When it was almost dawn, Xu Zhiqiong stretched himself, walked out of the hook fence, hummed a little tune, and returned to Zhangdeng Yamen.
The image of white flowers and round shapes was deeply imprinted in his mind. For his first night patrol, Xu Zhiqiong did not feel tired at all.
When we arrived at the Yamen, it was already broad daylight, and the newlyweds stood in a line, waiting for Wang Shijie to lecture.
Wu Chunyang, who left in anger last night, also came back. The scars on his face were still there, but the domineering temperament on his body was gone. He stood in the middle of the team with his head lowered.
Someone pointed out to Wu Chunyang last night that there were places in the capital where his father could not stand up for him, especially places like the Imperial City Division.
Staying in the Imperial City Division is very important to him. There are some things he must endure. He is not the eldest son of the family, and he cannot inherit the family business. He has to rely on the big tree of the Imperial City Division to earn a fortune for himself in the capital.
Industry.
Magistrate Wu is a far-sighted man, and he must let his son recognize the reality.
This night, Wu Chunyang recognized the reality clearly. This was also the first time in his life that he encountered a severe beating from society.
Wang Shijie was sitting on a chair drinking tea. When he saw Xu Zhiqiong, he put down his tea cup and said, "There are so many people out on night patrol, why are you the last to come back?"
Xu Zhiqiong sniffed and said, "Beiyuan is too far and too big. I'm not familiar with the road yet..."
Wang Shijie said: "That's your waste. I used to watch the night and came back before the fifth watch."
Shi Chuan laughed at the side and said, "You know how good it is to be a lantern holder, right? This is just the beginning. There will be many more days of experience in the future."
Wang Shijie stood up and said: "Wu Chunyang came out."
Wu Chunyang stood up obediently, and Wang Shijie said to everyone: "I'm afraid it will take a long time to turn a waste like you into a useful person. I'm usually busy and can't take care of you. From today on, you guys can't take care of you."
A small banner (squad), Shi Denglang and I are your banner leaders, and Chunyang is your deputy banner leader. All daily matters will be handled by Chunyang."
The small flag is the most basic organizational unit of the Lantern Man. There are ten people in a small flag, and the flag leader is set up, which is equivalent to the squad leader.
Wang Shijie is just an ordinary white lamp man, so naturally he is not qualified to be the squad leader. He established a rookie flag by himself and promoted himself to an official. In fact, it is all nonsense. It is just a means to better squeeze the newcomers.
Xu Zhiqiong had seen this kind of thing many times in his previous life.
He also promoted Wu Chunyang to the position of deputy flag-bearer, proving that there was another deal involved. Wu Chunyang gave in, and Wang Shijie had to give him a sweet date.
After finishing the training, Wang Shijie yawned: "It's time to leave, Chunyang, take them to the west courtyard and learn the rules again."
It's time to leave work, that is, get off work.
What are you doing in the West Courtyard after get off work?
As soon as Wang Shijie left, Master Wu's aura returned: "Are you so deaf? Didn't you hear what the flag leader said? Follow me to the West Courtyard!"
This beating is not enough!
Everyone followed Wu Chunyang to the west courtyard, and Wang Shijie took them into a wing room.
The wing was in a mess, with clothes scattered on the bed and floor. There were some chicken bones, peanut shells and sauce and vinegar dishes on the table. It seemed that someone had a late-night snack here last night.
Wu Chunyang said sternly: "This is Wang Qishou's cabin. You heard me clearly. This morning I have to clean this place and wash the clothes. In the afternoon, I have to clean Shi Qishou's cabin!"
Small house, the dormitory of the lantern holder.
Each lantern bearer has a small room where he can go home to rest during the day or sleep here.
Xu Zhiqiong thought: Where is my dormitory?
Forget it, even sabers are not issued, I don’t know how long it will take to get to the dormitory.
While he was thinking, Wu Chunyang shouted: "Xu Zhiqiong, I'm talking to you, can't you hear me?"
