Three Kingdoms

The sky gradually darkened.

In the countryside, ordinary people usually finish washing up early and go to rest in tile-roofed houses or shacks. After all, for ordinary people like these, lamp oil is a luxury product. They can only use it when they have to, and they can save a little on normal days.

People who can rest in stilts and tile-roofed houses are relatively happy, because in the wild, some people still have to wander in the dark.

These people are the new Han refugees.

Originally, there were no refugees in the Yuzhou area and it was relatively stable. However, after this celebration, many refugees appeared for no reason...

These refugees have been wandering in the wilderness for several days. At first, some of them were crying, but now many of them have lost the strength to cry. They just subconsciously searched for various edible things in the fields and forests. As for Those who couldn't walk could only hug each other and tremble.

No one welcomes refugees, including ordinary people. Therefore, these refugees cannot go to towns and villages to rest. Even if they stay for a short time, they will be driven away.

The sudden celebration before seemed to have become a joke.

The celebration did not bring much joy to the people in Yuzhou, but it meant an extra burden, and this burden crushed many grassroots people...

In the darkness, there was a faint cry.

However, in Yingyin County, above the largest restaurant on the cross street, there is a bright light and joyful music.

Not only are there huge lanterns hanging outside the windows around the restaurant, but there are also mountains of candles scattered inside, and the candles that are as big as arms illuminate the interior of the restaurant with brilliance.

Such a candle is enough for ordinary people to pay for lamp oil for a year.

In the restaurant, there is naturally a banquet.

A luxurious feast.

In addition to the delicious food, there is a group of well-dressed and elegant people.

The brocade robe shines and the jade is gorgeous.

Those who were slightly worse for wear felt their faces were dull and did not dare to move forward.

The children of the Yingchuan gentry also have the dressing standards of the gentry.

First of all, the hat must be made of silk yarn, and it must be from the time-honored Zhangjia brand. No matter how similar the creases and colors of other hats are, they will not work.

Secondly, clothes must be customized. The tailor must come to the door with a ruler and fabric swatches and tailor them according to each person's body shape. It is not acceptable to just buy and wear the casual clothes in street shops.

The decorations used again must have a provenance. For example, Hetian jade must be white, and the variegated color is only used by poor families. The sachet is from the Western Regions, and it must have a pattern outlined with gold and silver threads. It is also okay to use ordinary brocade. No way.

Another example is the lacquer box, which must be made of gold and silver, the wine bottle, which must be decorated with patterns, and even the mat surface under the buttocks must be made of fine white grass...

Be particular about it.

fine.

It's best for every artifact to have a little prestige, otherwise it won't be worthy of such a distinguished status.

A crescent moon hangs slantingly in front of the window, and the hall is full of delicacies and laughter.

The beauties in the hall shuttle like butterflies, and the noble scholars are boundless in their romance.

In the past two days, ordinary people in Yingyin County have been in great pain.

The reason for the suffering of the people was of course the grand celebration before.

In order to hold a celebration in Xu County, material support from surrounding counties is naturally needed. For a social structure that has been in a farming society for a long time and is dominated by small-scale peasant economy and manor production, the vast majority of ordinary people do not have much reserves. Once an emergency occurs, they are often caught off guard.

But the people in the restaurant were very happy.

In the market place, there were no pedestrians on the streets, and the doors were closed early.

The night was quiet except for the noise and joy above the restaurant.

It's really a joy.

How can the finely crafted items in the banquet, the various dishes cooked with care, and the beautiful concubine who serves her wholeheartedly make the upper class here unhappy? Think about how much money you have collected and how much windfall you have made in the past few days. How can you not feel good?

Among this group of happy people in brocade robes, there are two people who are obviously complimented and worshiped by the others. One is Yingyin County Magistrate Zhong Hong, and the other is local wealthy family Guo Feng. .

Zhong Hong has a fair face, a square face, eyebrows with corners, and a medium-sized black mole on it. He has a long beard hanging down from his chin to his chest. When he smiles, he is somewhat dignified, but when he smiles, San Once the corners of his eyes were relaxed, he looked somewhat wretched.

Guo Feng is shorter and fatter. His skin is darker than Zhonghong's. He has two slender rat beards and moves around randomly when he talks.

