A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 49 Night Patrol
A very impolite greeting came from outside the door.

Song Xuan gestured for Tao Hong to come forward and ask:

"Which one?"

"We are from the county government, on night patrol. We saw no one here before, but there are many fires tonight, so we came to check it out."

Night patrols have always existed, especially when Emperor Taizong of Song, Zhao Guangyi, was the prefect of Kaifeng, he often went on incognito patrols at night and even caught thieves.

After he ascended the throne, he promoted the night patrol system.

But not long after that, three scholars in the capital were drinking at night and were questioned by patrolmen. The scholars whipped the patrolmen and said:
"Jinwu can't control the night, and jade leaks don't rush each other."

The next day, the incident spread throughout the streets and alleys of Kaifeng. "Chen Sangeng, Dong Banye."

This is where the term "three o'clock in the morning" comes from.

In this way, the leaders set an example and the number of midnight meetings increased.

During the Xining reign of Emperor Shenzong of Song, Kaifeng simply stopped beating the "gate-closing drum" and soldiers no longer carried out night patrols. It was truly "the gates were not locked at night, there were no soldiers on the garrison, and merchants walked around singing and enjoying peace."

Even in the Renzong era, there is still a rule of night patrol.

After hearing the person outside reveal his identity, Tao Hong opened the gate:

"Let the officials know that we have already purchased this house and have already gone to the county government office to complete the transaction."

"Ah."

The leading constable walked in with a knife slung over his shoulder, followed by his colleagues holding forks and other weapons.

"I don't know what the official's name is?"

"Are you the owner of the house?"

"I am."

Song Xuan spoke directly and looked at the group of people carefully in the light of the lanterns. None of them was on a business trip with Zhang Kang.

"you are?"

The leading constable raised the lantern and shone it on Song Xuan's face.

There was a flash of light on the low table. Before he could see Song Xuan's face clearly, he was attracted by the glassware on the table.

Straight bitch!
What a fat sheep.

This kid is so young and can afford Liuli. Which wealthy family does he come from?

Why is there no news at all!
"What's your name and where are you from?"

"My name is Song Xuan, and I live in Lema Town, Ningling County."

Song Xuan naturally noticed the greed in the constable's eyes. People like them who have been hanging around the streets for a long time have good eyesight.

Even though Song Xuan thinks that these broken glass pieces are worthless and scattered on the streets, they are from the Song Dynasty after all and are very precious.

Broken glass from the Song Dynasty is extremely precious to later generations and should be put in museums.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was invited by Zhang Kang, the magistrate of Yingtian Prefecture, to come and take the entrance exam for the Yingtian Prefecture Academy so that I can better improve myself."

Song Xuan didn't expect that he would be able to use Zhang Kang's relationship so soon.

I guess this was not something he arranged on purpose.

Finally, someone came to ask for directions.

Song Xuan had also seen this kind of thing. It was always difficult for people from other families to be accepted when they arrived in a new place.

The captain Ding Zhe had to swallow back his catchphrase "Bullshit".

Straight bastard.

He is actually related to Zhang Tuiguan.

How can I seek justice for this?
Even if what Song Xuan said was not true, Ding Zhe did not have the courage to go and verify it.

He was just a minor official, and the difference between him and a sixth-rank official was like the difference between the bright moon and fluorite.

If this guy really has the connection, then I'm doomed.

If he comes to deceive me tonight, I will have plenty of ways to deal with him after I find out the truth.

There is no need to rush to make a judgment.

As long as he studies at Yingtianfu Academy, he will have plenty of opportunities to meet them in the future.

"Sir, you are hungry. Try the roasted lamb skewers." Tao Hong quickly stepped forward to give him a way out, to avoid him being embarrassed.

Captain Ding Zhe's expression softened slightly, and he took the skewer unconsciously.
"We are here on night patrol under the orders of Magistrate Zhang."

"Oh, is it so?"

Zhang Kang had just finished using the toilet and disappeared into the darkness.

He dragged his slightly fat body and walked leisurely to the head constable Ding Zhe:

"Why don't I remember this happening?"

Ding Zhe was so frightened that he could barely stand.

He didn't even have time to swallow the skewers before he fell to his knees.

"In reply to the Magistrate's words, I have always kept in mind his instructions and have been patrolling with my brothers at night, not slacking off."

Zhang Kang saw Ding Zhe kneeling on the ground with his hands behind his back. He didn't look chubby at all, but said coldly:
"Ding Zhe, I've repeatedly reminded you not to reach out. If I weren't here today, I'm afraid you'd be thinking of blackmailing me again!"

"The villain dare not."

Ding Zhe swore an oath immediately.

He just thought that there were bad guys in the yard that had been empty for a long time, so he brought his brothers to check it out.

Never dare to cause trouble!
"Tomorrow I will bring my fire and water sticks to the front hall door and beat you with twenty rolls as a warning to you."

Zhang Kang pointed at Ding Zhe's nose and said:

"If I find out that you dare to bully the people again, I'll skin you alive. Get out of here."

As Zhang Kang waved his sleeves, Ding Zhe crawled away.

Tao Hong quickly picked up a handful of mutton skewers, chased after them, and handed them to a few constables to eat on the way.

No matter what, the little devil is troublesome.

"I never thought I'd be able to use Zhang Tuiguan as my background so quickly."

Song Xuan asked Zhang Kang to sit down: "It seems that someone wants to lend a hand."

Zhang Kang also understood that the Songcheng County Government was extremely well-informed.

The fact that Song Xuan spent nearly two hundred strings of cash to purchase the property was enough to prove his financial strength.

A young man with money but no background, when he first comes to a foreign land, is like a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered.

Whether it is an official or a poor ruffian, everyone wants to get a piece of the pie.

This is the first, but definitely not the last.

Zhang Kang only hopes that tomorrow's killing stick will have some effect and try to prevent people from coming.

"Shi Er Lang, you're right to keep a dog." Zhang Kang also stood up:
"We should train these dogs so they don't eat outsiders' food, or they might get ambushed."

"Even though I know you don't care about these glass pieces, it's hard to guard against people who might take advantage of you."

"Yes."

Song Xuan also nodded slightly. He could hire someone to risk his life for just ten strings of coins (equivalent to a monthly salary of three to four thousand), not to mention that a glass was worth dozens or even hundreds of ten strings of coins.

"Zhang Tuiguan's advice is similar to what I've heard from an old man before."

"Oh?" Zhang Kang looked doubtful. Could it be what Prefect Yan said?

"In my opinion, money is money, which is loved by everyone and will inevitably be fought for."

"Family members and friends use it to create resentment and quarrels, nobles and officials use it to ruin their reputations and integrity, merchants and businessmen use it to lose their lives, and ordinary people use it to fight, kill and humiliate each other."

"Those who come and go, become rich and poor suddenly, and who retain their power for a lifetime, generally bring blessings to few and disaster to many."

"I have carefully examined its shape. The two characters for 'spear' are written on the side of 'gold'. It is truly a murderous weapon, yet no one in the world realizes it."

But after listening to Song Xuan's words, Zhang Kang couldn't help but twitch his brows.

Is this what I just meant?

I didn't mean so much!

"Yeah." Zhang Kang nodded repeatedly:
"I don't know who said it, but I'd like to go and see it too."

Song Xuan spread his hands and said, "Zhang Tuiguan, I heard this from an old man on the road. I don't know where he is now."

(End of this chapter)