Volume 6: Dream Record Chapter 386 Song Yinzhang and the Silver Bottle (Part 1)
In the side room of the front yard of Qiantang County Government Office, Zheng Qingtian sat in the main seat, stroking the gold and silver ingots on the table beside him with his right hand. He looked down at Wei Wei, the Qiantang County Lieutenant, who was standing with his hands hanging down, and gave careful instructions:
"Send this to Liu Tongpan, this to the Chasi, and you must personally deliver the one to Xiuzhou, and then stay there. Once Wang Zhizhou and his men catch the two spies from the Imperial City Division, immediately escort them back!"
After Zheng Qingtian finished giving his instructions, Wei Wei bowed and said respectfully:
"Yes, I'll do it right away!"
After saying that, he glanced at Zheng Qingtian, who had no expression on his face, and said hesitantly:
"Your Excellency, Magistrate Wang...does he really dare to offend the people of the Imperial City Bureau?"
"Money makes the world go round. He has received a lot of benefits from me over the years. He must help me with all his strength now!"
As he spoke, Zheng Qingtian smiled confidently:
"I just don't believe that if all the officials in charge of Jiangnan take action together, can those two spies from the Imperial City Bureau still grow wings and fly away?"
Looking at Zheng Qingtian who was full of self-satisfaction, Wei Wei, the county lieutenant of Qiantang County, could not help but give him a thumbs up and flatter him:
"Your Excellency, this is brilliant!"
At this moment, a yamen runner outside the door reported:
"Your Excellency, Master Xiao has arrived. He is waiting for you in the backyard wing!"
"Okay, I got it. Go to Xiangyun Tower right now and order a table of good wine and food. Then go to the Jiaofang Bureau and summon a few of the best singers, dancers and musicians to accompany Master Xiao for a drink. I'll be there right away!"
"Yes, I'll do it right away!"
After the yamen runners outside the door left, Wei Wei looked at Zheng Qingtian with a happy expression and said in a flattering manner:
"My Lord, do you want to join the party behind Minister Xiao through Master Xiao?"
"good!"
After taking a look at Wei Wei who was trying to apologize with a smile, Zheng Qingtian was in a good mood and smiled:
"There are many factions among the court officials, big and small, and they unite to attack dissidents, but they can be roughly divided into four factions. The first one is the Qingliu faction, headed by Old Minister Ke and Chief Censor Qi Mu. Most of these officials come from famous families. On the surface, they claim to be the Qingliu and the backbone of the court, and they do not flatter and fawn on others. In fact, they are thieves and whores, hiding behind the scenes and plotting schemes without any ambiguity. They look down on me, and I look down on them. We cannot work together if we are not on the same path!
The second-ranked faction is composed of favored ministers who use currying favor with others as a stepping stone to advancement. The leader of the Hou party, Xiao Qinyan, is the envoy of Xiao Shixiang. The Qingliu faction looks down on the favored ministers for their flattery and fawning on their superiors, and the favored ministers naturally cannot stand the high self-esteem of these so-called Qingliu faction. The civil servants of these two factions have been fighting openly and secretly in the court for many years and are mortal enemies of each other. It's a fight between the two sides to the death!
The third faction is the eunuchs and the Imperial City Bureau, who are considered to be the emperor's confidants. However, the emperor is too kind, and the queen has even started to get involved in politics. The eunuchs and the Imperial City Bureau have long been riddled with holes, and anyone can order them to do things with money, so it's better not to mention them!
The fourth faction is the foreign relatives and nobles. Most of them are military officers. The imperial court has always valued civil officials over military officials, so most of them are just content to enjoy wealth and glory. They have a high status but no real power and are not worth mentioning!
In this case, the only person I can rely on is Minister Xiao. The emperor is obsessed with Taoist scriptures and the way of keeping healthy. At the same time, the queen's power is getting bigger and bigger. Minister Xiao is the person the queen trusts the most. As long as I can rely on Minister Xiao, what does my little trouble matter?"
"Your Excellency the County Master is wise!"
Looking at Zheng Qingtian who was quite familiar with the court structure, Wei Wei smiled apologetically:
"I have inquired privately. Young Master Xiao is the eldest son of the Xiao family. He is deeply loved by Minister Xiao. Whenever he gets into trouble, Minister Xiao helps him to deal with it. As long as Young Master Xiao is really willing to help, then Minister Xiao will definitely accept the County Master!"
