The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

In the northwest corner of the temple fair, Zhu Shiyong was sitting in a corner of the dark green carriage, his eyes seemed to be open or closed;

Zhu Shiyong didn't open his mouth, and Liu Silang never dared to speak; because anyone who has been with Zhu Shiyong for a little longer knows that when the magistrate is sleeping with dark eyes, it is often a sign that he is about to get angry, and he must not come out at this time. Speak loudly, otherwise it will be a stormy meal.

"Liu Cangsi..." Zhu Shiyong spoke hoarsely.

"Humble position in..."

"I came to the temple fair to perform patrol duties on the first day of the new year. Thank you for your hard work."

"Every department is on duty for one day during the seven days of annual leave. This is what everyone has agreed upon. This is a humble job, and it is not hard work."

Zhu Shiyong snorted and said, "Did something happen?"

Liu Silang bowed and clasped his fists and said: "Everything is as usual, under the rule of the Lord, the people live in peace and prosperity, and they are all happily rushing to the temple fair to do business."

Zhu Shiyong chuckled and said, "Oh? Why did the government hear that someone stole property and made a big fuss?"

Liu Silang raised his eyes slightly, and glanced coldly at the yamen servants who were following him on duty from the corner of his eye. All the yamen servants quickly lowered their heads to avoid their gazes. No doubt they were the ones who talked too much and told Zhu Shiyong about it.

Liu Silang withdrew his sinister gaze, lowered his head and said, "It's just a small matter. The thief has been caught, and the money has been returned to the owner. Please rest assured, my lord."

Zhu Shiyong nodded and said, "Who is the owner?"

Liu Silang said: "It's Su Jin, the Special Envoy for Grain Affairs who went back to his hometown for his annual leave. I happened to bump into him in a humble position. He is the Special Envoy for Food Affairs of the imperial court, and he can be regarded as a lowly position. So I chatted with him."

Zhu Shiyong said: "Etiquette is naturally indispensable, but I would like to remind you, as you said, Su Jin's return to Luzhou is only for annual leave. If you don't go to the yamen to visit the government, you can't talk about business with him for a day, otherwise It’s just against the rules, and I hope you understand that.”

Liu Silang hurriedly said: "My lord, don't worry, I just chatted with him for a few words, and I have my own sense of propriety."

Zhu Shiyong said: "Don't blame my government for not reminding you, Su Jin is very cunning, you'd better stay away from him, I will deal with him in official matters, you are not his opponent; if you meet him in the future, you should either go around Okay, you can just nod, what he wants to ask you, you have to understand what to say and what not to say."

Liu Silang said: "I understand the humble job, please rest assured, my lord."

Zhu Shiyong sighed and said: "The government wants to be at ease, but how can we be at ease? After the year, the government will adjust the candidates for Cangsi. Hu Cangsi has been ill for a long time and cannot perform his duties. The government will go to the court to replace him. You Do it yourself."

Liu Silang was overjoyed, as soon as Hu Cangsi left, the official position was vacated, the magistrate was implying that he could win this position, but he didn't expect to encounter good things in one day, the Special Envoy Su just said In order to find a way to ask for credit, the magistrate here hinted that he would be promoted and righted, and it seemed that he had become a favorite.

"Please cultivate more, my lord, the future of the humble job is in the hands of the adults, and I will return to full reading."

Zhu Shiyong waved his hand and said: "It all depends on your own performance. If the government wants to cultivate it, you need to go on the road by yourself."

Liu Silang said: "I understand the humble job."

Zhu Shiyong waved his hand and said, "Go, I'm a good errand, there will be a banquet in my mansion tomorrow, you can bring your family to go."

Liu Silang was overwhelmed by the flattery, and hurriedly cupped his hands to express his thanks. Zhu Shiyong ordered people to put down the curtain of the carriage, and the carriage slowly started to leave.

……

In the early morning of the second day of the Lunar New Year, people began to visit relatives and friends. According to the tradition, from today onwards, the homes of officials, elders, relatives and friends will go to pay New Year’s greetings. The guests, Wei Songhe came first, followed by Su Ji's big and small storekeepers, and some acquaintances Su Jin met at the Falling Flower Poetry Club; but after they came to Su's house, they found that Su Jin was not in the house.

Su Jin actually went out early in the morning. It's not that he doesn't know that there will be a lot of customers at home today, but today he has a more important place to go, so he can only leave the guests at home first; Wait for people to receive them well, and ask them to wait for a while, and I will rush back soon.

