The car drove into the West City and stopped in front of a small house. The house was in a good location, not too far from a main street that ran from east to west.
After Song Xin entered, he found that the place had been cleaned, and Cao Cao had arranged for a middle-aged male servant and a girl of about sixteen or seventeen years old to serve their family.
Song's mother had lived a hard life in the past. She had never had the experience of being waited on, and she was not used to it.
In fact, Song Xin was not used to it and didn't want these people here. He didn't know whether these were servants or spies arranged by Cao Cao to monitor him.
Fortunately, Song Xin didn't care about being a high-ranking official, he just wanted to practice in a low-key manner. It's the same no matter where you are. After the arrangements were made, Song Xin went to see Cao Cao.
"Song Xin pays homage to the Prime Minister." Song Xin met Cao Cao in Cao Cao's study and knelt down to salute him.
"Well, Song Xin, how was your journey?" Cao Cao put down the book and asked with a smile.
"It's been a smooth journey back to the Prime Minister. Thank you for the house and the arrangements for my mother and sister to come and live in Xudu." Song Xin felt that the trip was really smooth except for the incident of killing the mandrill in the deserted village. However, there is no need to report this matter to Cao Cao.
"Well, are you satisfied with the house?"
"Song Xin is very satisfied. It is a hundred times more comfortable than my thatched cottage in the countryside. Thank you very much, Prime Minister."
"Well, you can settle down with your family today and tomorrow. There is no need to come here. Come to the Prime Minister's Mansion on the 25th of this month and continue to accompany the young master. By the way, before coming, go find Mr. Yu." Cao Cao waved his hand after saying , indicating that Song Xin could leave.
"Thank you, Prime Minister, Song Xin takes his leave." Song Xin bowed and bowed before exiting. When he came outside the house, he met the young master Cao Pi.
"Master Zihuan, Song Xin is polite." Song Xin saluted Cao Pi respectfully. When Cao Pi saw that it was Song Xin, he said enthusiastically, "Oh, Song Xin, I heard that your return to your hometown went well."
"Thank you, Master, for your concern. Everything is fine."
"You first came to Xudu and there are many places that need money. I have asked people to send some money and silk to you. If you need anything else, just come and tell me."
In fact, what surprised Song Xin the most was Cao Pi's character. According to history and historical novels, Cao Pi was a sinister and cunning man, but he was always very polite to Song Xin and never looked down on Song Xin because of his background. He even He feels more like a kind big brother.
"Song Xin is ashamed to lead. How can I be so virtuous and capable? Let the young master worry about it."
"Haha, it doesn't matter. You are my brother-in-law, so I should also help you. You go back to settle down first, and I have to go in to see my father."
"Yes, sir, please excuse me." After saying this, Song Xin bowed deeply to Cao Pi.
Song Xin said goodbye to Cao Pi, walked out of the Prime Minister's Mansion and returned home. Sure enough, there were already several people waiting in the courtyard, as well as some boxes containing money and silk.
"Master Song, Mr. Zihuan feels that you need money to settle your family, so he specially asked me to send you some money and silk."
"I have met Mr. Zihuan and already know about this matter. Thank you for your hard work." After saying this, Song Xin picked up a bunch of money and gave it to the man and said, "You guys have worked hard. It is disrespectful to take it to drink tea."
The man was naturally very happy. After thanking him repeatedly, he said goodbye to Song Xin and went away.
"Auntie, elder sister, please put these away and buy them after you see what else your family needs." Song Xin said to her mother.
"We are all from poor backgrounds, how can we use so much money. You must thank Mr. Zihuan for his kindness."
"That's right, I will come to say thank you someday." Song Xin said with a smile.
"By the way, Song Xin, come here."
Song's mother pulled Song Xin to a corner and said, "I think the maidservant sent here does not seem to come from a poor family, but should be the daughter of a wealthy family. The way she sits, stands, and talks is definitely not a girl from an ordinary family. "
"Oh? Is there anything else? I haven't spoken to her. I'd like to ask her about her life experience if I have a chance."
"It's inconvenient for you to ask this. Let your sister ask. They are not very different in age, and they are both women. It should be better than asking you."
"Well, grandma is very considerate. If there is anything else you need at home, just tell me and I will go buy it."
"You can go buy some wheat, vegetables and firewood and come back."
"Okay, I'll go right away." Song Xin called the male servant and asked him to lead him to the market. When they set off, Song Xin saw her sister chatting happily with the girl.
