Chapter 283: 9. Pipa

9. Pipa

Release time:: 03: Ouyang Rong is actually not very interested in what Yuan Huaimin wrote.

Looked at the sky.

Approaching noon.

"Let's go."

Ouyang Rong packed up his things and greeted Yuan Huaimin.

Yuan Huaimin, who was preparing to run away, was curious: "Where to? Chief Clerk Ouyang doesn't go back to eat?"

Ouyang Rong waved his hand and left: "If you don't eat, that's fine."

"Ah, go go go, the delicacies of your mansion, the subordinate has been thinking about it for a long time."

Rushed out with lightning speed.

Ouyang Rong laughed.

Looking sideways: "You can eat, but you have to help me with something in the afternoon."

Yuan Huaimin suddenly had a bitter face, stopped and didn't move: "What help?"

Ouyang Rong: "Rest assured, it counts as something you like to do."

Vague.

Yuan Huaimin became more curious, gritted his teeth and followed.

At noon, the two rushed to the Huaiye Lane residence, had a full meal, took a nap, and after waking up in the afternoon, they went directly to the Xicheng Gate, passing through Xingzi Ward.

"Where is Chief Clerk Ouyang going?"

"Shuangfengjian, have you heard of it?"

"I have heard of it, but what is the Magistrate doing there?"

"Draw, you help me draw."

About an hour later, Ouyang Rong and Yuan Huaimin, with several long-term attendants, arrived at Shuangfengjian, one mile outside the Xicheng Gate.

Ouyang Rong was familiar with the road and walked in the front to lead the way.

Yuan Huaimin looked around in the back. It was a wilderness all around. This Jiangzhou Sima, who was demoted, occasionally showed some vigilance and panic, looking at the people around him, as if he was afraid of being abducted to Lingnan.

Ouyang Rong ignored him. In these days, Ouyang Rong had been to Shuangfengjian many times to investigate the terrain and verify the theory.

The more he investigated, the more he felt that the set of two-pronged plans he wrote had something to do.

However, Ouyang Rong was not arrogant, feeling that he still had to verify carefully.

Moreover, chiseling a canal is not that simple.

Although there is the experience of Zhe Yiqu, we must also consider actual factors such as mud quality and underground rock layers.

Moreover, chiseling a new canal on a flat land with loose soil like Longcheng County is two different things from chiseling a canal in a mountain ditch like Shuangfengjian and thoroughly dividing the two mountain peaks into two.

However, before old acquaintances like Wang Caozhi and Shopkeeper Ma arrived, Ouyang Rong had to do the preliminary demonstration work.

"Sima Yuan, don't look, no one is abducting you here. Aren't you good at painting, draw something for me."

While Yuan Huaimin was stunned, he found that Ouyang Rong stuffed painting brushes and other tools into his arms.

"This... alright. Why does Chief Clerk Ouyang suddenly have the interest to draw this."

The Jiangzhou Sima behind him muttered.

Ouyang Rong ignored him, walked in the front to lead the way, first went to the main peak on the right, and looked down at the survey map.

The landscape painting of literati gatherings is of course different from the rigid engineering drawing, but the painters of this era are not fools, and this is their profession and important hobby, so the corresponding talent is naturally not lacking, and they are connected in some way.

Ouyang Rong pointed out and corrected, Yuan Huaimin frowned, reluctantly adopted the strange painting method he taught, and even the brushes provided were very strange. He shook his head and had to bite the bullet and draw.

After all, eating people's mouth is soft, and taking people's hand is soft.

During the period, Ouyang Rong glanced and found that it was much better than his straight-man painting skills, but this Yuan Great Sima always wanted to do artistic processing and add a few freehand brushwork, but all were ruthlessly corrected by Ouyang Rong.

The whole group climbed the main peak and then climbed the other peak, walking and stopping all the way, surveying the terrain and depicting the scroll.

