At this time, the flower hall was in full swing.

It stands to reason that since the imperial court and the Ministry of Officials have let the Quanzhou Governor select the candidates for the county lieutenant, Song Lian, who is the governor of Quanzhou, can make the decision alone. And before leaving, the assassin Shi Feng Pu had already explained to him, and he had full authority to deal with all the matters of Qingyuan. Therefore, Song Lian can directly circle the candidates without considering the suggestions of a few people present, and then leave and go home.

If Song Lian was asked to choose one person from Cui and Song as the candidate for the lieutenant of Qingyuan County, he would actually prefer Song Wen, the official of Qingyuan Hucao. There are three reasons, one is that Song Wen is a member of Hu Zeyi's staff, and he has been an official for more than ten years, and he must be more sophisticated than Cui Geng, a junior brother, in handling all matters in the yamen, and he has more experience; The second is that Song Wen has been a servant for more than ten years, and he has been in Qingyuan County for four or five years. This can also be regarded as a thousand gold to buy horse bones, which can play an encouraging and uplifting role for the Cao officials of the county government in various places. As for the last point, which is also the most critical point that Song Lian thinks, that is, Song Wen has read the books of sages since he was a child. It's not humiliating for him to be the lieutenant of Qingyuan County as a scholar, it's better to let a stinky businessman who can only knock on the beads and check the account book, and only knows how to calculate and calculate every day, to be the lieutenant of Qingyuan County, right?

If this small winery owner can serve as the Jiupin County Lieutenant of Qingyuan County and spread it, wouldn't it be a joke for the officials of the neighboring state capitals to see the officialdom of Quanzhou?

A businessman has turned into a county lieutenant who is in charge of a county to arrest thieves and thieves, take charge of public security in Qingyuan, and sentence six Cao!

This... It's too unseemly and too insulting to officialdom.

Song Lian shook his head secretly, he had already denied Cui Geng's candidate in his heart, but seeing Gonggong Guo sitting next to him, he was constantly squeezing his eyebrows at him, for fear that he would forget to come and ask the two cool officials to ask him to bring, Song Lian fell into a tangle again.

What is the current pattern in the Chang'an court, although Song Lian can't touch it, but he often hears the assassin Shi Feng Pu mention it, and he also understands it somewhat. For cool officials like Lai and Suo, who made their fortune by framing and beating them into tricks, all officials who were born in the Eight Classics and Imperial Examinations were very disdainful and spurned, and Feng Tingshi also scolded the two thieves in the government, so Song Lian didn't mean to adopt them at all if they were brought over.

However, he is only in his fifties now, and there is still room for improvement in the officialdom. According to rumors, this Laisuo two thieves are not only good at framing and creating unjust cases, but also have eyes as small as the tip of a needle. If at this time, because of such a trivial matter, he offended the two people who were just popular in the court, I am afraid it would not be a rational act. This is contrary to his long-standing style of 'being an official with the golden mean'.

Tangled!

Song Lian couldn't help but feel annoyed in his heart, he knew that he should not be able to afford to be sick today, and he could also avoid this bad errand.

At this time, Hu Zeyi, who had already stood up and recommended Song Wen several times, got up again and arched his hand: "Song Changshi, although Cui Geng has made meritorious contributions to offering wine, but he is a businessman who is a fly camp and a dog, and he only calculates for money all day long, and he is neither a scholar nor a scholar, nor is he famous, how can he take on the position of Qingyuan County Lieutenant?" Spread it out, won't my Quanzhou Mansion become a joke of all officialdom colleagues? The lower officials still recommended Song Wen, the county householder, in this move. In terms of background and qualifications, Song Wen is the best candidate. ”

After the words fell, Guo Gonggong couldn't help but say loudly: "But before the slave maid left, the imperial history of the Cheng Lord, the young master of Dali Temple, but repeatedly explained to the slave and maid, this Qingyuan Cui family from the side branch of the Qinghe Cui family, the ancestor had a five-grade Dali Temple, according to the etiquette system, you can enter the door, he is not a lowly person, and he has a meritorious contribution to the imperial wine, the Son of Heaven and the Queen Mother are very satisfied, and when it comes to meritorious service, how did it become a joke for him to serve as the lieutenant of Qingyuan County?" And the lord also asked the slave and maid to pass the word, saying......"

"Guo Neidian!"

