The Little Officials of the Song Dynasty

Lu Fang, the son of Lu Taigong in Lujiazhuang, the empty island of Songjiang Prefecture of Songjiang, was nicknamed "Diamond Mouse". He has four brothers, namely Han Zhang, the squirrel, Xu Qing, Jiang Ping, and Baiyutang of Jinmaoshu. , Five people called Wushu, also called Wuyi, and Lu Fang ranked first.

Earlier, Bai Yutang, the fifth brother, stole Tokyo to provoke Yu Mao. Lu Fang was worried that he would cause a catastrophe. Not only was there no disaster, but news came that his young and energetic brother served as an **** in Kaifeng Mansion. Invite their four older brothers to come to Tokyo.

Not to mention that Bai Yutang is now in Tokyo. This Kaifeng is the forest of five heroes, the abyss of Baijia thieves, and there are many strong people. After discussing with the other three righteous brothers, Lu Fang decided to go to Tokyo and talk about it.

Lu Fang condemned Han Zhang, Xu Qing, and Jiang Ping to go on the road first, but he set up here on the empty island before he went to Tokyo.

Lu Fang has been to Tokyo before, but it's been a long time, this time, it's really different. He entered the city slowly, only to see the prosperous everywhere, and he couldn't help but admire him, as expected to be Kyoto.

There are many teenagers near the city gate, holding some pamphlets in their hands, hawking them, and rushing to them when they see foreigners. Lu Fang looked from the left to the right, and immediately a half-year-old kid came up, "Is the uncle a foreigner?"

Lu Fang nodded, "A person from Songjiang Mansion."

"It looks like you, is this the first time?" The child raised the pamphlet in his hand. "I have Tokyo boutique travel guides, shopping guides, etc., which cover the fun and delicious places in Tokyo. Where to buy special products, everything you need, as long as four cents of money, it’s a bargain! And this content is absolutely reliable, it flows from the station that receives foreign envoys, they all wait for those envoys to go to these places !"

Lu Fang heard it interestingly, "Let me take a look."

He took a book and looked through it, and it was really convenient for him to write a lot of scenic spots, detailed addresses, precautions, and so on. As long as four cents, it's not expensive. Lu Fang directly gave him eight pennies and bought both.

Lu Fang took the two pamphlets, read them, and continued walking into the city. He didn't immediately inquire about the direction of the Kaifeng government office. Instead, he planned to stroll around and eat something.

When I reached a bridge, I saw some commotion in the opposite street. It was a horse-drawn carriage that was frightened. The horse whispered and ran towards the river.

As soon as Lu Fang saw it, he immediately stuffed the brochure into his arms. Seeing that it was too late, he flew off the bridge and stepped on the ferry a few times. After landing on the riverside, the frightened horse also ran to the left.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the coachman had jumped out of the car, but there were still shouts from the car, apparently there were still people inside.

Lu Fang took out a short knife, quickly cut the horse rope with his eyesight and hands, and held on to the shaft of the carriage. The horse jumped into the river, and the carriage nearly overturned to the shore. Lu Fang stepped forward again and helped out a young man with weak legs.

The young man's face was pale, and he thanked him again and again, saying that if it weren't for Lu Fang, he would have been planted here today.

At this time, the coachman came over timidly. The young man didn’t hit him with anger. He kicked him and told him to deal with the car and the horse. He took out a big bag from the car and told Lu. Fang said: "My dear, it's noon now. If you don't use food, I will ask you to eat some."

Lu Fang was also refreshed, and bluntly said that he was a foreigner, so I would bother him.

Since the young man can afford to ride in a carriage, he is naturally wealthy. He and Lu Fang passed their names. They were originally named Jiang. They were in business at home and went to six. Jiang Liu took Lu Fang to a store.

"Nowadays, I don’t like the fashionable tea in Tokyo, but I was shocked just now. It’s not bad to eat a cup of chrysanthemum tea." Scented tea."

The tea doctor said with a grin, "Doesn't Lang Jun eat the tea with flowers?"

Jiang Liu hummed: "I am neither a girl nor arty. The tea with scents is good-looking or beautiful, and the taste is not as good as scented tea."

