The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

By the time Su Jin arrived at the Daqing Palace, today's morning court had already been delayed for more than half an hour, and all the big things about sesame seeds and mung beans were almost covered, and Zhao Zhen even dozed off while sitting on the dragon seat.

Being an emperor is also very hard work. He has to get up very early every morning to come to the court. Besides, there are so many beautiful concubines in the harem who have to take care of themselves.

Su Jin didn't wait for the internal servant to preach, and quickly walked into the hall like a gust of wind. He gave Xia Song a hard look, and then bowed his head to Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen straightened up and smiled and said, "Pingshen, Su Aiqing is so arrogant, we are all so tired waiting for you here, your job is easy and happy."

Su Jin said unhappily: "I don't know that the emperor wants to see me today. The status of the humble minister is low, and the emperor doesn't reward a high official. He doesn't even have the qualifications to go to the court. Otherwise, wouldn't the humble minister go to the court every day? What's the matter?" Let the emperor wait for me." [

Zhao Zhen could hear the anger in Su Jin's words, so he stopped teasing Su Jin very wisely. His favorite time has come, because the ministers are going to pinch each other again. Whenever the courtiers pinch each other, Zhao Zhen always They were extremely happy, and they could sit and watch the show, and in the end they still had to ask themselves to uphold justice.

"Su Jin, I called you here today because Xia Aiqing, the Deputy Privy Envoy, has a case that I would like to consult with you, so I asked you to explain it."

Su Jin said indifferently: "Vice Envoy Xia has something to ask my minister, so of course he doesn't know what to say, but I don't know which case it is?"

Zhao Zhen glanced at Xia Song, indicating that he could ask questions, Xia Song stepped forward with a serious expression and said, "Master Su, there was a big case in the city the night before yesterday, I wonder if you know about it?"

Su Jin cupped his hands and said, "Lord Xia, there are at least forty or fifty cases in Bianliang City in a day, and I'm not the criminal officer of Kaifeng Prefecture, nor an official of the Ministry of Criminal Justice. How do I know which one you're talking about?"

Xia Song said coldly: "Of course it's the Pinghu Yuzhanglou murder case. How could I ask you about other small cases?"

Su Jin said with an 'oh', "You mean the case where more than 20 people were killed? I've heard about it. There are rumors on the street that the owner of the house is a bad pussy guy. Many people have made enemies, and they are going to take revenge, but I don’t know if this is the case.”

An official nearby hurriedly reminded softly: "Lord Su, that house is Lord Xia's private property..."

Su Jin pretended to be surprised, and hurriedly cupped his hands and said with a smile: "It turned out that it was Lord Xia who suffered the disaster. The lower officials made a slip of the tongue, and the words heard in the streets and alleys, Lord Xia, don't take it to heart. How could Lord Xia be a bad and festering official as rumored?" Son, look at Master Xia's mannerisms, his whole body is upright and his sleeves are breezy, he is a full-fledged pillar of the imperial court..."

Xia Song looked at Su Jin coldly and said, "Are you done? I'm the emperor's order to ask you something. Put away your hippie smile."

Su Jin smiled and said: "What a great authority, but your house was slaughtered. Why do you come to ask me? What a joke."

Xia Song said: "Lord Su, I heard that you bought a batch of firearms from the Ministry of War and hid them in your house?"

Su Jin said with a smile: "Master Xia is really well informed, but there is no need to add the word 'heard' to this matter. The officer did indeed buy a bunch of junk from the Shenhuo Camp."

Xia Song said: "The old man also heard that you used these firearms to stage a big battle and send the Liao envoy back to the country, right?"

Su Jin said: "Yes, what advice do you have? Shouldn't you frighten Liao envoys, should you kneel down and serve them?"

Xia Song said suddenly: "I'm not interested in how you deal with the Liao people. That's your job, and I have the right to ask about it; but I heard that you used those firearms to transform a batch of very powerful firearms. The power of the test firing was astonishing. There were thousands of firearms, and even destroyed a forest a hundred paces away during the volley. This matter?"

Su Jin smiled and said, "Yes, there is such a thing, what's the matter?"

Xia Song sneered, "Where are these firearms now?"

Su Jin said: "In my house, what's wrong?"

"Why don't you hand over such a powerful firearm to the court, but take it privately?" Xia Song asked coldly.

The officials were in an uproar. Except for a few people who knew the inside story, most of the officials knew nothing about how Su Jin used these firearms. Lu Yijian and Du Yan naturally knew the inside story, but the emperor said hello when he notified. The news spread to the Liao Kingdom too early and lost its deterrent effect, so those who know the inside story should just know what they are doing, and they are not allowed to spread it around; this move is also in line with the wishes of Lu Yijian, Du Yan and others, after all, this big drama of Su Jin It's really exciting, spreading the word is actually helping Su Jin to make a name for himself, so let's not talk about it.

All the officials generally sensed something unusual from Xia Song's question, as if Xia Song was hinting at Su Jin's intentions in keeping these firearms.