Xu Zhiqiong raised his head: "What do you mean?"
"I asked you to wash Wang Qishou's clothes."
Xu Zhiqiong wiped his nose and said, "I won't wash it."
Wu Chunyang raised his eyebrows: "What did you say?"
Xu Zhiqiong said: "I said I won't wash it!"
"Do you dare to say it again?"
"So what?" Xu Zhiqiong kept looking at Wu Chunyang with a smile.
Wu Chunyang stepped forward to grab Xu Zhiqiong's collar: "The leader of King Shi Wang said, I am your deputy leader, you dare to contradict me..."
Chu He stood beside Xu Zhiqiong: "So what if I contradict you?"
Before Wu Chunyang could meet Xu Zhiqiong, he was enveloped by Chu He's huge figure.
He stopped his hand, pointed at Xu Zhiqiong and said, "Remember what happened today!"
Xu Zhiqiong smiled and said: "I remember it."
Chu He sneered: "You know how to tell me to remember it. Last night you asked Wang Shijie to remember it. If you haven't passed the whole night, you are so scared."
Xu Zhiqiong and Chu He turned around and left. Wu Chunyang was trembling with anger: "How dare you go out here and try!"
Xu Zhiqiong turned around and said, "What will happen if we leave this door?"
"I will definitely tell Wang Qishou about this tonight!"
"Go ahead and sue! If you don't sue, you are..." Xu Zhiqiong stuttered habitually.
Chu He said from the side: "If you don't tell me, you are my son!"
Xu Zhiqiong originally wanted to say bastard, but after hearing what Chu He said, he stopped talking.
After leaving Zhangdeng Yamen, Chu He was a little scared: "Zhiqiong, this guy really wants to tell Wang Shijie, what should we do?"
"What are you afraid of?" Xu Zhiqiong sneered, "Wang Shijie is just a white man, just like us, in the yamen, what does he dare to do to us? As long as we don't give in, he doesn't dare to touch us!"
"The yamen doesn't dare to do anything. I'm afraid he will do something secretly."
"How to do something evil?"
Chu He said: "I'm not afraid of him. At worst, there will be a fight. There are many people in Xiji, so he doesn't dare to go too far. Beiyuan is too desolate and there are too many secluded places. I'm worried..."
"It's okay, he can't do that kind of thing." Xu Zhiqiong said this, but that was not what he thought in his heart.
He believed that Wang Shijie would do such a thing.
He hoped that Wang Shijie would do something dirty to him.
But just hoping won't work, you have to force him to do something dirty.
…
Back home, Xu Zhiqiong was not sleepy at all and gave Tong Qingqiu the Qi-tonifying pills that Yang Wu had given him before.
Tong Qingqiu looked at these elixirs and said: "If it were on the ghost market, these elixirs would be worth a hundred and ten taels of silver, but that's a lie to laymen. In my brother's case, they are only worth ten taels. If you feel that you are at a disadvantage,
,Never mind."
Xu Zhiqiong shook his head and said: "I gave this to you, what kind of money do we brothers have?"
"That's not possible," Tong Qingqiu shook his head, "I can't take advantage of you."
"You're talking about taking advantage. You are so shameful to my brother. Isn't it enough for me to take advantage of you? Besides, brother is also making money now!"
"Who are you trying to fool? The imperial court pays you a monthly salary of fifteen, and you are so poor that you can hardly afford to eat porridge." Tong Qingqiu forced the scraps of silver into Xu Zhiqiong's hands, "When you become rich, you can take care of your brother in the future."
, now don’t pretend to be rich with me.”
Xu Zhiqiong repeatedly refused, but Tong Qingqiu forced him to accept it and not only gave him money, but also gave him a box of medicinal powder.
It's the powder that caused my wife's whole body to break out in rashes.
He had long promised to give Xu Zhiqiong medicine powder, but he was worried that Xu Zhiqiong would kill him: "I tried this medicine, and it really made people itchy to death."
