[R18] Will drink wine – “About Wine” Chapter 226 [English]

Chapter 218: Prepare

In the blink of an eye, at the end of February, the Dancheng case became a well-known case in Qudu. Pan Lin stayed in the Huishen Hall for half a month without making any progress.Students in the street are talking about this a lot, and they place their hopes on Xue Xiuzhuo, and the number of rumors in the DPRK to impeach Pan Xiangjie is increasing day by day.

When the snow stopped, a Juexi caravan also arrived in Qudu.

Xiao Wu was wrapped like a rice dumpling, but he was very dexterous. He jumped off the carriage and stood at the checkpoint talking and laughing with the tax collector.The curtain behind the car opened, and Ge Qingqing, who had a short beard, stepped out.

Ge Qingqing flicked the copper plate with his thumb, caught it firmly, and said with a smile to the clerk: “We have been familiar with the coming and going of goods for a long time. In the evening, I asked the master to show you a favor. Let’s sit on Donglong Street. My brother was taken care of by you last year. I have to thank you very much for this.”

The subordinate official with the tax roll knew that this man was a merchant from Juexi. Last year, Xiao Wu pledged goods and the money he paid here was gone. Now he finally met Ge Qingqing. Although it was the first time, he knew him like a brother.

The subordinate jumped out of the truck with an “ouch” and said with a smile to Ge Qingqing: “I am just a clumsy penman. How can I afford to say ‘Master’ to Master Ge? You are the master, and you are our master!”

Ge Qingqing returned to the capital after a year, and every time he saw the city gate, there was an interrogation, and he read in detail the routes and registers of the passing caravans.He calmly said to the subordinate: “How long do you have to stand here in such a cold weather? I see there is still a long queue behind you.”

The subordinate stood on the side and took the tobacco from Ge Qingqing. He had gained a lot of respect from Ge Qingqing, so he was naturally willing to deal with Ge Qingqing. He immediately complained half-seriously: “Stand in the closed city! If there are no other advantages, who would be willing to stand here? You don’t know that there are hundreds of caravans coming and going in this day, and there are many sneakers and sneakers, thinking of ways to evade taxes.”

“That’s really not a thing,” Ge Qingqing said, “Isn’t this sincerely obstructing the brothers from doing their business?”

“You are a sensible person!” The subordinate officer bridged the gap between his eyes and Ge Qingqing’s eyes, “I have been collecting tax money here for so long. From what I can see, you, Mr. Ge, are the most loyal.”

Ge Qingqing patted the subordinate’s shoulder and said a few words of relief.

The subordinate asked: “Master Ge is here in person right now. Is he next to the big business?”

Ge Qingqing was smoking a pipe. He didn’t smoke when he stayed in Jinyiwei before, but it was indispensable when he was socializing in Juexi. At this moment, he said “hmm”, turned around and exhaled the smoke, and said to the assistant: “Business is not easy to do now, and inspections are strict in various places. If we don’t go to Tuncheng, we have to go to Dicheng. The transit tax for bulk goods is too high, so I have given up the idea of making a fortune.” heAfter saying that, he said with emotion, “It’s better for you, brothers. It’s right to follow the imperial court. I think it’s majestic.”

“Master Ge comes very rarely,” said the subordinate, puffing on his pipe. “There are some idiots who rely on a few stinky money and have eyes that reach the top of their heads. They don’t take us as individuals at all. They come and go and drink, and they do a lot of harm to us.”

What the subordinate said was half true and false. The tax collector was a fat man. He dealt with merchants from all over the country all day long and occupied the dignity of the emperor’s city. There were few people making trouble, and those who knew a little about things would take the initiative to honor them. Therefore, the subordinate who could stand here to run errands at the checkpoint usually had someone to take care of him.But it’s true that if you occasionally meet someone like Xi, you definitely can’t afford to offend him.

“Brothers have worked hard,” Ge Qingqing waved to Xiao Wu and motioned for him to bring the goods in, “That’s it, I’ll hold a banquet at Donglong Yanyu Building and wait. The brothers will go straight over after picking up their badges. Let’s have a good meal then.”

The subordinate said: “Master Ge is too polite, so it’s better to be respectful than to obey!”

