The Most Romantic of the Three Kingdoms

Second more.

Supplement for May 20th.

—

The prefect's mansion is deep in the courtyard, and the walls are carved by Junyu. It is very lavish and gorgeously decorated.

Xun Zhen left Cheng Yan and others on the side of the road and walked forward alone. Outside the gate of the mansion, there are soldiers with halberds standing guard, there is a side school by the gate, and there is a bookkeeper on duty in the school. Xun Zhen went in, notified her name, and took out the removal and dispatch books. Shu Zuochu was arrogant and disrespectful. After he registered his name, he quickly got up from the table, invited him to sit down, served the soup, and said with a smile: "I heard the postal name of the governor earlier! Please wait, I'll go right now. Government notification."

Seeing him go out bowing and bowing, Xun Zhen quite sighed.

"Yesterday, the patriarch Xun Li said: I didn't expect that I would have today. When I asked myself to be the head of Fanyang Pavilion two years ago, how could I have thought that I would have today!" The year before last, he was just a head of the pavilion, an official in the county. Although they were polite to him, such as Qin Gan and Liu Ru, they never said anything respectful, and now, not to mention the county officials, even the secretary in the prefect's mansion respected him. Life is amazing.

He was bored alone in the school, came out with his hands behind his back, and watched the pedestrians on the road. The twilight is getting darker, and the pedestrians are getting fewer and fewer. Smoke from the cooking in the nearby Lifang. The evening wind blows, smoky and intoxicated. While watching, someone suddenly patted his shoulder. He didn't pay attention, jumped in surprise, subconsciously pressed the knife to dodge, turned his head and looked at the two behind him, Zhong Yao Xun Yu. It was Zhong Yao who patted his shoulder.

"Zhenzhi, your monarch's name is Milk Tiger, so timid?" Zhong Yao said with a smile. Xun Yu stood beside Zhong Yao, smiling silently. Both of them wore official robes and seals. Zhong Yao is older and has a calm demeanor. Xun Yu was young, beautiful and handsome. Xun Zhen hurriedly bowed: "Jun Zhong, Wen Ruo."

"Fu Jun asked us to come and greet you. Come with us?" Zhong Yao grabbed Xun Zhen and prevented him from paying his respects, patted his hand and said, "Yingyin is only fifty or sixty miles from Yangzhai, The lord of the house thought you should have arrived yesterday. You are better, but you have to wait until today. This is the 5-day deadline given to you by the lord of the house. What if you are given a 10-day deadline? Can you wait until the tenth day?" He There is affection in the tone, and it seems to be complaining, which makes people feel close.

"Because I have to take over with the successor of Xixiang, there is Zhi Qiangfu, so it's too late."

Shuzuo, who had just notified him, followed behind Xun Yu and Zhong Yao, and did not dare to disturb them, so he stood by the side. Zhong Yao said to him, "Go back, I'll bring the supervisor in by mail." The book promised to send the three of them into the palace. Xun Zhen and Xun Yu were half a step behind, leaving Zhong Yao ahead. On the one hand, he is older, and on the other hand, the status of the county meritorious officer is also higher than that of the county governor and the county master. Zhong Yao asked, "You came alone?"

"No, I brought a maid and a few disciples with me."

"That's good. The post office is also a courtyard with two entrances. Although there are a few servants to serve, it would be too deserted if you were alone." To live, you don't have to squeeze in a dormitory with ordinary county officials.

Stepping into the mansion, you will be greeted by a tall 罘罳 with a colorful painting painted on it. Xun Zhen spoke with Zhong Yao and did not take a closer look. Zhong Yao led the two of them to bypass the bunker, and asked with a smile, "Zhenzhi, I see that your face is full of spring breeze, is there any happy event?"

Xun Zhen was slightly startled, and she smiled knowingly when she saw that Xun Yu seemed to know what Zhong Yao meant. He immediately woke up and said in his heart, "Zhong Yao must be talking about the Chen family's proposal. Also, the mediator the Chen family is looking for is his clan father, and his clan father will definitely write to him. My family knows this even though it's too late. , but Wen Ruo came to the prefecture a long time ago, and it is common to see Zhong Yao, and Zhong Yao will naturally know if he knows it." He replied, "What Zhong Jun said was Zhenzhi's marriage?"