Yuan Huaimin had a life-worse-than-death face. He never felt that painting was so difficult, mainly because he used the method taught by Ouyang Rong, which was too awkward.

And what was fatal was that he didn't even know what he was drawing.

However, Yuan Huaimin found that Ouyang Rong, who was watching and supervising on the side, not only didn't scold him, but also looked quite satisfied.

Saw a ghost.

Yuan Huaimin shook his head.

The group came to a clear spring under the shade of a tree, rested, Ouyang Rong crossed the trickling stream, squatted down to fetch water, and asked with a smile:

"Sima Yuan, aren't you curious about what you are drawing?"

Yuan Huaimin shook his head: "It seems very complicated, it's none of the subordinate's business, so I won't ask."

Filled with water, threw a water bag to his companion, the weak-crowned Chief Clerk put his palms together, scooped up a mouthful of spring water, buried his face and tasted it, as if it was sweet, and smiled.

Although he was not interested in what he was doing right now, Yuan Huaimin looked at Ouyang Rong, hesitated, and asked another thing he was interested in:

"Chief Clerk Ouyang was the County Magistrate in Longcheng County before?"

"Did Sima Yuan know me before?" Ouyang Rong asked casually. 【28

"I have heard a little about it."

"Aren't you, like me, someone who hasn't been in Xunyang City for long?"

"It is true that I have been drifting as an official for several years, but before being demoted to Jiangzhou, I returned to Guanzhong. While passing through Luoyang, I heard of Commandant Ouyang's great name."

"Great name?" Ouyang Rong muttered, shaking his head without asking further.

Yuan Huaimin sighed: "Commandant Ouyang's resignation from the post of Censor is truly shocking to this subordinate."

Ouyang Rong smiled.

Yuan Huaimin stroked his beard and nodded: "Commandant Ouyang's excellent political achievements in disaster relief and water management in Longcheng County have spread throughout the world, becoming a model for the imperial court to encourage officials in various flood-stricken areas."

"I am merely doing my duty in my position."

"By the way." Yuan Huaimin seemed to recall something, turning his head to ask: "Is Commandant Ouyang familiar with the family of Prince Xunyang?"

Ouyang Rong squatted by the clear spring, washing his hands as usual, and said with his head lowered:

"When I was governing Longcheng, I naturally had some passing acquaintance... Why does Registrar Yuan ask this?" He glanced at the skirt-knife at his waist, his peripheral vision locked onto Yuan Huaimin, who was two zhang away.

Yuan Huaimin was completely unaware of the strange atmosphere and immediately asked with a curious face:

"Then does Commandant Ouyang know the gentle, quiet, and virtuous little princess of Prince Xunyang's family?"

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong didn't react for a moment. He shifted his attention away from the skirt-knife, frowned, and blurted out:

"Li Guoer?"

Yuan Huaimin was puzzled: "What?"

In this era, the childhood names of young ladies in the boudoir were generally only known to close relatives and friends like fathers, brothers, and companions.

"Nothing." Ouyang Rong asked calmly: "You are talking about Prince Xunyang's youngest daughter, right? This... little princess?"

"That's right."

Ouyang Rong couldn't help but look at Yuan Huaimin. He withdrew his gaze and muttered to himself: "Gentle, quiet, and... virtuous?"

"Yes." Yuan Huaimin was instead curious about Ouyang Rong: "Could it be that you have some small connection with Commandant Ouyang?"

"No... no."

Chatting about gossip and interesting stories, Yuan Huaimin was full of energy and spirit, laughing as he said:

"This little princess recently came to Xunyang City. Although she has only attended seven or eight literary gatherings and is elusive, she has stunned the audience at every one. She is knowledgeable and well-versed in etiquette.

"The high monks and famous scholars who have engaged in pure conversation with her have all praised her endlessly, bluntly stating that she possesses the talent of Xie Daoyun and is no weaker than any man. At present, this little princess of Prince Xunyang's family is sought after by the circle of famous pure-conversation scholars in Xunyang and Lushan, and her reputation is far and wide.