Xu Zhiqiong said happily: "Okay, okay..."
It's so itchy that it saves him the trouble.
Tong Qingqiu lowered her face and said, "Zhiqiong, it's enough if you just want to make fun of others. If you really want to cause big trouble, I won't give you this thing."
"What big trouble can I make? I just have fun with my colleagues."
Tong Qingqiu gave the medicine jar to Xu Zhiqiong, and also gave Xu Zhiqiong a small spoon: "At most a small spoon, no more, be careful when using it, don't get it on your own hands.
After this stuff gets on the skin, a rash will appear for half an hour, and the whole body will be extremely itchy. If you only use one spoonful, it will be gone in a day and a night. If you use two spoons, it will take at least three days to go away. If you use three spoons, it will go away.
, people will die!”
Xu Zhiqiong nodded and said, "I've written it down."
"Zhi Qiong, as I said before, it's okay to make a fuss, don't risk your life. If the matter gets too big and the Onmyoji traces it, you and I will be involved!"
Xu Zhiqiong understood this, and he would not use this medicinal powder to kill Wang Shijie, as that would leave too many loose ends.
After collecting the powder and money, Xu Zhiqiong had a meal at Brother Tong's house, slept until dusk, and went to the Yamen with a lantern.
When they arrived at the Yamen, Wu Chunyang was complaining to Wang Shijie. Wang Shijie looked at Xu Zhiqiong and sneered: "Xu Denglang, you have such a bad temper. It seems that you can't learn these rules."
Xu Zhiqiong said expressionlessly: "What's the rule of washing your clothes?"
"This is so true! I will let you know what the rules are today!" Wang Shijie stood up and came to Xu Zhiqiong, with the murderous aura of the ninth grade rushing towards his face.
Xu Zhiqiong smiled and looked into Wang Shijie's eyes.
Chu He also stood over and looked down at Wang Shijie's Tianling Cap.
Yang Wu wanted to come up and help, but he didn't have the courage, so he just lowered his head and missed the target.
The three of them stared at each other for a long time, but Wang Shijie did not dare to make a move.
Xu Zhiqiong was right, as long as they didn't give in, Wang Shijie didn't dare to do anything to them.
There are three elements to oppressing newcomers: first, intimidation, second, isolation, and third, making things difficult.
If you can't intimidate someone, you can't use force. Wang Shijie knows this, and Xu Zhiqiong also knows it very well.
The scene fell into a stalemate, and sweat appeared on Wang Shijie's forehead.
A real fight would do him no good, Xu Zhiqiong was relatively easy to deal with, but Chu He's physique was too intimidating, and one against two would not be able to gain any advantage.
Where did Shi Xun die? He didn't say anything about coming over to support me.
Shi Xun really came over: "Xu Zhiqiong, Chu He, what do you two want to do? How are you talking to seniors? Aren't Wang Denglang and I doing it for you? Who has just entered the Yamen and hasn't experienced it?
Training? What’s wrong with washing clothes for seniors?”
Xu Zhiqiong lowered his eyes and said, "I won't wash it!"
"No, I won't wash if you don't want to. Who forced you? Who cares about you washing?" Shi Xun no longer argued with Xu Zhiqiong. He just wanted to give Wang Shijie a step down and pulled Wang Shijie to sit back on the chair again.
Wang Shijie took a sip of tea and sneered: "Okay, Xu Denglang, I like your character. You will go patrol Beiyuan tonight."
Xu Zhiqiong said with a dull expression: "Go, just go, there's no harm in walking more."
"Okay, let's see how hard you get!"
That night Xu Zhiqiong went to Beiyuan again and passed the city gate on night patrol. He met his former classmate Wu Shanxing who liked to study the art of war.
In the examination room, Wu Shanxing begged the martial artist to give him a question related to the art of war, hoping to attract the attention of the Minister of War.
Although Sui Zhi did not notice him, Wu Shanxing went to the Ministry of War on the recommendation of the martial arts masters.