Song Xin felt that her mother understood the woman's thoughts better, and it was indeed much better to ask her sister to inquire than to do it herself. Seeing that Song Xin was about to go out, Ajiang said, "Brother, I have never been to Xudu, why don't we go to the streets to see it together."
After leaving the house, Song Xin asked the woman to take the car and started chatting with the male servant. This man's name was Xia Ren, and he was about forty years old. Song Xin called him Uncle Xia. He had lived in Xudu for many years and was very familiar with every plant, tree and street in the area. He originally worked in Cao Pi's house, but Cao Pi specially arranged this time.
"Uncle Xia, how are the areas of Xudu divided?"
Xia Ren had lived in Xudu for many years and knew all these things clearly, so he said: "Sir, in the north of Xudu, there are palaces, princes, and the families of the noble families living there. They are separated from other areas by high walls, and You also need a special badge to enter. The west side of the city where we live is mostly populated by big businessmen and wealthy households. They are divided into small areas by walls. The two watchtowers in front are the entrances and exits of the area." Xia Ren pointed to the front. ’s watchtower.
"Where are the poor and the market?"
"Most of the poor live in the south of the city and in the villages and towns outside the city. The area is the largest, the houses are very shabby, and there are many thieves. People in the other three areas are not willing to go there unless there is something special. There are also some small towns in the west of the city. There are not many shops, but there are not many goods. The big shops and markets are in the east of the city. It only takes half an hour to walk eastward along this road."
Song Xin stood on the road and looked far away, vaguely seeing two tall watchtowers located on both sides of the road. "After those two watchtowers, is it the east area of the city, right?"
Xia Ren stood on tiptoe and looked at it and said, "Young Master is right, that's the East District."
"Uncle Xia, just take me to take a look. However, wouldn't it be troublesome for people who live in the other three areas to go to the East District to buy?"
"My lord's home is relatively close to here, so you don't have to walk long to the east of the city. If you live far away, you have to hire a car. But there are also smart people who buy some cheap goods and sell them to the south of the city and outside the city. As for For those wealthy households in the north of the city, the shops will regularly arrange trucks to deliver goods to them." Xia Ren said, pointing to a row of carriages parked on the street.
"Oh, that's it. Let's walk over there. I just want to take a look at these areas."
Song Xin and Xia Ren walked to the center of the city. There was a tall and wide watchtower with bells and drums on it. The bells were sounded in the morning to open the city, and the drums were beaten to close the city at sunset. There are special soldiers guarding the watchtower and officials specializing in observing the sundial.
Remembering Cao Cao's instructions to find Hua Xin, Song Xin said to Xia Ren: "Uncle Xia, please wait here for a while. I have to go to the North District to do something."
"Young Master, just go. The old slave and the two girls are waiting here." Xia Ren knew that the North District was full of residences for dignitaries, and you had to have a badge to get in.
Arriving at the entrance of the North District alone, Song Xin asked the gatekeeper.
"Excuse me, where is the school office?"
"Dian...Dian school office?" Shi Chang was a little surprised when he heard this. Is the boy in front of me a school official? However, they heard that these school affairs were mysterious and they did not dare to ask more questions. But the soldier's tone immediately became respectful and said:
"In the northeastern area, there is a Dial Street, where the school office is located."
"Northeast area, Sundial Street...Ghost Street...Okay, thank you very much."
"Sir, it's not easy to find it there. Why don't you send someone to lead the way?" The chief was very attentive.
Song Xin thought this was a good idea, so he followed a soldier and walked around for a long time before finally reaching a secluded alley. The soldier said: "Sir, no one can enter here. Your Excellency, go in and go to the end of Dial Street, which is the school office."
"Thank you." Song Xin threw some money to him, and Xiaobing happily thanked him and went back.
"The school office in Xudu is so secretive." Song Xin recalled the way he came here. If he had to look for it himself, he might not be able to find it.
The purpose of the visit was explained at the door, and the two school officials guarding the door took Song Xin into the inner room. After a while, Hua Xin came.
After the greetings, Hua Xin said: "I won't say much else. The Prime Minister's order is that you must secretly protect Mr. Chong. Only the Prime Minister, you and I know your identity as a school administrator. If there is an emergency, you The identity card can mobilize the school officials in the city and have the right to deal with it first. Just remember, unless it is absolutely necessary, do not easily reveal your identity as the captain of the school."
Song Xin didn't expect that he would receive such treatment, so he quickly said:
"Thank you, Prime Minister, Mr. Hua for your trust. Song Xin will definitely live up to his mission."
