Ping An Biography

Before leaving, Yu Qian asked someone to deliver 20 taels of wrapping.Zhang Ning counted his "income" this time, and it was close to 100 taels in total. For a small official like himself, he earned tens of thousands of yuan in one trip, which is really a good deal.Huang Shiren bought 50 taels by himself, which was more important than what Yang Shiqi, Yu Qian, his teacher and his students expressed together. Zhang Ning understood the meaning of the 50 taels, but Huang Shiren hoped that one day he would have the opportunity to promote him.

It was already the beginning of the twelfth lunar month just after leaving Beijing, and after walking for half a month on the road, it was almost the end of the new year when we arrived in Yangzhou.Yangzhou is not far from Shangyuan County in Nanjing. Zhang Ning thought that maybe he could arrange things at the beginning of his tenure, so he could go home and see his sister.

Entering Yangzhou City, Zhang Ning first went to the government office to hand over the official documents of his appointment, and then had a few polite words with the officials in the government. His colleagues politely wanted to treat him to a meal, but he declined because of the matter of settling down.The name is Tuiguan of Yangzhou Prefecture, but in fact, the people in the government office do not belong to their own circle, they only need to maintain the relationship of nodding acquaintances, and do not interfere with local government affairs anyway.Zhang Ning understands that his circle is firstly the people from the East Palace, including the teacher Lu Zhen, and secondly, the people from Hu Ying's side, this is his scope of activities; otherwise, he will go to socialize with anyone he meets, and he will not be able to develop more acquaintances. relationship, then there is no need to do business.

He lived in the inn first, and before he could find a place to live, he went to contact the connector first.Wang Qinian had given a list before departure, and he only needed to find one of the spy bosses to indirectly control other secret operations.

Regarding the structure of Hu Ying's team, Zhang Ning had to secretly complain that it was very rigid and rigid, but he still used the government's structure when doing Jianghu affairs.The three-level system is the same as the six yamen. Take Zhang Ning as an example. As an official, he is the grassroots decision-maker; the leader who is about to contact is the executive level; With six divisions.There are a total of 50 people in the list, and although the sparrow is small, he has everything.

The person he was looking for was Xie Jun, and he was located in a tea house "Bi Yuan" in Yangzhou City. This tea garden was run by him, but the property was actually owned by the public.Yangzhou is an unfamiliar place to Zhang Ning, but he can get there by asking for directions.

On Fuqian Street, close to a crossroad, the location is very good, Biyuan's business is surprisingly good.Zhang Ning originally thought it was just a place to cover up his identity, but unexpectedly it was well-run, with people coming and going at the gate, just like a real business.When people are still outside, they can hear the sound of silk and bamboo and singing from inside, and it can be heard that it is Yue opera. Zhang Ning has no research on opera, but Yue opera is popular in Nanjing. He has heard a lot of it without paying attention.

"Guest officer, please come inside." A servant greeted him with a warm smile on his face, "Who are you, have you reserved a seat?"

Zhang Ning looked at the scene inside. There was a theater troupe in the hall, and there were guests in most of the upstairs and downstairs seats. People were eating snacks and knocking on melon seeds and talking. When there were too many people, there was a buzzing noise. Fortunately, the opera troupe sang well and loudly, so it didn't become a show.

"I'm not here to drink tea. I want to talk to Mr. Xie about something," Zhang Ning said.

The young servant was stunned for a moment, then continued to smile and said, "Do you have a famous post? I will pass it in for you. If the owner is in the garden, you can go see him."

Zhang Ning took out an envelope with no writing on it and handed it to the boy.The young man took it, looked left and right, and said, "There is an empty seat over there. If you want a cup of tea and listen to an opera, I will pass the things in for you."

Zhang Ning sat down and waited according to his words. He was no different from an ordinary tea drinker in his cloth clothes. When the tea was served, he would throw a few copper coins on the table.Very ordinary tea, and rather astringent, the business is so good maybe because the location is well chosen?Zhang Ning accidentally sucked a piece of tea into his mouth, but he couldn't spit it out. After chewing twice, the tea was old and thick.

After waiting for a while drinking tea alone, he looked as if he was waiting for a friend, unobtrusive.In fact, I was waiting for someone, but I was just waiting for the owner of this store.

The little guy from before came out, looked around in the crowd, saw Zhang Ning was still sitting in the original place, trotted over, nodded and bowed and said: "Your guest has been waiting for a long time, please, the little one will lead the way... ouch , how do these things serve you this kind of tea?"

People who can be interviewed by the boss immediately are distinguished guests in his eyes, and the servant's attitude is even more crooked than before.

