From the capital to Kaifeng Mansion, you can arrive in ten days. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 Info Traveling all the way through Zhili, the countryside and fields have also suffered from varying degrees of flooding, although there is still some light rain from time to time, but the water has receded, people have rebuilt their houses, and there are not many people sleeping in the suburbs. The imperial history is everywhere, and the governors from all over the country must go out of the city to greet them, and naturally good wine and food are indispensable. Ten days after traveling, the people and horses of Yushi have arrived at the crossing of the Yellow River.

On that day, the wind and waves were small, and the sky was pressed with cotton-like clouds. After walking for a long time, everyone was a little tired, Qiu Yinming got out of the carriage, and saw the official boat of Kaifeng Mansion on the river from a distance, and he had to wait for a while to see the situation. The entourage thought that the mud on the riverbank was dirty, so Qiu Yinming walked along the riverbank by himself. The Yellow River flows through the Central Plains, the channel is gradually widening, the water flow is slow, the sediment accumulates over the years, and the riverbed has not been much higher in the past few hundred years, and now the low dwellings on both sides of the river are under the river. After a heavy flood, the mud houses were washed away and there was no place to go, except for makeshift straw huts. It was almost noon, and most of the river workers who built the embankment went to rest, and a faint smoke wafted from the thatched hut. Qiu Yinming wanted to walk over and take a look, but saw that the big ship of Kaifeng Mansion was about to dock, so he had to go back.

An official on the bow of the big boat had an anxious look on his face, and as soon as he laid the springboard, he hurried up, and the official looked up and saw that it was a young imperial historian, he was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly bowed to Qiu Yinming and said: "Fan Ping, the official patrolling the river, failed to greet the imperial historian in time, and I hope that the lord will forgive me." Qiu Yinming said: "Okay, I just took a casual look." With business on business, let's hurry up and go to Fucheng. "Yes. Be. Fan Yanshi agreed, "Your Excellency, please get on board." ”

The crowd ate some light food on the boat, and after going ashore, they went to Kaifeng Mansion without stopping. Looking out of the carriage window, the land washed by the water was yellow, and the dilapidated houses and walls of the small farm were barely inhabited. Groups of river workers carried bags of dirt and sandbags on their backs, driven by the overseers. Judging by their appearance, they may be farmers. The land is deserted, and even if the rent and tax are reduced in the coming year, life will not be able to live.

From the river to Fucheng, it was only more than 20 miles, and soon the voices of people outside the car gradually rose. When I opened the curtain of the car door, I saw that it was outside the gate of Fucheng. Kaifeng Mansion Yin Zhang Gao waited at the city gate, and after a brief salute, the official of the government opened the gong and shouted, leading the people and horses of the imperial history into the city. Kaifeng was once the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, and there are still many places of interest and historic sites. There are many huge mansions of feudal kings and many large families in the city, but they are all closed, and there are not many idlers on the streets. After such a heavy flood, it is natural to be a little lifeless, but why can't you even see someone asking for food? Qiu Yinming was very puzzled. Soon after, the carriage stopped in front of the post house in the east of the city. The inn is an old garden with green bricks and black tiles, a cloister pavilion inside, surrounded by green trees outside the garden, and it is really a secluded and comfortable residence. quickly settled down, and went to the government with Governor Zhang. It turned out that Senator Hu and Senator Li of the Henan Political Division, as well as several neighboring county commanders, were there. When everyone saw that the emperor had sent a young official they had never heard of before to act as a messenger, they were somewhat suspicious, but they did not show it on the surface. Qiu Yinming saw that everyone had nothing to say, so he didn't give in much, sat on the main seat, and asked about the current situation of river governance with a straight knife.

In the past year, when there was a flood, relying on the local financial resources alone, it was still possible to prevaricate in the event of a small disaster, and once there was a big flood, it had to be funded by the imperial court. However, since the previous dynasty was busy dealing with the war with the Warat State, most of the money and grain in the treasury were allocated to the military every year, and the matter of river control was naturally relaxed. After talking about the causes and consequences, Governor Zhang said with a sad face: "Seeing that the water potential has not weakened for a day, we are all unable to make ends meet here." Next to him, Senator Hu echoed and nodded yes. At this time, Senator Li, who was sitting next to Qiu Yinming, said unhurriedly: "Ladies and gentlemen, take your time, there is always a solution to this matter." Qiu Yinming saw that he suddenly said such painless words, and he pondered for a while, all the way to Kaifeng, he had not eaten a meal for a long time, he was not very experienced, or pretended, don't let these old officialdom feel that they are just a stinking offspring who only knows how to do things seriously. So he coughed lightly and said, "Lord Zhang, what Lord Li said is true." The imperial court sent me this time in order to cure the flood of the Yellow River, as for the repair of the embankment, the silver for disaster relief..."He paused slightly, and the corner of his eye swept the adults present, "Naturally, we are willing to supply it with all our might, and we have to think about this carefully." What do you think? Governor Zhang nodded and said, "Of course." Lord Yushi has come from afar, and we have not prepared a thin wine to treat each other, which is really not thoughtful. I have asked someone to prepare drinks and light meals in the back flower hall, and the house is shabby, please don't be surprised. Qiu Yinming smiled slightly and said, "There is Lord Lao Zhang." ”

