Idle courtiers

Chapter 23 Ruthless
Different from the two fierce and domineering government servants that Zhou Yang brought back last time, the two who came today saw Zhou Nan with smiles on their faces and a very affectionate attitude.

The leader, surnamed Li, was sitting on a chair in the courtyard having tea, and Zhou Yang and his wife were careful companions.

Seeing Zhou Nan coming back, the man hurriedly stood up, smiled and stepped forward to salute. Someone introduced himself as the leader of the fast class, and his surname was Li.

The ancient yamen was divided into three classes: fast, strong, and silk. The fast class was responsible for arresting criminals, the silk class was on duty, and the strong class was weak.

This leader Li is equivalent to the director of the Public Security Bureau of the later county, right?He can be regarded as a person. When he came to the house suddenly today, Zhou Nan was a little surprised: "I have seen Captain Li, and the leader came to the humble house. What can I learn?"

Captain Li laughed and said, "There is an official document to be sent to you in the yamen. I will go home to visit my parents today, and I will send it to you as soon as it goes well."

After finishing speaking, he handed Zhou Nan an official document with the bright red seal of the county government.

Zhou Nan took it and glanced at it before turning pale in shock. It turned out that this was actually a recruitment document.The main content is that there has been a severe shortage of people in the third class of the county yamen recently. Someone recommended Zhou Nan to fill in the vacancy of a yamen servant and asked him to report to the county yamen as an errand the day after tomorrow.

After Zhou Nan finished watching, there was only one thought in his mind: Someone is messing with me...it must be Zhan Zhongcheng, it must be him, it must be...this is a big trouble.

The Ming Dynasty implemented a strict household registration system, and all people were divided into different household registrations according to their occupations.For example, if you are a farmer, you are classified as a peasant household; if you are a carpenter or blacksmith, you are a craftsman household; if you are a soldier in the guard, you are a military household.The most damning thing is that once you are registered as an account, this identity can never be changed, even descendants are no exception.If you are a carpenter, if your descendants want to engage in other occupations, I’m sorry, but since you are a carpenter, your son must also do the same occupation as you. Let’s do this noble occupation of carpenter to the end. If you want to farm or study ,no.

Farm households and artisan households are considered good households, and there is a species called untouchables under the good households.For example, yamen servants, prostitutes, musicians... Yes, yamen servants are lowly households.Not only himself, but even his descendants are not allowed to participate in the imperial examination to be an official, which is equivalent to being deprived of political power in disguise.

If he accepts this job, his future will be ruined.

Zhou Nan's face changed color, and he was speechless for a long time.

Li Bantou said: "Zhou Nan, I heard that you used to be a scholar and entered the county school. Later, something bad happened and you were sent to Liaodong. This time, you have no livelihood when you come back. It's a good thing to go to the yamen to eat imperial food. .Our class is full of slabs, and we are short of smart people like you. The brothers are very happy to hear that you are coming."

Seeing Zhou Nan's expression, he thought he was stupefied with joy, and smiled: "I have to hurry home to see my old lady, so I left. Remember to come to the yamen to find me the next morning." He got up and said goodbye.

When Captain Li left, Zhou Nan was still in a daze, his mind was in a mess.There is a voice in my heart telling me: I can’t do this, if I do it, I will fall forever... But, how can I, a small commoner, resist the recruitment of the Yamen... It’s really unlucky, if someone else travels through, it’s either the Yamen of a prince or aristocrat’s family , or a romantic scholar.At worst, he is also a son of a good family, relying on his hard work to win the number one scholar among others, he has reached the pinnacle of life from the first time.As soon as I arrive, I will become a yamen servant. My God, aren't you trying to trick me?

He sat in a chair and thought about it for a long time, but he didn't come up with an idea.

"My son-in-law, my son-in-law, are you at home?" A voice shouted from outside the yard, and when I looked up, it was the old man Yang Liuye who walked in with a pair of smoked pork liver in his hand.

