Idle courtiers

Chapter 36 Xiaobie wins the newlyweds

It takes at least half a day to walk from the county seat to Zhoujiazhuang, which is sixty miles away, and it needs to be done very quickly.Today I was able to ride an ox cart, but I was in a hurry to go home again, urging the old man to keep whipping the ox.

That bull was beaten so badly that he ran wildly. It took him two hours to reach such a long distance, which saved a lot of time.And the old man driving the car was also quite respectful to him, shouting shortly all the way.Asking about his health, almost treating him like an uncle, made Zhou Nan feel a little satisfied.It is good to have power, even if I am just a pawn now, but acting as an agent to sign the house, I can be regarded as the logistics supervisor of the yamen, and I can directly feel that this old man's job.

A small official is already like this, but he doesn't know how glorious it is to be a magistrate of a county, or even a master of the government.No wonder the ancients said: Everything is inferior, only reading is high.The reason for studying is not to be an official.Therefore, everything is inferior, and only when you have power can you live like a human being.

Zhou Nan sighed for a while. He was still a little bit resistant when he entered the Yamen, but now that he thinks about it, it is indeed a good way.It's just that I have a criminal case and become an official, and I probably only have this kind of future in my life. I really don't want to be reconciled!
As soon as I arrived at the entrance of the village, I saw villagers fertilizing the fields.At this time, it is the time when the seedlings are growing vigorously, and they are about to be urged with a lot of water and fertilizer.In this way, the rice flowers bloom well.Zhou Yang's daughter Xiaolan and son Xiaodou happened to be a group of children catching loach at the gap in the field ridge.

A sharp-eyed child yelled, "Xiao Dou, Xiao Lan, your uncle is back. He also brought meat back. Today your family is going to eat meat."

Xiaodou said angrily: "My father said, he is not my uncle, whoever talks nonsense, can't beat you to death!" He waved his small fist, but his eyes fell on the big piece of fat in Zhou Nan's hand, and he couldn't move it no matter what. not open.

A familiar villager greeted with a smile: "Brother Nan, you're back. I thought you should come back after half a month in the county office. Yunniang was still talking about it just now, so it will be here soon. After cutting the meat, how much will it cost?" Ah? By the way, Brother Nan, the salary is closed, how much do you pay per month?"

Zhou Nan said: "It's not much, just five or six taels of silver a month, and a hundred catties of rice."

Another exaggeratedly shouted: "I said Brother Nan is capable, he used to be a scholar, but now he enters the yamen and eats public meals, five or six taels of silver, my God, how can you two eat it all. "

Zhou Nan's vanity was satisfied for a while, and suddenly he saw a gleam in Xiaolan's eyes, but he didn't take it to heart.

Immediately, the villagers were in disarray.I calculated in my mind, five taels a month, and 60 taels a year.In just a few years, the Zhou family will become rich. How can he make so much money!

"Yunniang, Yunniang, your husband is back, and I'll bring you some silver, five taels, my dear!"

Hearing the shout, a surprise voice came.But I saw a handsome face protruding from the taro field next to me, who else could it be if it wasn't Yunniang?The taro in the field has grown to the height of a person, and the lotus leaves are connected to the sky. Once people enter, they can't see it immediately, which is why Zhou Nan didn't find her just now.

She was full of surprises: "You are back, Xianggong. You are tired from such a long journey. Hurry up, hurry up, go home, and I will make tea for you."

"I'm not tired, I came back by your bus from Yamen." Zhou Nan looked at his wife intently.But she saw that her head was covered with sweat, and there were still spots of mud on her face. It was obvious that she had worked hard in the field for a long time.

"Ah, there are even buses in the Yamen. Brother Nan is indeed a capable person. Yunniang, did you hear just now that your husband has five or six taels of silver every month, and he will be blessed in the future."

Several wives complimented her, Yunniang was a woman after all, and her vanity was slightly satisfied.