Hua Xin nodded, took out a waist badge and a sword and said, "These are the waist badges and your attendant's sword for entering and exiting the North District and the Prime Minister's Mansion. You should keep them carefully and wear them when entering and leaving the Prime Minister's Mansion. As for Don't let others see your school captain's badge and sword unless it's an emergency. Show them together when you transfer school officials."
"Song Xin understands." He already had the sword and token of the captain of the Dian school on his body. Now he has obtained the prime minister's identity card and sword. However, the two swords are obviously very different in style and can be easily distinguished.
He said goodbye to Hua Xin and returned to the outside of the North District. Xia Ren came over immediately, and when he was about to continue walking eastward, a sudden burst of lively sound of golden drums attracted his attention, and Song Xin looked over curiously.
"Uncle Xia, what do those people do?"
"These people are from the Three Saints Religion."
"What is the 'Three Saints' Religion'?" Song Xin found it strange that these people seemed to be mortals, not practitioners.
"There is a Three Saints Sect in this city. It came to Xudu last year, and now it is gathered in the South District and the villages and towns outside the city. Many poor people there believe in this Three Saints Sect. I also heard that this Three Saints Sect The leader and the saint are all immortals." Xia Ren said with a mysterious look.
Liu Ling said: "Well, I also heard that they have a lot of power here, and the people and ordinary petty officials are afraid of them."
"Immortal?"
Xia Ren said with a mysterious face: "This leader is very mysterious. I don't know his name, but I heard that the three saints often come to the city."
"Is she also an immortal?" Song Xin smiled noncommittally. He didn't believe in any so-called immortals. At most, they were just practitioners who came out to deceive others.
"Yes, I heard that her magic can cure many difficult and complicated diseases. And I also heard that she can talk to gods and predict the future."
"Predict the future?" Song Xin secretly felt ridiculous. He did not answer. He looked at those people holding flags with words such as "Three Holy Cults" and "Three Holy Cults, Save the Common People" written on them. There were also some people, who looked like they were wearing shabby clothes, and they were walking along as if they were practicing. After scanning with his spiritual consciousness, he discovered that these people were all performing actions, without any profound energy or spiritual energy fluctuations at all, and they were all mortals.
Song Xin saw that these people were wearing different clothes, some were wearing casual clothes, and some were wearing uniform black and white robes.
"Uncle Xia, what are the details of how these people dress?"
"Those in black are the ordinary three saints in black, and those in white are called the three saints and sages. The ones above are the masters, and you don't know what is above. But they all have to listen to the words of the three saints. "
"Oh, I see."
At this time, Xia Ren whispered: "Those from the Three Saints Sect are not easy to mess with. If they hear you say something bad about them, they will retaliate against you. There once was a wealthy businessman who said a few words about the Three Saints Sect at a banquet at home. No, who would have known that they would know it soon."
Liu Ling also reminded softly, "I've also heard that if you doubt them or say bad things about their leader or saint, these followers will come to trouble you and make you very annoying."
Song Xin raised his eyebrows and asked, "Is there such a thing?"
Xia Ren looked at the small number of people around him and lowered his voice: "As a result, from that day on, a group of people from the Three Saints Sect sat outside the wealthy businessman's house all day long, practicing martial arts, and spreading rumors everywhere in the city. Everything about the businessman was It was a fake product that deceived people, and it deprived the businessman’s family of their living expenses and goods, and in the end the businessman was forced to move away.”
Song Xin asked doubtfully: "Don't you want to report to the official?"
"It's useless to report to the government. The government looks down on cheap businessmen. Moreover, some officials in the government also believed in the Three Saints. They came just to take a look and then left. Not only did they not help the businessman, they also arrested his family in a prison cell. I went through a lot of hardships and spent a lot of money to release him."
"Well, does the Prime Minister know about this?" Song Xin said to himself.
Xia Ren heard this and said: "The Prime Minister has to deal with so many national affairs every day, how can he have time to pay attention to these things. Having said that, what can he do even if he knows. The Three Saints Sect has developed greatly. If we really want to arrest people, I'm afraid The people in the south of the city will rebel."
"So serious?!" Song Xin asked in disbelief.
"Well, it's better to provoke them less. Let's go buy goods as soon as possible."
"Yeah, okay." Song Xin nodded, thinking that this kind of behavior was similar to those deceptive cults in later generations. However, at this time, the theory of witchcraft and prophecy was prevalent, and the social atmosphere was such that the emergence of the Three Saints Sect would not be surprising. As long as the Song family can live a peaceful life, Song Xin doesn't want to provoke these people.
7017k
