Chapter 447

Two Hundred and Twenty-Eight: Fellow Sufferers at the Ends of the Earth

Ouyang Lianghan has been demoted.

The news spread throughout the official circles of Jiangzhou.

The new Chief Clerk is the former Jiangzhou Commandant, Yuan Bangxian.

The two men have swapped positions.

One promoted, one demoted.

Anyone with a discerning eye in officialdom could understand it at a glance.

Yuan Bangxian must have benefited from Ouyang Lianghan's reflected glory; the Imperial Court was determined to punish Ouyang Lianghan for the incident at Xunyang Wharf where he refused to obey the imperial decree.

Stripping him of his position as Chief Clerk was already a relatively lenient punishment; previously, many in the court had speculated whether His Majesty, in a fit of rage, would bestow a cup of poisoned wine and a white silk cord to force this upright official to commit suicide.

Now it seems that, according to rumors, the memorial of apology Ouyang Lianghan wrote—which was equivalent to a provocation and declaration of war against the Wei clan—was intercepted on the spot by Prince Xunyang, which effectively saved him.

"Chief Clerk Ouyang, this humble servant is deeply ashamed."

Hu Fu's final tone was somewhat meaningful.

"How could I dare? If Lady Jiangzhou Cishi does not mention it, or stay for a meal, even if I were given a hundred guts, I would not dare to ask more..."

Ouyang Rong was somewhat silent.

The Jiangzhou officials passing by on the surrounding corridors from time to time had expressions as usual, as if they were accustomed to this scene and did not feel surprised.

After a pause, he looked at Ouyang Rong's expression and said sternly:

"This humble servant does not understand the Xunyang Grottoes, but I know the taste of failure after pouring one's heart and blood into something. But looking at the bright side, as long as the green hills remain, one need not worry about firewood."

"By the way, Chief Clerk Ouyang, what is the budget for our Jiangzhou expenditures next month? Should we let the Viceroy's Office sign off on it first, or submit it to the Ministry of Personnel in the Imperial Court for their signature in advance..."

Unlike Yuan Bangxian, who was busy and never had a moment of leisure, the Jiangzhou Commandant is worthy of being a popular position for demoted officials; it is indeed so idle that it hurts.

The former Jiangzhou Commandant, Yuan Bangxian, is someone acceptable to all parties—docile, obedient, and not a troublemaker.

"How can this be! As the saying goes, stick to the old rules and follow the precedents of the predecessors; Chief Clerk Ouyang is my good teacher and helpful friend! The rules established before were very good. This subordinate feels there is nothing that needs to be changed. Very good, all very good, firmly unchanged..."

"Chief Clerk Ouyang, reporting to the Inspection Office every day, what exactly are you reporting to Lady Rong Zhen? She seems to have a bad temper. Could it be that this subordinate bumped into those few days every month that women have... By the way, does the Inspection Office provide breakfast? This subordinate remembers that every time you come back, you seem to be full. Is their food that good?"

In the middle of the morning, the Jiangzhou main hall was busy, yet he went out leisurely, all alone, and came to Xunyang Ferry to see off a friend.

This newly appointed Chief Clerk shook his head like a rattle-drum:

"Just joking, just joking, cough cough, Chief Clerk Ouyang, don't look at this subordinate like that. This subordinate feels that once a month is quite good now, full of motivation, I've gotten used to it, hahaha, Chief Clerk Ouyang, don't look..." He shrank his neck again.

Ouyang Rong ignored him, stared at the pitiful-looking Yuan Bangxian for a while, and said with a straight face:

Speaking of this, he covered his mouth with his guilty palm and pleaded quietly: "Brother Lianghan, don't look at me like that."

At Xunyang Ferry, on the shore below a large ship preparing to leave the ferry, Hu Fu shook his head.

In other words, Yuan Bangxian's promotion to Jiangzhou Chief Clerk this time was not because he had atoned for his crimes and performed meritorious service, or done anything to attract the attention of His Majesty and the Heavenly Officials of the Ministry of Personnel.

