A Complete Explanation of the Negative Textbooks of the Imperial Examination

Chapter 73: Get Rich

The governor of Rongzhou soon came to the news and summoned Xiao Jingduo to Rongzhou to discuss matters.

In the meeting hall, the governor said: “The governor of Chengdu was very impressed, and he agreed to our proposal at the time. It is estimated that in a few days, he will send someone to pick up the mother and daughter.”

“Excellent.”

“At that time, you are expected to go with the team. If there is no mistake, this will be the most important gift for our Jiannan Road, and it must not be sloppy. You go to see the governor in person, there are some things It’s good to negotiate.”

“Thank you for your appreciation.” Xiao Jingduo knew that this must be the governor of Rongzhou who had said good things to him, so he thanked him without hesitation.

The governor of Rongzhou waved his hand to signal him to get up, and continued: “When you arrive in Chengdu, there are many people, so you must be cautious in your words and deeds, and keep your words and mistakes. And remember, the governor of Chengdu has already agreed. We Rongzhou will take over one or two of the screens, so don’t be fooled.”

Great help. Xiao Jingduo originally thought that the Chengdu government would be willing to give up one fan, but he did not expect that the Rongzhou prefect’s negotiating skills were quite good, and he actually won the next two.

“This subordinate understands, please rest assured.”

The governor of Rongzhou was right. Not long after Xiao Jingduo returned to Jinjiang County, the carriage from Chengdu House arrived. Xiao Jingduo repeatedly warned about the embroidery workshop, and arranged various official affairs in the county in advance. Then he took the mother and daughter of the Zhou family and headed to Chengdu Mansion again.

The last time I came to Chengdu Mansion was for performance appraisal, but this time his identity was very different, and the people of the Mansion Government were much more attentive to him. After Xiao Jingduo settled the Zhou family and daughter, he spent several days in the governor’s mansion discussing matters with the Shangguan.

It is said that the three cobblers are better than Zhuge Liang, not to mention that these people are not cobblers. The officials gathered together, and every word you said made me more and more clear about the screen.

“The idea of painting the landscapes of various places is just a good idea. There are ten worlds in the world. Why don’t we set up ten screens, each corresponding to one.”

“This method is good. But the embroiderers have never seen other places, what should I do?”

“Let’s do it.” The governor of Chengdu Prefecture said, “I will ask my subordinates to get the official list, select a few ancestral places here, or be familiar with the local area and have served as officials in other sects. Paint officials, let them paint the local symbols and landscapes, and then hand them over to the embroidery mother to embroider.”

Xiao Jingduo has some questions: “Is there any limit to painting? Can the embroidery embroider come out?”

“It’s all right.” The people in Chengdu Prefecture are very confident about this, “Let them paint at will, and the embroiderers in our house can embroider it.”

Well, Xiao Jingduo was convinced and silently shut up.

After a while, the roster was brought, and everyone held the roster and discussed it for a long time, and finally finalized the painting person.

An official turned several pages and suddenly said, “It seems that there are no people from Hebei Road. Have you ever been to Hebei Road?”

Everyone in the audience shook their heads. Hebei Road is very north. Many officials have feelings for their homeland. Corner line, no one has been there.

At this time, Xiao Jingduo took the initiative to speak: “Inspector, I am from Youzhou, Hebei Province.”

“Aren’t you from Chang’an, how did you become a native of Zhuo County?”

Zhuo County is now called Youzhou, but the people are still used to calling it Zhuo County.

“So it is.” The governor nodded and said, “Since you grew up there, you are responsible for the drawings of Hebei Road. Can you be good at fine brushwork?”

Xiao Jingduo nodded: “It’s okay.”

In fact, it is not acceptable. When he was in Qingyuan Temple, he was taught by Master Mingjue to write and draw. After that, he was also instructed by many famous guests who were guests in the temple. Therefore, Xiao Jingduo said that his painting is acceptable. Really humbled.

Painting is not an easy task, even if the ten people designated by the Inspector are good at painting, it is not something that can be done overnight. Fortunately, embroidery girls also need time to learn double-sided embroidery, so it is not a delay.

Calculating the time, in fact, there is not much time left for them to rush to make the screen. The Qianqiu Banquet is at the end of August, and the team from Jiannan Road to celebrate the birthday must arrive at Chang’an at least half a month earlier. Some management is essential in the officialdom, and apart from the time spent on the road, at least the beginning of July, the envoy will be ready to set off.

It’s May and they don’t have much time left.

Xiao Jingduo and others were busy painting, and the Inspector was not idle during this time. He mobilized the resources of the entire Chengdu Prefecture to weave many translucent silks with the best silk. I went to visit with other officials and found that this kind of silk is very light, and the bottom handwriting can still be seen when five or six layers are stacked together, and it is extremely strong, making it the best base material for screens.

