Returning to Zhang Deng Yamen, Wu Xu scolded the two deputy Qianhu Yi Xulu and Chen Yuanzhong.
The two deputy Qianhus were both red lantern men. They called Wang Shijie's boss, the green lantern man Qiao Shungang, and scolded him: "I told you to patrol the night seriously, but you didn't listen. Just put some white lanterns out.
Are you fooling around and getting into trouble this time? You and your subordinates will have all their salaries deducted this month!"
Qiao Shungang was furious because he knew Wang Shijie was nothing.
The lantern lantern man has extorted businessmen, but at least he has found someone who owns a shop. He will not let go of small businesses like this on the roadside, and even beat up the elderly and children. Only Wang Shijie can do it.
That's fine in normal times, but today they beat up a whole street and annoyed thousands of households. Qiao Shungang was so angry that Tianling Gai started to smoke.
Qiao Shungang called Qingdeng Meng Shizhen: "How many times have I told you? Take care of that killer Wang Shijie! You just don't listen and let him take those newcomers out to cause trouble. This time Qianhu is angry.
, you also lost a month’s salary, you feel so good!”
Gritting her teeth, Meng Shizhen came to the side hall, where Wang Shijie, who had a flat nose, was sitting there.
Wu Xu ordered the newcomers to tie him back, but the newcomers did not dare to tie him up, so they helped Wang Shijie back while Wu Xu was gone.
Seeing Wang Shijie's appearance, Meng Shizhen was furious. She stepped forward and kicked her and said, "How dare you sit down? Stand up!"
Wang Shijie quickly stood up.
"I just scolded you, why are you trying to get me into trouble? You are a dog, and you will never stop eating shit when you reach the end of the world!"
In front of all the newcomers, Meng Shizhen slapped Wang Shijie dozens of times.
After all, he was killing a Taoist cultivator, so beating him was nothing. However, Wang Shijie was dishonest after being beaten, and his body kept twisting.
Meng Shizhen became angry again: "Can't you stand still? Are there maggots on your body?"
Wang Shijie was indeed unable to stand. There were no maggots on his body, but a rash all over his body.
Seeing Wang Shijie moving more and more fiercely, Meng Shizhen's fire was rising again. Wang Shijie quickly explained: "Meng Qingdeng, I don't want to move either, but my body is really itchy."
Meng Shizhen smiled: "Okay, it's itchy, right? That's easy to talk about! Tie him up and get my whip!"
The newcomers were frightened and still did not dare to take action.
Meng Shizhen was annoyed: "Are you so deaf? Tie him up!"
Chu He took the rope first and stepped forward to tie Wang Shijie up tightly. Meng Shizhen took the whip and said, "I'm making you itchy. I'll cure it for you!"
…
In the hall of the main courtyard, Wu Xu poured a glass of wine, handed it to Xu Zhiqiong, and asked, "Why do you want to give them money?"
how to answer?
For the sake of justice?
For justice?
The road is rough?
Out of sympathy?
With this answer, where is the Yamen that will be held in charge of the lamp?
Could it be that the Deng Deng Yamen trampled on the principles of heaven and justice?
Before answering the question, first understand your own identity.
Xu Zhiqiong is the lantern holder, so he has to speak from the perspective of the lantern holder.
He sniffed and said, "I, I don't want to lose the face of the Yamen in charge of the lamp in front of others."
Wu Xuyi frowned: "Does Zhang Deng Yamen need you to look for face?"
"Yes, it's useful," Xu Zhiqiong answered very decisively, "I am the lantern-carrying man, and the face of the lantern-carrying yamen is my face."
Wu Xu smiled, this answer made him very satisfied.
"How much did you pay them?"
"No, not much. It's about one penny per person, so the total is more than one tael."
Wu Xu took out his money bag, poured out some broken silver, about ten taels, and stuffed it into Xu Zhiqiong's hand: "Take it."
Xu Zhiqiong was not polite, took it, stuffed it into his money bag, and saluted: "Thank you for the reward from Qianhu, it's a humble position, and I have to go on night patrol. I'll take my leave now."
Wu Xu nodded, Xu Zhiqiong drank all the wine in the glass and left the Yamen.
Looking at Xu Zhiqiong's back, Wu Xu took a sip of wine and smiled for a long time.
