The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

"Cough...cough..." The host and guest of the Ministry of Rituals coughed anxiously, cursing Ouyang Xiu in his heart as a villain who pretends to be a coward, but what people say is upright and upright always starts from the imperial court etiquette, and protects the emperor's face. He also couldn't deal with it; after hesitating, he said angrily: "Master Ouyang, what you said is indeed such a rationale, but it is a special case for the emperor to personally welcome the two of you this time; Reject it completely; I can go and state your words to the emperor, but you are not ignorant of the emperor's temper, and he is absolutely unwilling to go back. In this way, the old man will have to come and ask you two steps to thank you again. Isn't this tossing the old man? ?”

Ouyang Xiuyi said solemnly: "My lord's words are wrong. I didn't do it myself, so why speculate on it selfishly? You can also figure out the emperor's thoughts? I implore your lord to move forward and convey what I have said."

Su Jin frowned, and thought: The play is too much, just make a point, why bother; I think one of the reasons why Ouyang Xiu's reputation in the court is not good, but his self-seeking It's a bit too much to look at; it's too much to make people feel bad.

Su Jin is not willing to act like Ouyang Xiu here. The emperor's car is actually twenty steps away, and he can hear and see every move here; the few words of Ouyang Xiu earlier made all the officials stand in awe. Zhao Zhen also smiled all over his face, but now, Su Jin had noticed that the courtiers started whispering, and Zhao Zhen's smile became a little stiff.

"This..." Su Jin suddenly raised his hair and said, "Ouyang Zhongcheng, what the lord said is also reasonable. The emperor is here. I'd better go forward and thank you; wouldn't it be more important to keep the emperor waiting for a long time?" It is not in line with the etiquette of emperors and ministers; besides, you are here with the adults, the etiquette issue you are worried about, the adults must have discussed this matter, since the adults have come, it is obvious that they agree with the emperor to do so, what you are worried about In the future, if someone accuses the emperor behind his back, I don't think there is any need to worry about it."

Su Jin got up, and without waiting for Ouyang Xiu's answer, he said to the host and guest: "Please lead the way, Lord Ouyang and I will go to visit the emperor."

Ouyang Xiu originally wanted to make more articles on this matter and say something more upright, but seeing what Su Jin said, he had no choice but to swallow the lines he had thought up, rolled his eyes and got up, and wanted to say something to the Ministry of Rites. The host and guest came down the steps after saying a few words, just as he moved his mouth, he saw the host and guest turned his head and gave him the back of the head.

Under the leadership of the host and guest of the Ministry of Rites, Ouyang Xiu and Su Jin bowed and followed each other, all the way to Zhao Zhen's seat and shouted: "See the emperor, long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

Zhao Zhen waved his hands with a smile and said: "The two lovers please get up quickly, it's been a long journey, it's been hard work."

Ouyang Xiu kowtowed and said: "The ministers dare not say bitterness, one person's bitterness is exchanged for Wanjiale, this heart is enough."

All the ministers curled their lips when they heard it, and someone scolded in a low voice: "What the hell, look at him like that."

Someone covered his mouth and wanted to laugh but didn't dare to laugh, his face flushed from holding back.

Su Jin kept getting goosebumps all over his body. This Ouyang Xiu really liked to show off.

Zhao Zhen didn't take it seriously, and said with a smile: "That's right, it's the way to be an official in exchange for one person's hard work; I have prepared eight golden-roofed sedan chairs with sixteen riders to lead the way for you two, and you two will go up." sedan chair, follow my luan back to the city."

Ouyang Xiu hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, this is not allowed. Your Majesty's welcome is already frightening to the ministers and others. How can we use this guard of honor? No, absolutely not. Please allow me to walk with you..."

Zhao Zhen laughed and said, "Isn't it possible? You see Special Envoy Su has already gone."

Ouyang Xiu raised his head in astonishment. At some point, Su Jin, who was kneeling behind him, had already got up. Under the guidance of a servant, he walked towards the golden-roofed sedan chair parked beside him, talking and laughing: "The golden-roofed sedan chair It's the first time in my life that I'm sitting in a big sedan chair, it's beautiful...it's really beautiful."

Ouyang Xiu stretched out his hand and called, "Special Envoy Su...you..."

Su Jin turned her head and said with a smile: "Master Ouyang, why don't you come? After passing this village, there is no such shop. Maybe this is the only chance in this life."

Ouyang Xiu was very angry, helpless and not easy to attack, Zhao Zhen smiled and said: "Ouyang Aiqing, go and sit, don't let Su Aiqing focus on the front, this sedan chair is prepared for the two of you."

"It's nothing if you don't sit." Ouyang Xiu kowtowed and got up, stepped forward, grabbed Su Jin's head and got into the big sedan chair. Su Jin laughed, shook his head, arched his hands at Zhao Zhen and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty." Now, the minister is getting on the sedan chair."

Zhao Zhen waved his hands and said with a smile: "Enjoy yourself, you don't need to go to the palace to see me today, and see you tomorrow at morning."

At that moment, the servant shouted: "The emperor is driving!"

After the emperor Luan drove a hundred steps, sixteen forbidden soldiers led the way with various ceremonial flags on their shoulders, surrounded by a golden-topped sedan chair, and went straight to Bianliang City.

……

After entering Bianliang City for the second time, Su Jin still feels very fresh. The Bianliang City in Tokyo is still so bustling and lively. Su Jin feels unfamiliar and very exciting at the same time; Most of his thoughts were just to regard himself as a hasty passer-by; but this time, when the golden-roofed sedan was carrying him slowly through the crowded streets of Bianliang, Su Jin's feelings were very different.

