The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

Upstairs in Luzhou Zuixian, the feast is still going on.

Regarding the fact that Su Jin was appointed as the special envoy for food affairs, the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce could not believe his ears. to this errand.

Besides, this envoy for food affairs is not very big, and it seems that he has a lot of power. Even the deputy commander of the guard Sima Jun, one of the three yamen, was sent to be his deputy. What is the three yamen?It's the old man's army in the capital. I don't know how many officials and eunuchs from aristocratic families squeezed their heads in. It's not about how generous the treatment is, but the reputation is very good. This is the emperor's bodyguard, and the emperor trusts and relies on him most. The army of the three government offices and two divisions.

Of course, if he can get a part-time job, such as the deputy commander of the horse army in front of him, his treatment is no less than that of a third-rank official, and his annual salary is at least more than five thousand guan, which is better than that of the magistrate.

President Huang couldn't help but said: "Commander Long, this Su Jin has not passed the imperial examination, and has no merits in the imperial court. How can he take up this job? This... It's hard to believe."

Long Zhen said: "You don't believe it? I still don't believe it. There are many people who don't believe it, but it is a fact. When the emperor sent Huang's servant to announce the appointment, I accompanied the announcement and saw it with my own eyes."

Zhu Shiyong rolled his eyes, and said with a smile: "Anyway, Su Jin is from Luzhou, and it is Luzhou's blessing to be reused by the emperor this time. It is a gratifying thing, but I don't understand. We need to mobilize hundreds of carts to transport grain? Where is it going? Where is the grain?"

Long really didn't want to tell people he didn't know well, so he said with a smile: "You don't need to tell your lord these things."

Zhu Shiyong said: "It is very necessary. The official document from the imperial court just arrived in the afternoon, announcing the purchase of grain at the official price. If the Commander-in-Chief transfers grain from Luzhou, first of all, it must be verified by the official as stated in the official document, and rest assured. Second, This officer also has the right to know the grain circulation situation under his jurisdiction, are you right?"

Long Zhen laughed and said: "That's not necessary. This is the order from the Special Envoy of Grain Affairs, and the order from the Special Envoy does not need to go through you. This is stipulated by the duties of the Food Raising Envoy."

Zhu Shiyong was a little embarrassed and his face was a little ugly.

Long Zhen was soft-spoken, and he felt a little bit off when he refuted his face, so he said with a smile: "However, I can tell the adults about this errand, but the adults don't need to publicize it, lest it will cause panic among the people of Luzhou."

Zhu Shiyong said: "All of you here are close friends of the officials, and they are all mature and prudent people in their actions and words. They will not talk indiscriminately. The Commander can rest assured. If it is inconvenient for you, it is better not to say it, so as not to cause trouble."

Long Zhen waved his hand and said: "Actually, it's nothing. You must have heard about the Yangzhou incident. It's a mess now. The common people can't afford the high-priced black market food. Now it has turned into a small-scale civil uprising. My lord ordered to transport the 50 shi of grain he had raised to Yangzhou, and this commander expects this to stabilize grain prices."

The three giants of the Chamber of Commerce exclaimed in unison: "50 shi?"

"Ah, what's the matter? Why are you so surprised?"

Tang Jiyuan's face was extremely ugly, not only him, but even Zhu Shiyong was taken aback. The news they inquired was that Su Ji had secretly hoarded 26 small boats of grain, and it was a great thing to sustain a hundred thousand shi, but they didn't expect Su Jin to remain silent Get 50 shi of grain under his nose.

Su Jin said that what he bought and collected was all lies. Can the Luzhou business community escape the eyes of the Chamber of Commerce?It is simply impossible to hide such a huge amount of grain from being traded under the nose. Besides, besides the members of the chamber of commerce in Luzhou, there are several companies that have such a large amount of financial resources. Even if the Su family goes bankrupt, it is impossible to buy so much. For food, money is a big problem. According to the usual purchase price, it would cost 50 guan. All the Su family’s shop properties plus savings would not exceed 20 guan. Obviously, Su Jin got rich and powerful. people's help.

Who is this person, and there is no need to delve into it. The key is why Su Jin hoarded so much food at that time?Once this question was deeply thought about, the three giants of the chamber of commerce began to sweat and heat up.

"Master Zhifu, what's wrong with them?" Of course, Long Zhen didn't know about the grievances between Su Jin, the Chamber of Commerce and Zhu Shiyong, and asked a little puzzled as if there was something wrong with his own words.

"It's nothing, nothing, the charcoal fire in the box is a little hot, it's a little hot." Tang Jiyuan took out a handkerchief to wipe off the sweat from his forehead, and quickly covered it up.

"Commander Long, you have to transport the 50 shi of grain to Yangzhou. This is not an easy task. The vehicles can be collected together, but...the road is a bit uneven..." President Huang interjected.

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, President Liu immediately gave him an elbow, and President Huang quickly changed his words: "But with the Commander here, there should be no problem."

Long Zhen didn't pay attention to the small movements of the two of them, he frowned and said: "Tomorrow, the commander will go around to collect carts, do you think I did it? Such a cumbersome thing, Aren't you going to exhaust me to death?"

"Don't be annoyed, Commander Long. The old man can help you, but we will talk about tomorrow's affairs, and today we will only drink and not talk about business, so as not to worry, everyone, don't you think so?" Tang Jiyuan smiled and toasted, he should know I already know it, but if I say more, it will make people suspicious.

Long Zhen also said: "That's right, I am drunk today when I have wine, come, come, I will toast you a glass, thank you, the prefect, for your warm hospitality, thank you all good friends for your hospitality, when we arrive in the capital, I will be the host, we will Have a good time."