"County Lord, come here, please take a look at this dish..." Guo Feng introduced the newly served dishes to Zhong Hong attentively, "This fish has just been fished out of the lake. Send it to you immediately!" When I got here, I was still alive! Absolutely fresh! 』

"oh? ” Zhong Hong moved his eyebrows slightly, reached out and picked up the white jade chopsticks. He didn't care at all why Guo Feng was still able to deliver fish by express delivery when the whole city was under curfew.

Zhonghong picked a bit of meat from the fish face and put it in his mouth, tasted it for a moment, nodded and said, "Yeah." good. 』

Guo Feng laughed so hard that his beard trembled again, "Since the county magistrate has said yes, let's bring more!" 』

Zhong Hong waved his hand, put down his chopsticks, and said slowly: "A gentleman has no need to be satisfied." As sages and sages, we should follow the ways of sages and sages. No need, I might as well share it with you..."

Guo Feng's beard trembled, "We are really lucky that the county magistrate is so restrained and tolerant of others!" 』

There was a chorus of agreement from below, "Exactly!" What a blessing to us! 』

Those present here are basically all officials and squires in Yingyin County.

Since he is an official and a country squire, of course he is not short of such a fish. As long as they want to eat something, a large number of people will naturally come to their doorstep.

But now that it is a grand "reward", of course everyone must hold it in their hands, and they must also show a gesture of gratitude, constantly throwing out free flattery, for fear that it will be over after a while. Then others took the lead in speaking, leaving me with nothing to say and falling into an embarrassing situation.

After all, as the parent official of Yingyin County, Zhong Hong may not be able to remember who those flatterers are, but he can definitely remember who those flatterers are without gifts or flatteries.

Today, Guo Feng specially brought a group of squires to invite Yingyin's officials to a banquet, and Zhong Hong was not surprised.

Whether the government and the people are harmonious, whether they are happy with the people, for Zhong Hong, it is naturally in line with the "true meaning" of Confucianism.

Even though the curfew has been in effect for a long time.

The entire Yingyin is Zhonghong's home field, and with the company of powerful local people like Guo Feng, it can be said that they are like the moon and stars in the sky. As long as they want, they can take them!

"Zhong Xin..." Zhong Hong called, like calling his own dog, "These days, you have to control it... There are more and more refugees outside the city. If we don't arrange it well, when the time comes, If something goes wrong, it's not just a matter of losing face..."

Zhong Hong narrowed his eyes slightly and stroked his beard, "I promised you in front of Xun Lingjun that everything in Yingyin is stable, the market is normal, and the people live in peace..."

"This..." Guo Feng shook his beard, "I understand this, I understand!" Some untouchables are lazy, greedy, disobedient to orders, and hinder the county's reputation. It's really not a pity to die! 』

"The countryside here is rich and beautiful, and it is spacious and livable. However, it is not far from Xu County, so it is inevitable that some people will wander around..." Zhong Hong said slowly, "Such idle people, if you are with your Majesty, or... Spread some false rumors in the Prime Minister's office... When the blame comes from above, how can you and I have any face? 』

Yingchuan Yingyin is not far from Xu County, bounded by Yingshui.

Some time ago, in order to prepare for the "celebration" and to prevent ordinary people from "falsely claiming" to go out to farm and work, "undermining" good social order and "affecting" the overall situation of the celebration, Yingyin County has issued an emergency order, announcing that the entire county A state of emergency was entered, and "no one" was allowed to leave. Checkpoints were set up at the intersection leading to Xu County to intercept and arrest these unruly people.

"I know very well that Yingyin's current safety depends entirely on the County Lord's policy... If the County Lord had not planned to take advantage of the situation in advance to eliminate the danger of conscription, we may not be able to return home safely... The County Lord has protected me with great kindness. Wait, there are really no words to describe it! We can only do our best to keep the countryside peaceful! ” Guo Feng patted his chest in assurance, and saluted Zhong Hongshen again to show his loyalty.

When the short and fat Guo Feng left the table and bowed, he was like a braised lion's head rolling on the ground.

Zhong Hong laughed and left the table. He helped Guo Feng up and patted Guo Feng's shoulder, "Zhongxin doesn't need to be polite... No matter how big or small things are in the countryside, you need to be diligent, but there are also clever ways to deal with them... Well, there is no need to say more about these dirty things and disturbing things, just do your best..."

