Fireworks in March is a good scenery in Jinling.

"Flick your sleeves and go back, and the grass hall ape and crane don't guess. Yunxiao is ashamed of having no repair, and who is abandoning the rain and dew. ”

Nanjing trouser crotch alley, inside the powder wall, pavilions are rows. Outside the pink wall, Fu Xunyu looked up at the plaque with three thin and clear characters written on the high-hanging vermilion lacquer gate, shook his head and recited the poem.

Not far away, Hou Fangxia handed over the horse to the little servant who received him, heard Fu Xunyu's muttering, paced over, and said with a smile: "These four poems were written by Ruan Gong Jiazi when he returned to the mountains in the wilderness, and I never thought that Brother Fu would know it." ”

This poem follows the samadhi of the mountain poem, gentle and pure, sad but not complaining, but it can be excellent. Fu read it once, but he never forgot it. Fu Xunyu shook his head slightly, "There is sorrow in the poem, which shows that the ambition is not over." More than ten years have passed, and I only hope that Ruan Gong has not forgotten his former ambitions. ”

Hou Fangxia said: "Ruan Gong Lao Ji is determined to be thousands of miles away, Brother Fu can rest assured. ”

At this time, someone from the half-open Zhu Gate came out, and when he saw Hou Fangxia, he exclaimed first: "Big brother, you are really here!" As he spoke, he hurried over and took his hand.

Hou Fangxia said with a face full of relief: "Third brother, you have been away from home for a long time, and my brother is really worried, but now it is more vigorous than in the past, and my brother is so happy!" Then he introduced, "Brother Fu, this is the third brother of the contemptible Hou Fangyu, the word Chaozong." The third brother, this is Mr. Fu Xunyu Fu, who is now engaged in Zhao Shuai in Yunxiang Town. ”

"I've seen Mr. Fu." Hou Fangyu held his head high, although he was a scholar, he had an uninhibited spirit in his gestures.

"My third brother had come to Jinling to participate in the Autumn Festival before, but because of the thief, he was trapped here and has not been able to return to his hometown." Hou Fangxia interjected.

Hou Fangyu said with a smile: "Big brother, the word 'sleepy' is not used well, I have Mao Xiang, Fang Yizhi, Chen Zhenhui, and Wu Yingji singing and paying in Jinling, as well as Cheng Gong, Fang Gong, Xiong Gong, and Ruan Gong to take care of and guide me. "He's young, and his words are a bit sharp.

"You are enjoying it, you want to take care of a naughty boy like you, I think Chenggong, Fang Gong, Xiong Gong, and Ruan Gong are very sleepy!" Hou Fangxia scolded him, his face full of pity.

"Cheng Gong" is Cheng Yong, a disciple of Hou Sui, who was the head of the Nanjing Ministry at the beginning. "Fang Gong" is the father of Fang Yizhi, the father of Hou Fangyu's best friend, the former governor of Huguang Fang Kongzhi, at the end of the twelfth year of Chongzhen, Chu will Yang Shien, Luo Anbang rushed in, fell into battle and died, the supervisor Yang Sichang took him as a scapegoat, first sent the frontier to fill the army, and later Fang Zhishang blood book for his father to redress his grievances, Fang changed to send Shaoxing Mansion, and also stayed in Nanjing for a while. "Ruan Gong" is Ruan Dacheng, the owner of the deep mansion compound in front of him. "Xiong Gong" is Xiong Mingyu, the former secretary of the Nanjing Military Department.

These four people all have a close relationship with Hou Fangxia and Hou Fangyu's father, Hou Sui. Hou Fangyu lived alone in Nanjing, relying on the four of him to help him before and after. Cheng Yong was the first to be transferred to Beijing as the imperial history, and then Fang Kongzhi received an imperial edict from the imperial court to go north again, Xiong Mingyu stepped down not long ago and returned to his hometown in Jiangxi, because Hou Fangyu mainly relies on Ruan Dacheng to live.