"It's just a pity that the little princess has become increasingly mysterious recently, and the number of times she attends literary gatherings is decreasing. I am unlucky and have no chance to see her."

Ouyang Rong looked at Yuan Huaimin's regretful expression and nodded: "It seems Registrar Yuan is also a great scholar."

"Not at all, not at all, I am just curious. Each generation produces its own talents. Prince Xunyang's family has been demoted to Jiangzhou Longcheng for so many years, and the little princess who walked out of the poor mountains and treacherous waters actually has such knowledge—it is truly a gift from heaven."

Yuan Huaimin sighed for a while, then turned his head to ask: "Commandant Ouyang seems to know her?"

Ouyang Rong immediately shook his head: "Not familiar at all."

Yuan Huaimin nodded regretfully: "Alright, I originally thought that since you might know her, I could hear more of her elegant stories and anecdotes, and gain more understanding beyond her well-versed personality, so that I would have something to talk about when attending literary gatherings in the future."

An attendant handed over a bowl of spring water, and Yuan Huaimin took a sip.

Ouyang Rong glanced at the water in the bowl, always feeling that there was a small section of Wei Shaoxuan's intestine floating in it... Alright, it was an illusion. He regained his senses.

"Actually..." Ouyang Rong hesitated slightly and reminded him: "It's better not to know too much."

"Why is that?"

"It's nothing." Ouyang Rong shook his head.

Yuan Huaimin suddenly realized: "I understand. Commandant Ouyang feels that Prince Xunyang's family is in a precarious situation and is not favored by His Majesty, so it is better for us minor officials to stay away?"

"Hmm." Ouyang Rong gave a light hum, did not explain, and skipped this topic.

After all, he couldn't say that after getting familiar with her, the little princess might hand you a bowl of water with human small intestines floating in it to quench your thirst one day, right?

After a short rest, Ouyang Rong took the lazy Yuan Huaimin and continued on his way.

The group continued to visit, explore, and draw maps.

However, the chat during the break by the spring water brought Ouyang Rong and Yuan Huaimin much closer. Yuan Huaimin began to open up, but Ouyang Rong closed it again.

Finally, near dusk, under Ouyang Rong's strict requirements, the chatterbox Yuan Huaimin finally finished drawing according to the requirements.

Ouyang Rong let out a long sigh, rolled up the drawing, and tucked it into his sleeve.

He waved his hand, signaling the group to return to Xunyang City.

On the way back, in the carriage, Ouyang Rong closed his eyes to rest, his palm occasionally reaching into his sleeve to touch the survey map.

Yuan Huaimin lifted the carriage curtain and looked frequently at a tall building by the river in the distance, not knowing what he was thinking.

Ouyang Rong opened his eyes and said: "Let's send Registrar Yuan back first. We happen to be passing through Xingzi Ward. Where does Registrar Yuan live?"

Yuan Huaimin coughed: "No need, this subordinate is also going to Chaisang Ward, it's on the way, on the way."

Ouyang Rong thought for a moment and nodded: "My humble abode usually doesn't make late-night snacks."

"It's not about that, sigh, why does Commandant Ouyang look at me like that." Yuan Huaimin's old face flushed red, and he pointed out the window in a flurry, explaining:

"For these two nights, there will be a pipa performance by Qin Xiaoniangzi at Xunyang Tower, and I have to go and show my support."

Ouyang Rong asked casually: "Qin Xiaoniangzi?"

"Commandant Ouyang doesn't know?"

"I don't know." Ouyang Rong shook his head truthfully.

Yuan Huaimin stroked his beard, speaking as if he were counting his family treasures:

"Xunyang Tower is the largest brothel in Jiangzhou. Qin Xiaoniangzi's real name is Qin Siyu. She was once the daughter of a prominent family, but after her family fell, she was forced to enter the house to play the qin. She is the top courtesan of Xunyang Tower, possessing both peerless talent and virtue!"