"First the Viceroy's Office, then submit it to the Ministry of Personnel. Officials above the rank of Director must sign and seal it. Be sure not to get the order wrong, otherwise, it will be difficult to determine responsibility if something goes wrong..."

"But being able to reach this step now is already not failing the common people."

"This humble servant has been in and out of the palace for so many years and has never seen anyone who dared to resist an imperial decree in public and say a 'no' to His Majesty. The most critical thing is that you can still continue to hold office... Just this point alone, people all over the world admire you."

"Now Master Yuan is the Jiangzhou Chief Clerk, Master Yuan has the final say. This subordinate does not dare to order Master Yuan around. Master Yuan can go do whatever he wants. Let go and do it, don't worry about this subordinate. It's fine to be bolder. Even if you tear down those broken wooden pillars in the Jiangzhou main hall and work from home, this subordinate has no opinion."

When he asked the last question,

Ouyang Rong suddenly turned his head, lowered his eyes, and stared at him without blinking.

Hu Fu sighed softly and patted his shoulder:

"Good, good, good, Chief Clerk Ouyang is still the one who considers things thoroughly. This subordinate is very comforted. By the way, there is another important matter. This subordinate flipped through the 'Great Zhou Code' and suddenly discovered a sentence: Officials can get one day of rest every ten days at most... Why don't we adjust it, give two more days of vacation every month, rest for three days, hide our light and nourish our strength, just thinking about it makes sense..."

As for Yuan Bangxian himself.

Yuan Bangxian immediately shut his mouth.

Several days have passed, and he is still somewhat confused.

"And His Majesty did not transfer you away from Xunyang City, there must be a reason for it. It might be because the Xunyang Prince's Mansion is still in Jiangzhou..."

"No, in this humble servant's eyes, the Chief Clerk will always be Brother Ouyang."

"Brother Hu, this humble servant is no longer any Chief Clerk now. The current Jiangzhou Chief Clerk is Brother Bangxian. Brother Hu, please don't make a mistake again."

Inside the Jiangzhou main hall, Yuan Bangxian followed Ouyang Rong with a happy face, holding a small notebook, recording while humbly asking questions.

"Chief Clerk Ouyang, remember one point. What His Majesty wants to do, no one can stop her. You tried your best to stop it, although you became a lesson."

However, the look Ouyang Rong cast was still somewhat frighteningly calm. Yuan Bangxian looked around and, with a flash of inspiration, found an excuse to "go to the Inspection Office to report to Lady Rong Zhen" and slipped away...

And the vacancy of the Chief Clerk position was naturally filled temporarily by the former Jiangzhou Commandant, who was nominally the fourth-ranking high official in the Jiangzhou officialdom—the second and third were the Assistant Prefect and the Chief Clerk respectively.

It was purely a succession by seniority.

Watching the back of a certain unreliable new Jiangzhou Chief Clerk go away, Ouyang Rong shook his head.

Since Ouyang Lianghan refused to obey the imperial decree and would not cooperate with the statue making in Xingzi Workshop, then replace him with someone who would not get in the way and would not oppose it.

So this wave was truly a pie falling from the sky. When gods fight, mortals get the opportunity... The officials in the Jiangzhou main hall were extremely envious of Master Yuan, who was previously proficient in everything from being late to leaving early.

"I don't know, go ask them."

Being stared at by a good friend made him feel a bit hair-raising.

Ouyang Rong nodded silently, and the two chatted for a few more sentences.

Just at this moment, a crisp sound of a pipa came from the ferry.

I don't know where it came from, and I don't know where it was going.

Who is the person playing the zither?

I don't know.

But it made the guests and hosts seeing people off at the ferry all stop and stay.

Hu Fu said in a trance: "Almost forgot, heard people say that the pipa sound of a certain master in Xunyang Tower is unique. Staying in Xunyang for so long, forgot to go listen to it, eh... don't know if this pipa sound is hers, really want to see her once."

Ouyang Rong kept his hands in his sleeves and said nothing, turned his head to look at the ferry where the pipa sound echoed, his expression lost in thought.

