But speaking of it, you don’t know your official status until you leave the capital.
Basically, as the highest local position, he is the transporter along the way.
Wang Youqian's position is only that of Xianwen Pavilion, and his rank from the fourth rank is equivalent to that of Li Hao, which is different from the local feudal officials in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
But this is normal. The Song Dynasty has always paid attention to strong branches and weak branches. This is not only reflected in the army, but also maintains this principle in the management of local government affairs.
Each road has a pacification department, a transfer envoy department, and a prison department to share the local military and civilian, financial, and criminal law powers. Therefore, the ranks of these officials are generally not high.
Unless they are directly reprimanded by the DPRK and China, they may retain their rank and have a low profile.
So don't laugh at the fifth-rank petty officials in Bianjing. They are also road-level *** when they come to the place.
When he discovered the arrival of Li Hao and others, Wang Youqian led the officials forward, accurately found Li Hao, and said: "I am Wang Youqian, the transfer envoy of Huainan West Road. I have met Mr. Li and all his colleagues here.
I and a group of Huainan West Road and Yangzhou officials were extremely happy to hear that you were coming, so we came here to welcome you. "
Li Hao smiled and said: "Master Wang is too polite, you and I are both from the fourth rank, how can I let you come out to greet me.
If this spreads out, others may think that I am arrogant and domineering. "
Wang Youqian explained: "You are an official sent by the imperial court to patrol the salt. You have the emperor's order, so it is appropriate for us to come to greet you."
Li Hao said: "Master Wang is right, we all work for the government, there is no difference.
But the next thing really needs your help, so I will ask you for it first. "
Seeing this, all the local officials were immediately polite and said they would do their best to assist.
After being polite, Wang Youqian said: "It's getting late, so let's not block the city gate here.
I have already arranged accommodation for you and your colleagues in the city, why don't you go and settle in first.
Later on, I have also arranged a reception banquet. If we have anything to say, we can talk about it at the banquet. "
Hearing this, Li Hao replied: "I don't need a place to live. You should also know that I am from Yangzhou.
My family's house in Yangzhou has been tidied up a few days ago. Since I am going to stay in Yangzhou this time, I will go home to live there. Anyway, the house is quite spacious. "
Then he looked at the officials behind him and asked, "What do you all think? You can live in my house or in the place arranged by Mr. Wang and others. I won't force you here."
After listening to Li Hao's words, of course no one was stupid enough to actually live in the place arranged by Wang Yougan and others, and they all asked to live in Li Hao's house.
Seeing this situation, Wang Youqian was not angry, or in other words, this was what he expected.
So he continued: "I was negligent. I forgot for a moment that you are from Yangzhou.
Since the accommodation is not in use, forget it, but you have to go to the reception banquet later. "
Li Hao agreed this time: "Of course, I just want to take this opportunity to get acquainted with the officials in Yangzhou.
However, the transfer envoy's office is in Chuzhou, and Mr. Wang stays here in Yangzhou. Will it affect the handling of affairs? "
Wang Youqian explained: "Of course it won't happen. I have already dealt with all urgent matters in advance.
This trip is specifically to welcome Mr. Li. I will return to Chuzhou in two days. "
Li Hao said: "Then I'm relieved. I'm mainly worried about missing official business. Please forgive me, Mr. Wang."
Wang Youqian smiled and said, "Of course I understand this. The reception banquet has been decided and the location will be Yechun Tower. I think Master Li also knows this place.
Why don't you go back and settle here first, and when the time comes, I'll have someone go to your house to invite you all. "
Li Hao naturally agreed, and then took everyone back to his home in Yangzhou.
When everyone arrived, Fu Deng was already there with his servants
They were waiting outside the door, but among the people, Li Hao suddenly spotted someone.
Of course, it was not just Li Hao who saw this person. Sheng Hong, who was standing next to Li Hao, softly called out his name: "Xiaodie."
After hearing this, Li Hao explained: "It's Miss Xiaodie, my mother met her on the streets of Yangzhou.
Thinking that after all she had taken care of her aunt for many years, she had to work hard even if she had no merit, so he took her back to the house to settle her.
I forgot to tell my uncle about this, it was my fault. "
Sheng Hong said: "What are you talking about? When I let her out of the house, I also gave her back her body deed. Whoever she chooses to live in later has nothing to do with me."
Li Hao replied: "My uncle is in large numbers, so my nephew can feel relieved."
While talking, Fu Deng and Xiaodie came up to them, and Li Hao told them to take people to settle Sheng Hong and the others first.
Because all the people coming this time were men, Fu Deng and his people were in charge of the basic arrangements, so Xiaodie just ordered the kitchen to prepare some fruits for everyone to temporarily fill their bellies.
I took a plate with me and went to Li Hao's yard.
