The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

Liu Silang was as clear as a mirror in his heart. Although Su Jin had nothing to blame for Luzhou's grain affairs, but thinking of the feud between Zhu Shiyong and Su Jin half a year ago, he never believed that the envoy would ignore the past. ask. (.)

Moreover, since Su Jin seized the food from Bagong Mountain, Zhu Shiyong immediately approached Liu Silang to teach him the opportunity. Apparently, Zhu Shiyong was preventing Su Jin from coming to Luzhou to thoroughly investigate the folk grain stores.

From this, Liu Silang can be regarded as thoroughly understanding the relationship between Zhu Shiyong and the chamber of commerce. The magistrate dared to take a huge risk to help the chamber of commerce cover up, which shows how far the relationship between the government and businessmen has reached; Liu Silang even speculated that the magistrate also participated It is a matter of stockpiling grain for profit, not simply taking people's money to eliminate disasters for others.

For Liu Silang, knowing these things is completely different from not knowing them; before that, he was just a dangerous egg under the protection of Zhu Shiyong's wings. The rope was strangled to death and pretended to be a suicide. The human life was in his own hands, and no one would believe that it was the prefect who forced him to kill.

With neither Zhu Shiyong's warrant nor witnesses to prove it, Zhu Shiyong can completely deduce that he doesn't know, and even if he makes the matter public, he will only add an extra charge of accusation; The relationship was exposed in front of his eyes, and the record of garrison grain was tampered with by himself, Liu Silang felt a lot more relieved; finally he was able to catch the big man's pigtails, and he was in a hurry.

Of course, Liu Silang was also worried. What happened to Wukor Angkor reminded him how careful he was. Wukor Angkor was Zhu Shiyong's confidant. Zhu Shiyong killed him without hesitation before the critical moment. There will be no future troubles; now that I know more and more, it is hard to guarantee that Zhu Shiyong will not have his own ideas in mind.

The fox is naturally majestic by taking advantage of the power of the tiger, but why shouldn't the fox be wary of the tiger at all times?

Liu Silang quietly wrote another record of the storehouse's entry into the warehouse, which recorded the date and quantity of the chamber of commerce's grain sales in detail and truthfully, and threatened and coerced several small officials in the storehouse to sign and testify. The secret of the record was handed over to a person he trusted. Liu Silang confessed that if he died suddenly one day, he would not believe any cause of death announced by the government. He only needed to go to Beijing immediately and hand over the matter to the Ministry of Punishment to avenge himself.

But Liu Silang knew that these were just to prevent accidents, and if Zhu Shiyong didn't move himself, he would never ruin his future; Only a fool would rebel if he had to go. (.)

At this moment, Su Jin said, "It is most appropriate to ask you about Cangsi's affairs", which suddenly made Liu Silang alert. Sure enough, looking at this posture, Su Jin still wanted to ask something out of his own mouth; but How could Liu Silang tell the truth, if Zhu Shiyong does not fall, he still has a way to survive, if Zhu Shiyong falls, he will definitely be confessed, and it will be over.

"The matter of grain affairs is the responsibility of the subordinate officials. If the envoy wants to hear the news, I will definitely cooperate fully." Liu Silang smiled apologetically.

Su Jin nodded in satisfaction and said: "Actually, it's nothing. It's just going through the motions. I originally planned to go to the Yamen to check after the annual leave is over, so that I can return to Beijing to return to my life. But since we have met today, let's chat casually." A few words."

"My lord, just ask."

"Well... how much grain is there in the official warehouses in Luzhou?"

"Reporting to my lord, about 50 shi of grain."

"So many? No wonder the price of grain on the market is stable. It seems that Luzhou's grain will ensure that there will be no famine during the summer harvest."

"Exactly, I have made predictions that the drought in Luzhou Prefecture this year is not serious. The lack of food is due to the lack of land, so merchants are transferred in every year; farmers in towns and villages outside the city basically have Grain storage requires the purchase of grain, and this 50 shi is enough for the people in the city to eat until the summer harvest.”

Su Jin nodded and said: "Very well, it's hard for you to calculate the cost; how do you plan to distribute the 50 shi of grain?"

Liu Silang said: "The document issued by the third division said that part of it will be transported to various places according to the order, and the rest of the purchased grain will be sold at a par price and limited to the number of people. Naturally, the next official will follow the order of the third division. I plan to After the [-]th, we will set up a sales point in the official warehouse, and buy as you go. At that time, the grains of the major grain merchants should also be sold out, which is just the right time. But this is just my idea, and everything will have to wait for the prefect In the end, it was decided that the dismissal was just a suggestion."

Su Jindao: "Naturally, prefect Zhu must agree to it; how can there be so much grain stored in the official warehouse? Could it be that the local grain merchants are eager to sell grain to the official warehouse?"

Liu Silang said with a smile: "Your Majesty, the magistrate will immediately announce to the whole city, and our merchants in Luzhou immediately responded positively after hearing the news. In just half a month, the merchants in Luzhou sold all the grain in the official warehouse. It can be said to be extremely fast. Ah, because of this, my lord will see that Luzhou is in peace, and there are no hungry people running around to cause chaos."

