Henan Xinzheng, Ge Lao Village.

This place was originally called Gao Laozhuang, and when the story of the Journey to the West in the Jiajing Dynasty began to spread among the people, the name of this village was very teased. It wasn't until there was such a person in the village as Gao Gong that the name of the village was changed to its current name. With the high arch as the phase, the village has changed beyond the name.

What was once a humble village has now become extraordinary, and although it is named after the village, the actual size is comparable to that of a small county town. The village was surrounded by tall and sturdy parapets, and there were buildings such as watchtowers for self-defense. The number of households in the village is about five times that of ordinary villages, and most of the houses are tiled, even if they are straw houses, they are more magnificent than most of the grass houses today.

The roads leading to Xinzheng County at the entrance of the village are all paved with spacious and sturdy bluestone slabs, which are of better quality than the current official roads in Henan. The cart pressed on it, making a creaking sound, but it was difficult to damage the road in the slightest. Most of the people in the village are red-faced, have fewer patches on their clothes than people in other places, and speak louder than everyone else, especially those with high surnames.

On the other hand, due to the continuous flooding of the Yellow River, floods and droughts and locusts are raging, and people's livelihood is not good. The livelihood of most people in Henan is still relatively difficult, and places like Gelao Village can be regarded as a paradise in the world.

It does not mean that if there is a pavilion elder in the village, it will be immune to natural disasters, but it is undeniable that when a village gives birth to a pavilion elder, man-made disasters will not come to the door. Compared with natural disasters, man-made disasters are actually more lethal. A variety of conscriptions, dozens of miscellaneous taxes and taxes in kind, usury for the purpose of annexing land, and thieves and thieves such as the Green Forest Commander are enough to make an ordinary family go bankrupt and be wiped out overnight. But for Ge Lao Village, these problems do not need to be considered.

In Gelao Village, only the Gao family is the landlord, and the land does not need to be loaned and annexed, so some people take the initiative to donate. It is because the Gao family not only does not lend, but in the year of famine, they will also take the initiative to give porridge and grain to the poor, so that the really poor and have no food can be fed, weddings, funerals, etc., and can get loans with very low interest. Compared with ordinary people, Gao Ge Lao obviously needs a peaceful environment and a good reputation in Sangzi, so that he will not do that kind of killing chickens and eggs.

Although the cultivation of these fields required rent to the Gao family, and the rent was slightly heavier than the official taxes, no madman would levy forced labor on the peasants who cultivated the Gao family's fields, nor would they levy contributions in kind. Even if there is any conflict between the people of Gelao Village and outsiders, they have never been afraid of lawsuits, as long as they report the three words of Gelao Village, the lawsuit will be won.

As for the Green Forest generals, they didn't even have the courage to take a look at Ge Lao Village, and wherever the power of Ge Lao Village reached, there was no trace of Green Forest thieves.

The people are stained with the light of the Gao Ge Lao, no matter what they think elsewhere, at least the Gao family clan and the local people respect Gao Gong like a god. Gao Gong himself did not live in the countryside after Zhishi, but lived in Xinzheng County, and only walked around the village when worshipping ancestors. Rao is like this, the village's love for the old man is undiminished, and every day someone will take turns to do short-term work in the Gao family's mansion, which can be regarded as a kind of repayment for the favor of the old man. After all, there are too many pavilions in the village, not to mention anything else, but the stone road at the entrance of the village was funded by the government and built for the convenience of the elders returning to the village. I don't know how much benefit such a road will bring to the village, and it is natural that people cannot be ungrateful.

At the entrance of the village, the people volunteered to work and materials, and built one after another tall and majestic stone archways to remind the government and pedestrians that this place is the old Sangzi of the pavilion, and no trouble can be made. In Feng Xinzhuang, which is not far from here, the tenants of the Gao family, everyone is out of the house, and every family is sent to work, and they are busy building tombs for the old Gao Ge in turn. It is not surprising that people build graves before they die, which is a common thing in large households. The style of this tomb repair, the whole tomb covers an area of more than ten acres, and there are large hall altars, side rooms, and tomb beasts such as stone lions and stone sheep, and the regulation is not inferior to the princes.

