Chapter 11 Anecdotes of Shu County

Lord Zhao Zezhao, the new consignor in Shu County, has been in office for almost half a month. If you want to say that the consignor, he doesn't need to be 'proficient in knives and pens, and the officials are proficient in Taoism', and he doesn't need to sort out any file documents. The task given to Zhao Ze by Chen Zhixian is very simple, but it is also quite difficult, that is, the daily tax collection, Dongben outside the county and outside the county. Go west.

Originally, there were five escorts who did this job. They were in charge of Taocheng Town, Xincang Town, Hangbu Town, Jiujing Town, and the taxes of Shu County in this county. However, just in the first month before Zhao Ze took office, there were mountain thieves who robbed houses in Longshu Mountain, Shu County, and they robbed Taocheng, Xincang, Hangbu and Jiujing halfway. The magistrate killed someone and robbed the money, not to mention threatening the safety of Shu County.

Originally, the hot position of the escort became a hot potato. Four of the five escort officers died, and the rest was the escort officer in Shu County. The official surnamed Yi was originally the nephew of Master Meng Jiuling, who was only over 30 years old. Under the care of Master Meng, he worked hard and married the teacher's daughter Meng. Jiaoer, last month, in order to go back to her hometown to worship her ancestors and pretend to be a banker in Mengjiazhuang, Jiujing Town, she had a safe journey. Unexpectedly, on the way back to the city, she just carried an extra burden, and was targeted by the mountain thieves ambushed in the yellow bamboo forest on the way. This was a meat bun to beat the dog!

For this matter, Master Meng was heartbroken, and even his daughter Meng Jiaoer cried to death. He insisted that his father avenge his husband's family. The old man thought that revenge was small and the thief did a lot of trouble. Instead of killing his life for personal revenge, it was better to eradicate this group of thieves in the name of the public family.

In this way, Master Meng mentioned the story of the mountain thieves in Chen Zhi County several times, saying that the mountain thieves made a lot of trouble, killing more and losing their conscience, and the people in the surrounding villages and towns suffered a lot. If they can't get rid of it as soon as possible, I'm afraid it will be unfavorable to the reputation of the people of Zhixian County.

Chen Zhixian thought so. Before, he also had to hear that Huang Yanzhou, the county lieutenant, reported that Longshushan thieves often went down the mountain to plunder. Unexpectedly, this group of thieves became more and more noisy. They not only killed officials but also robbed the people. With this alone, Chen Zhixian had to take action. He spent half a time repairing books and sent people to disguised as ordinary people and send them to the state quickly. Li asked the state government to send troops to the mountain to catch the thief.

The letter arrived at Luzhou Prefecture, and the gatekeeper did not dare to neglect and directly handed the letter to the magistrate Li Chuhou.

After reading Chen Zhixian's urgent letter, Li Chuhou discussed with several adults who judged and supervised the army, and decided to block the exits of Luzhou boundary first, and then sent people to find out the whereabouts, the number of people, morale, the place and surrounding terrain of the thieves on Longshu Mountain. When these things are clear, he will send troops and transfer. Allocate food and fodder and strive to annihilate this group of mountain thieves in one fell swoop.

In this way, the tax collection and security of Shu County must rely on itself before the army goes on the expedition.

Zhao Ze took advantage of this gap to become a detention officer. Under the guidance of Master Meng, he took over the position of custody little by little. First, he started with the tax collection in Shu County. How to collect, who to collect, how much, what to say, what not to say, who can offend, who can not to offend, Lao Meng almost It was handed over to Zhao Ze.

If you want to ask Master Meng why he thinks so highly of Zhao Ze, it is also said that Zhao Ze is smart and diligent. Before taking office, he prepared a lot of gifts according to the size of the county's official position and personal preferences. First, he visited the magistrate, the county lieutenant, and the two largest local governors in Shu County, followed by the master, the arrester, the recording, the head of the prison and so on. The little officials, everyone gave gifts.

Of course, this gift is also focused. For example, the gift given to him can only be a little worse than that of Zhixian and county lieutenant, not too much. Otherwise, the master will say a bad word and you will do it.

Zhao Ze clearly remembers that the things he gave to his master that day were two jars of high-quality aged sake, 20 catties of secret sauced beef, two large rolls of Suzhou brocade, in addition to his own small invention 'night stick' in a sandalwood box.

Aged sake is a specialty of the old wine workshop in Shu County. The secret sauce beef is a specialty of Deyuelou, and Su Jin is also valuable. As for the luminous stick, it is purely for coaxing children, but Master Meng likes it very much.

Master Meng felt that the new Zhao Shisi was not bad and worth making friends with. After that meeting, Master Meng had a little more affection for Zhao Ze.