The two just held hands and laughed, and everyone applauded together, but they didn't know why they were applauding. Maybe they were inexplicably moved because they saw a wonderful performance?

Zhong Hong didn't take Guo Feng's chest-beating expressions of loyalty to heart. After all, he had been the county magistrate in Yingyin for some time, and his understanding of these powerful local families was also deepening. Despite what they say now and their sense of loyalty, it is extremely difficult to get these guys to get some money out, as if it will cost them their lives, and they will even go against the government.

Today, I am inviting you to a banquet and drinking with a smile. It is just because these people are not asked to pay, and they are also allowed to make money, so I have such an attentive and flattering attitude. Otherwise...

After eating and drinking for a while,

Zhong Hong coughed, put down his wine glass, and then looked around, "Everyone, the country is in a difficult situation now. We must work diligently to protect the land for the emperor." Some time ago, I heard someone say that being an official will make you rich, and being an official will make you rich. This is really ridiculous! Heart-wrenching words! 』

"lie! rumor! absurd! ridiculous! 』

"Here, I once again remind you to be clear about your true intentions, be benevolent, and follow the words of the sages. Don't be arrogant! 』

"There are many of you, and you cannot be immature for the sake of the emperor, so you can be negligent and perfunctory and unwilling to serve with your heart." Zhong Hong looked at the surrounding squires and said in a deep voice, "The emperor has something to say, and the people are the most important thing." Since you are country squires, you should act according to the wishes of the emperor, implement the law of pension, check the suffering of hundreds of people, and understand the difficulties of the people. If you know that your offerings are lacking and you are poisoning the place, even if the national law does not punish you, I will not let such people go. treacherous! 』

"Hey, do you know this?" 』

When Zhong Hong had a serious face, he really had a calm and intimidating attitude.

When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but be stunned, with different expressions.

Some people were surprised, some were confused, and some were slightly dissatisfied, because almost everyone present knew that during this celebration, this "Master Qingtian" could There really isn't anything that can be done on a sunny day, but there are quite a few methods of concealing the haze from the sky and the sea, the wind and sand method of deceiving the superiors and the inferiors, and the extravagant methods of listening to the wind and making it rain.

After all, it is of course impossible for these officials and squires to obtain the items needed for the celebration out of thin air. All the materials provided to Xu County for the celebration were collected from the rural people. The officials and setters present were these country squires. Everyone was full of oil and water in this grand celebration.

And now, Zhong Hong actually said such righteous words.

What does this mean?

Guo Feng reacted quickly, winked at the people around him, and said to Zhong Hong with a smile: "What the county magistrate said is true!" We are all loyal men! 』

"Yep! Loyal to the big man! Loyal to the Prime Minister! 』

"Exactly, exactly!" 』

"The county magistrate has done his best for the great man, and we have also done our duty for the court!" 』

"Every little rumor is slander!" Immediately send an order to the patrolmen in the village to arrest anyone who dares to slander Shangguan! 』

"Don't worry, county magistrate!" Such idle talk will not be allowed to spread! 』

"Yingyin is stable and the people are peaceful!" 』

"How lucky I am to have such a humble position and be able to follow the county magistrate. Today I know that loyalty is the way of the country. I will always keep it in mind at that time!" 』

"..."

Zhong Hong nodded with satisfaction and raised his glass again, "It all depends on everyone's concerted efforts!" Come, let’s raise a glass together to the emperor, may you live long and happy lives, and to the great man, may you have long-lasting peace and stability! 』

"Oh oh oh..."

The banquet lasted for more than an hour.

After midnight, Zhonghong did not engage in any entertainment activities such as impromptu poetry, and he also refused Meiji's seduction and persuasion during the dinner. He got on the carriage and returned to the government office amidst the sound of praise.

Guo Feng walked all the way to the restaurant and waited for Zhong Hong's carriage to go away before walking back with his hands behind his back.

Naturally, everyone followed Guo Feng and sent Zhong Hong off together. Seeing Zhong Hongyuan gone, some people started talking.

"I said...the county magistrate is...how can he sit still in front of such beauty? Tsk tsk...』

"Could it be...hehehehe..."

"Have you eaten the courage of a leopard?" How dare you criticize the county magistrate? The county respects this as a great sage and a model for our generation to learn from..."

"Oh, that's right, that's exactly what I mean. The county lord is really a role model for our generation..."