Spring is the season for planting, and farmers plough their plows and plough the fields with the help of oxen to plow and sow seeds of the future, hoping for a good harvest in the fall. The topless farmer, wearing only calf-nosed pants, sweated in the sun, shaking the ground, his legs covered in mud and his face full of smiles. As long as Master Ge is here, the days in the village will get better and better, and this autumn will definitely be a good harvest.

Suddenly, the big bell in the village was struck, and the sound of the bell reached the ears of the peasants, and then a bright gong sounded. The peasant stopped what he was doing and looked at the village in confusion, wondering what had happened. After a while, I heard the loud voice of the Gao family in the village: "Folks, stop working!" Go home and change clothes, Master Ge has returned to the village, everyone go and greet him! ”

A loud voice sounded, and the peasants were stunned at first, and when they came to their senses, they walked desperately to the ground. Some people were stunned, as if they wanted to finish the rest of the work, but the people around them would immediately beckon, "What are you stunned about?" Why don't you hurry home and change your clothes, Master Ge is back, and you are still taking care of your land, do you want to block Master Ge? ”

People hurriedly ran home, washed the mud off their bodies, changed into new clothes that they were reluctant to wear, and knelt down on the side of the stone road with basins of water or fruit and dry food on their heads. Even though he knew that Ge Lao would not take a bite, he knelt there happily and convincingly, and regarded this dedication as his filial piety to Ge Lao.

Time passed little by little, and the crowd knelt more and more, and men, women, the elderly, and children were all available. Even the most stubborn child does not make a sound at this time, and the atmosphere is solemn and solemn. Although it was a long waiting process from getting the news to coming to Gao Gong, some old people who were not in good health might faint in the sun, but everyone still insisted there, and no one dared to leave half a step.

It's noon. In the distance, at last there was the sound of the gong to open the way, and the crack of the whip, followed by the sound of drums and the sound of the wagon's wooden wheels and horses' hooves on the stone slabs. The elder is coming!

At the front of the team, the high-spirited leading horse, with his chest up, his nostrils facing the sky, and the drummer team behind him, trying to play the instruments in the hand clay pot, played a cheerful rhythm. This was followed by a large number of officers and soldiers wearing mandarin duck battle jackets and armed with spears and firearms. After the officers and soldiers, in the sedan chair carrying green tweed, the old man who was over the age of sixtieth but in good spirits lifted the sedan curtain and looked at the roadside. Looking at the team that spread like a long snake, and the respectful and pious kneeling posture of the people, the old man showed a satisfied smile on his face: Prime Minister Sangzi, there should be this scene, such people are good people, which shows that his family's education is quite effective.

Next to the sedan chair, Xinzheng's parents, the official magistrate of the county, Wen Bizheng, dressed in an official robe, followed closely by the side. He is middle-aged, and it is not a big problem to walk a few steps, but his official uniform is too thick, and he rarely walks this kind of long road after becoming an official, and he is already tired and sweaty, and he smiles flatteringly while wiping his sweat with a handkerchief: "The people of Gaoge Fuyin Sangzi love each other, and they welcome each other for ten miles, which shows the love of the hometown fathers and elders for Gaoge." ”

The old man in the sedan chair is naturally Gao Suqing, who has returned to his hometown, even if he is still a cabinet elder, and his status is not comparable to a small county order. Being able to allow him to be by his side is already a big face. Hearing Wen Bi say this, Gao Gong didn't have any expression on his face, and only said lightly: "The love of the hometown father and elder is the proper meaning of the question." If even the hometown elders don't like this person, then this person is not worthy of being an official. As the one who slaughters the auxiliary, he should be loved by the people of the world, and only such an auxiliary minister can be regarded as responsible. ”

"Yes, what the High Court taught." Wen Bizheng wiped the sweat on his head again, and whispered: "This time, someone from the palace came to pass the decree, most likely to invite Gao Ge to return to Beijing to take charge." At that time, the old man will show his skills again, and it must be a pattern that is supported by all the people and praised by the four seas. ”

Gao Gong sighed and said: "Don't dare to say this, the people in the palace may just be that the Queen Mother misses the old minister and sends someone to say hello." This has happened several times, so it's no wonder. As for the pivot Yunyun, in fact, at the age of the old man, he doesn't want to do those things anymore. I just want to recuperate at home and enjoy a few days of happiness. What does it matter if wealth, fame and fortune are my old decay? It's just that...... Long live is still young, and someone in the court has to watch it, so that the world can be stable. For the sake of the common people, even if my old bones are sent to Jingshi, I have nothing to say. The Queen Mother and Her Majesty are both understanding people, and naturally know who is a loyal minister and who is a traitor in this world, a pro-virtuous minister, and a far villain, and this ancestor is so prosperous and ......prosperous."

