An uninvited guest came to the cell where Xie Zhu was imprisoned.
Although it was a prison cell, it was still quite polite. There was a charcoal pot inside to prevent people from freezing in the winter. Xie Zhu was not allowed to wear prison clothes and was only given an ordinary cotton suit.
Xie Zhu was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed. His hair was not tied up and was slightly messy. A closer look revealed that there were a lot of white hairs on his temples. After a night of endless interrogation, Xie Zhu's face looked slightly tired, but his overall demeanor was not reduced by half.
"I told you, I don't know anyone from Bingzhusi, let alone the whereabouts of King Ling'an."
Xie Zhu declared his position again without even opening his eyes.
"Third uncle, this is not why I came here."
Xie Zhu opened his eyes and saw Xie Queshan entering the cell carrying a tea tray.
Xie Queshan placed the tea tray on the table and sat down on the floor.
Two cups of freshly ordered tea were placed on the tea tray. There was a cloud of fine foam floating on the tea soup, and wisps of hot steam were rising.
"The cups here are simple. I can only order these two cups of tea. Third uncle, please try it."
Xie Zhu was silent, then reached out to pick up the tea cup and tasted it carefully. After a while, he put down the tea cup, as if he wanted to speak but stopped. When he looked at Xie Queshan again, his eyes were full of mixed emotions.
Xie Queshan met his gaze calmly.
He knew that in this long-lost cup of tea, they all returned to the autumn of the 20th year of Yongkang, when the ginkgo leaves were yellow and the sweet-scented osmanthus was fragrant. Xie Zhu, who was still an official in the capital at that time, invited Xie Queshan to his residence and took the trouble Teach him how to order tea.
Ordering tea was the most popular and elegant thing in Bianjing City at that time. To order a cup of tea, you need to meditate on the tea ceremony, which takes several years. However, Xie Queshan lived abroad when he was young and later joined the army. Let alone ordering tea. He doesn't even know how to enjoy a cup of tea.
Even if he is both civilized and military, but can't order tea, he is still the subject of ridicule among the young masters in the capital.
Xie Queshan wanted to be strong and stubborn, so he worked hard on making tea, but could never find the right method, and refused to ask for help. He intentionally or unintentionally stopped attending those elegant gatherings in Bianjing City.
Later, it was Xie Zhu who saw through his nephew's thoughts and called him to the house. He taught him how to order tea in the name of letting him come to drink tea, which also helped him preserve the young man's self-esteem.
Speaking of which, Xie Zhu taught Xie Queshan far more than his father, and their relationship was like a teacher or a father.
It was only a year before the Shocking Spring Incident that Xie Zhu was demoted to Li Dufu, and they were sent off outside Bianjing City, which turned out to be the last time they saw each other in the past few years.
Later, Xie Zhu also tried to write a letter to Xie Queshan to persuade him to return after he lost his way, but nothing happened.
Now with this cup of tea, things and people have changed.
Xie Zhu sighed and said, "You came here not just to invite me to drink this cup of tea, right?"
"I followed the Qi soldiers all the way south and saw the Qi people massacre many cities. It is their nature to be violent, but does Third Uncle know why they didn't massacre the capital?"
After sitting for a long time, when the tea cooled down, Xie Zhucai said calmly: "I have burned the shipbuilding drawings in the Shipbuilding Department."
When smart people compete with each other, they never need to reveal too much.
Lidu Prefecture is an important shipbuilding town with a dedicated shipbuilding department.
The ancestors of the Qi people prospered in the Changbai Mountains. They were tall and good at riding and shooting, but they were not good at water warfare and could not build ships. However, the only remaining forces of the Yu Dynasty have crossed south to Jinling. Once the Qi people attack the south, the river system will be crisscrossed, and the battle will definitely suffer.
Therefore, the Qi people must build their own keel boats as soon as possible and train their own crews. This has become the most valuable place in Lidu Mansion.
In the Lidu Mansion, the Qi people had to use gentle policies to win people's hearts. If the people of the city had not come to the point of resisting to death, the Qi people would not choose to massacre the city.
Capturing Xie Zhu was not just about betraying his craftsmanship, but also about controlling the shipbuilding department and building a keel ship. Xie Zhu had long understood the pros and cons, so he burned all the shipbuilding blueprints on the day Qi Ren entered Lidu Mansion.
He has made his position clear, but Xie Queshan still has to play the role of lobbyist.
"Drawings are dead, people are alive. If Qi people want to build ships, they have to rely on the unity of the shipbuilding department. However, the craftsmen and literary workers in the shipbuilding department are really difficult to control. If the third uncle is willing to help in this matter, he can collude Bingzhusi’s matter can be written off in one go.”
There was a "bang", a flick of the sleeves, the cup shattered to the ground, tea foam overflowed, and a layer of white frost covered the boiling water.
"Xie Queshan, scholars can be killed, but not humiliated!" Xie Zhuji's face was full of anger.
