The horse rushed into the city and stopped directly in front of the government office. The dusty rider got off his horse and shouted loudly: "This letter from me, the Su family, is for you, the prefect!"
When the guard heard this, he naturally did not dare to neglect, and immediately went in to pass the message, and then ran back quickly.
"Unfortunately, our Lord Sheriff has already gone out. If your envoy doesn't wait in the city, leave a place. When the Lord Sheriff comes back, I will report it immediately."
The messenger did not realize the seriousness of the problem and nodded, "Well, I will stay in the largest inn in the city. You adults will help me communicate as soon as you come back."
"Okay! Please don't worry, sir!"
The two bowed to each other, and then the messenger led the horse away.
In a tea shop nearby, the courier who had also come to report the news silently watched the Su family courier leave. He smiled proudly, drank the tea in the cup, took a few coins, and untied the reins. , got on his horse and rushed out of Qingshan County.
——
"The Castle of Qingshan County is ahead. Let's take a short rest and then head straight into the city. Is that okay?"
In the official pavilion more than twenty miles away from Qingshan County, Bai Yunbian said to Xia Jingyun.
Xia Jingyun smiled and said: "Master Bai can make his own decision. I will listen to your arrangements."
Bai Yunbian was also stunned, yes, why should I ask for his opinion?
The protagonist's consciousness awakened. He quietly straightened his back and said calmly: "My son's trip is to increase his knowledge, understand people's livelihood, and study government affairs. My father has a good relationship with Mr. Su, the governor of Qingshan County, and has already prepared books and contacted him in advance."
He looked at Xia Jingyun and said, "When you arrive at Qingshan County later, you can go with me to learn more, so that you can help me in the future."
With Xia Jingyun's character, of course he wouldn't care about this little emotion. He smiled and cupped his hands, "Young Master Bai is kind, and Young Master Bai is righteous!"
Bai Yunbian waved his hands with a satisfied look on his face, "Some trivial matters are not worth mentioning."
Xia Jingyun asked curiously: "Mr. Bai, I heard you say before that many officials in this state are unworthy. What is so special about the Qingshan County Governor that he deserves a visit in person?"
Bai Yunbian stood with his hands behind his hands, with an attitude of pointing out the country, "This Mr. Su is different from the other incompetent people who have nothing to do with their bodies. Although he comes from the Su family, he is not a direct descendant. He actually gained his fame by relying on his own talent and learning. He was the first to take the imperial examination." He is the number one in the second class. If it weren't for the fact that Mr. Su is still in office, in order to avoid suspicion, he might be able to enter the first class."
"First in Hanlin, he and my father were acquaintances, and his abilities were quite outstanding. When he was transferred to other places, he was also quite good at handling local government affairs. Look at this Qingshan County, compared to other places, How much more peaceful is it? Of course, I have been no weaker than others in my life in the way of scriptures and poetry. However, as an official, I also need to learn a thing or two from such people about money and food, taxation, anti-theft, and peace of mind. Otherwise, how can I achieve success in the future? What a great achievement!”
Xia Jingyun understood clearly, and for the sake of being able to follow Bai Yunbian for this meeting, he gave a thumbs up, "Mr. Bai, plan ahead and prepare early. You will definitely be able to achieve something in the future!"
Bai Yunbian looked matter-of-fact.
After taking a short rest, everyone who had changed their carriages boarded the carriages again and headed towards Qingshan County City.
Around evening, we arrived at Qingshan County.
Along the way, Xia Jingyun also walked around and found that Qingshan County was indeed well governed. Although the people within its jurisdiction were still not very wealthy, it was a systemic problem of the entire court and could not be changed by one county, but the overall situation The public security is very good, and the people have stable smiles on their faces, and there is a vague feeling of prosperity.
This made him look forward to the evening meeting.
As an official in the court, he is certainly not lacking in intrigues and intrigues, and he also has a big killer weapon with a golden finger. Although it makes him a little weak, it also makes him worthy of anyone;
But as a soul who grew up under the red flag, deep down in his heart, he still has the concept that serving as an official will benefit one party. If he is an official and does not make decisions for the people, it is better to go home and sell sweet potatoes. However, these skills can only be learned by watching more. , now that there is a ready-made master in front of you, how can you not ask for advice.
The group first chose an inn in the city to stay, and then Xia Jingyun and Bai Yunbian tidied up a little before walking out of the inn.
Walking to the gate of the state government office, Bai Yunbian stepped forward and handed over a letter, "I have an appointment with Mr. Su, so I came here to visit you."
When the yamen officer saw the two men dressed up, he didn't dare to neglect them and said, "You two gentlemen, please wait a moment. The younger one will go and pass the message."
After saying that, he hurriedly rushed in. Soon, a middle-aged scribe walked out quickly, glanced at the two of them, and decisively cupped his hands towards Xia Jingyun and said: "Oh, I have heard about Mr. Bai's name for a long time, and today I saw him As expected, he is as beautiful as a jade tree in the wind, with peerless beauty, and he is worthy of being the number one young master in my Yun Meng!"
Bai Yunbian's face darkened, Xia Jingyun coughed awkwardly and took a step back.
The scribe was startled, and his smile suddenly appeared again, "Oh, it's not because I have poor eyesight, but it's because Mr. Bai's temperament is introverted, and he has reached the state of being skillful, unsophisticated, and unpretentious. He is no less generous than the noble princes of the past generations. Ah! I’m so ashamed!”