Time is like running water, and half a month is fleeting. In this half month, Zhao Ze drove a Hummer to four towns around Shu County to collect a tax, escaped several ambush of mountain thieves, and met several little people in Shu County: Wu Er, Wen Xiaocan and Xu Jin.

Wu Er has nothing to say. A flat-headed cloth in Shu County has helped Zhao Ze a lot. Now Zhao Ze has dug up Wu Er to be his side as an assistant. Wu Er is very happy that he can work beside Lord Aosi. He is planning to invite Zhao Ze home and let the Hun family make some specialty dishes to entertain Zhao Ze.

Wen Xiaocan is an official of Han Huahua, the brother-in-law of Li Xiaoniang, and the second shopkeeper of Han Xiaocan's meat shop. He usually helps the Hun family cut meat, sell meat, and do chores in the shop. His life is five big and three thick, angular. At first glance, his appearance is still a little scary, but Wen Xiaocan is kind, considerate, honest and loyal, and is everything to his wife. Since then, he didn't even dare to contradict the Hun family when he spoke. It was thanks to Han Huahua that Zhao Ze could know Wen Xiaocan. After all, Zhao Ze helped Han Huahua when she was injured and sent her home in time. Otherwise, according to Lang Zhong's words, your wife's feet would be lame a little later. In this way, Han Huahua owes Zhao Ze a favor. In order to thank him well, the day after Zhao Ze came to Shu County, Wen Xiaocan came to thank him in person on behalf of the Hun family. In this way, Zhao Ze and Wen Xiaocan got to know each other. In the days when Zhao Ze was appointed as the boss, he met Wen Xiaocan almost every day. Even to buy meat, he went to his butcher shop. In private, Zhao Ze called Wen Xiaocan Brother Wen, and Wen Xiaocan called Zhao Ze Brother Zhao. In this way, after a long time, Wen Xiaocan and Zhao Ze became familiar with each other. It got closer and closer, so that Zhao Ze bought vegetables and went to the Wen family to open fire when he was free.

Speaking of Xu Jin, things have to go back to the day when Zhao Ze entered the city before he became the secretary of Shu County.

On that day, Xu Jin was taking the maid Xiaolian fishing by the river outside the city. She wanted to play enough before going home. Unexpectedly, just after the afternoon, the three fox friends who were usually idle with Xu Jin found the river and pulled up Xu Jin and walked back.

Xu Jin didn't understand what had happened. As he walked, he asked. His three playmates said, "Little brother, it's a miscalculation for you to go out of the city today."

"What's the mistake? I played well, and Xiaolian accompanied me," Xu Jin replied.

The three said again, "It's not this, but a strange man came to our Shu County today and drove a strange car."

"Wanty Man? Strange car? Who is the strange man? What is a strange car and what is a strange method? Xu Jin asked confusedly.

"The strange man is called Zhao Ze, and the strange car is called Hummer. It's strange. There is no need for cattle, horses, and no manpower. You can go on the road by yourself, not to mention that..."

Xu Jin's three playmates talked about Zhao Ze's must car before and after entering Shu County. What he said was more real and exaggerated than what he saw, which made Xu Jin's heart itch. He couldn't wait to grow wings under his feet and fly back to the city. His playful heart forgot his favorite maid, and the angry maid Xiaolian stamped her feet and said with hatred. When she got home, she must complain to her wife.

Back in the city, Xu Jin followed the crowd rushing to the Hummer to Han Xiaocan's butcher shop. He also spent 100 yuan to touch the Hummer up and down. He was really happy in his eyes. When Zhao Ze and Lao Liu went out to rent a house, Xu Jin and his three playmates wanted to steal the Hummer. Unexpectedly, Zhao Ze put down the hand brake and locked the door as soon as he left. No matter how much strength you were, you couldn't move any more.

What's more, Zhao Ze was not worried that someone dared to steal his car in broad daylight, or during the Qing calendar year of the Song Dynasty.

However, on the other hand, Xu Jin and Xu Xiaoge, no matter how stupid and crazy they are, they dare not openly hire a mule horse to ride a trailer. In case they are caught on the spot, even if he plays a scoundrel, it is difficult to argue. He can't push the car for a long time without moving. Xu Jin is discouraged and wants to go home directly, but he can't let go. He wants to see what's inside the Hummer. What is it like, but seeing the sun go down little by little, his maid Xiaolian is about to bring her family to the market to find him. Xu Jin is in a hurry to find a painter selling calligraphy and paintings in the market. He drew the Hummer in the shortest time, blew the ink and put it in his sleeve, and then went to the three playmates in the hook column. He parted his way and strode home alone.

Xu Jin's home lives in Dudu Street in the south of the city. Two big willow trees are planted in front of the door. The courtyard covers an area of 100 mu. After passing the wall, there is a spacious house built on the water. It is divided into three entrances. Each entrance is different. Each entrance is named after a small building, a moon, and a fairy pavilion. There was no house on the road, but later Xu Jin's mother moved here and bought it. The nearby houses were opened and expanded.