In addition, Chengdu mansion is rich in Shu embroidery, and many crafts are readily available. Within a few days of the governor’s instructions, the wooden frame for mounting the screen was ready. Xiao Jingduo saw with his own eyes the exquisite and tall mahogany frame sent to the governor’s mansion , Xiao Jingduo sighed silently in his heart. It was right that he didn’t grab business with the Chengdu government. Even if he hid the skills of double-sided embroidery, he might not be able to make a satisfactory large-scale screen within a while. Sure enough, this kind of big head should be given to the higher-level prefectures, and it is enough for them to drink some soup in Jinjiang County.

The Inspector entrusted Xiao Jingduo with the task of drawing the Hebei Road, obviously no mistakes were allowed. Xiao Jingduo thought about it for a long time, but couldn’t decide what to paint.

In fact, his memory of Zhuojun is very weak. He was only seven or eight years old. The most common thing he saw every day was the endless gray land. Represents Hebei Road. In contrast, Xiao Jingduo still remembers the scene of the late emperor leading his troops to attack Zhuo County.

He hesitated for a long time, and finally decided to paint this picture that he could not forget for a long time.

When the Inspector saw Xiao Jingduo’s pen and ink, he froze for a moment and asked, “This is…”

“When I was eight years old, I was fortunate enough to see with my own eyes the late emperor led a black iron cavalry to sweep Zhuo County. I couldn’t forget it after seeing it, so I dared to draw it.”

After Xiao Jingduo finished speaking, he lowered his head and said nothing. The prefect stared at the picture of the black cloud on the table and the military flag with the word “Xuan” on the paper.

Sure enough, they are both in the official circles. I don’t need to say much about the knowledge of how to inadvertently flatter me.

One by one, nine other people also submitted the basemap. The prefect and the officials read the biography for a while, and they all felt that it was not good to not inscribe a poem. Mixing in the officialdom, not to mention other things, these officials are all good at poetry and writing, so as soon as the Inspector raised his head, others actively participated and offered poems one after another. Everyone selected the best songs, and the officials of Chengdu Prefecture did it for them, and wrote them in the blanks of the mountains and rivers in various places.

As the governor of a state, the provincial governor naturally took over the inscription of Jiannan Road. As for the inscriptions on the two paintings of Taiyuan House and Chang’an, no one dared to write them. Naturally, these two places must be reserved for Chang’an, let the big men write.

All preparations are ready, the next step is to wait for the results of the embroidery girls. Xiao Jingduo’s task had been completed, and it was not his turn to intervene in the rest of the matter, so he stayed in Chengdu Mansion for another day and took the initiative to leave.

When he left, the prefect specially prepared a carriage for him, which was equipped with a mahogany frame with a framed screen and a lot of silk, even the silk thread. These are the two screens that the governor of Chengdu Prefecture promised to give to Rongzhou before. People in Chengdu Prefecture were afraid that the silk in Rongzhou would not be good enough and ruined the whole screen, so they simply gave them everything. Chengdu Prefecture can afford it. this money.

One of the two screens was sent to the governor of Rongzhou, and the other was given to Xiao Jingduo.

The governor of Rongzhou sent people to Jinjiang County to learn double-sided embroidery. Later, he felt that it was too troublesome to move around, so he simply let the person in charge of embroidery stay in Jinjiang County, and sent the finished product back directly after embroidery. . In other words, Xiao Jingduo had to prepare the embroidery of two screens at the same time, but in the end he had to give half of the credit to the governor of Rongzhou.

This is a common thing in officialdom, Xiao Jingduo didn’t say much, just nodded. On the contrary, he is more concerned about how the embroidery workshop he explained is now.

Qiu Ju was sitting in the embroidery workshop, chatting with the people around her as she dropped the needle: “Darang Jun has been gone for half a month, I wonder how he is doing in Chengdu Mansion?”

“The magistrate follows the governor to do business, which is a good thing, how can he come back in a while.” After saying this, the women couldn’t control their gossip nature and couldn’t help but inquire. About Xiao Jingduo: “Qiu Ju, why do you always call the county magistrate Dalangjun?”

“Langjun is the head of the Hou Mansion, and we all call him Dalangjun.”

Calling young male masters as Langjun and female masters as Niangzi is a habit among the nobles in Chang’an, and people from other places do not pay attention to this. After listening to Qiu Ju’s explanation, the others nodded: “Oh, so that’s the case.”

“Hey, no, you just said Houfu?”

