Great Tang Idyll

Book 1: Chapter 50

The situation in Chengshui province, Sanshui country was not as relaxed as Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Jun right now. Cheng Xianling had been standing outside, leading a group of people to wait for more than half an hour. Most of the snow had yet to melt. The cold wind blew and the people standing outside felt completely frozen.

Cheng XianLing knew the person who was coming down this time was Chen Gong, who had joined the army and was not sympathetic to his colleague Zhou Yi. He was closer to Zhou Yi. After all, his nephew was here.

We originally agreed to meet at Chen time but its almost noon (Wu time). Looking at the current situation, they are doing this on purpose. Cheng XianLing endured the rage in his heart and could only continue to wait here. The difference of a level (1 ping), not to mention that he was sent here regarding a special issue, if he really delayed them, they might send a report to censor him saying that this side is slow and inauspicious.

Daren perhaps you should first enter the carriage to warm yourself up a little. Ill wait here and watch over the situation, its not too late to come out when the people reach here. The county magistrate Zhang Ming Sheng who was at a side noticed that Cheng XianLings expression was bad, gently whispered.

Cheng XianLing did want to go in the carriage to get warm but as he looked at country Magistrate Zhao Xiang besides him, he suppressed the idea. Zhao Xiang is the Magistrate and there are some restrictions on him. Usually their relationship is neither close nor distant. Fortunately, Zhao Xiang has never done anything bad.

Usually this Zhao Xiang is rather impartial. Who knows that at this time he has entered the scene, will he impeach him? Seeing him standing so straight without speaking, giving off the impression that the weather wasnt really that cold.

It was almost noon already. Other than Zhao Xiang who is expressionless as usual, the others were already a little impatient and shuffling around.

People pass by time from time, knowing that they are waiting for someone. They speculated hat SanShui County has encountered auspicious things. If it was another time of the year they would stay to look at it but today was the 15th, none of them stayed.

After waiting for a quarter of an hour, there was finally a team of people in the distance. There was a flag bearer in the front and a carriage in the back. They are finally here.

Sanshui Countys people started getting more active, preparing to see the ceremony in a little while. As the team is getting closer, Cheng XianLing dismissed the idea of waiting there and instead led people to meet up. The moment they met, Cheng XianLing said:

Cheng XianLing, the province commander of Sanshui County welcomes inspection officer of the auspicious case, State Secretary Chen Yong.

After a while, the carriage door was opened and one person came out. It was the State Secretary Chen Yong. Chen Yong was expressionless as he exited, he nodded slightly and said:

Cheng XianLing, I was ordered by the emperor to come verify the auspicious sign case. The weather on the road was bad and there was a delay. I will set off to go take a look now. I heard that the auspicious sign originated from a manor.

Hearing this, the province magistrate was secretly cursing in his heart. What weather is bad. August 15 Last year was a bright sunny day. Hence this years should also be the same. Want to go to the manor? Are you dreaming? How could the manor still have cucumbers inside? How can I let you go?

Although he thought this is in his heart, he maintained a smile on his face. Chen daren, the auspicious sign is no longer in that manor. It has already been moved to a place on the banks of the LuoShui River that belongs to this county. If daren wishes to see the auspicious sign, it is better to just go there.

State Secretary Chen Yong heard the words of Cheng XianLing and faltered for a moment. He didnt think that they would act so fast and move the cucumbers over. He originally intended to head towards the manor. After-all, the manor would only have some ordinary people. As long as the county commander had any little mistake, he could criticise Cheng XianLing, censuring his for being slow and inauspicious.

But now that it has been moved, he can no longer go to the manor. Else Cheng XianLing could censure him, questioning whether he was here to examine the auspicious sign or to examine the manor.

In that case, take this officer (himself) to see. Seeing that his initial plans could no longer be used, Chen Yong didnt say much. The procession of people did not have time to eat a bite before they had to proceed there.

Although it was said to be a place on the banks of LuoShui River, in reality it was near a tributary of LuoShui River, the ordinary people called this the little LuoShui but the Cheng county commander did not like this name.

The little LuoShui was not as far away as the real LuoShui. It wasnt that close though. It took more than an hour before it reached the place, a pedestrian stopped and saw the location which was engulfed in cloth.

This is the auspicious sign, the cucumbers? Chen Yong pointed as he asked with a calm countenance.

Exactly so, daren you may come in to take a look. The country magistrate Zhang Ming Sheng came to answer, opening the cloth.

county commander Cheng XianLing, do you know your crime? Chen Yong did not accept the county magistrates words but instead looked at the county commander in the eyes and questioned.

This subordinate officer does not know what crimes he has committed? Cheng XianLing was no longer smiling. You simply came here to pick faults! What crimes? The crime of giving you too little cucumber to eat?

The purpose of State Secretary Chen Yong this time is very clear, to leave the benefits of this auspicious sign to the state (Zhou li), to find fault with the prefectural order. When the time came, to blame him of a crime and consign him to death. He simply had to accuse Cheng XianLing of a crime and his merits would be offset by his crimes.

