[R18] Will drink wine – Chapter 9 of “About to Enter the Wine” [English]

Chapter 9 Promotion

Since the end of the year, many people on the streets in Qudu wear “moths” cut from black gold paper.The Zhengdan Festival is approaching, and ordinary people are competing to make cakes and cooked meat at home.The palace purchased the materials for the official banquet half a month in advance, and everyone in Guanglu Temple was so busy that they could not touch the ground, but the eunuchs were able to make a lot of money.

Xiao Chiye flipped through the book and said, “When a foreign official enters the capital, he must offer the ‘Bing Jing’ to the capital officials. But Pan Rugui is very majestic and makes the list in an orderly manner. Only by paying according to the order can peace be achieved.”

“This is just the ‘broken silver’ from the beginning of the year.” Lu Guangbai frothy his tea, “Let me tell you an account. The little eunuch under Pan Rugui’s salary in one year is far more than the military salary of the Qianhu Guard Station in the border area for two years. We use troops every year. Every time the Ministry of Revenue asks us to send troops, we beg our grandpa to tell our grandma, wishing we could coax us like our biological fathers. After the war is over, we will become the grandsons who have to pay.”

“The rich man is the master.” Xiao Chiye said with a smile.

“Years ago, we were marching in the snow from Libei. The soldiers and horses were very tired, and the equipment of the cavalry had to be repaired before the spring. We owed money to the workshop for many days, and we had to spend money everywhere.” Zhaohui calculated carefully in his mind and said, “Before entering the capital, Libei’s army stationed the annual grain at a discount of two taels of silver.We have to live our lives carefully.We, the imperial concubine, don’t dare to buy expensive clothes for the family during the holidays.Pan Rugui’s money has exceeded the total tax money of Duanzhou.The censor is so pretentious that he still doesn’t dare to give it away!”

“I’m so poor.” Lu Guangbai sighed, “I worry about money every year. Since I knew that this time I entered the capital, for his sake, the Ministry of Household Affairs did not dare to delay, and submitted it to the cabinet early. Pan Rugui also approved it honestly. The money should be allocated before leaving the capital.”

“We have a big brother.” Xiao Chiye put down the book and looked at Lu Guangbai, “What are your plans?”

“Your Majesty doesn’t see me.” Lu Guangbai said, “The Lu family is in trouble. The eight families always treat us as desert savages, and the Hua family doesn’t look at us seriously. But I am asked to honor Pan Rugui. I don’t have any money, and my family is so poor that I can’t even open the pot. It is a good idea to be able to cultivate Juntun in other places.It’s a quick turnaround, but our border county is thousands of miles away, and there is no land.This time, the 20,000 soldiers on the road were all fed by Marshal Qi’s private money.I must say that it’s a shame that Marshal Qi was considerate, otherwise my troops would not be able to get past Tianfei Palace.But how much money can Marshal Qi have?What she got was the dowry that the old concubine left for her!Her own private soldiers are going out to sell their pants!The Ministry of Finance is doing Tai Chi with me every day. Why don’t you just leave my account and don’t transfer the money?I guess there is nothing I can do about it, Lu Guang.”

Lu Guangbai was rarely angry.He had no choice, because the border commander was guarding the edge of the desert, and he was the garrison that had the most dealings with the Biansha cavalry besides Libei.After a year of running around exhaustingly, struggling to get by under a machete, I couldn’t get a few full nights of sleep, and I could never fill my stomach.With all the pressure on him, Bian Shabo has long become a well-known pauper among the princes.The He family never kept any rewards, all of them were converted into silver to subsidize military supplies.

Xiao Jiming was dressed neatly, and the maids filed out.There were only four of them left in the room. Xiao Jiming took a cup of tea, took a sip, and said unhurriedly: “We have a good time this year, the Zhengdan Banquet for Hundreds of Officials. Isn’t it time for Qi Zhuyin to arrive?”