"Exactly. I have seen Ah Qun's female brother. She is virtuous and gentle. She is worthy of the Chen family's daughter. She is the wife of the Xun family." Zhong Yao smiled at Xun Yu again, "Wen Ruo, your family is blessed with happiness. Before and after, he was banished from the house by the ruler of the house, and he was on the right, and then he was going to get married one after another, and he had to have a good wife. Envy others!"

Xun Zhen and Xun Yu were polite and modest. After passing the main hall of the front courtyard, and then passing through a few courtyards where Cao worked, that is, the back house.

The back house is very large, with pink walls and Zhu households. From the outside, you can see the blue bricks and black tiles in the house, the eaves and the corners, and the lush trees and the green bamboos are also high above the wall. There were also several guards holding halberds outside the door. They all knew Zhong Yao and Xun Yu, and they respectfully saluted and let them in. Outside the wall, I can see only flying eaves and roof tiles, and when I enter the house, I only see that the house is divided into several points. Each entrance is separated by a moon gate, and the corridors go inward. There are many terraces and pavilions along the way. The whole prefect's mansion is fragrant and fragrant.

Xun Zhen has also been to the county magistrate's house in Yingyin County, and compared with the prefect's house, it is not worth mentioning.

There are many slaves and servants in the house, and after a couple of days into the courtyard, I have seen seven or eight maids and little slaves.

Zhong Yao introduced: "The Yin family is a giant surname of Nanyang, a noble of Wangmen. Most of these slaves were brought by Duke Yin from home."

Xun Zhen knew that Zhong Yao was euphemistically implying that the servants in his house were not all official servants. He is now the postal governor of the county, and will inevitably come to the Yinxiu house in the future, and the maids and slaves in the Yinxiu house are so beautiful and handsome, if one can't control it, he will make any mistakes here, and the gains will outweigh the losses. Zhong Yao had never met him a few times in total, so he didn't understand his nature, so this hint was also a good intention. He sent a thankful look over and said, "Only a family of bells and whistles like Duke Yin can afford to support these beautiful servants."

When Zhong Yao arrived, seeing that he understood, he didn't say any more, and now he led the way and went straight to the backyard hall.

Although it was not night, candles were lit in the hall, which made the hall bright as day. Zhong Yao told him to sit down first, and then he and Xun Yu went to invite Yin Xiu. Not long after, Yin Xiu arrived, dressed in casual clothes, leather belts around his waist, and hemp shoes. Xun Zhen greeted him at the door of the hall.

"Get up, get up."

Yin Xiu took off his shoes and went to the hall, and helped him up. Because he was lower than Xun Zhen, it was inconvenient to look at him. He took a few steps back and looked up and down. , "Didn't you get the printed robe?"

"I got it, along with removing the book and sending the book. I just didn't dare to wear it because I haven't visited the palace yet."

"What dare you? Give it to you, and you can wear it. . Not far, not far, not near, are you tired?"

"Should have come earlier, it's a little late to take over with the successor township Youzhi Office."

"I said why I came here today, but I've been counting the days to wait for you. The former northern governor has free shipping. He was worshipped as the county chief by the court at the beginning of the month. It has been almost a month now. I raised my neck and raised my heels to hope that Qing would arrive early."

Xun Zhen said with sincerity and fear: "Zhen is frightened! The last boy of Zhenyu, whose virtue is weak, how can he be able to see each other in Laomingfu? Mingfu does not regard chastity as despicable. I'm flattered. To tell the truth, since I received the seal, Zhen has not had a good night's sleep."

Yin Xiu smiled and said: "Qing has ambitions in border crossings, and is powerful and powerful. The name of 'Xunjia Ruhu' is well known to the people of the county. Does Ruhu still have trouble sleeping?" In front of the prefect's mansion / teasing Xun Zhen is exactly the same.

