Just when the housekeeper of Ying Bo's Mansion asked people what the so-called official position of the so-called envoy was, Ying County Bo Shangcheng was also humbly asking people about his actual sealing of the food town.

He didn't know anything about it. He only knew that there was a difference between the virtual and the real in Da Zhao's knighthood; In addition, there is a false knighthood, which is converted into money and grain according to the number of sealed households on a monthly basis. As for the money and grain of his actual knighthood, it must correspond to the fictitious knighthood, and it is charged according to the number of actual feudal households in the food estate.

"Ying Bo sees this as a fallacy." The man who said this was a middle-aged man in his forties. At this moment, he was the only guest in the outer study. This man was wearing a homely Yanju robe, wearing a soft footed head, his eyebrows were very light, almost invisible, and his eyes were big and bright; With a straight nose, a neat and smooth black beard under his chin, and a faint smile on the corner of his mouth at all times, he looks very knowledgeable and profound.

Shang Cheng didn't know this person before, but he had heard about it many times. This is a famous man from Yanshan, surnamed Cheng Mingqiao and Lianshan, his ancestral home is in Yanzhou, and now he is serving as a young Zhan in the prince's mansion. This person has a great influence in Yanshan, especially in several counties of Yanzhou Prefecture, many local gentry are looking forward to the Cheng family, and when the Yanzhou Mansion Yamen renovated the city sanitation last year, it was because of the positive response of the Cheng family, so the project went very smoothly. Today, Shang Cheng heard that he was coming to visit, so he personally went to the Yimen to greet him. The Cheng family's support for the official affairs of the Yanzhou Mansion and the Yanshan Health Department is actually supporting him in business; Therefore, whether it is public or private, he must express his gratitude to others.

Now, they have been talking for a long time, and there is still some strangeness, but they are also familiar with each other, and they are no longer as polite and careful as when they first met. Hearing Cheng Qiao call himself a fallacy, Shang Cheng was not annoyed. He refilled Cheng Qiao's pot with tea and soup, held the pot and said with a smile: "Lian Shan Gong, this is why you are not authentic." You and I are fellow countrymen. When the fellow saw the fellow, the two of them were in tears. If you have something to say, just say it. Are you trying to show off your skills or do you want me to get up and send off guests? ”

Cheng Qiao also looked like a dashing real celebrity, twisted his beard and raised his head and smiled, saying, "That's not possible!" I still want to grind Chenguang until noon, and by the way, I will have a meal in Uncle Ying's mansion. When he spoke, he deliberately brought out the Yanshan dialect.

Shang Cheng smiled and said, "Then you are on the wrong day." I was reciting the Diamond Sutra last night, and I suddenly realized something, so I decided to keep the vows today and not eat for lunch. ”

He said it very solemnly, and Cheng Qiao was stunned at that time. Cheng Qiao heard that Shang Cheng had been a monk for many years, and when he was first in Yi County, some people called him "Yi County Shang Monk", so Shang Cheng suddenly said that he would keep the precepts today, although there were still some doubts in his heart, but in fact he had seven points of faithfulness.

Cheng Qiao secretly complained in his heart. He came to visit Shang Cheng today, although he also had the meaning of climbing the friendship of fellow villagers to make friends with dignitaries, but more of them were running for others, and now he finally came into Ying Bo's Mansion, and he didn't mention a word about business, Shang Cheng vaguely ordered the eviction of customers, which taught him how to be good?

He twisted his beard and grinned, and his mind raced with all kinds of thoughts, and he didn't know what to say for a moment.

When Shang Cheng saw his appearance, he knew that his joke had gone too far. He hurriedly changed his words: "Jokes! Hehe, what I'm saying is all jokes, don't take it seriously. One by one, this is this, and when I turn around, I will punish myself at the dinner table with three cups to make amends to you. Seeing that Cheng Qiao's face was still a little relieved, he picked up the tea cup in front of him and drank it all in one gulp, and dried the bottom of the cup with his hand, and said sincerely, "I'm really sorry." I'm like this, sometimes I don't care about the occasion when I talk and do things, so I often offend people but don't know it. ”