But when he arrived at the Ministry of War, he didn't get any good jobs, and eventually became a city gate captain.
The official title carries the word "wei", which sounds pretty big. In fact, he is a chief guarding the city gate, with ten city guards under his command.
When he first took up his post at the Ministry of War, his superior asked him to stay at the city gate for a month.
Wu Shanxing felt depressed, so he met Xu Zhiqiong, took some dried meat, boiled a pot of wine, and the two drank a few glasses and complained.
"Zhiqiong, you are the only one patrolling this huge Beiyuan at night?"
Xu Zhiqiong sniffed and said, "It's like this tonight, but I'm afraid it will be like this in the future."
Wu Shanxing sighed: "I thought only the Ministry of War was a young man, but I didn't expect that the Imperial City Department was the same."
Xu Zhiqiong waved his hands repeatedly and said: "This, these words should not be said nonsense."
Wu Shanxing smiled: "Are you afraid that I will implicate you?"
Xu Zhiqiong shook his head and said: "I, I am afraid of being involved. I, I am alone. I am afraid of your subordinates..."
Wu Shanxing looked at his soldiers. They were each standing guard and seemed to have heard nothing. Wu Shanxing nodded and said: "You are right. Let's not talk about this troublesome matter. Let's talk about the past of our academy..."
The two chatted for a while and drank a few more drinks. Xu Zhiqiong put on a lantern and continued his night patrol. After lighting four night watch lanterns, he went to the white peony tea shop.
This is a serious tea shop. The proprietress is about 20 people and she is pretty. If you buy a few more cups of tea soup, you can kiss her secretly.
Every month, the White Peony Tea Shop asked Wang Shijie for a drop of money, but Xu Zhiqiong waived it for the proprietress. The proprietress invited Xu Zhiqiong to drink tea, gave Xu Zhiqiong some good tea cakes, and even let him kiss her.
One bite.
After drinking tea, Xu Zhiqiong continued to light the lamp, passed by Sister Lin's flower cake shop, and bought another pound of flower cake.
Second Sister Lin used to pay Wang Shijie 800 yuan a month, but Xu Zhiqiong waived it for her. Second Sister Lin was more handsome than the landlady and gave Xu Zhiqiong half a catty more flower cakes.
Although she was reluctant because she was a girl, she still let Xu Zhiqiong kiss her.
After lighting all the night watch lamps and listening to the gongs and clappers being played, it was almost the fifth watch.
Xu Zhiqiong stretched himself and went to Goulan again.
After staying in Goulan for an hour, Xu Zhiqiong returned to Zhangdeng Yamen at dawn just like yesterday.
This happens over and over again, and everyone gets used to it.
Every second watch, Wu Shanxing prepared wine and food under the city gate, waiting for Xu Zhiqiong to drink and chat.
At midnight, the white peony tea shop prepared tea soup.
At the fourth watch, Sister Lin prepared flower cakes and spread more powder on her face.
At the fifth watch, the elegant room was cleaned in Goulanli, the fruits were prepared, and a dancer was asked to come down and wait for Xu Zhiqiong to beat his back and rub his shoulders.
At dawn, Xu Zhiqiong returned to the Yamen on time, listened to Wang Shijie's nonsense, and then went home after his shift, not waiting on anyone.
On the sixth day, after the break, Xu Zhiqiong did not go back.
He saw classmate Niu polishing lamp poles in the workshop of the west courtyard.
Niu Yuxian, a ninth-grade cultivator of the Mohist family, is currently learning skills from the lantern holder. The lantern holder is off work, and he is still practicing his skills here.
Xu Zhiqiong came closer, looked at the light pole and said, "Here, how do you use this thing?"
Niu Yuxian raised his head and said, "Didn't Wang Denglang teach you?"
"Why is Wang Denglang willing to teach me? He just makes me watch the night and doesn't let me learn anything."
Niu Yuxian blinked and said, "Then why should I teach you?"
"I'll give you money!" Xu Zhiqiong took out a piece of silver.