Wen Bizheng didn't answer, just smiled awkwardly, he naturally knew the grudge between this old man and Zhang Juzheng, and he couldn't express any opinion on this kind of thing. The team came to the lofty mansion of the Gao family, arched into the study, changed into court clothes and waited for the order. Although he said that he didn't think about wealth and nobility, Wen Bizheng knew very well that when Gao Gong learned that the envoy in the palace was about to deliver the decree, he still couldn't suppress a trace of excitement between his eyebrows.

Since his appointment, several eunuchs have come to the palace every year, mainly to ask Gao Gong's physical condition, and occasionally reward some tonic medicine to show the court's compassion for the old ministers. No matter what, he is the mentor of the first emperor, and this dignity is indispensable. As the official of Xinzheng's parents, Wen Bizheng asked himself if he was still careful about this old man, and he worked hard to honor his parents, if he went back to take charge of the pivot this time, he might be able to move?

Xinzheng also heard a little about the affairs of the court. Zhang Juzheng's father is critically ill, if he dies, Zhang Juzheng will have a hard time going inside, and Lu Tiaoyang has no prestige, so he should ask Gao Lao to go back to live in the town. With this old man's body, as long as he can go back...... Zhang Juzheng couldn't go back.

Even if it is the middle order today, Gao Gong will gladly accept it, this old man is not a lonely lord, he has long been thinking about going back to show his strength and do a career. Wen Bizheng peeked at Gao Gong, the serious old man's face was still rigid, as if there was nothing to be happy about, but the look in his eyes was enough to prove that he was very excited at this time.

At noon, the envoy who delivered the decree came down to the outside of the mansion under the escort of more than a dozen brocade guards. Looking at the tall gatehouse, the young eunuch named Zhang Delu smiled slightly and whispered: "It's so wide." Then he strode straight into the courtyard.

In front of the high arch, the eunuch has no status. Even after he became a minister, he still disagreed with the edict of the lieutenant official. Yes, his first impression of Zhang Delu was very bad, and then he felt that this team was too shabby, there were too many brocade guards, but there were no officials, and it seemed that it shouldn't be this lineup to welcome Shoufu back to Beijing?

After many years of ups and downs in the sea, there was a faint trace of uneasy doubt in his heart. Zhang Delu took out the holy decree and held it high, and read it aloud: "There is a will, and the high arch receives the decree!" ”

At the entrance of the village, the troupe that came with this team came in with all their belongings and began to set up the stage. The villagers enthusiastically went up to help, and the Gao clan instructed the people to come out and set up a stage to facilitate singing. Someone else shouted: "It's a will and a troupe, do you need to talk about this?" Naturally, he invited the elder to return to Beijing, and then be a prime minister! Let me just say, the elder will always be the elder of the pavilion, and he will still return to Beijing to be an official...... Work? What else are you doing? A turtle grandson, our master should go back to Beijing to be a prime minister, are we still afraid that we will not have a good life? Kill a few pigs at night, congratulations! ”

The villagers of Ge Lao Village are full of happy smiles on their faces, and some people have already taken out the firecrackers stored at home to set off to celebrate the promotion of Ge Lao. The sound of crackling firecrackers passed into the courtyard through the tall courtyard wall of the Gao family, and fell on Gao Gong's gloomy face like iron, like a loud slap on the old man.

At this time, only Gao Gong and Zhang Delu were left in the room, and even Wen Bizheng was kicked out. Gao Gong, who had already listened to the will, the muscles on his face were trembling slightly, and he said coldly: "This...... Is this the middle purpose? ”

Zhang Delu smiled and said, "It's the purpose." Your old man is a senior, so he naturally understands, this kind of thing is always not good to make a holy decree, and you have to be considerate of the face of the old minister, right? The slave maid is an errand runner, and the inside story is unknown, but before leaving, Gonggong Feng instructed that you must hurry up and write a chapter to go to Beijing to explain things clearly. The court cherishes the old ministers, and the old ministers themselves have to know how to advance and retreat, right? It's not good to be pampered and arrogant. Do you have to be angry and make trouble with each other? ”

"There's no need to play back, the old man will go to Beijing to make it clear!"