Seeing the joy on Yunniang's face, Zhou Nan was also happy in his heart.Shaking the big fat meat and the wine in his hand, he said loudly: "I only have one day off, and I will go back to the yamen tomorrow morning. It's a rare time to come back, but I miss everyone. I'm not here these days, thank you all relatives and friends for your support. Yunniang's care. Later, I would like to invite everyone to come to my house for a drink, and by the way, invite Seventh Uncle to come, and everyone will be lively together."

People in the country don't see oil and water twice a year, and the meat in Zhou Nan's hands is simply an irresistible temptation.They all happily cupped their hands and said: "Brother Nan is so polite, if we refuse, we don't know what's going on. Don't just think about taking advantage of others, each family has some oil, salt, side dishes and eggs, and some rice. Come here, you can't keep thinking about nibbling on Brother Nan."

Everyone laughed at the same time: "It's easy to say, easy to say." Immediately, no fertilizer was applied, and everyone washed their hands and feet and rushed home to prepare.

At this time, suddenly, Xiaodou opened his arms to stop the crowd, and shouted: "Don't go, don't go, this is the meat of our Zhou family, why should I give it to you, begging for beating?"

The villagers roared with laughter, and someone teased him: "Xiaodou, you just said that brother Nan is not your uncle, why has he become the meat of your Zhou family again?"

"Anyway, it's not allowed to eat!" Zhou Xiaodou clenched his fists and roared with a flushed face.He is growing up, which is the time for slander.Thinking about this big fat meat, even a catty is only half full.Seeing so many people wanting to fight Zhou Nan Qiufeng, I felt anxious.If someone else eats more, you will have less chopsticks.

"Haha!" Everyone laughed even more happily, and a narrow-minded woman grabbed a handful of mud and wiped it directly on his face.

Back at her home, Yunniang washed her hands and face, and put on clean clothes.He quickly boiled a pot of boiling water, brewed a pot of tea and brought it into the house.

Not seen for half a month, Zhou Nan kicked the door behind him because he was young after all.Pulling Yunniang into his arms again, he said: "Yunniang, you want to spoil me, how about staying at home for a while?"

Seeing that her man is so gentle and considerate, Yunniang is sweet and shy at the same time, struggling again and again: "Don't, don't, sir, it's broad daylight, there are people outside!" Struggling to break free from his arms, she asked with a smile: "My lord is half a month old!" Not here, but what is different in this house?"

Hearing her question, Zhou Nan looked around.Only to find that the broken wooden floor in the house had been replaced with a new one, and it was wiped spotless with water.Of course, the musty smell of the past is gone, and there is a fresh wood fragrance.Yun Niang is a weak woman, and people in the village obviously do this kind of work with help.

He deliberately looked at Yunniang, and said with a smile: "I have gained weight, my skin has become whiter, and I have become more beautiful. This is good. Although my lady's appearance is not a shameful beauty, she is still considered first-class within a hundred miles away. A talent."

Hearing her husband's compliment, Yunniang was very happy: "Where is it? I'm going to the ground today. I'm exposed to the sun and rain. It's good that I don't turn black."

Zhou Nan frowned: "What are you still doing in the land, isn't the land rented out to the old man?"

Seeing that he was upset, Yunniang lowered her head and said in a low voice, "Second Uncle's children are still young, and there is no labor force at home, so I am idle as well... After all, we are a family, why don't you help me when I see you?"

Zhou Nan understood everything, didn't the taro field where Yunniang worked just now belonged to Zhou Yang's family?I rented the land to his family as a co-author, so it was cheaper for him, and he got a labor for nothing.He said coldly: "You regard him as a family, but other people don't think so? If you want to be a bun yourself, don't dislike the dog and follow him."

Seeing her husband's complexion, Yunniang buried her head even lower.

Zhou Nan sighed and held her hand: "Forget it, will you follow me into the city tomorrow?"

"Into the city?"

At this moment, someone shouted outside: "Brother Nan, Yun Niang, the meat is cooked, you can sit down."