Zhou Nan was not happy in his heart, and he didn't have much affection for Yang Liuye: "Master Taishan, the little son-in-law is right in front of you, didn't you see that, what kind of wind blows you here today?"

Sixth Master Yang chuckled: "I've heard that, son-in-law, you're going to work in the Yamen, so I'm here to congratulate you."

Zhou Nan was not in a good mood: "I, a good citizen, suddenly turned into a lowly servant, what kind of happy event?"

Hearing her father's voice, Yunniang came out of the room with an "ah" sound: "So it's Daddy, why are you here, old man, please sit in the room."

Welcoming Mount Tai into the house, and pouring another cup of tea, Yang Liuye wiped the sweat from his forehead, and asked Yun Niang with a smile: "My dear girl, do you think Daddy is different from usual today?"

When he asked, Zhou Nan took a closer look, and saw that his cheap old man was wearing a robe made of high-quality fabric today, with a silk sash around his waist, and the most difficult thing was that there was a lotus leaf hanging on his belt. The shape of the jasper jade match.With his chest up and his belly up, looking forward to his own majesty, he looks very majestic.

The daughter is like her father, and Yunniang was born extremely beautiful.Yang Liuye is not much different from being a father, and the Yang family's genes are generally very good.

Zhou Nan was in a bad mood, and said angrily, "Which wedding banquet is Taishan going to eat, so angry?"

"If you don't pick up the green ones, whoever has the money to do a happy event." Yang Liuye continued to laugh, and the laughter hasn't stopped since he came, with a smug look in his eyes: "Ordinary people invite me to eat for a happy event, I still have to watch it." Whether you are in a good mood or not, you should consider whether to give him this face! Good son-in-law, good daughter, I want you to know that your father is now the head of Yang Li, and he can be regarded as a person. He usually dresses more carefully. Otherwise, let others Look at it with contempt, and feel disrespectful."

Zhou Nan: "Ah, you are the head of the village, Zhan Zhongcheng quit?"

"The old bastard was dispatched to the frontier, and he took his place for his father. By the way, the old man took care of your work in the yamen. Are you satisfied?"

Yang Liuye stroked his beard and talked for a long time before he could explain the reason of the matter clearly.

It turned out that since the fight for water got the evidence that day, Yang Liuye was not polite, and simply went to the Yamen the next day to sue Zhan Zhongcheng for moving the boundary post without permission.He also knew that Zhan Zhongcheng had been the head of the village all his life, and the yamen was full of his acquaintances. If he handed over the pleadings according to the normal procedure, he would probably be blocked at the torture chamber.

So, Yang Liuye simply knocked on the big drum outside the yamen, alarming Shizhi County.

The crime of illegally moving the boundary markers is not a small one. Besides, it is now time for the annual examination in Shizhi County every three years.All civil cases must be dealt with immediately, so as not to let the superiors find faults.Hearing this, Shi Jieren was furious, and directly ordered someone to tie up the father and son of the Zhan family and beat them with thirty sticks each when they returned to the Yamen.Sentenced to ten years in prison.Zhan Zhongcheng was assigned to serve in the Northwest Army.The three sons went to Liaodong, Yunnan, Guizhou and Taiwan Prefecture of Fujian Province respectively.The three sons of the Zhan family are young and strong, maybe one or two of them can survive for ten years, Zhan Zhongcheng is probably going to die in the northwest.

Just because of one verdict, the Zhan family can never be restored. It can be seen that "destroying the family magistrate, destroying the family magistrate" is true, and it shows the cruelty of the state machine in the feudal era.

After killing Zhan Zhongcheng, Yang Liuye assumed his position as village chief and became a glorious village leader.