Fu Xunyu greeted him, and said with a kind face: "According to Zhao Shuai, I had a relationship with Hou Sangongzi before. ”

Hou Fangyu was stunned for a moment, and didn't think about it for a while. Hou Fangxia grabbed his hand and said, "Don't grind, take us to see Ruan Gong." Brother Fu came on business this time, but he couldn't afford to delay. ”

"There's no hurry." Fu Xunyu smiled faintly.

Hou Fangyu shook off Hou Fangxia's hand and muttered: "Mr. Fu is not in a hurry, what are you in a hurry, Ruan Gong is inside, and I am afraid that I will not be able to fly!" After speaking, he nodded to Fu Xunyu, "Mr. Fu, please come with me." ”

Fu Xunyu and Hou Fangxia glanced at each other, both of them were Wan'er. The three of them entered the Yonghuaitang mansion, along the way the jade column Zhu Yan endlessly, the Xuan windows are constantly reflected, the high pavilion and the mansion are towering, and there is a luxurious and wealthy atmosphere.

"Fu Mou once went to the Luoyang Fu Domain's Palace, although this Yonghuai Hall is not as large as the palace, but only look at a corner, exquisite and exquisite is not much inferior, which shows that Ruan Gong is ingenious and has his own insight into the house and garden."

Hou Fangxia responded: "Since Ruan Gong returned home in his first year, now he has been fourteen years old, and he has no worries about government affairs, so he naturally places his affection on landscapes and flowers, and it is not surprising that he spends his time cooking Zhou Bu. The lyrics, songs, and dramas he wrote are also very famous. "The year of Jisi is the second year of Chongzhen.

Ruan Dacheng is a disciple of Gao Panlong, the leader of the Donglin Party, and has a deep friendship with Zuo Guangdou, the backbone of the Constitutional Department of the Donglin Party, and has made great contributions to the Donglin Party's suppression of the Zhejiang Party, so he was one of the backbones of the Donglin Party at first. However, the old Zhao 'Nanxing, Gao Panlong and others of the Donglin Party did not trust him, and in order to gain a foothold in the DPRK, he had to get close to Wei Zhongxian during the party struggle between the Donglin Party and the Eunuch Party, so he was banned by the Donglin Party and finally broke up. After Emperor Chongzhen ascended the throne, he reused Donglin, and Ruan Dacheng was regarded as a eunuch, expelled back to his hometown, and was never appointed again. In the eighth year of Chongzhen, Gao Yingxiang, Zhang Xianzhong and other rogues troubled Fengyang Mansion and other places, and he moved from his family to Nanjing.

"I don't know where Ling Zun is now?" Seeing the Hou brothers, Fu Xunyu naturally thought of Hou Xun, who was dismissed after being implicated in the flooding of Kaifeng last year.

Hou Fangyu's face tightened and said: "My father has avoided trouble in Yangzhou since he left office, and I went to invite him several times, but he refused for fear of affecting relatives and friends. Alas, when the court decides on the case, it is inevitable that he will be arraigned to Beijing again. "Hou Sui is a senior member of the Donglin Party, and Nanjing is a place where people from the Donglin Party and the Fushe gather near and far, and it is indeed very likely that he will involve other people when he comes to Nanjing.

But I heard Hou Fangxia secretly say to Hou Fangyu: "Third brother, my father doesn't come to Nanjing, in fact, he still has scruples, don't you know?" ”

Hou Fangyu is smart, how can he not know, he stopped and whispered: "I know, it is none other than Ruan Gong." ”

