The First Yamen of the Great Song Dynasty

Gao Ming's cheeks became hot, and he quickly pulled the jade pendant back, stuffed it into his collar, and hugged the quilt with his face in, "I've said everything I need to say, I really want to rest."

Hua Rong smiled and said, "Then I will stay with you."

Please, you can go now, you don't need to accompany me, really.But Gao Ming struggled again, Huarong didn't sleep last night, so it didn't seem good to just kick him out like this.

Alas, he is really annoyed by being so overwhelmed by himself, so how right it is that he didn't want to fall in love before.

But who would have thought that he took the initiative to avoid falling in love with outsiders, but he had to guard against everything, and he failed to guard against his good brother.

At this time, Shi Qian said outside the door: "General Hua, someone is getting drunk and going to make trouble, you go and have a look."

It must be a soldier, otherwise he wouldn't have come looking for him. Hua Rong sat up and said to Gao Ming, "Then I'll go and have a look. You don't have to wait for me, go to bed first." Then she got up and left.

Think I'll wait for you to come back before going to bed?Gao Ming pulled the quilt into his arms with all his strength, thinking, since he was sleeping face-in anyway, even if Hua Rong came back, he would not look at him, but showed his back to him.

He was so tired, Huarong left, and at some point, he fell into a drowsy sleep.

Finally, this time, he didn't have any more strange dreams, and fell asleep soundly. When he woke up, he found that he was still facing inward, so he couldn't see the scene behind him.

Will Hua Rong be lying beside her?Maybe he woke up first and was staring at himself. If he turned around, he would meet his eyes.

Gao Ming was very nervous by the scene he imagined, so after a while, he made up his mind, pretended to turn over in his sleep, bit his mouth, squinted his eyes, and turned around slowly.

There was nothing in front of him, Hua Rong was not sleeping beside him.

Gao Ming just sat up all of a sudden, lifted the quilt, thought about his actions just now, and felt that he was ridiculously stupid.

After going out, he realized that he had not slept for a short time, the sun was already high, and the bright sun was hanging in the sky.

Gao Ming went to eat first, and then wandered aimlessly around the Yingfeng Bureau, but he didn't see Huarong.

"Master Gao, General Hua has returned to the garrison to rectify military affairs." A follower took the initiative to inform.

After Gao Ming inquired, he found out that there were a few gangs fighting and making trouble yesterday, and Hua Rong rushed back to the garrison to deal with it.

When the two met again the next day, Hua Rong actually came back to say goodbye to him.

Wang Ting urged them to go back and meet up as soon as possible.

The crisis in Hangzhou was lifted, and after resting in place, they had to set off quickly to join Wang Zhi's army, and obeyed the dispatch to continue to destroy Fang La.

Gao Ming was afraid of seeing Hua Rong yesterday, but he suddenly found out that Hua Rong was going to leave, and he was very sad.

"After I defeat Fang La, will you give me the answer?" Hua Rong asked Gao Ming as if confirming before leaving Ying Feng Bureau.

"Yeah." Gao Ming replied vaguely, looking aside, "Don't worry, I will think it over and give you a definite answer."

Hua Rong smiled and said, "If it's a bad answer, don't tell me. When you have good news, tell me."

Gao Ming said seriously: "No matter what the answer is, I will tell you in the end."

There will always be a result, if you don't agree to Huarong, but don't explain it, and keep hanging on to him, then he really becomes a scumbag.

Huarong lowered his eyes, and then smiled warmly: "Then I will wait for you. I will write you a letter, this time I will be more straightforward, and I will not write a Tibetan letter."

Gao Ming couldn't help chuckling, he knew he understood the last letter correctly, "I will reply to you too."

Hua Rong smiled and nodded, unable to hide the reluctance in his eyes, took a deep look at Gao Ming, and then rode forward.

Gao Ming looked at Huarong's back until he could no longer see it, then he sighed and turned back to Yingfeng Bureau.

He sat at the table blankly, restless in his thoughts, resting his chin with one hand for a while, and resting his face with his hands for a while.

Do you want to agree to Hua Rong?

If you agree, wouldn't good brothers become real couples?