Lu Guangbai said: “That’s right. I was worried at first, but then I thought, let’s just let them drag me. I’ll drag you until the marshal enters the capital, and you and I will be happy.”

Xiao Jiming said: “Nowadays, she is the most popular in the capital. Even the local gangsters who put ‘tiger skin money'[1] in the capital have to give her face. The previous debt can be paid back, but you can’t just rely on her. Border counties are important. I heard the trend yesterday, and this year the Ministry of Revenue will ask you to recruit soldiers again.”

Lu Guangbai rubbed the edge of the tea cup and said, “Recruiting? Don’t even think about it. Something happened in the six states of Zhongbo. They are afraid of death. They are worried that the border counties will not be stabbed by the 12 Biansha tribes. They feel that my 20,000 soldiers and horses are not enough. But if the soldiers can be recruited, can the money be given? I can’t afford it. Even if a knife is pressed against my neck this year, I won’t do it.”

Xiao Chiye suddenly sat upright and said, “That’s right. In the past, the fastest allocation by the Ministry of Revenue was the military pay and rations from the six states of Zhongbo. This time, people are dead and the money is not mentioned. Where is the food? When the Biansha cavalry ran away, they couldn’t take away so much food.”

The remaining three people looked at him.

Lu Guangbai said: “Silly boy, don’t worry about it. The grain recovered will fully make up for the salary owed to Juexi Thirteen Cities last year. Can’t you guess the reason for the Ministry of Revenue’s shirk? In recent years, the Eighth Families have become the Eighth Camp, and the equipment costs are the best in Dazhou. All this money is taken directly from the tax bank. If you think about the amount of two million, everyone understands that this account is crazy. But the Queen Mother does notIf Mr. Huage doesn’t pursue it, who dares to mention it?The treasury is empty, and the thirteen cities of Juexi were hit by a locust plague last year. How can there be any money for disaster relief?It’s all thanks to Jiang Qingshan, the governor of Juexi, who forced officials of all sizes to open private grain for disaster relief.For this matter, Jiang Qingshan saved hundreds of thousands of people, but he was hated by the officials of Juexi years ago.In front of his house, he is an 80-year-old official from the second rank of Xinjiang, and his mother is still weaving and paying off her debts!If she doesn’t give him money, he will be forced to die.In the end, it was Mr. Haige who had to deal with the cabinet and Pan Rugui for half a month to fill the gap.”

Zhao Hui couldn’t help but say: “You may say you are poor, but the bribes are very large, and those who do practical work are all holding their heads high and tightening their belts. This trip to the capital of Qi, it is better not to come, it makes people feel discouraged.”

It’s snowing outside, but there’s no New Year’s atmosphere inside.The mess is piling up, and all the new phenomena are just clouds of smoke floating on the surface.The serious injury has not healed, but it still needs to be covered, and pus is stained on the ground.The snow comes well and covers it beautifully. The left and right can pretend not to be seen, and everyone is drunk and dreaming together.

* * *

Late at night, Pan Rugui sat on the couch with his eyes closed.Keep the natural paper flowers handy for wiping your hands after finishing your meditation.Xiao Fuzi didn’t dare to express his anger, and waited carefully on the footrest, holding a pencil case in his hand.

After half an hour, Pan Rugui took a long breath and opened his eyes.Xiao Fuzi immediately presented the pen, and Pan Rugui raised his eyebrows and mentioned a few words in the palm of his hand.

Xiao Fuzi said flatteringly: “My ancestor has recently received the emperor’s true biography, and he has become more and more immortal. Just now, my grandson looked at it, and there was a faint purple energy rising!”

Pan Rugui wiped his hands and said, “Do you know why you can’t get into the Department of Ceremonies?”

Xiao Fuzi said: “My ancestors love me.”