"Oh, a famous courtesan."

"What famous courtesan? Qin Xiaoniangzi is a pure courtesan, do you understand what a pure courtesan is?"

Ouyang Rong nodded: "Oh, a high-class famous courtesan, a top-tier one?"

"What top-tier! Commandant Ouyang, don't talk nonsense." Yuan Huaimin corrected: "A pure courtesan only sells her art, not her body."

Ouyang Rong swallowed his words and looked at Yuan Huaimin's flushed face. He suspected that if he continued, Registrar Yuan would attack him, even though he usually looked quite cowardly.

But scholars, after all, always have some strange stubborn points.

"Understood, so Registrar Yuan likes this style."

Yuan Huaimin straightened his face:

"Who says that men and women can only walk the path of desire? I am not very interested in female beauty, I only appreciate the sound of the qin.

"Qin Xiaoniangzi is a master of the pipa, and her music is like celestial melody. Everyone who hears it praises it endlessly, and the famous scholars of Xunyang vie to befriend her."

Ouyang Rong laughed: "Good, and you still say you are not a famous scholar?"

Yuan Huaimin was stunned, probably not expecting Ouyang Rong's strange focus, and shook his head speechlessly:

"Besides appreciation, I just want to find some inspiration, after all, there is still a peerless poem waiting for me to write."

At this moment, the carriage stopped in front of the mansion in Huaiye Lane.

Ouyang Rong instructed the long-term attendant who was serving as the driver to continue sending people to Xunyang Tower.

Before getting off the carriage, he patted Yuan Huaimin's shoulder solemnly:

"Alright, Registrar Yuan, keep it up... wait." Ouyang Rong turned his head: "Your salary isn't even enough to eat, what are you using to listen to music?"

Yuan Huaimin stiffened his neck, as if he had received the most serious insult of the day. His face flushed red, and he said righteously:

"The music of a soulmate, the mountains are high and the waters are long, the hearts reflect each other... why talk about vulgar things like copper coins! The warmth of a soulmate is different from the coldness of money. Commandant Ouyang, do not judge others by yourself."

Ouyang Rong's expression remained unchanged. He wiped the saliva off his face, not angry at all, and nodded:

"Alright, it is I who am vulgar. I'll go first. Registrar Yuan, go meet your soulmate. If you have inspiration, remember to write it down in a small notebook, don't forget it after drinking."

Yuan Huaimin denied it flatly: "What small notebook, I don't have such a thing."

Ouyang Rong smiled and got off the carriage.

Yuan Huaimin suddenly looked down and saw three pieces of broken silver on the robe under his seat. He picked them up and found they were still warm. He was stunned for a moment, then looked up and shouted:

"Commandant Ouyang, you dropped your silver..."

But at this moment, a casual voice belonging to the young Commandant came from outside the carriage, interrupting him:

"You worked hard drawing with me today. It's just a little bit of writing fee stuffed by a vulgar person. Great scholar Yuan, just accept it."

Inside the carriage, Yuan Huaimin fell silent.

Late at night, in the study of Yinbingzhai.

A solitary lamp reflected the scene.

Ouyang Rong spread out the painting he had surveyed and drawn during the day and nodded slightly.

He picked up his brush to annotate, his side profile focused, continuing to modify and perfect the plan. After working for about an hour, he put down the brush.

"Almost there..."

Ouyang Rong stacked the survey map together with a stack of dense manuscripts and threw them on the table, as if the task was completed.

He leaned back, let out a long breath, turned his head to look at the Xunyang night scene outside the window, and murmured:

"Counting the days, it should be here soon."

The next day, afternoon.

Jiangzhou government office.

Ouyang Rong was buried in his work as usual, when the figure of Yan Liulang suddenly broke in, bringing him a piece of news.

Wang Caozhi, Shopkeeper Ma, and other major grain merchants had arrived in Xunyang.

(End of chapter)