Three Kingdoms

Life is an endless journey of practice leading up to the final day.

Zhao County Magistrate and classmate Zhao Ji, who settled in Linjing, felt that the practice of life was really painful and endless, so it was better to have fun in the moment. If you have wine today, you will be drunk today, no matter whether it will cause a boat crash tomorrow.

This concept of classmate Zhao Ji is actually related to his family, his origin, and his life experience...

Zhao Ji's father is Zhao Yi, also known as Zhao Yi.

When Zhao Yi was young, he was tall and tall, with a handsome man and eyebrows. He was well-educated in poetry and calligraphy, so he was naturally a little arrogant because of his talent. In the first year of Guanghe, as a county official, he was given the advice of the county commander and went to Luoyang, the capital. He was immediately appreciated by Sikong Yuanfeng and Henan Yin Yangzhi. Being famous in the capital can be said to be a spring breeze.

Unfortunately, just when a bright future seemed to be beckoning in front of us, the disaster of party imprisonment came.

Because criticizing eunuchs was a form of political correctness before the party banned it, and in order to gain fame and higher attention, Zhao Yi made many arbitrary comments and lashed out at eunuchs in Imperial College and other public places. Naturally, it was in his words. It's quite offensive, for example, he said something like "licking hemorrhoids and licking the penis, acting in a righteous way", which of course made the eunuch hate him with itch...

After the incident, the eunuchs hunted him vigorously, and Zhao Yi almost died. Fortunately, with the help of his friends, he escaped from Luoyang. Living with calligraphy and painting at home is quite an achievement.

Zhao Ji, who grew up in such an environment, was more or less influenced by his father Zhao Yi's understanding of officialdom. Zhao Ji was smart since he was a child and was known as a child prodigy. If there were no big surprises, then Zhao Ji would still be very likely to succeed at a young age. At least in the first half of his career as an official, it would be smooth sailing. His later achievements may be higher than those of his father, and he may even become the pillar of the entire Zhao family.

However, accidents always come unexpectedly...

When Zhao Ji became an official in the county, the Xiqiang rebelled again.

As an official in the county, Zhao Ji came into contact with Zhang Wen, a member of the central government, the top official of the Han Dynasty, and one of the three princes for the first time.

Zhang Wen was promoted by Cao Cao's grandfather, Cao Teng. In the first year of Zhongping, he was granted the title of Sikong. In the second year of Zhongping, he served as the general of chariots and cavalry, Jiajie, and his deputy general Zhi Jinwu Yuan Pang to attack the rebels of Beigong Boyu and others of the Western Qiang.

Dong Zhuo, who later became domineering for a while, was just a miscellaneous bandit general at that time. He, Zhou Shen, the bandit general, and Sun Jian, who joined the army, were both under Zhang Wen.

At first, Zhao Ji admired Zhang Wen. Whether he was Sikong or General of Chariots and Cavalry, they held almost the top positions in the Han Dynasty. It could be said that one person was inferior to tens of millions of people. He should be highly respected and knowledgeable. He is also commanding thousands of soldiers. He is really the pinnacle of life and a model of nobles!

As a local official, in such a major event, of course he must cooperate with Zhang Wen and do some auxiliary work in the army to contribute to the great cause of the Han Dynasty's counterinsurgency.

But after Zhao Ji entered Zhang Wen's army, his original concepts were completely defeated.

The first military mission Zhao Ji experienced was a transportation mission, transporting a batch of supplies from Xiangwu to Hebei County.

There are five hundred people, and it takes eight hundred miles to walk back and forth. It is not an easy job, but it is not too difficult either. Zhao Ji was very excited and full of feelings of serving the country. After arriving in Xiangwu, he realized that something was wrong, because there were only nine sheep to be transported!

The task is to transport nine sheep from Xiangwu to Ji County!

Demand, live.

Shipping time, the shorter the better.

At that time, Zhao Ji couldn't figure out why he needed to transport these nine sheep, and he didn't know what the significance of transporting these nine sheep was. But the military order was like this, so Zhao Ji could only follow the military order.

Zhao Ji even held one of the sheep and carefully moved it up and down, even checking the back door of the sheep. Except for being almost kicked in the eye by the sheep and harvesting a piece of sheep dung, he found nothing. What is so special about these nine sheep in Xiangwu, nor is there any connection between these sheep and the military plan to pacify the Western Qiang.

There was obviously nothing special about these nine sheep, because when Zhao Ji came back with the sheep, they were killed the same day, and then the whole army was given a thin mutton soup for one night.

After completing the errand, Zhao Ji buried this doubt in his heart until one day he saw a clock stamp...