After dusk that day, Xu Jin ran sweating profusely. As soon as she got home, she went straight to her mother's house. After entering the house, she saw that her mother was waiting for him to eat. After saluted her mother, Xu Jin obediently accompanied her mother to eat, and did not care about wiping the sweat on her face.

Xu's mother called her Tang Caier. She looked at her son's side face while eating. She felt that her son was very strange today. She usually didn't care about eating. Why did she suddenly change like a person today? She carefully rolled her apricot eyes and winked at Xiaolian. Xiaolian took out her handkerchief and wiped the sweat on Xu Jin's forehead, and then He asked with concern, "Brother, I heard that the Hummer came from the county today, but I went to see it!"

Xu Jin was eating. After listening to Xiaolian's question, he didn't think about it carefully and replied, "I've seen it, I've seen it. This thing is really ingenious. I also want to drive. By the way, I don't know if that car will be sold? It's better to find someone to ask first tomorrow..."

After Xiaolian asked, she stepped aside. Tang Caier looked at her son lovingly, put down the bowl and chopsticks, took out a letter from the sleeve cage, and put it in front of Xu Jin.

"Jian'er, this is a letter from your father to you. My mother must hand it in your hands and watch you finish reading this letter!"

"Mom, it's not too late to read after dinner. The child is hungry today!" Xu Jin suddenly ate a few mouthfuls of vegetables and took a bowl of rice before waiting for the maid to serve him a bowl.

Tang Caier asked her servants to withdraw the meal and replaced it with a pot of tea.

Smelling the fragrant Biluochun, Tang Caier taught her son, "Jianer, you are not young. The reason why your father bought this house for you is to ask you to get married quickly, marry a wife and have children. When you have a partner, you will be calm and dedicated to learning. Do you think what your mother said is right!"

Xu Jin took a sip of Biluochun and thought about her mother's words. She always felt that there was something in her words, but she didn't know how to answer it for a while. She hesitated for a long time before saying, "Mother, the child is still young. You don't think it's going to be two years. In two years, the child will be two years older. It's not too late to talk about marriage!"

"Nonsense, how old are you this year? Tell me about it!" Tang Caier asked harshly.

"This..." Xu Jin opened his mouth. He was most afraid that his mother would be angry. Usually, when his father was at home, he would not pay attention to the old man's angry beard, but when his mother was angry, he lost his temper.

"What on earth are you talking about? How old are you? You should ask Xiaolian to help you." Tang Caier patted the table.

"Mother, you calm down, you calm down first. Don't be angry. The child said it's not okay. The child is seventeen years old this year."

"Jin'er, you said you are seventeen, and you are not too young. How many of your father's colleagues' children have passed the exam at your age. Your father is anxious in his heart. Our Jin'er is also exquisite and smart, not worse than them, but you have just been admitted to be a scholar for several years. He has always been a scholar. Your father has been very admonished this time. He told you to make up your mind and study hard first. What do you think you should do about this?"

Xu Jin's heart was half cold when she heard this. It turned out that her mother had planned it for a long time. Tonight's meal was obviously a Hongmen banquet, and now she has become a fish on the cutting board.

"What should I do? What should I do..." Xu Jin suddenly felt a headache and lay soft on the pear wood table.

"Jian'er, this is also about your life plan. Your father doesn't have time to take care of you when he is outside. He can only help you for your mother. If you listen to your mother's words, you can study behind closed doors from tomorrow. As long as you study hard, your mother promises that in less than three years, my father will definitely be on the list. At that time, you and you and your father will have a good face. What's more, when my son returned to his hometown, how majestic it should be. Let your father's colleagues know how powerful I am. Do you think it's right for my mother?" Tang Caier drew a good future for her son first, hoping that Xu Jin can study hard.

"Hmm..." Xu Jin sat there with a good breath. Um, it took a long time before trying to say, "Mom, I've been in the exam twice. Didn't I fail the exam? The child has done his best. But God doesn't help me. Forgive me for the courage to say, I'm worried that I won't pass the exam in my life. I'm still a free and rich man."

"Speak up, who said that my Jiner failed the exam" Tang Caier showed his power again.

"The child is telling the truth, please make a clear understanding," Xu Jin coaxed his mother.

"No, your father issued a military order to your mother this time. He said that if Jiner didn't study hard, he would no longer give us a penny to our mother and son. You don't want to go out to play anymore. Your mother will no longer protect you. You will study hard and wait until you win the exam!" Tang Caier said that she shook her sleeves and got up and left the room, leaving Xu Jin alone to sit there stupidly.

A furnace of sandalwood quietly spread out.