Everyone was polite, sat down in the flower hall, and the meal was served. Although Henan is in the midst of a catastrophe now, there are a lot of wine, broilers, chickens and ducks on this table. During the banquet, Qiu Yinming casually glanced at everyone, Governor Zhang looked uneasy, Senator Hu was expressionless, only caring about eating, and Senator Li didn't look very happy. After a while, Qiu Yinming noticed that Governor Zhang must have been anxious, while the other two did not believe that a newly debuted official could cure the Yellow River flood. Thinking of this, his heart was a little heavy, and he couldn't make a mistake this time. Looking at the other local officials around him, he must have been apprehensive about the recent corruption case, and he was respectful at this time, and he didn't know if it was true or perfunctory. He knew in his heart that this was the first genuine test since he stepped into the officialdom, and he had to pay attention every step of the way, and controlling the flood was one of them, and he had to coax these old men into obedience, and it seemed that he had to spend all his efforts.

During the banquet, Qiu Yinming asked about Mo Zong, who was infected with the disease. It was said that it was originally fine, but since two months ago, he fell ill and has been recuperating at home, and he has not seen anyone, which is a little strange.

After three rounds of drinking, Qiu Yinming pretended to be sleepy, and the adults persuaded him to go back to the post house to rest. Before leaving, Qiu Yinming asked Governor Zhang: "When I passed by the Yellow River in the morning, I saw that the river workers were in good order, who was managing the river defense these days?" Governor Zhang said: "Oh, it's Fan Ping, the river patrol who went to the river to greet the adults in the morning." This man has been governing rivers for many years and has a lot of experience. Qiu Yinming let out an "oh", yawned, and said to everyone: "If you are free, let's discuss how much silver taels will be used for disaster relief, and we will talk about it again tomorrow." "Lord Naqiu, rest well, and if there is anything inconsiderate, tell me." Governor Zhang said kindly. Qiu Yinming nodded and said, "Everyone talk slowly, Qiu Mou will leave first." After glancing around, he got up and went back to the pavilion, and then immediately wrote a letter of worship and sent someone to the palace of the inspector.

When the lights were on, the servants thought that Master Qincha was tired and was about to deliver dinner to Qiu Yinming's room, but when they saw him come out dressed neatly, they ordered, "Go and prepare the car, I will go to visit Master Mo, the envoy of the Inspector." ”

The carriage passed through most of Kaifeng City, and Qiu Yinming pondered in the car: Mo Zonglun was an important official here, and he handed over the prayer post earlier, but was told that he was still bedridden, and went to see how sick he was. While I was thinking about it, I felt that the car stopped. When I got out of the car, I saw that Lord Mo's mansion was a little old and deserted. The entourage knocked on the door for a while, and only then did a Tsing Yi family member slowly open the door, and when he saw that it was the royal history who had just arrived, he was shocked, and hurriedly ran to report to the master. Qiu Yinming and his entourage came to the main hall, the light in the hall was dim, and there was a faint dust on the table, it seemed that no guests had visited for a long time.

After a while, an old man came out of it, claiming to be a housekeeper, and the old man said, "The old man is sick and is recuperating in bed in the inner room, so it is really inconvenient to get up." If Lord Yushi doesn't dislike it, please go to the inner room to watch the tea, the lord asked me to apologize to the lord first, ...... you look" Qiu Yinming thought for a while and said to his entourage: "You just wait here, I'll come when I go." "Follow the old butler into the inner courtyard.

All the way through the courtyard, blue bricks and white walls, unpretentious. The old butler took him to an inner room lit with candles, and said to the man lying on the bed in the inner room: "Master, Lord Yushi is here. The man in the tent coughed a few times and said, "Quickly serve tea to Lord Yushi... Ahem, ahem. After speaking, he trembled and wanted to get up. Qiu Yinming saluted and said, "No need, Master Mo, the lower officials just came to visit, say a few words and leave." So he approached the bed. The old butler immediately brought a chair. Qiu Yinming sat down and saw that the person on the bed was in his forties, with a thin face, a silk tied to his forehead, his eyes slightly open, and a sick look. But his complexion was ruddy, his lips were moist, his breathing was even, and he was not a seriously ill person.

