Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 75
In the early spring afternoon, the Du residence regained its tranquility.

Du Youlin was reading in the study, and Xue Bai was keeping fit in the courtyard.

With the knock on the door, Quan Rui, the steward, led many people to the second courtyard.

Xue Bai put down the stone in his hand, stood up, saw an old man staggered and swooped down the corridor, and recognized that it was the steward of Xue Ling's family, Xue Gengbo.

Liu Xiangjun and six children followed behind, as if he had just cried.

"Six Lang."

"problem occurs?"

Hearing this calm question, Xue Gengbo hesitated for a moment, and replied: "Yes, A Lang was detained, and the ancestral house was also robbed."

Xue Bai asked: "Why didn't you go to Jinwu Guard General Xue, but you came to me?"

Xue Gengbo said with a bitter face: "Da Zong said earlier that he will never care about A Lang's matters."

"Should I just take care of it?"

"This……"

Liu Xiangjun stepped forward, looked at Xue Bai with concern, his face was full of shame, and said in a low voice: "Mr. Lang went to gamble again, not only lost all his money, but also owed a huge debt, the creditor came Occupying the house... I am useless, and the fifty pennies have also been robbed."

Fifty thousand copper coins were packed in a box, but this woman couldn't even protect them.

"They said..." Liu Xiangjun hesitated: "They said that Liulang, your Fengweilou is making money every day, and they asked you to use the money to pay off the debt, otherwise it would be unfilial. They also said that they asked you to go to Qingmen Kangjia Restaurant to redeem people."

At the end of the conversation, she felt that this mother was ashamed, and wiped her tears with her hands behind her back.

But all the available favors have been exhausted in the past few years, whether it is from the Liu family of the mother's family or the Xue family from the east of the river, the couple have been disgusted by their relatives.Except for this lost and found son, there is indeed no way out.

Xue Bai asked, "Did they tell you specifically?"

"Yes."

"No hurry, have you eaten yet?"

Liu Xiangjun was taken aback for a moment, but before he answered, someone answered, "Not yet."

Xue Bai smiled and said, "Let's talk while eating over there."

Qing Lan quickly brought lunch.

Xue Bai got to know the six children of the Xue family, three boys and three girls.

Boys are Qilang, Balang and Shishilang; girls are Sanniang, Qiniang and Jiuniang.

The missing ones in the ranking should be premature deaths. Among them, only Qilang and Qiniang were born by Liu Xiangjun, and the others were born by different concubines, and the concubines have been sold.

Xue Ling had five older sons. Erlang died young, Dalang, Sanlang, and Shiro joined the army early, and Goro adopted him.

"Brother wrote a letter and came back. When he has done his meritorious service, he will come to pick us up and go to Fanyang with Aunt. At that time, how about paying back brother Six? Auntie has no place to live. As long as Brother Six can get the house back..."

Xue Qilang's name is Xue Xin. He is 12 years old this year. He looks thin and small, but he is very courageous. He is not afraid of strangers, dares to speak, and dares to ask Xue Bai for money.

Boys of this age are naughty and lawless, but Xue Xin is different, he is bold but not naughty.

Xue Bai asked: "As long as the house is in the house, what about your grandfather?"

Xue Xin pursed his lips, glanced at Liu Xiangjun, and said nothing.

But this child, with a kind of stubbornness in his eyes, took a bite of the mustache.

Xue Bai then asked Quan Rui: "Steward Quan, there is some trouble at home, I would like to ask Uncle Du if I can let them borrow..."

"You don't need to ask Alang, this will let people clean up all the guest rooms in the front yard."

Liu Xiangjun was used to the cold eyes of his relatives, so he was very disturbed by this, and said: "It is enough for me and the children to share a room."

Xue Gengbo hurriedly said: "You can sleep in the woodshed..."

~~
evening.

There is a quiet teahouse in the alley behind Qingmen Kangjia Restaurant.

Shi Zhong hurriedly climbed to the attic, and said in a low voice: "Lady, Xue Ling has said everything."

Daxi Yingying was still brewing tea, and the seat opposite was empty, but there was a clean small teacup.

"He said that Sun Cheng, a small official from the West City Administration, paid him to recognize his relatives. The villain went to investigate. Sun Cheng had a family sister who was a member of the crown prince and gave birth to the prince's second son, Dan."

