Chapter 478: 322. The Lady Historian's Favor

322. The Lady Historian's Favor

"Brother-in-law, walk this way. Yes, watch out for the mud on the ground. There's a puddle ahead. Hey, Brother-in-law, slow down! Don't put the umbrella away—the rain, the rain!"

North bank of the Prince Xunyang Grottoes, the grottoes.

A light rain fell from the sky.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong had just arrived when he was surrounded by a crowd of officials and shopkeepers, including Yan Yan Liulang and Wang Caozhi.

Wearing a bamboo hat and a coir raincoat, he broke away from the crowd and walked at the very front to clear the path. With every step in the mud and water, his bright eyes were fixed on the towering, seated Buddha statue inside the grotto, where workers were still clinging to the structure.

Wang Caozhi held a large umbrella, chasing after his good brother-in-law who was leading the way, calling out with a look of helplessness.

Among the entourage, Yan Yan Liulang also wore a bamboo hat. With his hand on his saber, he kept his head down and followed, not saying a word. He formed a sharp contrast with Wang Caozhi beside him, as if he were already accustomed to the Magistrate's style.

This was nothing. Back when they were managing the Butterfly Creek flood in Longcheng County, Yan Yan Liulang and Liu Ashan had followed this Magistrate through wind and rain, covering the entire upper and lower reaches of the creek, climbing mountains and wading through water...

That was why Yan Yan Liulang and the others understood that the Magistrate having Wang Caozhi and the other shopkeepers preside over the Prince Xunyang Grottoes during these early spring days, in coordination with Rong Zhen and the Censorate's lady historians, was truly not an act of laziness. It was because the details of presiding over and supervising the site did not actually require his personal intervention.

The Magistrate had long since planned the construction process for the Donglin Buddha at the Prince Xunyang Grottoes. At the Twin Peaks construction site, Wang Caozhi and the others only needed to strictly follow the schedule and proceed step by step.

The Magistrate was essentially holding down the fort in Prince Xunyang City, coordinating the overall situation.

Because the Magistrate was also the acting Jiangzhou Jiangzhou Cishi, the Jiangzhou Jiangzhou Cishi's Office and the Jiangzhou Great Hall now had more than just the heavy responsibility of building the Donglin Buddha—although this was the most important task, the one most closely watched by that Saint in Shenjing Luoyang, and the one most likely to win Imperial favor.

As Jiangzhou was the most important rear base for the Southwestern suppression army, the Magistrate and the Jiangzhou Cishi's Office also had to liaise with the main camp on the Southwestern front, utilizing Prince Xunyang City—the most important water transport hub in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River—to dispatch logistics, grain, and troops for the army...

Not to mention the Xingzi Lake Buddha that had collapsed not long ago, leaving a mess for Xingzi Ward. The Jiangzhou Great Hall, responsible for people's livelihoods, had to shoulder the heavy burden of reconstruction while simultaneously suppressing the soaring prices in the city and maintaining social order.

This was another matter that required the Magistrate's attention. He inevitably had to divide his focus; otherwise, if he relied solely on Yuan Yuan Huaimin, an old slacker who was addicted to taking leave...

That man might not even show up at all, coming up with excuses for leave due to "force majeure" at will, taking the lead in slacking off, and leading the Jiangzhou Great Hall to give the Magistrate a little "salted fish" shock.

What, you ask if he isn't afraid of being held accountable for dereliction of duty or being demoted again?

It can only be said that being demoted to Jiangzhou Yuan Sima had given him a taste of the sweetness... why would he want to be rewarded again?

So now, unlike when they were in Longcheng County, the Magistrate did not need to do everything himself. Learning to delegate was equally important.

Using Wang Caozhi at the Prince Xunyang Grottoes and Yuan Yuan Huaimin at the Jiangzhou Great Hall was the logic behind this.

However, coming over to take a look during a surprise inspection, as he did today, was also indispensable. It wasn't that he didn't trust the people he used, but rather... well, in the Magistrate's words, this was "in-depth research" to adjust strategies at any time.