Xie Queshan had anticipated his reaction and remained motionless.
"Third uncle, after so many years, I thought your energy had been worn away, but I didn't expect you to still be so impulsive."
When Xie Zhu was an official in Bianjing, he advocated the implementation of the New Deal and strongly opposed the imperial court's ceding territory and seeking peace. He was expelled from the court together with the new parties, and was demoted to the Shipping Department of Lidu Prefecture as a magistrate.
Xie Zhu had been far away from the government these years, like a wandering cloud and a wild crane, with no ambition at all.
"No matter how soft a puddle of mud is, it will one day be cast into the wall and stand there." Xie Zhu's face was condensed.
"Third uncle, the Qi people are bound to win the keel boat and King Ling'an," Xie Queshan stood up calmly and bowed his hands, "The Qi people's patience is limited. No matter how hard your spine is, it will be broken."
——
Xie Queshan left the cell, and the sunlight pouring from outside entered his eyes, which was a bit dazzling.
He squinted his eyes and saw He Ping running over in a panic.
"Master, Madam... I'm afraid she may not be able to survive."
At this time, Wangxuewu was already in chaos.
Xie Zhu and Xie Jun were from the same mother, and they were the most cherished youngest sons of the Dowager Madam. The Xie clan is scattered all over the world, and Xie Zhu is the only one who can fulfill his filial piety in front of his wife every day. His significance to the dowager is self-evident.
Now he was imprisoned by Qi Ren, and Xie Jun was under house arrest in the back mountain. Mrs. Xie, who was already suffering from old illnesses, could not breathe and was critically ill.
All the female family members of the Mansion were already guarding outside Songhe Hall.
The doctors in the mansion came in and out carrying medical boxes, and all kinds of medicinal materials were delivered to Songhe Hall, but no good news came out.
Nan Yi stood among the female relatives, looking left and right, wondering why Xie Sui'an didn't come.
She was picked up by the female envoys early in the morning and pulled outside Songhe Hall. She thought she would meet Xie Sui'an here, so that they could take the opportunity to remind her to be careful of Qi Ren's trap. But she didn't show up at all. Could it be that she was the first to take action?
Looking anxiously among the crowd, Nan Yi saw a somewhat unfamiliar face. During the time she came to Xie's house, she recognized everyone in the backyard, but she rarely saw this girl. Nan Yi then remembered that this was Xie Zhu's only daughter Xie Zhaoqiu, whom she had met once before at Xie Hengzai's funeral.
Xie Xiaoliu once mentioned that Sister Qiu is a painting fanatic who is buried in paper and ink. She doesn't like to go out, let alone interact with others.
Sister Qiu did look a little different from others. She stood quietly under the dead tree. The sleeves of her broad robe were stained with a few spots of unwashed ink. She was some distance away from the crowd, and occasionally looked at her. When people meet, they will show a hint of deer-like timidity.
When Xie Zhu was at home, she should have been well protected. She was as clear as a clear spring in the deep forest. But now something happened to Xie Zhu, and now she was alone in this world, terrified and at a loss. The little girl seemed like a random speck of dust in the world would fall on her like a mountain. Even Nan Yi felt a pity for her.
At this time, there was a sound of footsteps. Nan Yi looked up and saw that Xie Queshan was coming, and felt even worse. If Xie Queshan discovers that the sixth girl is not here, and has to send someone to look for her... Xie Sui'an is performing some mission, and if he is caught, it will be over.
He was worried for a moment, but fortunately Xie Queshan only glanced at the crowd. Their eyes met briefly, and she vaguely felt that he seemed to be looking at her specifically, but as if it was just an illusion, he hurried into the room.
Nan Yi thumped again. Xie Queshan, a great sinner, now went to the Madam. Wouldn't that add fuel to the fire?
She was naturally hoping that Mrs. Tai's condition would improve, so that she wouldn't have to stay in the yard and could go look for Xie Sui'an. Qiren used Sanshu as bait to catch Bingzhusi party members. She must pass this news to Xie Sui'an as soon as possible.
Nan Yi stood on tiptoe and looked around, and could only vaguely see him entering the inner room through the figure on the window paper.
The madam still had a glimmer of consciousness. When she saw Xie Queshan coming, she opened her mouth with all her strength. She probably had a mouthful of phlegm stuck in her throat and could only utter broken syllables, but could not utter a complete sentence.
Xie Queshan held her old hand but said nothing.
The madam was anxious, but the range of her movements had become extremely weak. She could only look at him, with muddy tears of hope in her eyes.
Xie Queshan knew what Mrs. Xie wanted to say, and she wanted to ask him to promise not to kill Xie Zhu.
But he couldn't give it.
"Grandma," he sighed deeply, "you have to live, so I don't dare to touch Third Uncle. If you die, no one will be able to protect him. Sister Qiu will not be easy either."
Mrs. Xie's pupils slowly dilated and her hands trembled violently.
When the doctors saw that the situation was not good, they immediately gathered around and performed acupuncture.
