Three Kingdoms

Taixing seven years.

Early winter.

In Yuzhou, near Xu County, on the official road, there have been a lot more queues in the past few days, which are obviously government officials.

Most of these queues have the same feature, that is, there are not only vehicles with people on them, but also vehicles used to carry books.

If you know a little bit about the habits of the Han Dynasty, you will know that these queues are basically from various states and counties coming to participate in the plan.

It's just that this year's calculation time seems to be a little earlier.

Maybe it’s because the Emperor’s celebration is coming soon, so they all came here before the celebration?

According to the "Shangji Law" of the Han Dynasty, "Calculation in September", the statistical data of various counties and counties are cut off at the end of September every year. , prison conditions, etc. are compiled into accounting books and submitted to the prefectures and counties. Then the prefectures and counties compiled the county's accounting books based on the accounting books of each county, and reported them to the imperial court. The imperial court would evaluate the performance of the local chief executive and reward and punish them accordingly.

In the "Shangji Lv" of the Han Dynasty, it is stipulated that the Shangji officials in the provincial governor's department of each state are generally composed of chief historians and Zhizhong. Ji Cao and a group of officials went to Kyoto to report. But Shandong was in a state of chaos at the beginning. There were several governors in each state. Who knows how to retaliate and how to get into the scheme?

Therefore, for a long time, the top plans in Shandong were somewhat deceptive and adulterated.

After Cao Cao defeated the two Yuan Dynasties, they were only unified in name. The administration of officials in various counties and counties was still very chaotic. There was a lack of officials, or there were many shortages of Shangguan. This made it difficult for the above plan to be completed. , sometimes the court could not find the person in charge.

Think about it, this is like the federal tax in the United States in later generations looking for state taxes, and then the state taxes spread their hands, asking for neither money nor people...

Under such circumstances, Cao Cao forcibly passed the basic plan of the Cao family, Xiahou family, and Yingchuan and other places, and slowly dispatched and replaced the chiefs in various places. From full delegation at the beginning to semi-appointment now , and the overall control that Cao Cao is currently preparing to carry out.

This is a very large amount of work.

The time listed above is in order. The first ones to arrive in Xu County are those from the surrounding areas of Yuzhou and neighboring prefectures and counties, such as Jingzhou.

This time, Kuai Yue, sent by Cao Ren, went to Xu County as an agent of Jingzhou's plan.

When he arrived at Xu County, Kuai Yue was shocked.

I don't know if it's because of the celebration. Not only are the etiquette specifications different this time, but the number of people coming from all over the country is also beyond Kuai Yue's imagination.

Not only people from Jingzhou came, but people from Xuzhou and even Qingzhou, who were the last ones last year, seemed to have arrived too.

You must know that the big man does not have any fast transportation. There are only two situations when these people come. Either these people set off very early in advance, or they are rushing on the road...

When they arrived in the city, due to the influx of a large number of people from all over the city, the posthouse in the city was seriously short of manpower. After all, as for Kuai Yue and his party, he not only came alone, he also had to bring the people recommended to the court this year. People come, whether they are Xiaolian or Maocai. These people have to be assessed in Xu County and then go to the corresponding Lang Department.

There are also some officials who have performed well in Jingzhou counties and counties, or who have been promoted from the local government to the central government. They need to report to the Shangshutai and then transfer to new positions.

At the same time, there will be some descendants of Jingzhou Township gentry family accompanying them. These people will study in Xu County, and some will continue to go to the academy in Yecheng...

These various people, coupled with the various literature and local specialties they carried, made the queue very large.

This is true for Jingzhou, and there are also many other prefectures and counties.

Kuai Yue did not wait for the post office to make arrangements, but directly took the book on the plan and sent it to the minister's desk.

In order to ensure that the facts and figures reported in the accounting books are accurate, we try to prevent fraud and violations from occurring. "Shangji Lv" characterizes the errors that occur in accounting statistics as "clerical errors" and "real errors".