Ge Qingqing smiled and followed the caravan into the city.Xiao Wu led his horse around and asked, “Brother Qing, what do you want us to do? They are all little rats, and they are very greedy!”

“Master said fishing,” Ge Qingqing threw the copper plate held between her fingers to Xiao Wu, “How can we fish without bait?”

The city gate customs duties are managed by the Qudu Tax Department directly under the Ministry of Household Affairs. If subordinate officials do not join the ranks, they are all guaranteed by the officials behind them.When you get money here, you have to consider the importance. For example, the large amount of goods Ge Qingqing took last year can easily cost thousands of taels in private taxes. How can the subordinate staff have the guts to take it all for themselves?They all only dare to take a small amount, but the big part still has to go to the “daddy” above.

Ge Qingqing came back to the capital this time to catch these dads on Shen Zechuan’s order.

“Let’s go,” Ge Qingqing looked at the green tiles covered with fresh snow and patted Xiao Wu on the back, “Go and get our ‘old house’ back first.”

* * *

Yao Wenyu’s illness did not improve, and even after several bowls of medicine, it was of no use.This day, I took advantage of Jin Yiwei’s opportunity to test the horse and went outside to enjoy the breeze.Fei Sheng was very careful and prepared a screen before Shen Zechuan gave instructions, and also placed a charcoal basin under the shed to ensure that his husband would not be cold.

Shen Zechuan saw Xiao Chiye standing at the front, talking to Hai Rigu.He did not look away, but tilted his head slightly, and said to Yao Wenyu: “Ge Qingqing has been in Juexi for a long time, and still misses home. He is from Qudu, and he still has relatives at home.”

Fu Jun’s earlobes were clear and bright, and the agate swayed slightly with his movements, rubbing against the fur collar, making it look thrilling.He is suitable for red. Those white furs fade away the beauty of the eyebrows and appear too friendly when necessary. Only red can force out the sharp awn.This is a process of “sharpening”. The higher he sits, the more obvious the sharpness hidden deep inside.

“The people in charge of the taxation department in Qudu are all officials from aristocratic families.” Yao Wenyu did not want to show any weakness in front of outsiders, so he covered himself with a blanket and looked energetic. “The prince wants Ge Qingqing to start here. He can use Xi Hongxuan’s old story.”

“That can’t be done.” Shen Zechuan watched Hai Rigu get on his horse, the Jin Yiwei at the other end also got on his horse, and Fei Sheng was leaning over to talk to Qiao Tianya.He continued: “Most of Xi Hongxuan’s old stories are related to Xue Xiuzhuo. Xi Hongxuan was able to enter the capital in the Xiande year, and Xue Xiuzhuo spent a lot of effort. These people are a mixed bag, and they need to be carefully screened before use.”

“Pan Lin was dismissed from his post,” Yao Wenyu said, “Liang Miaoshan is the most promising chess piece. If we ask Ge Qingqing to open up a new path under him, I’m afraid he will not be able to catch up with the Dancheng case.”

“We can’t get involved in the Dancheng case.” Shen Zechuan felt something move in his waist. He lowered his eyes and saw the tiger slave reaching for the tassel of his folding fan, “But in the game of Dancheng case, no matter who loses or wins, it is of no benefit to me. I asked Ge Qingqing to return to the capital, not because I want him to cause any trouble in the Dancheng case, but to wait for a winner.”

Yao Wenyu didn’t see the tiger slave, and his eyes were taken away by Qiao Tianya on the racecourse.

The recruitment standards for Zhongbo Jinyiwei were set according to Qiao Tianya. Today, he was dressed in a strong suit. He bent down and picked up the running Ding Tao with his arms, and threw it to Gujin behind. He hooked Li Xiong’s collar with a riding whip and also threw it to Gujin.

“…The busy farming season in May is over,” Yao Wenyu said, “Libei is still fighting, so the Lord is preparing for a rainy day.”