Hu Zeyi frowned rather unhappily, secretly scolded the mouthy eunuch, and then said coldly: "The imperial court and the officials have explained that the Quanzhou Mansion will select it by itself, so I don't bother Guo Neidian about this matter, right?" ”

Guo's father-in-law was so counted by Hu Zeyi, he suddenly felt that he had lost face, and he wanted to speak again, but Song Lian raised his hand to block it. I saw Song Lian wave his hand and motioned for Hu Zeyi to sit down, and said, "Hu County Order, this official understands what you mean." So what is Chen Xiancheng's opinion on this matter? ”

Well, kicked the ball to Chen Ziang again.

Seeing this, Chen Ziang still treated it indifferently, got up slightly, and said: "When the lower official first came to take office, he didn't dare to make a proposal. However, the position of Qingyuan County Lieutenant is related to the security of the county, and the lower officials still think that Hu County's advice is more serious. ”

The implication is that he seconded Hu Zeyi's recommendation.

After speaking, Chen Ziang sat down silently, and could only say sorry to Zhang Cambodia, the old ghost, first, he had seen Cui Geng, and found that this person was not as good as Zhang Cambodia said, and secondly, he would have to work with Hu Zeyi in Qingyuan County in the future, so there was no need to make trouble with the other party because of this matter. Finally, he also felt that Song Wen was a saint's disciple who read the books of sages, which was indeed more suitable than a businessman. The disciples of the same saint are all scholars, if the scale is not tilted, he is more willing to help the scholars.

Okay, now Qingyuan County Ling and Qingyuan County Cheng both think that Song Wen is more suitable than Cui Geng, and Guo Gonggong, who was sitting in the hall, couldn't help but sigh secretly, Come to Lord Suo, don't hate slaves and maids, the two chief officials of Qingyuan County will not sell your face, and blame the kid surnamed Cui for his bad luck.

Now the opinions in the flower hall are very clear, Hu Zeyi and Chen Ziang both support Song Wen to take the position of Qingyuan County Lieutenant, and this matter is basically settled.

Seeing this, Song Lian thought in his heart, since this is the case, I simply handed over the power of the clapper to Shen Tuo. First, he joined the army in Quanzhou Prefecture, and he was also the official of Qingyuan County, and now the two chief officials of Qingyuan County have given their opinions, and it is reasonable for him to determine the candidate; Second, it is better for him to determine it himself than for the old man to make sure, so that even if he asks the two to be jealous, he will not be able to hold a grudge against the old man.

It was as if Song Lian was going to play an old slippery head, kick the ball to Shen Tuo, and let him carry the big black cauldron of Junchen and Suo Yuanli.

Immediately, he squinted his old eyes and said to Shen Tuo with a smile: "Shen joined the army because I joined the army in Quanzhou Mansion, he was young and had a great future, and he was repeatedly praised by Feng Tingshi for his discerning eyes. Since Hu Xianling and Chen Xiancheng have made proposals, then the matter of determining the candidates will be handed over to Shen to join the army. How is it? ”

After speaking, he picked up the tea soup on the table, took a sip, and looked at Shen Tuo with a smile.

When Shen Tuo heard this, he continued to keep a straight face, stood up with his waist straight, and arched his hand: "Song Changshi praised it!" Since Song Changshi handed over the power of this circle to the lower officials, then Shen might as well obey his fate respectfully! Xia Guan believes that Cui Gengshi is the best candidate! As for Song Wen, it's really not good, it's too far away! ”

Burst!

Song Lian was flipped by Shen Tuo's cold hand, and directly took a sip of tea soup and spouted it.

With a sudden, Hu Zeyi stood up suddenly, completely forgetting the difference between the lower and the higher, and asked directly, "Why is this?" ”

Chen Ziang was also a little surprised by Shen Tuo's announcement.

Shen Tuo set his eyes on Hu Zeyi, still with a straight face, and replied indifferently with a little disdain: "Since Song Changshi handed over to Shen to determine the candidate, is it necessary for this official to explain to you?" Once upon a time, a dignified official of Quanzhou Mansion joined the army, and the announcement of the candidate still had to report to you? The official authority of your Hu County Order is also big enough! ”

really didn't speak, and almost choked Hu Zeyi to death when he spoke.

Suddenly, Hu Zeyi reacted that he was a little out of shape, his cheeks were flushed, and he waved his hand again and again with embarrassment, and said, "No, no, no, Shen joined the army and misunderstood, I... That was not what I meant. ”

"Humph!" Shen Tuo snorted and sat back down.