"What's the use of checking these things? The sage made a good story about father and son getting acquainted. Are you saying that the sage is wrong?" Daxi Yingying said, "Is Xue Bai here?"

"No." Shi Zhong said: "Our people are staring at Du Zhai, Xue Bai never came out at all."

"Wait. The grandfather pointed out to him by the sage, he has to save him."

On the small stove, the tea has boiled and the tea foam is floating.

Daxi Yingying frowned slightly, thinking, Xue Bai shouldn't be unable to see that she just wanted to sell him a favor first.

As long as he comes, she can return the person and the house to him, and slowly approach him.

But why not come?

~~
The sky was getting dark, and this was Tianbao's last night without a curfew in six years.

~~
The sisters from the Du family walked into Xue Bai's room and stood in front of his writing desk to see the results of his calligraphy practice today.

But I saw a poem written on a piece of calligraphy.

"Flowers are not flowers, and fog is not fog. Come in the middle of the night, and go at dawn. Come like a spring dream, and go like clouds without a place to look."

The poem was so beautiful that both of them were stunned for a moment.

When Xue Bai came back from washing, he saw them turn around and carefully looked at their expressions.

Seeing Du Yan's unnatural expression first, he seemed to realize something.But looking at Du Jin again, her expression was also wrong, and he was even more confused.

"I heard from Quan Rui that something happened to Xue Ling?"

"Ah."

"Aren't you going to redeem him?" Du Jin asked, "If you need money, you can pay some money first."

Xue Bai shook his head and said, "This kind of person is a bottomless pit, and it's useless to redeem him."

Du Yu said, "You're going to enter the Guozijian soon, so you won't be charged with unfilial piety."

"If he dies, you will have to observe mourning for him for three years before you can become an official."

Xue Bai also understood this, and pondered: "It's normal for the creditor to know about Fengweilou, but it may also be for us."

"What do you mean?"

"No hurry." Xue Bai said, "Let's observe for two days and then see."

The sisters of the Du family nodded one after another, and there was a subtle atmosphere among the three of them.

"It's good to observe and observe, then you are not in a hurry to move there these days?"

"Well, the house is gone..."

~~
The next day is the seventeenth day of the first month.

The three-day rest of the Shangyuan Festival has passed, and Chang'an began to resume its usual busyness.

In the early morning, Du Wulang and Xue Bai greeted each other on the porch.

"So sleepy, your window hinges haven't been repaired yet? It rang again last night."

"The Xue family had some troubles yesterday, forget about it."

"What's the trouble?"

Xue Bai probably told about Xue Ling, which made Du Wulang very distressed.

"Ah, it's troublesome to have such a grandpa at the stall, right? Not long ago, grandpa set up a family motto."

"The Xue family also has such ancestral precepts, descendants who dare to gamble will be expelled from the family forever, regardless of their parents and children, they will definitely cut off their kindness."

Although Xue Bai had just been inspired to draw up this ancestral precept, his tone was very plain.

Du Wulang nodded repeatedly when he heard this, and said: "As expected of the white-robed general who settled Tianshan with three arrows, his family style is strict. I haven't realized it yet, so you are the great-grandson of General Xue. Shall I accompany you to do this matter?" ?”

"Is Fengwei Building busy?"

"Of course I'm busy, why not busy, the banquet is booked until next year's Shangyuan Festival."

In Xue Bai's eyes, Fengweilou is much more important than Xue Ling.

He thought, if there is a restaurant in every workshop in Chang'an, if there are manpower, and there are guards and carriages that can be mobilized at any time, it will be much easier to deal with those secret methods.

Therefore, when the two walked from the main courtyard to the front courtyard, they talked about the restaurant again along the way.

Since January, because of Jiao Nu's staring, Xue Bai seldom talked with others, except that he often talked with Du Wulang about the operation of the restaurant.At that time, Jiaonu would be half awake by the side.

"..."

"A branch? I've thought about it, but in this way, our cooking skills will be easily leaked out. Why don't we make a lot of money for a while?"

"Do you make a lot of money?"

"A lot?" Du Wulang said: "You can only use such superficial words to describe income?"

"Daily advances in money?"

"Well, in fact, the account book is managed by the eldest sister, and I don't know the details."

"It doesn't matter, controlling the dishes is the foundation of a restaurant." Xue Bai said casually.

