The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

After the play was performed and a few songs were sung, the show in the West Garden came to an end. Zhao Zongdan got up together, and everyone stood up.

Zhao Zongdan laughed and said, "Everyone, how are you listening to today's miscellaneous plays and little songs?"

"The lingering sound lingers, and I don't know the taste of meat for three days."

"It's Miao Miao, the fairy sound, so enjoy it."

"This song should only exist in the sky, how often do you hear it in the world, thank you, my lord, for allowing me to wait for a long time to learn."

"..."

Everyone was full of flattery, Zhao Zongdan nodded with a smile and said: "That's good, I'm afraid it will spoil everyone's listening, today's drama is also good, the voice of Master Chen who sings the song is also incomparable, and the lyrics are even better. It is a pinnacle work, and this king is very satisfied."

Tang Jie jokingly said: "The most rare thing is that the prince's music is well composed. It is charming but not coquettish, sweet but not greasy, the five notes are rotating, and it is easy to use. These are the most shining things today."

Everyone echoed and praised, and at the same time regretted in their hearts, such a first-class flattery opportunity was snatched first, it is really unforgivable to myself.

Zhao Zongdan walked towards the back slowly, and said in his mouth: "The playful song made you laugh at the Fang family, but this is a great talent for writing lyrics. This king will introduce you for you."

Everyone applauded loudly, their necks twisted like sunflowers chasing the sun, following Zhao Zongdan's figure, Zhao Zongdan walked slowly in front of Su Jin, and said with a smile: "Everyone, this one is Master Chen who sang just now, and this king composes the music." Mr. Su Jin, the author of "The Fairy on the Magpie Bridge", everyone can't think of it, Mr. Su is only sixteen this year. You adults have a beautiful girl waiting for you in your boudoir. Don't miss this good opportunity. But it's rare."

King Teng's words seemed false and true, part joke, part call, which made everyone laugh and discuss.

Su Jin rolled his eyes and thought: This is to amuse me. What kind of good daughters can these bastards come from? If you really want to, then the princess is pretty good. Why don't you send me to be a girl who warms the bed.

The little official who was sitting next to Su Jin to sleep while listening to the music was about to dislocate, pointing at Su Jin and saying, "So, you are the author of "Magpie Bridge Immortal", no wonder... no wonder you find it boring Go to sleep."

King Teng was surprised and said, "Oh? Mr. Su fell asleep. It seems that he is dissatisfied with this king's arrangement. It seems that the music composed by this king will not be able to reach Mr. Su's ears."

Su Jin secretly scolded the official for revealing his old background in person, and hurriedly said: "My lord, I have been wronged. I just squinted my eyes and enjoyed it. This lord may think that I have fallen asleep with my eyes closed. My lord, don't take it seriously."

The official also realized that he didn't want to make the prince unhappy. On a day of great joy, the prince lost his temper. Everyone must blame him for his inadvertent words, so even though he knew Su Jin was lying, he had to help him lie.

The vast majority of the crowd didn't know Su Jin at all, and they all inquired where this Mr. Su came from. Naturally, some people with good intentions quietly explained Su Jin's background. When they heard that Su Jin was a small businessman in Luzhou At that time, the crowd laughed secretly, obviously disdainful of Su Jin's background, everyone agreed that the prince was just acting like a virtuous corporal, who would make friends with a merchant, even if it was written by him No matter how good it is, it's hard to be elegant.

Of course Su Jin could hear these discussions and feel the contempt of everyone, but for Su Jin, these were not worthy of attention at all; all of Su Jin's senses were concentrated on two people, one of them was short and tough with vicious eyes, Su Jin A flash flashed in Jin's mind. From those eyes, Su Jin recognized him.

This person was the little boss named Xiao Hu who came to him that night with his face masked and tried to restrain him to death. If Zhu Laizi's brothers didn't listen to his orders that night because of their loyalty, otherwise, he would have been unlucky that night.

At this moment, he covered his mouth with his hands and whispered something to an old man in green clothes and black beard beside him. The old man kept nodding, but his eyes never left Su Jin. The unkindness in the heart, I think about it carefully, but I don't know this person at all.

All this fell into Zhao Zongdan's eyes, and a cold light flashed in Zhao Zongdan's eyes, and then he stretched out his hand to hold Su Jin's arm and said, "Master Su, this king is just joking with you, come, come, follow this king Tea is served in the hall, and I would like to ask some advice on poetry."

Su Jin can't wait any longer, he has to take the initiative to attack, Xiao Hu is here, then Qiye must be here, Mr. Qin's hostility just now is already obvious, this Prince Teng is obviously pretending to be stupid, if he doesn't take the initiative at this moment, in case As soon as these people made trouble, he immediately fell into a passive state.

"My lord, I have something that I really want to report to my lord." Su Jin said softly.

"Oh? What's the matter, as long as this king can do it, I will solve your problems, let's talk." Zhao Zongdan seemed a little surprised.

"Can you take a step to speak? There are too many people here, and speaking out may cause unnecessary trouble."

