"I'm getting old, and I no longer have the competitive spirit. I didn't expect you to be able to endure it at such a young age! Yingying has been scolding Mr. Jiang in the streets in the capital. I thought you must be ridiculing people to become an official.
It occupies the entire courtyard of Luheyi, it’s such a grand display.”
"When Yingying scolded her, she was still a dignified minister and a senior figure in the court. Others criticized her and said she was bold. Maybe some people secretly applauded her and praised her for being aboveboard and not afraid of power. But today at the inn, if I am dissatisfied and make an attack,
Others will accuse me of adding insult to injury and relying on my teacher's influence to bully this veteran who has just returned to his hometown after serving as an official."
Zhang Shou, who was about to leave, had already supported Ge Yong and got out of the car in front of an inn with a century-old hotel flag. The shopkeeper who greeted him had a face full of fear and excitement, and he had obviously gone from early to early.
The little peanut who came to take care of them learned their identities from his mouth. He stretched his hands in the air, as if he wanted to help Ge Yong, but he didn't dare.
As a result, Ge Yong took it for granted and put his right hand directly on the shopkeeper's hand, and then said in a loud voice: "Is this the century-old shop where Yingying said the copper pot fish is delicious?
?”
Zhang Shou glanced at Ah Liu who was watching his nose and heart next to him, thinking that claiming in front of the Yi Cheng that it was an old shop introduced by Zhu Ying was just using the eldest lady to poke a hole in Mr. Jiangge's heart.
In fact, the only time Zhu Ying left the capital for a long trip was when she hurriedly followed him to Cangzhou. How could she have time to stop in Tongzhou to taste the delicious food? Ah Liu introduced this place.
It was really hard to send Zhang Chen off for this kid out of Beijing, but instead he went to Cangzhou, where he discovered the problematic old salted fish after two bites. On his way back, he also found a century-old restaurant in Tongzhou that was said to be quite delicious!
He was going to leave this opportunity to the shopkeeper to explain, but when he saw the man holding Ge Yong's arm carefully, as if it was a fragile glass man, he didn't dare to speak, so he could only cough dryly and said
: "It should be this century-old inn that claims to be tidy, with clean bedding and delicious food. I just hope I won't disappoint the teacher."
The shopkeeper seemed very happy to see Ge Yong smiling, so he said boldly: "The shop has indeed been opened since the reign of Taizu, and has been passed down for six generations. The fish in the copper pot depends on fate, because it only has live fish."
It tastes best if you bring it alive and cook it. Live fish just happened to be delivered today, so you are in for a treat. As for copper pot chicken, copper pot mutton, etc., they are always available."
He quickly glanced at Ge Yong with some fear, then looked at Zhang Shou, and then said hesitantly: "As for the room, it must be neat and clean, and I will keep it to your satisfaction. But... there are ten in total in the shop.
There are seven or eight rooms, but six rooms have already been occupied by guests. If we want to invite the guests out to live elsewhere..."
Before he could finish his words, Ge Yong said with a cheerful smile: "Why should we kick the guests out? They are staying in a hotel, and I am also staying in a hotel. How can there be any reason to kick people out just because I stay in a hotel?"
He had already entered the store while he was talking. He looked up and down the two floors of the store for a while, then nodded happily and said, "The place is good, just leave the remaining empty rooms to us."
The shopkeeper was almost stunned when he heard that the young man who called himself Little Peanut at the front station said that Taishi Ge and Dr. Zhang from the Imperial Academy were going to stay in his shop. When he realized how much reputation this would bring to his century-old shop, he
He was almost grinning from ear to ear with joy. But then, he thought about how particular and picky the big people he occasionally met were.
From bedding to furnishings to food, forget it, these people are always trying to drive away guests, which is the biggest problem! Last year, a prefect suddenly picked their old hotel to stay for some reason and booked the entire hotel.
He stayed in the house for three days and kicked out the four guests who stayed there before, and the money he was given for room and board in the end... haha, just two dollars!
But now, how could he not be surprised that a first-grade grandmaster who was much older than the prefect was so approachable?
After Ge Yong finished saying this, he saw Zhang Shou motioning to Ah Liu and handing him a five-guan note. The shopkeeper was finally overjoyed and confirmed that his fortune had really turned out well. So he ran forward in person.
, led the two distinguished guests, the old and the young, to the two adjacent upper rooms. After seeing that they were satisfied with the conditions, they immediately started cooking.
Yes, in this century-old shop, he, the shopkeeper, is actually the boss, but he is also the chef. As for the waiters, he has a son, a nephew who is just sixteen, and an eight-year-old grandson. His mother-in-law and daughter-in-law help with chores.
There is no redundant hired labor.