Song Lian calmed down a little, and asked again: "Lord Shen, are you sure that Cui Geng will be the lieutenant of Qingyuan County?" ”、

Shen Tuo nodded and said, "Exactly!" If Song Changshi thinks it's inappropriate, he can retract the fate just now and re-announce the candidate! ”

"No, no, no!"

Song Lian hurriedly waved his hand and refused: "How can this matter be used as a child's play?" Since it was handed over to Lord Shen to choose, how could the official change the order at night? ”

At this time, Song Lian was really more disgusting than swallowing a live fly, obviously he wanted to kick the black pot to Shen Tuo's back, and he would announce Song Wen's appointment, but he didn't expect this guy to come to a big reversal and directly selected Cui Geng. But in front of so many people, especially in front of Gonggong Guo, he had already handed over the decision to Shen Tuo, how could he withdraw the resolution and re-announce Song Wen by himself?

Isn't this not only offending Shen Tuo's gang, but also offending the two of them to death? This kind of stupid thing, it is impossible for an old official like Song Lian to do it.

After thousands of calculations, he Song Lian just didn't expect Shen Tuo to make a big reversal, and directly chose Cui Erlang.

"Ahem......"

Song Lian coughed twice, stood up and solemnly announced: "Okay, this official announced today that the post of Qingyuan County Lieutenant will be held by Cui Geng." Two days later, the government will send someone to post the list in Qingyuan County. As for the official appointment, just wait for Guo Gonggong to bring this appointment back to Chang'an and bring it to the Ministry of Officials, and after the Ministry of Officials approves the record and makes a book, there will be an official document in a few days! ”

After all, Guo's first reaction was excited, after all, he successfully completed the task assigned by the two of them, and after returning to Beijing, he was able to make a difference, and he estimated that there would be a reward.

And Hu Zeyi lowered his face and sighed secretly, Song Wen, Song Wen, this official has done enough to help you, but who made you so unlucky, and lost to a stinky businessman. You old thing, how did you offend the surname Shen? At a critical time, he actually helped Cui Geng!

Soon, Song Lian asked his chief to invite Cui Geng and Song Wen.

After the two came in, in front of everyone, Song Lian once again announced the candidate for the county lieutenant of Qingyuan, and then encouraged Cui Geng, who was about to become the county lieutenant, with some lack of interest, and then retreated to the inner hall to rest under the guidance of Hu Zeyi.

Looking at it like this, Song Lian and his entourage are preparing to spend the night in Qingyuan tonight.

And when he heard that the post of county lieutenant fell into the hands of Cui Erlang, Song Wen's face suddenly turned like ashes, and the whole person was paralyzed in the mud in the field, his eyes were empty, and he kept muttering: "Why? Why is that? Why......"

As for Cui Geng, it was like falling into a dream, and he felt that the whole world was a little unreal for a while.

Nima's, did I really become the lieutenant of Qingyuan County?

It's incredible, it's amazing!

It wasn't until Guo Gonglu passed by him that he said two congratulations that he woke up like a dream.

Immediately afterwards, he followed Guo's father-in-law's steps to the outside of the hall, and took out all the cash he brought out today from his sleeve pocket, about a silver ingot and a small bag of Kaiyuan Tongbao, and quietly stuffed it into Guo's father-in-law's hand without a trace, and said in a low voice: "I didn't bring enough cash when I went out in a hurry, and when my father-in-law left Qingyuan early tomorrow morning, the grass people will have a filial piety." It's not easy to go all the way to Qingyuan! ”

Eunuchs love money, this is the truth of the ages, Cui Geng has seen too much in his dreams.

Moreover, this eunuch is well-informed in Chang'an, maybe there will be a place to use him in the future. Regarding the control of money, Cui Geng has never been a miser, and he thinks that good money should be spent on the bones.

These officials who are from the Eight Classics and Jinshi look down on this eunuch surnamed Guo, which does not mean that Cui Geng does not need to pay attention to it. On the contrary, burning a cold stove can often have unexpected effects.

Sure enough, after listening to Cui Geng's words, Guo Gonggong checked the money in his hand, and immediately smiled.

You must know that all the way from Chang'an to Qingyuan, even if he was delayed for a night in Quanzhou Mansion, he didn't see anyone stuff him with a big son, and he was treated as a vegetarian donkey, so no one fed him a mouthful of good food.