At this time, Li Hao asked, "Miss Xiaodie, why are you here in Yangzhou?"
Xiaodie replied: "The eldest lady said she was worried that Fu Deng would not serve well, so she asked me to come over and help.
In addition, I also consider that I am from Yangzhou, so it may be easier for me to handle some small things here.
So on the fourth day after you left, I also set off for Yangzhou. I rushed slowly and finally arrived at Yangzhou City two days ago. "
After hearing this, Li Hao said: "Then you have had a hard journey, so it's okay to come over.
There are so many people living in the house now, and Fu Deng doesn't do things carefully. You might as well help take care of them.
In addition, there is no need to worry about the Sheng family's affairs. I just talked to Uncle Sheng's family about it. "
While the two were talking, the servant came over to report that Cai Xiang was here.
Now Li Hao was curious as to what this guy was doing here.
So he asked Cai Xiang to come in, and asked Xiaodie to make two bowls of tea and bring them in.
After Cai Xiang came in, Li Hao asked, "What, is this a servant who treated Master Cai lightly?"
Cai Xiang said: "Of course there is no such thing. I'm not here to talk about it."
Then he talked about his purpose: "Your Excellency ordered the troops of the Dianqian Division to separate from us, and asked us to advance into the city first to attract attention, in order to hide the troops of the Dian Qian Division in the dark.
This is not a clever move. These officials in Huainan know our actions very well, and even the transfer envoys from Chuzhou are waiting here in advance.
There are so many people in the front office of the palace, and their movements are much greater than ours. How can we hide these officials in Huainan? "
Li Hao explained: "Yeah, so I don't have high hopes, it's just a try. It's gratifying to succeed, but it won't have any impact on us if it fails.
This time, all the officials in Huainan know that we are here to investigate them, and they must have been fully prepared. If we want to deal with them, we naturally need to take a long-term approach. "
Hearing this, Cai Xiang said: "Since you are so prepared, it's good. In the next two days, I want to go to the salt field privately to have a look.
With such a big loophole in the salt tax, there must be something wrong with the salt works. I wanted to see if I could find any clues from it. "
Regarding Cai Xiang's enthusiasm, Li Hao was still very happy and agreed: "Master Cai is willing to go, which is naturally good, but the salt field must be heavily guarded.
If there is no chance, then don't rush in. It's better to retreat first and let's make plans later. "
After hearing Li Hao's agreement, Cai Xiang didn't say anything.
At this time, Xiaodie's tea was also brought up. Cai Xiang took it and tasted it, and said, "What kind of tea is this? It tastes very good when you drink it."
Li Hao really couldn't answer this question and had no choice.
Although Li Hao has been here for so many years, he really hasn't made much progress in the tea ceremony, especially the tea that has been boiled, and he can't drink it well.
Then he signaled Xiaodie to answer: "This tea is Xiaolongtuan, brought from Bianjing."
After hearing this, Cai Xiang couldn't help but take a few more sips and said, "The officials really love you very much. There shouldn't be many tribute teas like this from the emperor even in the palace."
Li Hao said: "No matter how good the tea is, I can't drink it well.
Since Mr. Cai likes it, Xiaodie, wrap up all the little dragon balls you brought with Mr. Cai, and let Mr. Cai take them away later. "
After hearing this, Xiaodie went down to clean up, and Cai Xiang said: "How embarrassing is this? One piece of Xiaolong Tuan is worth two taels of gold, which is not cheap."
After hearing this, Li Hao laughed and said, "I didn't buy it with my money anyway, and I can't sell the gift given by the emperor. Since Mr. Cai likes it, I will give it to you."
But don't say anything when you go out, otherwise I won't have so many things to give away. "
Cai Xiang also laughed after hearing this. When Xiaodie came back, Cai Xiang took the tea and left.
As a result, Xiaodie said at this time: "Master, you are too generous. This is a gift worth dozens of dollars."
Li Hao explained: "This thing is not given for free. As long as he can help me get things done with his heart, the money is not worth mentioning.
And if you think he really wants to take advantage of this, he is just using this to make me feel at ease. "
Xiaodie seemed to understand, but she also understood the importance and went straight to work without asking any questions.
After that, not long after, the people sent by Wang Youqian arrived.
So Li Hao called out everyone, and everyone went to Yechun Tower together.
When everyone arrived, they found that Wang Youqian and the others were already waiting outside Yechun Tower.
After receiving Li Hao and the others, everyone walked in together.
As soon as he came in, Li Hao found that there was no one inside, and couldn't help but said: "Master Wang is so polite, it's just a welcome feast.
Why did you even book Yechun Building? This is too grand and must have cost a lot of money. "
Wang Youqian said: "Aren't we afraid of disturbing our colleagues' meals? This money was raised by local officials and no public funds were used.
