No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 701: Asking for Merit

Chapter 701: Asking for Merit

The palace study.

Li Guoer paused in petting the cat, frowned and looked sideways:

"Ouyang Lianghan, why are you looking at me like that?"

Ouyang Rong shook his head and did not answer.

Wei Mei, who was standing by, smiled happily and said:

"The Buddha statue has been successfully built. Qilang, as the Jiangnan Construction Supervisor, has already secured a share of the credit. Now with Tanlang's unique design of the 'Golden Light Auspiciousness', it shouldn't be difficult to return to the capital. Tanlang is really reliable."

Ouyang Rong shrugged helplessly:

"If I say I didn't mean it, would you believe me?"

The expressions on Li Xian's family's faces were indeed half-believing and half-doubting.

Even people like Li Xian gave him strange smiles and looks, as if to say that they understood him. Yes, everyone understood.

Only Li Guoer carefully looked at his subtle expression, as if thinking seriously, and suddenly spoke:

"Even if there is an element of luck involved, it is also your personal luck, your good fortune. Heaven will not favor a useless person for no reason. You have the qualification, and it is also part of your strength. You should take it. There is no need to be modest."

Facing the crowd's comments, Ouyang Rong hesitated for a moment, then slowly shook his head in front of them:

"No, this golden auspiciousness is not my credit, it belongs to the prince."

Li Xian was a little confused and pointed at himself: "Ah? This king?"

Ouyang Rong nodded: "Well, just say... say it's the prince's plan, and it all depends on the prince."

Li Xian wanted to say something but stopped.

Li Guoer, Li Dalang, Wei Mei and others around them looked thoughtful, enlightened, or had their eyes brightened.

Li Dalang asked with a complicated expression:

"What Tan Lang meant was that we should give the credit to our father and pool our chips so that our palace would have a greater chance of leaving Xunyang City and returning to the capital. Is that right?"

Ouyang Rong nodded calmly.

Wei Mei was surprised and moved:

"Tan Lang is really thinking about the overall situation. However, this is all your credit. Although we don't need to be so formal with each other, it might not be a good idea to do this."

Li Guoer remained silent, petting the cat with her head down. The cat in her arms stretched its furry head forward, and its pair of bright eyes looked at Ouyang Rong with some curiosity, and no one knew what it was expecting.

Surprisingly, Li Xian suddenly shook his head and said:

"No, this is inappropriate. I cannot shamelessly take credit for Tan Lang's contribution."

He turned around and said to Wei Mei and others who were about to give him advice:

"My mother knows exactly what I am capable of and how much knowledge I have. The officials in the court also know this. There is no need to do this. I am too embarrassed to take away the credit that belongs to Tan Lang. This is even more unacceptable."

"Is this what you are mainly worried about..."

Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes and murmured, thinking for a moment, and then improved his words:

"That's it. The credit for the golden light and auspiciousness should still be given to you, Your Highness. But we can change the story and say that the location of the Donglin Buddha was something that Your Highness dreamed about one day, and that it was guided by gods or auspicious beasts. After waking up from the dream, Your Highness gave me some suggestions... This makes sense.

"When you present the memorial to celebrate your success, Your Majesty can make the story about the immortal's dream more mysterious and exciting. It will be a good omen and His Majesty will surely like it."

Ouyang Rong spoke more and more fluently and made some suggestions.

After listening to this, Li Xian still shook his head firmly:

"No, no, this is all Tan Lang's credit, there is no need to give it to me. In fact, the factor just now is only one of the reasons, the other is..."

The King of Xunyang paused.

Ouyang Rong asked curiously: "What is it?"

Li Xian couldn't help but look at Ouyang Rong a few more times before speaking:

“Secondly, the lady named Rong Zhen is obviously on good terms with Tan Lang and wants to promote him. She will definitely speak well of Tan Lang in front of the Queen Mother.

"Ms. Rong Zhen participated in the construction of Xunyang Grottoes throughout the entire process. She can easily expose our dream."

Ouyang Rong had not expected this and his brows furrowed.

Li Dalang took the initiative to smooth things over and said, "This is to be decided first, there is no rush..."

Ouyang Rong glanced at Li Xian's persistent attitude and decided not to mention the matter for the time being.

He glanced at the sky outside, then lowered his head and took a sip of hot tea.

Li Dalang took the initiative to say:

"Miss Xie may not be able to come back for a while, Tan Lang doesn't have to stay with us, he can go find her and tell her the good news."

He suppressed his laughter:

"Tan Lang doesn't know that during the days you were away, Miss Xie went out every day to visit Madam Zhen at the Huaiye Lane mansion. She also went to see Yan Liulang every day to ask about the Xunyang Grottoes. Sometimes she would ask several times a day."

Ouyang Rong glanced at him, without saying anything, nor did he get up and leave.

