There is an old locust tree at the entrance of the village, and a well under the locust tree. Next to it is a stone mill, lying there quietly. Not far away was an ox tied up, grazing leisurely. The tail wags gently to drive away flies.
Wang Xiaoxian dismounted his horse and stood there quietly. Everything in front of me was so familiar, yet strange, as if it was another world.
Wang Zhongdao: "Sister, I haven't received the news yet. Please take a rest while I go in and report."
Wang Xiaolie shook his head: "This is my own home, why bother? Go in, there are no outsiders in the village."
Wang Zhong said yes, commanded a group of soldiers, and followed Wang Xiaolie towards the village.
Not far into the village, he saw a woman coming from the opposite side. Jing Chai, who is about twenty years old and wearing a cloth skirt, walks a little hastily.
Wang Xiaolie felt his eyes were a little blurry. This figure is very familiar, but now it seems a little strange. This is the person closest to me in this world, but I feel far away in my heart. When I came back this time, many things had changed.
Stepping forward, Wang Qingxiu looked at his younger brother with tears in his eyes. After calming down his emotions, he said: "I've been looking at the entrance of the village all day, but you haven't seen you coming. I just went home, but you're here."
Wang Xiaolie said: "It's a little late to leave the city, so I kept my sister waiting. Let's go home and have a few words of respect."
While he was talking, many people came out of their homes and gathered around to talk. Most of these people seemed familiar to Wang Xiaolie, but he didn't know what to say, so he stood there and listened quietly.
After a while, Wang Xiaolie returned to his home surrounded by everyone.
After Wang Zhong returned home, he convened people to renovate the house, and now it looks brand new. Entering the door, there are some shadows of the past when my father was still there. However, Wang Xiaolie could not feel the smell of the past. Many things are really different.
The hall was full of people. There are relatives, nearby neighbors, and some people I don’t know at all. After receiving the news, they all came to welcome Wang Xiaolie's arrival. Wang Xiaolie became the magistrate of the state at the age of nineteen. How many people wanted to curry favor with him? As for what this Zhizhou means and how different it is from the officials in the Taiping Era, not many people worry about it.
It was getting dark, and Wang Zhong prepared a banquet in the courtyard to entertain the guests. It was lively and lively until midnight.
After seeing off the guests, Wang Xiaolie came back and saw his sister still sitting in the living room. He stepped forward and saluted and said: "It's getting dark, sister, it's time for me to rest. It's been a busy day today, so go to bed early. There are still many things to do tomorrow."
Wang Qingxiu said nothing. After a long time, he said, "Where are my father's bones?"
Wang Xiaolie sighed: "I keep it there. I will bury it early tomorrow morning."
Wang Qingxiu said: "Take it out. Tonight I will keep watch for my father. I will support us for twenty years and finally give him a ride."
Wang Xiaolie said: "No need. What's the use of keeping this night? I'll be buried tomorrow and sweep the tomb every year. Wouldn't it be better?"
Wang Qingxiu said nothing. After a long time, he said: "Dalang, although our Wang family is not a big family and has been sparse for generations, we have always been respected in our hometown. Our ancestors worked hard to make us what we are today. Dad is dedicated to studying and is a young man. He became a Jinshi and shone brightly on his family's lintel. When the Jin people came from the south, my father once again gathered soldiers from his hometown to serve as kings, and he was worthy of the world. Now there are only two of us left, so we should not forget my father."
Wang Xiaolie said: "Sister, what are you talking about! You don't understand what I mean. My father rebelled against King Qin, and he was not the only one who died in the battle! When I returned home this time, in addition to my father's bones, there were more than a hundred People. These people are my father’s subordinates and they should be buried together.”
Having said this, Wang Xiaolie was silent for a while. Then he said: "Sister, if daddy died in battle, he is not just our father. If there is another world, daddy should take his men on the road together."
After listening to Wang Xiaolie's words, Wang Qingxiu thought for a long time and nodded silently. It should be said that Wang Xiaolie was right. Of course, I was not wrong, but the two people's perspectives on the problem were very different.
After a moment of silence, Wang Qingxiu asked: "How do you want to stay when you return to Ruzhou this time?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "Protect the territory and the people. The first thing is to pacify the place. There should be no bandits under the rule of Ruzhou. Those who disobey the court's orders must be exterminated no matter what the reason is. The second thing is to keep the people safe. Having enough food, clothing, and warmth, and living a happy life.”
