Qin Official

It was a cold spring day in early January. Outside the Jimo County Sheriff's Mansion, three people stood in a "pin" shape, one behind the other.

The one on the front right is Cao Shen, who accepted Heifu's invitation and was transferred to Jiaodong as an official. He was promoted from a county official to a county official, and even climbed into the lap of the emperor's important ministers. Cao Shen, who had a deep sympathy with Xiao He's words of "poor as old as time", seemed energetic. He held his sword in his hand and his eyes were full of expectation. He was eager to try. , but I want to maintain my capable image, so I dare not show it!

On the front left is Xiao He who is arranging his clothes. However, he is not as excited as his friend. His right hand carefully smoothes every wrinkle on his left sleeve. People who are familiar with him know that this is Xiao He who is thinking about something. His slender face is as calm as water. , I don’t know what I am thinking.

"Ah sneeze!"

Only Liu Ji from Peixian County, who was in the back and had lost his beard, sneezed suddenly, attracting the attention of Xiao and Cao.

"It's late spring and the weather is a bit cold."

Liu Ji rubbed his nose, muttered casually, and nonchalantly wiped the snot from his hand on his clothes.

Liu Ji is such a person. He must run cleanly. Even if he throws away his armor, wife and children, he will never look back.

But if he becomes brave and decides to do something, he will not be inconsistent. The wedding was over, and the bride, Lu Zhi, went to bed. Before coming, she and her brothers drank all the wine in two wine shops, peed three feet into the wind in Surabaya, and roared so boldly that Chu Ge could be heard on both sides of the river.

That being the case, what else is there to regret?

Although Fan Kuai and others thought that Liu Ji came to "repay his gratitude" to Governor Heifu for the 10,000 yuan, they all regarded him as a righteous hero. But Liu Ji knew that he came over on his own initiative and put his neck on the axe.

"Ji is definitely not as good as the governor of Wei County." This is what he admitted to Xiao He.

The status of the two people is so different that there is no point in hesitating. Since the other party does not seem to want to kill him, then he should decisively surrender and beg for mercy.

Along the way, Liu Ji ate and drank, and everyone was interested in the scenery along the way. He snored so loudly that Cao Shen next door couldn't sleep well, so he never believed that Liu Ji had offended the feudal official and thought it was He and Xiao He teamed up to tease himself...

When they arrived in Weishui, they heard that Heifu had been assassinated here. They couldn't understand the Jiaodong dialect, and they even interpreted it as "the new official is dead".

Liu Ji was overjoyed, Xiao He looked relieved, but Cao Shen was shocked and quickly asked for the follow-up.

When the communication was clear and they learned that Hei Fu was safe and sound and that it was the assassin who died, the three people's moods reversed: Cao Shen breathed a sigh of relief, Xiao He became worried again, and Liu Ji walked into the Weishui River where the ice was melting and the snow was melting. He spat hard and cursed secretly:

"The Qi people I met in Xue County all said that the Qi people were good at martial arts and were as good as the wind. How come this assassin from Qi didn't even hurt the skin of the black-hearted governor? What Qi martial arts is, it's just fake. !”

Since Mr. Hei was fine, Liu Ji still had to bite the bullet and apologize to Xiao He.

The Sheriff's Mansion is very large, with announcements coming one after another, and door after door. Finally, when they arrive in front of the Sheriff's Mansion, Liu Ji, who has come all the way here, stands like a follower...

"The Sheriff's envoy Ping is here to greet us."

Chen Ping walked out, saluted Xiao He and Cao Shen with a smile, and then looked at Liu Ji: "Who is this?"

Xiao He was about to introduce him, but Liu Ji habitually introduced himself: "Liu Ji from Peixian County."

Chen Ping was surprised: "Is he the pavilion chief who congratulated Wanqian from the county governor?"

"That's him."

Cao Jian saw that Chen Ping already had a good body, but after putting on the official uniform of a long historian, he looked even more heroic. He was a few years younger than himself, but he had already done a good job in Beidi County, and he felt that his choice was the best. That's right.

The three of them chatted for a while, and Chen Ping ushered them in. The county governor's mansion was the former Jimo doctor's mansion. It occupies a large area, but it seems a bit messy and empty. The maids brought by Hei Fu's retainers were busy with their affairs. , Chen Ping said with a smile:

"We just moved in a few days ago, and everything seems to be a scratch. It's not easy. And the governance of Jiaodong is just like this mansion. New houses need to be built on the vacant land, dilapidated houses need to be demolished, and courtyards that can still be used by people need to be built. Cleaning, when people come to use it, I will hate the lack of it!"

The words in his words fell into the ears of Xiao He and Cao Shen.