Raindrops from the slanting wind hit his eyelids. Yan Yan Liulang followed closely behind Magistrate Ouyang Rong. He adjusted his bamboo hat to shield himself from the rain and turned his head to look at Wang Caozhi, who was following with a light jog beside him.

He suddenly noticed that Brother Wang's complexion looked much better today; he no longer had that exhausted, wilted look from their last meeting, the look of someone about to be played to death.

Yan Yan Liulang couldn't help but take another look at Wang Caozhi's face.

"Tell me about the recent situation."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong looked around at the progress of the grotto construction, not turning his head, his tone calm.

"Yes, yes, yes."

Wang Caozhi nodded repeatedly. Seeing Magistrate Ouyang Rong finally slow his pace, he immediately jogged to catch up, holding the umbrella for Magistrate Ouyang Rong, and then reported the latest progress of the Prince Xunyang Grottoes in earnest.

After listening, Magistrate Ouyang Rong's expression remained unchanged, and he nodded slightly.

"Where are Lady Historian Rong and Deputy Supervisor Song?"

Wang Caozhi held the umbrella while craning his neck, his words flowing incessantly:

"Brother-in-law, wait a moment. They are having lunch and resting in the bamboo grove on the south bank. It might be a bit far from our grottoes on the north bank. I just sent a lady official to report, so I reckon it will be a while before they arrive... Oh, it seems they're here. So fast."

Just as he was halfway through his sentence, a familiar, cold-looking young girl in palace attire appeared in Magistrate Ouyang Rong's field of vision, and he couldn't help but scratch his head.

Rong Zhen walked over slowly with her hands tucked into her sleeves.

Even though she had arrived so quickly, she didn't look like she was in a hurry as she approached; it was more like she was taking a leisurely stroll after a meal.

"Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, why are you here?" she asked with a slight frown, her tone impatient.

At the same time, the two lady officials following behind Rong Zhen exchanged a glance for some reason, which no one noticed.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong shook his sleeves, revealing his wrists, on which was a string of hemp rope prayer beads.

"Came to check the progress. By the way, where is Deputy Supervisor Song?"

He took off the prayer beads, played with them in his palm, and asked casually.

Rong Zhen kept a straight face:

"The senior is still eating and hasn't come. Who knew you would insist on coming at mealtime?"

She paused and asked, "Have you eaten?"

"I grabbed a bite on the road."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong said with a smile.

Rong Zhen didn't smile and pursed her lips.

"Let's go, let's go over there to talk. Why stand here in the rain?"

She walked straight ahead, leading the way toward the Donglin Buddha, with a lady official following closely behind, holding an umbrella for her.

As she passed Magistrate Ouyang Rong, Rong Zhen tilted her head slightly and glanced at the hairpin he was using to tie his hair today.

It was an ordinary peach wood hairpin.

The icy white jade hairpin, a relic from his mother, hadn't appeared on him for several days.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen arrived at a nearby construction water station. The water workers stopped their work and bowed one after another.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong waved his hand gently, took a ladle of hot water from an old worker, and drank a mouthful.

He wiped his mouth, held the ladle in one hand, and went straight to the second floor.

Rong Zhen didn't take any hot water; she kept her hands in her sleeves and climbed the stairs with a straight face.

Yan Yan Liulang, Wang Caozhi, and the group of accompanying court ladies remained downstairs, taking off their bamboo hats and rain capes, drinking hot water, and resting.

On the second floor, by the railing.

"Here."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong drank a mouthful of water, freed a hand to reach into his robe, and took out a long, narrow box.

He handed it to Rong Zhen.

The latter glanced at it:

"What for?"

"Returning it to Lady Historian Rong."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong said with an indifferent tone:

"I have already copied this authentic manuscript of 'The Peach Blossom Spring' and kept it in my study, fulfilling a wish. Does Lady Historian Rong still need this original?"

