The red sun sets in the west, reflecting a crimson color between the sky and the earth.
The car stopped for a moment, and someone reported outside the window: "Master Sansi, Niutou Post has arrived. The magistrate of Zhe County led a group of squire officials to greet you in front."
Yan Shu stretched out, rubbed his forehead and said, "Give me the order. I will rest at Niutou Post today and hit the road tomorrow."
The man obeyed the order and left. Su Jin opened the door and got out of the car, and extended his hand to help Yan Shu get out of the car. Fu Bi was at the front of the team, directing the carriages and horses to stop, and ordered the post house servants to feed the horses and fetch water to wait.
Yan Shu squinted his eyes to adjust to the setting sun, and stepped forward. Su Jin followed closely, but his eyes kept wandering around, looking for traces of Yan Biyun.
In the corner of the stable outside the inn, Su Jin saw the familiar purple carriage. Although he saw no one, a stone fell to his heart.
Pang De, the magistrate of Zhe County, led the county officials and a group of squires to greet Yan Shu in front. Seeing Yan Shu's arrival, they all stepped forward to salute and greet him.
Yan Shu smiled and said: "You got the news very quickly. Now you know that I am coming. Why are you making such a big show?"
Pang De was a thin old man, his eyes were darting around, and he looked extremely smart. Hearing this, he bowed and said: "It should be, it should be. Mr. Sansi passed through Hexian several times, and every time he went down to the official position, It turned out later that I was really rude. I have been waiting here since afternoon just to show my kindness to the landlord."
Yan Shu frowned and said, "Isn't it a waste of official business to delay everyone for half a day?"
Pang De said with a smile: "Don't worry, sir, everything has been arranged properly. That's why I dare to come here and wait. No matter what, we can't neglect our official duties. Besides, when your Excellency comes to this county, the security within the county is also official business, and the subordinates are also doing business." Woolen cloth."
Yan Shu chuckled and said, "You do know how to talk. Last time the bandits committed a crime here, I'm afraid you are all frightened now."
Pang De sighed and said, "It's okay if you don't mention it, my lord. When I mention this, I will be very upset. There have never been any rampant thieves in this county in the past few years. I didn't expect that such a big crime suddenly happened in the official post." The official is ashamed of this case. The official document has been sent to Yingtian Mansion, and your Excellency must have seen it. The official Zhengming County Lieutenant, together with the three squadrons of yamen officers, are investigating the matter day and night, and they must give an explanation to you."
Yan Shu nodded and said: "Very good, but the explanation is not for me, but for your new magistrate. He will definitely come to ask for your explanation for this matter, but I have nothing to do with it."
Pang De nodded and said: "Yes, yes, the official document was delivered yesterday. Lord Bao can come to take charge of Yingtian Mansion. It is a blessing for the people of Yingtian. Needless to say, this is also the suggestion of Master Sansi. Speaking of it, Master Sansi is in charge of Heaven." The grace of the people.”
Yan Shu smiled slightly and was noncommittal. Su Jin couldn't help but admire Pang De's smooth words and flattery.
Fu Bi arranged the stationing and guarding of the accompanying team, and stepped forward and said: "Master Sansi, please come to the inn to rest. You must be tired after a long day's journey."
Yan Shu waved his hand and said: "Let's go. We haven't eaten a grain of rice for a day. Quickly buy food for everyone to eat and rest. Feed and water the horses."
Fu Bi said: "The official understands and is already making arrangements."
The crowd gathered around Yan Shu and entered the gate of the inn, walked through the wide courtyard and came to the hall. The inn's servants brought water for Yan Shu, Fu Bi and others to wash their faces and remove the dust, and also served tea to quench their thirst.
Su Jin didn't want to listen to the polite words between them in the hall, so he stole some time and walked to the back; the post stations on both sides of the official road were originally military posts. Not only were they large, but they also had tall earth and stone watchtowers built around them. , Su Jin walked around trying to find Yan Biyun's residence, but didn't see a single person. When he was bored, he climbed up a nearby stone tower and looked down.
The tower is high and far away, and the entire post station has a panoramic view. Several bonfires have been lit in the courtyard in front, and a few plumes of green smoke rise into the gray sky in the evening. Dozens of soldiers are busy feeding horses and delivering materials, and there are five or six teams. Soldiers armed with weapons began to patrol around the inn.
Su Jin looked at the layout of the post station. It was surrounded by high walls and surrounded by a wilderness. There were also post guards guarding the post station. Not to mention that the open area could not hide people. If the gate in front was closed, it would be difficult to enter. I don’t know how Tang Jie and more than a dozen personal guards were killed quietly.
While I was deep in thought, I suddenly heard someone shouting from below: "Master Su, what are you doing up there? The master has ordered the villain to invite you to dinner."
Su Jin hurriedly climbed down the stone tower and followed the escort back. A tall and thin figure stood there at the back door of the hall. Was it Xiao Xian'er or someone else?
Xiao Xian'er also saw Su Jin, and their eyes met quickly. Xiao Xian'er quickly bowed her head and stepped aside. Su Jin wanted to say a few words to her, but it was not the time at this time, so he had to pass by. He secretly squeezed her little hand as a greeting.
The hall was already brightly lit, and Su Jin saw Yan Biyun sitting next to Yan Shu at a glance. He only glanced at Su Jin lightly and then turned away. Su Jin was already used to avoiding suspicion in front of others.
Yan Shu waved to Su Jin, pointed to the empty seat on his right hand and said: "Come on, come on, sit next to me. You are not tired from the bumpy journey, and you are still walking around."
Su Jin hurriedly said: "I saw that the stone tower can be climbed high to see far away, so I climbed up to see the scenery. In the twilight of the wilderness, the autumn scenery is extremely magnificent."