Everyone laughed, the wine was dry, and they no longer talked about official affairs, but just talked about romantic affairs. <, the singer's temples are high, her skin is better than snow, and the wine in her stomach has become an aphrodisiac. Long Zhen and the two of them are drinking glasses of wine, but their eyes are already directed at the singer's towering chest and Glance at the bare neck.

Zhu Shiyong rolled his eyes, and Tang Jiyuan understood, got up and said, "Commander Long, tonight I will open a room for you and the two of you at Mingyufang next door. The old man is too drunk to wait. After a few glasses of wine, he will faint Feeling drowsy, let's take my leave."

Long Zhen said with a big tongue: "This... how can I afford it."

"It's worth it, it's worth it, the conductor is a distinguished guest, and we can't even invite it on a normal day, so this time we just want to show our respect." Tang Jiyuan turned his head and said to the singing girls: "I'm still helping the adults back. If you are good at serving, show your skills, the adults who serve you will be happy, and you will be rewarded."

Several singing girls Yingying responded with a coquettish voice, put down their musical instruments and wrapped themselves around their bodies one by one, Long Zhen, Zhao and Fang half pushed and half agreed, three parts drunk, seven parts pretended, covered their faces with wine, embraced the singing girls and said goodbye go.

Zhu Shiyong, Tang Jiyuan and others walked to the stairs with a smile. Seeing that Long Zhen and others had disappeared, they returned to the private room, vacated the remaining seats, and served green tea.

Zhu Shiyong's face was as deep as water, and he didn't say a word. Tang Jiyuan knew what he was thinking, and cupped his hands and said, "My lord, it's really unexpected that Su Jin secretly stowed 50 shi of grain, but I don't think it's his handwriting."

Zhu Shiyong blew on the tea leaves and said: "Whose handwriting is that? This Su brocade is not simple. It's fine to hide it from the world, and even sneaked into the court. However, this special envoy for grain affairs may be a temporary errand, and there is no such official position at all."

Tang Jiyuan said: "The Su family doesn't have the financial resources to hoard 50 shi of grain, someone must help him."

Chairman Liu said: "The matter of food has always been the responsibility of the third division. The third division did not send anyone to handle this matter, but instead asked this little-known Su Jin to handle it. It is really hard to figure out what the emperor thinks."

Zhu Shiyong smiled and said: "You want to say that the emperor is confused, the power of the sky is unpredictable, the emperor's actions must have deep meaning, we don't need to speculate on the emperor's thoughts, the matter of Su Jin alone is not a lice on the bald man's head, Is it obvious?"

The three giants of the Chamber of Commerce cupped their hands almost at the same time: "I would like to hear more about it."

Zhu Shiyong said: "It is the responsibility of the third division to raise grain. Since it was given to Su Jin, it must be approved by the third division. The third division envoy is Yan Shu. Yan Shu nods and recommends, so Su Jin has a chance; Don't you want to come out?"

Tang Jiyuan's eyelids twitched and he said, "Your Majesty is saying that it's the daughter-in-law of Hefeng Tower, Yan...?"

Zhu Shiyong nodded and said: "Apart from this, there is nothing else. Su Jin and that Yan Nu have a close relationship in the east, and they were criticized by people in Luzhou. Besides, no one in Luzhou can have such a big generosity except the Yan family."

Tang Jiyuan said: "According to this, Su Jin has already hitched a ride with the Yan family?"

Zhu Shiyong sighed: "Probably so, this kid is not simple, really not simple."

Huang Dong's family suddenly said: "It's not right for a nephew of the Yan family to be in business, and now he dares to hoard food. If this matter gets out, I'm afraid Yan Shu will drink a pot, can we?"

"Stupid!" Zhu Shiyong shouted: "Since Long Zhen has come to transport the grain, it means that the 50 shi of grain has already been legalized. If you said this a few months earlier, it would have some effect. At this moment, it is simply an afterthought. You don't even think about it, if the 50 shi of grain is released next year during the spring famine, you still want to make money with the little grain you have hoarded? Just dream."

The three members of the chamber of commerce felt ashamed. They faintly felt that Yan Biyun had secretly hoarded 50 shi of grain and placed it in Luzhou, and would not transport it away. Obviously, he came here to deal with them; Caught off guard, a large number of low-priced grain flooded into the Luzhou market, and they were afraid that they would lose their pants.

"My lord, it's probably not a good thing for us to have Su Jin become a food-raising envoy," Tang Jiyuan said.

"It's not a good thing for you, but it's not us. Don't drag me into it." Zhu Shiyong looked serious.

The three members of the chamber of commerce cursed inwardly: "Old fox, we can't make any money, how can you benefit from it? But this time, it's completely wiped out."

"I advise you to take good countermeasures. Don't be caught by this kid. At this moment, he handed over all the food in his hand. In the eyes of the people above, he is doing righteous deeds for the country, although he can no longer threaten the Luzhou market. Food prices, you have another chance to make money, but don’t forget, he has wiped his ass clean now, and you still have dirty things on your buttocks, he can play a bachelor to stab you out, but you have lost the mutual relationship with him The handle to contain it." Zhu Shiyong said flatly.

After Zhu Shiyong's words, the three giants of the Chamber of Commerce suddenly became enlightened, and they couldn't help but frown and became embarrassed.

"However, don't worry too much. Our government has already thought of a solution for you. You just do it, and you have to put on a show." Zhu Shiyong looked at the nervous expressions of the three people with contempt in his heart, but a person on a rope Grasshopper, it is not enough to kill other grasshoppers at this moment, so it is natural to help them.

The three members of the Chamber of Commerce happily said: "What's the master plan?"

Zhu Shiyong smiled, stretched out his mouth and sucked up the scalding hot tea.