Xun Zhen did not care about Yin Xiu's teasing, and replied solemnly: "Jane's talent is sparse, and his knowledge is short-sighted. With the ability of Zhen, he is the so-called 'short and deep'. The heavy responsibility is assigned to Zhen, and Zhen Shen is afraid that she will be entrusted by the Ming Palace. If the county and county will ridicule the use of non-human people in the Ming Palace because of her virginity, it will damage the name of the ruler of the government. sleep."

Yin Xiu was very happy to hear that he was thinking about his own reputation, and said with a smile: "You are too humble. ... Zhenzhi, I know that you are good at military affairs and have courage. Originally, I wanted to remove you as the county soldier Cao Rong. But on second thought, now that Yan Qing in the sea, the county is Taiping, and the military officer of the county is only concerned with the chores of collecting and transporting soldiers, it would be overkill to put you in this position.

"It just so happened that the imperial court issued an edict, asking Fei Chang to be the prefect. Yuan Chang said to me: 'Xun Ruhu knows the law, is sensitive to the inner world, is honest and courageous, and does not avoid tyrannical powers; , Love the people like a son, act benevolent and boyish. "Poem" says: Don't insult the widow, don't be afraid of the strong. Such a person can be called the most virtuous. Why not entrust the northern superintendent'? , because you were invited to the county center to take over this post."

"The Ming government has a lot of love, and Zhong Jun has a good reputation. Zhen has nowhere to be ashamed." It turned out that this northern postmaster was recommended by Zhong Yao, Xun Zhen thanked Yin Xiu, and then thanked him again. Zhong Yao returned the salute with a smile.

Yin Xiu asked, "Zhenzhi, come and tell me, how are you going to be the Northern Superintendent?"

The postal supervisor is an important post. There are two postal supervisors in Yingchuan County, and each postal supervisor is related to the people's livelihood politics of half the county. Although Yin Xiu conferred this position on Xun Zhen, it was impossible for him to ignore it. Before he took office, asking one or two questions was the meaning of the title.

Xun Zhen was well prepared for this question, and replied: "Zhen has been in Yingyin all the year round, and is not familiar with the counties in the north of the county. After understanding the conduct of the magistrates of the counties, the quality of the officials of the counties, and whether the nobles of the counties obey the law or are arrogant and lawless, then make plans for the next step."

"Yeah. This is an old saying. The northern postal supervisor is half the county officials and people, and should act cautiously." Yin Xiu was very satisfied, and asked again, "When are you going to visit the counties?"

"I visited Mingfu today, and I will leave the city tomorrow."

"Don't be in such a hurry. Take a break for a few days and become familiar with the people and customs of the county. There are many officials in my house, and you should get to know those who should know them. In the future, you will be officials of the same dynasty, but don't meet each other. I still don't know who the other party is. Haha."

Xun Zhen didn't think so, he said, "Zhen secretly thought that there was no need to see the officials first."

"Oh? Why?"

"Because I don't know many county officials, it is convenient for Zhenwei to travel to the county."

"It makes sense." Yin Xiu followed goodness like a flow, "If that's the case, then follow what you said."

The stars and the moon are hazy, the night is quietly approaching, and the night wind blows the leaves in the courtyard, rustling. The wind enters the hall, and the fragrance is warm and pleasant. The candles on the table swayed in the wind, shaking the room red. Yin Xiu squinted and looked at Yan outside the hall, and said, "I only care about talking to you, and I don't realize that the night is coming. .

Xun Zhen agreed.

The maid who was waiting outside the hall took the order and ordered the kitchen to serve the meal. After a while, the hot wine and rice were served. Yin Xiu was the master, Xun Zhen was the guest, and Zhong Yao and Xun Yu were the two companions. Accompanied by the singing and dancing of Sizhu, they ate a meal for two hours. By the time Xun Zhen said goodbye, the night was already deep. Zhong Yao and Xun Yu, one of the county's meritorious officers, and one of the county's masters, Bo, each had their own homes, and went out of the prefectural mansion with him.