In order to quell the rebellion of the Western Qiang, the Han Dynasty allocated a lot of money for food and grass, and because of the difficulty in transshipment, they allowed the Western army to quell the rebellion to purchase it locally, and the nine sheep were considered the purchased materials, but what, the final number Zhao Ji was shocked!

Because the sheep purchased were not nine, but nine thousand!

The purchase cost was 6 million yuan!

"This..." Zhao Ji found his boss, "This number is wrong..."

"What's wrong?" Did you buy lamb? Does the whole army share the food? Are everyone in the army happy? Morale boosted? Are you going to go out and come back victorious? What's wrong? What's wrong? What's wrong with numbers? Could this be the only place where the imperial army is located? How do you know there are no sheep to send to other places? Is it possible that only you, Mr. Zhao, are allowed to transport the sheep, and no one else is allowed to transport the sheep? Now tell me, what exactly is wrong? 』

Zhao Ji was young at the time and didn't think much about it for a while. He realized it when he saw his boss's stern tone. When he saw that he seemed to have a disagreement, he immediately turned against him. Zhao Ji inherited his father's fine tradition and immediately reacted immediately when the situation was not going well. I'm a coward. I will never fight to the end. I just admit that what my boss said is right and everything is reasonable. It's just that this sheep only costs less than 700 yuan. The price is a bit unreasonably cheap. With the war on the border now, the price is natural. A rising tide lifts all boats...

The boss was overjoyed. It turned out that the amount was unreasonable. "Yes, yes, I was negligent. What is the price of this sheep? It usually costs five or six hundred dollars. When the war breaks out, it will not be doubled. One thousand and two hundred dollars." Hundreds of dollars! Forget it, how about a round number, fifteen hundred dollars? 』

The boss is happy.

Later, Zhao Ji not only received a comment that he "knows the truth, understands the people's sentiments, has the courage to take charge, and dares to take responsibility", he also received a reward of ten yi gold, and even received a personal interview and verbal praise from Zhang Wen...

Later, Zhao Ji heard the news that Zhang Wen's position as one of the three princes was bought for 10 million yuan. Of course, the person who received the money was none other than Liu Hong. After hearing this, Zhao Ji felt that something in his heart seemed to break and collapse. Then Zhao Ji figured out why Dong Zhuo was so domineering in front of Zhang Wen. It was probably because Dong Zhuo looked down on Zhang Wen. Similarly, Zhang Wen also looked down on Dong Zhuo. Zhang Wen only tolerated Dong Zhuo because Dong Zhuo could really fight.

I don't know whether it was because Zhao Ji's performance met Zhang Wen's requirements, or for some other reason. Zhao Ji was later filled into the county's official position. This also means that he entered the official career from a good citizen. In the process of serving as a county official, Zhao Ji worked diligently to develop markets, build water conservancy, and encourage farming. Even in the context of the Xiqiang riots, he moved residents outside the city and implemented the strategy of strengthening the walls and clearing the countryside. After the subsequent battles, During the war, he also took advantage of the local terrain and led his army to repel a small group of Western Qiang rebels, so Zhao Ji once again received great praise.

However, Zhang Wen was later dismissed because he failed to put down the rebellion in time, and the merits originally promised to Zhao Ji came to naught with the arrival of new leaders.

In the future...

The servant who came in a hurry interrupted Zhao Ji's memories, and what he said immediately made Zhao Ji frown slightly.

"Come on, change your clothes!" Send the order, ascend to the throne! 』

There are some new faces in Linjing.

Bachelor of Agriculture, Bachelor of Engineering, Inspection...

These guys are very annoying.

Most of the time in the Han Dynasty, the work of county magistrates and prefects is basically based on conscience. Those who are willing to work hard will not have any free time even if they work hard for a day, and those who are willing to be lazy will leave everything to the county magistrate. There is nothing wrong with letting go of the shopkeeper. Zhao Ji, between the two, he is neither particularly diligent nor particularly lazy, neither good nor bad.

It's just that after the bachelor of agriculture, bachelor of engineering, and inspection veterans came, it brought some extra workload to Zhao Ji.

Just like today.

Originally, there were some rangers in Linjing City. Later, for some reason, these rangers either escaped or changed their ways. However, the lack of these rangers made some ruffians in the market have no fear. Before the inspection came, it was inevitable that he would do some extraordinary things, and after the inspection came, these things were gradually exposed and reported by the victims, which naturally caused Zhao Ji's workload to be increased invisibly. …

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, during the pre-Qin period, were there inspections?

Nope.

So during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, those New Year celebrations couldn’t be celebrated?

Never stopped.

Oh, it’s really troublesome...