"Okay, come." Yunniang replied, picked up a pottery bowl from the bamboo cupboard and was about to go out.

Zhou Nan: "What are you going out with this bowl for? Do you want to serve some for the second family?"

"After all, it's a brother's house."

"Put it down." Zhou Nan said lightly: "Don't worry about this matter, Yunniang, your problem is too unprincipled, and you are bullied. With me, this kind of thing is absolutely not allowed to happen." He had thought about waiting The one who asked Zhou Yang to have a meal with him was his own brother after all, so there was still some perfunctory on the scene.Now it seems that there is no need for this.

"Okay!" Yunniang was kind-hearted, but she still felt embarrassed, and responded in a low voice.

There were about [-] people who came today, and three tables were full, with five families.Naturally, three catties of fat meat was not enough to eat, so someone brought a few catties of taro, and filled the pot with fat meat.Pick up the cooked fat meat again, cut it into small cubes and make a few large pots of minced pork with minced garlic.In addition, there are scrambled eggs with leeks and cold pickles.

With such a dilution, the meat is naturally invisible.Fortunately, the green ecological pork these days is full of oil and water, and every dish is oily and very attractive.Take a bite with brown rice, it is simply full of flavor.

Zhou Nan took a sip of wine and a sip of food, only eating to feel comfortable.Feeling in my heart: time-traveling is good, everything is original ecology, and the taste is very authentic.If this kind of meat is replaced by modern society, it will cost at least 100 yuan a catty.Traveling to ancient times, it is simply heaven for foodies.

After all, it was in the same courtyard, Zhou Nan and the others drank and ate meat but did not invite their own family, Zhou Yang's family looked uncomfortable.Then look at the barnyard rice without a drop of oil in my bowl, it is really hard to swallow.

"Father, mother, I want to eat meat, I want to eat meat!" Xiaodou shouted.

"Shut up, little bastard, a son doesn't think his mother is ugly, and a dog doesn't think his family is poor. If you want to eat meat, you blame yourself for not having a good baby." Zhou Yang's face was green, feeling that his mouth was full of bitter spittle, and he couldn't say it in his heart. uncomfortable.

"No, I just want to eat meat, I want to eat meat." Xiaodou was still yelling.

Suddenly there was a "slap", and Xiaolan next to her slapped her younger brother on the face, and shouted: "Shut up, it's all because you don't recognize your uncle and respect your elders, you should be taught a lesson. After all, children are ignorant, aunt, your lord Don't count the villains."

Xiaodou was stunned by the slap, she opened her mouth and dared not speak anymore.

Yunniang's heart softened, and she quickly took Xiaodou and Xiaolan's hands: "The family said what to do, sit down and eat, and eat. His second uncle, Cigu, and Zhou Nan come back once in a while, let's eat together!"

"Who wants to eat your food?" Zhou Yang dropped the bowl in his hand angrily, entered the room, and slammed the door hard.

"Thank you, auntie." Xiao Lan didn't refuse, and sat at the corner of the table with her younger brother, and began to eat big mouthfuls.

In a blink of an eye, Xiaodou had already eaten a bowl of rice.He looked at Zhou Nan with greasy lips: "You are not my uncle, you are fake!"

This child is simply a hungry wolf.No, no, no, it's like a bastard with a missing string in his mind, Zhou Nan completely understands.He let out a sigh of relief today, naturally he was too lazy to argue with a little kid.Anyway, tomorrow he will go to the city with Yunniang, and he will ask someone to come back to collect the rent once a year.In this life, I probably won't deal with this family again.

The feast of wine did not end until dark, the ancients went to bed early, and the husband and wife also went to bed early.A farewell between the two is better than a newlywed, their tenderness is indescribable.

Half an hour later, Zhou Nan breathed a sigh of relief, grabbed Yunniang's somewhat rough hand, and sighed: "Yunniang, you have suffered so much in the past. I want you to know that I am now a clerk in the yamen. The total monthly income is five or six taels of silver. Although you can’t live a life of luxury, you can still have three meals without worry. Didn’t I say before that I asked you to go to the city with me tomorrow? willing?"