"Clerical errors" are clerical errors, which are mistakes made when copying or calculating. They are not a big problem and will be punished slightly.

"True mistakes" are true fraud, deceiving the court, concealing guilt, etc. If this is discovered, the problem will be huge and the punishment will be extremely severe. However, because the Han Dynasty was in a period of war, there were many military and political affairs, and the number of plans in each county was large, making it very difficult for the court to review them.

In the plans of each county and state, the imperial court mainly reviewed some important situations that were directly related to the growth of national power and the stability of the country, such as population increase or decrease, land quantity and land distribution, collection and expenditure of wealth, poverty relief, etc.

When Kuai Yue arrived at the Chancellor's desk with the book, he was secretly shocked again.

Because in the Shangshutai, not only the original official rooms were filled with officials verifying the plans, but also many new desks were set up in some corridors and courtyards, and the clerks who came and went were everywhere. Holding the book, the shouts and shouts continued...

"Alien!" Quinoa! 』

When Kuai Yue was in a daze, he suddenly heard someone calling him. When he looked back, he saw that it was Man Chong.

Man Chong and Kuai Yue met several times, but they didn't have much friendship.

Kuai Yue hurriedly stepped forward to greet him. Man Chong nodded and said, "Where are the talented people in the counties that Yidu brought?" Bring him to the Chancellor's desk quickly! 』

Man Chong did not exchange greetings with Kuai Yue, his words were blunt and direct, and his face looked a little tired, as if he had been working continuously for a long time in the Chancery.

Could it be for a trick? Kuai Yue hurriedly handed over his hands. Before he could say anything, Man Chong frowned and urged him again. Kuai Yue felt a little unhappy in his heart, but he didn't have an attack. He just laughed dryly, nodded in agreement, and turned around. He went out and ordered the officials who came with him to go back to the inn and call for someone.

"To do this... only Mao Cai can do this?" "The accompanying official asked, "What about Xiaolian? 』

"Xiaolian?" Kuai Yue looked up at the sky and sneered, "Now it seems, Xiaolian... let them cool down!" 』

Although Manchong didn't say what he wanted those talented people to do, he could guess by looking at the scene. There must be a shortage of manpower for arithmetic, and he needed the help of talented people who knew arithmetic.

Xiaolian, haha, now not only Xiaolian in Guanzhong is worthless, but even places in Shandong have begun to lose value!

Kuai Yue sighed slightly, how many years has it been? This big man has changed too fast. In a few years, I am afraid that consecutive promotions of filial piety and honesty will become a shameful thing.

in those days……

After thinking about it, Kuai Yue couldn't help but look to the west, and then let out a long sigh.

……(｀)Ψ……

Northwest of Xu County.

Suburban pasture.

A caravan was parked at the edge of the pasture, and some people were busy loading fodder onto the last few forage trucks.

"Xu Laoliu!" It's winter, why do you still want to do business? ” The young steward in the forage yard said to the leader of the caravan happily, “It’s the emperor’s celebration right before our eyes, but we’re only leaving for two days? 』

The leader of the caravan, known as Xu Laoliu, was a middle-aged man with a face full of wind and frost. After hearing what the young steward said, he shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Oh, I want to stay too... But this man-eating person always has to listen to orders, doesn't he?" My master wants me to go to Chang'an, so I can't just say that I want to see the celebration, so why don't I go? 』

"Haha, that's true. "The young steward said, "But what's the reason for going to Chang'an in such a hurry? I see you don’t have many good goods prepared... just ordinary things..."

As a steward of the forage yard, I deal with caravans a lot on a daily basis, and I know some of the trading conditions.

Xu Laoliu made a haha, "This...haha, I think, these goods, those that can be sold are good, and those that cannot be sold are bad..."

"ah? Haha, that’s true! ” The little steward nodded.

Not long after, the fodder was loaded, the steward took the signature, wrote down the amount, collected the fodder money and tea fee, then happily registered the accounts, and then left.