In the past life, I have lived in seven-star luxury hotels, in luxurious antique B&Bs, in this life, I have lived in simple country houses, in the luxurious Zhao Guogong Mansion, in the simple dormitories of the Imperial College, and in the guest rooms of Cangzhou County Government. Now I own Zhang Garden
In such a luxurious garden, Zhang Shou's standard of living has dropped to a very ordinary standard of being clean and tidy.
And when he told Ah Liu to put away his luggage and went to see Ge Yong, he found that the teacher was more casual than him and had already started reading. He knew that he could not persuade him well, because he was the one who brought this fate to him.
I could only go see two future students, but when I opened the door, I saw that they were also studying hard in the same room, so I simply closed the door and quietly came out.
At this time, the sky was getting dark. Standing in the corridor on the second floor, Zhang Shou saw that the lights in the store had been lit. At the end of the corridor, he could still see someone looking around, but as soon as he found him, he immediately retracted his head.
.Knowing that his group was staying at this inn instead of the inn, the other guests were inevitably curious, so he didn't take it seriously and walked straight down the stairs.
Just as a boy was about to greet him, a voice came from outside: "Do Master Ge and Dr. Zhang live here?"
Following this voice, the Jiang family member who was sweating profusely rushed in. As soon as he saw Zhang Shou, he immediately smiled and rushed forward: "Dr. Zhang, my master has learned that
The postmaster of Luheyi refused to move in with Taishi Ge and you on the grounds that the house was full. He felt really sorry and said that he would immediately move half of his yard. Please, you two..."
Before anyone could finish what he said, Zhang Shou interrupted: "May I ask who your master is..."
"My master is Mr. Jiang...Jiang who has just become an official." The attendant almost opened his mouth and said the word "Ge Lao", and then tried to make his smile brighter, "My master said, then
There are a dozen rooms in the courtyard, and if you leave half of it, you will have seven or eight rooms. We can squeeze in both sides and it will be enough."
"It turns out to be Mr. Jiang." Zhang Shou had a gentle smile on his face, and his tone was very gentle, "Just now, Yi Cheng did not reject the teacher and me, but expressed embarrassment that it was already full of people. At that time, Zhejiang Bu
Political envoy Liu Fangbo also offered to give up the room, but the teacher politely declined in front of everyone. Did Mr. Jiang not hear about it?"
Seeing that the follower's face froze, he chuckled and said: "Since Luhe Posthouse is full, it's okay for me and the teacher to stay in this inn outside. There is no inconvenience. And since I just declined,
How can I accept Mr. Jiang's kindness in giving up my house to Uncle Liu Fang? Isn't this looking down on the enthusiastic Uncle Liu Fang?"
"Teachers never do things that are inconsistent with their words and deeds. This century-old restaurant has a clean and tidy building and delicious food. The teacher is very satisfied. I, a student, can still afford this small amount of room and board."
At this point, he paused and then continued calmly: "Furthermore, Mr. Jiang left the capital to return to his hometown. He expected that his servants would have a lot of luggage. Since he has settled down in the courtyard of Luheyi, now
Moving the house around for the sake of the teacher and me will inevitably take a lot of effort. How can the teacher and I feel comfortable? So, I’d better not disturb it."
He didn't even look at his personal attendant, who was obviously at a loss for words, and said with a pleasant smile: "Well, I think you came here under orders, so it would be hard to go back just like this. I'll write a post and take it back with you to present it to you.
Mr. Jiang."
The more the follower listened to Zhang Shougang's words, the more he felt that there was a hidden agenda in his words - whether it was the initial allusion to his teachers and students at the door of the inn, or when the Zhejiang chief envoy came out to make room, his master did not send
Whether the person came out to speak or later implied that the master had a lot of people and luggage when he returned home, it was obvious that he was not honest enough; anyway, it was probably not a good thing to say.
However, after all, he still said it very tactfully, and he was willing to pay for staying in an inn outside. Could he still drag these two people back to stay at the inn?
Especially when he saw many people on the second floor who obviously did not look like members of Zhang Shou's group, he became even more depressed. After all, he was also the grand master of the dynasty and the future son-in-law of Duke Zhao.
Isn't it so unscrupulous to stay in an inn? Even if you are afraid of kicking a guest out and it will cause bad news, you can pay two bucks to turn the guest away and book the whole inn, isn't it normal?
No matter how much he slandered, Zhang Shou's post was still written in one go, and he immediately put it into the envelope. Although he felt that the four words "Jiang Weng" on the envelope were not very well written, the man who accompanied Ge Yong didn't even look at him.
Without revealing it, Zhang Shou had no intention of taking him to see Grand Master Ge, so he had no choice but to leave in dismay.
What he didn't know was that as soon as he left, the shopkeeper, who had not even shown his face, called his three sons and grandsons who were working as waiters, and after discussing the matter in person, he let three people go and let two others go.
