When the lanterns first came on, Governor Li called the empty bearer from the Yamen and went to the Dongting Tower. He walked on the road for a quarter of an hour.
If outsiders hear the name, they will probably associate it with Dongting Lake and think it is opened by people from Huguang. In fact, it is an authentic Suzhou local restaurant. There are mountains in Taihu Lake to the east and west of Dongting, which are called Dongshan and Xishan for short.
It is under the jurisdiction of Suzhou Prefecture. The two mountains are rich in merchants, and everyone is doing business, and they are good at trafficking rice, grain, cloth and silk between the north and the south. In this dynasty, there is a saying that Dongting is full of emblems, which refers to the two major merchant gangs in the south of the Yangtze River, Dongting merchant gang and Huizhou merchant gang.
business.
At the entrance of the Dongting Building, there were servants from the Zhao family waiting. When Li You got off the sedan, they led him up to the second floor.
There was a large circle of screens surrounding the upstairs, and the sound of orchestral music could be heard from inside. When Li You entered, he saw Mr. Zhao Daguan sitting there with his arms around a charming beauty. He didn't know what he was talking about and was happy, so he raised his head and laughed heartily.
There was a scribe sitting next to him who also recognized him as Song Wengu whom he had met on the Mid-Autumn Festival night.
When Zhao Liangli saw Li You coming in, he let go of the woman and stood up, cupping his hands and saying, "I haven't seen you for more than a month after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Today, the young gentleman came to Suzhou to take up a post. I am very happy."
Li You returned the courtesy and said, "I heard that Zhao Daguan used his strength?"
Zhao Daguan said proudly: "It's a small matter, no need to thank me, the prefect is my disciple, he can help you get a better position with just a little effort."
Thank you? Good seat? What nonsense is this? Li You stared speechlessly.
Zhao Liangli showed off: "In my opinion, the style of being an official must be noble. Don't you see that all the new scholars are vying to be the most noble in the world? I can't help you with this noble word now, but the Qing Dynasty
Writing can still help, but only a carefree and leisurely civil career can complement Mr. Li's reputation and character."
In the past, Li You might have thanked him and lived a leisurely life. But after he had enjoyed the glory and taste of power in the county, how could he still have the mood to sit on the bench and let his hometown people laugh at him?
The more you mix, the more you go back?
When he was a patrol inspector in Xujiang, it would not be said that he was domineering, but at least there was no problem in being domineering. I thought that this time I would just change to an unfamiliar place and continue to be a patrol inspector, and after I had enough seniority, I would go through the ranks to get promoted.
Who would have expected that by some combination of circumstances, Zhao Daguan and Wang Tongzhi would join forces to "help" him, and he would be transformed into a purely civil servant.
Li You was in a mixed mood. After making things like this, Zhao Daguan actually acted like he had done a great thing. Did you know that you and Old Man Wang were the two accomplices who tricked me to death? Everyone who is a Jinshi wants to go.
Is it because I want to have some leisure time when I am promoted to an official position and have a bright future? In the same way, I don’t do it for leisure time. No matter how leisurely a person like Zhao Daguan is, no one dares to ignore him. He still has power. How can he, Li You, have this?
ability.
Li You was extremely distressed. This time, his outlook on life and values were misaligned with Zhao Daguan's, and his thinking was out of sync. At first, he was afraid that Zhao Daguan was not in tune with him, so he didn't dare to ask for help. However, he still did not escape his vicious hands. "I'm here.
We are in charge of the office, but Mr. Wang has nothing to do all day long. I feel guilty because I have received my national salary in vain." Li You said helplessly.
Zhao Liangli said contemptuously: "When you were not an official, you were more open-minded, but when you became an official, you became more and more stingy. What do you think about this kind of secular affairs? Don't make trouble if you have nothing to do. Please take a seat, young gentleman!"
Song Wengu, who had been watching Zhao Liangli and Li You talking, then came up and said: "You are all free and easy people. You must have fun tonight to support Mr. Li. Let's not talk about fame and fortune."
Zhao Liangli smiled and said, "Everything Brother Song said was nice." He then said to Li You, "This is his family's property. He really deliberately held a Hongmen Banquet to entertain us."