Zhao Zhen sat on the dragon seat and laughed secretly. This Xia Song, I don't know what he was thinking, he insisted on provoking Su Jin in a good manner. It was obviously Su Jin's trick to fool the Liao envoy, but Xia Song used it as an excuse , I don't know what kind of quarrel was formed between the two of them, so that they wanted to put Su Jin to death like this.

Lu Yijian and Du Yan winked anxiously, regretting that they hadn't told Xia Song the inside story beforehand. Xia Song's seemingly ferocious punch was completely out of place. It was intended to hit Su Jin's vitals, but unexpectedly hit the steel plate.

Xia Song was proud of the blockbuster he threw out, Du Yan and Lu Yijian's reactions were regarded as approval by him, and the officials' reactions also made him very satisfied; the confessions given by Zhao Dehai and Fang Chengzhong last night were really effective The two people said in unison that the power of firearms was astonishing, the woods were turned into scorched earth, and the mounds were razed to the ground. The more vigorously they talked, the happier Xia Song was; How Su Jin should respond, if you don't know what to do, the emperor will tear this kid alive without doing it yourself.

Su Jin was overwhelmed with joy. Seeing Xia Song's complacent look, he couldn't help but want to ridicule him. He had already greeted Zhao Dehai and Fang Chengzhong. It seemed that the two had faithfully kept the secret. Poor Xia Song It's pathetic that he even used this to attack himself.

"How do you explain? Everyone is waiting to hear your explanation." Xia Song couldn't hide her pride in her tone.

I thought that Su Jin would refute it forcefully, and after I pursued it while the iron was hot, I finally taught Su Jin how to explain it. Unexpectedly, the words that Su Jin spit out were: "I just want to keep these firearms, can you control them?"

"What? Presumptuous! Secretly hoarding firearms, it's an outrageous intention, how brave you are."

"It's none of your business! I'll keep it privately, what's the matter with you?" Su Jin put his arms on his chest, looking resigned.

Zhao Zhen was about to die from laughing, this Su Jin just didn't explain, but wanted to tease Xia Song, it's really abominable, Xia Song is also true, he didn't know beforehand and made random accusations, after all, he was afraid that others would share the credit Otherwise, no matter what, you should go to Du Yan for verification.

"Your Majesty, I feel that Su Jin has evil intentions. It is a serious crime to hide arms privately. I ask the emperor to authorize me to investigate and deal with this matter with all my strength." Xia Song said.

Zhao Zhen suppressed a smile and said, "Xia Aiqing, don't you want to ask Su Jin about the murder case in your house? Why did you get involved in this matter again, let's ask the real question."

Xia Song blinked and said: "No... Your Majesty... This is a shocking event. These firearms are powerful. I heard what the two commanders of Ma Jun and Zhao Fang who came to the event said in person. This is a great hidden worry." ah."

Zhao Zhen really couldn't bear to see Xia Song make a fool of himself, so he waved his hand and said, "Are you still finished? After this matter is retired, please ask Du Shumi or Lu Xiang to discuss it with you. You'd better ask the real question quickly."

The second monk Xia Songzhang was puzzled, and Du Yan whispered behind him: "Don't say it, it's fake, don't worry about it."

Xia Song looked around the hall and saw many officials covering their mouths and snickering, Fu Bi Ouyang Xiu and others even made no secret of their disdain, and then faintly felt that something had gone wrong.

He coughed and said to Su Jin: "Since the emperor said that the matter will be discussed in the hall, the old man will not mention it for the time being."

Su Jin smiled and said: "Tell me, why don't you mention it? Don't you just want me to admit that you want to rebel by keeping these firearms? What kind of enmity do I have with you, Mr. Xia? You want to frame me like this ? I have long heard that you are investigating me behind the scenes. A bloody case happened in your house, but you suspect me because of it. Do you think that I, Su Jin, are a soft persimmon and let you bully me? "

Xia Song said angrily: "What are you talking about? The old man is just investigating the case. Someone was injured by a firearm in the Yuzhanglou massacre, and you are the one with a powerful firearm. Ask yourself, why not?"

Su Jin put away his smile and said: "It seems very reasonable. Then a donkey was lost in my house yesterday. I heard that your Lord Xia likes donkey meat the most. I suspect that you, Lord Xia, stole my donkey. I want to invite the emperor Call the shots for me." [

All the officials rejoice, this Su Jin is really a tricky person, it seems that there will be a good show today.

"You...don't make any sense, Your Majesty, look at this Su Jin, it's really outrageous, I came to ask him according to your order."

Zhao Zhen held back his laughter, and said with a straight face, "Su Jin, please answer."

Su Jin cupped his hands and said: "Since the emperor has a decree, let's put aside the matter of the donkey for the time being, and I must investigate this matter carefully. If Lord Xia is involved, I am not a person who is afraid of high positions, and I will definitely investigate to the end."

Zhao Zhen stared and said: "You're almost done. The murder case in Master Xia's house was indeed someone using a firearm to kill someone. It's reasonable for him to ask you. You can just explain it. Why are there so many things?"