Judge of the Lamp

Chapter 34 The Twisted Smile

Back at the Lantern Yamen, Wu Xu scolded Yi Xulou and Chen Yuanzhong, the two vice-thousands.

They called Wang Shijie's boss, the green lantern man Qiao Shungang, and scolded him severely: "I told you to watch the night in peacetime, but you didn't listen, so get some white lanterns out." Fooling things, did you cause trouble this time? With you and your subordinates, this month's salary will be deducted!"

Qiao Shungang felt annoyed, he knew that Wang Shijie was not a thing.

Lantern Lantern has blackmailed merchants before, but at least find someone with a shop to start with. Small roadside businesses like this will not be spared, even beating old people and children, only Wang Shijie can do it.

Usually it's just fine, but today he hit the whole street and annoyed Qianhu, and Qiao Shungang was so angry that the sky was smoking.

Qiao Shun just called Qingdeng Meng Shizhen: "How many times have I told you? Take care of that killer Wang Shijie! You just didn't listen, and let him take those newcomers out to cause trouble. This time Qianhu got angry , I also lost a month's salary, how hard it is for you!"

Meng Shizhen gritted her teeth and came to the side hall, where Wang Shijie with a collapsed nose was sitting.

Wu Xu ordered the rookie to tie him back, but the rookie didn't dare to tie him up, so he helped Wang Shijie back while Wu Xu was gone.

Seeing Wang Shijie's appearance, Meng Shizhen was so angry that he stepped forward and kicked him: "You fucking dare to sit, stand up for me!"

Wang Shijie quickly stood up.

"I just scolded you, and you made me mess up, you are a dog, and you can't change eating shit even in the sky!"

In front of all the newcomers, Meng Shizhen slapped Wang Shijie dozens of times.

After all, he was killing a Taoist cultivator, so the beating was nothing, but the beaten Wang Shijie was dishonest, and his body was writhing constantly.

Meng Shizhen became angry again: "Why can't you stand still? Are there maggots growing on your body?"

Wang Shijie really couldn't stand up. He didn't have maggots on his body, but a rash all over his body.

Seeing Wang Shijie move more and more violently, and Meng Shizhen slammed into the fire again, Wang Shijie quickly explained: "Meng Qingdeng, I don't want to move either, but, my body is really itchy."

Meng Shizhen smiled: "Okay, itchy skin, right? Easy to say! Tie him up and get my whip!"

The newcomers were frightened, but still did not dare to do it.

Meng Shizhen was annoyed: "Are you so deaf? Tie him up for me!"

Chu He took the rope first, and went forward to tie Wang Shijie tightly. Meng Shizhen took the whip and said, "I'm making you itch, I'll treat you well!"

……

In the lobby of the main courtyard, Wu Xu poured a glass of wine, handed it to Xu Zhiqiong, and asked, "Why did you give them money?"

how to answer?

For the sake of justice?

For justice?

Seeing a rough road?

Out of sympathy?

If you answer this way, where will the yamen be in charge?

Could it be that the yamen in charge of the lamp trampled on the laws of heaven and justice?

Before answering the question, see who you are.

Xu Zhiqiong is a lantern bearer, so he has to speak from the perspective of a lantern bearer.

He sniffled and said, "I, I don't want to lose, lose face in front of others."

Wu Xu frowned: "Is it necessary for you to look for face in the yamen?"

"Yes, yes," Xu Zhiqiong replied decisively, "I am the lantern bearer, and the face in charge of the yamen is my face."

Wu Xu smiled, this answer made him very satisfied.

"How much did you pay them?"

"No, not much, about one penny per person, more than one tael in total."

Wu Xu took out the money bag, poured out some pieces of silver, about ten taels, and stuffed it into Xu Zhiqiong's hand: "Take it."

Xu Zhiqiong was not polite, so he took it, stuffed it into the purse, and saluted: "Thank you for the thousand household rewards, humble job, I have to go to watch the night, first, I will leave."

Wu Xu nodded, Xu Zhiqiong drank the wine in his glass and left the Yamen.

Looking at Xu Zhiqiong's back, Wu Xu took a sip of his wine, smiling for a long time.

