Although he didn't feel very good in his heart, as a model general with noble ethics, Yu Dayou still accepted the task of staying in southern Gannan and continuing to suppress bandits. And the time for the silent return has arrived. After all, he is the southeast strategy, not just the governor of southern Gansu, since Sanchao is pacified, and the future development has a direction, he can no longer follow up.

After arranging the affairs of the government, he quietly set off and left, he went quietly, just as he came quietly, not taking a cloud with him, but leaving behind a precious treasure...... Although he was in Gannan for a short time, he quickly put down the long-term rebellion in a near-perfect way, so that the She and Han tribes found a way to live in harmony.

Since then, nearly a hundred years, the southern Gannan region has become the main raw material production area of the printing and dyeing industry, proudly sharing the take-off of the cotton spinning industry, and the people of southern Gannan have completely got rid of the difficult state of lack of food and clothing. After living a rich life, the people have not forgotten who brought them all this, only in Longnan County, there are more than a dozen ancestral halls built for him by the people, incense is endless, day and night......

As far as Shen Mo is concerned, through this trip to southern Gansu, he has gained a profound understanding of how to deal with complex ethnic relations, and has also mastered the methods and principles for solving ethnic issues, which is of great significance to his future political career.

Of course, this is all an afterthought, and the silence at this moment is walking with his guards on the long snowy road back to Hangzhou...... This year is really strange, the newspaper said that the north has been dry early since the beginning of winter, and the rain, snow, dew and frost are all missing. In the south, however, it is very rare to see rain and snow, and the weather is cold. I saw that between the ups and downs of the mountains, the wind stirred the snow, and the snow wrapped in the wind, setting off bursts of wildness. Mountains, rivers, roads, and villages have all turned into snowy fields, and being in this silvery white world is like the world of the south......

The Ming Dynasty seems to have turned the north and the south upside down. , Loosening the dogskin hat that was tightly attached to his cheeks, Shen Mingchen sighed: "It's not a good sign......

Shen Mo nodded, although he was not superstitious, but the frost disaster in the south and the early love in the north had already foreshadowed the forty-fourth year of Jiajing, which would be a very difficult year. What's even more terrifying is that people are a little numb to this situation, because counting it down, since the year of the earthquake, there have been seven or eight consecutive years of frequent natural disasters.

Silence and a group of dozens of people, just in the snow day continued to march, suddenly one day the sky brightened, although the rare sun, became bleak and pale, can not bring a trace of warmth, but after all, the snow stopped, the sight is much better.

The mood of silence was also relaxed, and he rode his horse to the hillside next to the road and looked up, and the great rivers and mountains covered in silver were in full view, which was really magnificent. After admiring it for a moment, he pointed to a town to the west and said, "What is this place?" ”

Then a rough voice sounded and said: "My lord, when we arrive in the territory of Yuanzhou Mansion, this eighty percent should be Fenyi County!" It was Hu Yong who answered, and he had succeeded Sanchi as the new captain of the guard.

Not only him, but in the silent guards, basically all of them have new faces, and Sanchi and the old guards were all sent to Liu Xian and Qi Jiguang's army by Shen Mo, and they were instructed not to treat each other differently, just let them start with middle and lower-level officers, hoping that they will all have a good future and will not be in vain.

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"Fenyi ......" heard the name of the place, and said silently: "What a familiar name." “

"Yes, for a long time, this place name belonged to only one person." Shen Mingchen also sighed: "Even now, I haven't been able to get rid of his brand. No one mentioned this man's name, but everyone knew who he was.

"I don't know...... What happened to him now. Silence is a little distracted, this name is a common resume of this generation of officials, no one wants to mention it, but no one can avoid it.

"Who knows?" Shen Mingchen shook his head and said, "Maybe it's dead, maybe it's still there......

"Does he have a grandson?" Yu Yin sighed lightly. Yan Song is the only second grandson, and the two deaths are first-class, and there are no children and grandchildren around him.

