The Moon Over Tang Dynasty

Chapter 178 Tianji and Ren are like waking up from a dream

The sixth day of the twelfth lunar month was originally the day when Xizhou people began to go to the temple in the north of the city to donate sesame oil, money and silk, and receive fragrant medicine to dispel the epidemic. But when Bai Sanlang limped into the Duhu Mansion following Pei Xingjian, he could no longer No one remembers the Laba Festival two days later.

Everyone couldn't believe their eyes, but the blood-stained cloth band on Bai Sanlang's head and his dejected face, as if he had been beaten by frost, made them have no choice but to believe that the man who was still laughing everywhere yesterday Pei Changshi, the little overlord who was making lies and talking nonsense, actually suffered a **** disaster just as Pei Changshi expected!

Bai Sanlang was fine, no one dared to touch him. Before noon that day, Pei Xingjian's other five servants became the busiest people in the Duhu Mansion. People kept coming to them to do various things. However, every time he goes out, he is pulled aside and asked, "What's going on with your Bai San?"

The expressions of these people were all frightened and at a loss—they also wanted to know what happened to Bai San, okay? Last night before going to bed, he was slapping the table, drinking, and laughing to the sky. He almost cursed Pei Changshi, who was across the wall, by name, for talking nonsense. But when he got up early, he had such a **** behavior! Looking back at Chang Shi's room where the curtains were hung low, their sighs were more complicated than others.

In the chief historian's room, Pei Xingjian slowly put down the book in his hand and looked at Bai Sanlang with a smile, "You are not feeling well today. I have nothing to do here. Why don't you go back and rest for two days? When your head feels better, come back and do the work. yes."

Bai Sanlang's originally dark and red face suddenly turned the color of pig liver, "What kind of person does Chang Shi think I am, Bai San! Is it possible that I can swallow what I said? Bai San's life will belong to Chang Shi in the future!" What does it mean to have a broken head? Even if half of the head is missing, you still have to lay down after doing your job!"

Pei Xingjian smiled and shook his head, "That's wrong. That bet was just a joke between me and you. Pei meant to remind you, but he said it in a hurry. Why should you go too far? really?"

 Bai Sanlang's face became extremely solemn, "Although Bai San is a rough man, he would never dare to take that kind of poisonous oath as a joke! Pei Changshi, you are kind-hearted. No matter how heartless Bai San is, I will be grateful!"

Pei Xingjian smiled helplessly, "In that case, just sit down on a bed with your legs. I'll give you orders if you have any errands."

Bai San shook his head decisively and stood up straighter.

Before noon, the Duhu Mansion summoned the officials and servants to distribute facial grease, bath beans, perfume and other seasonal gifts. The servants and servants in the mansion all crowded into the miscellaneous room facing the main hall. As soon as Bai Sanlang entered the room, After a moment of silence, someone who knew him very well boldly asked, "Sanlang, on your head..."

 Bai Sanlang looked at him coldly, "I fell down at night, what do you want to ask me?"

There was even more silence in the room. After Bai Sanlang left, the discussion started loudly - that Pei Changshi was not wrong at all. Bai Sanlang really caused a **** disaster on the third day because of his weak legs and feet! But who doesn’t know that Bai San’s legs and feet are very good? He actually fell and suffered a **** head injury in his own room, what else is this than a disaster?

 While the discussion was getting heated, someone suddenly shouted, "Pei Changshi!"

Everyone turned to look and saw Pei Xingjian, dressed in a dark green robe, walking out of the main hall opposite, walking calmly and looking as relaxed as before. However, everyone in the room involuntarily closed their mouths and watched in silence. He walked away slowly, and felt that there was suddenly an indescribable and unfathomable aspect in that figure.

At the door of the side hall of the Duhu Mansion, the brocade curtain was half rolled up. Qu Chongyu was also looking at Pei Xingjian's back with a dazed look in his eyes, "Did Bai Sanshi really say that in public?"

