On the way back to Xujiang County, Li You put aside distracting thoughts for the time being and thought about money. He originally sold two official positions and got a thousand taels of silver. But he bought a house in Fucheng and renovated it, spending a total of seven dollars.
More than a hundred taels, and the entertainment expenses are not small, and the money bag is a little tight.
This time the family moved to Fucheng, and all kinds of expenses will be greater in the future. Without the huge profits of the silk shop, the profit of 20 to 30 taels per month is far from enough, and it is only enough to give Aunt Guan as pocket money.
There is some gray income in the yamen, which is enough to live a small life, but it is also difficult to meet the entertainment expenses. Mainly because the people he associates with are all from a family like Zhao Daguan, and money is not considered money, and Li You, who has a shallow family background, is unwilling to work in the government.
This is a loss of face.
Other famous people can use splash ink to write and paint as gifts, saving a lot of money. Li Tanhua, who is bad at handwriting, cannot learn this. He also needs a carrier to recite poems.
To say that Li Tuiguan was so powerful in the government office that he risked his life to take bribes and pervert the law, wouldn't it be a source of wealth? In fact, when I talk about this, I shed tears.
Once there is Shi Shenzheng suppressing him, petty theft is okay, but it is difficult to cover up a big fight.
Secondly, he was burdened by his reputation. Now Li You carries the banner of a local celebrity in Suzhou and is a star official. His every move attracts much attention. Good and bad things are spread thousands of miles, which makes it extremely difficult to earn black income.
If a famous person does not serve as an official, that is called a mountain hermit; if a famous person serves as an official, that is called a worldly experience; if a famous person is lazy about affairs, that is called broad-minded and free-spirited; if a famous person is courageous in doing things, that is called being diligent in the affairs of the king; if a famous person is gentle, that is called a gentleman
Wind; celebrities are serious and anxious, that is called seriousness and perseverance...
All in all, as long as you wear the brand of celebrity these days, it is not wrong to be lecherous, frivolous, arrogant, fight, scold the streets, and accept gifts from gays. It can be regarded as personality, or it is not bad. But open corruption and perversion of the law does not seem to be within this scope.
It's a pity that Li You seems to have a lot of power. He controls the bank with one hand and the criminal name with the other. But firstly, he is not the official seal official. Secondly, both of his duties are not suitable for secret transactions that do not alert others. For example, you secretly gave me one hundred taels.
I'll give you a job like giving birth to a child.
The idea of attacking the bank is corruption, and the consequences of being found out are too serious; the idea of attacking the criminal name is perversion of the law, there are too many people involved, the rights and wrongs are too obvious, and the Wu people like to sue and make trouble, and God knows what you know and I know.
things are not easy.
If the matter is not big, it would be fine if it is not spread, but how much money can be collected for a really small matter?
Others don't need to care too much about official reputation, because having fame will lead to career advancement, and reputation is just an embellishment. However, Li You, who has no fame and background, cares about official reputation. This is the most disadvantageous thing for Li You as an official. Gray income
You can have it, but it won’t be enough to spend. If you want black income, it won’t work if there is a chance that there will be rumors.
Mr. Huang is right. Li You used to be shameless, but now he has evolved to be shameless. Sometimes he is not as unscrupulous as when he was a small official. The elegant saying is that when you have enough food and clothing, you will know honor and disgrace.
In fact, Mr. Huang has another feeling that he has not expressed. He feels that Li You's official style is somewhat imitating Chen Xundao...
So Li You once again encountered the problem that the speed of making money could not keep up with the speed of improving his status.
Let's not talk about it, but we said that Li You arrived at the Beiguan Water Station in the county by boat. He transferred the sedan chair from the station and opened the umbrella cover all the way, avoiding silence, and sounded the gong to open the way home.
A knowledgeable person would take a look at the ceremonial guard, which was similar to but inferior to the magistrate's, and would know that it was Li Tuiguan who had left the county and returned home.
Li Tuiguan would not be so ostentatious in a city where dignitaries are everywhere and wealthy businessmen and celebrities are as numerous as dogs. But this time when he returned to the county and the inn came to curry favor with him, he refused to be disrespectful.
When Mr. Li entered the house, all the wives and concubines came to pay their respects. One of them, Guan Xiuxiu, bowed down and saluted, and she accidentally dropped a book from her sleeve.