Qiu Yinming said: "Lord Mo, the lower officials came to rectify the river defense on the order of the saint this time, and there are some things I want to ask the adults for advice. ”

Mo Zonglun said: "Don't dare to ask for advice, please let me know if you have any questions." ”

Qiu Yinming smiled and said: "I won't tell you, it's the first time for me to control the river defense, it seems that the flood along the road is serious, and there is no effective assistant by my side, so I want to repair the river defense before the winter and restore the farmland, which is really a little powerless." I think I know more about these local officials than I do, so I wonder who is the best at controlling waters. ”

When Mo Zonglun heard this, he nodded and said, "My lord is too modest. I'm also a layman in water control. But there is one person, so you might as well ask him. Fan Ping, the river patrol officer of Kaifeng Mansion, has worked the river embankment for many years, and the work of governing the river depends on him. After saying that, he hid his face and coughed again.

Qiu Yinming got up and said, "My lord is sick, and it is inconvenient for me to stay for a long time. Please be a good student. However......" Qiu Yinming said again: "Qiu Mou is only here to control the water this time, and has no other intentions." Master Mo," he said with a pair of sharp eyes to the patient on the bed, "Why is this pretending to be sick?" Is it trying to escape something? ”

Mo Zonglun was dumbfounded, raised his eyes and saw Qiu Yinming's cold face, his eyes were like knives, and he sat up straight from the bed and said, "Lord Qiu!" I ......" sighed and said, "Please listen to me explain it to you." ”

At this time, the old butler happened to come in from outside the door with tea. When he saw this, his hand shook, and the tea bowl almost fell to the ground. Qiu Yinming bowed and said, "It doesn't have to be like this, let's sit down, please speak slowly." He sighed secretly in his heart, in fact, he wasn't sure if Mo Zonglun was pretending to be sick, he just gambled once, but he didn't expect to tell him right. It seems that the case in Henan is not small, and the envoys dare not see anyone.

Now that the fact of pretending to be sick has been recognized, Mo Zonglun can't excuse himself anymore to hide anything, dresses neatly, invites Qiu Yinming to the study, asks the old housekeeper to make tea again, and tells him the reasons for the matter. It turned out that the Henan political envoys had been harshly withholding the wages of the river defense and levying silver and the wages of the migrant workers for three or four years, and had collected two or three times the taxes from the peasants every year, and had made huge profits from them. Mo Zonglun always felt that the reason for this was not simple, and he was only afraid of getting into trouble if he pursued it in vain. After the corruption case happened, he saw that the imperial court sent Wang Wen, the secretary of the ministry, so he simply pretended to be sick, so that no matter what was found, he would never be involved. As a result, Wang Wen only collected the stolen silver and returned to the dynasty to resume his duties, but Mo Zonglun always felt that the official silver sent to the capital was related to the big people in the court, and since even Wang Wen did not find out the clues, it was even more difficult for him to come out and say anything. Therefore, this time, the imperial court immediately sent a royal history, and simply pretended to be sick to the end.

Qiu Yinming listened carefully to Mo Zonglun's narration and gradually tasted the strangeness in it. Thinking to himself, since he already knew so much, I am afraid that most of them also knew who these official silver were sent to. But after thinking about it, before she left Beijing, Fan Ying repeatedly told her not to pursue the corruption case again and again. He glanced at Mo Zonglun, who was sweating profusely after only speaking for a while, and knew very well in his heart that nine times out of ten, this big man in the capital was Gonggong Cao. Alas, even if he is forced to say it, what can he do? So he got up and said, "Master Mo, you don't have to pursue these past things." I'm just here to visit you today, and I'm relieved. Master Mo looked up at this young imperial historian, and saw that he looked confident, I'm afraid that this person is young and vigorous, could it be that he wants to check it himself? Hurriedly said: "Lord Qiu, you ......" The words were about to come out, but he didn't know how to say them. Qiu Yinming said: "Master Mo, Xia Guan is only here to govern the river this time, and he is not interested in anything else. It's not too early, so let's take our leave. If you are disturbed, please rest early. After saying that, he took his leave. Mo Zonglun looked at the door for a long time, his face was cloudy, and he sighed for a long time.

Qiu Yinming returned to the post house, ate some snacks casually, and lay on the couch with his thoughts churning.