And you can rest assured that this compensation will be fully provided and will never take advantage of the people. "
Li Hao said: "That's good. You really shouldn't take advantage of the people."
Then they went upstairs, everyone sat down at several tables, and then notified the kitchen to start serving food.
While waiting, Li Hao finally recognized all the officials.
Soon, the delicious dishes in the kitchen were served on the table one after another. They were all delicacies from the mountains and the sea. All kinds of precious delicacies were spread all over the table, making people want to eat.
However, among the people brought by Li Hao, they looked at Li Hao consciously. If they were to eat such luxurious food in private, they would just eat it.
But in front of the officials who are about to investigate now, if they invite you, then you have to pay attention to whether you eat this meal or not.
As the officials from Bianjing looked at Li Hao, the officials from Huainan also looked over.
But Li Hao didn't care about this problem at all. After all, just this meal was not enough to touch Li Hao.
So he said: "There are so many good dishes, everyone is looking at it. Eat it quickly. It won't taste good if it gets cold."
As he spoke, he was the first to move the kuaizi. Seeing Li Hao's movements, Wang Youqian immediately said: "Yes, yes, everyone, hurry up, the food will not taste good when it is cold."
Then all the tables started moving together, and during the dinner, local officials frequently came to toast and say hello.
Li Hao also refused to accept anyone who came, until he was almost drunk, he excused himself from getting drunk and stopped touching the glass.
At this time, Wang Youqian came to toast in person and said, "If you don't drink other people's wine, you must drink my wine."
Li Hao replied: "Master Wang, I'm afraid this is really not possible. I have set a rule for myself. Drinking this wine until you are tipsy is enough. If you drink any more, you will lose your manners.
So when I can drink, I don’t pick on anyone, anyone can have a few drinks.
But if I drink it
That's almost it. Then I can't drink whoever comes to toast.
After all, there would be nothing without rules. Please forgive me, Mr. Wang. "
After hearing this, Wang Youqian said: "Okay, since this is the rule set by Mr. Li, then naturally I can't force Mr. Li to break it, so I will drink this cup myself."
Of course, this little episode did not affect the atmosphere on the court, and in the end both the host and the guest were happy.
At the same time, at this reception banquet, everyone seemed to have forgotten about the inventory.
When the food was almost gone and no one suggested any more recreational activities, Li Hao took the people back to his house.
Seeing that everyone was more or less drunk, Li Hao asked them all to go back and rest first and discuss the specific matters tomorrow.
After everyone left, Li Hao ordered someone to come and prepare to wash and change clothes for him. After all, Li Hao would have to go out later.
But as soon as they were ready, Cai Xiang and Sheng Hong came looking for him together.
Seeing these two people coming together, Li Hao was very puzzled. After all, they seemed to be strangers, so he asked: "Why didn't you two go to rest? Come here to see me together now. Is there something wrong?" "
The two of them looked at each other, and then Cai Xiang said, "I came here to talk about what happened just now. I don't know the specific arrangements for taking charge.
But I feel that since we are here to investigate the salt tax, it is best not to get too close to the officials in Huainan.
Otherwise, if the people below cannot discern clearly, they will be easily attracted by others, and won't things become more troublesome then? "
Judging from this situation, Sheng Hong probably thought the same way, so Li Hao explained: "If he is determined, no matter what he does, he will not fall over; but if he is not determined, no matter how hard I guard, as long as he If the price offered by the other party is high enough, they will choose to sell us.
Of course, if Mr. Cai feels that this is inappropriate, he can also remind them to let them know their responsibilities. "
After hearing this, the two of them understood the meaning and felt relieved.
In fact, these two people don't care about other people.
What they care about is whether Li Hao's position is firm or not.
After talking, the two were ready to leave, but at this moment, Cai Xiang noticed the clothes Li Hao had just changed and said, "Master Li, we are going out now."
Li Hao replied: "Yes, my mentor lives in Yangzhou. I haven't seen him since I went north to take the scientific examination.
Since I returned to Yangzhou today, I plan to go over and pay a visit. "
For this reason, Cai Xiang didn't know what to say for a while. It must be right to respect teachers and respect morality.
But Li Hao understood that this guy was probably worried that he was going out there to fool around, and that he was afraid that he would not be able to withstand the sugar-coated bullets from salt merchants and officials.
On the contrary, Sheng Hong had no doubt about this reason because he knew about Master Qin's existence.
After all, Li Hao had developed a relationship with Ouyang Xiu as soon as he came to Beijing. For this reason, Sheng Hong specially asked someone to ask.
Seeing that the two of them had nothing to talk about now, Li Hao went out to Master Qin's house.
Of course, unknown to Li Hao, a group of Huainan officials also gathered together to discuss how to deal with Li Hao.
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