This banquet was held in the well-known Pingyuan Hall. This Pingyuan Hall was built by Ouyang Xiu, a famous scholar of the Song Dynasty in the previous dynasty, when he was an official in Yangzhou, and was known as the first scenic spot in Huaidong.

Jiangbei ground, the terrain is low and flat, only the northwest direction of Yangzhou City has a highland, the mountain name is Shugang, Pingyuan Hall is built on the middle peak of Shugang. The waterway between Shugang and Yangzhou City is a guarantee river known for its garden scenery.

On the fourth day of the fifth month, Li You came to the banknote wharf in the south of the city early, naturally to welcome the new Lord Shang Shuhai of the Ministry of Rites.

According to the meaning of Lord Chunguan, after he got off the boat here, he arranged to transfer to the painting boat, all the way north along the water to Shugang Pingyuan Hall, and visited the beautiful scenery of Yangzhou by the way.

At this time, the heads of the four main yamen in Yangzhou City gathered at the front of the wharf, and they were to be accompanied by the painting boat after a while, a total of eight people. They are the Si Ding Yun Envoy from the third grade of salt transport, the Si Gao Tongzhi from the fourth grade of salt transport, the deputy envoy of the Si Duan from the fifth grade of the salt transport, the fourth grade Huai Dongdao according to the inspection division Geng Xundao, the fourth grade Yangzhou Prefecture Luo Zhifu, the fifth grade Yangzhou Mansion Zeng Tongzhi, the sixth product Yangzhou Mansion Leng Tong Judgment, and the six products of Yangzhou Prefecture General Judgment Acting Jiangdu County Affairs Li You.

For the others, Li You saw them for the first time, but he would definitely not admit his mistake, and calmly called the honorific title and bowed his hand. This is thanks to the ancestors who invented the official uniform complement and officialdom etiquette, and they can recognize the identity of everyone from the chest pattern and the humble position, without the need for introduction.

As for the other officials, they were either of low grade or mixed in quality, and they could only act as a background for the crowd in the back, and they dispersed after a while, and Li You didn't pay too much attention to it.

The position where Lord Li is standing is naturally on the side of the county officials. After saying hello, he had been observing Lord Fuzun all the time. I just think that this person looks kind-eyed and kind-eyed, not like a person who picks quarrels and provokes trouble.

Suddenly, I heard Luo Fuzun smile and said: "Lord Li has just arrived in Jiangdu, and I have more young and handsome people in Yangzhou Mansion, and I will be in the same house in the future." ”

"Exactly, exactly." Zeng Tongzhi and Leng Tongju nodded together.

The prefect's words are normal and quite in line with the current atmosphere, but combined with his secret behavior, Li You felt disgusted and wanted to vomit. The officials he has seen are upright, narrow-minded, stingy, cowardly, mild, fair, drilling, selfish, and he has never seen the smiling tiger type, perhaps because the time he has been an official is still too short.

Master Li couldn't help but wonder, could it be that this person is a sweet-mouthed sword-bellied person? Or is there some misunderstanding? Then he opened his mouth and said tentatively: "Xia Guan Bing's surname is not very good, so there are rumors that he is threatening his predecessor. In the future, if you are young and knowledgeable, and accidentally make a mistake, please forgive me. ”

Others may not know what Li You meant by saying these words without beginning or end, but Luo Zhifu knew very well that "He Ku coerced his predecessor" was the approval he forwarded to the Division. The latter sentence "accidentally made a mistake", others only said that Master Li was straightforward, but Luo Zhifu understood that this was tantamount to warning him, "I will not only commit the crime of my predecessor, but also the crime."

"The matter of the salt class, there is no need to be so harsh...", Luo Zhifu said again.

Li You defended on the spot: "Does the Fuzun want to speak for the salt merchants, or for the imperial court?" ”

Three more "civilians" came from a distance, abrupt in a group of officials. Among them, there is one Li You knows, who is a big salt merchant Jin Million. The other two can walk with Jin Million, and they must also be people of similar status.