Xie Queshan retreated to a corner of his own accord, covered in the smoke of the medicinal herbs, and he just stood there like a lonely soul.
……
This day passed extremely long and painfully, and when the sun was setting in the west, the door of Songhe Hall was opened from the inside.
Xie Queshan came out and left quickly.
No one dared to stop him, but everyone's faces were blank and anxious, wanting to know what was going on inside.
Immediately afterwards, the female envoy next to the Madam came out and said that the Madam had overcome the difficulty, but she still needed to rest. Everyone then breathed a sigh of relief and dispersed in an orderly manner.
Sister Qiu was still standing under the tree, her eyes seemed empty, and she didn't know what she was thinking. Nan Yi glanced at her a few more times, and wanted to go up and talk to her, but thought that it was more important to find Xie Sui'an right now, so she left in a hurry.
Nan Yi asked the female envoys, but they all had no idea. The sixth girl is free to come and go without any control. There are only a handful of people who can interfere with her whereabouts. Even if she didn't show up today, no one would find it strange.
Finally, Nan Yi finally found out from a boy who went out to buy medicine that he seemed to have seen the sixth girl entering Huachao Pavilion.
Huachao Pavilion is the most prestigious restaurant in Lidu Mansion, where dignitaries and dignitaries entertain guests, consuming all the delicacies and fine wines in the world. They are extremely extravagant, and a table can even cost a thousand dollars.
Nan Yi couldn't figure out why Xie Sui'an wanted to go to Huachao Pavilion, but he could only bite the bullet and go find out first.
When I went to the street, I found that the street had been turned upside down.
Xie Zhu was a highly respected Confucian scholar in Lidu Mansion. His arrest for no reason was a big deal among the scribes. All work in the Shipping Department was stopped. Craftsmen and imperial students gathered on the streets to petition for Xie Zhu, trying to force the prefect to come forward and let Qi Ren release Xie Zhu.
The Qi people entered the city peacefully, and openly shared the management of Lidu Prefecture with the prefect. The Tai students didn't know the heights of heaven and earth, thinking that the prefect could still save some face in front of Qi Ren. But Huang Yankun didn't come out to see these Confucian scholars at all. They could only make trouble in the streets, causing uproar in the city, but it didn't help.
Nan Yi had no intention of paying attention to the opinions of the Tai students, and walked silently against the crowd. He just wanted to find Xie Sui'an quickly. When he was halfway there, he found that the crowd of petitioners was heading towards Huachao Pavilion.
She looked up blankly and saw a luxurious carriage stopping at the entrance of Huachao Pavilion. Xie Zhu, who was supposed to be in prison, got out of the carriage neatly dressed and was welcomed in surrounded by several Qi people. Hua Chao Pavilion.
The Qi people hosted a grand banquet for Xie Zhu, and the entire Huachao Pavilion was cleared. Today there was only one table for the banquet.
The Confucian scholars were talking a lot. Some were suspicious that Xie Zhu was incited to rebel, while others firmly believed that Xie Zhu was forced. The two groups almost started to quarrel. Nan Yi finally understood amidst all the chattering - since Xie Zhu is the spiritual leader of Lidu Mansion, the Qi people would put on a show to make it look like the spiritual leader has turned to Daqi, disrupting the unity of the people. . No matter how the people speculate, there are always people who believe it and there are always people who don't believe it, but Xie Zhu is in the palm of Qi Rengu, and there is no way to argue.
And releasing the bait can also lure Bingzhusi to take the bait. Hua Chao Pavilion is preparing a banquet for the Qi people today. It is not difficult to spread the news - Xie Sui'an is the fish about to bite the hook!
Nan Yi was anxious, this was obviously a trap, and she had to stop Xie Sui'an. The main entrance was guarded by Qi soldiers and there was no way to get in. She had to turn around and climb in through the high wall in the backyard.
Huachao Pavilion has a five-story main building, surrounded by three auxiliary buildings. There is a flying bridge in the middle, which is connected to each other. The singers and servants can walk through it and have a clear view.
The lights and candles in the building are bright and resplendent. Qi soldiers are stationed on the stairs at every corner to have a panoramic view of the situation in the restaurant. If there is any abnormality, they will stop people for questioning.
Fortunately, Nan Yi had some sneaky skills. He knocked out a singer, secretly changed into her clothes, put on a fringed veil, and was able to walk openly in Huachao Pavilion.
But after searching around some places where people might be hiding, Xie Sui'an still couldn't be found. Just when she was at a loss what to do, Nan Yi was stopped by Hua Chaoge's mother.
"What are you doing here? Why don't you send the wine to Qianqiu Chuzhong?"
Only then did Nan Yi realize that what he had put on was the kabuki costume that he was going to serve at the banquet today. But at this moment, in front of everyone, she did not dare to do anything strange. She could only follow the singers in a daze and enter Qianqiu Center with wine in hand.
As soon as she entered the door, she saw Xie Queshan.