Yan Shu chuckled and said: "You can tell at a glance that you haven't passed the border. If this can be considered magnificent, what is the scenery in the northwest of our Song Dynasty? I didn't listen to Fan Xiwen's words, 'The scenery is strange when autumn comes, and the geese in Hengyang leave without paying attention. 'What?"
Su Jin smiled and said: "There is no comparison between the autumn scenery in the Central Plains and the outside of the Great Wall. If the autumn scenery in the south of the Yangtze River is said to be the jasper of a small family in the cardamom years, the autumn scenery in the Central Plains can be regarded as a noble lady in a boudoir, while the autumn scenery outside the Great Wall can be called the weathered wind and dust. For an old woman, her years pass from south to north."
Yan Shu applauded and said: "What a metaphor, I'm glad you came up with it."
Yan Biyun lowered his head and smiled softly, rolling his eyes at Su Jin.
Pang De was not very fond of Su Jin before, but this time when he saw Su Jin talking calmly in front of Master San Si, and the relationship between the two was very harmonious, he realized that this young man did not look simple, and hurriedly said: "San Si Your Excellency has not introduced this young official to me yet. Judging from his impressive appearance and handsome features, he must be from an extraordinary background."
Yan Shu was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "I'm just a nephew, my surname is Su. I came out to practice with me. A kid just talks about it casually, but a big man laughs at me."
Pang De waved his hand and said, "That's not what you're saying. Brother Su has quite a lot of eloquence when he talks. He must not be a thing in the pond."
Yan Shu said: "Don't praise him. He comes here and has a meal. It's difficult for Magistrate Pang to prepare this big table of good wine and food. If you reduce the meal order, I feel hungry every day. I can't wait anymore."
As Yan Shu said this, the aroma of the steaming food and wine on the table filled his nostrils more and more. Su Jin, who had been able to hold back his hunger, had a growling stomach, which attracted everyone's attention. Yan Biyun covered her mouth and burst into laughter.
Su Jin was a little embarrassed and said with a smile: "Writing comes from the mouth, poetry comes from the belly! Show your ugliness! Show your ugliness!"
Everyone burst out laughing and raised their thumbs and said, "What a quick wit and good sentence."
Pang De raised his big fingers and said with a smile: "Small officials are quite calm and calm when a mountain collapses in front of them. They respond appropriately and speak well. If the time comes, they will become famous officials in the Song Dynasty."
Yan Shu laughed and said: "It's too early to say this, we can start eating, otherwise someone will probably recite poetry again."
Amid roars of laughter, everyone started to eat. It was indecent for everyone to eat after being hungry all day. Pang De was frightened by the sight. He would never have thought that even Master Sansi strictly followed the meal reduction order and only ate two meals a day, while his own family
In the Zhe County under my jurisdiction, everyone was still stubborn and no one paid any attention to this matter. Seeing everyone wolfing down the food, Pang De was slurping out the sour water in waves. He had not finished digesting the whole roasted lamb at noon.
After drinking and eating, they drank tea and chatted for a while. Yan Shu covered his mouth and yawned. Pang De immediately said goodbye and returned to the county government office. The county seat was eight miles northwest of Niutouyi, so Pang De also
Yan Shu was not invited to spend the night at the county government office. Firstly, it was a long journey, and secondly, he had to leave early tomorrow morning.
Yan Shu was old and sleepy after drinking, so he had to go back to his room to rest. Fu Bi, Su Jin, Yan Biyun and others sat under the lamp and chatted about home affairs. Yan Biyun asked about his cousin's current situation, and Fu Bi answered them one by one.
Now, Su Jin is like an outsider, unable to intervene.
Fu Bi was a sensible person, and seeing that he was clearly in the way, he stopped talking and was about to leave, but was stopped by Su Jin.
"Brother, walk slowly. I have something I want to talk to you about."
Fu Bi turned around and said, "Oh? What's the matter?"
Yan Biyun said: "Do you want the slave family to avoid it?"
Su Jindao: "What secrets are there between you and me? This is out of the question."
Yan Biyun blushed and gave Su Jin an angry look. Fu Bi secretly raised his thumb and thought to himself: He is thick-skinned and has a future.
"My little brother just climbed up to the stone tower of the inn and looked out. Suddenly, I had a question and wanted to ask my brother for advice."
"It's so polite to say."
"Our post in the Song Dynasty has posted officers and servants. Can we garrison troops?"
Fu Bi said: "In addition to the post generals, there are usually several post soldiers to maintain them. Since the post station is responsible for conveying military information and government affairs, delivering official documents, and receiving officials, it will be equipped with different amounts of manpower according to needs; if it is a war,
The post station is equivalent to a military post station, and it occasionally takes on the responsibility of supply, so there are many people. Why does Mr. Su suddenly ask about this?"
Su Jin did not answer his words and continued to ask: "How many people does a post station like Niutou Station have on a normal day?"
Fu Bi thought for a while and said: "This post station is responsible for all the reception and delivery services from the capital to Jingdong Road. There are probably a lot of people. It is estimated that there will be at least twenty people. The specific number of people will be known after asking the post general.
.”
Su Jin waved his hand and said: "There is no need to alarm others. When I looked out from the stone tower, I found that the terrain of the post station is very good. Not only is the foothold high, but the surrounding plains are wilderness. I think if anyone wants to
It's probably not easy to sneak into the inn in such a terrain."
Fu Bi frowned and said hesitantly: "You mean..."
Su Jin stood up gently and beckoned: "Follow me."
Fu Bi and Yan Biyun stood up suspiciously and followed Su Jin out of the hall.dd