Rong Zhen pondered for a moment:

"No need. You might as well return it to Registrar Yuan and let it be returned to its rightful owner."

"Alright."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong's expression was calm as he put the long wooden box away again.

"What did Li Yu say?"

Rong Zhen looked at the construction site below and asked without looking away.

"Still nothing. He would rather die than return home. He is currently living with Yuan Yuan Huaimin at Chengtiansi."

"I know this. I am asking you how you intend to deal with him. You aren't really going to let him go, are you?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong's expression remained as usual. He raised the ladle, sipped, and let out a long breath:

"Lady Historian Rong, drink more hot water; it's good for your health."

Rong Zhen was expressionless: "I don't like drinking hot things."

"I can tell."

"How has Wang Caozhi been performing here lately?"

"Isn't it just like that, sloppy and unkempt."

"Should I talk to him later?"

Rong Zhen suddenly called out, "Forget it, no need. Just leave it be; I have no complaints for now."

"That's good."

Rong Zhen said in a flat tone:

"By the way, is this Wang Caozhi a descendant of the Chen Langya Wang clan, one of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans? I heard that the Chen Langya Wang clan and the Chenjun Chen Jun Xie clan, another of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans, are family friends, both living on Wu Yi Lane, and are known together as 'Wang and Chen Jun Xie'."

"Yes."

"Then he is quite respectful to you, and his address is quite sweet."

"Caozhi is just that kind of person, full of nonsense. I'm too lazy to correct him. If there are any disrespectful addresses or offenses, Lady Historian Rong, please don't take it to heart."

Rong Zhen lowered her eyes and said nothing.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong smiled:

"A family of officials for three hundred years—I have to say, the family style of the Chen Langya Wang clan is still very excellent. Talents emerge in succession, and the descendants are all upright and unyielding."

Rong Zhen suddenly replied:

"I didn't see the 'upright and unyielding' part, but 'talents emerge in succession'—that can barely count. They certainly produce talents."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong wasn't sure if he had heard correctly, but he vaguely felt that when this Lady Historian Rong spat out the words "produce talents," she enunciated them with a bit of weight.

Before Magistrate Ouyang Rong could ask more, Rong Zhen took the initiative to change the subject:

"Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, keep a low profile in Prince Xunyang City these days. For some matters, let Registrar Yuan, Military Advisor Yan, and the others come forward. It's better for you to show your face less to the people."

"What does Lady Historian Rong mean?"

"As the official presiding over the statue construction, you will inevitably attract the attention of some people in the shadows. Even if they didn't know before, they should have found out everything by now."

"The signs of the Prince Xunyang Grottoes restarting construction cannot be hidden. Even if we haven't publicized it since the Lantern Festival, those rebels in the Tiannan underworld will always be able to react."

Rong Zhen looked up at the headless Buddha statue gradually nearing completion behind the sparse rain curtain and muttered to herself:

"I've had some bad premonitions lately."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded calmly:

"Understood. But with the Censorate and the government's wanted notices being so widespread, do those Tiannan underworld rebels still dare to come back? Do they think we can capsize two boats in one ditch?"

He paused, and his tone shifted:

"By the way, I have always been curious: after the Donglin Buddha is completed, which of the Tiannan underworld sects' sore spots will it affect, making them so reactive and willing to sacrifice themselves to block it?"

Rong Zhen spoke softly, answering only the first question:

"We are hunting them down, but after all, the enemy is in the dark, and we are in the light."

"Lady Yunmeng Sword Marsh has been operating in this Jiang Nan region and the old land of Wu and Yue for nearly a thousand years. As you said before, the power of a hidden sect is still very great, especially the appeal of that so-called 'Yunmeng Yuanjun'. Many common families in Jiang Nan buy into this."

"Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan... I witnessed the tragic failure at Xingzi Lake, where Lin Cheng and Wang Wang Lengran died. Now that you are responsible for restarting the Donglin Buddha at the Prince Xunyang Grottoes, I... I don't want you to have an accident this time either."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong calmed down and shook his head gently: "Nothing will happen to this Buddha statue..."