On this occasion, it is not surprising that there are gentry, talents, and celebrities who make up the scene, but what are the few merchants who come to join in the fun? Li You looked left and right and said, "Dog meat can also be on the table?" ”

provoked a low laugh, no matter what the era, mentally mocking the rich is always a thing to make most people happy.

Luo Zhifu's face was still so kind, like a spring breeze. He picked up Li You's words and said, "They are not much worse than Master Li's background?" ”

As soon as these words came out, the scene was cold, and the birds were silent. Even a few of the salt envoys stopped and looked at each other in surprise. Are the county officials infighting?

If you heard it correctly, the meaning of Governor Luo's sentence is: Your Master Li's background is only as good as theirs. How deep is the grudge between Fu Zun and Master Li to say such a thing... Master Li's background is indeed very low, but people in the officialdom generally don't mention this matter, because his Tingtui Jiating cane qualifications and poetry are really dazzling, covering up congenital deficiencies, so there is no need for this.

Under the shroud of Master Li's existing talent and reputation, it is no longer meaningful to use his background to provoke in casual conversation, and even the function of slapping his face has been weakened to a very low level. deliberately uses this as a head, but it only seems that his heart is shallow and jealous.

Therefore, everyone was not interested in talking about Lord Li's background, but what surprised everyone was that Luo Zhifu deliberately provoked Lord Li. Could it be that he has some relatives and friends who have a grudge with Master Li, or is he instructed by something.

But said that here, Li You's face suddenly pulled down, and he glared at Luo Zhifu fiercely, this is the legendary shamelessness? However, the other party was still smiling at the spring breeze, and he didn't take Lord Li's anger to heart.

Some people were worried that Lord Li would be too embarrassed to clean up when he was young and vigorous, and when Hai Shangshu arrived, he said, "Hahahaha, Lord Li doesn't know anything." These three are the owners of the three most famous academies in Yangzhou in recent years, Ganquan Academy, Weiyang Academy, and Zizheng Academy! ”

Li You, who temporarily restrained himself and forcibly diverted his attention, suddenly realized. Those big salt merchants each spent money to set up academies and get the name of a academy owner, and on occasions like today, they can appear as people in the educational circles. Especially this time the reception is the Ministry of Rites, and there are several college owners who are also very interesting.

The man continued: "The Pingshan Hall where the banquet is held today is the property of He Yuanwai, and the painting boat used is from outside the Jinyuan, and all the supplies are funded by Ma Yuanwai. ”

I heard that these salt merchants were also the patrons of this feast... Mr. Li immediately had a better understanding of the ecological environment in Yangzhou.

After a while, a large ship slowly approached from the south. When he landed on the shore, a second-grade man with a clear appearance and an age of half a hundred appeared in the cabin, which was Haishushan, who was called the great uncle of the new Ministry of Rites.

The people on the shore waited for the great uncle to get off the ship, and there was no need to repeat the salute, and accompanied Hai Shangshu to board the gorgeous painting boat that had been prepared for a long time, and headed towards the water gate in the south of Yangzhou City.

When you enter the city through the South Water Gate, you will see a narrow river running straight north. Ding Yun's envoy of the Salt Transportation Division said to Haishangshu: "This is the old city river, and now it has become the boundary river between the new city and the old city, dividing Yangzhou City into east and west, so the people also call it the barrage river." When I arrived at the north end of the river and looked at the east bank, it was the white wall and eaves of my salt transportation yamen. ”

Hai Shangshu watched the scenery, saw that the houses on both sides of the river lived on the river, looked at the pavilions and terraces, the buildings and pavilions were lined up, the scene was very prosperous, and he sighed with emotion: "This situation and this scene are like the Qinhuai River in the southern capital!" ”

Li You, who was accompanying the last seat, suddenly spoke: "The old city river or the barrage river is not good. Now that there is a great reputation here, it is better to change the name to Xiao Qinhuai! ”

Except for Luo Zhifu, everyone said in unison: "Wonderful! Master Li is ingenious. ”

"In this way, I, Jiangdu County, will issue a proclamation to the people." Li You said again.

Everyone looked at Luo Zhifu together. The two yamen of Jiangdu County, Yangzhou Prefecture are the same city of the prefecture and county, and now the two chief officials are in the same boat... Li Xianzun made the decision in such a matter, without asking about the government at all, which seemed very subtle.