The clerk standing behind him whispered "yes" in a low voice.

 “Then have you asked him privately?”

The clerk's face also became a little strange, "The young man followed him out and immediately looked for an opportunity to ask. But Bai San said that the injury on his head was his own fault. He couldn't blame others. Tell me not to ask anymore."

Qu Chongyu pondered for a moment and then asked, "What about what I told him to do?"

The junior official lowered his head and replied carefully, "Bai San and Xiao Dao, he originally wanted to do his best to complete what the Crown Prince ordered, but now that he has made a poisonous oath, he really does not dare to offend Pei Changshi again. Please ask the Crown Prince He will never complain if he is punished arbitrarily."

Qu Chongyu frowned suddenly, "What poisonous oath?"

The clerk hurriedly said, "I only found out today that on the third day of the Lunar New Year, Pei Changshi not only said that Bai San would be in a **** disaster, but also made a bet with Bai San. He said that if Bai San was safe and sound, he would be in Xizhou for a day. , Bai San can receive the money and food from the servants, and he will not ask any questions about anything he does; but if Bai San really suffered a **** disaster, he must tell everyone truthfully how the **** disaster came about, so as to avoid others from suspecting that it was him. Damn it."

Qu Chongyu couldn’t help but be startled. This bet was so strange! The clerk continued, "Bai San agreed at that time, but he was afraid that Pei Changshi would regret it, so he tried to bully Pei Changshi with his words, and Pei Changshi swore a poisonous oath. If he broke his promise, he would be in trouble in the future. Teach him to be Bai San's servant! Bai San naturally swore that if he couldn't do it, he would give his life to Pei Changshi. Now it seems that somehow..."

Qu Chongyu said flatly, "No need to say it!"

The little official was startled, and immediately lowered his eyebrows and did not dare to say a word.

Qu Chongyu took a long breath, "I know what's going on. You don't need to ask Bai San anymore, and ignore him for the time being. But from today on, any news from Pei Changshi must be reported in detail to "I, if I had known..." he asked as if he suddenly remembered something, "Did Pei Changshi make this bet as soon as he saw Bai San?"

The young official nodded hurriedly, "You understand clearly when you ask, that's true!"

Qu Chongyu waved his hand, and after the clerk retreated, he raised his eyes and looked outside. Pei Xingjian's figure had already disappeared around the corner, but he was still staring at the corner in trance. After a long time, a low voice murmured to himself in the room, "I know it's not strange, but how could he know? Is there really such a thing as divine arithmetic in this world?"

 …

 “Is there any divine calculation in this world?”

Liuli looked at the beaming Anjuro and felt a little funny, "I'm afraid it's just a coincidence, right?"

Anjuro's eyes widened, "What's the coincidence? You don't know what a promise-keeper is. He can calculate astronomical numbers, and can calculate hidden hooks eighteen times in a row. What does it mean to calculate Bai Sanyou's **** disaster this time?" ? Didn’t I just go to your house for a drink on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year? The weather was very good, and there was no wind or rain. How could a perfectly good person fall like this? !”

Liuli was a little puzzled when she heard this, "What are you talking about hiding the hook eighteen times?"

Anjuro was even more surprised, "You don't know? The time we met Kuaishou outside Liangzhou City, he had just bet on a hidden hook and counted three copper coins eighteen times in a row, and he never made a mistake! That rice Dalang is such an arrogant and domineering person, and he doesn't seem to have any respect for keeping his promise. I'm afraid he can only do this to the governor of Qu, and to the former rise and fall khan. "

Can Pei Xingjian still count? Liuli shook her head in disbelief and smiled. Anjuro laughed and said, "Do you still want to hide it for him? Today is the Laba Festival. People from Xizhou go to the temple to buy fragrant medicine and receive Laba porridge. When talking about keeping the promise, I don’t know who among the caravans is the quickest talker. Rumor has it that he was right about hiding the hook eighteen times in a row. When I heard this, I had already won forty-eight times in a row. I don’t know what will happen in two days. How much to win!”