…
When passing by the side hall, Xu Zhiqiong took a special look and saw that Wang Shijie was tied to a pillar. Her breathing was relatively smooth and there was no fear of her life. Then she relaxed and went to watch the night.
I left a little late tonight, but I still had to go where I needed to go. Xu Zhiqiong went to the city gate first and had two drinks with Wu Shanxing.
I went to the White Peony Tea Shop to drink tea soup and buy flower cakes. Second Sister Lin was stingy. Xu Zhiqiong kissed her, but she insisted on kissing her back. Xu Zhiqiong kissed her again, and she wanted to kiss her back...
…This woman really cares.
After lighting the night watch lanterns, Xu Zhiqiong went to Goulan to watch the dance again, and also went to Goulan next door to listen to two songs.
At dawn, Xu Zhiqiong came back deliberately late to prove that he had not caught any fish during his night patrol.
A group of newcomers were waiting in the side hall, not knowing whether to go or stay.
Yang Wu asked Wu Chunyang: "Are you still waiting for the leader of the flag to give you a lecture today?"
Wu Chunyang thought for a long time and said, "Let me ask him first."
Wang Shijie had been put down from the pillar a long time ago and is now lying in the small hut to rest.
Although he was beaten quite badly, except for the broken nose bone, the rest of the body was covered with flesh wounds, which was nothing to a ninth-grade cultivator.
Seeing Wu Chunyang, Wang Shijie immediately sat up and asked fiercely: "Did you wash the clothes for me yesterday?"
Wu Chunyang nodded quickly.
"Did you tamper with my clothes?"
"How could I do such a thing!"
Wang Shijie snorted coldly: "When I beat you, I thought you had a grudge and used this as a means to plot against me!"
Wu Chunyang shook his head repeatedly: "I didn't, don't accuse me unjustly!"
"Then let me ask you, besides you, who else touched my clothes yesterday?"
"I wash the clothes, no one else."
Wang Shijie shouted: "How dare you say it's not you!"
Wu Chunyang didn't know how to defend himself. In a panic, he recalled the scene yesterday: "Xu Zhiqiong touched your clothes and said he wanted to send them to your small house. I didn't let him send them to you, so he tore at me twice."
"Xu Zhiqiong! It's really him!" Wang Shijie gritted his teeth and said, "Wu Qianhu followed him to Wang'an River today. He must have been the one who informed me. This bastard will never be able to spare me after I recover from my injuries!"
Wu Chunyang didn't dare to say anything more. Just as he was about to leave the hut, he was stopped by Wang Shijie: "Don't leave yet. I have something to do with you."
Wang Shijie took out an account book from under the pillow and handed it to Wu Chunyang: "I am in charge of these businesses in Beiyuan. Today is the day when they pay their monthly payment. You collected the account for me. I know you also read it."
If you don’t pay the small amount, you can bring it to me tonight.”
Wu Chunyang was very sleepy. He didn't want to go to Beiyuan. He just wanted to go back to sleep: "I'll give it to you as much as you have."
Wang Shijie laughed and said: "This is not about money, this is the family fortune I have saved over the years. Mr. Wu, I am not as lucky as you, and without your good father, I still don't want people to see you. Why don't you?"
My territory is all poor places like Beiyuan, and I can't give away even a penny of the money I should get. Remember, you have to handle this matter yourself, and you must not tell others!"
Wu Chunyang took the account book and left reluctantly.
Among the shops in Beiyuan, some of them can give you two taels of cash per month, and some can give you 300 taels of cash, which adds up to only seven or eight taels of cash.
As long as Wang Shijie asks for this little money, Wu Chunyang will not refuse to give it.
But if I give it this month, what about next month?
When the newcomer becomes a disciple and follows another Bai Denglang, who will still recognize him, Wang Shijie?
When Mr. Wu is promoted to Green Lantern Lang, it will be fine if he doesn't come back to take revenge. Can he still give Wang Shijie a penny?
It is also common for the lantern-carrying man to collect monthly money from shops. The white lantern man can squeeze out some small businesses, and the green lantern man and the green lantern man can squeeze out some big shops. Even wealthy businessmen have to pay a fee to the lantern-carrying yamen as long as they do business at night.
filial piety.
Because the lamp-carrying yamen is the master of the capital at night.
Logically speaking, Wu Chunyang should not be allowed to interfere in Wang Shijie's business. This is taboo and there may be disputes in the future.
But Wang Shijie had a bad feeling.