He made up his mind about the couple's daily life, and he and Hua Rong did the same thing, and couldn't help but be dazed.

After a long while, he shook his head blushing, "No, no, it can't be done."

At this time, someone knocked on the door and pulled Gao Ming back from his fantasy. He quickly stroked his cheek and put on a serious face, "Come in."

Seeing Zhao Mingcheng walk in, he saw Gao Ming's cheeks flushed, thought he was hot, and said, "Master Gao, I know there is a place that sells good ice, I'll send you some to the Yingfeng Bureau."

Gao Ming knew that his face was so hot that Zhao Mingcheng saw the clue, so he didn't answer, "What's the matter?"

"I came here just to ask, will the Taihu Stone Beauty Contest continue? And the results of the essay call, shouldn't it be announced?"

"Do it! Why don't you do it? Before Fang Tianding came, how far did it go? Continue where it left off."

Don't forget the business, the enemy army has been wiped out, and life has to go on as usual.

Moreover, after the war, the common people need entertainment to soothe the fear and pain of the war.

Because the enemy army did not enter Hangzhou City, there was no major loss in the city. After a few days of rest, they were all adjusted, and the days were the same as before.

Although the Taihu stone was interrupted by the war, all the stones that participated in the competition are still there. Except for one owner who heard that the enemy army came in from Yongjinmen and died of fright, all the others are still alive.

Gao Ming ordered people to beat gongs and drums to publicize on the street for two days, and then resumed the normal progress of the competition.

The imperial army repelled Fang Tianding's enemy and protected the safety of the people, which led to an unprecedented increase in the support of the imperial court. They supported the Taihu Stone Competition held by the imperial court even more than before. After the war, the common people couldn't wait to have a happy life. Forgot Hurt, more people are buying tickets than before the war.

At the same time, Zhu Xi asked someone to bring gold and jade calligraphy and paintings to Gao Ming.

Gao Ming asked Li Qingzhao and Zhao Mingcheng to pick out the best of them, and sent them to Tokyo together with his complaint memorial.

The reason why Zhu Mian gave him property was to gag his mouth. As the saying goes, cannibalism is short-sighted and short-handed. Once Gao Ming accepts things, according to the rules of the officialdom, he cannot sue him.

After all, if Zhu Xi were to fall from power, if Gao Ming took his things, he would not be clean, and it would be difficult for the officials to find out.

But the key point is that Gao Ming didn't want to keep these things for himself at all, but borrowed flowers and presented Buddhas to the officials. In this way, even if Zhu Xi fell from power and bit people everywhere, Gao Ming would have an excuse to tell him to go to the officials. .

-

Zhu Xi was bleeding profusely. Although his family was rich, he couldn't resist such a search.

He will pay the money for rewarding the army; he will pay the money for condolences to the fallen soldiers;

He also gave Gao Ming a lot of gifts, all of which were money.

The most terrible thing is that he abandoned the city and fled this time, and his impression among the officials was greatly reduced. Gao Ming once again stole the limelight, and his hope of regaining control of Yingfeng Bureau became increasingly slim.

Without the lucrative position of Fengju, how can he make money? !

He is raising a large family now, don't even have pension money left in the future.

"Brother, I have an idea. Why don't we follow Gao Ming's example and hold a competition to earn a fortune. How to build momentum, how to judge, the process is ready-made. Whether it is selling tickets, or asking various businesses to vote It’s a lot of money to start their shop’s name. I think Gao Ming’s selection of Taihu stones made him a lot of money.” Zhu Xu suggested.

It is definitely not possible to make "dirty money" on the cusp of this storm, so that people can hold the handle.

If you want to make money, you have to do it openly. If you learn from Gao Ming to make money by organizing competitions, it can be regarded as open and aboveboard.

Zhu Xi thought it made sense, "But what are we going to do? Is there anything more attractive than Taihu Stone?"

Zhu Xu was in a difficult situation. In the selection of utensils, no matter what, he could not surpass Taihu Stone. Is there anything more famous than Taihu Stone?

Suddenly, Zhu Xi had a flash of inspiration, "Yes, Gao Ming judges the stone, let's judge the person! Choose the oiran! To the general public, isn't it more beautiful than the stone?!"