This is Zhao Ji's impression of the inspectors and others, but on the surface, Zhao Ji has inherited the advantages of a scholar, being gentle and smiling. You can never see clearly from his face what he is actually thinking in his heart. Holding something.

Zhao Ji governs the county town using dignified Confucian methods. Although the economy must develop, what he cares more about is the harmony of the city's atmosphere and the golden mean.

This is very important.

As for the clarity of the resolution of cases, the education of ordinary people, the support of widowers and lonely people, etc., they need to be under the important condition of harmony and moderation and cannot be overstepped.

Zhao Ji was originally quite intelligent, but after going through the bumps in the officialdom and the world, he naturally had his own mature concept system, which was integrated with Confucianism and worldly sophistication.

"Thank you for your hard work on the inspection..." Zhao Ji said with a smile, and then turned to a kneeling clerk in the hall, his face gradually became serious, "If these lawless people were not careful in their inspection, I'm afraid they would have died." He escaped! 』

"What a small injustice!" ” The young official kowtowed on the ground repeatedly, tears streaming down his face, “I don’t know how I offended the patrol inspector, so I was...”

"Bold!" "Zhao Ji shouted, "According to your wishes, it was actually the patrol inspector who framed you, right? 』

The inspector waved his hand, not wanting Zhao Ji to protect him, but took out a few wooden slips from his arms, and then said, "According to the orders of the Hussar, all caravans traveling to and from the Western Regions, except in the counties, towns and towns they pass along the way, will In addition to the entrance fee collected by the city gate personnel according to the law, no additional taxes and fees are allowed... Do you know about this order? 』

There was gradually some sweat on the clerk's forehead, "Small...little..." The clerk wanted to say he didn't know, but the problem was that this decree was not only posted in the center of the city, but also it did not happen in a day or two. , it can be said that after the Hussar opened the Western Region, it gradually and continuously promoted propaganda along the way. If you open your eyes and say that you don't know, it will not be justified at all.

Is it just a past habit that what is said above belongs to what is said above, and in fact what is done by the low-level people is done by the low-level people. Generally speaking, as long as enough is paid to the higher-ups, the higher-ups usually don't bother to care about what happens below. It was a common practice for caravans to charge extra fees, but this time it was the bastard who was so blind that he just showed up.

Zhao Ji said in a deep voice, "I'm asking you questions during the inspection, so why don't you give me a quick answer!" You have been given three orders: No forced apportionment, no corruption or bribery. How dare you disobey the order and increase taxes and fees privately! So bold! 』

The clerk kowtowed repeatedly, and in a panic, he blurted out, "This matter, this matter... is the order of the county magistrate..."

"oh? ” Zhao Ji seemed to be smiling but not smiling. He didn’t even say a word in defense of the county magistrate, but said directly, “Come here, tell the magistrate to come!” 』

The inspector on the side looked at Zhao Ji with some surprise.

The clerk didn't know whether it was because he told the background, or because he felt that he had missed it, his face turned pale, and his body collapsed on the ground. No one paid more attention to it, because the more important points were obviously focused on the county magistrate.

Not long after, the county magistrate came, entered the hall, frowned slightly, then bowed his hands to Zhao Ji and the inspector, and sat aside.

Zhao Ji took his time and told what the clerk had said.

"You bastard!" ” The county magistrate was furious and said, “Why did you say so?” ! 』

The clerk said in his own defense, "Last month, late last month...it was said that the year-end tax receivables were approaching, and the tax receivables were slightly damaged due to natural disasters, so merchants and caravans could collect more money to make up for it." The shortage of warehouses..."

Zhao Ji turned his eyes to the county magistrate, "Is this serious? 』

The county magistrate was furious, and immediately said loudly: "Last month, someone said that there was a shortfall in taxes. If people who are traveling and doing business are worried about their family and country, they are willing to donate to make up for it. What a great kindness!" This is done voluntarily. Is there any intention to impose fees or extort money? ! 』

Zhao Ji nodded, and then said: "In that case, can the donations be registered?" 』

The county magistrate said: "This is natural... someone is coming!" Go to a certain public house and get the merchant's donation book! 』

The servant ran around and brought the registration book. Zhao Ji briefly looked through it, and then asked someone to bring it to the inspection, "Inspection, please take a look." 』

I saw some small characters densely written on the bamboo slips. The inspector squinted and tried to identify, and then he generally saw some words such as "So-and-so donated three loads of silk" and "So-and-so received a hundred coins." , there are also some small amounts of fifty or twenty dollars, which are messy.

The inspector frowned and looked at it for a long time, but didn't see any specific problems.

Not to mention inspections, even ordinary accounting personnel may not be able to see any clues in a single running account. They always have to combine the accounts to find out, so just relying on such a messy running account cannot Explain any specific problem, but the inspector didn't know this in the first place. The words he knew and the number of words he knew were all learned in the military school. They are enough to deal with ordinary people. When facing these accounts, he just It's somewhat lacking.