It was inevitable to invite beauties to join in the fun now. During the conversation, Li You learned that Song Wengu came from a wealthy family in Dongshan. However, Song Wengu did not interfere in business and was specially trained by his family to study, study and socialize.
The big merchants in Shilin and Jiangnan all have this habit. They like to associate with literati and officials. In layman's terms, they use money to buy culture.
Li You put aside the official frustration for the time being and said to Zhao Liangli: "I was unethical after drinking that night. I left wantonly and disturbed the interest of the high officials. I apologize here." He had always wanted to know about August 16th.
After leaving after having a wild night, others commented on their attitude, but Zhao Liangli didn't mention it, so he couldn't help but test him with words.
"It doesn't matter, it's a real celebrity who has become a fashionable person, so the whole table is boring. It's my teacher who doesn't know anything. I've already scolded him, so don't take it to heart." Zhao Liangli said without caring.
Song Wengu praised: "Remembering the sentence "I'm afraid love will tire a beautiful woman, I wonder if I will ever hear such an interesting sentence again in this life."
"Are you Mr. Tanhua?" The waitress next to Li You suddenly trembled with excitement. She put her hands on her heart and her face was so surprised that she couldn't believe it.
Seeing the excitement of a random strange woman after recognizing him, Li You's little vanity was greatly satisfied. He temporarily swept away his depressed mood. When he was about to make a few jokes, he suddenly heard wild shouting outside.
, it seems like something happened.
Everyone stood up together, stood by the window and looked outside the building. They saw a group of people holding torches rushing into a courtyard at the corner of the street. When they came out not long after, they were carrying various containers, throwing torches and fleeing to the north.
Li You didn't expect to see a case happening in front of his eyes as soon as he arrived in Fucheng, so he asked, "Where is that place?"
Song Wengu was familiar with the neighborhood, "It's a rice shop, and these thieves seem to be robbing rice."
Li You was surprised and said: "In this dignified city, there is actually something like robbing rice grains?"
Song Wengu sighed: "This kind of thing has not happened in many years. However, the price of rice has increased recently, and the price of each stone has doubled to two taels. Some people may take risks if their livelihood is no longer sustainable."
Li You was even more surprised, "Now is the time when autumn grains are on the market. Although there is a drought this year, the harvest will not be lost. It will not be a problem to support it until spring. If this happens during the lean period, it will be nothing more. Why is there such a turmoil now?"
Zhao Liangli shook his head and said: "It's not a serious matter. It will be settled when the government sends out rice and grain."
The three of them returned to the banquet, and Zhao Liangli suddenly remembered something and said: "A few months ago, I promised to give you Miss Yuncai as a gift, but I have never been able to fulfill my promise. When do you think it is best to take it away?"
How could Li You be in such a mood? He waved his hand and said, "The high official can keep it for himself."
After drinking until late at night, they dispersed, and Li You went back to his residence to rest.
It is said that the prefect is very grand. If there is nothing else, basically all the government officials will gather in the lobby every morning to pay homage to the prefect, which is called arranging the yamen.
On the second day, Li You, who had already taken office, participated in the Yamen Arrangement Ceremony for the first time and made his official appearance in front of his colleagues. Unfortunately, except for Wang Tongzhi, no one talked to Li You and he was treated coldly.
Mao Zhifu explained some things, mainly that the autumn harvest had happened recently, he was stepping up efforts to urge counties to collect grain taxes, and clearing up the backlog of cases near the end of the year. There was still nothing wrong with Li You.
Li You was temporarily helpless about the cold reception from everyone in the agency. He thought of the prostitute who was surprised and happy to see him last night. It was such a huge contrast. Maybe he shouldn't refuse her invitation...
A room was set up in the courtyard of the Tongzhi Hall as a public room for the governor of the Experience Department and the Tongzhi Hall. Li You sat in the room for a whole day, just watching the autumn wind in the courtyard pick up a few fallen leaves and float them around. Turning your eyes to the closed door of the Tongzhi Hall, what is Old Man Wang doing inside? Does he live like this every day?