A century-old shop in Tongzhou that does a fairly good job and can provide enough food and clothing, and even be well-off, finally welcomed the most distinguished customer in its century-old history. They gave him plenty of money, and none of the other customers were kicked away. All he had to do was serve him diligently.
Well, before leaving, I might be able to shamelessly ask for a calligraphy painting, but just now I almost didn’t get invited back to the inn. It’s really unreasonable!
How could the shopkeeper, who always interacts with various customers every day, not see through this pretentious trick?
So, when the Jiang family members went to return their lives to Mr. Jiangge, Mr. Jiangge forced the old master to stay in an inn. After waiting for others to stay in the inn, he pretended to rent the room. This reputation started from this century-old family.
Word spread about the old shop, and soon it spread like wildfire throughout Tongzhou. Because he was not the only one who spread the word, the Zhejiang Chief Minister Liu Chuan also added fuel to the fire.
And when Mr. Jiang Ge received the reward, he opened the envelope with a sullen face and took out the post written by Zhang Shou himself. When he scanned the contents, he almost exploded.
Because what was clearly written on the post was: Thank you for your kindness, but the teacher likes to stay up late at night to study, and dare not disturb Mr. Jiang’s peace. But Mr. Jiang made people frame my fiancée, father and brother in front, and made people criticize my teachers and students in the back.
You should keep them at a respectful distance, and don't dare to disturb them.
The furious Mr. Jiang Ge almost immediately tore the post into pieces. When the scraps of paper fell to the ground like snowflakes, he glared at the follower and said, "You don't even look at it. Take this."
The post is back? Why don’t you throw this post directly into that arrogant boy’s face!”
The follower was almost scolded by Mr. Jiang Ge until he burst into tears. The post he sent to you was specially sealed in an envelope. How dare I open it and read it in person, and then throw it in his face after reading it?
However, the master was so angry that he did not dare to defend himself and could only kneel down in a hurry to plead guilty. Mr. Jiang Ge was already very angry and could no longer suppress his anger. He smashed out a tea cup, drank and got out.
The staff member named Sima who was silent on the side did not rush up to hold his arm until this moment.
"Dong Weng, Dong Weng, calm down! Now and then, let's see how long he can be arrogant!"
"I am angry with those who accuse me of being self-willed. They all keep saying that this guy has a kind heart and an open mind. He is a gentle gentleman and a role model for others. He treated the people in Cangzhou how he did. But look at what he wrote in this post.
Is this a kind-hearted gentleman? Bah, this is a villain who will definitely take revenge!"
The corner of Sima Hou's mouth twitched, thinking that a gentleman is a gentleman in front of others and a villain in the back. Isn't this the consistent virtue of officials in the DPRK? How dare you, old man, to criticize others? But his face did not show a trace of it. Instead, he repeated in a low voice and a slow voice.
He exhorted, took one last look at the scrap of paper on the ground, and then said softly: "If Dong Weng is so angry, can you piece this scrap of paper together and pass it around so that others can see it?"
"If I tear it into pieces and put it back together again, why should others still laugh at me for not being magnanimous?"
Mr. Jiang Ge regretted his impulsiveness just now, but he was unwilling to do such a ridiculous thing. He snorted and said impatiently: "I was just trying to ask myself to serve, but the emperor only kept me once and then he agreed.
That attitude is already very obvious. I won’t stay too long and let the family members pack their luggage and leave slowly. I will sail back to Fujian first. People in the court will be disappointed. This is not the way to treat an old official!"
He glanced at the staff next to him and said earnestly: "I will live in the countryside for a few years, and you will have to make your own future. In the past few years, I have been a guest and a host, so you can just send me to Tongzhou. From now on, you can look after me.
The Zhu family, Lu Wan, and the fate of this kid! Just leave this matter alone, and I will order others to publicize his unforgivable behavior!"
“Don’t worry, Dong Weng!”
He promised categorically, but when he left the room, the middle-aged Sima Hou raised the corner of his mouth and smiled contemptuously. He was already stepping down, and he obviously wanted to show off as if he had different political opinions.
Even though you are going there, you still have to show off your power and wealth in Tongzhou, and you still have to compete with the teachers and students of Ge family who are at the top of their game... Isn't that self-humiliating?
As for the host-guest relationship, hehe, he has been doing this for many years, but now Old Man Jiang doesn’t even give him a cent of Cheng Yi. Instead, he gives someone a hundred Cheng Yi, but Old Man Jiang can take advantage of it! Zhu Ying didn’t even curse once before.
, that’s a miser who loves money as much as his life! He also wants to spread rumors to slander Zhang Shou... He also doesn’t think about the warmth and coldness of human relationships and the harsh conditions of the world. Rumors to the contrary may have already been flying in the streets!