From now on, I have a place in this city of Bianliang. The common people are not the masters of this city. They just cling to this city and struggle to survive. To be called owning the city.

Entering the city from the south gate, after crossing the Bianshui Bridge and entering the second compartment on the right, the sedan chair was called to a halt; an officer outside the sedan chair asked loudly: "Special Envoy Su, Yan Sansi asked if you are going directly to the official post?" To stay or to go elsewhere? It is also very convenient for him to find an envoy."

Su Jin thought for a while and said: "There is no need to live in the official post. You go back to Master Sansi and say that I rent a house in Yulin Lane, and I will still live there this time."

The guard responded and turned around to answer the question. After hearing Su Jin's words, the hostesses changed their route from the main road to the small road. After three detours and two detours, they arrived at Yulin Lane. Su Jin stepped out of the sedan chair, turned around and greeted Ouyang Xiu inside : "Ouyang Zhongcheng, this is where the next official lives. Zhongcheng must be very tired and eager to go back to the mansion to rest. The next official will not invite you to the humble house for tea. Instead, I have a free day. I will make a special trip to invite Zhongcheng to come here." get together."

Ouyang Xiu waved his hand and said, "Go, see you tomorrow morning."

Su Jin gave another salute, ordered people to put down the sedan chair curtain, turned around and beckoned Wang Chao, who was behind the sedan chair, to come forward, and ordered him to take dozens of coins to reward the cavalry in charge and the bearer's followers for a round. Thanks to everyone, they turned around and walked towards the alley.

The scenery in front of me is still the same. It has been four months since I lived here last time. Nothing seems to have changed in the alley. Looking at the familiar scenery, some memories also came to my mind. Su Jin suddenly remembered the one who made trouble for herself However, Liu Binhua, who was severely blackmailed by him, came; this gentleman also wrote an IOU and held it in his hand, so he would find a free time to ask him for the debt.

How can there be any reason in the world if debts are not repaid?Not only the capital, but also the interest is calculated, and it takes a hard blow to him.

And that Liu Yong, the last time I saw him, he was already seriously ill. After this cold winter, I don't know how he is doing, so I have to look for a chance to see him.

Of course there is another person, Su Jin doesn't know whether to look for her, that person is Xia Siling; last time when Liu Binhua bribed Boss Hua to find her bad luck, Xia Siling wrote a letter to warn herself, and during the Chinese New Year Once again, Xiao Sui'er slipped her tongue, mentioning that Xia Siling had asked her to bring a letter to herself. Su Jin asked for the whereabouts of the letter, but Xiao Sui'er bit her tongue and said that she lost it halfway, which made Su Jin very depressed; Now that I'm back in the capital, should I go see her?

Although there is no possibility between me and her, it is still necessary to meet and explain, and I have to thank you for the last warning.

Su Jin thought silently, and before he knew it, he had come to the gate of the courtyard. Ma Han stepped forward and pushed the gate open, leading Su Jin in. He saw a large group of people sitting in the hall, tall and short, and Su Jin came in. They all got up and saluted: "Big boss."

Only then did Su Jin remember that he ordered people to settle these guys from Su Ji here. Now this small courtyard is overcrowded, there are more than ten houses in total, how can dozens of people live there?

Su Jin sat down on the chair and said with a smile: "Everyone sit down and rest, Sui'er went to the kitchen to quickly boil some tea to quench his thirst; the matter is very hasty, I didn't arrange it well, I should have ordered someone to arrange the accommodation earlier ;Looks like Mingri has to hurry out to find a house, otherwise there is no way to accommodate so many people."

Rou Niang smiled and said: "Master, you are here to worry about it now, someone has already arranged a place for you."

Su Jin was taken aback and said, "Who?"

Rou Niang said: "Who else is so careful? Yan Dong's family has just sent someone to say that the other courtyard in Master Yan's mansion has been cleaned up, and our Su Ji's buddy lives here. Please ask the young master to live in the other courtyard." , isn't that enough?"

Su Jin frowned and said, "I didn't say I would live in Lord Sansi's mansion. Last time I came out and rented this yard because I didn't want to live in the mansion. I still won't go this time."

Rou Niang smiled and handed over a cup of tea, and said: "You said it is another courtyard. Dong Yan's family sent someone to buy it a few years ago. It is at the south entrance of Desheng Bridge by the Bianshui River. It is only three streets away from here. It's not far from Yan Mansion, but it's not in Yan Mansion."

Su Jin secretly lamented Yan Biyun's carefulness and thoughtfulness. Although this woman doesn't talk much, she has her own ideas in her heart, and she also understands Su Jin's thoughts. Thousands or even tens of thousands of people, just because she didn't want to live in the Yan Mansion, she bought a house to accommodate herself, and her heart for herself was real.

Su Jin had nothing to say, and said with a smile, "That's all. We'll move there before dark. There's no need to prepare dinner for tonight. I think Dong Yan's is ready too."

As soon as the words fell, a servant from outside the courtyard hurried in, saw Su Jin and saluted at one end and said: "Young master Su, the villain Fu Kangshun, on the order of my master Sansi, I invite you to have a banquet at the mansion in the evening, yours These companions have also arranged a banquet at the Qiuyue Tower, and someone will come and lead them to use it when the time comes."

Su Jin laughed, looked at Rou Niang triumphantly and said, "How do I guess?"

Rou Niang pursed her lips and smiled, half joking and half teasing: "Young master never miscalculates."