Li You had sharp eyes and saw the title "Nine Positions of **" written on the cover. He picked it up out of curiosity and looked through it, and found out that it was the combination of yin and yang, dragon flying position, tiger step position, ape fighting position, etc., with exquisite illustrations.
Books are interesting, but people who read them are even more interesting... Mr. Li raised his eyes again, and saw Aunt Guan half-hiding her breasts, turning her head to the side shyly, trying to resist but welcoming her. She had always been dignified and reserved, but she had hidden such a technical guide. What a contrast.
I couldn't help but feel lustful. Let's study in depth with her tonight?
What a stupid old man who is blind and blind, he fell for such a simple trick, Mei Zhi thought bitterly, if he had known that he had hidden a few erotic paintings, wouldn't he be very rare?
"Ah, how can this thing be seen by humans!" Xiaozhu screamed as he peeked at the illustration from the side.
Li You laughed loudly, "It's not for people to see, it was done by gods. I will be a god tonight."
After joking with my wives and concubines for a while, I saw a servant posted outside the door and said, "Master Xue, Mr. Xue Juren, is here to visit."
Li Tuiguan County was swaggering all the way through the city, just like the fireflies in the dark night, it was difficult not to be noticed by interested people.
Li You left the backyard and came to the front hall. He cupped his hands and said, "Brother Xue, I haven't seen you for many days. I was looking for you, but you fell into the trap."
When Xue Juren saw that Li You had something to do, he didn't say what he wanted to do. He first asked, "What do you do for Mr. Li?"
"Brother Xue has traveled all over the country and has seen a lot. Is there any easy business in this world that is worth trying as a little promotion official like me?" Li You asked.
As mentioned earlier, Xue Juren went to Beijing twice but failed to win the imperial examination, so he started doing business. He was a famous Confucian businessman in Xujiang County, and his family assets were estimated to be tens of thousands. That's why Li You thought of consulting him.
Xue Juren said without hesitation: "There is one way, but Mr. Li's status cannot do it."
"Which one?"
"Pawn shop business." Xue Juren said: "Collecting interest by sitting on the ground, there is no danger of traveling far away. Unfortunately, the court has issued an order that strictly prohibits officials from opening pawn shops to exploit the people. Mr. Li's identity went to the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs to apply for a pawn post, but he could not get it.
of."
Li You's mind brightened. This business was really good. It was just a collection of loans and loans. In fact, it was short-term loan sharking. Although there were many disputes, would he, a criminal judge, be afraid of economic disputes? As long as he could open the business, he would make a profit without losing any money.
But there are also difficulties. First, there is insufficient capital. How can I open a pawn shop with just a few hundred taels? Second, to open a legal pawn shop, you need to apply for pawn stickers, which is equivalent to taking business photos in your previous life. Third, you need to find an agent.
While I was talking to Mr.
The eldest son of this county is the new magistrate of Xujiang County. Li You quickly straightened his clothes and went out to welcome him, and Xue Juren also followed him out.
The county magistrate's surname was Zhang, and he was more than thirty years old. When they met Li Tuiguan, they bowed to each other and exchanged greetings for a long time. Fortunately, they met. Xue Juren also met and bowed.
Please come in and serve tea again. According to official rules, you should talk about your background to build connections, but this is what Li Tuiguan is most ashamed of talking about at the moment.
Zhang Zhixian had obviously done some homework before coming here. He avoided Li You's background and said, "I heard that Mr. Li is very close to Chen Xundao, the inspector? The examiner of my official township and the examiner of Chen Xundao are of the same age, so they are friends with each other."
Mr. Li does not need to be acquainted with others, just treat him as a brother."
Li Youqian resigned and said: "I am young and of poor moral character, and I dare not offend my parents in my hometown."
"It's okay. My dear brother cares about Sangzi and has been a great help to Brother Yu. Please continue to look after me in the future."
Li You cupped his hands and said, "That foolish brother is rude. I am in my elder brother's office. Please take care of me."
"It goes without saying." Zhang Zhixian took out another letter from his sleeve and said: "As my brother, I always admire Chen Xundao for his noble character and integrity. I would also like to ask my dear brother to forward this letter to you."