……

When passing the side hall, Xu Zhiqiong took a special look. Wang Shijie was tied to the pillar, and his breathing was fairly smooth, and there was no danger of his life, so he relaxed and went to watch the night.

I left a little late tonight, but I still have to go where I should go. Xu Zhiqiong went to the city gate first, and had two drinks with Wu Shanxing.

I went to the white peony tea shop to drink tea soup, and then went to buy flower cakes. The second sister Lin is stingy, Xu Zhiqiong kissed her, and she insisted on kissing her back, Xu Zhiqiong kissed her again, and she wanted to kiss her back again... ...This woman is really fussy.

After lighting the night vigil lights, Xu Zhiqiong went to the Goulan to watch the dance, and went to the Goolan next door to listen to two songs.

It was dawn, and Xu Zhiqiong deliberately came back a little later to prove that he did not catch fish during the night patrol.

A group of newcomers were waiting in the side hall, not knowing where to go or stay.

Yang Wu asked Wu Chunyang: "Are you still waiting for Wang Qishou's lecture today?"

Wu Chunyang thought for a long time and said, "I'll ask him first."

Wang Shijie was released from the pillar a long time ago, and now she is resting in the hut.

Although he was beaten badly, except for the broken bridge of the nose, there were flesh and blood wounds elsewhere, which was nothing to a ninth-rank cultivator.

Seeing Wu Chunyang, Wang Shijie immediately sat up and asked viciously, "You washed my clothes yesterday?"

Wu Chunyang nodded quickly.

"Did you tamper with my clothes!"

"How could I do such a thing!"

Wang Shijie snorted coldly: "I beat you back then, I think you held a grudge and used this trick to plot against me!"

Wu Chunyang shook his head again and again: "I didn't, don't wrong me!"

"Then let me ask you, besides you, who else touched my clothes yesterday?"

"I did the laundry, no one else."

Wang Shijie shouted, "How dare you say it wasn't you!"

Wu Chunyang didn't know how to explain. In a panic, he remembered the scene yesterday: "Xu Zhiqiong touched your clothes, and he said he would send them to Xiaoshe for you. I didn't let him send them. He tore me twice."

"Xu Zhiqiong! It really is him!" Wang Shijie gritted his teeth and said, "Wu Qianhu followed Wang'an River today, he must have told him the secret, this bastard, after I recover from injury, I will never spare him!"

Wu Chunyang didn't dare to say more, just as he was about to leave the small house, he was stopped by Wang Shijie again: "Don't leave, I have something to do for you."

Wang Shijie took out an account book from under the pillow and handed it to Wu Chunyang: "I am in charge of these businesses in Beiyuan. Today is the day when they pay the monthly money. You collected the account book for me. I know you also read it." If it’s not worth the few pennies, bring it to me tonight.”

Wu Chunyang was very sleepy, he didn't want to go to Beiyuan, he just wanted to go back to sleep: "How much money do you have, I'll just give it to you."

Wang Shijie laughed and said: "It's not about money, it's about the family business I've accumulated over the years, Mr. Wu, I'm not as lucky as you, and I'm not as good as your father, so I'm still not welcome. My territory is all in a poor place like Beiyuan, and I can't let go of any money that should be obtained. Remember, you have to do this yourself, and you must not tell others!"

Wu Chunyang reluctantly left with the ledger in hand.

For the shops in Beiyuan, those who have more will be given two pennies a month, and those who are less will be given three hundred cash, which adds up to seven or eight.

As long as Wang Shijie asks for this money, Wu Chunyang will not refuse to give it.

But I gave it this month, what about next month?
When the newcomer becomes an apprentice and follows other Bai Denglang, who will recognize Wang Shijie?

When this Mr. Wu is promoted to Qingdenglang, it's fine if he doesn't come back for revenge. Can he still give Wang Shijie a penny?
It is also common for Lantern men to collect monthly money from shops. White Lantern men can squeeze out some small businesses, while Green Lantern men and Green Lantern men can squeeze out some big shops. filial piety.

Because the lantern yamen is the master of the night in the capital.

It stands to reason that Wu Chunyang should not be involved in Wang Shijie's business, this is a taboo, and there may be disputes in the future.

But Wang Shijie had a bad feeling.

What happened yesterday angered Wu Xu, and it is estimated that all lantern bearers, big and small, will have to go out to watch the night tonight.