Xiao Zhu'er drove the carriage for a long time before he found a house on West Street. He scratched his head and studied the gate of this house for a long time. Then he wiped off his sweat and turned back to the car and shouted: "My lord!" , I’m afraid it’s here.”

Su Jin lifted the curtain of the car and looked around and said, "Is it this family?"

Xiao Zhu'er said: "It should be true, it's also the first time for the villain to come here, but this is the most magnificent house on this street, so you can't go wrong."

Su Jin scratched his head and got out of the car, and ordered Xiao Zhuer to carry the two packs of gifts on the car, and knocked on the Zhu door; after a while, the small door on the door opened, and a middle-aged man with two goatees His face was revealed, and he looked at them with wary eyes and asked, "Who are the two officials looking for?"

Su Jin cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Dare to ask, is this the mansion of Mr. Lang's family?"

The goatee looked down at Su Jin and said, "Who are you? My young master doesn't see any visitors."

Su Jin smiled and said: "That's it. It seems that this is indeed Lang Shaodong's home. Please inform Lang Shaodong that Su Jin, the boss of Su Ji, has come to pay him New Year's greetings."

The goatee was taken aback, looked at Su Jin and said, "You said you were Su Jin?"

Su Jin said: "It's just a mere thing."

Goatee said coldly: "What are you doing here? My young master won't see you."

Su Jin said with a smile: "It doesn't matter if you see me or not, please let me know. If your young master says they can't see me, I'll turn around right away."

The goatee thought for a while and said, "Wait." He closed the small door with a bang, and walked away with a bang, probably to report back.

Xiao Zhu'er muttered: "What a big air, why bother to come to see this Lang Shaodong, this man is not a good guy."

Su Jin said: "We are here to offer condolences. The little dog was bitten by a big dog. Now is the time to comfort him. Don't talk, just stand aside. Don't spoil the business."

Xiao Zhuzi said: "Don't worry, it's no wonder the master didn't bring Sui'er and the others here. If you know that you are here to visit this guy, everyone will scold you when you meet him."

Su Jin rolled his eyes and was about to speak when he heard the footsteps inside. It seemed that many people were running. After a while, the latch rang and the door opened with a bang. Su Jin looked inside and couldn't help laughing.

I saw seven or eight guys standing in the door viciously with sticks in their hands, looking like they were fighting against each other.

Xiao Zhu'er hurriedly took a step forward to protect Su Jin and said, "My son kindly came to visit Lang Shaodong, what are you doing?"

Su Jin pushed Xiao Zhu'er aside and frowned, "Stay here, it's none of your business." Stepping into the door, he cupped his hands and laughed, "Happy New Year, everyone. The guests at home only heard that you can eat noodles, but I have never heard of someone holding a stick to greet guests, is your young master such a person who does not understand etiquette?"

The goatee shouted: "Su Jin, our two families have never had any contact with each other. You came here to make it clear that it is a weasel giving a New Year greeting to a chicken. How can you be so kind?"

Su Jin smiled and said, "You mean I'm a weasel, and your boss is a chicken? The one who started the New Year scolded two people. You're going to have bad luck this year."

The goatee shouted: "It's not that we are unlucky, but you are going to be unlucky. If you don't leave, I will be rude."

Su Jin straightened his face and shouted: "It doesn't make sense. I came to visit your master's house. This is the master's business. You have a bunch of servants coming out. Is there such a rule in Lang Shaodong's house?"

"Fuck your shit," one of the guys yelled.

Su Jin glared and said: "The big shop bullies the customers, the slaves bully the master, you evil slaves, no wonder your boss has a bad reputation in Luzhou City, now I understand, it must be caused by the instigation of you evil slaves." ; I thought Lang Shaodong was a character, but he seems to be a submissive master, and he was made the master of the house by a group of evil slaves, so let’s say goodbye!”

Su Jin lifted the corner of her clothes and turned around to leave, but just as she turned around, she heard a slap in the back and a shrill voice sounded.

"Su Dong's family, you came here early in the morning to teach people a lesson. Since when did you make irresponsible remarks about my Lang's family?"

Su Jin turned around with a smile, and saw a man walking slowly down the steps of the main house. The man was tall and tall, with curved eyebrows and narrow eyes. His eyes were slender and slender, embedded in his face, as if they had been cut open with a knife. crack.

"May I ask if your Excellency is Lang Shaodong's family?" This is the first time Su Jin has met this Lang Shaodong's family face to face, and he has seen the side face once before. It was when Lang Shaodong organized people to go to cloth village to make trouble. It took too long. I have no impression.