"Don't ...... together" Shen Mingchen said leisurely: "Although Yan Fenyi is not good to the people of the world, he is still kind to the old family, and the villagers will not make the old man desolate at night." ”

"I don't know......" Yu Yin shook his head, not quite agreeing.

"Rather than guessing here." Shen Mo suddenly smiled and said, "Why don't you go over and have a look?" ”

"Let's take a look......" Yu Yin's face changed and said, "As an adult, something is wrong." ”

"What's wrong?" Shen Mo smiled and said: "No matter what, he used to be my Ming Yuanfu, passing by to visit, who can say that mine is not?" ”

Obedient and listening, Yu Yin and Shen Mingchen said secretly: , Who is this, Bacheng is the current first assistant who is talking about, right? , They knew that Shen Mo was holding back the fire in his heart, just taking revenge on Xu Jie in this way, it was a little too childish, right?

Shen Mo saw that they were disapproving, and couldn't help but say, "Could it be that in your heart, am I so naïve?" Speaking seriously, he said: "I went to see him, but it was just a courtesy visit, but if I didn't go, it would not only seem uneducated...... but also lowered his voice: "It still makes people think that I am still someone's follower." ”

this

Next time, it was Yu Yin and Shen Mingchen's turn, and they said in their hearts that it seemed that Gannan was rewarded, which really added a lot of confidence to the adults.

As soon as they said they would go, the group deviated from the official road and arrived at the county town of Fenyi County, seven or eight miles away. The county seat is very large, the city wall is very high, the city gate tower is also very magnificent, and you can see the wide street when you enter the city, and the neat street shops on both sides are the only ones you see in this trip, and it seems that it is not inferior to the city of Fu.

It's just that although the snow has stopped at this moment, the sky is still a thief's spine, the common people are reluctant to come out in the house, the shops on the street are closed, there are few pedestrians, only a few old men with brooms, in the listless snow sweeping, but it makes this empty county more and more lonely.

Hu Yong stepped forward to ask for the road, and then led the team to the post house on the left side of the county government, only to see that this post house is called a magnificent, very exquisite decoration, unique layout, straight after the grade of Hangzhou post house.

Hu Yong handed over a copy, Xijiang Senator, the customs defense, after the post undertook to inspect it, took a bunch of keys from the counter, and took them to the backyard. I saw that the backyard is also very spacious, from the design of the stone and wood, the idea of the eaves and the corner, it can be seen that it is the work of a master craftsman. It's just that the pink and white wall skin is a little lost, and it looks a little dilapidated.

Shen Mo and his party were arranged into a cross-courtyard, they ran around in the snow for several days, and finally were able to rest and recuperate, so everyone boiled hot water and lit charcoal basins, and they were very busy.

Shen Mo took off his dusty clothes, took a bath, trimmed his face, put on decent casual clothes, and sat by the charcoal basin, waiting for his hair to dry.

At this time, it was almost noon, and the post bearer brought a meal, including fish, meat, white rice, and a bowl of hot soup...... Because the reception standard of the provincial senator is only eight dishes and one soup, this is obviously not qualified. If the senator felt neglected, he would inevitably blossom in the ass.

But today the Lord is so good to serve, the political suffocant smiled warmly and said: "It's already very good, I've only eaten dry food these days, and I've been looking forward to this hot meal for a long time." ”

Yi Cheng was relieved and grinned: "I'll have to go to the market to see it later, and make a good meal for the adults in the evening." ”

"Don't bother." Shen Mo shook his head and smiled: "I don't have any requirements for food", so he asked, "How do I get to the Prime Minister's Mansion from here?" ”

"Prime Minister?" Yi Cheng's face was a little complicated, and he hesitated: "What Xiangfu?" ”

"Could it be that in addition to the old mansion of Yan Ge, there are other prime ministers?" Shen Mo asked strangely.

"That's not ......" Yi Cheng shook his head and whispered: "But now there is no Xiangfu in Fenyi City, and there is no Yan Mansion." ”

"Ah...... Could it be that Elder Yan Ge has passed away? Shen Mo said in some surprise.