Hearing Cheng XianLings questioning response, he pointed to the river in front while saying coldly. As the spring comes, the snow thaws and the river is getting higher. You moved the auspicious sign here. What is your motive? Did you want the river to wash away the auspicious sign? Weakening our country?

This statement was grave and the crime implied could lead to mass execution of his clan. If it was another person, this would be the time to confess that we have not done enough. Cheng XianLing was simply not concerned. Since they were no longer keeping up appearances, then just come at me! He also made a dismissive noise.

Chen Yong, are you trying to interfere in the affairs of water conservancy? Do you understand more about water conservancy? If you are talking on this topic, Chen Yong seems to be more experienced than you. Now, if you want to be a provincial governor, yes, then you can ask everything.

You You are slandering me! Chen Yong was given a fright, he was now even more frightened than Cheng Xian Ling. It was impossible for his superiors to agree to the crime he wanted to push onto Cheng Xian Ling, he just wanted Cheng Xian Ling to retreat.

But now Cheng Xian Ling managed to turn the tables and accuse him of a crime. This was a much smaller crime. But the many followers beside him could hear and pass this on to the provincial governor. He could predict the future consequences of that.

And it would not have been just the governor that was unhappy. His other colleagues (wu shi) would also find him unpleasant, especially regarding this issue of interfering with water conservancy. If the governor is really angered and wants him to govern then he will be in big trouble.

When Chen Yong was still thinking about the consequences, Cheng Xian Ling continued: Since State Secretary intends to help manage the water conservancy, I will definitely lend a helping hand, and send up a report so that the division will join the army regarding the water conservancy project. At that time I will have to trouble these daren here to testify.

The daren he spoke to were naturally those who followed Chen Yong here. They were not all from the same faction. They each had their own backers and factions. Among them were those who opposed Chen Yong.

Cheng XianLing, Brother Cheng, dear brother those were all joke, just jokes. I learnt that this place was auspicious under your jurisdiction and was happy for you and feared that you would be negligent and lose the royal grace. Thus I used jokes to remind you.

Chen Yong no longer cared about his dignity. If Cheng Xian Ling really submitted such a report up, the first victim would be him. Desperate he could only coax him, calling him intimately even addressing him as my dear brother. He even started smiling. As for the thoughts of others, he could not control it.

As older brother said, it is a joke. Please head inside, first examine the auspicious sign. Cheng XianLing also had to step back at the moment, first establish the veracity of the auspicious sign before anything else. He was also troubled. How to stop this person who was deliberately picking at flaws from going to the Zhang manor?

This was really difficult to do. Should this Chen Yong insist on going to the place where an auspicious sign appeared. What excuse should he use to block it?

Good, good, please go ahead dear brother. Chen Yong laughed and agreed. He ordered a person to go in front and lift up the cloth revealing a green expanse of succulent cucumbers.

Many of the cucumbers sent by the county magistrate had been eaten by the people here. The feeling they got when they were eating and the feeling they got when seeing the cucumbers hanging from the vein was another feeling. It was such a cold day, seeing the green cucumbers hanging there, they got a sense of joy. No wonder they said it was auspicious. Even if the emperor himself came and saw, they believed he would also feel the same sentiment.

Everyone was watching, like the people who saw this for the first time. They all wanted to personally pluck one down, without even washing it, rubbing it lightly before taking a bite. That feeling would definitely be different.

Surrounding darens, please take a look. This is the cucumber that fell from the vine some time ago, some of the cucumbers have already fallen and their vines have withered, some are still growing. Yesterday, when I was here, this cucumber here was only two inches long but today it has grown to three inches. I believe this is an auspicious sign of the new dynasty.

The county commander Cheng XianLing introduced this to the crowds. The people quickly nodded their heads and no one dared to say anything. According to Cheng XianLings words of the auspicious timing, it was Kaiyuan Year 2 and hence was the new dynasty.

Chen Yong originally still wanted to find some flaws but listening to Cheng XianLing explaining it as such, he could only give up.

The auspicious sign has been verified and hence this matter has been settled. Some people wanted to take some away and Cheng XianLing agreed. It is still unknown how many would survive, regardless of who wanted to use this to advance their careers, as long as he survived, its good.

Since things have been set, then lets eat. Everyone is hungry. Cheng XianLing originally intended to move to the GuanShi Pavilion. Before he could speak, Song JingGong ran over breathlessly. He just arrived riding a horse, only first contacted the QianChang Pavilion.

The store was opened by people from other places. It is clear that the store is not only willing to arrange places, but also does not need a penny.

ZiJin (Song JingGongs scholar name), What matter has you in such a hurry? Cheng XianLing saw Song JingGong run over so hurriedly and felt anxious.

Daren, this student has complied with your orders and reserved a good place in the QianChang Pavilion. Song JingGong replied respectfully.

Oh, yes, this is the case. If ZiJin had not said it, this officer would have forgotten it. Darens the place to eat at has been chosen, it is best to go with them.

The county commander made a sign of relief, and headed towards the QianChang Pavilion.