This Xizhou is really too small, with a total of only more than 10,000 people. If there is any trouble, the whole city will know about it. Come to think of it, Pei Xingjian has already turned into a brand-new magic stick in Xizhou City, right? The more Liuli thought about it, the more she couldn't help laughing.

Ansaburo turned around and took a small leather bag in his hand, "Ordinarily, you can only be sincere if you go to the temple to buy the fragrant medicine for today's bath. But you are afraid of being crowded, so I bought some on your behalf. You can go back and talk to me." It’s better to keep the promise and use one pack per person.”

Liuli also knew that most people in Xizhou believed in Buddhism. When Xuanzang went to the west to obtain Buddhist scriptures, he became sworn brothers with Qu Wentai, the then lord of Xizhou and King of Gaochang. Today, the largest and most luxurious building in Xizhou City is It is not the Duhu Mansion, but the temple in the north of the city. On weekdays, there is a lot of incense and believers from all over the world come and go. It is even more crowded before the Laba Festival. The fragrant medicine used by the people of Xizhou in Laba bathing was meant to get rid of all diseases and wash away sins. He immediately took it with a smile and said, "Thank you, cousin."

Anjuro smiled and waved his hand, "It's nothing, but these bottles of facial fat you gave me are really good things. You can't buy them for a ten cent a bottle outside. Your sister-in-law will definitely be happy."

Liuli couldn't help but be a little surprised, "Are these facial fats still sold outside?" Isn't it only in the Duhu Mansion?

Anjuro smiled and sighed, "Of course there are sales, but they are rare. Prince Ko is too bad to be good at business. If he starts doing business, I'm afraid half of the shops in Xizhou City will belong to him." He sighed again. How Panqu Yulang's vision was so precise that the goods and objects he asked Anjia to bring several times were all resold at high prices, and how he made the products of Xizhou Workshop even more outstanding...

Liuli was a little annoyed when she heard Qu Chongyu's name, and she didn't like to hear people praise him, so she quickly changed the topic, "How many engravings have been produced now?"

Juro smiled and said, "Seven carved blocks have come out now. In about six or seven days, we will be able to get them all. These three blocks are also getting better and better!" After saying that, he went out and brought in a few. They were indeed more exquisite than the first few blocks. Round and ripe.

Liuli looked at it for a long time and sighed. It was too late this year. Now the layout can only be regarded as simple and elegant. In fact, it can be framed on silk with drawings. It will definitely be more elegant than the calendar distributed in the palace! Ordinary paper can also be used with calendar notes with pictures, so that even illiterate people can understand... She asked some more questions about binding and came up with two ideas. Then she took the sachet and returned home. Pei Xingjian was writing in the east room. Hearing Liuli's return, he put down his brush and walked out, "Have the engravings been out for most of Shiro's side?"

Liuli smiled and said, "You figured it out again? What tricks have you been doing in the past two days, but you didn't say a word, which made me confused just now!"

Pei Xingjian smiled and said, "Are you talking about that Bai San? What's there to say about this? This person has a rebellious temperament and can't eat anything. He just moved into the back room that day and looked around. Everything he looked at was wrong. I knew what he had planned, so I simply provoked him to make a bet with me, which made him proud for two more days, but he failed on the last night. "

Liuli was a little confused when she heard this, and hurriedly asked, "What's wrong? How can I get into a fight?" Pei Xingjian smiled and said, "I was naughty when I was young, and I often climbed over the wall in the Chongwen Hall to tease people. Naturally, I can see that those white legs It seems that he has some skills, and he is looking at the place where he will jump over the wall. I think Qu Chongyu sent these servants here with the intention of finding out the truth, right? That's why I asked them to do it. Juro sent a letter and asked Juro to come over for a drink and discuss matters on the fifth day of the lunar month. Bai San had tried to jump over the wall the first two nights and was very careful. I ignored him. On the fifth day of the lunar month, he actually jumped over the wall. Ah Cheng. I just smeared some oil on his footings and deliberately startled him. He jumped back over the wall in a panic. If his feet slipped, he would fall and get a **** head! "

 So that’s what happened! Liuli couldn't help but laugh, "You are very brave. If he doesn't come over, what can you do? If he changes his place to cross the wall, wouldn't you also fail?"