"What's so mysterious, it's okay, come to my study and talk." Zhao Zongdan turned around and cupped his hands to everyone: "My lords, I got up early today, and I feel a little dizzy at the moment, let's go to the inner room." After a short rest, you can go for a walk with Mr. Qin and my housekeeper, there are a few sights in my house that are worth seeing, you go and have a look first, I will be back later."

"My lord's health is important, please take care of me." Everyone clasped their hands together.

King Teng turned around with a smile, and left in a hurry through the small path and round gate. Su Jin hurriedly kept a distance and followed King Teng. away from behind.

In the study, Su Jin respectfully took out the confession written by Zhu Manzi from his bosom and handed it over. Zhao Zongdan took it with one hand and squinted his eyes to read it.

Seeing that his face became more and more gloomy, Su Jin was already mentally prepared. Perhaps King Teng knew the whole process, but he must not have known about this confession; Of course the lame would not speak.

Su Jin can fully imagine Zhao Zongdan's mood at the moment. His subordinates dare to leave such evidence. All the affairs of the four masters and servants are on his own head.

Even the reason for the conflict with Su Jin didn't mention half a word about the plate fee, but said that he went to Lao Jiang and his wife's snack shop to eat free food, which caused a dispute, and Su Jin passed by to fight the injustice and then forged a bridge.

When Zhu Manizi wrote about this reason, Su Jin had a dispute with him, but Zhu Manizi insisted not to write about the dispute over charging plate fees. Unexpectedly, this move turned out to be a great advantage. Su Jin could pretend to be ignorant of the so-called plate fee, and defined the matter as a simple fight against injustice.

Zhao Zongdan was so angry that this Zhu Manizi was so stupid as to leave a handwritten note. , although my own roots are dense, and it is not so easy to overthrow myself, but compared with that person, my own strength is still too weak, and if I make a hasty response and make a slight mistake, the situation that I have worked hard for for several years may be destroyed in one fell swoop.

The main strategy that should be adopted at present is to prevent ants from destroying the long embankment, and to prevent the erroneous events and leave no loopholes.

"What's going on here? Who is this Zhu Manizi? How dare he kill people and set fire to him? How did he get this writing utensil?" Teng Wang had no choice but to pretend to be confused, and pretended to ask.

Su Jin was also very cooperative and explained the ins and outs of the matter clearly. Of course, the reason for the injustice Su Jin said was vague. He only said that when he passed by the shop, he saw Zhu Manzi and others beat up the shop owner for free. The servant came to the rescue, but he didn't expect such a bad result.

Zhao Zongdan took a few steps with his hands behind his back, then turned his head and asked, "Then what is the purpose of Mr. Su handing over this document to the King?"

Su Jin straightened his voice and said: "My lord Mingjian, I didn't expect to get into such a big trouble out of thin air. I just uphold the heart of humanity and save people from danger, but I didn't expect to get into such a vicious person. Four lives were lost because of this, if the servants in my house hadn't defended it with all their might, and by chance, they had captured the bandit leader and forced him to write down a written statement, that night would not have been spared."

"But after thinking about it, this move is really stupid. Holding this document is actually a reminder for myself. That Zhu Laizi will definitely take the opportunity to get this document back, but I and my family will definitely Unlucky; after much deliberation, in Yingtian Mansion, only the prince can properly resolve this matter for me, so I come here to beg the prince for help, the prince is as good as the sky, if you get the help of the prince, the matter will definitely be resolved; I have nothing to ask , I just want to be able to study in peace and live through life."

Zhao Zongdan tilted his head slightly, thought for a moment and said: "This matter is not difficult, just based on this confession, the king can order someone to take the red man and send him to the government for questioning and beheading; it's just that this king is strange, you Why not use this evidence to report to the government yourself? The government can also help you relieve future troubles."

Su Jin cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, don't blame me for being disrespectful to the government. I have also thought about it before, but it is said that this Zhu Laizi has occupied Nancheng for more than a few years. Many of them are deeply ingrained; I am afraid that he also has cronies in the government, and once I report to the officials, the news leaks out, and when I send someone to arrest him, he has disappeared without a trace, which will lead to even more retaliation afterwards, so I dare not report to the officials."

Zhao Zongdan smiled and said: "You are very considerate. It is rare that you trust me so much. This matter will be handled for you, and your worries will be relieved."

Su Jin hurriedly saluted and said: "My lord is so kind and virtuous, I will never forget it, but my lord will have a mission in the future, as long as I can do what I can, I will go through fire and water."

Zhao Zongdan laughed and said, "What can I ask you to do, unless it is to ask for advice on poetry and articles. Besides, this king is not doing this for you, Su Jin. I am the emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, and the world is clear. There are snakes and rats doing evil down there, if you don’t know it’s fine, if you know it, how can you stand still, just listen to it with peace of mind, there will be divisions within a few days.”

Su Jin laughed dryly along with him, and said in his heart: You are very righteous, let me let you be proud first, I can't twist my thigh with my arm this time, and after watching it, I don't believe that Su Jin can't make a name for himself.