I'm sorry for this gimmick if I don't do it to the extent that thousands of people empty it.

-

Gao Ming received an imperial edict from Tokyo.

However, there was no mention of Zhu Xi in it, but he was asked to do a good job of reception: Yun Wang Zhao Kai, Jing Wang Zhao Ji and Privy Envoy Tong Guan were coming to Hangzhou.

"His Highness King Yun is coming to Hangzhou?" Gao Ming asked the eunuch who delivered the edict.

He asked this, of course, not to verify whether King Yun came to Hangzhou, but in a deeper sense, he wanted to know what he came to Hangzhou for?

"The officials took back Yuling Pass when they heard that you fought a beautiful defense of the city in Hangzhou." The eunuch belonged to Liang Shicheng and had a good attitude towards Gao Ming. He leaned sideways in Gao Ming's ear and said mysteriously: Besides, Fang Tianding also asked Hua Rong to shoot him to death, and the battle to exterminate Fang La has won most of the battle, so he asked His Royal Highness King Yun to come down to welcome the other half of the victory."

Gao Ming understood that the officials wanted to ask King Yun to come over to make military achievements in preparation for his succession in the future.

Prince Zhao Huan, because his father didn't give him any chance to make meritorious deeds, so he still has any actual achievements.

If his favorite son, Zhao Kai, was given some military merits, it would be used to block the voices of the officials who supported the crown prince.

With this purpose in mind, the officials sent Tong Guan to come with him. Tong Guan is the official privy envoy, much more important than Gao Ming, the temporary deputy privy envoy.

There are Tongguan, there are famous generals, and there is a large army. If they win, it will be said that Zhao Kai commanded well and defeated the enemy army, and won the war.

If it failed, Gao Ming thought about it, how could this lineup fail, Zhao Kai came here to gain experience.

Gao Ming planned that when King Yun arrived, his Taihu Stone beauty pageant would be settled. At that time, he would return to Tokyo with the selected stones and their owners, and hold a beauty pageant in Tokyo. A beautiful and bright face sanctuary.

It is estimated that after all these are done, Hua Rong and the others will come back after beating Fang La.

As soon as he thought about Huarong, Gao Ming became anxious and short of breath, and hurriedly threw himself into the busy work of Taihu Stone to divert his attention.

Then Gao Ming discovered that someone might be "afraid that he would be too tired" and held another competition to compete with him for traffic.

The traffic of the most beautiful Taihu stone competition was halved immediately, and the reduction was visible to the naked eye. It was difficult to find a ticket, and no one bought the ticket after the discount.

Because another competition is indeed more attractive - the Jiangnan Oiran Competition.

Gao Ming's claim of not being angry is a lie, who is so courageous to compete with Ying Fengju for eye-catching?

"Who else could it be? It's that family." When Shi Qian came back from the investigation, his tone was filled with anger, but he didn't delay. When he went to investigate, he watched several games in full.

No way, who told him he was a man.

"Then whose family is which?"

When Shiqian went to the countryside to do as the Romans did, he also followed the example of the local people who called Zhu Yu's family, and quickly explained: "It's the surname Zhu. My lord, their family really didn't cry when they saw the coffin. They were rescued by you from Ji Su, so they just don't feel grateful." , and continue to fight against you. Bah, who is this!"

Gao Ming looked at the sparse scene of the Taihu Stone competition, and smacked his mouth, "Tsk, I'm afraid it will be difficult to snatch people back."

"Some people are like this. You see him pitiful, let him go, and when he recovers, he will bite you right away."

Gao Ming frowned, he didn't let Zhu Mian go, it's just what Zhu Mian thought for himself, but what was the official thinking?Are you going to let Zhu Xi go just like that?

At this time, I suddenly heard someone from the audience persuade an audience who had been sitting down: "Don't look at this, what's so good about broken stones, the beauties over there are beautiful, Tianxianglou, Huixianglou, Pinxianglou, Girls from many floors came out."

Although the voice was low, but because there were not many people, it was still heard in Shi Qian's ears.

But Shi Qian relayed all the details to Gao Ming.

Gao Ming saw that the seated audience was visibly excited, he hesitated for a moment, then got up and left.