Lu Fang was a little confused, "I've heard of scented scented tea, but what is this companion scented tea?" In the past six months, scented scented tea has swept across the Song Dynasty, and the tea making has all of a sudden. Lu Fang himself had drunk jasmine tea, which was indeed good.

"The tea with scented tea is new. If you are a foreigner, you may not have seen it." Jiang Liu said, "In that case, if you have a pot of tea with scented tea, you want the beauty of the country."

Dr. Tea agreed, and when he went down and came up again, he was holding a set of colored glaze tea utensils in his hand.

Lu Fang's eyes were a little straight, and he didn't know why he was eating tea with a glassware.

The tea doctor put the colored glaze tea cup in front of Lu Fang, and put another thing in it. It was round and round, like a ball made of many tea leaves. At this time, Dr. Tea heated the water again, and the tea ball met the hot water and slowly dispersed in the water, and then, a purple peony blossomed out of it.

The peony blossoms slowly, flowing with the color of the colored glaze, it is really beautiful.

Lu Fang was amazed when he saw it.

It's not only good-looking, but also expensive, Dr. Cha thought in his heart.

Lu Fang took a sip, and there was a floral fragrance in the tea, which was light and light, which was completely different from ordering tea. Even Lu Fang can't taste tea, and he can feel a little bit interesting.

At this time, Jiang Liu bent down again and took out a green melon from the bag he was holding, but it didn't look like winter melon or other melons. I don't know what it was.

Lu Fang was amazed. Jiang Liu had already asked someone to take a knife, and while cutting melons, he said: "I happened to buy three watermelons today. You can taste it, I'm afraid this is not available in other places in the Song Dynasty, unless It is a prefecture and county close to Liao State."

"Watermelon?" Lu Fang didn't know what it was, but he saw that the melon was red and there was juice flowing out of everything. Although he hadn't tasted it yet, he couldn't help swallowing.

At this time, diners came by and asked to buy Jiang Liu's melon. The price was so high that Lu Fang didn't understand it. It was more expensive than eggplant.

However, Jiang Liu refused, saying that now there is no market in price, and it is rare for him to buy three.

When Lu Fang heard that it was so precious, he quickly said, "The virtuous brother should take it home by himself!"

Jiang Liu shook his head, "Don't say that, your grace. Although the price of watermelon is high, your kindness is more valuable. Besides, I cut everything and took it back. Are you not a joke to me."

Lu Fang is not a tweaker, he nodded when he heard it, "Then I would like to thank you for your kindness."

Lu Fang took a piece of watermelon and ate it. He only felt that he was thirst quenching and producing fluid, sweet and delicious. He drank tea and ate melons, and chatted with Jiang Liu.

Lu Fang showed him the shopping guide and travel guide he bought to Jiang Liu. Jiang Liu is an authentic Bianjing native. He also said that the guide is really similar. He just said that it was a bit different from the post. Too reliable, I am afraid it is to increase the price.

Lu Fang thought so. The dishes came. Lu Fang ate the specialty dishes of this restaurant and thanked him for another one. "My brother is working as a errand in Kaifeng Mansion. I wanted to settle the meal by myself before looking for him. Unexpectedly, I met Xiandi, a local, who took me to such a good meal. It was really cheap for me."

Jiang Liu heard this, but his face was weird, "Benevolence, why do you have to settle the meal by yourself and then go to Kaifeng Mansion to find your brother?"

Lu Fang chuckled, "First, I went shopping, and secondly, he was also a chef at noon, so I won't join in the fun, and wait until he comes out to eat wine and meat in the evening."

Jiang Liu: "..."

Jiang Liu couldn't laugh or cry and said: "Oh, then you have suffered a big loss! Blessed, you may not know, there is no better food than Kaifeng Palace!"

Lu Fang: "Huh?"

After listening to Jiang Liu's detailed explanation, Lu Fang realized that after Bao Zheng, the prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture, took office, he made many adjustments in the government. Now not only is the government clear and bright, but the treatment within the government has also been improved. Master chefs were hired among the chefs, and the meals were so delicious that even the officials had passed them on, and the recipes that came out casually spread all over Bianjing.

