The Xinyang Army is located at the northern foot of Tongbai Mountain and Dabie Mountain. Together with nearby Guangzhou, it is a place rich in medicinal materials. The supply and marketing cooperative has set up a special yamen in Xinyang to purchase medicinal materials. In Luoshan County under the rule, there are people who often go to Guangzhou and travel to various counties.
Sun Ji works in a supply and marketing cooperative and goes to Guangzhou to purchase medicinal materials. The place he is responsible for is centered on Shangcheng Town and the Dabie Mountains in the south of Gwangju.
At dawn that day, someone from the post office came to the door and said there was a letter from Sun Ji.
After receiving the letter, Sun Ji took a look at it and said, "It's strange. I don't have any relatives or friends in Luoyang. How can there be a letter coming?"
The person who delivered the letter said: "Not only you, but also the custodian of our post office and the county magistrate of Qin have all received the letter from Luoyang. It is about one thing. There is an official whose parents-in-law live in Shangcheng Town and asked him to deliver the letter. Go give it to him."
Sun Ji smiled and said, "It's not a big deal, why are there so many letters?"
The person who sent the letter said: "This official was kidnapped by the Jin people and brought to Longde Mansion a few years ago. He was rescued this year just to show the importance of the Xuanfu Department. He Qianban once served as the magistrate of our Luoshan County, and the people are grateful for his kindness. Since it is He Gan must not be careless in handling the matters assigned to him."
Sun Ji nodded: "It turned out to be something that Magistrate He explained. No wonder."
After saying that, he took out the letter and read it.
In fact, this letter was originally a letter from Yingniang’s family. After arriving in Luoshan County, Magistrate Qin wrote a special letter, sealed it and sent it to Sun Ji. Ask him to set off immediately and deliver the letter to Ying Niang's parents in Shang Town.
After receiving the letter, Sun Ji said: "It would have been seven or eight days before I went to Guangzhou. Now that I have this letter, I have no choice but to leave tomorrow."
The person who delivered the letter said: "I don't know about that. The letter has been delivered, I will go back right now."
After seeing off the messenger, Sun Ji did not dare to neglect when he returned home, and immediately went out to buy supplies for the road. The magistrate of Qin County said in the letter that if he delivers the letter, he will be rewarded ten thousand dollars when he comes back. With the extra ten dollars, it will be much easier to go to Gwangju this time.
As a member of the supply and marketing cooperative, Sun Ji went to Guangzhou to purchase medicine talents. Of course, the supply and marketing cooperative provided the funds. I have been doing this for several years, and now it is basically a fixed quota, with not much difference. Most of the rewards from the Qin magistrate's county were obtained by Sun Ji himself.
Of course, the ten-guan reward was not from the Qin magistrate's county, but came from the county's minister's money. At the county level in the Song Dynasty, there was no envoy money. Most of the usual expenses are shared among the officials. Wang Xiaolie set up ministerial funds in most public offices, which greatly reduced the burden on public officials.
After buying supplies for the road, Sun Ji rode his big green donkey and left Luoshan County early the next morning. The road passed through Xianju and Guangshan counties and went straight to Shangcheng Town. After leaving the donkey in an inn in the town, he followed the address on the letter and headed upstream along the irrigation river.
After walking for more than ten miles, we left Guanshui and walked a few miles westward before we saw a mountain village. The village took advantage of the mountains to build a stone wall at the intersection to block the road. Every day, two or three young people stand at the gate of the village, checking people entering the village.
This is a medicinal material distribution center in the Dabie Mountains, and Sun Ji has been here before.
When he arrived at the gate of the village, he paid five cents and entered the village.
Shanshui Village is a means for people in the Huaihe and Huaihe areas to gather together to protect themselves in troubled times. Some have leaders, some don't, and everyone discusses matters. A large village can have thousands of households. It is a small village with only a few dozen households.
….
This mountain village is not big, with only fifty or sixty households. There is no leader, and important matters are discussed among several big families in the village. There are several shops in the village, mainly selling medicinal materials, as well as local cloth and silk.
Sun Ji arrived in front of the medicine shop, raised his hands to the shopkeeper and said, "Excuse me, Mr. Shi, how have you been lately?"
Officer Shi looked up and saw that it was Sun Ji. He stood up quickly and said, "It turns out to be Sun Guan. Counting the days, you came early this year."
Sun Jidao: "To be honest, I have something to do this year, so I came earlier."
Member Shi quickly let Sun Ji into the room and served tea.
Drinking tea and chatting a few words. Sun Jidao: "To be honest, I came to the village this year to find a family named Pan. He was from the Central Plains, and he moved here during the Jingkang Rebellion. They are a husband and wife who live here.
Near this village. "
After hearing this, Member Shi frowned and thought for a while. He said: "There are not many families with the surname Pan in this village. It turns out that there is only one family. They do not live in the village, but in a ravine outside the village. You can't walk south after leaving the village. I saw a valley in the distance. I heard that a hermit lived there in the past, and flowers were planted everywhere around the valley. Even now, there may be many flowers blooming. People here call that place Huagou. "
"That's it!" Sun Ji nodded repeatedly after hearing this. "When you are entrusted by others, you should be loyal to them. I will go there to look for it. After finishing the work, I will come back to Yuanwai to buy herbs. Look outside your shop, but there is a lot of sun."
The stone member said: "There is a lot of peace this year, and the people around us have actually collected a lot more medicine."
After bidding farewell to Shi Yuanwai, Sun Ji walked towards the outside of the village. When he arrived at the village gate, he said that he was here to buy herbs and that he had something to go out now. When you come back, don't charge yourself any money. These young men are all sent here in turn from the people in the village. After collecting the money, they belong to themselves, but they cannot be given a chance.
After leaving the village and heading south, you will see a valley not far away.
A small river flows out of the valley, and many impatiens flowers bloom on the banks of the river, which are very bright. The river water is clear and you can see fish playing in it. Accompanied by two birdsong from time to time, it feels like a fairyland.
Standing at the mouth of the valley, Sun Ji looked around. I couldn't help but praise: "The scenery here is so beautiful, it's like a fairyland."
After saying that, he took big steps and walked towards the valley.
Along the river, there are dozens of acres of flat land in the valley. At this time, they were all turned into farmland, but the rice inside was not growing very well.
After walking for more than a mile, I saw a vegetable garden in front of me. Many of the melons and vegetables inside have matured, showing a harvest scene.
I saw two children catching butterflies on the roadside. Sun Ji stepped forward and asked the two of them, "You two little brothers, may I ask if your family name is Pan?"
The child shook his head wildly, pointed at the valley and said, "Our surname is not Pan. You go inside, and you will pass the next house, which is Pan's father's house."
Sun Ji thanked the two children and walked towards the valley in the direction they pointed. After passing a house and walking for more than half a mile, I finally saw three thatched huts next to the river in front of me. There was a yellow dog tied at the door of the hut. When he saw Sun Ji coming, he looked up.
Seeing smoke coming out of the chimney, Sun Ji breathed out: "We've finally arrived. This trip has not been easy, and it was not in vain."
Anhua Army