Wang Xiaoxiu shook her head slightly: "It's easier said than done? You're not at home, so you don't know what's going on at home. Since Jin Bing left, there have been countless strong men around. In the past, there were many merchant ships in the Ru River, but now it's deserted. We common people are all hiding. No matter where you are, who dares to wander around!"
Wang Xiaolie smiled and said: "Sister, I am the magistrate of Ruzhou now, and I am not a commoner's family. I have a thousand soldiers, so there is no need to be afraid of anyone around Ruzhou! Don't worry, by the end of the year, I will calm down Ruzhou!"
After hearing this, Wang Qingxiu couldn't help laughing: "I forgot that you are now the magistrate of the state. The court is also surprised. Why are you becoming the magistrate of the state when you are less than twenty years old? This official is a bit casual."
Wang Xiaolie said: "What time is it now? If you have soldiers in your hands, occupy a place, and if you don't rebel against the court, you will be given an official position. Whether you can really secure your official position depends on your ability."
Wang Qingxiu thought for a while and asked carefully: "Dalang, do you think you can sit still?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "If I am willing to bring troops back, I will be able to secure my position. Now among Wanluo, only Lieutenant Zhai is stronger than me. As long as I don't do anything stupid, I can continue to serve as an officer."
How did Wang Qingxiu know this? He nodded slightly and sat there thinking about his thoughts. It's certainly a good thing for the family to be reunited when the younger brother comes back. But now is not the past. My younger brother has become the magistrate of Ruzhou again and has many more things to do. My father served as an official for many years during his lifetime, but he was just a judge. Wang Xiaolie led the troops for a few months and became the magistrate of the state. Wang Qingxiu could not help but murmur in his heart. This official is different now than before.
After a long silence, Wang Qingxiu said: "In the past, court officials had to avoid serving as officials and could not serve as officials in their hometown. Now that you are the magistrate of Ruzhou, I don't know what to do. According to you, I should go to the city to follow you. Stay with you, or stay in the countryside?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "Stay in the countryside. This is our hometown, and there must be someone to take care of it. Besides, you will have a lot of troubles when you arrive in the city."
Wang Qingxiu nodded: "That's fine. I am a quiet person, and I feel upset when I go to the city. Also, you must first set the rules for what I should do to make a living when I stay in the countryside. If you want to expand your family, I'll do it myself. If I don't want it, you have to make it clear."
Wang Xiaolie said: "No need. As long as you can live and make a living and have enough for your family, don't go into business. Also, there are only two of us at home, so don't buy fields. Now we have sold them all and kept some." Just a garden.”
Wang Qingxiu was surprised: "How can we make things without land? For us rural people, the most important thing is land. If you are a magistrate - by the way, now you are a magistrate, where will your annual salary come from? Is it inconvenient for the court to pay?"
Wang Xiaolie smiled bitterly: "Sister, now the official family can't even decide where to settle down. Where can they find the money to pay the salary? This official is not like before, and he doesn't have money and food. However, he still has the official seal, and all the money and food in this state are mine. In hand."
Wang Qingxiu nodded. She understands this. The court had no money to pay, so it gave officials positions based on their abilities. The money and food for a state are all decided by the magistrate, and there is no need for the court to issue money.
After thinking about it, Wang Qingxiu said: "Since you have money, of course you have to buy land and build a village. Otherwise, what is the use of money?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "Of course money is useful. Doesn't everything we eat and wear in daily life require money? But don't buy land and houses, don't hire slaves -"
Wang Qingxiu was surprised again: "Don't even hire slaves? What should people like Wang Zhong do? How can I maintain such a big business by myself? Not to mention a woman's family, even a big man can't do anything."
Wang Xiaolie said: "I will send someone here, you don't have to worry. I don't hire slaves or occupy fields, which saves a lot of trouble. Sister, all the ladies in our family are in my official position. If you can't continue to be an official, I'll take care of it." No amount of industry can be saved.”
Wang Qingxiu understands some of it, but also doesn't understand some of it. If you become an official and make money, what's the use of having money if you don't buy property? According to Wang Xiaolie, there is something fishy about this official. What does it mean that all wealth and honor are in this official? If you own an industry, will it be taken away from you?
Wang Xiaolie couldn't explain this clearly. In the past few years, the whole world seems to have changed, and many people have not yet adapted.