I can't go there because I'm injured, what if they cut me off and take advantage of me?
At dusk, Wu Chunyang returned to the yamen and handed over the ledger to Wang Shijie.

"Wang Denglang, I'll collect the bill, and confiscate it."

Wang Shijie widened his eyes and said, "Why?"

"Someone waived the monthly fees of these merchants."

"Who is exempt?"

"They said it was Xu Zhiqiong."

Wang Shijie sighed: "Forget it, let's go."

Hearing Wu Chunyang's footsteps go far away, Wang Shijie shattered the case with one punch.

"Xu Zhiqiong! I think you are tired of working. If I don't turn you into a useless person, my surname will not be Wang!"

……

Wang Shijie's premonition was very accurate. Tonight, except for Wu Xu and a few lamp men with special missions, all the members of the Yamen in charge of the lights were dispatched to watch the night under the leadership of two red lantern men.

Red Lantern, deputy Qianhu, and Yi Xulou led half of the people to patrol the night north.

Red Lantern, deputy Qianhu, and Chen Yuanzhong led half of the people to patrol the night south.

At the northwest fork, Yi Xulou assigned half of his staff to patrol the west of the city, while Xu Zhiqiong followed him to continue to patrol the north of the city.

At a fork in the road, Yi Xulou divided a group of people, and at the end of the division, Xu Zhiqiong and a dozen Denglang followed Yi Xulou to Beiyuan.

Uncomfortable tonight.

I can't go to the Goulan anymore, and I can't watch the dancers.

The white peony tea shop can't go either.

There is no simmering rice wine, no fresh fruit, no white soft roundness, and no one to beat the back and rub the shoulders.

Second Sister Lin had a new rouge on her lips, and she agreed to try it... mainly to try the flower cake.

Walking near the city gate, Wu Shanxing waved at Xu Zhiqiong, and Xu Zhiqiong shook his head helplessly.

Wu Shanxing knew that Xu Zhiqiong had difficulties, so he didn't say much, and the deputy Qianhu Yi Xulou asked, "Do you know that Chengmen captain?"

Xu Zhiqiong said: "It's a former classmate in a humble job."

Yi Xulou saw Wu Shanxing preparing food and drink, and told Xu Zhiqiong: "It's okay to spend a little time with your classmates during the night watch, and don't miss your business by drinking too much."

Xu Zhiqiong nodded repeatedly.

In the middle of the walk, all the lantern bearers were exhausted, and they had to rest for a while every time they crossed a street.

Especially Wu Chunyang, who helped Wang Shijie collect bills during the day, had no time to sleep, and was yawning so much that he couldn't keep his eyes open.

Yi Xulou yelled angrily: "Look at your lazy looks, how can you be worthy of the title of Lantern Lang? Zhiqiong patrols Beiyuan alone every day at night, let's see what kind of spirit Zhiqiong is!"

Xu Zhiqiong is indeed very energetic. The judge runs fast and has good stamina. He is used to running on this road. Besides, he walked slowly today. Xu Zhiqiong doesn't feel tired at all.

At five o'clock, all twelve night watch lights were lit, and the red lantern man checked them one by one. Since Xu Zhiqiong took over Beiyuan, there were many marks on the light poles, and Yi Xulou kept admiring them all the way.

When he was about to reach the Yamen, Yi Xulou couldn't hold on any longer. He was a sixth-rank cultivator of Killing Dao, and his physical strength was not a problem. The problem was that he hadn't survived the whole night for a long time.

"Zhiqiong, you have been patrolling Beiyuan by yourself these days, how did you survive?"

The experience here is not easy to share, mainly due to the motivation brought by Goulan.

Xu Zhiqiong said with a serious expression: "This is the duty of a humble job."

Yi Xulou sighed and said, "He's such a loyal young man. Then Wang Shijie relied on his old man to sell his old man and bullied you repeatedly. Why didn't you tell me? Are you afraid that I won't make the decision for you?"

Tell you?
Is it useful?
It was as if this was happening for the first time.

Last night Wu Xu praised Xu Zhiqiong, and the whole Yamen in charge of lamps knew about it, but today, Yi Xulou took every Zhiqiong by mouth, but he regarded this poor boy as a person.

