I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 245 Bribery Bureau on the River! Bribery techniques of local officials

Half an hour later.

Su Liang walked out of Zhang Fangping's mansion carrying two bamboo baskets of books and several manuscripts under his right arm.

Zhang Fangping sent Su Liang to the door, his eyes always circling on the bamboo basket.

"Jingming, you must take care of it when you watch it. Don't damage it!"

"Don't worry, Mr. Zhang!" Su Liang, with the help of Uncle Ji, put the books and manuscripts on the carriage and left happily.

Zhang Fangping looked at the carriage that was gradually leaving, couldn't help but smile, and murmured: "The court may lack this kind of generosity. Although he is a rogue, he lives a true life and knows what he wants."

……

Early the next morning, Uncle Ji and Aunt Ji were guarding the house.

Su Liang, Tang Ze, Tang Wanmei, Su Zimu, and Xiao Tao boarded an official ship about ten feet long and three stories high at the Bianhe pier.

Officials at different levels have their own regulations when traveling.

Su Liang's family's food, drink, and safety have all been arranged, so there is no need to worry at all.

Following the order from the guard captain Cao Hu, the ship weighed anchor and began to move forward.

In front of the official ship, there is also a merchant ship.

The sizes of merchant ships and official ships are almost the same.

However, official ships are mostly long ships, which are more stable and comfortable to live in; while merchant ships are wide, flat-bottomed ships that can carry more cargo.

Most of Su Liang's guards live on this merchant ship, and most of the supplies and belongings are also on this ship.

This time, Zhao Zhen allocated a large sum of money to Su Liang, just so that he could devote all his efforts to eradicating Yangzhou's money shortage problem.

……

Two days later.

Su Liang and his party arrived at the boundary of Yingtian Mansion (Nanjing, that is, Shangqiu).

The boat travels along the river, turning from the Bian River to the Huai River, and then from the Huai River to the Grand Canal to reach Yangzhou City.

At this time, the weather has gradually become colder.

Ships rarely dock unless they need supplies.

When the sun was shining brightly, Su Liang would sit on the deck and read a book, or play chess with his father-in-law, or play with Su Zimu, and even catch a fish when the boat stopped.

When it's cold and rainy, they stay in the cabin.

Everyone's daily routine is almost the same as at home, and what makes them more comfortable on the ship is that they really have to eat.

Even if Su Liang wanted to eat roasted whole lamb or hot pot, Cao Hu could do it quickly.

Tang Wanmei is nearly five months pregnant.

There is a high probability that it will be produced in early March next year.

There is a medical officer on board who will check for pulse every two days.

This medical officer was sent by Empress Cao. He was very attentive and thought of everything he could think of.

……

It's nearly noon on the tenth day of October.

The ship reached the canal at the boundary of Chuzhou.

This place is only about three miles away from Chuzhou Pier. There are many merchant ships on the river, and the two ships of Su Liang and his party are moving slowly.

Su Liang stood on the deck, looking at the sails raised one by one, feeling very happy in his heart.

More than 70% of the prosperous trade scene of the Song Dynasty was brought about by this Grand Canal.

at this time.

Suddenly a large ship followed behind, and there were people on the deck waving hello to Su Liang.

Su Liang took a closer look.

There were several government officials standing on the deck of the ship opposite, and the one at the front was a middle-aged man wearing a gray robe and slightly stout.

The government servants all stood on his left and right, obviously they were also officials.

The middle-aged man shouted: "The lower official is Zheng Youxiong, the magistrate of Chuzhou. May I ask if there is Su Jingming or Su Yushi on board?"

Su Liang was not surprised that someone would find him on the way.

The news that he was ordered to deal with the money shortage in Yangzhou was known to the whole court.

There are many informants in Bianjing who make a career out of selling information.

As long as someone records the ship Su Liang traveled on, anyone who wants to find Su Liang will be able to find him.

Su Liang turned around and walked to the side of the boat, looked at Zheng Youxiong, Zhizhou Zhizhou, and said loudly: "I am Su Liang, I wonder what happened to Zheng Zhizhou?"

A smile suddenly appeared on Zheng Youxiong's face and he walked towards the side of the boat again.

"Su Yushi, I am an old friend of Tang Zhongcheng. I know that you will be passing through Chuzhou. Can you stay for an hour? I have a few questions related to the reform that I would like to ask!"

If the other party just wants to get acquainted, or wants to treat Su Liang to a meal.

Su Liang will definitely refuse decisively.