The inspector put down his journal, then looked at Zhao Ji and the county magistrate, then turned to look at the clerk, "So, this person extorted money privately under the guise of his name?" 』

The clerk shouted, "No, little one!" All small collections are turned in! 』

The county magistrate seemed to be furious and beat his chest, "I originally thought that although you were not necessarily smart, you worked hard, so I entrusted this matter to you. I never thought that you would do such a depraved act!" Since the merchant doesn't want to collect donations, it's up to him to do so, so how can we force them to do so? Qiao Qi once said that all counties and townships must not be greedy for money, bend the law, and deprive the common people of fish and meat. What you are doing now will not only taint the name of a certain person, but also harm the reputation of the county! It’s really a bad thing! 』

Zhao Ji stretched out his hand to signal the county magistrate not to be too excited, then looked at the inspector and said, "Now the matter is clear. This person used a false name to force the conquest, and there is no doubt what he did. So if all this money was kept in the warehouse and was not embezzled, it means the government order is unclear." , the crime of misconduct... If he hides money and enriches his own pocket, it is the crime of corruption! As for the fees imposed by merchants, since the merchants are unwilling to donate themselves, they can just refund them. So, what do you think of the inspection? 』

The inspector thought for a moment, then raised his hands and said, "The county magistrate's sentence is very appropriate." 』

Soon, the clerk who committed the crime was taken away, and then he found the "reported" merchant account registered in the journal, so in front of everyone, he checked out the words on the account, and then went on inspection I took the refunded money to find a merchant...

After the inspection left, Zhao Ji and the county magistrate were left in the hall.

Zhao Ji glanced at the county magistrate, his eyes full of dissatisfaction, "How can you be so careless in doing things!" 』

The county magistrate repeatedly pleaded guilty, and then said: "I never thought that this official is so stupid and has no responsibility..."

Zhao Ji nodded slightly, "When this matter is over, Tongzhi is out and this person will never be used again!" 』

"Then this merchant..."

"Don't move rashly. "Zhao Ji said, "You must be watching closely now. If... after some time passes, you can't keep an eye on this back and forth every year... People who do business must be more careful. How can we? It's up to your temper and you can go wherever you want? This Western Region is wild and wild, with wolves running and tigers roaring, so you still have to be more careful..."

The county magistrate understood, nodded repeatedly, and then flattered him a bit, saying: "I heard that the county magistrate made a new painting. It is very beautiful, with flowers and birds lifelike... The Chen family of Chenbao admired him endlessly, but he didn't know that the magistrate had made a painting. Can I cut off my love..."

"I'm just amusing myself, it doesn't matter..." Zhao Ji said, "Mr. Chen, could it be..."

"Haha, I heard that there will be new refugees arriving in Guanzhong... this..."

"He is quite well-informed..." Zhao Ji laughed twice.

The county magistrate said: "Chen's son said that he knew that the county magistrate had a pure reputation all his life, and he did not dare to use Adu as a stain... I happened to get some Huqi tea. I would like to use the tea to make painting easier, and I would like to ask the county magistrate to do this elegant thing..."

Zhao Ji raised his eyebrows and said, "It's true that I love the tea created by Husband." It's just that this tea needs to be fresh to be a good drink. If it’s old, or it’s other tea…”

The county magistrate pointed out slightly and said with a smile: "Don't worry, magistrate, this tea is new and absolutely fresh!" 』

Zhao Ji smiled and said, "In this case, I'm quite considerate..."

The two looked at each other and laughed, and suddenly the hall was filled with great harmony.

In the west of Linjing City, there is a tea shop with a blue and white banner hanging high outside. There are big characters on the water sign at the door, "New tea has arrived!" 』

Immediately, someone came out of the tea shop angrily, "This pound of tea costs five million yuan!" Could it be that this tea is made of gold and that after drinking it, one can become an immortal? ! Absolutely ridiculous! 』

The tea shop boy rolled his eyes indifferently, "I already told you that you can't afford it...why bother talking so much...tsk...it's really...oh, isn't this Chen Langjun...damn it, damn it, little one" , some are welcomed from afar, some are welcomed from afar..."

"I heard that your store has new tea coming?" "The newcomer asked, "But the Qiusi tea is fresh and high-quality? 』

"Yes Yes! Absolutely fresh! Don't worry, Chen Langjun..."

The tea shop clerk nodded and bowed his head and led him inside, leaving the person who had just complained about the high price of tea dumbfounded. "Is this tea... really anyone buying it?" Did anyone really drink it? 』