“It’s one thing to love you.” Pan Rugui threw the paper flowers into Xiao Fuzi’s arms, “It’s another thing not to win. It’s been two years since the emperor has been enlightened, and there’s still no purple energy rising. I’m just a slave, how can I be promoted first? Isn’t that an act of arrogance?”

Xiao Fuzi handed Pan Rugui hot tea and said with a playful smile: “My ancestor is my master, and my ancestor is my heaven. Seeing my ancestor enter meditation is like seeing the Supreme Lord descending to earth! How can I think so much.”

“Yeah.” Pan Rugui rinsed his mouth, “You can still be considered capable if you are filial.”

Xiao Fuzi chuckled, leaned against Pan Rugui’s feet, and said, “This is the New Year’s Day, and I have to pay homage to my ancestors. When I was purchasing it a few years ago, I saw a stunning beauty in King Chu’s village! I asked about it, and I thought the emperor wouldn’t need it. Honoring me to you is the top priority.”

Pan Rugui said: “How can such a stunning woman be compared to the third lady? Besides, isn’t she a member of the King of Chu? The King of Chu has such a bad temper, hegemony and tyranny, I’m afraid he won’t let go easily, right?”

Xiao Fuzi said: “No matter how rich the king of Chu is, can he be more valuable than the emperor? The emperor didn’t say anything. Isn’t it right to pay filial piety to the ancestors? Besides, don’t take it to heart. I guarantee that I will arrange it for you before spring. You will see me then. Whether you accept it or not is up to her.”

Pan Rugui put down the tea cup and said, “I’m not in a hurry. I’m not a lustful person. Since you mentioned the King of Chu, how are you doing with Mr. Xiao, who has the same temper and is extremely messy?”

Xiao Fuzi beat Pan Rugui’s leg and said: “Hey! Ancestor, this Second Young Master Xiao is really amazing. He entered the palace, and from the first night, he has been drinking and drinking with others until today! He didn’t do anything else, just drinking and having fun. King Chu’s group all likes to play with him, it’s true that birds of a feather flock together!”

“That’s okay…but he is from the Xiao family after all. The emperor placed him too close to the Yiluan Division, which makes people uneasy.” Pan Rugui thought about it for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, “Our family has thought of a good place, which is suitable for sending him. Put on your shoes, I will go to Mingli Hall to serve the emperor!”

The next day, there was a banquet for hundreds of officials on the Zhengdan Festival. Nothing happened at the banquet. When it was about to leave, I suddenly heard what Emperor Xiande said.

“Aye, are you feeling comfortable staying in Qudu these days?”

Xiao Chiye stopped peeling tangerines and replied, “Go back to the emperor, feel comfortable.”

Emperor Xiande turned to Xiao Jiming and said, “I have thought about it and put Aye in the Yiluan Division. After all, it is a loss of talent. He is also a good boy who has been on the battlefield. It is too embarrassing to stay in front of the emperor. It is better to let Aye go to the Forbidden Army. The governor of the Forbidden Army was originally Xi Gu’an, but now he has to take care of the Eighth Camp. He is really incompetent, so let Aye take his place.”

Lu Guangbai frowned immediately.

Yiluansi was hiding in front of the emperor, so if something happened, the emperor couldn’t turn a blind eye.But what is the Forbidden Army?The Imperial Guards are now just servants in Qandu. Is this a reward?Can this still be called a reward?

Lu Guangbai was about to stand up, but saw Xiao Chiye already saluting.

“The Governor sounds majestic, like a commander-in-chief.” Xiao Chiye said with a smile, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Huage Lao laughed and said, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Your Majesty, this is a young man who is a hero.”

Congratulations rose and fell during the banquet. Xiao Jiming smiled and said nothing, just looking at Xiao Chiye.

Lu Guangbai drank and bowed his head, and said to Zhaohui beside him: “… Such an arrangement is obviously to punish Ji Ming’s heart.”

After the table was dismissed, Xiao Chiye disappeared without a trace.