"I'm talking about you."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong was stunned and turned his head to look. Rong Zhen was staring at the misty rain outside, not looking at him, as if she were talking to the air.

"There are some things that are inconvenient to say in front of Senior Song, and perhaps some that are offensive to the dead... Compared to Lin Cheng, I actually hope that the credit for the completion of the Donglin Buddha can fall on you."

"Compared to that Xingzi Lake Buddha that left a mess in Prince Xunyang City, I like this Buddha at the Prince Xunyang Grottoes more."

"It has been like this since before Lin Cheng came, when you brought me, leaning on a cane with serious injuries, to climb the mountain and observe the grottoes. I still remember the cane I leaned on that day; you helped make it. We climbed the south peak on the opposite bank to overlook the Buddha statue in the grottoes."

Rong Zhen pointed to the mountain peak on the south bank behind her, then lowered her hand.

"I remember that day, it seemed to be drizzling too. I saw you alone there, speaking with such passion... Thinking about it now, it's quite silly."

She paused and shook her head:

"I didn't expect so many things to happen afterward. Now, we are finally back on the right track."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.

"Thank you, Lady Historian Rong, for your constant support."

He suddenly turned around and bowed to her solemnly and earnestly.

Rong Zhen took a step back, moved her body aside, and turned her head away from him.

The voice that reached Magistrate Ouyang Rong's ears was stiff and formal.

"If you want to thank someone, thank the Saint, thank the Holy Zhou. I am just... just selecting talent for the Saint, seeking welfare for the people of the Holy Zhou."

"I know that for a long time, there have been many officials in the imperial court and local areas, including your Jiangzhou government, who are afraid of us people from the Astrological Bureau. Privately, they call us 'harbingers of doom' or 'Yama,' and keep their distance."

"Now, in the mouths of those so-called heroes in the Tiannan underworld, we should also be something like 'imperial court hawks'."

"We have great power and offend many people; we are only slightly better than the cruel officials of the imperial prison back then."

"To be honest, Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, I don't actually care about these reputations, nor do I feel guilty about what I've done."

"Because many of these people are of no benefit to the people. They are either meat-eaters, corrupt officials, or those who do not labor and stay away from the people..."

"People like that, if they die, they die. It frees up positions. This even includes... some royal princes who boast of being descendants of the Taizong bloodline. Every time a foot of white silk or a cup of poisoned wine is bestowed from the palace, a bunch of so-called old ministers and great scholars cry and howl. It's truly noisy... A disaster relief or water management effort by the local government that has a slight oversight kills thousands of people. Why is it that an upper-level storm that only cleanses a hundred or so imperial relatives makes them cry and howl as if the country is about to perish?"

"Are lives unequal? Perhaps. But the 'precious' lives definitely do not include these good-for-nothings and parasites. Having lived in the Shenjing Luoyang Palace for many years and serving by the Saint's side, I have seen too many examples. I have long since become numb and indifferent."

"I don't think most of the Saint's measures are inappropriate, because after cleansing and cleansing, aren't the ones who lose their heads the most these years the high-ranking officials and noble families? If these people die, they die. It's not a pity, is it?"

"I am truly indifferent to the factional infighting among these powerful people."

"And so far, very, very few things have been able to cause a ripple in my heart... and they are all small matters that can't be put on a scale."

Rong Zhen looked back.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong saw that her expression was surprisingly peaceful, and her dark eyes reflected his face:

"A palace maid running away in the palace counts as one... the case of the tragic death of the Wang mother and son on Qingyang Hengjie in Xingzi Ward counts as one; the stubborn Li Yu family from not long ago... counts as half."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong listened silently, looking at her.

He suddenly discovered that when this Lady Historian kept a straight face, she wasn't actually that cold.

Perhaps it was because the words she spat out just now weren't cold at all.