"No, it's still alive, but it's ......", Yiyong was a little resentful, but he didn't forget the identity of Shen Mo, for fear that trouble would come from his mouth, so he sighed loudly: "But the government seized his residence, and he had to go to the countryside to live." ”

"Where?" Shen Mo asked softly.

"Jieqiao Village." Yi Cheng said in a low voice.

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Jieqiao Village is located in the place of two miles in the south of the city, after going out of the south city gate, along a wide fine stone road winding down, walk not long, then see a five-arch bluestone bridge of twenty or thirty zhang long, the railing is carved with stone lions of different forms, on the stone guard plate below, there are rare birds and beasts such as dragons, tigers, lions, elephants, etc. From the selection of stone materials to the sculpture process, all are beautiful, Shen Mo thought that only Wuzhong would have such a bridge of aesthetic interest and practical value, but he didn't want to see it here.

On a white marble guard plate in the middle of the bridge, Shen Mo saw three graceful and dignified big characters and said, Wannian Bridge, "Of course he knew that this was Yan Ge's handwriting, but the inscription behind it was covered with oil waves, and the stone tablet on the side was also missing, which made Shen Mo have a bad omen in his heart.

After crossing the bridge, I arrived, and asked Pingcun to "look at the brand-new stone stele, which should have just been erected for a few years, and silently ordered Hu Yong to take his own worship post to inquire in the village first, and he slowly swore to the village in the alley."

This is a typical Jiangxi village, with alleys and forks, like a labyrinth. Walking on the snowy bluestone road, making a creaking sound, looking up, the high and low staggered horsehead walls, all hugging the sky, the four corners of the cornices, drawing a narrow blue sky.

Judging from the style and age of these buildings, most of the houses in this village have only just undergone reconstruction...... Not more than ten years at most. But the alley is very quiet, silently walking through a few wall doors, all tightly closed, as if no one lives, and then look inside, but clearly see that someone is peeking out.

The panic and panic in the other party's eyes made Shen Mo dispel the idea of stepping forward to talk and continue to move forward, the more shocking he became, only to see that the magnificent mansions were pasted with dazzling seals, although he couldn't see the inside, but the plaque that fell on the ground and the stone lion in front of the broken door were silently telling the master's wealth in the past and today's suffering.

It was not until he stopped in front of the Yan ancestral hall that he silently found that five mansions had been seized, and a considerable number of mansions had been abandoned.

Hurried footsteps sounded, Shen Mo looked up and saw that it was Hu Yong, and saw that his face was not very good-looking, and said softly: "Closed door?" “

"Hmm." Hu Yong nodded and said, "I can't knock on the door everywhere, obviously there are people at home." ”

"Forget it

, people must have a reason not to see customers. Shen Mo shook his head and said softly: "Just get your mind." ”

"However," Hu Yong said with some hesitation, "I saw an old man at the end of the village who was looking at the grave, so let's go and ask him again." ”

Shen Mo was a little moved, he couldn't come in vain, so he nodded and said, "I'll go myself." ”

So accompanied by Hu Yong, I walked through the village, and suddenly my eyes opened up, and I saw that under a tall camphor tree, there was a neat tomb, and there was a wooden shed next to the tomb, and Yan Ran was the old man's residence.

At this time, the sun was already in the west, and the sun was bleak on the ground, which could not bring a trace of warmth. Leaving the shelter of the high wall of the village, the northwest wind also suddenly became stronger, blowing grass leaves, rolling up snow foam, hitting people's faces painfully, Hu Yong hurriedly handed the black fur hat to the adult, smiled at him silently, and did not refuse.

They walked along a path by the side of the cemetery to the edge of the wooden shed, and opened through the hidden door, which was unsurprisingly shabby and dirty, with bedding and chopsticks mixed together, and where they could not even find a place to plug in, and a charcoal basin with black smoke, which made people very worried that it would ignite the shack at any moment.

The silent gaze was attracted by a bookcase next to the bed, this elegantly made rosewood bookcase really shouldn't have appeared here. Seeing that his gaze fell there, Hu Yong went in and took out the entire bookcase and opened it for the adults to see.