After entering the courtyard, the four of them discovered that Hei Fu did not sit high in the hall and wait for them to pay their respects. Instead, he stood at the courtyard gate first, holding his hands behind his hands and saying with a smile: "Cao Yu, why are you here? I've been waiting for you to come." "

Cao Shen was originally worried that Hei Fu wanted to conquer Xiao He but failed that day, so he recruited him. Now seeing Xiao He coming with him, he might focus on Xiao He, and he would return to his former position of second-in-command. However, Unexpectedly, Hei Fu greeted him first!

Cao Shen was so excited that he stepped forward and paid homage: "Father, there was heavy snow when we were here, so we were late! I hope the county guard won't blame me."

"How can you blame it? Many positions in Jiaodong are already vacant."

Hei Fu helped Cao Shen up and then looked at Xiao He who was following behind him: "Is Xiao Lipu here too?"

Xiao He also paid his respects and said: "Xiao He pays homage to the Commander-in-Chief."

He said he wouldn't come, but he came again, and the atmosphere was a bit awkward. The Lord wanted to seek talents and could not bury Xiao He, so Chen Ping took the initiative to be the bad guy and said happily:

"Xiao Liju, I forgot to ask you just now, didn't you say that your parents are here and you don't want to travel far away?"

Xiao He sighed: "After Xiao He returned home that night, my mother found out that the county governor asked me about joining the officialdom. She angrily scolded He, saying that the county governor, with a position of two thousand stones, asked a small official in a district. The following is absolutely rude, so she I was ordered to take leave from the county and come to Jiaodong in person to apologize to the county governor..."

Hei Fu laughed in his heart, but praised: "A truly virtuous and kind mother, no wonder she can educate a son like Xiao Jun."

Xiao He said again: "This is one of them. Why does it come here? There is a second thing."

He signaled Liu Ji behind him to come over. Liu Ji also knew that it was his turn, so he strode forward and bowed respectfully to Hei Fu:

"Liu Ji of Peixian County is here to express his gratitude to the governor for his gift of ten thousand yuan!"

…

Although Xiao He came up with the idea to let Liu Jixue learn from Lian Po and plead guilty. But Liu Ji thought about it and decided not to do it. Although a man is capable of bending and stretching, it is one thing to plead guilty and another thing to beg for mercy. If you really do that, not to mention that you may not survive, I'm afraid you will be laughed at when you return to Pei County in the future.

Therefore, he neither took off his clothes nor tied up the branches, but planned to use his ingenuity to save his life.

"So you are Liu Ji..."

Heifu looked at Liu Ji. He was about forty years old, with a high nose bridge, a wide forehead, and a short beard. After shaving, he was very different from the ranger he saw when he was outside. The only thing that seemed familiar was his Eyes.

A year ago, he asked his clan brother to open a brown sugar shop in Peixian County and began to inquire about local people. He soon found Liu Ji, the pavilion chief of Sishui who had just returned from Xianyang.

No way, this guy is a famous figure in Peixian County. Even if the clerk in the candy shop doesn't inquire, stories about him are often circulated in the market: Liu Ji is generous, generous, good at giving, good at drinking and lustful, and today he slept in Widow Cao's bed. Tomorrow he was so drunk that he fell asleep lying on the floor in a wine shop, but the proprietresses of two wine shops were willing to give him wine coupons and let him drink for free...

As the news gradually spread back, Heifu noticed some "coincidences": Liu Ji went to Wei to work as a light knight a few years ago; last winter, he and many people from Pei County served in Xianyang, and saw the triumphant return of the Huns. The three generals of the Qin Dynasty witnessed Qin Shihuang's carriage; when he went there, Liu Ji had a beautiful beard, but when he came back, he shaved it short because he had lice and an itchy chin.

Combining various signs, Liu Ji is probably the bearded ranger that Heifu saw in Waihuang City and Xianyang City!

While lamenting the fate, Heifu also decided to visit Peixian County this year. He not only wanted to dig out the talents in Peixian County, but also wanted to scare this guy to see if he was Li Kui or Li Gui!

I thought that if Liu Ji was frightened after taking that ten thousand yuan, he might just run away and fall into the trap early. But I didn't expect that by some strange combination of circumstances, he would actually come to my door...

"You came all the way to Jiaodong just for this?"

Liu Ji was so stared at by the black husband that he risked his life and simply admitted: "Besides, Liu Ji also wants to plead guilty to the county magistrate!"

"Oh? What are you guilty of?"

"The Sheriff is joking."

Liu Ji touched his chin: "Eight years ago, Ji and the county governor met in Wai Huang. A year ago, on the streets of Xianyang, the county governor also saw me when he was driving in front of the imperial court! Later, he also sent people to the corvee camp. Looking for Ji, even if he shaved off his beard and hid for a long time, he was still found home by the county guard. In this case, Ji is willing to be punished!"

Heifu looked like I had known him for a long time, which made him even more inscrutable. He just smiled and said, "I just think you have a kind face. How did you recognize me?"