But when he heard that the latter was a friend of Tang Jie and that he was inquiring about reform, he couldn't help but nodded.

Zheng Youxiong couldn't help being overjoyed and said, "Then Yushi Laosu will come to the boat to talk about it!"    Immediately, the two boats stopped on the river bank.

Cao Hu ordered people to set up planks between the two ships.

He first led people to confirm Zheng Youxiong's identity, and then asked people to check on the other party's ship. After confirming that there was no problem, he let Su Liang get off the ship.

Cao Hu and several guards followed Su Liang closely.

After a while, Zheng Youxiong introduced Su Liang into the cabin.

"I have heard about Su Yushi's name for a long time, but now I see that he is really majestic and extraordinary in appearance. I have some questions about the reform. Please ask Su Yushi to clarify my doubts."

Su Liang said with a smile: "Zheng Zhizhou, don't be polite. I will tell you everything I know."

"What Yushi Su said is definitely extraordinary. I wonder if it would be okay for me to ask a pen clerk to record it?"

"No problem." Su Liang nodded. Taking notes is a good habit in officialdom.

Zheng Youxiong waved.

An old man with a goat's beard sat aside holding a pen and ink.

Then, Zheng Youxiong started discussing with Su Liang.

Su Liang was very enthusiastic and eloquent when it came to reform matters.

Zheng Youxiong praised Su Liang vigorously while listening.

This person likes to praise very much.

Words like: pillar of the imperial court, future prime minister, famous for generations to come, made Su Liang feel like he was in the clouds.

Soon, most of an hour passed.

Zheng Youxiong said: "Su Yushi, it's past noon. Come and have a light meal at my place. Let's chat while eating."

Seeing that Zheng Youxiong was very willing to seek knowledge, Su Liang nodded in agreement.

A quarter of an hour later.

When the dishes were served, Su Liang felt something strange.

The dishes are okay, just normal river freshness and seasonal dishes, but there are just a few more, a total of twelve plates.

But there is definitely something wrong with the person serving the food.

The six women serving the dishes were all around eighteen years old. They were tall and had charming curves. All of them were beauties.

With such a beauty, there is absolutely no way she could just be a serving girl.

Pull one out at random, even if it is placed in a formal store in Bianjing City, it has the potential to become a pillar.

When one woman walked next to Su Liang, she deliberately rubbed her body against Su Liang, and another woman almost bumped into Su Liang's arms. The expression on her face was very shy and pitiful.

Su Liang instantly became alert.

This Zheng Youxiong obviously has ulterior motives.

In order to be promoted, the most common way for officials in the Song Dynasty was to give money, gifts, and women, and their methods became increasingly sophisticated.

This Zheng Zhizhou is obviously a master.

He first inquired about the reform, and then ordered his penman to record it, in order to show that he was doing something serious in seeking Su Liang.

Then, after praising Su Liang vigorously, he asked these six beautiful women to come over and test him.

Whenever Su Liang shows an attractive look, there is a high probability that he will fall into a trap.

Su Liangruo was not happy and impeached him for this matter. The record of the official was the best evidence to prove his innocence.

Su Liang smiled slightly.

As if he had never seen these six women, he continued to talk about reform with Zheng Youxiong while eating.

After a while, Zheng Youxiong started a new conversation.

"Su Yushi, all the articles you wrote have been read by my subordinates more than once, which is amazing! I have a fine pair of inkstones here that I can give to Su Yushi. I hope Su Yushi can Write more amazing strategies to enrich the country and the people..."

Unable to give away the beauty, he wanted to give away things again.

It has to be said that Zheng Youxiong's level of praise is extremely high, and he does not repeat the same thing.

Just like a ray of warm wind at the end of February, it is enough to blow away all the flowers in spring.

Ordinary officials really can't stand it.

However, Su Liang experienced so many praises that Ouyang Xiu and Wang Anshi both patted their chests and believed that he could become a saint.

Su Liang smiled faintly.

"No, no need. The official gave me more than twenty pairs of Hui inkstones, and they are all piled up at home!" Su Liang cleverly refused.

The other party can never say that his inkstone is better than the one given by the official.

Zheng Youxiong smiled awkwardly and stopped mentioning the gift of inkstones.

At this moment, Su Liang suddenly became excited, looking forward to what other temptation methods Zheng Youxiong could use.

Su Liang murmured in his heart: Could it be that... I have no weaknesses? Can I withstand any temptation in officialdom?

(End of this chapter)