Du Wulang took it for granted, and became more motivated.

While talking, the two arrived at the stable.

Seeing Xue Bai leading the horse, Du Wulang asked, "Hey, didn't you say you won't save your grandpa? Come with me to Fengweilou."

"The Shangyuan Festival has passed, and I just remembered that I didn't visit General Xue. I have to go."

"Is there anyone going to pay a visit at this time? Your uncle should be sitting in the Jinwu Guard right now..."

~~
Jinwuwei government office.

In the morning, a roar suddenly sounded.

"Punishment for merit and demerit? What did I do again? General! I was the first to discover this treason case. Last time I searched Yang Shenjin's other house..."

"What's the rush? After the Yang brothers are convicted, can't you be promoted?"

"Strange, why is Yang Zhao serving as Yushi now? I saw him only taking sacks to pack his belongings, but it became him to find evidence and find out that Yang Shenjin was short of money in the Taifu? I can go to hell!"

"Guo Qianli! Don't be too presumptuous!"

"I am presumptuous? The court can do it, but I am presumptuous? Regardless of my merits, it is fine, but you have shown Yang Zhao's great contributions. I will not agree!"

"Oh!"

"Get out! Is it useful for you and me to discuss this matter? Since you have taken refuge in brother slave, get out and ask your master!"

Guo Qianli was furious, and he yelled "Hey, yah, yah, yah!", and finally kicked the door out angrily.

"I am angry, I am angry!"

"General Guo?"

"Xue Langjun? Why are you here? You know that Yang Zhao moved to serve as the censor, and he also took the lead in discovering Yang Shenjin's conspiracy..."

"General Guo, don't worry."

"Why am I not in a hurry?! I have made great military exploits in Wuwei. After returning to Chang'an, I have been from the fourth rank Zuo Jinwuwei Zhonglang to the seventh rank. Why not hurry? I am so anxious!"

"The ups and downs of the officialdom are common sense. General Guo has reached the lowest point, and he will be able to rise step by step in the future..."

Xue Bai comforted him for a long time before Guo Qianli calmed down.

"Xue Langjun, what you said just now, although I didn't understand meritorious service and repaying meritorious service, I think it makes sense. I have been relegated all the way in these years, and even Li Taibai has been unfair for me. The only difference is repaying meritorious service. .”

"Yes, as long as this small gap is made up, General Guo will surely become a famous general."

"You were the one who reminded me that night in front of the emperor." Guo Qianli scratched his head and said, "Xue Langjun, I have an idea, why don't you be my guest?"

"I'll be your guest?"

Xue Bai was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing.

He was not angry, but he probably understood why Guo Qianli could be like this.

"Mo Xiao, Mr. Xue Lang, I will definitely not lose your monthly salary. If you help me in the future, I will be General Jin Wu."

"It's definitely not the amount of monthly salary, I still want to study in the Imperial College..."

"You can make suggestions for me while studying, and I will introduce Li Taibai for you and increase your reputation, how about it?"

"How about this, if General Guo encounters difficult matters in the future, he can come and ask me at any time, but the secret agent will be spared, it's really inconvenient."

"..."

After chatting with Guo Qianli, Xue Bai was led by Jin Wuwei into the yamen hall, only to see Xue Huizheng sitting with a big horse and a golden knife.

"General Xue is polite."

"Uncle." Xue Hui swung back to the left and right, "You didn't come to visit at home on the Shangyuan Festival, what did you come to Jinwuwei Yamen for?"

"I came here to seek help from my uncle. Yesterday, the house in Changshoufang was occupied by someone, claiming that the family owed gambling debts..."

"I said I won't take care of Xue Ling's nonsense anymore."

Xue Hui yelled, with that majestic face, and finally he didn't tense up, and said with a smile: "But you came to me, and you did the right thing. You are a child, if you encounter this kind of thing, you can only find me This uncle, who else can I find?"

"Yes."

"Just to remind you, you were too crazy in the past, even more crazy than our Jinwu Guard, so be more honest in the future!"

"..."

After leaving the imperial city, Xue Bai still did not go to Qingmen restaurant to rescue Xue Ling.

He drove off to Chang'an County Yamen.

~~
In the afternoon, Changshoufang.

Xue Ling's house is in the northwest corner of Changshoufang, and the Chang'an County Government is in the southwest corner.