The end of the busy farming season means that farming and other farm work is over. The pressure on the cabinet has dropped sharply. It has enough energy to start confronting Zhongbo and Libei. Shen Zechuan wants to ensure that his line is not broken.This year, he has to bear the responsibility of supplying military rations to the three parties, but he lost the Xi family’s copper mine in Juexi. The Liuzhou port planned by Yan Heru is only in prototype this year. If it is further restricted by Qidu, the battleground will become dangerous.

“If Xue Yanqing wins,” Yao Wenyu looked at Shen Zechuan, “Where will Mr. Fu find his weakness?”

“I can’t find it,” Shen Zechuan shook his tassel, “As early as when I was in Qudu, I couldn’t find Xue Yanqing’s weakness. This man has nothing he can’t give up. He cut off Xi Hongxuan’s bank account from my hands, but he is still willing to wear old official robes and work in the field. I admire him.”

Lang Tao Xuejin galloped across the scene, bursting into cheers.Xiao Chiye reined in the reins and smiled at Shen Zechuan from a long distance away.

The chill in Shen Zechuan’s eyes disappeared and he turned the folding fan around.

“Quancheng silk is also very clean, I can’t catch him…but he is not alone.”

* * *

Xue Xiuyi pressed the handkerchief and blew his nose. He claimed to be a noble scribe, but his actions were quite rude.He wore his official robe slovenly, and the corners of the robe were dark and wrinkled.Nowadays, Xue Xiuzhuo is at the peak of his power, but Xue Xiuyi is just doing a side job.He completely ruined his family fortune in his early years, and now he has to think twice before eating a bowl of copper plate noodles.

The colleagues next to me were fed up with Xue Xiuyi, but they didn’t dare to show it openly. They just said, “You are sick. It doesn’t matter if you rest in the house for two days. Why force yourself to hold on? I will find a doctor for you later.”

Hearing this, Xue Xiuyi felt that his face was shameless. He was a legitimate son of a noble family, but he looked as if he couldn’t even pay for the consultation. So he rubbed his handkerchief and said loudly: “There is a doctor waiting for me! When has the family been short of a doctor? I’ve just been busy with official duties recently, so I forgot about this. I’ll call him over today to show me when I get back.”

Colleagues all know that he pretends to be wealthy and is so poor that he fights with his mother-in-law at home all day long and sells off his girls and everything.They responded vaguely and ignored Xue Xiuyi.

It was getting dark now, and people were walking through the errand compound one after another.Xue Xiuyi sat on the cold bench, facing the stove, trying to dry his wet boots, but the candle was blown out.When he was young, he was accustomed to fine clothes and fine food, and was always accompanied by girls and women when he went to bed. He was afraid of the dark, so when he saw that the candle was gone, he quickly stood up and hurriedly walked out.

There were several colleagues standing in the yard, smoking guns and planning to have a drink later.Xue Xiuyi hurriedly walked to the door and listened to them.

“Can’t you see this? I have long heard that the Xue family is extremely harsh on their concubines, especially Xue Da.” A colleague whispered, “In the Yong Yinian period, the old man of the Xue family was willing to let Mr. Yanqing learn from him. It was because Xue Da was really not a piece of material. Mr. Chang Zong said he was a dead wood and could not be taught!”

Xue Xiuyi’s heart froze, and he was so proud of his face that he shrank behind the door, endured the shame, and listened to them continue to talk.

“So now Xue Yanqing refuses to promote him,” someone said, “if he is just working idle in the yamen, his monthly salary is not as much as that of a beggar outside. It would be fine if the family of he held the title like Fei, but there is none.”

“I see that Xue Yanqing’s recommendations are all from the Hanlin Academy. Most of these people were Jinshi in the spring of a few years ago. After passing the palace examination, they are all talented people. How can Xue Da be promoted? He knows nothing. Last time I asked him to sort out old cases, and he copied eight words wrongly on a piece of paper.”

They gathered together and laughed.

Xue Xiuyi’s hands trembled, he clutched the wet robe, and wanted to run out and scold these despicable people who were mocking him behind his back, but he was no longer what he was before. He no longer had the honor of the Xue family. He relied on this salary to make a living, and he no longer dared to speak as openly as he did when he humiliated Pan Lin.

Xue Yan was cleaning something.

Xue Xiuyi stretched his neck and spat lightly.

Despicable bastard!