Pei Xingjian shook his head and smiled, "How could he not come over with his bold, reckless and aggressive temperament? As for changing ground to cross the wall, a suitable place to stay cannot be found in a hurry, and Agu is already on the other side of the wall. I'm waiting for him. With his three-legged cat skills, what's the problem in causing him to suffer a **** disaster? It's worth a calculation to make him willing to obey my orders. "

Liuli looked at him doubtfully, and Pei Xingjian smiled and told him about the bet again.

　　It makes people want to jump into the pit willingly. After jumping, they still feel that they can't help Pei Xingjian... Liuli suddenly sympathizes with Bai San: If you are doing well, why should you make a bet with Pei Xingjian! After thinking for a moment, he asked, "I heard today that you once made a bet with someone to hide the hook. What's the point of that?"

"Hidden hook?" Pei Xingjian thought for a while before laughing, "So it was that time! In fact, it doesn't matter. The so-called hexagrams naturally have to be calculated, but the real calculation is the human heart. It should be noted that everyone is nervous and fearful , when you are happy, there will always be clues to be found. In the name of fortune telling, it is not difficult to find out some clues by using words to test. Real fortune telling is a very labor-intensive thing. I still have some experience in judging people, but I have some experience in this way. It’s just a first glimpse of the door, how can you be sure of success?”

In other words, they are all lies... Liuli looked at Pei Xingjian speechlessly, and then sighed for a while, "I will remember to never bet with you."

Pei Xingjian laughed loudly, "You said something stupid again, what else can you lose to me?"

 Liuli couldn't help but laugh too.

The next few days were uneventful. However, when Liuli was in Chang'an, she asked the An family to buy a cart of lacquerware for her to go with the caravan. Now that the sale has been completed, Anjuro sent over two hundred coins, except for Juro. In addition to the cost of transporting the goods, Liuli also got a profit of more than 30%. Liuli suddenly felt that she had a lot of money. She went to the market to buy some glassware, curtains, brocade mattresses and other items, and carefully decorated the upper room. Pei Xingjian laughed at her and said, "You are too diligent. Now when I go home every day, I feel like I am in the wrong yard."

In the blink of an eye, it was December 17th. Liuli got up early. Pei Xingjian came back from relaxing in the courtyard. He saw her fully dressed and sitting in front of the dining table, lost in thought. He couldn't help but feel a little funny, "What are you worried about?" ? Didn’t Lipu Juro bring it to us to see? It’s just a little bit better than the ordinary Lipu produced in Dunhuang.”

Liuli smiled, knowing that what he said was the truth, but at the moment, she felt like she had submitted her graduation project and waited for the teacher to review it, and she couldn't feel at ease unless she heard a clear answer.

Pei Xingjian couldn't do anything to her, so he had to watch her eat breakfast, gave a few more instructions, then shook his head and smiled, picked up the curtain and went out. At the entrance of the outer courtyard, six servants were already waiting respectfully. Seeing Pei Xingjian going out, they all said hello in unison. Bai San's head has been replaced by an ordinary beard hat, and his expression is the most respectful.