Yesterday's incident angered Wu Xu, and tonight it is estimated that all the lanternmen, big and small, will have to go out on patrol.
I definitely can't go because I'm injured. What if they take advantage of me?
At dusk, Wu Chunyang returned to the Yamen and handed the account book to Wang Shijie.
"Wang Denglang, I went to collect the bill and brought it back."
Wang Shijie widened his eyes and said, "Why?"
“Someone is waiving all the monthly payments for these merchants.”
"Who is exempted?"
"They said it was Xu Zhiqiong."
Wang Shijie sighed: "Forget it, you can go."
Hearing Wu Chunyang's footsteps walking away, Wang Shijie punched the case and smashed it into pieces.
"Xu Zhiqiong! I think you are tired of living. If I don't turn you into a useless person, my surname will not be Wang!"
…
Wang Shijie's premonition was very accurate. Tonight, except for Wu Xu and a few lantern men with special tasks, the entire lantern yamen went out to patrol the night under the leadership of two red lantern men.
The red lantern man, deputy Qianhu, Yi Xulu, led half of the people to watch the night north.
The red lantern man, deputy Qianhu, Chen Yuanzhong, led half of the people to patrol south at night.
When they arrived at the northwest fork, Yi Xulou allocated half of his men to patrol the west of the city, while Xu Zhiqiong followed him to continue patrolling the north.
When they reached a fork in the road, Yi Xulu divided himself into a group of people, and finally Xu Zhiqiong and a dozen lanterns were left to follow Yi Xulu to Beiyuan.
I feel uncomfortable this night.
I can't go to the hook bar anymore, I can't watch the dancers anymore.
I can’t even go to the white peony tea shop.
There is no simmering rice wine, no fresh fruit, no soft and round food, and no one is beating the back and rubbing the shoulders.
Second sister Lin had new rouge on her lips, and she agreed to try it... mainly to try flower cakes.
Walking near the city gate, Wu Shanxing waved to Xu Zhiqiong, who shook his head helplessly.
Wu Shanxing knew Xu Zhiqiong's difficulties, so he didn't say much. Deputy Qianhu Yi Xulu asked: "Do you know the city gate captain?"
Xu Zhiqiong said: "He is a former classmate of humble position."
Yi Xuluo saw Wu Shanxing preparing wine and food, and told Xu Zhiqiong: "It's okay to hang out with your classmates for a while during night patrols, but don't miss out on business by being too drunk."
Xu Zhiqiong nodded repeatedly.
Halfway through the walk, all the lantern-carrying men were exhausted and had to rest for a while every time they crossed a street.
Especially Wu Chunyang, who helped Wang Shijie collect accounts during the day and had no time to sleep. He was yawning all day long and couldn't open his eyes.
Yi Xulu shouted angrily: "Look at how lazy you are, how can you be worthy of the title of Lantern Holder? Zhi Qiong patrols Beiyuan alone at night every day, let's see what kind of spirit Zhi Qiong is!"
Xu Zhiqiong is indeed very energetic. The judge runs fast and has good endurance. He is used to running on this road. Moreover, he walked slowly today, so Xu Zhiqiong does not feel tired at all.
At the fifth watch, all twelve night watch lights were lit, and the red lantern man inspected them one by one. Since Xu Zhiqiong took over Beiyuan, there were many signs on the light poles, and Yi Xulou kept praising them all the way.
When they were approaching the Yamen, Yi Xulu couldn't hold on any longer. He was a sixth-level cultivator of Killing Dao, so physical strength was not a problem. The problem was that he hadn't stayed through the whole night for a long time.
"Zhi Qiong, how did you survive these days of patrolling Beiyuan alone?"
It’s hard to share the experience here, it’s mainly the motivation brought by checking the column.
Xu Zhiqiong said with a serious expression: "This is the duty of a humble position."
Yi Xulu sighed and said: "What a loyal young man. Why didn't you tell me that Wang Shijie relied on his old age and bullied you repeatedly? Are you afraid that I won't make the decision for you?"
Tell you?
Is it useful?
It's like this is the first time this happened.
Last night Wu Xu praised Xu Zhiqiong, and the entire Zhang Deng Yamen knew about it. Today, Yi Xulu praised Zhiqiong, but treated this poor boy as a person.
In normal times, who would care about the life and death of a white lantern man?