After Zhou Nan heard this, he took a deep breath: "This..." He handed over the boundary post to his father-in-law, thinking that he had this handle in his hand, and Zhan Zhongcheng would never dare to harass the Yang family again.The next step is to bargain, blackmail the Zhan family, and return the things to them.But I didn't want to, this old man actually wiped out people all over the house, so ruthless!
Mr. Yang Liu put away his smile, and a gleam flashed in his eyes: "My son-in-law, you used to be a scholar, and you don't understand the dangers of people's hearts in this world. There is no possibility of resolving this quarrel between me and Zhan. Zhan Jiajia The situation is great, and he is the head of the village. After suffering this loss, he may not be malicious in the future. There is only a thousand days to be a thief. Things are done absolutely, but they refuse to give people a chance to fight back.”

For the ancient jungle world, the rules of the game of the jungle, Zhou Nan has already made preliminary psychological preparations.However, he still complained angrily: "A tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye, Lao Taishan should do this. You can be a mile long, my son-in-law congratulates you old man. But, you shouldn't let me enter the yamen! A good citizen of my son, but now he is a lowly slave. Not only himself, but also the descendants will not be able to turn over."

"You are pedantic." Yang Liu could not help but sneer: "You still blame the old man, even if you don't work in the yamen, is it possible that your descendants can become officials by studying? You are a prisoner, what is your future? ,ridiculous!"

Hearing this, Zhou Nan felt dejected.Yes, he is a prisoner who has been expelled from his career, and has no hope of imperial examinations for life.The most terrible thing is that because of the criminal case, the descendants cannot take the civil service examination of the Ming Dynasty to become an official.According to the imperial examination system of the Ming Dynasty, when a candidate takes the exam, he needs to check the resumes of the three generations of his ancestors. Only when his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather have no criminal record or low status can he enter the examination room.He is a murderer, and his children and grandchildren have been implicated by him.

Yang Liuye continued to shout: "My son-in-law, look at how dilapidated your house is. My good girl hasn't had a good day since she married you. I heard that your brother only gives you three stones of yellow rice every year, which is enough What to eat and drink, if you don’t think of other ways, the whole family will starve to death. If you enter the yamen, you will still have two or two taels of working food money per month. You can earn some extra money from other places, five or six taels It is visible."

Hearing that there were five or six taels of silver in the entry, Zhou Nan's eyes brightened: "Is this true?"

Before South American silver was imported into the Ming Dynasty in large quantities, the purchasing power of silver was not weak.Take five taels of silver per month for calculation, which is equivalent to 4000 yuan in later generations of RMB.In fifth- and sixth-tier cities like Anton, in addition to supporting the family with a salary of 4000 yuan, it is possible to save some money and buy a car or a house.

This is a good job. Although the yamen servant has a low status, he is also equivalent to the white-collar workers and civil servants of later generations.Zhou Nan has been worrying about what he will survive in the future, when he heard Yang Liuye's words, he was very moved.

Master Yang Liu snorted coldly, and said: "You only have this vision, and five or six taels of silver are enough for the entry? The old man has already inquired clearly. Didn't you write some crooked poem, which is very pleasing to the old man?" As soon as I mentioned in front of the county magistrate that you should make up the third class, the old man immediately agreed, and asked Li Bantou to send you the paperwork in person, which is not a small face. Work hard, and you may not be a class leader in the future. Master or something, he has saved a lot of money. At that time, we can also follow your prestige. Think about it, you are in the yamen, and I will be the security guard below, which unscrupulous people dare to provoke?"

He has always had a dream of a local tyrant in his heart, fantasizing that one day he will bully men and women, rule the roost, and be happy.It's a pity that the family resources are limited, and the Yang family has a small population, so they have always been bullied by the big surnames in the county.Now that we have this opportunity, we can cultivate Zhou Nan, a newcomer.That's how he slashed the father and son of the Zhan family with a sword that day, and he was alone as a million-strong army.Not to be a yamen servant is simply a reckless waste of resources and a violation of talent.

Zhou Nan had nothing to do: "Okay, thank you Lao Taishan, I will report to the Yamen the day after tomorrow."

Yunniang: "Daddy, the meal is ready."

"Who eats your family's food? Seeing that you are so poor that you don't have much to eat, go home." Yang Liu stood up and threw a two-two silver coin on the table: "My son-in-law, go everywhere in the city." You have to use money, this is what the old man asked Arita for, and I will give it to you. If you don’t have enough in daily life, feel free to ask.”