A group of people walked from Qushui Square to the Governor's Office. It was only a short mile, and the journey took more than two cups of tea. Not to mention the colleagues who had only met from afar before, they were ordinary people in Xizhou. , seeing Pei Xingjian smiling and coming up to salute, he turned around and began to discuss secretly: Yesterday, this Pei Changshi calculated that the key to the official warehouse lost by Zhang Shenjun was in a place with water in the west - but it turned out that it fell in front of Shangyamen. In the soup cake shop to the west of the government office; several bookkeepers were joking and wanted to give him a hard time, but he also pointed out that they were gangsters and told them not to joke, which immediately made those few stupid. Eyes... Naturally, the speaker talks with gusto, and the listener clicks his tongue.

After hearing one or two comments, the Bai Sans couldn't help but straighten their waists, but Pei Xingjian remained the same as usual. When they arrived at the Yazhong, they saw a group of handymen walking out laughing and joking. The leader was Wang Junmeng, the magistrate of Gaochang County. Pei Xingjian couldn't help but be a little surprised, and turned around and asked, "What's going on?"

Bai San chuckled, "It's like this every year. Going to the rent-owed households to demand payment is just a show. Nowadays, there are only eight out of ten households in Xizhou who owe rent. Jiuhu, as long as it’s not too outrageous, it’s easy to hide and beg. Who told us, the young master of Xizhou, to pay according to the rules? Is it possible for the family to go to the northwest? "

Pei Xingjian looked back at the backs of the group of people and was silent for a moment before turning back and entering his house. He had nothing to do in his long history. He was supposed to be in charge of the government affairs of Xizhou and coordinate the officials. However, the Xizhou Protectorate Mansion was as usual. Everyone still reported directly to the chief registrars who were the staff of the Governor of Qu. Pei Xingjian became the most idle person in the house. He didn't take it seriously and spent all day reading and writing in the house. However, in the past few days, some people came to the door to chat, asking for a word or expressing doubts. Pei Xingjian always responded with gentle words. But somehow, in the eyes of everyone, his gentleness and indifference seemed to have a bit of unfathomable flavor.

 Before noon that day, Wang Junmeng, who was supposed to be in Xizhou City with his yamen servants to collect the rent arrears, hurried back to the government office and went straight to Qu Chongyu's house. Zhang Gao, who joined the army in Sicang, was replying in the room. Looking at Qu Chongyu's indifferent expression, the sweat on his back had already wetted his coat.

Seeing Wang Junmeng walking in quickly with a strange expression, Qu Chongyu waved his hand, and Zhang Gaorumeng withdrew with amnesty. He looked back at Qu Chongyu's house, and his face became a little gloomy - wasn't it Pei Changshi who was helping him? Did you thank him a few words when you found the key? How could the prince look so arrogant to others!

Qu Chongyu in the room also frowned, "What happened?"

Wang Junmeng placed the volume in front of him on the case in front of him, "Look for yourself."

Qu Chongyu opened it and only glanced at it twice, with a look of surprise on his face, "Next year's calendar? When is this? Where did you buy it?"

Wang Junmeng's tone was a little solemn, "It's sold by the An family's shop. They just said they were brought from Chang'an. They started selling it early this morning. When I went there, they said half the house had been sold. Most of them were merchants going to Tingzhou and Dunhuang." I bought it, and now the door of the shop is as busy as the front of the temple. Everyone is grabbing three hundred coins. "

Qu Chongyu looked at the booklet in his hand, nodded and said, "The calendar published at this time is so neatly done. Three hundred coins are indeed cheap, the characters are too handsome, and the paper is also good..." Suddenly he came to his senses. , looked up at Wang Junmeng, with a somewhat shocked look on his face.

Wang Junmeng let out a heavy breath, "Did you see it too? This is Yizhou jute paper! The An family actually used that cart of paper to make a calendar!" The goods brought by An's family were inspected under the city. What's the history? Thinking of Anjuro's respectful but confident look a few days ago, he couldn't help but sneered, "No wonder I deliberately tested Anjuro that time. He just said don't bother you and me, he already has a way to deal with it." These papers turned out to be no excuses! I just don’t understand. Even if he asked someone to calculate next year’s calendar when he was in Chang’an, how could he find so many people to copy it in just half a month? I was afraid that neither you nor I could write it, so I deliberately read a few more volumes, and the handwriting on each volume of the calendar was generally excellent!"