Ruan Dacheng had a good relationship with Hou Sui in his early years, and after Ruan Dacheng was denounced as a eunuch, although Hou Sui no longer had contact with him on the surface, he often sighed in private and recalled his old friendship with Ruan Dacheng. Hou Fangyu thought of this festival, and at first he didn't dare to visit Ruan Dacheng, but then he was really shy in his pocket, and he couldn't go back to his hometown in Henan, so he had to ask to see Ruan Dacheng. Ruan Dacheng treated him very well, not only provided him with food and clothing, but even gave him a sum of money to ransom a beloved girl in Qinhuai Hepan's Meixiang Building. Hou Sui was released from prison, and Hou Fangyu wrote to him for instructions on this matter, but Hou Sui did not say much. It's just that one yard is one yard, and his son can have less worries, and it is impossible for him to meet Ruan Dacheng in person. But Hou Fangyu accepted Ruan Dacheng's help, and he didn't come to Nanjing to thank Ruan Dacheng, let alone say that he didn't come to Nanjing at all.

Hou Fangxia's face became a little more serious and said, "Although Ruan Gong is kind to you, his reputation is not innocent after all. Now that your father is a guilty person, once you stay in the Ruan family for too long, people with ulterior motives will notice it and stab you in the court, which will inevitably cause more trouble for your father. ”

"But where else can I go?" Hou Fangyu suddenly became anxious, "Shangqiu can't go, and my father won't let me go to see him, if I hadn't seen my eldest brother today, I, I really feel that there is nothing to rely on in heaven and earth." ”

Hou Fangxia heard him say this, and replied: "My brother is not talented, and now he is working for Zhao Shuai." Zhao Shuai is thirsty for talent, you go over, you can finally come from a certain background. ”

Fu Xunyu said with a smile: "If you are really fortunate to invite the third prince of Hou, the rest of Yunxiang Town will not dare to say it, Fu will be waiting here." ”

Hou Fangyu thanked Fu Xunyu for arching his hand, but did not answer immediately, lowering his head thoughtfully. The three of them walked a few steps, but saw the secluded room of the curved room from the door, not far away, the golden rabbit crouched under the building, the jade beast squatted beside the house, the wall was built with light, and the trivial window was extremely ingenious. First, several maidservants bowed down to greet him, and then an old man walked out of the door slowly with a smile.

The old man was nearly sixty years old, dressed gracefully, with a slightly gray beard, but his body was healthy and his face was red, and he looked very energetic. Seeing each other, Fu Xunyu saluted and said: "Yunxiang Town praises Fu Xunyu in the curtain, and I have seen Ruan Gong." ”

Ruan Dacheng smiled and said, "Come on, say inside." Then he led the three of them into the room.

To get the indoor middle hall, hang a crane bright wings picture at the top of the top, hang couplets on the left and right, the left book "Hao Yan Yongzhi, the volume of poetry and books and songs Yudian", the right book "good medicine bitter mouth, back to the music table sage". There are a few high two, a case, a few Ganoderma lucidum chairs in a row, there is a table of eight immortals at the bottom, and another plum bottle, furnace ding, jade carving and other toys are furnished.

The four of them sat down and talked a few words, Fu Xunyu smiled and looked at the hanging paintings and couplets: "As soon as you enter this hall, the momentum is like entering the court." Ruan Gong's ambition made Fu empathize. ”

Ruan Dacheng brushed his beard and said: "It's all about to be smooth, where is there still the strength to compete with the juniors." Saying that, Brother Fang Xia smiled at him. His voice was soft and smooth, sounding young.

"Ambition is not in old age, Feng Tang is easy to be old, Li Guang is difficult to seal, everything has to come into being. Ruan Gong is always self-motivated and grasps everywhere. There will be a comeback. ”

Ruan Dacheng shook his head when he heard this, sighed, and looked very lonely, but Fu Xunyu knew that he was not willing to pursue his career. Two years ago, in order to help the teacher Zhou Yanru recover and raise the necessary funds, Ruan Dacheng wanted to take the opportunity to ease relations with the Fushe and the people of Donglin, so he generously donated money to fund Zhou Yanru's expenses for the recovery, and then spent a lot of money to bribe the master of ceremonies to open up the joint for Zhou Yanru. Although Zhou Yanru's final success in entering the cabinet did not bring him ashore, it also shows his ardent heart.