Gao Ming hugged his shoulders and thought gloomily, Zhu Xi was planning to play against him.

After two days of observation, Gao Ming found that the men in the city of Hangzhou were swarming, almost occupying several streets.

Those with wives, their wives tell them to go home, and those without wives, their parents tell them to go home.

Ethical dramas of family conflicts are staged on the streets every day.

Compared with the hustle and bustle over there, Gao Ming's side became deserted in an instant. After all, there are only so many people there. If there are more people over there, there must be fewer people here.

Only the few gentry who were finally selected for the final of Taihu Stone waited eagerly for the final result, relying on their family members and servants to support the field so that there would be no one left.

For them, the winner can go to Beijing for a face-to-face meeting, which is their biggest addiction left behind.

As for other people whose interests are not so closely related to Taihu Stone, they all ran away to see the beautiful women.

Gao Ming also understood in his heart that as an ordinary audience, the ugly, distorted and cold Taihu Stone is not as attractive as a lively and beautiful woman.

Their Taihu Stone has no competitiveness at all.

As a result, the largest entertainment event in Hangzhou City has changed from the previous Taihu Stone Competition to the current Oiran Competition.

During the period, Zhu Mian sent someone to give Gao Ming some gifts, to the effect of apologizing.

He said that he didn't intend to grab the limelight, but that money was a little tight and he wanted to get some money.Moreover, they held the Oiran Contest to appease the fear of the war in Hangzhou. It is beneficial to both themselves and the people. I hope that Mr. Gao will hold his hands high and don't care about them.

Gao Ming smiled slightly, and said to the servant of the Zhu family who delivered the letter: "Go back and tell your master, I don't care, you can do it freely."

When the servant left, Gao Ming couldn't help sneering, "Do it, hurry up, and die quickly."

Because he has discovered the fatal flaw of the oiran competition held by Zhu Xi.

-

That night, Gao Ming played mahjong with Li Qingzhao and Zhao Mingcheng.

"By the way, Mr. Gao, do you know that the oiran competition, from the beginning to the middle, is exactly the same as ours. It's completely copied." Li Qingzhao's tone meant to defend Gao Ming.

Gao Ming smiled lightly and said, "Well, anyone can do it if they want to hold an event. The process is mature, so they can use it if they like it."

One of the three was missing, and one of the attendants who was pulled to join the game snorted: "These people are really unreliable. Before Zhu Xi abandoned the city and fled, everyone wanted to despise him to the bone. As a result, now there is an oiran competition over there. It seems that I have forgotten everything, and I ran to see them one by one.”

Gao Ming said while counting the cards: "In fact, many people don't know that the leader behind the oiran competition is Zhu Man. He didn't stand in front of the stage, but asked his subordinates to do it for him. Unlike us, he knows the inside story."

However, even if they knew that the competition was organized by Zhu's family, many people would still watch it. After all, they just went wherever there was excitement and fun.

Zhu Xi's tyrannical taxation does not conflict with admiring beauties.

Zhao Mingcheng said: "If they like it, then go and watch it. Anyway, our Taihu stone competition has come to an end. In fact, we all know the three stones of Miansheng."

Gao Ming nodded approvingly, "In addition, Zhu Mian promised him to pay for the buyback of the Taihu Stone, so if no one buys the tickets, no one will buy them."

Li Qingzhao sighed, "I didn't expect it to start with a bang, but was obstructed in the middle, and ended in a deserted end. This is sincerely trying to make Mr. Gao unhappy."

"Haha, is that so?" Gao Ming smiled indifferently, "Isn't this pretty good, and it saves me from being so tired."

Everyone saw that Gao Ming seemed to be indifferent to the series of actions of Zhu Yu, as if he hadn't noticed it, and he was as broad-minded as a prime minister who could hold a boat in his stomach.

Shi Qian looked at Mr. Gao's calm expression, scratched his chin in confusion, and thought, when did Mr. Gao have such a bodhisattva heart?

-

When Zhao Kai and the others arrived, the sun was high in the sky.

Gao Ming, Zhao Mingcheng and other important officials stood in front of the city gate for a long time before seeing their chariots slowly appearing from the horizon.