Yun Niang: "Dianli, what is a Dianli?"

Zhou Nan: "It's Master."

"Ah, master, it sounds like it's not as nice as a pawn, and it's not easy to tell people."

"It doesn't sound good, does Master have a bad reputation?"

"It doesn't seem very good. Every summer and autumn when the tax is paid, the master in the yamen takes people to the countryside to collect grain. They are very fierce. Whenever they encounter people who don't pay in full, they will curse with their mouths and beat them with their hands."

Zhou Nan was speechless for a while. In fact, no matter what, the librarians of Liufang had studied for a few years and had a formal establishment.They can't let go of their bodies to do this kind of work of going to the countryside to collect grain and bullying the common people.The master in Yunniang's mouth probably refers to the book office of Liufang, especially the couple in Hufang.When they went to the countryside, the accompanying yamen servants would compliment each other from their masters.

In the mouths of the common people, the yamen servants are blue-skinned dogs, and those so-called masters are the biggest dogs.

Yunniang's own man has done this business, and his image has been completely ruined. It is really embarrassing to say it.

It's not easy for Zhou Nan to explain this to her. Could it be that they are all temporary workers, and they are used to top the tank in an accident.I'm not a dog's leg either, I'm a decent cadre at the deputy division level of the Ming Dynasty.

Yunniang: "When I go to the city tomorrow, what should I do with this family?" There was a sudden worry on her face.

Zhou Nan looked around, as if there was really nothing valuable, and said with a smile: "The house is dilapidated, is it still afraid of being stolen? Yunniang, this is settled. Also, I am alone in the city, There is no one to cook the food, no one to wash the clothes, it is very bitter, does the lady ignore me?" He still dare not say, is the lady just watching me cheat?After the last time with Sister Su, he also regretted it, feeling a little sorry for his wife.With her by my side, I don't have to get uncontrollably restless and cause scandal.

"This...can you bring your family in the yamen?" Yunniang listened to Zhou Nan's pitiful words and was worried about her husband's food and clothing, so she naturally agreed.

"I'm not an official, so why can't I bring my family with me?" Zhou Nan laughed. The Ming Dynasty had a rule that officials were not allowed to bring their family members with them.Firstly, those who can pass the Jinshi examination and become an official these days are not from rich families, and the assets of the family also need to be taken care of by someone; secondly, family members are also prevented from accompanying them, meddling in local government affairs, engaging in wife politics, and tarnishing the reputation of the government.

However, being an official outside the country all year round, the seventh-rank magistrate will also need it in the future.Since the imperial court does not allow wives, can I be a concubine?If it doesn't work, just buy a book boy for emergencies.

"Okay, I'll get ready." Yunniang immediately jumped off the bed and began to pack her luggage.After working all night, Zhou Nan tried to persuade him, but he didn't listen.He drank and was tired and had to let her go.

On the second day, I just woke up and haven't eaten yet.I heard a lot of noise outside, and there seemed to be a lot of people coming in the yard.Someone shouted unceremoniously: "Mr. Zhou, is Mr. Zhou there? Hey, who is that, this is Mr. Zhou's home." The voice was unfamiliar, but he did not recognize him.

Zhou Yang's voice sounded very impolite: "What kind of bamboo strips is Mr. Zhou, I don't know him!" It is probably because Zhou Nan didn't invite him to eat wine and meat yesterday. After a night of hunger, he got angry and picked up a broom to sweep the floor to drive away people.

"Slap" came a loud slap on the face, and the man scolded: "What a fool, do you know who the master is? It's so rude, I can't kill you!"

Zhou Yang's wife, Cigu, exclaimed, "Who are you, and you beat someone for talking?"

"The beating is still light, that bitch of a sudden, answer the questions carefully, and talk nonsense, even you and your children will be beaten together!"

"Daddy, Daddy!" Xiaolan cried loudly, probably frightened by the visitor.

(End of this chapter)