Hu Fu wanted to speak, but suddenly blurted out a sentence:

"Fellow sufferers at the ends of the earth, why must we have met before to know each other!"

Ouyang Rong turned his head and glanced at Hu Fu who was chanting the poem.

Hu Fu's expression was pleasantly surprised at this time, and he said to Ouyang Rong and the people around him:

"Hey, this sentence is wonderful, don't know what happened, it suddenly popped up in this humble servant's brain, hahaha, good sentence, this humble servant is really full of poetic inspiration today, this sentence is estimated to be comparable to many masters in the literary world."

Ouyang Rong took a deep breath.

This is the Pipa Song he recited in his previous life, and it does not exist in this life.

He immediately showed a smile and nodded.

While Hu Fu was self-satisfied and the crowd was surprised, Ouyang Rong's right hand, which was in his sleeve, was inserted deeper, and he went to touch the head of a certain little ink spirit who was quietly helping.

It really almost ruined things just now.

A while later, the guards on the ship came to notify, and Hu Fu then boarded the ship and left, saying goodbye reluctantly.

"Chief Clerk Ouyang, see you again if fate allows."

"Have a safe journey."

Although they were both imperial envoys who came from Luoyang, Lin Cheng now concurrently holds the position of Inspection Right Envoy of the Jiang Nan Circuit and does not need to return to the palace for the time being, while Hu Fu returned in advance.

Watching Hu Fu's figure disappear, Ouyang Rong turned his head and returned to the Jiangzhou main hall.

On the way, when he walked to a place where no one was around, Miaosi crawled out of his sleeve, poked his nose with one finger, and stared at him with her eyes:

"This fairy is watching you, you be careful, you are not allowed to let your literary talent overflow again. If I hadn't helped just now and transferred it to that eunuch, you would have leaked your poetic talent again."

Ouyang Rong nodded helplessly.

He went out today without bringing A-Li and the others.

Ouyang Rong wore a felt hat, rode on Dongmei, and passed through the marketplace.

After the day the imperial decree for his demotion was sent back, Ouyang Rong took off his Chief Clerk's official uniform and returned to normal.

The position of Jiangzhou Commandant is very idle, and no one cares whether he wears an official uniform or not.

The marketplace in Xunyang City has returned to its usual calm.

However, Lin Cheng is now serving as the Right Envoy for Supervision of Construction in Jiang Nan, and the matter of the statue making in Xingzi Workshop is being prepared at full speed.

Ouyang Rong heard Yan Liulang report that these days, the carriages of Yangzhou merchants like Pei Pei Shisan Niang often appeared near the Viceroy's Office.

This is definitely bad news.

Although the situation is moving step by step in a bad direction, the city is calm, as if it is unaffected, except for the price of pork and other items in the East Market quietly rising, and the prices are being piled up little by little.

In fact, smart people in Xunyang City now know that some things can no longer be stopped, and Xingzi Workshop will soon no longer look like it used to...

In fact, this is also the ruthlessness of Lin Cheng. Some things should not be pushed to the end all at once, but step by step. Boiling a frog in warm water is the most hurtful, and the temperature will slowly be transmitted to all levels of Jiangzhou...

Just returned to the Jiangzhou main hall.

Yuan Bangxian, whose official hat was a bit crooked, came to the door again:

"Chief Clerk Ouyang, please stay, this subordinate has encountered another matter, please teach me..."

This time Ouyang Rong did not stop his steps and walked forward:

"Say it again, now Master Yuan is the Chief Clerk, don't shout randomly, it's not good if others hear it."

"Good, good, good, Brother Lianghan, please look at this official document, what should this subordinate do about this matter..."

Ouyang Rong was serious: "How many times have I said, don't call by courtesy name when working, call by position."

"Okay, Commandant Ouyang."

"Besides, what subordinate or not, you are the Chief Clerk, I am the Commandant, I should be the subordinate."

Yuan Bangxian scratched his head:

"Eh, anyway, calling it whatever is the same... And these few days, when other officials below report to me, they often call it wrong, calling me Chief Clerk Ouyang... I want to let them go find you, so as not to run to me in vain, anyway, I still have to come and ask you."