Yunniang was surprised, she knew that her father was old and all the housework was left to her elder brother: "Brother, will he agree?"

Yang Liuye stared at him: "Of course, the old man decides the big things in the family. He only has that little vision. What kind of a fart does he know? If he loses his temper again, I will beat him to death. Dear girl, if your brother disrespects you in the future, even if you don't respect me at the same time." I said, I wronged you in the past." He was probably bullied by someone with a different surname before, and he was going to invest the resources at hand on Zhou Nan.

Hearing her father's thoughtful words, Yunniang's eyes turned red again: "Thank you, Daddy."

After resting for a whole day, on the third day, Zhou Nan ate a full meal of cured pork liver and went to the county government to report to the county government.

It was a coincidence that he came today, Shi Zhixian and several masters went down to Huai'an Mansion under the escort of Li Bantou, and said that he would not return until two days later.It turns out that officials in the Ming Dynasty had a term of office every three years and could be re-elected for two terms.There is a quiz every year and a mid-term exam every three years.If you pass the exam, you can stay in office, and if you have outstanding performance, you will be promoted.As for those who are unqualified, or when the age is up, they will be eliminated and let go of the old and bring in the new.

The assessment office site was set up in the Yamen of the magistrate of Huai'an Prefecture. This matter was related to the black hat on his head. He couldn't help but be careless. Shi Zhixian didn't sleep too late, and took a boat westward with his entourage early in the morning.

Hearing the news, Zhou Nan was disappointed.He originally thought that when he met the magistrate, he would present another poem when he had an opportunity, so that he could see his literary talent, and maybe he would really become a close friend in his pocket.Now that this happened, his plan fell through.I don't know how the county magistrate's annual exam is. If the boss makes things difficult for you and you feel bad, if you don't know it, you can post it, maybe you will get a bad nose.

Regrets are regrets, but what happened next made him a little happy.

Things like this kind of yamen entry are under the control of the Hufang, and the secretary of the Hufang said that the county magistrate is not there, and everything in the yamen is decided by the county magistrate.Gui Xiancheng said, I have heard of your name Zhou Nan before, and recently your song "Linjiang Fairy" is very good.Especially the two sentences "Love him, Mingyue is good, haggard is also related." "How much hate the west wind blows, the eyebrows can't be blown away" are simply excellent works.It seems that Zhou Nan is really a great talent.It's a pity that he committed a crime and was dismissed from fame.

This kind of talent is what the yamen needs most. If you want to bury talents as ordinary yamen servants, you might as well temporarily take the position of team leader Li, and take care of the fast work in the next few days.

Gui County’s surname is Gui’s name Yuan, and he was born in Juren. He has no hope of becoming a Jinshi. He has been in the capital for ten years and only made up for the vacancy in Andong County last year.

Although the position of the team leader is not big, it is really equivalent to the chief of the public security bureau or the captain of the criminal police, which is at the official level.Even if it is temporary, but with this good start, it may not be impossible to become a regular in the future.

Zhou Nan wore a blue arrow jacket, a square hat with chicken feathers on his head, and a big knife on his waist. He felt handsome. At this time, he deeply felt the excitement and pride of his father-in-law.

Don't underestimate this department-level cadre, who is also a well-known figure in the local area.To put it another way, if in later generations, I transformed myself from a labor boy who couldn't keep up with three meals to become an assistant to the director of a certain overall situation, wouldn't that be awesome enough?
Zhou Nan: "So, I'm going to kowtow to Guixian Cheng to thank you."

"Not busy, Guixian Cheng has something to tell you to do." The household clerk stopped Zhou Nan and handed over a file: "The county has just had a fugitive case. It's a woman's disappearance case. You The work of the fast shift, isn't the head of Li not here, you go and solve the case and come back to deal with the work. Guixian Cheng ordered it to come down, and the deadline is three days."

(End of this chapter)