Friends and friends want to congratulate him on his promotion, and he takes people to have a drink.After the third watch, everyone was shaking when they came out.

The King of Chu, Li Jianheng, was a few years older than Xiao Chiye, and he was a real bastard.Before he got on the sedan, he pulled Xiao Chiye’s sleeve and said drunkenly: “You’re going against the grain! As a Forbidden Army, you don’t have to worry about patrols, so you have a lot of leisure. But you still receive your salary. If you have money, you don’t have to risk your life. The best thing in the world is just for you to pick up! Have fun!”

Xiao Chiye also laughed, and he smiled even more mischievously, and said, “Yeah, why don’t we treat you to a drink now? From now on, let’s go all around the capital together!”

“Yes, yes!” Li Jianheng patted Xiao Chiye’s shoulder hard, “That’s what you want! Come to my house in a few days, and I’ll have someone… celebrate it for you…”

Xiao Chiye watched the sedan go away and got on the horse.He’s horse was bred from a wild horse he had tamed under the Hongyan Mountains. It was a powerful horse, all black except for a patch of white on its chest.

Xiao Chiye patted his horse and walked forward, and the shops on both sides of the street lit up lights to send them off.he raised his hand and said, “Turn it off, don’t shine.”

The store clerks looked at each other, not daring to disobey.The lanterns were extinguished one by one, leaving only the dim light of the cold moon and ice and snow on the road.

Xiao Chiye whistled, and Haidongqing swooped down in the night with a roar.He beat the horse quickly, and the horse under the seat roared with heat and started running suddenly.

The strong wind blew violently, and Xiao Chiye’s alcoholic fever was washed away.He looked like a trapped beast jostling in the night, and the sound of horse hooves was the loud noise of collision.He was galloping in the deserted streets, his smiling face was torn apart in the darkness, leaving only the cold and lonely silence.

The horse ran for who knows how long, but Xiao Chiye suddenly rolled down.He slammed into the snow and buried his head in concentration for a moment.

The horse raised its hooves and circled the he with its head lowered to touch.Hai Dongqing rested on the horse’s back, tilting his head and staring at him.

Xiao Chiye endured it, raised his arms and vomited.After a long time, he stood up and leaned against the wall.The bone between the fingers is a bit big, and I don’t know where it fell.He was searching in the snow, but heard someone not far away whispering, “Who is it?”

Xiao Chiye ignored him.

The imperial guard’s flag touched the lantern, illuminated it and said, “How dare you come late at night… sir?”

Xiao Chiye turned his head and said, “Recognize it?”

Forbidden Army Xiaoqi shook his head honestly: “I don’t know who you are…”

“I am your eldest brother.” Xiao Chiye threw away the dirty cloak, lowered his eyes and continued to look for the ring.He cursed irritably and said, “Give me the lantern and you can get out.”

The Forbidden Army Xiaoqi approached cautiously and said, “Second Young Master, isn’t it? We just got the order. It’s not yet dawn, and it’s too early for the review. You can come back tomorrow in time…”

Xiao Chiye stretched out his hand and Xiao Qi handed over the lantern.he said: “Where is this?”

Xiaoqi replied respectfully: “This is the side wall of Qandu, Zhaosu Temple.”

Xiao Chiye said, “It’s none of your business.”

Xiao Qi stepped back to leave, then heard Xiao Chiye say: “Is Shen Zechuan here? Inside the wall?”

“Yes.” Xiaoqi became more and more uneasy, “The person is locked up…”

“Let him out.”

Xiaoqi was stunned and quickly said: “How can this be done! Even the governor can’t do it! The emperor has a strict order…”

Xiao Chiye raised the lantern and said, “I have the final say on the Forbidden Army.”

Xiaoqi tentatively said: “Don’t kill, kill…”

“My mother asked him to come out and sing!” Xiao Chiye suddenly threw the lantern open, and the light was extinguished in a flash.He stood in the darkness with a sinister look in his eyes.