…

There was no one on the street outside the house. Zhong Yao looked up at the night and said, "It's almost time for curfew. ... Zhenzhi, I had a few words that I wanted to tell you tomorrow. You said that you would leave the city in small clothes tomorrow. Well, I'll make a long story short, we'll be here as the prefect. How about a few words under the wall of the government?"

It was very quiet outside the mansion, not a single passerby, only a few soldiers with halberds.

Xun Zhen replied, "Yes." She felt strange and thought, "What does he want to tell me? In such a hurry, he can't wait for my return from Xingxian County?" Follow Zhong Yao to the wall. Xun Yu also followed. Zhong Yao stood under the wall, lowered his voice, and said, "You should know that I have served as a military officer in this county for many years."

"Yes."

"Then do you know when Fei Chang was appointed as the Northern Supervisor?"

"I heard from the villagers that it was three or four years ago?"

"Yes. Then do you know that Fei Chang is a guest of Zhang Rang's family?"

"I know." Hearing this, Xun Zhen guessed for a few minutes what Yao wanted to say, and secretly said, "Could it be related to Fei Chang?"

Zhong Yao followed his own words and said: "Zhang Rang is your favorite, the emperor often calls 'Zhang Chang's servant is my father', his brother and nephew Buliezhou County. Fei Chang is just a guest of his family, with a vulgar nature and no expertise. However, because I was good at speaking and flattering, and in order to curry favor with the master's family, I won the favor of Zhang Rang's brother, and so I climbed to the sky and was expelled by the prefect at that time as the northern postal supervisor. I was already in the middle of the county at that time. After being conscripted by Cao Cao, he tried his best to persuade him but the prefect refused to listen. A year later, when the prefect at that time was conscripted into the court, Duke He succeeded, and he did not reprimand Fei Chang. The year before, Duke He was recruited into the court again, and Duke Yin took over Yin Gong is wise and benevolent, and when he takes office, he is tasked with making Jingxian and handsome. He widely calls children of all surnames, checks their pros and cons, and uses their talents. If you have an article, you will be rejected by the master, and you will be removed from the post of the county governor. "

Xun Zhen nodded and said in her heart, "It turns out that Fei Chang was able to become the postal supervisor in the north because of brother Zhang Rang." Thinking of the few knights he met on the street in front of the prefect's mansion, he thought, "I don't know about this. Is the 'Brother Zhang Rang' who pushed Fei Chang to the postmaster post in the north the same 'Brother Zhang Rang' that I met on the street?" He said, "Yin Gong is wise and a blessing to the people of our county."

"Yes. I haven't had a virtuous guard in my county for many years. Now that I have Duke Yin, it is a blessing from heaven. ..., I found an opportunity to plead guilty to Duke Yin."

Xun Zhen asked, "No crown to ask for guilt?" He knew it in his heart, "It must be an excuse to persuade the ruler to dismiss Fei Chang." ..., but, why is Fei Chang being worshipped by the imperial court as the prefect?" He thought of a possibility, "Could it be because of Zhang Rangzhi's power?"

He was quick-witted, and instantly deduced a bad result from this possibility: "Oh, although the governor is six hundred stones, he is nominally the deputy of the governor, but he has no real power and is nowhere near as good as the postal supervisor of the hundred stones. I wonder why Fei Chang was moved to this position. So, it was because of Yin Xiu and Zhong Yao? Now, they can be regarded as having a grudge against Fei Chang, and having a grudge against Fei Chang is equivalent to having a grudge against Zhang Rang. My family is feuding. At this time, I was dismissed as the postal supervisor of the north again, and took over the post of Fei Chang. If the fire at the city gate will affect Chiyu, Fei Chang may even hate me. "

Zhong Yao didn't know that he had thought so much at this moment, so he answered his question and said, "Yes, I'm going to plead guilty to Duke Yin. Gong Cao, Fan Pang Yan rectified illness and evil, and all the county officials who violated filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness were all swept away and expelled. They did not share the court. , not to praise Fan Pang's ability, but to praise Zongzi's wiseness. Like Fan Pang today, I have done a good job for the county, but I can't reprimand the villains for the county, show the virtuous name for the Mingfu, be ashamed of the sages, and be ashamed of the Mingfu '. I beg the Fu-Jun to remove him."