Luo Zhifu's face was not shocked, and the faint smile never changed, which made Lord Li very unhappy.

The painting boat went north along the waterway, traveled four miles out of the North Water Gate, and the scenery of the fishing bridge changed again, and it has entered the water surface of the guarantee river.

Seeing the beautiful gardens on both sides of the river, endlessly, Hai Shangshu sighed: "It is worthy of the two embankments of flowers and willows all by the water, all the way to the mountain, and the scenery reminds me of my hometown West Lake." ”

Luo Zhifu has long had a heart for Haishushan, and when he heard the words, he didn't care about being ridiculed as the possible surname of Dongshi Xiaofeng, and patted the horse and said: "Baobao River is not very good, since the great uncle treats it this way, you might as well change it to Xiaoxi Lake." ”

Before the words fell, before everyone in the boat had time to taste, they heard a snarky voice sound: "There is a difference in the size of the river, and the color of the lake can also be seen in size!" This name is extremely boring, both kitsch and flattering, does it make others think that the boss only has this taste? ”

The official spoke decently, and Shang Ke kept his face strained, but the few pending musicians at the stern couldn't help but laugh and snorted a few times.

Hai Shangshu also saw that there was something wrong with him, and he was puzzled, so Ding Yunenvoy whispered a few words to him.

Although Luo Fuzun's smile was still maintained, it was already a little stiff, "I wonder what name Master Li has to hear?" ”

Li You didn't want to think about it and said: "Slender West Lake!" ”

Hearing this, except for the prefect, Tongzhi, and general judgment of the government, everyone shouted in unison again: "Wonderful! "A thin refers not only to the slender and winding shape of the water surface, but also to the delicate and graceful god, which can be both gods and shapes, and the Tao is full of the interest here. In contrast, the name Xiaoxihu is indeed vulgar, and Master Li is by no means a wasted person in terms of literary talent.

"In this way, my Jiangdu County will issue another name change notice!" Li Xianzun continued to take care of the road, still ignoring the existence of the government and the prefect.

Others say that they don't envy it, that's false. Yangzhou's two water surfaces, one in the city and one outside the city, a prosperous city and a garden scenery, are extremely well-known places in the world, and now the names are all rounded by this Lord Li's tricks... It is possible that the two names will be passed down for thousands of years in the future, and at that time, when it comes to the origin of the name, I am afraid that the word Li You will be mentioned.

This guy is so difficult... Although Luo Zhifu, who was beaten to death by Li You, did not regret it, he was also a little entangled.

The painting boat continued to the northwest, until it reached the foot of Shugang Mountain, and everyone abandoned the boat and went ashore.

Why is Pingyuan Hall often praised as the first scenic spot in Jiangbei and Huaidong? Li You had only heard of it before, but it wasn't until he stood in the courtyard in front of Pingyuan Hall at this moment that he really experienced it.

In the courtyard, the flowers and trees are green cages, the ancient vines are quiet, and there is an open hall that sits in the north and faces south, and there are five rooms side by side, which is nothing to say.

But Li You looked south and was shocked. It just so happens that the weather is sunny at this time, standing here condescendingly at a glance, and the scenery is magnificent and rare in the world. I can only see the Yangtze River in the distance, the Yangtze River is like a fine line, the riverbank city can be found, and the most farthest field of vision can faintly see the peaks of the south of the Yangtze River.

Such a landscape has disappeared in the 21st century, when high-rise buildings and air pollution are everywhere. Fortunately, others are okay, Li You and Hai Shangshu, who climbed here for the first time, were fascinated by it.

In the end, Li You retracted his gaze and praised He Da Salt Merchant from the bottom of his heart: "Good industry! ”

He Yuanwai's complacent feelings are beyond words, but he doesn't know that Li Xianzun already has the heart to win the property at this time... After enjoying the play, the hall was placed, and the names of the celebrities who came to accompany the food and drink gradually came to the table, and everyone entered the table to drink tea.