Immediately, Gonggong Guo pursed his lips and smiled: "If you have a heart, you are the most hearted among these people, and you should be appointed as the lieutenant of Qingyuan County." But we have to correct you, you are now the dignified Qingyuan County Lieutenant, and you can no longer call yourself a grass citizen. In front of our family, you have to say - Xiaguan! In front of the grass people in the city, you should be called even more - this official! This is decent, this is official prestige! ”

Cui Geng suddenly realized, and responded again and again: "Be taught and taught!" ”

After finishing speaking, I watched Guo Gonggong slowly walk to the inner hall under the guidance of his subordinates.

At this time, he glanced back at Shen Tuo in the hall again, and said secretly, if it weren't for his help today, this great good thing really wouldn't be my turn, I must be thankful!

Immediately, he returned to the hall and thanked him: "Xiaguan Cui Geng, thank Lord Shen for cultivating!" ”

A sentence from the lower official, Cui Geng said that Cui Geng was bubbling with refreshment. It's a good feeling!

Shen Tuo was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then he kept a straight face and said lightly: "Xiaguan? Hehe, you're a pretty quick learner. But don't get me wrong, this official is not cultivating you, but really doesn't look down on him! ”

Saying this, he raised his hand and pointed at Song Wen, who was paralyzed on the ground and still wailing, refusing to accept the reality.

Song Wen subconsciously stopped his wailing and looked up at Song Wen, his eyes full of doubts and puzzlement.

He has never offended Shen Tuo, why did he kick himself out at a critical time?

I only heard Shen Tuo say: "Song Genhai, the head of the Ya Catcher in Qingyuan County, is your nephew?" ”

Song Wen nodded blankly.

Shen Tuo said again: "This official received a letter sent by Putian County Lieutenant He Xu last night, your good nephew Song Genhai actually arrested the official's wife and brother, hehe, and framed him, saying that he pretended to be the official's brother-in-law in Qingyuan to deceive, and also participated in the production of fake wine. Song Wen, you want to put on small shoes for the official, don't you? This official has no grievances with you in the past and no enmity in the near future, what do you want? ”

"What?"

Song Wen suddenly remembered that his nephew asked him for merit and reward yesterday, as if he had mentioned that he had caught a liar who pretended to be Lord Shen's brother-in-law. Is this man real?

For a while, Song Wen finally understood why Shen Tuo chose Cui Geng at a critical time.

It's not that Cui Geng's family has something to do with Shen joining the army, but that his good nephew stabbed himself in the basket.

"Song Genhai, dog's day, little brute, if the old man doesn't kill you, he will have your surname !!" Song Wen gritted his teeth for a while.

Shen Tuo didn't continue to pay attention to him, but turned his head to Cui Geng and said, "County Lieutenant Cui, if you really want to repay this official, then please release your official's wife and brother as soon as possible after you take up your post tomorrow." He has been clothed and fed since he was a child, and now he has been thrown into prison by the people of your Qingyuan County Ya, I am afraid that he will not be able to suffer this crime! Can you do this for the official? ”

Yes, it must be!

Cui Geng nodded heavily, straightened his chest, and said loudly: "Don't worry, my lord, after the next official takes office, Lin Gongzi will be released as soon as possible." Moreover, the lower officials promised that they would intensify efforts to rectify the law and discipline of Qingyuan County. ”

After speaking, he glanced at Song Wen evilly.

"Good!" Shen Tuo rarely smiled this time, bowed his head slightly, and said, "This official will support you!" ”

When the voice fell, the people also walked out of the inner hall.

Seeing Shen Tuo leave, Cui Geng was thoughtful.

looked down at the half-dead Song Wen again, the corners of his mouth raised, and said: "Song Wen, it's really wrong, I didn't expect Mei Ji to make fake wine and cheat herself, your nephew wanted to ask you for credit, but you helped me." Thank you for this Qingyuan County Lieutenant! ”

After stimulating Song Wen, he walked away, and soon left the county office, and he wanted to share the good news with his family as soon as possible.

……

……

Out of the gate of the county government, Cui Geng was about to go down the steps.

But he saw that Mao Bo was already waiting outside the county office early, his face was anxious, and he was stomping his feet in place.

As soon as he saw Cui Geng come out, Mao Bo immediately stepped forward and said hurriedly: "Erlang, it's terrible, just now there was an old guy from our family who came over to report the news. ”

Cui Geng was stunned and asked, "What's wrong?" ”

Mao Bo glanced around, then leaned over and whispered, "Listen to that old guy, Fang Ming is selling our Cui family's ancestral property at a cheap price, and the wine shop, ancestral house, and fields are all being sold at a low price!" I should be leaving Qingyuan......"

This book is derived from the king of books