Guo Feng listened with a sneer on his face.

How could a dignified person from this county act so arrogantly in front of you? You have to be more or less reserved. Otherwise, if you show off your prostitution in public and reveal your secret, how will you show off next time and maintain your dignity?

As for being able to sit still, that was even more false. I was afraid that I couldn't sit still after being teased by Mei Ji, so I just hurriedly went home to relieve my anger. After all, Guo Feng personally ordered someone to secretly send two When the beautiful woman got into the carriage, she looked at the swaying carriage that was going away. Maybe she put her hands on it immediately?

But that's okay, after all, with Zhong Hong present, I still can't let go.

After returning to the restaurant, Guo Feng greeted him again, took down the remaining dishes, opened a new table, and then sat on the main seat amidst the sound of flattery, looked around, and said in a deep voice: "The county hon." You all heard what I said before! Nowadays, there are more and more refugees outside the city, and there is also a hustle and bustle in the city! These are all rebellious people, the people causing chaos! In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures should be used! Within three days, the criticism must be quelled and the refugees must be eliminated! 』

Everyone responded quickly.

After all, Guo Feng is not only a powerful local man, but also holds the position of Yingyin County Magistrate.

"I dare to ask the county magistrate, what is this extraordinary method..." Someone asked, "What should it be like?" Unless soldiers are sent out to clear it out..."

"No!" Another person retorted, "How can we use soldiers?" This move, wouldn’t it be... You know among the soldiers..."

"Yes, yes, I thought wrong... But if we don't use soldiers, how can we survive?" 』

"It's better to block the streets and expel the refugees!" As long as you don’t see or hear anything in the city, there are no refugees! 』

"right! No refugees are allowed to exist in the streets and markets, which will hinder the view! 』

"But just banish it? That’s not right! These are also Yingchuan... Ah, no, I am not saying that those refugees have any pity... I am just saying that if the refugees come to Xu County..."

Guo Feng frowned slightly and looked at the ignorant clerk, "What's so difficult about this?" There are several ruined temples outside the city, as well as several ruined villages. How can they not be tolerated? Send people on guard all around, no one allowed in, no one allowed out! 』

"Yes, yes, I understand the humble position...but these ruined villages have nothing to eat..."

Guo Feng sneered and said, "Are you kind?" 』

"No, no, the county magistrate has misunderstood. The humble position means that if these untouchables have no food and are extremely hungry, they will inevitably cause trouble... Even if they are young and strong, they may not be safe. If civil unrest breaks out... …』

"What you said makes some sense..." Guo Feng nodded, "In this way, every two or three days, some old grains and grains will be sent to the village to persuade them to plunder and make them resent each other. That is...as long as there is some food, these untouchables will naturally not be able to cause trouble...if they can't grab it, they can eat it themselves, and they can't blame us..."

"Goodbye, County Magistrate!" Humble duty and obey orders! 』

When the questions here are pressed down, some questions there emerge. Someone said, "Reporting to the County Magistrate, in the surrounding countryside... some, um, some people from this city... were also sent to the residual village?" 』

Guo Feng frowned, "Why are we citizens of this city?" Only if you have a household registration, you are a citizen of this city! The laws of the Han Dynasty are upright and upright. They have been clearly stated and promulgated to the world! Those who leave their place of residence are refugees! It's a refugee! You said that some of them are residents of this city. I would like to ask you, where is their household registration? ! Um? ! 』

"Yes, yes, I am stupid, I am stupid..."

"What else do you want?" ” Guo Feng coldly shook his sleeves and looked at the clerk who had just asked the question fiercely, as if he wanted to keep his appearance in mind and then deal with it later. Everyone present immediately turned their heads. Low and silent.

Guo Feng waited for a while and saw that no one said anything, so he lost his evil look and put on a smiling face, "Well... everyone expresses his or her own opinion, are you not enough? Very good, very good... Hehe, hehe, not guilty, not guilty... Since everyone has no objections, we will act accordingly tomorrow! Don’t make any more mistakes! 』

Everyone quickly agreed again.

Guo Feng laughed and clapped his hands, "Come here, serve the food!" Serve the wine! Let’s sing and dance! 』

The atmosphere immediately relaxed, the wine and the beauty mingled with each other, the lights were feasting, and the laughter seemed to present the most wonderful scene in the world.