The master of this room, He Yuanwai, suddenly said to Li You: "Li Beijia is a famous family in the world, and he doesn't say a poem today, wouldn't he regret it?" ”

Most of the people here are literati, and they are still looking forward to Li You's poetry.

Li You didn't shirk either, opened his mouth and chanted slowly: "The threshold of the flat mountain fence leans against the clear sky, and the bead curtain rolls up the fragrant wind for ten miles." The feather coat swayed on the cloud car, and the Yangtze River washed and released the azure. ”

When he read the first sentence, most people heard it, and it was clearly the words written by Ouyang Wenzhong Gong of the Song Dynasty in the previous dynasty when he remembered Pingyuan Hall. It's a good time to borrow it here... When he read out the second sentence, some people also heard it, this sentence was still written by Su Dongpo about Yangzhou in the Song Dynasty of the previous dynasty. Everyone is inexplicable, it's normal to borrow a sentence, but what does it mean to copy two sentences in a row?

When he read the third sentence, everyone could still hear that it was still from the Song Dynasty of the previous dynasty, and it was a sentence in the famous Qionghua poem "Wangjiangnan" by the famous minister Han Weigong.

Everyone is suspicious, is it possible that Master Li wants to copy the words and sentences of four people in a row today and make up a pair of miscellaneous poems? No matter how clever this is, it will fall into the inferior, with Master Li's talent, why should it be like this.

When the fourth sentence came out, it was finally not plagiarism, and Li You's own famous sentence "Who saved the Yangtze River and put the azure" into "The Yangtze River washed and released the azure". is really famous, and everyone knows that this sentence hangs in the study of Lu Shangshu of the Ministry of War.

In other words, these four sentences can be put together to become a poem, but after all, the traces of the axe and chisel are more than a step worse than the impromptu original, and they are really not worthy of Li You's reputation.

Just now on the Slender West Lake, Luo Zhifu was swept away by Li You, and took the opportunity to smile: "Writing poems in Yangzhou, the former Tang Du Muzhi is the head. In my humble opinion, Lord Li might as well copy one sentence from him to make up four sentences, it seems to be ancient and modern, nondescript. ”

Li You replied contemptuously: "Because Du Muzhi has never been a Yangzhou Taishou." ”

Pingyuan Hall was accompanied by a well-informed and well-remembered genius, who thought about it repeatedly and suddenly realized something, and exclaimed: "I see!" ”

Afraid of being considered out of shape, he said as if reciting a scripture under the eyes of everyone: "In the fifth year of Qingli, Han Wei Gong was a bachelor of the Senior Administration Hall and a scholar of Yangzhou; In the eighth year of Qingli, Ouyang Wenzhong was a bachelor of the Senior Administration Hall and a scholar of Yangzhou; In the seventh year of Yuanyou, Dongpo bachelors are Longtuge bachelors, Zuo Chao Fenglang, and Zhiyangzhou..."

Han Weigong refers to Han Qi, Ouyang Wenzhong refers to Ouyang Xiu, and Dongpo Bachelor is naturally the famous Su Shi. This is not important, the key is that the three of them have all "known Yangzhou", in popular words, they have all served as Yangzhou Taishou, and they are equivalent to Yangzhou prefects in the national dynasty, that is, the position where Luofu sits.

At this point, everyone has come to their senses, and those who are not thoughtful enough can not sit here. Master Li let everyone guess the riddle for a long time, and it turned out that there was an ambush here.

Li You copied the poems of celebrities who served as Yangzhou Taishou in ancient times as the first three sentences, and today's Yangzhou Taishou is Luo Fuzun, from the perspective of human feelings, the last sentence should be used in the poems of Luo Zhifu, or write a sentence to point out Luo Zhifu, so it is also a clever poem.

But Lord Li directly replaced Luo Zhifu with his own words, and the meaning was not only profound? The humiliation is both thick and subtle, blatant and unspeakable... is extremely tricky, and there is no vanity under the fame, and he is worthy of being a figure who can stir up trouble in the court.

The perennial smile on Luo Zhifu's face finally disappeared, and there was a little blue and white. The price to pay for climbing is too unbearable...

(To be continued)