"Do I need to tell you this?"
Staring at Wei Wei, Zheng Qingtian said unhappily:
"Isn't it all because of you, a loser who is always causing trouble instead of helping others?"
"I am guilty, please spare my life!"
Seeing Zheng Qingtian angry, Wei Wei immediately knelt down and kowtowed to beg for mercy as usual. Seeing him do this again, Zheng Qingtian was furious and slammed the table and roared:
"You're a piece of shit, is that all you can say?"
"I am guilty, please spare my life!"
"Idiot, get back to work!"
"Yes, yes, I'll do it right away!"
After saying that, Wei Wei did not stand up, but knelt on the ground and quickly crawled out the door. Just as he was about to crawl out the door, Zheng Qingtian shouted angrily behind him:
"return!"
“Yes, yes!”
Hearing Zheng Qingtian's roar, Wei Wei turned around and crawled back, kneeling at Zheng Qingtian's feet, looking up at him and smiling apologetically:
"Your Excellency, is there anything else you would like me to do?"
"idiot!"
After a barrage of scolding, Zheng Qingtian pointed at the gold and silver ingots on the table and said angrily:
"Take all these with you. Remember who they are to be given to and how much each person should receive, right?"
"Remember, remember!"
"Just remember it, get out!"
"Yes, I will leave immediately!"
After saying that, Wei Wei knelt on the ground, packed up all the gold and silver ingots on the table, then held them tightly in his arms and rolled towards the door. He did not stand up from the ground until he could not roll over the threshold anymore. Then he ran out of the yamen. In the side room, Zheng Qingtian was almost angry to death. He was so smart, why were his subordinates so stupid?
…
In the music camp of Qiantang Jiaofangsi, according to the order of County Magistrate Zheng Qingtian, two yamen runners came to the music camp of Jiaofangsi to summon several of the best singers and dancers to the government to accompany Yuan Xudong for a drink. As soon as they entered the Jiaofangsi, the leading yamen runner found the person in charge of the music camp and ordered:
"My county magistrate said that he wants to find some of the best singers and dancers in the Jiaofang Bureau to entertain the official banquet in the county government. Mr. Xiao who came from Tokyo to Jiangnan especially likes to listen to the pipa. Your top pipa master Song Yinzhang..."
…
In the private room on the second floor of the Jiaofangsi, Song Yinzhang sat behind a screen, holding a pipa called Gu Yue in her arms. Her pitiful eyes stared at the birds flying freely outside the window. Her slender jade-like fingers gently plucked the strings, and the sad and resentful sound of the pipa rang out. Born as a lowly person, who could come to save her and leave here so that she could be free from now on?
"Miss, Miss!"
The mournful sound of the pipa suddenly stopped. Looking at Yinping who hurried upstairs, Song Yinzhang held the Lonely Moon Pipa in his arms and smiled softly:
"Yinping, run slower, don't fall!"
"It's okay, I can't fall!"
"You, what happened outside?"
"Respond to the call!"
Looking at the weak Song Yinzhang, Yinping smiled happily and said:
"The county magistrate has summoned you to attend a banquet at the government office to entertain a distinguished guest from Tokyo who is visiting Jiangnan. Miss, do you know who this distinguished guest is?"
"Who is it?"
Looking at Yin Ping's happy face, Song Yinzhang answered without waiting for her to answer:
"It's Master Xiao, right?"
"Miss!"
Seeing that Song Yinzhang had said it herself, Yinping quickly ran to her side, hugged her arm and shook her, saying coquettishly:
"Why do you have to say it yourself? Let me say it!"
As she spoke, she looked at Gu Yue Pipa who was held in Song Yinzhang's arms and said with a smile:
"Miss, the pipa music you play is really beautiful. Mr. Xiao will definitely like it. When we get to Tokyo, can you teach me when you have time?"
"You, you really don't know how to be shy!"
Looking at the silver bottle that was always saying "Young Master Xiao, Young Master Xiao", Song Yinzhang teased:
"It's only been a few days, and you like Mr. Xiao so much? Then why did you come back by yourself when I asked you to take care of him?"
"How can I have that?"