I thought so in my heart, but said something else: "I am humbled by my position, and I dare not worry you adults over such a trivial matter."
"Loyalty, truly a loyal person!"
After praising him all the way, when he arrived at the Yamen, Yi Xulou discovered a key question: "Zhiqiong, where is your sword?"
Xu Zhiqiong lowered his head and said: "Wang Denglang said there are not enough swords. No, give them to me."
"This killer!" Yi Xulou turned around and said to Meng Shizhen, the lantern holder: "Hurry up and get a good knife for Zhi Qiong. How can the lantern holder be without a weapon!"
Before Meng Shizhen could speak, a green light man spoke: "Qianhu, if you ask me, Beiyuan cannot rely on one group of people to patrol the night. It should be divided into at least three teams."
Yi Xulu nodded and said: "That makes sense. We must strictly enforce the rules in the future. Qing Deng and Bai Deng must patrol at night every day and redeploy the division of labor, but we must not let the loyal people suffer anymore!"
Meng Shizhen took a deep breath and cursed Wang Shijie secretly in her heart.
The words are beautiful, but the execution is limited.
Three days later, the red lantern man stopped patrolling the night.
Without the restraint of the Red Lantern Man, the Green Lantern Man only patrolled around the imperial city once, and left the rest to the Green Lantern Man.
The green lantern man only walked two more streets, and finally handed it over to the white lantern man.
The south of the city is prosperous, and the white lantern man is quite serious when he patrols the night.
The north of the city is poor, and Beiyuan is the poorest of the poor. No one wants to go there. The few white lamplighters who patrolled the night with Xu Zhiqiong are all veteran. Seeing that the tension in the Yamen dissipated, they began to think of ways to do it again.
Fishing.
"Zhi Qiong, I didn't eat something right tonight and I'm upset. I'll leave this place to you for now. If something happens another day, I'll take over for you!"
This man's name was Ma Guangli, and he was nicknamed Ma Guangli. He had diarrhea every night.
"Zhiqiong, my house is leaking and needs to be repaired tonight. You can help me overnight first."
This man's name is Li Pu'an, and his house has never been repaired.
But it hasn’t rained yet. Why is your house leaking?
Besides, is there anyone who repairs the house in the middle of the night?
"Zhiqiong, I have a new concubine. Those things in women's houses are troublesome. It is even more troublesome for these women to get together. Now they are making trouble again. Zhiqiong, please stay for me for one night.
…”
This is true. This brother's name is Wang Zhennan. He comes from a good family. He has six concubines, plus his wife, a total of seven women who fight every day. Last night, they even came to the Yamen.
But is this the reason why you don’t come to work?
In the end, Beiyuan was still patrolling the night alone with Xu Zhiqiong.
It's better to patrol the night alone, without being restricted.
But the sabers haven’t been issued yet! This was ordered by the red light man. This has no work efficiency!
When I become the leader of thousands of households, I will have to straighten out the atmosphere.
The moon is full tonight, and Xu Zhiqiong is feeling particularly happy as he walks on the way to the Yamen.
Tomorrow is February 15th, the day when salaries are paid.
Before the money given by Brother Tong was spent, Wu Xu gave another ten taels.
The lantern-carrying man's monthly salary is twelve taels, which is the highest among the ninth-rank officials.
By this time tomorrow, if you add it all together, you will have twenty-six taels of silver in your hand, which will be converted into more than thirteen thousand. Can you not feel happy?
And Xiu Mu is coming soon.
According to the law of Daxuan, officials have one day off for bathing every fifth day. However, the nature of the lantern holder's job is special. Someone has to be on duty every night to watch the night. Everyone has to take turns to take a day off. Therefore, there is a day off for bathing every fifteen days, but there are three days for each day off.
sky.
You must make good use of these three days. Young man, don't waste your good time. Xu Zhiqiong has planned it. On the first day, he will go to Goulan to listen to music, on the second day to enjoy dancing, and on the third day to go to Goulan to watch sumo wrestling...
When he walked to the yamen gate, Xu Zhiqiong's thoughts were suddenly interrupted.
There was a twisted face behind him, staring at him with a sinister smile.
Wang Shijie recovered from his injury. He was smiling at Xu Zhiqiong. The reason why it was distorted was because the bridge of his nose was collapsed.
Tonight, Wang Shijie returns to work and will follow Bai Denglang on night patrol.