Xue Bai has been here once before, so he is no stranger to this area.

It was lunch time when he arrived, so he found the busiest stall nearby and ordered a bowl of mutton noodle soup.

Halfway through the meal, I saw Yan Zhenqing wearing a dark blue official robe and walking with two small officials holding official documents.

Yan Zhenqing also saw him, and waved his hand to signal him not to get up in a hurry.

"Old Chong, Mrs. Lao Chong, three bowls of mutton soup and six cakes."

The street vendors are a couple, Lao Chong is an old man, busy with a large casserole, Lao Chong's wife is a fat woman, carrying a bowl around the tables and chairs, but she is as light as a swallow.

"Okay, Yan County Lieutenant, sit down first!" Mrs. Chong looked very familiar with the county officials, "I know that the county lieutenant is back on business, so I'll scoop up more mutton soup."

Yan Zhenqing stroked his beard and smiled, nodding his thanks.

A small official said in a low voice: "County Lieutenant, the county magistrate only asked us to urge us to pay. If we explain it for them instead, it would be overstepping the rules. This is not something that happens in a day or two."

"Then can they conjure Qiangu in a day or two?" Yan Zhenqing waved his hand and said, "Don't worry."

"When the new Jing Yin sits in the yamen, how can he allow the county lieutenant to investigate and pay slowly..."

Xue Bai sat aside and watched this scene, and suddenly recalled a lot.

Speaking of which, after spending seven years at the grassroots level in his previous life, he was seconded to the county to work next to the fourth leader in charge of politics and law, almost like a small official next to the county lieutenant.

Thinking about it this way, looking at Yan Zhenqing again, his eyes are already kind.

"Young man."

The dark blue sleeve waved in front of his eyes, Xue Bai came back to his senses, and quickly saluted.

"Are you here to get the copybook? Come with the old man."

"I've met Yan Shaofu." Xue Bai said, "I'm here to report the case today."

"Okay, do you have a warrant?"

"Have."

Xue Bai immediately took out the pleading paper from his bosom, and said, "Someone kidnapped Xue Ling, and forcibly seized the Xue family's house and the property in the house without a deed."

Yan Zhenqing took it and took a look.

The handwriting, which could barely be considered neat in the eyes of others, seemed to him hopelessly ugly, but the idea of ​​writing was very clear.

He had already heard about what happened in Changshou Fang yesterday. Xue Ling owed a huge amount of gambling debts, and the house was forfeited, and his family was kicked out.

But no one thought of reporting it.

Because no one thought that Datang actually banned gambling.

"Are you the Xue Bai who 'made it up'? The old man remembered that he met you once in Dali Temple."

"Student Xue Bai, Yan Shaofu laughed."

Yan Zhenqing had already heard about the incident at the Royal Banquet on the Shangyuan Festival, and knew that Xue Bai was clinging to Mrs. Guo to curry favor with the powerful. He also heard that this son was also involved in the case of Yang Shenjin.

But he didn't expect that when he saw him, there was no flattery in his eyes, only firmness.

This young man... only recognizes the ultimate goal, and doesn't care about the muddy road.

"You have gone through all kinds of things, and today you can still think of reporting according to the law instead of taking advantage of the situation." Yan Zhenqing sighed, "It's not bad."

"As long as it can be done by law, students must follow the law."

Yan Zhenqing asked: "If you can't deal with it with the law, so what?"

"It depends on the situation. It depends on whether I am wrong or the law of the world is wrong. If I am wrong, it is just following the law."

Xue Bai didn't want to share simple words and deep words, so he stopped.

Yan Zhenqing wanted to ask again.

"What if the law of the world is wrong?"

"change."

Yan Zhenqing suddenly lost his mind with this short and powerful word.

He thought of what he saw when he was appointed as the county captain, the collapse of land equalization and mediocrity in the Tang Dynasty, and the tinkering and even worsening of the imperial court.

I have never seen anyone dare to respond firmly to the word "change" to these fragmented traces.

This is a prosperous age, there is no need to change it, and no one can afford it.

　I also wrote 8600 words today, which is a continuous and extraordinary performance.Thanks to the new leader, I plan to write a month-end summary every month, and then I will thank you all (because I didn’t have time when I posted it, and the writer’s words are often added later).Ask for a monthly ticket, ask for a subscription~~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)