Looking at Song Yinzhang who was making fun of her, Yinping curled her lips and said with a smile:
"It should be Miss who likes Mr. Xiao so much. I am your maid. I like whoever you like!"
"You just know how to coax me!"
Rolling his eyes at Yin Ping who was trying to cheer him up, Song Yinzhang patted her hands, motioning her to let go of him and said:
"Well, didn't you say that the county magistrate wanted to summon me to attend a banquet at the government office? Go and get ready, I'll take you with me!"
"Okay, thank you Miss!"
With a cry of joy, Yinping hurried to prepare the clothes and jewelry that Song Yinzhang would wear when she attended the banquet. Seeing her impetuous look, Song Yinzhang smiled, then put down the Solitary Moon Pipa in her arms , moved lightly with lotus steps, sat in front of the dressing table, and began to dress up in front of the bronze mirror. In a moment, Yinping prepared the clothes and jewelry to be changed. She walked behind Song Yinzhang and helped her comb her hair. Looking at Song Yinzhang in the bronze mirror, she was holding a red folder and gently pursing her lips. Her bright eyes and white teeth made me feel pity for her. Yinping smiled with envy:
"Miss, you are so beautiful. No wonder Mr. Xiao wants to marry you after just seeing you once!"
"Yeah?"
Looking at himself in the bronze mirror, with his beautiful face and pitiful appearance, Song Yinzhang gently stroked his face with his right hand and smiled foolishly:
"As long as Master Xiao is really willing to help me get rid of my music career, I will do whatever he asks me to do!"
"Are you really willing to do anything?"
Looking at the infatuated Song Yinzhang, Yinping helped her comb her hair and whispered in her ear with a smile:
"If you ask me, Master Xiao doesn't want Miss to do anything. He just wants Miss to serve him well!"
"Pah~~"
Looking at the silver bottle that had changed a lot recently, Song Yinzhang cursed in a low voice:
"You damn girl, why are you so mean?"
"Where is that?"
Looking at Song Yinzhang's blushing face, Yin Ping chuckled and said:
"Miss, you clearly said that you would do whatever Young Master Xiao asked you to do, okay? Besides, Young Master Xiao is so bad, and you are so beautiful and pitiful. I am moved when I see you, let alone Young Master Xiao."
As she spoke, she whispered something into Song Yinzhang's ear, which made Song Yinzhang blush. Her beautiful eyes were full of tears, and she said in a trembling voice:
"No, who do you take me for?"
"Miss, please put yourself in a difficult position and try to please Master Xiao!"
Looking at the shy Song Yinzhang, Yinping smiled and said:
"I learned this from the courtesan. She said men like this. Why don't you try it?"
"Pah~~"
Looking at the shameless silver bottle, Song Yinzhang spat softly, his face blushing as he said:
"No, you should try it yourself. I won't humiliate myself like this!"
Seeing that Song Yinzhang disagreed to actively curry favor with Yuan Xudong, Yin Ping gave up and said:
"Forget it, I don't dare. If I were a lady, I would definitely try to please Mr. Xiao and ask him to rescue me and leave here as soon as possible!"
After listening to Yin Ping's words, Song Yinzhang's eyes flickered, and he felt a little moved in his heart, but he really couldn't take the initiative to serve a man like the courtesan did. Using beauty to seduce men has always been a despicable act that she despised. She is a musician, not a singer, and certainly not the courtesan in Xiangyun Tower. She can't, and is unwilling to, use her beauty to seduce men!
…
At noon, Song Yinzhang and Yinping took a carriage from the Music Camp of the Jiaofang Division to the Qiantang County Government Office. They were accompanied by several other young and beautiful geishas. Led by the yamen runners, they walked into the backyard of the county government office. Looking at the vast backyard, pavilions, small bridges, flowing water, rockery, strange rocks, and a small lake full of carp, Yinping was overwhelmed by such a beautiful courtyard. She leaned close to Song Yinzhang and smiled softly:
"The county lord's place is so nice, then Mr. Xiao's home must be a paradise on earth, right?"
Looking at Yin Ping who was talking nonsense, Song Yinzhang threatened her:
"Don't talk nonsense, be careful if someone hears you. If you tell the county magistrate, I'll give you fifty lashes!"
"Then I won't say anything. Fifty sticks, won't I be beaten to death?"