He gently put down the teacup in his hand and said:

"There is one more thing we need to discuss. Let me hear the opinions of the prince and everyone else."

Li Xian was holding hands with Wei Mei and looking at each other tenderly. This time the Donglin Buddha was completed and fell to the ground. The sword that had been pressing down on the palace was finally extinguished. At least they didn't have to worry about not being able to complete their mission because of unexpected events such as the rebels in the Tiannan rivers and lakes and being blamed by the empress.

Hearing Ouyang Rong's words, Li Xian said gently:

"Just let Tanlang decide."

Ouyang Rong said calmly:

"I still have to listen to everyone's opinions. In fact, I can do anything."

Li Guoer asked, "What's the matter?"

Under everyone's gaze, Ouyang Rong said softly:

"Ribbon-cutting ceremony. Rong Zhen and his team suggested that on the day when the completion of the Buddha is announced to the public, a completion ceremony should be held, similar to a ribbon-cutting ceremony. At that time, officials and citizens of Xunyang will be invited to the scene to celebrate the completion of the Donglin Buddha.

“In addition, we will also invite an expert painter to draw a picture of the grand ceremony, and send it to Luoyang along with a picture of the golden light of the Buddha’s head at sunrise to present to Your Majesty, in order to win his smile.”

Li Xian and others looked at each other.

After a moment, Li Dalang sighed: "As expected of someone from the palace, you know how to please grandma."

Li Guoer asked calmly:

"Who first proposed this matter, and who agrees with it now?"

Ouyang Rong glanced at her and said fluently:

"It was proposed by Ms. Rong first, and Vice Supervisor Song, Commander Yi, and Ms. Miaozhen agreed on the spot. Military generals such as Wei Mi, Duan Quanwu, and Li Congshan also supported it."

"So, at that time, you were the only one who was reserved, Ouyang Lianghan. What were you worried about?"

Ouyang Rong was quiet for a moment and said:

"It's not that I'm worried, I'm just used to being conservative. This time it was a bit high-profile, so I don't really want to go..."

Li Xian pondered and said:

"I think it's okay to hold a celebration ceremony, but we must be careful of the Tiannan Jianghu. It would be bad if they took the opportunity to cause chaos."

Ouyang Rong nodded directly:

"I mentioned this matter, and Ms. Rong said she had considered it. From the look of her face, she doesn't seem like she would take it lightly. Besides, the Donglin Buddha has already landed, and the weakest period of the Xunyang Grottoes has passed...

"Well, it's not impossible for the rebels from Tiannan Jianghu to come, but I can't figure out why they didn't come before. As Ms. Rong said, now that the Buddha has landed, he's waiting for them to come. I wish they could bump into him..."

Ouyang Rong said this and shook his head slightly.

Take a deep breath of relief:

"That's good. I have no objection. If I have to say one thing, it is that we should invite fewer people to the celebration ceremony. There shouldn't be too many civilians and officials. Don't let the original deployment be confused by the crowd and cause negligence and loopholes."

Ouyang Rong nodded: "Okay." In fact, he had already mentioned this idea to Rong Zhen, and the latter also gladly accepted it.

Li Guoer tilted his head and asked:

"What's interesting about this matter is the opinions expressed by the people at Xunyang Grottoes. Ouyang Lianghan, have you ever thought about why Rong Zhen held this celebration and why the others agreed unanimously?"

Ouyang Rong glanced at her, and the two seemed to have a tacit understanding.

He nodded and said:

"I was thinking about this on the way here. It's easy to guess that Ms. Rong has some ideas. She held this completion ceremony just to please His Majesty.

"As for the others, they all agree, naturally because this matter is beneficial to everyone and can facilitate celebration. The grander the ceremony, the happier His Majesty will be, and the greater the credit will naturally be. The crying child gets the milk. Similarly, officials who celebrate and report their success are more likely to be promoted in the court."

Li Guoer praised:

"Yes, it's similar to what I analyzed. In fact, Rong Zhen may have another purpose for holding this celebration."

She said calmly:

"Inviting officials and common people to observe can actually promote the glory of the saints, inspire the people of Xunyang, and indirectly undermine the prestige of Yunmeng Jianze, so that the people of Xunyang in Jiangzhou and even Jiangnan Road will know that the majesty of the court cannot be violated, even by the legendary Yunmeng Yuanjun."

Li Dalang looked a little worried and said, "Wouldn't that be more provocative to Yunmeng Jianze?"

Li Guoer nodded:

"Yes, but from what Ouyang Lianghan just said, this lady Rong Zhen seems to be waiting for this. This may also be a hidden purpose for her to hold this ceremony."

Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.

Li Dalang muttered, "So how should we express our stance on this matter?"

Li Guoer glanced at Ouyang Rong who remained silent, and said crisply:

"Of course, it is the direction that maximizes our interests. So many people have already supported it. This kind of celebration ceremony is to commend our subordinates. Father, Ouyang Lianghan and we cannot sing a different tune.

