Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan got on the donkey again. Their speed was much faster. The donkey was very strong. It pulled the three of them and ran forward. The carriage was jolted so much that it almost fell apart.
Because it was not an important place and it was not prosperous, there was no river nearby. The road here was only wide enough for two carriages to pass. Sometimes, only one carriage could pass. The road was full of potholes. It was obvious that someone had repaired the road, but it was not repaired well.
Wang Juan was in charge of the government. The deputy county magistrate worked with the county magistrate. When he saw the road was not good, he asked the driver, "Uncle, should this road be repaired? When we reach the place, I will discuss with the local merchants and get some from each family. "
"Cuckoo ah, ah no, deputy county magistrate Wang, I said something wrong again. There is no need to rush to repair the road. If life is good, we need a wider and smoother road. Everyone can repair it themselves. But life is not good. Who wants to repair the road?"
The driver had confirmed that the two children were here to be officials, so he had to change the way he addressed them. But when he talked to the two children, he was not as scared as when he met officials. He dared to say what he thought.
"Uncle, you don't have to call me deputy county magistrate. Just call me Cuckoo. Whether an official is good or not, the people will remember it in their hearts. Uncle, you are right. When life is good, the road will be repaired. Cuckoo has learned a lot."
Wang Juan wanted to be a good official and realize the value of life. She did not care about the title. She still remembered that when she was investigating an official, she passed by a small county to rest. The people in the county called the county magistrate Old Turtle. He always made a habitual action of shrinking his neck. He even raised turtles in the local area so that the people could live a good life.
Although it sounded like an insult, County Magistrate Old Turtle always agreed to it. However, if someone wanted to cause trouble for Old Turtle, they would be surrounded by the entire county. To the county secretary and the commoners, they would call him Secretary. However, since he had the power and authority, no one would listen to him.
Wang Juan wanted to be an official who was remembered by the people.
"Yes, don't call me Deputy County Magistrate. Deputy County Magistrate is not as good as County Magistrate. You can call me Deputy County Magistrate when you become County Magistrate. Cuckoo, the land here is not bad. It's just that there is no big river passing through here. There is only a small river. When it comes to water, there is not enough water.
The driver misunderstood and thought that Wang Juan didn't want to be called by others because of her low rank. He didn't know that Wang Juan had a second-grade official who promised not to call her Deputy County Magistrate and mentioned the water shortage.
"Xiao Bao." Wang Juan called out after hearing the driver's words.
When Zhang Xiaobao was thinking about what kind of resistance and difficulties he would encounter if he popularized the new bookkeeping method among the local merchants, he was woken up.
"I am the Registrar General. You don't need to look for me for the well digging. Let the merchants pay for the well for the farmers. Whoever pays, their name will be engraved on the well. There will be a list of good deeds at the entrance of the Yamen. Whoever is on the list will be given a silk banner as a sign of recognition. This is not against the law, right?"
Zhang Xiaobao said that he didn't care, but he told her the method.
"If it is against the law, at least you will be impeached for colluding with the Yamen for personal gain. There will be people coming down to investigate. Also, as the Registrar General, you have the power to submit a memorial to the Yamen. It's a good idea to divert the water from the river. The project is too big and the initial investment is too much. Let's build a well.
What do you think? "Wang Juan knew that this kind of small thing was not difficult for Zhang Xiaobao. The merchants would be very willing to do it. Building a well would not cost much.
The driver had lived for so long, but it was the first time he heard an official discuss government affairs. He sighed in his heart. How nimble. He had just suggested it and there was already a solution. It sounded good, but he wasn't sure if any merchants would be willing to pay.
When he saw Wang Juan ask, he said, "Are the rich people willing to pay?"
"Of course. Not to mention giving them back their reputation, even if we don't give them anything and just ask them to pay. Even if I don't want to use my family's name, Between the Clouds and the Water is there for all to see."
Wang Juan was very sure about this. This was the benefit of reputation. She was considered a public figure. Of course, when she received benefits, she also had to maintain her image.
The driver thought for a while and said, "There really can be many wells. Cuckoo and Xiao Bao are the great benefactors of Baoxin County. We will offer you eternal sacrifice."
"Don't. It's all because His Majesty is wholeheartedly serving the people. As officials, we should do the same." Wang Juan quickly stopped him.
In the evening, the donkey cart arrived at the county town. The county town of Baoxin County didn't have a tall city wall, only a two-foot high gate. The wind and rain had made the top of the wall round. There was also a new growth of grass, making the withered yellow with a hint of green.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan didn't want to hand over their positions today, but they were too tired. They had to check the warehouse and look at the previous accounts and documents. Even if they went to the yamen, they wouldn't be able to complete the handover today. Wang Juan said to the driver, "Uncle, Xiao Bao and I will find an inn to stay first. You can go home. I won't give you the money for the carriage today. Thank you for giving us a ride today. When we settle down, I will invite you to be a guest."
"Why should I give you money? I asked for it in my previous life. We need to go to an inn. Follow this road straight ahead. After walking for about four hundred steps, there is a Feng Wu Pavilion on the left. It's clean and they always send you firewood. I heard that the food there is not bad. Oh, it can't compare to the food Between the Clouds and the Water. You can just put up with it."
The driver was very happy. Now he had something to say to his family. He pointed to the front and told Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. Seeing the two of them looking left and right as they walked, he stroked the donkey and narrowed his eyes. He murmured, "Good days are coming."