The people of Jinjiang County only know that Xiao Jingduo is from Chang’an, and he seems to be famous, but he is not clear about his origin. Colleagues in the official circles must know the bottom line, but in Jinjiang County, ordinary people will not know if Xiao Jingduo does not say it.

The children are married? I wonder if Magistrate Xiao has a baby to kiss?”

“No, let’s say that we need to observe filial piety to the country now. Langjun said there is no rush.”

The women gave a meaningful “Oh”. Thinking of the rumors during this period, women with unmarried daughters at home became even more enthusiastic and inquired about the details one after another.

There is no need to hide Xiao Jingduo’s background, but when it comes to Xiao Jingduo’s personal affairs, Qiu Ju would not say anything more. No matter how these people ask, Qiu Ju will not say anything.

The women were discussing the county magistrate. Chen Ci also sat with the girls, but did not dare to come to the woman’s side to check the situation.

Xiqi saw Qiuju being besieged, and was about to exit to save her when she heard thumping footsteps outside the door, and she ran and shouted happily: “Xiao County magistrate is back La!”

“Darang-kun is back!” Qiu Ju stood up with a snort, and didn’t even bother to pack up her sewing basket, so she picked up her skirt and ran out, “Miss Chen, help me with my sewing basket first. I keep it, I’ll come back to pick it up later! I have to go back now!”

At this time, Xiao Jingduo was sitting in the county office listening to the chief clerk and others.

I still can’t embroider well, but I have reached the threshold of double-sided embroidery step by step.

Many people in the county government were puzzled: “County magistrate, what is the use of our embroidery workshop? How much money does it cost!”

It turns out that there is no conclusion about the birthday ceremony. In order not to reveal the news, Xiao Jingduo has not explained the purpose of the embroidery workshop. But now that the congratulatory gift has been finalized, it’s okay to say it, not to mention that if you don’t explain it clearly today, the people in the county government will not pay attention to this matter, so Xiao Jingduo looked solemn and asked, “You know, I brought it back from Chengdu Prefecture. what is it?”

“Isn’t it a reward from the governor?”

“Naturally not. Those are the materials ordered by the governor to let Jinjiang County assist Chengdu Prefecture to purchase the materials for the birthday ceremony.”

The chief clerk and others all gasped: “The birthday gift of the saint’s Qianqiu Festival actually fell on our county?”

“Yes, so the women in the embroidery workshop will do their best to prepare the gifts these days. This matter is very important, you must be careful, and don’t hinder the embroidery workshop!”

In addition to the birthday gift, Xiao Jingduo has deeper plans, but now there is no need for them to say. Xiao Jingduo saw that the attitudes of these people were correct, and after a few more words, he let them back.

After everyone left, Xiao Jingduo called his subordinates and asked, “Is everything in the car ready?”

“They have all been moved to a special embroidery room, and now they are finishing the house.”

“Okay, hurry up, don’t delay.”

The birthday ceremony can be said to be the most important thing in the near future. Although Xiao Jingduo said it firmly, he was quite stressed.

According to their reports, there are not many women in the embroidery workshop. Only a few people have mastered the basic stitching method of double-sided embroidery. Obviously, there is not enough time. Can’t get up. However, the Qianqiu Festival cannot wait.

The gift of the Thousand Autumn Festival is very important. At present, it seems that other people can only make the submission. The real important task must fall on the submission.

Xiao Jingduo is not worried about the craftsmanship of the presentation, he is more worried about whether there is enough time. Xiao Jingduo stayed in the front hall to handle official business for a while, and finally couldn’t help calling someone to urge: “Hurry up and set up the embroidery room, and then go to invite Miss Chen after the decoration is finished.”

For the preparation of this birthday ceremony, Xiao Jingduo specially vacated a whole room for speeches and other embroiderers.

After finishing the embroidery room and the front yard, it was already dark, and Xiao Jingduo returned to the east yard.

At this time, Qiu Ju and others had been waiting in the east courtyard for a long time, and when Xiao Jingduo finally came back, they hurriedly greeted them: “Lang Jun, I heard Xiao Lin say that you are staring at the embroidery room in the front courtyard. , what is the purpose of vacating an embroidery room?”

“The governor agreed, let our county’s double-sided embroidery be sent to the capital as a tribute.”

Qiu Ju and the others immediately cheered, and when they were quiet, Xiao Jingduo continued: “Besides, the Inspector Nian made double-sided embroidery in Jinjiang County, so he assigned two screens to our heads. On. This is a great honor, so these two screens must be embroidered.”

“It’s natural!” Qiu Ju said, “The slave will call everyone who is good at sewing in the embroidery workshop tomorrow. Although we are not good at double-sided embroidery, we will help Mrs. Chen. , it’s fine to embroider some corners.”