Liu Ji did not panic and said with a grin: "That day we were clearing snow on Beimen Street. When the emperor's chariot passed by, we all crowded to watch the excitement. At that time, three generals returned from attacking the Huns and boasted about their achievements. General Meng of Shangjun had the highest rank. , leading the car, majestic. Followed by General Li, with white hair and red robes, looking sad and happy. When he raised his head, he looked arrogantly at the whole city, and no one dared to express his dignity. Afterwards, all the corvee people said that Generals Meng and Li were heroes. Yes, only Liu Ji said otherwise..."

He said sternly: "Ji Yan, although Generals Meng and Li are very human beings, it is only the black-faced generals who came before the imperial command that made them heroes!"

When Liu Ji said this, he was already talking nonsense: "Although we only met him at the head of Waihuang City many years ago, Liu Ji has already remembered the heroic appearance of the county guard. How dare he forget it? At that time, the county guard was just a village chief, but he In seven or eight years, he has already paid two thousand stones. Before he boasted about his achievements, he had the power of an entire county. Such a person is of course a hero!"

Xiao He frowned, Cao Shen was a little surprised, while Chen Ping looked Liu Ji up and down and got to know him again.

Ordinary pavilion chiefs are so nervous that they can't speak in front of the county governor, but Liu Ji can still talk eloquently, which is really extraordinary!

But Hei Fu burst out laughing: "It's actually like this. I thought you were recognizing me because I have a dark face!"

"this……"

Heifu's self-defeat caught Xiao Caoliu, whom he called the "Three Heroes of Pei County," off guard. He didn't know how to deal with it, but Chen Ping was used to it.

Liu Ji knew that he could not stop and continued to make nonsense: "Liu Ji swears to God, although I was deceived by Zhang Er and defended the city for him, I regretted it afterwards and never dared to fight against His Majesty's heavenly soldiers. Later, I gave up my identity as a light knight. , tried to serve as a Qin official, hunted thieves and captured bandits for the government, and was promoted to the top for his merit. I have worked hard for many years, and I just want to be a good Qin official, but I was encouraged by the deeds of the county governor..."

"But no matter what, Ji offended the county governor back then, and now whether he is killed or pardoned, Ji will listen to it!"

After saying this, he bowed to the ground.

Hei Fu nodded slightly, but did not comment. At this time, Xiao He also interceded for Liu Ji and said:

"Chief officer, why have you heard that Guan Zhong almost shot Duke Huan of Qi in the past, but Duke Huan of Qi gave up the grudge of shooting hooks and asked Guan Zhong to assist him, so the people of Qi returned home. The eunuch of Jin State Pi Zeng was ordered to hunt down Prince Chong'er, and Chong'er became After Duke Wen of Jin, he forgave him, and all the ministers of Jin returned to their hearts."

"Now that the county governor is on duty in Guandong, it will be useless to kill a commoner like an insect-eating ant. But if you forgive him, he will be known as merciful. When the people in Guandong hear about it, they will return like water. Why worry that there is no one in the shogunate and Jiaodong will not be cured? "

"I also hope that the county guard can spare Liu Ji's life. Although he had done something wrong back then, he has changed his mind."

Everyone is a fellow villager, and Cao Shen also speaks out for Liu Ji against his conscience.

But Heifu smiled and said: "I don't dare to compare with Qi Huan and Jin Wen, but since Xiao and Cao Jun insist on asking, I will spare Liu Ji once, what's the harm? But I have one sentence, I want to ask him alone, please ask the other two Go in first and take a seat."

After saying this, Hei Fu signaled Chen Ping to take Xiao and Cao into the room. In the courtyard, only the standing Hei Fu and Liu Ji, who couldn't bow down, were left. In the distance, there were two or three hangers-on, watching with swords.

The two were silent for a long time, and Liu Ji was very worried, because he didn't know if he had passed this test? But I heard Heifu say:

"Liu Ji, get up."

After Hei Fu showed his hands, he invited Liu Ji to sit down on the stone table in the courtyard, and even poured him a glass of wine with his own hands.

The clear wine reflected Liu Ji's face. Not knowing why, he raised his head and looked at Hei Fu.

"Drink it, it's not poisonous."

But Heifu drank it all in one gulp. It was obvious that he was in a good mood.

Liu Ji ignored it, grinned, drank it in one gulp, and praised the wine.

Heifu gave Liu Jiman another cup and said, "Liu Ji, I want to ask you one more thing."

"Mayor, please speak."

Heifu looked at him: "You said that when you met with me in Xianyang, you felt that compared with Meng and Li, I am the real hero?"

Liu Ji held the cup and said seriously: "Of course! Although Meng and Li have some abilities, they only rely on the merits of their ancestors and fathers to successfully become generals. On the other hand, the county governor, as the head of Guizhou, rose step by step and became a general. The great officials of the border areas are no less than Meng and Li. They are really role models for our generation! How magnificent! I should respect the county governor!"

Heifu stopped him and asked a fatal question!

"When you saw the emperor's chariot behind me, it was magnificent and the six horses were riding on the shaft, what were you thinking about!?"