But think about it, the merchants of this era, if they don't have the white gloves of the court or local officials, or the money bags of wealthy families, no matter how bad they are, they must be people with a keen sense of smell who will seek advantages and avoid disadvantages.

All of you are excellent people, otherwise you are just a walking fat sheep, and you will not be able to sit at this table tonight.

At this time, there was a burst of pipa sounds from downstairs outside the box.

Ouyang Rong came to his senses and whispered to everyone:
"When I came, someone told me that this Jiangzhou Hall has been standing for more than [-] years since it was established in Xunyang County in the early Han Dynasty.

“The governors and magistrates of the Qin and Han dynasties followed the governors and governors of the Qian dynasty, one after another, like crucian carps crossing the river.

"Sometimes, I sit here alone and look around. I am always curious and confused. Is there anything that can be left behind for a long time?"

Ouyang Rong turned around and toasted:
"Xunyang City is still the same Xunyang City, just like the sound of the pipa in the Xunyang Tower. When the old strings are broken, new sounds come again, playing endless pipa music.

"Tonight, I invite you all to come. We will not talk about the honor and disgrace of one person or one official. We will only talk about the win-win situation between people and business and the benefit of future generations."

There was a moment of silence at the dinner table.

Everyone's eyes turned to the weak-headed Chang Shi who was in charge.

Wang Caozhi suddenly stood up, and everyone followed him, raising their glasses and drinking together.

"Brother-in-law, what are your plans this time? Even if you tell me, I will definitely follow you!"

The short young man said cheerfully.

Ouyang Rong smiled and asked, "If you don't listen first, what are you going to do? What if it's a loss-making business or a thankless job?"

Wang Caozhi shook his head: "I will definitely not lose if I follow my brother-in-law. Even if I lose, I will admit it!"

Shopkeepers Ma and Li also stood up and raised their glasses, nodding vigorously:
"Master Ouyang is definitely not that kind of short-sighted person. The villain is just like Shopkeeper Wang, so he followed!"

Some other wealthy grain merchants who had not had close contacts hesitated for a moment, then turned decisive, and stood up to express their stance:
"Master Ouyang is the only one who is following the lead."

Ouyang Rong waved helplessly and pulled them to sit down.

He didn't state his plan clearly in the letter, but everyone still came from thousands of miles away and arrived one after another.

There were even those who were far away and were not in Jiangnan Road for the time being. But after receiving Ouyang Rong's letter, they rushed back quickly and listened to Wang Caozhi's words and arrived at Xunyang Ferry in a few days.

With such trust, there may be people who simply don't care about business losses and only invest in Ouyang Rong's career prospects.

But a gentleman's deeds do not concern his heart.

It would be a lie to say that Ouyang Rong was not moved at all by this scene.

However, he is not blindly arrogant.

Ouyang Rong nodded calmly: "Everyone, please sit down and listen to me."

After everyone sat down, Ouyang Rong took out a roll of manuscript from his sleeve and handed it to Wang Caozhi beside him, and then circulated it to a group of wealthy businessmen.

The short young man opened it and found a scroll-like drawing inside, as well as a dense stack of planning documents.

Wang Caozhi looked up at the smiling Ouyang Rong and said curiously:

"Brother-in-law, this is..."

Ouyang Rong whispered to them:
“Two plans, well, or rather, one plan.

“The excavation of the double-peaked canal and the construction of the Xunyang Grottoes.

"One comes first, one comes last."

Everyone was stunned and looked at each other, "Dig canals and build grottoes?"

Shopkeeper Ma put down the drawings and asked curiously:
"A little person can understand that digging a canal is similar to the Broken Wing Canal. Master Ouyang needs to use it to dredge the Xunyang River and control water for the people. But... why build a grotto if it's so good?"

Ouyang Rong narrowed his eyes and said: "King Xunyang showed auspiciousness, Your Majesty is happy to welcome the divine jade, and everyone must know about the change of name to Tianyou, right?"

"Of course." Shopkeeper Ma and others nodded: "Of course I know about such a big thing."

Wang Caozhi said calmly: "I heard it was Diao County Magistrate... Diao County Magistrate was the first to offer auspiciousness. I was wondering why he was not the brother-in-law. Now it seems that the brother-in-law is too low-key. When Master Diao meets a superior official like his brother-in-law, he can What a blessing for eight lifetimes.”

Ouyang Rong smiled and said nothing, and asked again: "Do you know that in order to commemorate the auspiciousness of the Buddha who reunited with the divine jade this time, His Majesty is planning to build a Donglin Buddha in Jiangzhou to promote the Lotus Pure Land Buddhism, God bless the great Zhou Dynasty? "

There was a sudden silence at the table.

Everyone was surprised. Only Wang Caozhi, who was born in the Langya Wang family, showed little surprise on his face. Seeing Ouyang Rong look at him, he coughed and explained:
"Brother-in-law, I have heard a little bit about this matter. There is an uncle from the clan who also serves in the Ministry of Rites of the City of Gods. I heard that Your Majesty is going to donate some money for the Buddha statue."

Ouyang Rong nodded. Apart from Master Shandao, Xiufa and other Donglin monks involved, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works were the first to learn about this matter of creating a Buddha. Yes, there is no political affairs hall because the Wei family The empress most likely bypassed Di Fuzi and other prime ministers and directly issued the document.

After all, it is another waste of money for no reason. The people of the Great Zhou Dynasty all know that the face-loving Majesty will inevitably find it difficult to speak in front of the elders of the country.

"Oh, fat money." Ouyang Rong twitched the corner of his mouth and said nothing.

Wang Caozhi and others heard a faint hint of ridicule, but they all looked away and pretended not to hear.

Wang Cao's sleeves, thinking and aftertaste:
"I originally thought that this Donglin Buddha statue was built next to Donglin Temple in Longcheng. It would be convenient to transport materials with the folded wing canal. Of course, water transportation in Xunyang City is more developed, but there is almost no free land outside the city. We can’t demolish houses and build them in the city.”

The short young man shook his head and sighed: "I didn't expect to settle in Xunyang City, which is the most crowded and inconvenient city. Oh, what a hassle."

Ouyang Rong's voice was calm:
"Sui Chao belongs to the virtue of fire, Daqian belongs to the virtue of earth, earth generates metal, Zhou inherits the Qian system, Zhou belongs to the virtue of metal, and metal generates water."

He lowered his eyes:
"Some of the court's fortune tellers suggested that the Donglin Buddha should be made of gold and built in a place with famous mountains and great rivers to symbolize the Yongchang of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

Wang Caozhi scratched his head: "With all the famous mountains and rivers, there are really few choices for such a geomantic treasure land. It just so happens that Xunyang City in Jiangzhou is one of the most popular places in the world, and Donglin Temple is also in this state..."

Ouyang Ronghu said: "Maybe it's because King Xunyang is here. The mother is kind and the son is filial. Before, King Xunyang prayed in front of the Buddha for auspicious birth. Now that the Donglin Buddha has been cast, it will be more convenient to pray for blessings, right?"

Weak Guan Changshi chuckled.

(End of this chapter)