The caravan sets off.

The young steward had just wandered back to the official house in the forage yard. He had just entered the room and sat down. Before his buttocks were warm, he heard some movement outside the door. Someone came in and asked in a deep voice: "Just came here." Who is loading fodder? What is it for? 』

The young steward looked up and stood up quickly, "Report to the school steward, this is Xu Laoliu's caravan, preparing to go to Chang'an to purchase goods..."

As the largest hayyard around Xu County, in addition to the clerks at the hayyard, there are also school officials stationed there.

"Chang'an?" "The school secretary seemed to be interested after hearing these two words, and asked repeatedly, "How many people are there? What goods are purchased? Are the documents complete? Is there anyone suspicious..."

The school steward asked a series of questions that made the steward dumbfounded. After a while, he smiled and said, "I'm just a clerk in the forage yard...how can I know this...Xu Laoliu is a veteran who has been doing business for many years." It’s been quite a few years…』

The school steward frowned. Seeing that the steward couldn't say anything, he pondered for a moment, "Have you been in contact with each other in the past few years?" So why are you traveling at this time of year? The celebration is right in front of us, are we leaving at this time? 』

The young steward smiled and said, "I don't know about this... I don't know..."

The school steward snorted, turned around and left without saying anything.

A suburban hayyard is not a comfortable place to work.

Because as a place for forage supply, it is generally inseparable from the smell of cattle and horses. At the same time, it is to prevent the risk of fire. If it deviates from the scope of the city, there will be some inconvenience in life. Because of the accumulation of fodder, there are also a lot of insects and rats. In order to prevent fire, even food can only be eaten raw and cold. If it is not necessary, we usually don't light a fire, let alone think about leisure entertainment.

Of course, not many people are willing to stay in this kind of life for a long time, unless they really can't find any way out.

The school steward who was sent to the forage yard certainly didn't want to wait in the forage yard for a long time, so no matter what the abnormality was, he firmly grasped it and immediately led a few soldiers to chase after it.

The caravan didn't move very fast, so it didn't take long for the school secretary to catch up.

"parking! take inspection! 』

The school official shouted loudly, and then he did not dismount immediately, but looked at the caravan in front and back, as if looking for any doubts.

Xu Laoliu stepped forward and said with a smile, "What are your orders, sir?" 』

As he spoke, Xu Laoliu handed over a money bag from his sleeve, but he didn't expect the school steward to throw the money bag back with his backhand, "Don't do this!" Stop and check! 』

Xu Laoliu's expression moved slightly, but he didn't do anything. He said hello and asked the convoy to stop.

The school steward then got off his horse and walked back and forth beside the motorcade, watching and scanning.

"What kind of goods are on the car?" ” asked the school steward with eyes wide open.

Xu Laoliu replied: "They are all ordinary goods..."

The school steward obviously didn't believe it. He waved his arm and asked his subordinates to come forward to check.

The force officers stepped forward and boarded the car to search, but it was obvious that there was nothing strange about the goods transported by the caravan. Naturally, these force officers could not find any prohibited items. They just searched the goods in a mess. Caravan guys and so on dare to be angry but dare not speak out.

"Who is this?" Why are you still taking the baby with you? "The school steward looked at it coldly and suddenly pointed at the children standing beside the car and said, "Why are there children in your caravan? 』

Xu Laoliu said calmly: "Shangguan, this is an apprentice. Follow along all the way, help me a little bit, and gain some knowledge. 』

"apprentice? "The school steward looked at it suspiciously, then walked up to the children, looked them up and down, and suddenly asked, "As an apprentice, you should know arithmetic. How many cars are there now, how many goods are there, and what is their price? ? 』

Xu Laoliu said quickly from the side: "A new apprentice, how can he know this..."

The school steward glared, "I didn't ask you!" 』

Xu Laoliu had no choice but to swallow his saliva and step aside a little.