When the two of them walked to the entrance of the cave on the north side of the hall, the servant stopped, and another girl with double ring hair style led the way.Passing through a house and crossing the threshold is a yard. There are some evergreen trees planted in the yard, which are quite green even in winter.When walking up the aisle under the wide eaves, the noise in the hall outside is much less, and the wall in the middle seems to have a good sound insulation effect.There are several large rooms on the north side of the courtyard. When Zhang Ning followed the maidservants to enter the door, he found that the walls of some rooms were opened. In the private room, people could be vaguely seen sitting inside; obviously, the guests who quietly sipped tea and listened to the libretto in this private room were more high-end. "<", there is a curtain hanging at the door. As soon as I entered, I saw two people inside, a man and a woman. The man was about 40 to [-] years old, with a big face and a slightly protruding belly, wearing a Dongpo scarf, and the hair on his temples looked very sparse , there are not many beards on her mouth; the woman is classic, wearing a light red jacket and emerald green skirt, her waist is slim and graceful, if she is not wearing winter clothes, she may have a waist like a snake, delicate and delicate. His pointed chin and delicate face are as fine as those drawn with fine brushwork.

The man was sitting at the coffee table just now, when he saw Zhang Ning coming in, he hurriedly stood up: "Are you Mr. Zhang?"

Seeing that he was on guard, Zhang Ning took the initiative to take out the official document sent by Hu Ying and handed it over.He bowed to take it over to check it, hurriedly handed it back, cupped his hands and said: "My subordinate, Xie Jun, see Mr. Zhang." After that, they exchanged seals, verified their identities, and the upper and lower links were connected again.

During the period, Zhang Ning glanced at the woman next to her who was doing trivial things and didn't say anything. Seeing this, Xie Juan said, "It's all right for me." <, but it will take a while. "

The woman next to her bent her knees slightly and smiled, but didn't speak, and continued to be busy with the trivial things in her hands. It turned out that she was making tea.From her appearance, it seems that making a pot of tea is very complicated. Since she entered the door, she has poured boiling water twice, and now the boiling water has been knocked into a glass bottle. She is looking at the bottle of water intently, as if there is some scenery inside It's average, but Zhang Ning seems to have nothing but a bottle of water.

"You don't need to call your lord in the future." Zhang Ning said calmly.

Xie Juan said: "Yes, in the future, Mr. will be a tea-tasting guest officer when he comes to Biyuan."

At this time, Zhang Ning was a little confused. Many details of the middle-aged subordinates here who are particular about making tea and seem to be respectful are out of the scope of his experience.Besides, in the eyes of others, he is just a young man in his early twenties, and he is likely to be underestimated and fooled by these people secretly.Now this position is no longer an errand for the Department of General Affairs, now he has to take care of himself, there is no one like Huang Shiren to take on the main job.

In fact, it didn't matter if he did a good job or not, and he didn't plan to work hard, he just wanted to find a chance to get that poem back.But out of instinctive general psychology, many times I want to reflect my own value and be respected and recognized.

"This time, Mr. takes over the people in Yangzhou, is there any important thing to do?" Xie Jun asked.

"I was appointed by Shangfeng to work in Yangzhou, and I have to wait for Shangfeng's news about the specific matters." Zhang Ning said slowly, "Before that, I need to familiarize myself with the situation. For example, who is responsible for the business accounts of Biyuan?" people in charge?"

Xie Jun's face changed slightly: "It used to be the former supervisor of the husband, but now that you are here, you are the one who has the final say here, and the subordinates are only assisting the husband... The accounts are now in the hands of the cashier in Biyuan, and other expenses Account, your incumbent has taken it away and reported it to the higher authorities."

"Who chose the cashier?" Zhang Ning asked calmly.

Xie Jun's expression became more and more ugly. As an interview envoy in Yangzhou, Zhang Ning has the right to order who should do what and who can't do what. He also has the right to change people; Jun also changed.

Of course, everyone has to do serious things, not always confrontation, but compromise and cooperation. Officials have decision-making power, but they also need people to handle things.Things haven't reached that point yet, Zhang Ning said these two words just to beat this Xie Jun, and remind him that the new official's appointment is just three fires.

"The cashier's shopkeeper has been here for two or three years, and he has never done anything wrong." Xie Juan said.

Zhang Ning nodded: "Let him come to see me soon, bring the accounts, and ask for the original invoices." Zhang Ning said in his heart that I am an accountant, so I will pick out some fake accounts for you, and see you and me There is nothing wrong with being stubborn.

Xie Jun pondered for a while, and at this time the woman came over and relieved him in a timely manner: "Mr. Zhang, my boss, the tea is ready, please use it slowly."<. "Xie Juan hurriedly laughed dryly. Zhang Ning said in his heart that it's strange that a good girl doesn't call her elder sister or brother.

The woman named Miao Ge picked up the purple sand pot, held the long sleeve lightly in one hand, and poured tea into the small cup on the plate. A stream of spring water with a delicate fragrance flowed into the small cup accurately, and she poured tea at the right time. The spout is tilted upwards, the teacup is just full without spilling a drop, the technique is quite elegant and skillful, just a few movements are also pleasing to the eye.

"Please sir." Xie Juan made a gesture and said humbly.

Zhang Ning picked up the cup and took a sip, half a cup was lost in an instant.I just drank crude tea outside, and it was really unusual when I drank it. Only by comparing can I know the pros and cons. <How? "

Zhang Ning smiled and said, "Drinking tea is drinking your mood, what do you think?"