"Whatever you want, but the slave maid has to say a word, you are a civil official, you have a good brain, think about it yourself and enter Beijing now, are you afraid of losing your face enough? With that, the slave took her leave. In addition, I appreciated a play above, and I want to perform it in Gelao Village for seven days, please enjoy it slowly. ”

After less than a meal, the imperial court issued an edict to severely reprimand Gao Gong for his arbitrary and authoritarian power to disregard human life, and asked him to understand that the news of the Zhou Shichen case had spread in the Gao Mansion. Gao Gong stayed in the study by himself, and no one dared to go in and disturb him. Only his son, Gao Wuguan, dared to walk into the room.

The sunlight shone into the study, and Gao Wuguan found that his father seemed to be ten years old in the past half an hour, and the spirit on his body was gone, and even the waist beam, which had always been straight, collapsed a little. The man stared blankly at the opposite wall, not knowing what he was thinking.

He shouted twice in a row, and Gao Gong turned his head sideways, "Something?" "The voice is hoarse, and the voice is weak, far less loud than usual.

Wen ...... Wenzhi County took his leave. The soldiers were also taken away, and there were ...... And the drummer ......"

"Let's go, let's go, let's go." Gao Gong shook his head and said weakly: "The power villain is like this, don't care." You go outside to see, what kind of drama is it in the palace? Come back and listen to me, let Gao Fu come in to study ink for me, I want to write a chapter to enter Beijing, and explain to Banzai what happened back then. ”

When Gao Wuguan came back, it was getting late, and after asking his subordinates, he learned that his father had not eaten water and rice for half a day, and only wrote in the room. A few siblings didn't dare to go in, so they had to push open the door by themselves.

The lights in the room were dim, and the old man's writing movements were not as fluent as usual, and he stopped writing and writing, as if he was thinking about something. The old man, who had always been deaf and clear-sighted, became extremely sluggish at this time, and seemed to be unaware of his son's approach, until Gao Wuguan called out softly to the master, and he turned his head as if he was conscious.

Gao Wuguan found that the two flames in his father's eyes had been extinguished. The old man under the lamp, his face was loose and his eyes were gloomy, and there was not much difference between him and those old farmers in the countryside. The neat official uniform also looks so ill-fitting.

He boldly said: "That troupe is really hateful. I don't know where to find the team, the singing is ridiculous, the words are not familiar, and I really should play. The drama is also a bastard, what is it called a record of clearing grievances......"

Just briefly retold the plot, Gao Gong's face had become iron-blue, and his hands trembled violently, Gao Wuguan hurriedly said: "Why don't you order the people below to smash the stage?" ”

"Don't be reckless. The people in the factory guard will inevitably be mixed in the troupe, just waiting for you to make a move to catch your mistakes. They blocked the door and scolded, but I didn't dare to fight back, I didn't dare to fight back, and I intended to do so. If you smash it, doesn't it mean that the prime minister in the world is me? Tell the people below that they can sing as long as they want, and they are not allowed to stop them. We can't make people think that we are thieves and bullies! ”

"They're spewing blood! What does this case have to do with the master, why do you spread rumors and slander like this? This must be a good thing that Feng Bao's eunuch did! The lord should repair the book and enter Beijing, and please live the justice. ”

Gao Gong shook his head and said, "You don't understand the affairs of the imperial court, wait for the future...... You get the idea. Suing the royal court will not be useful, this thing is done by Feng Bao Yes, this insidious method looks like his handiwork. Even this decree may not come from the mouth of Banzai, but what is the use? There is Zhang Juzheng in the court, and what we do is in vain. Zhang Juzheng ......"

Gao Wuguan didn't dare to disobey his father's wishes, so he had to follow the order, and when he left, he only heard his father repeating Zhang Juzheng's name. The lights in the room were on all night.

The next morning, when Gao Wuguan knocked on the door again, no one answered, and after a long time, he broke into the door with a vague feeling that something was wrong, only to see his father who fell to the ground unconscious, and the ink on the table had dried the words, the handwriting on it was quite sloppy, far less than usual. I can barely make out the handwriting on it: "I am a master and a ghost again, playing the flute, pinching my eyes, playing the drum and playing the pipa." ”