Everyone's eyes fell on the two or three apprentices.

For a moment, the scene was a little quiet, except for the sound of breathing, which seemed to be a little faster.

The slightly older apprentice seemed to open his mouth to say something, but couldn't say why. There was a slight sweat on his forehead, "I...I don't..."

Xu Laoliu, who was standing behind the school steward, shrugged his shoulders slightly and leaned forward a little, like a leopard hunting for prey, preparing to get up in the grass...

Before the older apprentice could finish speaking, the shorter apprentice on the side said: "There are twelve carts, three carts of dry goods, three carts of pickled food, three carts of utensils, one cart of sundries, one cart of fodder, and one cart of ingredients. One car. Among the dry goods there are pills, sand, beads, and jade; among the pickled goods there are fish, glutinous rice wine, glutinous rice wine, and anchovies. As for the utensils, there are many more. As for the price, this is secret in the shopkeeper's account book, and I don't know. 』

The school steward was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing, "Yeah!" This kid is really smart! Not bad. 』

Xu Laoliu's figure also relaxed, as if he was hiding something in his arms, and then he laughed along with him, "The apprentice is not good, and the superior officer laughs, laughs..."

In the feudal dynasty, apprentices basically followed the master. The master took care of food and housing, while the apprentice provided almost free labor. Some of the children were under ten years old, and many of them were sent to be apprentices. Therefore, although the school steward felt a little strange, he didn't pay too much attention when he saw that the apprentices could answer the questions he asked.

Maybe because he felt that he was making a fuss, the school steward said before leaving that the emperor's celebration was coming soon, and he was cautious about many things and did not dare to disobey the orders from above.

Xu Laoliu also expressed his understanding, and then stuffed the previous money bag over again.

This time, the school steward accepted it, then waved his hand and led the people away.

Xu Laoliu breathed out a breath, and first called for his assistant to rearrange the messed up goods. Then he turned to look at the young apprentice aside, "You... what... you... forget it, this is not important." ,unimportant……"

Xu Laoliu turned around and shouted, "Move quickly, hurry up!" 』

Then he turned around and said softly, "It's been a hard journey. Please be patient. If you need anything, just come to me..."

After saying that, Xu Laoliu grabbed one of the three children, led him away, and said, "Look at this person, look at this person!" I don't see you taking less than two bites on weekdays. Why are you so stupid when it's time to use it? ! They've just arrived, and they're all better than you! Go and help me bundle the goods! 』

Obviously, among the three apprentices, only one is a true apprentice.

Xu Laoliu had to check again, otherwise it would be even more troublesome if something was lost while packing, or the rope broke halfway, etc.

Two children, one large and one small, stood and watched.

On one side is a busy caravan, and on the other side are two lonely children.

Although they are not far apart from each other, they are like two worlds.

After a while, the older child looked in the direction of Xu County in the distance and murmured to himself: "Could it be that... we just left like this... Father's side..."

"Father, let us go!" ” The child’s voice also became deeper, “You must not disobey your father’s orders. 』

"But...but..." The older children couldn't help crying, "But..."

The younger child was silent. After a moment, he bent down and picked up two stones from the ground. One was handed to the older child, and the other was held by himself. "Hometown can be left, but love cannot be forgotten." . There is nothing to support this feeling, so you might as well send it to me with this stone. Don't act weak, your father will definitely not be happy if he sees you. 』

"Um. ” The eldest child nodded, looked down at the stone in his hand, and then wiped his tears with the back of his hand.

"Get ready to go!" 』

Xu Laoliu greeted from a distance.

The little child turned around and responded, then looked in the direction of Xu County in the distance. After a moment, he pulled the older child to kneel down on the ground and kowtowed in the direction of Xu County.

Xu Laoliu originally wanted to step forward, but he couldn't help but stop when he saw this scene. He was silent for a while before continuing to step forward and whispered: "You two, it's time to set off..."