Yuan Bangxian said seriously again:

"Chief Clerk Ouyang... Commandant Ouyang, this official is clear now, what was your mood when you saw that I was not in the opposite position... Eh, this official is sitting in the main hall now, every time I look up and see that you are not in the opposite position, I am very depressed, you are not there when there is something."

"..."

Ouyang Rong stared at him silently for a while, and asked seriously:

"Are these two the same?"

"Almost, almost."

A while later, the awkward atmosphere ended, and Ouyang Rong still went to help a little bit.

After finishing, Yuan Bangxian's eyes were envious:

"Brother Lianghan, why don't we swap back, this Chief Clerk is too tiring..."

Ouyang Rong curled his lips: "Then you also refuse to accept the imperial decree."

"That won't work, I'm timid, being tired is better than being beheaded."

Soon, the day ended between the leisurely Ouyang Rong watching Yuan Bangxian's busy and flustered back.

Ouyang Rong shook his head.

Although he was familiar with Yuan Bangxian, he did not entrust Yuan Bangxian to inquire about or stop Lin Cheng's affairs, or let Yuan Bangxian and Lin Cheng go against each other.

Because he knew Yuan Bangxian was no match for Lin Cheng.

There was no need to harm others.

As for Yuan Bangxian, he is still in the stage of being confused about his promotion.

Especially when he learned that there was not much difference in salary between the Jiangzhou Chief Clerk and the Jiangzhou Commandant.

Yuan Bangxian looked frustrated... Isn't this working for nothing?

Midnight, Xunyang Prince's Mansion.

Inside the study, everyone gathered again.

"Is Tanlang okay recently?"

Ouyang Rong came back to his senses and shook his head at everyone:

"Many thanks to the Prince for appeasing the common people that day. I didn't expect the reaction of the elders and folks in Xunyang to be so intense. If it hadn't been handled properly that day, something might have happened and been used by others."

Wang Lixian shook his head: "Tanlang is too polite, it's what we should do."

Princess Li Guoer asked directly: "Ouyang Lianghan, are you still sulking?"

"Everything is in the past. Sister Guoer, don't mention it."

Xie Lingjiang poured a cup of hot tea for Ouyang Rong and said softly:

"Exactly, taking advantage of the recent leisure, Senior Brother should take a rest. Since His Majesty and Lin Cheng want to force the statue making in Xingzi Workshop, then we will just watch from the sidelines. If any trouble arises, it will be their fault. We will just watch coldly..."

"What if the Great Donglin Buddha is built? Forever standing in Xingzi Workshop." Li Dalang suddenly asked.

Everyone said nothing.

Ouyang Rong raised his head and took the initiative to say:

"The Prince should pay attention. Lin Cheng is not just making statues in Xingzi Workshop. He might be working with Wang Lengran to use the statue making to suppress the Prince's Mansion... This is almost an inevitable thing."

"Good."

Not long after, the study meeting ended, and everyone dispersed one after another.

Ouyang Rong was the first to walk out the door.

Wang Lixian, Princess Li Guoer, Xie Lingjiang, and others looked at his distant back together.

They looked at each other for a few times.

Li Dalang wanted to call his good friend to stop, but Xie Lingjiang shook her head to stop him...

Late at night.

Huaiye Lane Mansion, Yinbing Studio, in the pitch-black bedroom.

Ouyang Rong had a dream.

He opened his eyes in the darkness, removed the naked arm of the young girl on his body, and got up to dress.

Ouyang Rong walked to the wardrobe and pulled out the long zither case that Miaosi was lying on while sleeping soundly.

Opened the sword case.

Sword Qi filled the room.

Looking at the full moon outside the window and the crescent moon inside the window, he said softly:

"Has everything passed? Some things have passed, but I haven't accepted them, although it seems that everyone else has accepted them..."

Only a sword was listening to the night talk.

The little guy curiously watched the sword master whose face was different from usual.

The night outside the window was quiet.

(End of chapter)