Su Jin smiled and said: "It's really amazing. When did the consciousness of my Luzhou merchants become so high? The grain merchants from all over the Song Dynasty would not deny and refuse to pay each other, and wait and see each other. According to you, my Luzhou merchants are very good. Served as a role model."

Liu Silang blushed, and hurriedly said: "It's not all because of the merchant's self-consciousness, the prefect's earnest persuasion, I waited day and night to publicize the imperial edict, and clarifying the pros and cons also played a lot of role."

Su Jin laughed loudly and said, "Persuasion and publicity will certainly work, but your words are very false, and I don't really believe it."

Liu Silang didn't expect Su Jin to expose it so bluntly, and hurriedly pointed out that he wanted to swear.

Su Jin smiled slightly, patted him on the shoulder to stop him, and said: "You don't need to get excited, I don't mean to blame you by saying this, it is true that in front of the Shangguan, it is natural to report good news but not bad news, of course I am responsible for matters in the officialdom. I understand; but don’t forget, my family is also in business, how can you understand the profit-seeking heart of merchants better than me? People make money and birds die for food. The reason why I can see that you are lying is because I understand It’s just the psychology of the merchants; why did the merchants stockpile grain? It’s to salvage a fortune when there is no grain in the market. To put it bluntly, it’s persuasion and publicity. Even if the knife rests on the neck, it may not cooperate. You said it so easily, teach me How to believe it?"

Liu Silang cursed secretly in his heart, and also deeply felt that he underestimated Su Jin and was deceived by his appearance. He always thought he was just a young man with an immature face, but he didn't expect that this man had such sharp eyesight that he would never be fooled.

Su Jin looked at Liu Silang's uncertain and embarrassing face, chuckled and said, "Actually, I'm just helping you by exposing you. We are all local people in Luzhou, and who doesn't want people from our hometown to stand out; The food service is in order, and I will definitely take credit for my Luzhou officials after I return to Beijing, but according to the situation you mentioned, how can I ask for credit?"

Liu Silang said in amazement: "Why not? You have also seen, my lord, that there is nothing wrong with Luzhou's grain affairs. Isn't this a reason to ask for credit?"

Su Jin laughed loudly and said: "You are said to be smart, but you are really stupid. You have lived such a long life in vain, and you have been in the market and officialdom for so long, but you still haven't improved at all."

Liu Silang had already scolded the eight generations of Su Jin's ancestors in his stomach, but he kept a smile on his face and said, "Please enlighten me, my lord."

Su Jindao: "To use an analogy, two generals are stationed at the border. One is famous for its superb martial arts. The enemy is frightened by hearing about it and dare not offend him. The other is unknown. If you were an enemy, which general would you choose to garrison with?" What about attacking the land?"

Liu Silang said: "Of course it's the unknown one."

Su Jin said with a smile: "It's not stupid, of course it is to avoid the edge; so the place where one general garrisoned did not commit any crimes, while the place where the other general garrisoned continued to fight, and the flames raged; The unknown general still defended the city and repelled the enemy; when it comes time to reward meritorious deeds, who do you think will be rewarded?"

Liu Silang blurted out, "Naturally he is the one who retreated from the enemy."

Su Jin looked at Liu Silang and said, "Do you understand?"

Liu Silang scratched his head and said, "What?"

Su Jin sighed and said: "Then let me make it clear that Luzhou Mansion is the place where the general Qiu Wucheng is stationed. Just now you said that the merchants responded positively and took the initiative to sell grain to the officials. Is it true or not, after this matter is reported, you are afraid that you will have no merit; and I came from Yangzhou, where I bought food from merchants, refused to sell it, and even resisted with force, and the Yangzhou government fought wits and tried their best to strangle him. Finally, the situation has stabilized. As long as these things are reported, the emperor will definitely reward you; the same errand, you did better than others, but ended up doing something wrong, don't you feel guilty? I just want to do it for Luzhou. It’s impossible for local officials to ask for credit.”

Liu Silang was dumbfounded when he heard that, it turned out that there is such a key in it.

"Babies who cry will have milk, and children who are obedient and silent will starve to death." Su Jin gloated a little.

"This...is a special envoy, so what should we do to get the reward?"

Su Jin said: "It's very simple. You must explain that the process of handling the grain affairs is full of twists and turns, even with swords and blood; the more difficult and dangerous it is, the more it will show that you are willing to sacrifice your life for the grain affairs." The spirit of jing; when I report back, I will make more exaggerations, the emperor will naturally be happy when he hears it, and the next step will be a matter of course; I might as well tell you an inside news, a deputy warehouse secretary in Yangzhou If you are promoted to the third level, you will most likely be transferred to the post of Sheyang County Magistrate. Think about it, what a beautiful thing this is, and you will suddenly become a parent official, isn't it ten thousand times better than lying here half dead?"

The most sensitive string in Liu Silang's heart was plucked, and he began to feel that it made sense. If it was true as what Su Jin said, the food affairs matter was an opportunity, and he might be able to take advantage of this shareholder wind to climb up. climb.

The emperor has a keen eye for talents, if he appoints himself to be a parent official in a certain county, it will be a big cake from the sky, since he can officially enter the official career, and more importantly, he can get rid of Zhu Shiyong, a big threat that can erupt at any time , This is exactly what Liu Silang has been thinking about day and night.