Gao Ming wiped off his sweat with a handkerchief, and there was only one thought in his mind, finally his grandpa's came.

It's best for a bigwig like the prince to go out less, so as not to torment others.

Since they came to gain experience points, they couldn't come empty-handed, Zhao Kai and Tong Guan brought a lot of troops.

The city of Hangzhou had just sent off a wave of troops, and turned around to usher in King Yun's troops.

Gao Ming reckoned that they were going to meet up with Wang Teng and Hua Rong after they made a round in Hangzhou, and then attack Fang La together.

"I respectfully welcome His Highness King Yun and King Jing." Gao Ming respectfully greeted the two Highnesses who were dismounting, and then said to Tong Guan: "I have seen Privy Secretary Tong."

King Yun, Gao Ming is very familiar with him. He has been dealing with him for so many years, and he is still his boss.

But King Jing, this is the first time Gao Ming sees him, this person is only one year younger than Zhao Kai, but it is said that he is in poor health, he lives in seclusion and doesn't often show up.

Jing Wang Zhao Ji, his skin was as pale as ischemia, and his expression was also icy, looked at Gao Ming and said, "Why don't you see Zhu Xi?"

"Returning to Your Highness, he has a filial piety, and he was injured a few days ago, so it is inconvenient to meet the two Highnesses." Gao Ming replied.

"You are Gao Ming?" Zhao Ji looked him up and down, with a flash of disdain in his eyes, and said to Zhao Kai who was beside him: "Third brother, you always mention him to me, and I still think he is some kind of outstanding person. in this way."

Without shyness at all, just commenting on Gao Ming like this in front of Gao Ming, it seems that he didn't take him seriously at all.

Gao Ming pretended not to hear, otherwise, what else could happen, the other party is the prince, not a courtier, so he can't just yell at him.

Zhao Kai was good as a boss, he would take good care of Gao Ming when necessary, and said with a smile to his younger brother, "It's the first time you see him today, whether he's doing well or not, you can tell at a glance."

"The minister prepared a banquet for the two Highnesses to welcome." Gao Ming said.

Tong Guan hurriedly followed Gao Ming's words and said: "Your Highness, you are tired all the way, let's go to the city to rest quickly." He walked all the way, knowing that King Jing is difficult to serve, so he hurried to the city to have a banquet, hoping to stop the trouble. His mouth, tell him to stop for a while.

Everyone got on their horses and walked into the city.

Zhao Kai felt that the street was a little deserted, but he didn't think much about it. When he arrived at the magistrate's office, he took a seat and asked Gao Ming casually, "In the memorial, didn't you say that the city of Hangzhou was not captured by the enemy? Why are the people on the street like this?" rare?"

It seems that many people have died and the population has decreased.

Gao Ming smiled bitterly and said, "Your Highness thinks that there are few people on the street, maybe it's because people have gone to the West Street to watch the excitement. Recently, the Oiran Competition is being held in the city."

Zhao Kai thought it was Gao Ming's idea, and said with a smile: "I heard that you held a beauty contest for Taihu Stone, but I didn't expect it to extend to the people in the courtyard, and started to hold an oiran contest."

Zhao Ji let out a soft hum from his nose, full of contempt.

Gao Ming didn't understand, what happened to King Jing, why did he not like him?

At this time, Tong Guan said with a smile: "Why don't you go over there after the banquet to appreciate the customs of Hangzhou."

Zhao Ji smiled slightly at Tong Guan: "Private Tong is so elegant, I really can't think of it."

What's the matter, who stipulated that eunuchs can't go to the oiran contest?Our eunuch can still marry a wife!But Tong Guan dared to think about it in his heart, he didn't dare to say anything on the surface, he laughed, pretended to be naive, and smiled awkwardly.

Gao Ming felt much more at ease in an instant. Zhao Ji didn't just dislike him, he probably disliked "treacherous ministers". It doesn't matter that much.

Zhao Ji really did not like Tong Guan and Gao Ming, his father was stupid, he just trusted these people, his third brother Zhao Kai, who was handsome, intelligent, and most able to bring hope to Song Dynasty, was also betrayed by these treacherous ministers He was coaxed to "turn around", he couldn't bear it no matter what.