Bai Yunbian twitched the corners of his lips, "Is Uncle Su Shi here?"
"Yes! We won't be back until noon today. The two young masters have arrived at just the right time. If they had arrived earlier, I'm afraid they would have had to wait."
After saying that, he stretched out his hand and said, "You two gentlemen, come here to invite me. Your Excellency is waiting inside."
Following the man as he walked in, Bai Yunbian whispered: "Let me tell you in advance, this Mr. Su has always been diligent in government affairs and will not see us for long. He does not mean to be negligent. You must know this first and don't be upset with him by then." dissatisfied."
Just don't doubt your ability.
Xia Jingyun muttered in his mind and nodded. He is a workaholic, so I understand.
"Also, think about the questions yourself. I will try to say as few words as possible for a while, giving you a chance to ask one or two questions."
Xia Jingyun turned to look at him, and Bai Yunbian snorted arrogantly, "What expression! Is this young master such a stingy person?"
Given their seniority, Bai Yunbian and Xia Jingyun were naturally not close enough for Su Yuanshang to talk in the study.
But the other party did not neglect him, and set up tea reception in the main living room.
Bai Yunbian had not sat with Xia Jingyun for a while when Su Yuanshang walked in with a smile.
"Nephew Lexian, I've been waiting for a long time! Who is this?"
Xia Jingyun stood up quickly, "Yun Jingxia, a student from Sishui Prefecture, named Yanzu, has met Mr. Su!"
Su Yuanshang did not doubt that he was there, nodded with a smile, and said politely, "You are a talented person, please take a seat!"
At this moment, Bai Yunbian restrained his arrogance a little, and said: "Uncle Su Shi, spring is coming soon. Before entering Beijing, my father ordered me to travel around the state to increase my knowledge, and then I will also ask you for help. I hope you will forgive me for taking the liberty of visiting you as I have been asking for advice from capable ministers and officials."
"Brother Anmin has already written a book and made it clear to me. There is no need for you and me to be separated."
Su Yuanshang smiled and said, "You are the leader of a state, so the imperial examination is not a problem. In the future, as an official, you really need to know more about the sufferings of the people's livelihood and the principles of the world's operation. Only then can you benefit when you are an official. On the other hand, we will not harm the people by being pedantic. The twins under my knees are still young. If I can live through the autumn in the future, I will definitely let him travel as much as you do."
After sighing with emotion, he regained his usual ability and decisiveness, and looked at the white clouds, "Should you ask and I answer, or should you listen to what I say?"
Bai Yunbian said, "I'll ask first. I'll trouble Uncle Su Shi to give me some advice later."
"good."
Bai Yunbian calmed down and asked his first question, "Uncle Shi, we can't understand the sages' righteous words, so how can we govern the world based on them?"
"Come on, come on! The market is open! The market is open!"
Just as Xia Jingyun and Bai Yunbian walked into the yamen, several yamen servants gathered around the ward and placed their bets.
"I have inquired clearly. The person who came here is the son of the Shi family, the chief of the city. So the old rules are that you pay three for a cup of tea, half for a stick of incense for a cup of tea, 70% for a stick of incense for half an hour, and half If it lasts up to an hour, you’ll pay 1 for every one, and if it lasts for more than an hour, you’ll pay 5 for every hour! I’m done with it now!”
A group of government officials placed bets one after another, most of them betting on a stick of incense and half an hour.
"My lord, I don't like to waste time on welcoming and sending you off, so I'd better burn a stick of incense."
"You don't understand. Although I don't like it, if I treat a small person, I'm afraid he will be kicked out after just a cup of tea. But he is the son of the governor of the state, Shi Jia. Can you not give him some face? I will detain him for half an hour. !”
"You guys still don't understand that our lord is only focused on government affairs. If he has some free time, he might as well handle more official documents and go to the city more! I'll stick a stick of incense."
"I think there are two people here this time, so they should stay a little longer! I'll keep them for an hour!"
"Haha, why don't you bet for more than an hour? You can even lose five to one!"
"You think I'm stupid!"
A group of people were laughing and making noise in the public room, and just as they expected, after Su Yuanshang answered a few questions from Bai Yunbian seriously, he was already planning to serve tea to see off the guests.
It's not that he doesn't give face, he has always behaved like this and has a clear conscience;
On the other hand, when Bai Yunbian came and went, he was still the same as those rotten scholars in the court. They always talked about the teachings of sages and sages, the people were afraid of power but not moral, and the people were ignorant of etiquette and caused chaos in the world. As a practical official, he It's really boring to say.
He looked at the white clouds and said, "My dear nephew, I still have some important business to attend to. Why don't we just stay here? I'll ask my close staff to hold a banquet in the best restaurant in the city to entertain you tonight?"
Bai Yunbian was startled. He knew he would be fast, but he didn't expect it to be so fast. It felt like it was over before it even started.
In his daze, he forgot to give Xia Jingyun any chance.
Fortunately, Xia Jingyun is one of the few people who places his hopes on others, so he directly took the initiative and said: "Master Su, this junior has a question, and I hope you will give me some advice."
I went out to do some errands today, sorry for the late update.
besides
(End of chapter)