"I don't know if Mr. Fu is here, do you have any advice?" Ruan Dacheng asked calmly, blowing steaming tea.

"I heard that Ruan Gong has a wide range of connections, and I want to ask Ruan Gong to help introduce the two people in the presence of the two sons of the Hou family."

"Which two?" Ruan Dacheng didn't drink the teacup and looked at it.

"One man and a horse army gate." Fu Xunyu said with a smile.

"Ma Junmen" is the current governor of Fengyang, Ma Shiying, and Ruan Dacheng is a classmate who passed the examination at the same time, Chongzhen was reported for corruption in the governor's Xuanfu for five years, and was dismissed. After Ruan Dacheng helped Zhou Yanru take the throne, he was still strongly opposed by Zhou Bi and others of the Donglin Party, and did not return to the court as he wished. But as compensation, Zhou Yanru accepted Ruan Dacheng's recommendation and appointed Ma Shiying as the governor of Fengyang, Ma Shiying felt his kindness, and the relationship between the two was quite good.

"What else?" Ruan Dacheng remained silent and continued to ask.

Fu Xunyu replied: "Sincerity." ”

Sincerity Bo Liu Kongzhi, whose ancestor is the founding hero Liu Ji, is now the governor of Nanjing's right government to Cao Jiang and patrol the river defense. This person is keen on power and is not on good terms with the Donglin Party, and has successively helped Xue Guoguan impeach Hou Sui, Wen Tiren suppressed Qian Qianyi, and Chen Yan attacked Ni Yuanlu. Ruan Dacheng had a bad relationship with Donglin, and after moving to Nanjing, he was slandered by Gu Gao, Chen Zhenhui, Wu Yingji, Yang Tingshu, Huang Zongxi and other members of the Fushe Society.

"Ma Yaocao and Sincere Uncle are both friendly with the old man, and it is not difficult to match Mr. However, the old man wanted to know what was the matter with the gentleman looking for them? ”

Fu Xunyu coughed lightly and said, "Ruan is not looking for this second duke, but my Yunxiang Town." Then he said, "This matter is not small, and it is indispensable for Ruan Gong to help." If it is done, Ruan Gong should not say that he will make a comeback, and it is not impossible to establish the merit of the Ding and worship the prime minister. After speaking, he pretended not to see Ruan Dacheng's surprised look, and took a sip of strong tea to himself.

"This ...... What do you mean by that? "Rao is Ruan Dacheng's Qi cultivation kung fu is good, and he can't help but be shocked when he hears this.

Fu Xunyu said leisurely: "Things have changed in the north, and there is diligence and king's merit. If the time comes, it will be from the dragon's power, and it will be at your fingertips. ”

"Where's that?" Ruan Dacheng was no longer calm, and his tail trembled slightly.

Fu Xunyu said: "I can't say much about the inner intelligence, but there is an army of soldiers and horses, brave and good at fighting but there is no return. ”

"What soldiers, how many people?"

"It must be a hundred battles, and it is very different from the scoundrels in that city. The number of people, hehe, I'm afraid there are about 10,000 people. ”

"10,000 people?" Ruan Dacheng frowned, "This amount is a bit much, now the secretary of the Nanjing Military Department is Shi Kefa, if you just look for me and don't go through him, this matter will still not be done in the end." "He is very smart, even if Fu Xunyu doesn't say it, but when he contacts Ma Shiying and Liu Kongzhi, he can roughly guess what Fu Xunyu or Yun Xiangzhen wants to do.

"Ruan Gong rest assured, since I, Yunxiang Town, have taken this lead for the benefit of the imperial court, Master Shi also has a way to deal with it." With a confident smile, Fu Xunyu gently shook the teacup in his hand.