"Sorry, I've said so much; perhaps I'm too long-winded. It might be because a few days ago, an old senior told me some past events, and I was moved to speak... He said that for people like us, it is very important and very lucky to meet such a 'correct' person when we are numb to killing and disappointed with the environment."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong shook his head: "No, not long-winded."

Rong Zhen seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and lowered her eyes slightly:

"Good. What I really want to say is that the Saint and the imperial court may occasionally have some overly bloody and ruthless measures. Perhaps there are still many problems in the Great Zhou that scholars are dissatisfied with. Perhaps the faults listed by the rebels of the Restoration Army in the Southwest are not entirely wrong..."

"But the Great Zhou Dynasty is generally still good and capable of moving toward the better, especially since the Saint has now abandoned cruel officials and implemented benevolent governance."

"There are indeed bloody knives like me, but there are also virtuous and respected ministers like the Master in the court, and capable, straightforward officials like you, Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, in the local areas. You will soon be able to return to the capital to show your skills... and be able to refresh the much-criticized officialdom of this dynasty."

"Personally, I think it is very difficult to let the imperial court, or the world, take a big step forward. It is unrealistic to correct it all at once; there will be violent turmoil. However, as long as tomorrow can be a little better, as long as it can improve a little bit—just like the imperial court now having one less Lin Cheng and gaining you, Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, to be promoted to the Xiuwen Pavilion in the capital... just accumulating and improving bit by bit like this is already quite good, isn't it?"

Under Rong Zhen's unblinking gaze, Magistrate Ouyang Rong pondered for a moment, and the water ladle in his hand tapped the railing with a "clink."

"Lady Historian Rong's logic... actually doesn't have much of a problem. Holding the hope of letting the Great Zhou improve bit by bit... Lady Historian Rong is actually a very gentle woman, completely opposite to the coldness and violence when enforcing the law impartially."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong commented.

Immediately, he saw a rare smile appear on Rong Zhen's usually cold and clear face, like an ice lotus blooming suddenly on the snow in winter.

She restrained her smile and kept her eyes narrowed:

"After this Buddha statue is built, you should be able to be promoted back to the capital. The Xiuwen Pavilion in the Imperial City is not far from the Chaotian Gate where the Astrological Bureau is located. It seems you will pass by when you finish your shift..."

"Well, we can still meet often then. Occasionally in the dusk or evening, I can invite a busy person like you to a meal; it won't be difficult... However, I have few holidays and am not as leisurely as you literary officials. I have to return to the palace before the curfew..."

Rong Zhen's tone held a hint of small anticipation.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong was silent for a moment, then smiled:

"I hope so. Lady Historian Rong, please continue to take care of me in the future."

"Hmm, take care, Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan."

Rong Zhen nodded very earnestly.

The two looked at each other, and a moment later, both smiled.

"By the way, there is one more thing." Rong Zhen remembered something.

"What is it?"

"For the sake of the safety of the Donglin Buddha, I am thinking of applying for some foreign aid from Shenjing Luoyang and sending more people over. What do you think about this? We can submit a memorial together, and you can also make suggestions."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong immediately reacted; this was asking about the attitude of the Prince Xunyang Prince's side.

The current situation in Prince Xunyang City was very good for him and the Prince Xunyang Prince's Mansion; there were almost no enemies on the surface.

However, the rebels in the Tiannan underworld, especially the mysterious Lady Yunmeng female cultivators, were watching covetously, their eyes fixed on this brand-new Buddha statue behind them. They needed all the manpower they could get.

Rong Zhen might have felt that after the incident with Lin Cheng, the Astrological Bureau official from Shenjing Luoyang, their side would be very disgusted with people coming from Shenjing Luoyang, so she was checking with him before asking for help... She was already giving him a lot of face.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong pondered for a moment and said:

"Let me think about it, and by the way, I will consult the Prince's opinion."

"Good, waiting for your news. No rush."

Rong Zhen nodded gently.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong looked at the empty water ladle in his hand and turned to go downstairs.

Rong Zhen followed with her hands in her sleeves. ===== CHAPTER 479 =====