"Fujun will not agree!"

"Fujun did not agree to me. He asked me: 'Who is the villain in the court'? I named Fei Chang."

"Fujun dismissed him?"

Zhong Yao shook his head: "The lord of the government is very careful. Although he has the intention of dismissing the free, he is hesitant to decide. I also suggested: 'The governor of this county will leave after his full term of office. If he has merit, he is said to be conscientious and conscientious, with good morals and careful punishment. He has meritorious service in the county and can be transferred to the county seat. The county seat is six hundred stone, which is a super-movement. Being an official in power, you get the best of both worlds'."

Xun Zhen said in his heart: "The so-called 'Fujun acts with care' is obviously an empty word to beautify, it must be that Yin Xiu is afraid of Zhang Rang's power, so he hesitates. . . It's the power of Lai Zhongyao. I guessed wrong just now." Although he guessed wrong, the bad result he just deduced still exists. Of course, what Zhong Yao said is right, the transition from the postal supervisor to the county chief is indeed an over-relocation, and Fei Chang may be happy about it, but the transition from the postal supervisor to the county chief is indeed ups and downs, and this cannot rule out Fei. Chang will not secretly hold grudges. He said, "It turns out that Fei Chang's resignation and transfer are all due to the work of Zhong Jun! You have eliminated cruelty for the people of the county, and you are worthy of the former sages."

"Although Fei Chang was transferred to the county chief, he left a mess in the north of the county. He served as the postmaster of the north for several years. When he was in office, he was greedy and demanding. Suffering, public resentment is overwhelming, and there are other county officials and wealthy families who communicate and bribe with him and collude with each other. , he stared at Xun Zhen and asked, "Zhenzhi, do you know why I recommended you to the lord to be the postal supervisor in the north?"

"Please enlighten me."

"You fought bravely in Xixiang, slaughtered the tyrants, you were decisive and brave, and the township was peaceful. Today's northern counties need people like you to supervise!"

"Excluding the strong and violent, punishing the evil and promoting the good, establishing life for the people, and creating peace for the Holy Son of Heaven, this is exactly what my generation should do! Zhen Jin now knows the deep meaning of your recommendation for me, please rest assured, I will do my best."

Zhong Yao was overjoyed and said, "Okay, okay!" Then he warned meticulously, "You have the ambition to make a living for the people and to create peace for the Holy Son of Heaven. You are the son of the Xun family! However, you shouldn't be reckless, you shouldn't be too hasty. , urgency will lead to chaos. This time you travel to the county in microservices, remember that you only need to look at it. After reading it, after reading all the counties, you will know who is evil and who is good, and after you understand all the counties in the north of the county, as you said: It's not too late to make plans. The Master said: 'You must also be afraid of things, and those who are willing to make plans'."

"Yes."

"Zhenzhi, my family and your family have been friends for several generations. Although we didn't meet many times before, we were close to each other. Now you, I, and Wen Ruo are officials in the same dynasty. Punish evil for the sake of the people."

"Respect and teach."

Xun Zhen turned her face and looked at Xun Yu, both of whom saw the wry smile on the other's face.

Before taking office, Xun Ling explained to them one after another: "Be careful" and don't cause trouble for the clan. Unexpectedly, Xun Zhen had just assumed office, and Zhong Yao was entrusting the important task of clarifying the north of the county under the wall outside the prefectural mansion. what to do? Did you listen to Xun Qian or Zhong Yao?

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1. The postal supervisor is at the top of the county, and he lives in his own dormitory, so he doesn't have to squeeze in the dormitory with ordinary county officials.

"Book of the Later Han Dynasty? Zhi Shou Biography": When Zhi Shou was appointed as the prefect of Jizhou, he "relocated outside the palace of the Governor's Post House".