He waved the whip and turned to leave the city. His family didn't live in the city, so they still had to walk for more than half an hour before they reached home.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan actually knew that the uncle's family didn't live in the city. They didn't know how to get firewood in the city, but they didn't say anything. They were grateful for the uncle's special gift. Hand in hand, they walked along the road, looking at the shops on both sides of the road. They also looked at the faces of the people passing by. Finally, they stopped in front of the Feng Wu Pavilion.
Just as the driver said, this place was very clean. After winter, it should have been painted again. It was a two-story wooden building with red pillars. There was a road leading to the back, which was used to store carriages. There was also a courtyard for people to live in.
The shop assistant standing at the entrance had long seen the two handsome children coming over. He was sizing them up when he saw the two children standing in front of the shop. He quickly came over and asked with a smile, "Young master, young lady, are you here to eat?"
"En, we also need to stay in the inn. We need to find a good courtyard and stay for a long time. Do you accept money?" When dealing with people outside, Zhang Xiaobao was usually the one in charge, while Wang Juan would silently support him from behind. Therefore, it was up to him to do the talking, and he even took out a lump of silver and held it in his hand.
He was afraid that the shop assistant would think that the two of them didn't have enough money, which would be troublesome.
The shop assistant immediately responded, "Please follow me. There is an upper courtyard that is currently empty. You can stay for as long as you want. We accept money. Even if it's gold, we will exchange it for the two of you."
Zhang Xiaobao took out a few copper coins and gave them to the shop assistant. After the shop assistant thanked him, they followed him inside. They passed through the front hall, went around two pillars, and went out through another door. Then they saw the courtyard. Only then did they see that behind the courtyard, there was a small two-story building. It was probably the best upper courtyard.
The shop assistant led the way. As they walked, he asked what taboo to eat and what they liked so that he wouldn't make any mistakes when serving them.
Zhang Xiaobao casually replied that he ate everything without any taboo. He liked a lot of things and could cook anything. He was very easy to talk to. If not, what else could he do? If he really wanted to tell the truth, he couldn't do it in ordinary places, unless he encountered a restaurant like Between the Clouds and the Water.
When they arrived at the upper courtyard, Zhang Xiaobao was quite satisfied. In the middle of the courtyard, there was a big locust tree that hadn't bloomed yet. There was a swing hanging on one of the branches. Ten steps to the east of the tree was a small pond, reflecting the red of the setting sun. When the breeze blew, it gently rippled.
There was also a flowerbed in the middle of the courtyard. Others had taken care of it, so there were no traces of flowers or leaves. The wet soil was probably just turned over not long ago. The main road was paved with yellow sand.
This kind of courtyard was not bad. Zhang Xiaobao felt that the 'consumption' he gave just now was too little. He took out more than ten copper coins and handed it to the shop assistant. He asked, "Can you exchange them for silver here?"
"Yes, not only can we exchange them for silver, but also for gold. If you have the flying money from prosperous places like the capital, Dongdu, and so on, as long as it's real, we will also accept it." Before the shop assistant accepted the money, he happily replied, afraid that he would be looked down upon.
"Alright then. First, send over a few signature dishes. The same goes for the wine. Boil a bucket of hot water." Zhang Xiaobao didn't ask any more questions. After giving the order, he and Wang Juan walked into the small building.
When they entered the building, the decoration inside was not bad. When they went to the 'bedroom', they found that it was 80% new and clean brocade bedding. No wonder the price was so high when they asked just now. It cost 300 copper coins a day. In such an environment in the capital, it was impossible to live without money.
After Wang Juan sized it up, she asked Zhang Xiaobao, "How can you exchange gold in the shop? Is it to make jewelry or other art? Does the Fengwu Pavilion operate other shops at the same time? "
"I don't know. I'll ask after we get familiar with each other. When Xiao Hong and others arrive, I'll go to collect information. Later, I'll take a bath and go to bed early after eating. I'll take over tomorrow and quickly arrange the well."
Zhang Xiaobao was obviously tired. He stretched and said.
After two hours, when Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan finished eating, Pomegranate and others arrived. They asked which restaurant in the county was good and went straight to the Fengwu Pavilion. They asked about the courtyard of the young master and the young lady with more than ten copper coins and squeezed in together.
This made Zhang Xiaobao complain that the Fengwu Pavilion didn't keep the guests' secrets.
*****
The next morning, the sky was clear and boundless.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan changed into their purple official robes and prepared to 'report' to the yamen. The two of them deliberately dressed like this for the people in the yamen to see, and also for the common people to see. They also hung their goldfish pouches and walked out hand in hand.
The waiter was shocked. Second and third rank officials were living in the shop, and they were two children. Did they come from the Pear Garden?
Zhang Xiaobao and Shiliu arrived at the street. Behind them were the bodyguards sent by Gao Lishi. Swords were slung over their shoulders and crossbows were strapped to their backs. Together with Shiliu's group, the team was not small.
The common people who came and went clearly saw the two children in official robes walking in front of them. They all stopped to look, and more and more people gathered.
It's fun. It's more interesting to see two cute little guys in official robes. They look like little adults. How much did the robes cost?
Someone couldn't help but ask if the robes were expensive. When Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan heard this, they were depressed. The robes were made by their own house. Other officials gave the robes to the goldfish bags, but when it came to their house, there was only a decree and nothing else. Xiao Li was really too stingy.
After a few hundred steps, the yamen of Baoxin County appeared in front of them. The officials and runners in the yamen all ran out to greet them.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