Silently flipped through it, except for some precious Song edition books, it was a complete set of "Suzuyama Hall Collection", and when I took out a copy, it was not a printed version, but a handwritten original. On the title page of this book, he saw two lines of familiar handwriting, serving the country in his life, but being loyal to the red, and being defeated and obeying people's right and wrong. Silent heart couldn't help sinking, and his throat was extremely astringent: "What about people? “

"I was still here." Hu Yong then instructed his subordinates: "Look for it." “

"No need." Yu Yin, who had been watching coldly, suddenly said loudly: "Over there." Following the direction he pointed, Shen Mo saw an old man with gray hair, wearing a dirty and torn cotton jacket, hunched over, looking for something among the graves.

Although he already had a reserve, Shen Mo still couldn't believe his eyes, this back was too much like that person.

At this time, Hu Yong shouted: "Old man......" The old man may have some ears, he shouted several times before turning around, and when he saw that there were so many big men, he hid behind the grave and shivered.

"Come here." Hu Yong said.

The old man shook his head and didn't dare, and his hair was even more disheveled.

"Fuck, I have to go to this bad luck." Hu Yong scolded in a low voice, and then walked to the cemetery with a frown.

"Don't be rude." Shen Mo hurriedly commanded, but his voice seemed to be choked, and he didn't know if Hu Yong heard it.

Seeing Hu Yong coming, the old man turned around and wanted to escape, but his legs and feet couldn't keep up with his thoughts, and he fell to the ground at once, but fortunately, the thick snow cushioned him, otherwise it would kill him.

Hu Yong lifted him up like a chicken, and the old man struggled with his hands and feet, splashing bursts of snow foam. The guards couldn't help but eat and snicker, but when they saw the adult's face, they were about to drip gloomily, and quickly suppressed their smiles.

The old man struggled for a while, then lost his strength and let Hu Yong take him out of the cemetery. Hu Yong saw that the old man's left hand was clenched tightly, and he was worried that there was any sharp weapon, so he asked him to let go of his hand. The old man didn't listen, so he stretched out two fingers and pinched his wrist, so painful that the old man groaned, and the thing in his hand fell to the ground, which turned out to be a piece of deformed snack.

"Okay, you old man guards and steals by himself, and you dare to steal the tribute from other people's graves to eat." Hu Yong recognized the thing, let go of his hand, and threw him to the ground.

Who knew that the first thing the old man did after landing on the ground was to pounce on the snack that fell on the ground, and no matter how much dust was on it, he stuffed it into his mouth.

Seeing his miserable evening scene, his silent throat was sour, he gave a deep salute, and said in a trembling voice: "What about the ...... of Xiang" As soon as this remark came out, everyone was shocked, not to mention Hu Yong, even Yu Yin and Shen Mingchen were staring wide-eyed, they stared at this old man who was looking at the grave, looking at his black and handsome hands, the nails were full of mud, and they couldn't connect with the first calligrapher of this dynasty. Not to mention how this humble creature who was lying on his back and wallowing in the snow and mud could be linked to a prime minister who had ruled the country for the longest time?

But Shen Mo won't make this kind of joke, he is Yan Song, even if his identity is like mud and his soul no longer exists, he will always be him.

Old Yan Song raised his head in confusion, looked at him for a long time, and couldn't recognize who he was.

Shen Mo also looked at him, and in those confused old eyes, he really couldn't see anything...... I don't know if he is really confused, or he doesn't want to recognize him, Shen Mo no longer insists on it, he takes off his big hat and puts it on Lao Yan Song.

Hu Yong hurriedly said: "Don't freeze, don't be frozen, give him to wear mine." ”

Shen Mo shook his head, motioned for him to pick up Lao Yan Song, carry the bookcase, and return to the village along the same road.

After walking for a while, Shen Mo looked back at the lonely broken wooden shed on the wild graveyard, and a wave of disgust swelled in his heart, and he whispered, "Burn it!" “

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A new volume begins, and an even more gripping story arrives......