Early in the morning.
Every house was lit up. Birds were chirping on the branches of the trees. Several dumplings and soup dumplings had been set up. There were even farmers hawking their wares, "Selling fruits and vegetables."
"Dumplings, five coins a bowl!"
"Sesame cakes, one coin each!"
A butcher walked up to the butcher and asked, "How much is this meat?"
The butcher smiled, "You are a big customer of mine, how would I dare to ask for more?"
Seeing that there was no one around, he lowered his voice, "Eighty percent, please take it."
This was a twenty percent commission. The butcher nodded in satisfaction. At this point, some steaming buns rose from the steamer, "Selling buns, two coins each!"
The inn was bustling with activity on the streets.
This was the best room in the inn. The decor wasn't elegant, and a wooden bed took up half of the room. However, at least it was clean. Pei Zi Yun slowly retreated from the room, feeling refreshed and refreshed. His entire body felt spiritual, but he didn't feel happy at all.
After a long time, Pei Zi Yun let out a long sigh, "Although my cultivation has improved, there is a limit to the amount of energy a human body can absorb. Even if I cultivate until I die, I will not be able to advance any further."
"Without Paradise and fame, I have gained very little. No wonder Xie Cheng Dong is the top cultivator in this world. Looks like I have to get my hands on the Immortal Dragon Veins."
Pei Zi Yun stood up and washed up. He then called out to the waiter, "Go and buy some breakfast. I heard that there are buns, buy a steamer of buns."
As soon as Pei Zi Yun finished speaking, he took a seat. The waiter had already served him a cup of tea. He took a sip, deep in thought.
Although the lightning tribulations had destroyed the Daoist and wiped out all memories of the Immortal Dragon Veins, Lin Shan County still remembered that this was a backup plan.
"Lin Shan County is not big, but it is not small either. Based on my Fengshui, I can search the entire county and find a backup plan."
"But it will take a long time."
"The Daoist took eleven years to find the hidden dragon. I am not looking for the hidden dragon, but a backup plan in Lin Shan County. It will take at least one or two months?"
Pei Zi Yun thought as he massaged his temples. He was troubled. To find a trace of the dragon, he had traveled thousands of miles in hopes of reaping some rewards.
The waiter had a smile on his face. He wore a small hat and carried a dark-colored steamer basket. "Husband, the steamed buns are here!"
There was also a plate of vinegar and chili sauce on the side. When he opened the lid of the steamer, he saw ten steamed buns with a lot of fillings and thin skin. They were white and tender, giving off steam. It was very appetizing.
Pei Zi Yun picked up a pair of chopsticks and picked up a bun. As soon as he put it into his mouth, he could feel the juices flowing out of the bun and the meat bouncing around. It tasted pretty good.
Putting down his chopsticks, Pei Zi Yun looked at the waiter and asked, "Do you know how many families have moved here in the past twenty years?"
The waiter revealed an awkward expression, "Young Master, I'm only twenty years old. How would I know who's been moving around for the past twenty years? But Grandma Li knows. She's sixty this year, and she's sure to ask around."
"Well said, this is your reward." Pei Zi Yun threw a string of money at him, "Invite her here, and this is your reward."
"Thank you, Young Master." The waiter replied. "She's not far from here. I'll call her over."
It wasn't very far, and after eating seven or eight buns, an old woman walked in and bowed, "Young Master, are you looking for news? There's nothing within ten miles that I don't know. "
"Oh, do you know if there's a Du family among the families that have moved here in the past twenty years? If you do, where are they? "
Hearing Pei Zi Yun's words, Grandma Li thought for some time, "Young Master, when the war broke out, there were countless families that moved here. From what I remember, there were more than ten families that moved here, but the Du family wasn't among them."
"Oh, could it be that the Du family didn't move here?"
"That's impossible. Du Zi Nong defied the heavens and killed a dragon, causing the Imperial Qi to scatter. The war continued for many years, and even the Grand Preceptor couldn't withstand it. He was torn apart by five horses and died."
"He even brought disaster to his family."
"If the descendants of the Du family didn't retreat to this safe haven, they wouldn't be able to survive."
"If it's broken, so be it. I'm in a tough spot. If I can't find the Grand Preceptor's Dragon Veins map, do I have to learn from that Daoist and spend a few years scouring the entire country to find the Immortal Dao Dragon Veins?"
"That's right. If it was that easy to find, I might not even have a chance." Pei Zi Yun consoled himself as he threw a string of money at her, "Then I'll have to trouble you."
"Thank you Young Master for your reward." Grandma Li smiled and accepted the money.
Pei Zi Yun had lost his appetite for the last two buns. He pushed them aside and was about to stand up when he realized something. This was a private investigation, how could it be as detailed as the official records? All he had to do was go to the government office and retrieve the information.
As he thought of this, Pei Zi Yun turned around and called for an ox-cart, "To the government office!"
The ox-cart driver looked at him in shock before acknowledging him. The ox-cart then started moving along the street.
The government office of Lin Shan County was located in the west of the city. It was a huge courtyard, with a screen wall, a main door, a main hall, a study room and a garden.
When he reached the main door of the government office, he walked up the stairs. A bailiff looked at Pei Zi Yun and sized him up. Pei Zi Yun was very young, and his clothes were neither expensive nor cheap. He couldn't tell why he was here, but he had a scholarly air about him. He had a dignified look on his face, and asked, "Young Master, are you here to complain?"
Pei Zi Yun didn't make things difficult for him. He then handed the invitation over, "I am High Scholar Pei Zi Yun. I wish to see the County Magistrate."