“Where is Miss Chen now? You called her, some things must be explained in advance…” Xiao Jingduo realized that something was wrong after he finished speaking. He looked up at the sky and sighed, ” It’s already so late, forget it, let’s talk about it tomorrow.”

“I am worried about this.” Xiao Jingduo said, “Qiu Ju, Xiqi, how is your double-sided embroidery learning?”

“You can’t compare to Mrs. Chen, you can only embroider some small pieces.”

“A palace fan is possible?”

“The palace fan is fine…” Qiu Ju didn’t understand, “Langjun, don’t we help Chen Niangzi embroider the screen?”

“No, you are busy with this first.” Xiao Jingduo said, “I have already embroidered the pattern, you can embroider these first. By the way, use the best needle and thread fabrics, and if you need it, you can I speak.”

In addition to the materials allocated by the governor to embroider the screen, Xiao Jingduo also bought a lot. If double-sided embroidery succeeds in making a name for itself in Chang’an through this birthday gift, then the future business routes will be ready.

Qiu Ju and Xiqi agreed, they looked at each other, and they both saw puzzlement in each other’s eyes.

The birthday gift for the saint is so urgent, Langjun is not busy preparing the birthday gift, why let them embroider some insignificant fan? What can be more urgent than the Holy One?

Qiu Ju doesn’t understand, but Xiao Jingduo’s words are the truth.

On the second day, Xiao Jingduo and Chen Zi talked about this matter: “…The governor meant that the two screens in Rongzhou were completed in our county, and they were sent to Rongzhou after they were framed. They will be transported to Chengdu Mansion together. The provincial governor has dispatched a few professional embroiderers, who will be there soon, so I will trouble you for the past few days to preside over the embroidery of these two screens.”

The statement was startled when he heard this. After Xiao Jingduo took the Zhou family’s mother and daughter away, the statement thought that such a big event as the preparation of the birthday ceremony would inevitably be taken away by the state above. How could he have thought It actually fell on their Jinjiang County. Although there is only a small part, it is important enough. Chen Zi’s face became serious and said: “Thanks Xiao Mingfu does not think I am stupid, I will do my best for the screen. I will choose a few people from the embroidery workshop to give it to me. I’m going to start, although the time is a little short, but it should be completed by July.”

“That’s good, thank you.”

send it to you.”

The emperor’s birthday was the first time, Xiao Jingduo arranged other things for Qiu Ju? The statement did not expect this result, and was surprised and embarrassed in his heart, and quickly said: “Naturally, the arrangement of the Ming Palace is the first, I am offended.”

“Miss Chen is very polite. Thanks to Miss Chen, she taught Qiu Ju and others the stunt of double-sided embroidery. I can’t help Miss Chen.”

I just wanted to be lazy to borrow someone from Mingfu, not to question Mingfu’s arrangements, Xiao Mingfu must not misunderstand.”

Embroidered some pendants independently.

Xiao Jingduo couldn’t explain where he arranged for the fan made by Qiu Ju, so he couldn’t help but thank him again and again: “Thank you Miss Chen.”

The screen is the biggest thing at present. Chen Ci stopped the class of the embroidery workshop and concentrated on embroidering the two screens. Now there are only three people who are proficient in double-sided embroidery, the mother and daughter of the Zhou family and the statement, but the mother and daughter of the Zhou family have to lead people to embroider eight screens, and the statement only needs two, and there are other embroiderers to help. In the end, Xiao Jingduo’s progress here was actually faster than that of Chengdu Mansion.

At night, Xiao Jingduo finished his government affairs and returned to the courtyard very late. Qiu Ju and others were sitting in the yard enjoying the shade, and when they saw Xiao Jingduo, they quickly got up and greeted him: “Lang Jun.”

Xiao Jingduo nodded casually and said, “You guys rest, you don’t have to follow me.”

Qiu Ju knew Xiao Jingduo’s habit, it was absolutely necessary, Xiao Jingduo didn’t like to stab people in front of her, so she didn’t say much, she suddenly thought of something and said to Xiao Jingduo: “Lang Jun, what you want We have embroidered the fan.”

“Oh?” Xiao Jingduo’s tone immediately cheered up, “Show it to me.”

Qiu Ju brought a few assembled fans together, Xiao Jingduo randomly jumped one of them, turned it around in his hand, and praised: “Very good.”

“Langjun, who did you draw so many patterns on purpose?” Qiu Ju has been curious about this for a long time. Xiao Jingduo has to handle official business these days and prepare for the new emperor’s birthday ceremony. It takes a lot of time to draw pictures in person at night. Who is it, who can be more important than the Holy One?