Qu Chongyu flipped through the calendar with sharp eyes, and suddenly said, "It wasn't written!"

Wang Jun Meng Qi asked, "Why wasn't it written? Could it be that it was conjured?"

Qu Chongyu handed the calendar to his hand and said, "Look carefully, it's definitely not written."

Wang Junmengzi got the calendar and recognized it as Yizhou jute paper. He was a little confused. At this moment, he looked at it carefully and noticed something strange. Although the handwriting was beautiful, the strokes were too neat and clean. Indeed, It doesn't look like it was written...

Qu Chongyu picked up his seal and printed it on the paper with a snap, then threw it in front of Wang Junmeng, "All calendars are printed like this!"

Wang Junmeng looked at the paper with Yang Wen's seal in astonishment, then looked at the calendar, and blurted out, "If so, how much effort will it take, and where can I find such a big jade stone to carve it? How much effort will it take?" ?”

Qu Chongyu frowned and pondered for a long time before sighing, "Why have I never thought of using this method! Anjia can carve it out in half a month, how can it be done with jade? It's probably wood! Use this method It’s not cost-effective to make two copies. But if you make hundreds or thousands of copies, it’s much better than hand-copying them! This reminds me that we can also use this method to make books and music. A wonderful way to make money!”

 Wang Jun Meng Qi said, "You also want to print the calendar? Is it too late?"

Qu Chongyu glanced at him coldly, "How can I make it this year? Although this matter is indeed a pity, since the An family came up with such a brilliant idea, he will do it this year..." He raised his eyebrows and smiled, "As for what I want to print, it is the Buddhist scriptures!"

Wang Junmeng couldn't help but nodded repeatedly. Today's Buddhist scriptures cost one or two thousand yuan for a thin book. People in Xizhou believe in Buddhism the most. Some people even go hungry and have to buy a copy to worship. The An family can use three hundred yuan. If Wen Lai sells this calendar, it won't be too difficult to make a wooden print. If hundreds or even thousands of Buddhist scriptures can be printed, the profits can be imagined...

He was about to nod when he saw Qu Chongyu suddenly grabbed the history book on the case again, his face slowly turning livid. Wang Junmeng said hurriedly, "What?"

Qu Chongyu slapped the calendar on the table with a snap, his voice so cold that it penetrated people's minds, "We have all been deceived by Pei Shouyue!"

I'm very sorry. I spent a whole day at school yesterday, and I still had tasks to do when I came back in the evening. As a result, I coded until 1 o'clock. I was not very satisfied with the code, and I didn't have time to correct it. (I went to school this morning to work on it, and it was a cheating teaching inspection...) So , I might as well come back today and write six thousand words, revise them, and then post them. Because I really didn’t expect that a check-up could be so frustrating, I didn’t notify everyone in advance (it seems that not many people who left messages in the comment area saw it). It will be updated on time tomorrow morning, it should be three thousand. Try to make another update tomorrow night.

The battle between Ko Peacock and Pei Fuhei will become more and more intense... As usual, I will continue to ask for pink and recommendation votes.

hey-hey. Someone asked me what book I was reading, and I highly recommended "Jiang Ye". Mao Ni is my favorite author on the main website. I sincerely pray that this article can be monogamous...

Recommended book:

"Red Mansion Bagua Weekly": When Lin Daiyu withdraws from the battle for the second mistress Bao, how will the internal war in the Jia family develop? Can there be a bright future after the doomed couples break up? A game between non-mainstream time-travelers and the Red Mansion System.

"Tian Er Niu's Growth Story": A non-mainstream novel with very simple writing, telling the healthy growth of a rural girl.

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 (End of this chapter)