After Pei Zi Yun's introduction, the bailiff didn't dare to delay any further. He hurriedly accepted the invitation and entered. After some time, a seventh ranked official in his forties came out to welcome him, "Is it Top Scorer Pei? You have graced our county with your presence. Please, please."
The County Magistrate welcomed him and sat down.
The County Magistrate then said, "I've long heard of Top Scorer Pei Zi Yun. Your poems and writings have spread far and wide. Every scholar in the world knows of your name. It's just that we've never had the chance to meet."
Pei Zi Yun then said, "This student was lucky enough to earn a small reputation. I'm ashamed."
After exchanging a few words, the County Magistrate asked about the purpose of his visit.
Pei Zi Yun glanced at him, "Many years ago, my Pei family escaped calamity and split up. Now that peace has been restored, my family wishes to reconnect with the old branches and rewrite our genealogy. I've heard that one of the branches escaped to Lin Shan County. I'm not sure if they've changed their surname or not. Please take a look at the records of the people who migrated here in the past twenty years."
"That's a small matter. Just say the word." When the County Magistrate heard this, he didn't hesitate and agreed, "Men, summon the Census Officer here!"
After some time, a Census Officer was summoned. The County Magistrate pointed at him and said, "This is Top Scorer Pei. He wants to check the records of the people who migrated here in the past twenty years. You must not delay, and listen to his orders."
"Yes!" The Census Officer was a lowly official. He immediately bowed and obeyed the order.
"Many thanks to the County Magistrate." Pei Zi Yun stood up and bowed before following the Census Officer. When he reached a certain area, he saw that there were three rooms. There were many cabinets with copper leaf inlaid on them. Each of them had a red label on them. As soon as he entered the room, he could smell the scent of ink. Several people were working at tables.
The Census Officer was a lowly official in the eyes of the County Magistrate. He then instructed, "Quick, bring out all the records of the people who migrated here in the past twenty years."
He then pointed at the cabinets, "Here, here. When you find them, make a copy of them."
He then invited Pei Zi Yun to take a seat and smiled, "Old master, please wait a moment. Serve some tea!"
With a command, several other officials opened the cabinets and retrieved the documents. They seemed to be very familiar with the process. Without much time, they brought out hundreds of documents and started making copies.
"You are very capable and experienced!" Pei Zi Yun invited the Census Officer to take a seat as well. He sighed in his heart.
The Emperor had proclaimed himself King. While he was conquering and conquering cities and territories, he had made the construction of roads and the rescue of the records of the Census Officers the two most important tasks. In the seventh month of the third year of the dynasty, the Emperor had decreed that all citizens who had been expelled from the Census Officers should surrender themselves within a certain period of time. He also ordered the entire country to conduct a census of the population.
The name, place of origin, and the family's financial status were written on it. There was one copy for the person, one copy for the County, one copy for the Prefecture, one copy for the Province, and one copy for the Ministry of Revenue. Since the Ministry of Revenue had a yellow cover, it was called the Yellow Book.
There were five sets of records, which made it extremely difficult to forge. This showed how strict the control of the population was. However, in the previous dynasty, there were four categories of records: military, civilian, craftsmen and cooks. These categories were further subdivided. Now, there were only two categories: official and civilian.
This was a top secret of the government, and was not allowed to be transferred out. However, to someone like him who had a high official rank, he could take a look. The difference between an official and a civilian was too great. Just as he was thinking about this, he heard the Census Officer's reply.
"My family has been government officials for generations." The Census Officer bowed and said, "With the establishment of the dynasty, thanks to the Emperor's grace, we have the opportunity to be promoted."
"How can I not work hard and fight for a chance to be promoted?"
"This might not happen in the future."
Pei Zi Yun suddenly thought of Liao Ge, who had worked hard his whole life to attain a ninth rank. In the end, he died halfway through his career. Pei Zi Yun's heart ached for him, but he laughed, "You're right. I have a friend, Liao Ge, who was also a minor official. He eventually attained a ninth rank."
The Census Officer looked at Pei Zi Yun, his eyes gleaming, "Your humble subject has heard of him. He was originally a ninth rank official, but died in the line of duty. The officials awarded him a ninth rank posthumously."
Seeing Pei Zi Yun's expression change, he laughed and sighed, "Your humble subject isn't being unreasonable. I'm just envious of him. What officials like us strive for, is to get results."
"My father toiled for thirty years without success. At the end of his life, he held my hand and said, 'My son, you have to fight for the honor of my family. Just thinking about that look in his eyes makes my heart ache. If I can really attain a ninth rank, I'm willing to die in office."
Pei Zi Yun looked at the Census Officer and said, "The imperial examinations have only been held for a short period of time, and there's still a shortage of officials. If you do your job well, your wish will come true."
"Many thanks to master Top Scorer for your auspicious words." The Census Officer stood up and bowed.
In less than an hour, under the efforts of the scribes, they had finished copying the twenty year old records of the new immigrants. This was also the reason why there weren't many immigrants in the ancient times. Pei Zi Yun then stood up and handed over a banknote. It wasn't much, only ten taels of silver, "You've all worked hard. This is the money for the tea, split it amongst yourselves."
The Census Officer hurriedly stood up as well, "Thank you master Top Scorer for your reward!"
When the few scribes saw this, their faces were filled with joy. The leader ate the meat, while the subordinates drank the soup. Everyone would get a share of the spoils. However, one of the twenty year old scribes had a look of worry in his eyes.
By the time he sent Pei Zi Yun off, it was almost noon. The scribe then found an excuse to leave the house. When he reached the streets and saw that there was no one around, he spoke a few words to a peddler. When the peddler heard what he said, he frowned and hurried off.
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