Especially Gao Ming, he had often heard from his third brother that he was so funny and astute.

He seemed to see that if the third elder brother came to the throne, Gao Ming would be another Cai Jing.

This is something he doesn't want to see and can't bear.

Thinking of this, he looked at Gao Ming with even more disgust.

Gao Ming also noticed Zhao Ji's eyes, but he didn't care, he was already thick-skinned, and there were many people who disliked him, so he didn't have the time to give everyone a look.

In front of Zhao Ji was Prince Zhao Huan, and Prince Yun Zhao Kai, and since it was not his turn to be emperor, Gao Ming didn't even bother to talk to him.

He smiled at Zhao Kai, "Master Tong, this proposal is good, I am willing to be a guide and have a look around the city of Hangzhou."

Zhao Ji first said: "I'm tired..." Zhao Kai agreed without thinking, "Go and see."

Zhao Ji called out in anger, "Third brother."

I don't know whether Zhao Kai didn't understand what his younger brother was thinking, or it was on purpose, he said with a light smile, "If you are not feeling well, don't move around, just take a good rest."

So Zhao Ji was not tired again, "It's not bad to go around, it's hard to come here, otherwise I'm sorry for the hardships I have suffered all the way."

Gao Ming raised his eyebrows secretly, and further suggested, "Your Highness, then let's visit in private?"

Zhao Kai agreed straight away, "Well, I will visit privately in microservices."

Early the next morning, Gao Ming took His Royal Highnesses Zhao Kai and Zhao Ji out of the house, and first went to the site of the Taihu stone selection competition.

Zhao Kai was very satisfied with these stones, and looked at Gao Ming differently: "You really know how to do things, Father is right about you."

It's just that there were few people at the scene, Zhao Kai was a little puzzled, why are there so few people?Is it that the stone is not good-looking?

Coming out of Taihu Stone, Gao Ming led them to continue walking around the city.

Passing a street, I could hear cheers in front of me from a distance, but because there were too many people and the road was blocked, Gao Ming and the others couldn't get through.

"This is..." Zhao Kai watched from a distance, although he couldn't see clearly, he could feel that something was going on.

"Hey, this is the scene of the Oiran Competition." Gao Ming introduced: "However, I didn't hold it."

Zhao Kai raised his eyebrows, "No wonder there are so many people. There are so many people here, let's go."

Just when Zhao Kai turned around, several harsh words came into his ears.

"I don't know which girl can be the oiran."

"Is the oiran also going to Beijing to face the saint with those Taihu stones? When the time comes, the Taihu stones will be sent to the imperial garden, and the oirans will be sent to the dragon bed."

"Hey hey, Tokyo has Master Li, and our girls in Hangzhou are not bad either."

Zhao Kai's face darkened, Taihu stones could be selected publicly, and even presented in Beijing, which can be said to be voluntary by the people, justifying Hua Shigang's reputation.

Because these are just some garden stones, it is said that the emperor indulged in pleasure.

But in this oiran competition, the beauties selected in the end are considered to be dedicated to the emperor.

Although many people knew about the matter between my father and Master Li, they kept it a secret.

In the south of the Yangtze River, he selected beauties with great fanfare. It sounded like his father had fallen in love with beautiful women to such a crazy point.

This is not as simple as being scolded for indulging in pleasure. It is reasonable to be scolded as a king of subjugation.

"Who did this?" He asked coldly.

"It's said to be Zhu Xi." Gao Ming said immediately.

He has been waiting for this moment for a long time, ever since Zhu Qian held the Oiran Competition and Zhao Kai was coming to Hangzhou at the same time, he has been waiting for this day.

Zhao Kai smiled coldly, turned around and left.

Gao Ming knew from Zhao Kai's expression that Zhu Mian was doomed this time.

The Oiran Contest certainly attracts attention, but so what?

An activity, the most important thing is the core idea.

The Taihu stone beauty pageant can clean up the emperor's bad reputation of excessive extortion, so it is supported by the officials.

As for the Oiran Contest, it seems no matter how lively and profitable it is, but once it is linked to destroying the emperor's reputation, the gods will not be able to save Zhu Xi even if they want to.