"Besides, this matter is actually beneficial to us, so let's do it. The happier Grandmother is, the more credit we will get, and we will also be able to benefit from it."

At this point, Li Guoer changed the subject and said:

"Ouyang Lianghan, what do you think?"

Ouyang Rong glanced at the little princess with plum blossom makeup who was staring at him.

"IM about the same."

Li Guoer didn't let him go and continued to ask a few more questions, but Ouyang Rong was vague about the answers.

After a while, after finishing the tea in the cup, Ouyang Rong waved his hand and politely declined Wei Mei's smiling offer to add more tea.

He stood up and before leaving, he dropped his head in thought and said:

"It can be done, but we should not go to the celebration if we can, just in case."

Li Guoer frowned at first, then her eyes lit up slightly and she agreed crisply:

"it is good."

"Tan Lang, why don't we go?"

Li Guoer put down the weapon in her arms and patiently explained to Li Dalang, who looked curious and puzzled:

“First, safety;

“Secondly, if something unexpected happens, it will be easy for us to pass the buck. At least we won’t be blamed for anything serious. If something really happens and we investigate, it will be Rong Zhen and the others who will be at the forefront. At most, we will just be implicated.

"Besides, if we put forward suggestions like we are now, we will still be the last to respond. Just in case, we can still give the court a sense of competence that we have followed helplessly and worried about advising them."

Li Dalang couldn't help but pat the armrest: "I see."

Ouyang Rong was politely escorted out the door by Li Xian and Wei Mei. Li Xian pulled Ouyang Rong's sleeve and asked him a few questions about his well-being, mainly asking in detail about Zhen Shuyuan's birthday gift, and he answered a few questions.

Ouyang Rong, who was straightening his clothes and preparing to go out, remained silent in response to Li Guo'er's analysis to Li Dalang from behind.

Before he walked out the door, Wei Mei stopped him again:

"Tan Lang, why hasn't Li Congshan left yet? Can't they swap my nephew over? Speaking of which, this Li Congshan should have seen through our attitude and has become a bit shameless."

Ouyang Rong shook his head:

"There are only three of them here. General Wei and the Xuanwu Guards need to stay in the Xunyang Grottoes to deploy defenses, which involves a certain formation... Duan Quanwu is even less suitable. He is suspected to be related to the Wei family. Let him continue to suppress the bandits. Only Li Congshan is left."

Wei Mei nodded reluctantly:

"Well, I'll have someone make some soup and send it over tonight, and we'll see how it goes in a few days."

"Thank you for your hard work, Princess."

Ouyang Rong said a few words of comfort and left the palace.

Back to the carriage.

He sat quietly for a while.

In fact, there is another benefit to holding this completion ceremony, which Ouyang Rong did not mention throughout the whole process.

Because it's for him.

Inviting Jiangzhou officials and people to watch the celebration ceremony together can actually increase some merits.

Ouyang Rong pondered for a while, then instructed Ali to go to the Jiangzhou lobby.

After entering the lobby, Ouyang Rong gave a few instructions. After a while, Yan Liulang, Pei Shisan Niang and others arrived one after another.

Ouyang Rong questioned them carefully.

He confirmed again that, except for some unusual movements of the pirates from Hukou County, nothing happened in Xunyang City during the ten days since he left.

Ouyang Rong glanced at the sky, then went back to the main hall, called the officials from the governor's office, and brought over the important documents that had been piled up for ten days. He reviewed and signed them one by one and started processing them.

During this time, he heard a series of crisp knocking sounds from a small wooden fish in the Merit Pagoda.

A lot of merits were increased out of thin air.

After a quick calculation of the time, this should be the rebound in merit points from his order to lift the flood blockade in Xunyang City that had lasted for ten days... The blockade did have a great impact on people's livelihood, and there was always resentment growing and gradually accumulating.

There was still an hour before evening when Ouyang Rong finally finished dealing with the most important batch of official business.

After getting out of it, he immediately took off his official uniform and went on duty underground.

When they got back to the carriage, Ouyang Rong couldn't wait to order:

"Go to the embroiderer's yard."

"Yes, son."

Half an hour later, by the Xingzi Lake, Ouyang Rong opened the car curtain and looked into the distance.

The walls of the quiet courtyard are vermilion, with indigo-colored eaves tiles.

It gives people a feeling that is both romantic and profound.

This is also how Ouyang Rong feels every time he sees the quiet courtyard from afar. It has almost become a conditioned reflex.

It is in the same vein as the red walls of Chengtian Temple. If Ouyang Rong guessed correctly, this quiet courtyard was once the property of Chengtian Temple. Later, because of its good location beside Xingzi Lake, it was bought by wealthy pilgrims, and finally came into the hands of Pei Shisan Niang, and finally became the residence of the embroiderer...

(End of this chapter)