As usual, who would care about Bai Denglang's life?

I thought so in my heart, but said something else on my mouth: "I am humble, I dare not worry about such a trivial matter, and you adults."

"Loyalty, really a loyal person!"

After praising him all the way, when he arrived at the Yamen, Yi Xulou discovered a key question: "Zhiqiong, where do you wear your sword?"

Xu Zhiqiong lowered his head and said, "Wang Denglang said that sabers are not enough, no, give them to me."

"This killer!" Yi Xulou turned to Qingdenglang Meng Shizhen and said, "Quickly equip Zhiqiong with a good knife, how can Lanternlang lose his weapon!"

Before Meng Shizhen could speak, a green lantern man said, "Qianhu, if you ask me, Beiyuan can't rely on a group of people to watch the night, at least it can be divided into three teams."

Yi Xulou nodded and said: "That's reasonable, and we have to follow the rules in the future. The green lanterns and white lanterns have to patrol at night every day, and redeploy the division of labor, but we can't let the honest people suffer!"

Meng Shizhen took a deep breath, cursing Wang Shijie secretly in her heart.

The words are beautiful, but the execution is limited.

Three days later, the red lantern man stopped watching the night.

Without the constraints of the red lantern man, the green lantern man only patrols around the imperial city, leaving the rest to the green lantern man.

Qing Denglang walked two more streets, and finally handed it over to Bai Denglang.

The south of the city is prosperous, and Bai Denglang is quite serious when he patrols the night.

The north of the city is poor, and Beiyuan is the poorest of the poor. No one wants to go there. The white lantern men who watched the night with Xu Zhiqiong are all old fritters. Seeing that the tension in the yamen dissipated, they began to think of ways Fishing.

"Zhiqiong, I didn't eat the right food tonight, and my stomach hurts. I'll leave this place to you first. If something happens another day, I'll take it for you!"

The man's name was Ma Guangli, and he was nicknamed Ma Laxi by others. He had diarrhea every night.

"Zhiqiong, my house is leaking, and I have to fix it tonight. Please help me for one night first."

This man's name is Li Pu'an, and his house has never been repaired.

But it didn't rain, why is your house leaking?

Besides, is there anyone who repairs the house in the middle of the night?

"Zhiqiong, I've just married a concubine. Those things about a woman's house are troublesome. It's even more troublesome when these women get together. Now they're making trouble again. Zhiqiong, please spare me the night first. ..."

This is true, this brother is called Wang Zhennan, he has a good family background, married six concubines, plus his main wife, a total of seven women fight every day, and even hit the yamen last night.

But is that why you don't come to work?

In the end, Beiyuan was still Xu Zhiqiong watching the night alone.

It's better to watch the night alone, without restraint.

But the saber hasn't been issued yet!This was ordered by the Red Lantern Lang. What efficiency is there!
When I become Qianhu in charge of lanterns, I have to rectify the atmosphere.

With the full moon tonight, Xu Zhiqiong walked on the way to the Yamen, feeling very happy.

Tomorrow is the fifteenth day of February, and the fifteenth day is the day when the salary is paid.

Before the money given by Brother Tong had been spent, Wu Xu gave another ten taels.

Lantern Lang's monthly salary is twelve taels, which is considered the highest among nine-rank officials.

At this time tomorrow, if you add one piece, you have twenty-six taels of silver in your hand, which translates to more than [-]. Can you not feel happy?

And Hugh is coming soon.

According to the laws of Daxuan, officials rest and take a bath every five days, but the work of the lantern bearer is of a special nature. Every night, someone has to be on duty and watch the night. Everyone has to take turns to take a rest. sky.

Make good use of these three days, young man, don't waste your time, Xu Zhiqiong has made a plan, go to Goulan to listen to music on the first day, go to Goulan to enjoy dances on the second day, go to Goulan to watch sumo wrestling on the third day...

When he reached the gate of the yamen, Xu Zhiqiong's thoughts suddenly stopped.

There was a distorted face behind him, staring at him with a sinister smile.

Wang Shijie was recovering from his injury, and he was smiling at Xu Zhiqiong. The reason why he was distorted was because the bridge of his nose was collapsed.

Tonight, Wang Shijie will return to work and will watch the night with Bai Denglang.

(End of this chapter)