"Unexpectedly..." Lu Fang scratched his head. After all, the Yamen chef’s food is generally recognized, and the world is the same. Who knows that the Kaifeng Mansion’s food is actually quite good. He didn’t listen to the five brothers in the letter. Bring it up.

If this is the case, Lu Fang has some expectations for the days to come. After all, he will live in Kaifeng Mansion, and he has to consider whether he will also be a government official.

After having a meal with Jiang Liu, Jiang Liu also gave the remaining half of the watermelon to Lu Fang, and the two said goodbye.

Lu Fang asked him all the way to Kaifeng Mansion with half of the watermelon, and informed him of his name. The concierge immediately knew that he was the righteous brother of Bai Yutang Bai’s guard, plus three of them had already arrived, so he expertly searched for him. Bai Yutang.

Lu Fang entered the Kaifeng Mansion and was shocked again.

It's not like a government office, it's like... a vegetable field.

Except where you walk, vegetables are grown almost everywhere, but there are no flowers or plants. At a glance, there are many prisoners busy with farming under the supervision of guards, carrying water and fertilizing. From time to time, I can still see some officials in public uniforms, and they are also busy.

Lu Fang suddenly became a little in a daze, "What is this...what?"

The person who led the way saw Lu Fang's appearance and said with some pride: "This is the characteristic of our Kaifeng Mansion, and other government offices are also envious. After busy with official duties in the house, everyone will still grow vegetables and relax as before. The vegetables that are grown will not be eaten in the house, and they can be sold."

This...this is the most distinctive official that Lu Fang has ever seen. Is the fifth brother working as an errand in such a place?

Lu Fang's ears and eyes were keen, and he turned his head and noticed a tabby cat flying past the roof.

The person leading the way said faintly: "That is the rat catcher of our mansion..."

Lu Fang: "..."

Although he didn't have enough time to enter a cup of tea, Lu Fang felt that this Kaifeng Mansion was really poisonous...

He followed the man to the class room and saw an officer touching his belly and taking out a bunch of melon peels.

Lu Fang thought to himself that just now in the main store, the Jiang brothers clearly said that this watermelon is difficult to buy. He also saw someone raise the price and mentioned that it was higher than the tomato pot, but now it seems that the officials in Kaifeng can be Affordable, it shouldn’t be so rare, right?

After entering the classroom, Lu Fang saw his fifth brother Bai Yutang sitting on a top chair with his feet on the table, holding a glass of iced watermelon juice in his hand, sucking with a reed tube, and looking lazy. Yes, the person next to him was saying to him solemnly: "Yutang, this is already the third glass of iced watermelon juice you've drunk, and it will make your stomach irritated again..."

"You care..." Bai Yutang was talking rightly, suddenly caught Lu Fang in his eyes, and jumped up, "Big Brother!"

Bai Yutang put down the watermelon juice, rushed up and hugged Lu Fang with a smile, "Big brother, you're here, I'm having a hard time waiting!"

Lu Fang smiled and said, "I think you are very happy, where is it?"

Bai Yutang blushed and quibbly said: "He feels bitter, in his heart..." He looked at what Lu Fang was holding and changed the subject, "What are you holding?"

Lu Yi took the watermelon out and told him that he had saved a person before and that person gave it.

Bai Yutang nodded, "This person is pretty good."

I said that the person from Bai Yutang also walked over and said, "Brother Lu Fang, it's been a long time!"

Lu Fang looked at him curiously, "Who is your Excellency?"

"In Xia Zhan Zhao, I saw Brother Lu Fang in Mohua Village, but you never knew me." This person is Zhan Zhao.

Only then did Lu Fang know that this was Zhan Zhao. He was worried that his fifth brother would have trouble going to Beijing to find Zhan Zhao, and he stayed in Kaifeng Mansion. There would be a rift between the two of them, but it was better than he had imagined.

"It turned out to be Nan Xia, I've been admiring it for a long time!" In front of Bai Yutang, Lu Fang would naturally not fail to mention the name of the Royal Cat.

"Don't dare, just call my name." Zhan Zhao exchanged greetings with Lu Fang. He knew that Lu Fang was called by Bai Yutang. He had seen Lu Fang as a person, so he naturally hoped that Lu Fang would stay, too. Speaking very nicely to him about the affairs of the palace.

Lu Fang was full of curiosity about Kaifeng Mansion, and now he listens carefully and asks questions from time to time.

Bai Yutang also added, just as he was talking, a 16 or 7-year-old young man came in outside the class, holding a plate of roasted meat worn on bamboo sticks, "Who ordered the barbecue to take out?"

Bai Yutang stood up immediately, "I called it, how come you sent it."

"I have a barbecue in the afternoon... I just met at the door, so I stopped by to help deliver it." The young man put the roasted meat over, and Lu Fang immediately smelled a very strong fragrance.

Bai Yutang pointed to the young man and introduced to Lu Fang: "I said in the letter that I worshipped people in Bianjing. This is my stepson, Yun Yanhui, the brother of my beloved brother. However, we people of the rivers and lakes, we are on our own. Seniority, just call him Yan Ge'er."

Lu Fang saw that this young boy was handsome and cute, judging from his footsteps and breath, he did not have martial arts, but he was very cute with a smile on his face, so he also had a good feeling in his heart and said hello.

The pamphlet that Lu Fang bought before was accidentally exposed and asked Ge Yan to see it and stared at it. He simply took it out and said with a smile: "When I entered the city, someone was selling it. Yes, I bought two copies."

Brother Yan didn't say anything, Bai Yutang already yelled, "It's a loss, what do you buy this for, there is a living guide standing here."

Lu Fang looked at Bai Yutang puzzledly, "What?"

Bai Yutang pointed to Ge'er Yan who was smiling shyly, "Hey, he originally made the route in this guide."

Ge Yan also said: "Ashamed, he always messed up in the market, and entered the Kaifeng government office again, so he still knows Bianjing."

Lu Fang smiled, "Blame me for not knowing that I wasted eight coins for nothing."

It's not that everyone is short of the eight cents. Bai Yutang just yelled, let's talk about it here, and tell Lu Fang to eat the roasted meat together.

There is no such kind of roasted meat in Songjiang Prefecture. Bai Yutang said that this seems to be the flavor of the Nanmiao people. Lu Fang can't eat it spicy, but this roasted meat, or barbecue, is really fragrant, so he also bears it. Can't help but eat a few more skewers.

Bai Yutang sighed again: "It's a pity that I'm on duty at this time, otherwise I can take some wine to serve. The eldest brother does not know that this wine is self-brewed in Kaifeng Prefecture. It is very fragrant and tastes nowhere else."

Lu Fang is also a good drinker. When I heard it, my heart was itchy. Then I heard that it was brewed in the mansion, and he was a bit sigh: "I think this Kaifeng mansion is so particular, you guys are so happy. ."

Brother Yan said with a smile, "So, brother Ling is calling Big Brother Lu to have a good time together."

Not to mention, Lu Fang's heart is really moved. The atmosphere in Kaifeng Mansion is much better than he thought. When you come in, you can see that everyone is busy, but it is rigorous and friendly. Even his five brothers remember to relax and return. Relax, you can't break the ban.

Lu Fang said in his mouth: "Tell me to tell the second, third, and fourth brothers...Speaking of which, where are they now?"

"But I troubled them." Yan Ge'er said embarrassedly.

"What the trouble, what an errand," Bai Yutang said, "it's the famous Daxiangguo Temple Food Festival, which is about to begin. Ask them to try it out, and come back with my stomach every few days."

Lu Fang couldn't help but laugh, "There is such a good thing."

Bai Yutang pointed to Brother Yan, "This kid is a disciple of the big monk there, so I put the three brothers in, but the eldest brother is late, but he has to eat when the food festival opens. ."

Lu Fang nodded, "That's natural. Why don't you go to the food festival in Daxiangguo Temple when you come to Bianjing this season."

Brother Yan blinked, "Is this food festival also famous in Songjiang Prefecture?"

"That's natural," Lu Fang said, "not only in Songjiang Mansion, but also famous elsewhere. We in Songjiang Mansion, I heard that there are also old gluttons who go to Beijing specifically to go to the food festival. After coming back, I said that for a full year and a half. Loaded. However, for you Bianjing people, especially you are a lay disciple, you should regard it as ordinary."

Brother Yan said embarrassedly: "Yes..."