Cheng Qiao hurriedly bowed down in the seat and said, "Don't dare to be the accusatory of Uncle Ying." Ying Bo showed off his cleverness and courage, hiding thousands of ravines in his chest, and looking down on the four-pillar picture......" These explicit greetings made him feel blushing. But there is no way, the newly promoted Shangzhu State in front of him does not have a single outstanding feat, and he does not have a single political achievement that is enough to boast to others in Yanshan's tenure, so he wants to have a real finger and it is a lost place. Alas, how could he have such an unfortunate errand! He searched his stomach and thought about how to flatter Shang Cheng, while quietly paying attention to Shang Cheng's face. Seeing that Shang Cheng's face was smiling, but his eyes showed a little dazedness, he knew that he was throwing a flattering eye to the blind man. So the conversation turned, and a sprinkling praise text came to an end: "...... In this regard, I can see that Zida is tenacious and resolute, heroic and frank, and is truly a frank person with the most affection and sexuality. ”

Cheng Qiao touted it again and again, and Shang Cheng was not completely incomprehensible. At least one sentence he knew the source. Cheng Qiao said that he was "smart and courageous", as if he had seen it in "Three Kingdoms", and the name of the chapter seems to be "Hero". I can't remember the original text, but he can hear Cheng Qiao's comparison of himself to a hero. To be complimented by a celebrity in person made him very happy and taught him a lot of shame. It's just that what Cheng Qiao said behind is really too literary, what "sweeping the dome", what "sweeping the wilderness", what "true minister rhythm", and "merit is mao", I don't know what to do. Seeing that Cheng Qiao's eyes didn't turn a glance, he wrote a great fortune of gorgeous words and beautiful algae in one go, and he was very impressed, so he quickly picked up the pot and gave him the tea soup in the cup, and said with emotion in his mouth: "Today is the real vision!" In the past, I often heard people say that it is a real celebrity who is self-effacing; I can't fathom what it feels like to say that. Today I finally gained knowledge! One by one, you are the number one pen in our Yanshan! He made up his mind, so he rushed to this article, if Cheng Qiao came here to ask him to help change to a solid position, he would help anyway. Thinking about Xue Xuntang's minister, it is impossible for him to be difficult for the transfer of a seven-rank civil official, right?

Cheng Qiao has always been conceited in the article, and he thinks that he also has ambitions, but his luck has been bad repeatedly, so he has repeatedly stumbled in his career. He could hear that Shang Cheng's exclamation was all sincere; This is very different from being deliberately flattering. He is a merry and famous man, and he also has the arrogance of a celebrity, today he is doing things with his mind, no matter what, he always feels uncomfortable, because of a wry smile and waved his hand, and said with a long sigh: "The word celebrity is ashamed." One by one, I have to mention it again, and Zida Xiu has to mention it again! ”

Shang Cheng smiled, and then stopped talking in detail, and turned back to the topic and asked, "Lian Shangong, you still haven't said anything about the false seal." If you don't say anything, you really can't eat lunch this day. ”

Cheng Qiao took the lamp, took a sip of water, and said: "Actually, if you go out and find a random official from the Ministry of Rites to find a priest and Cao Guan of the Ministry of Etiquette, they can also explain it clearly." Most of the systems of this dynasty inherited the former Tang Dynasty, but in terms of subtlety and subtlety, they were better than the previous dynasties. This knighthood is also due to the changes of the times...... "His eloquence and memory are good, since the pre-Qin Dynasty's "General Dictionary Official Knighthood" said, it is simplified and simplified, from the two Han Dynasty, Wei, Jin, Sui and Tang Dynasties all the way down to the Gaozong period of this dynasty, it has almost passed half an hour. “…… In addition to the sixth rank of the clan knighthood, there are also the founding duke, the founding county duke, the founding county duke, the founding marquis and the founding son of the sixth class, these twelve are all virtual lords, there are feudal households, but they are usually fictitious, only those who add real seals can actually receive the feudal household rent tax. There was one sentence that he omitted and did not mention. The knights of the Kashi seal did not have this money and food to receive decades ago; This article was abolished during the reign of Emperor Gojong. "In addition to the twelfth-rank virtual knights, there are also county dukes, county dukes, county marquis, county uncles, county sons, and county male counts. However, there are also differences between these six knights, and they are far from each other. Some lords are in this county but their fiefs are in other counties, such as Hou Zhushi in Zhaoyu County; Some are not allowed to set up their own officials, such as the Pingyuan Boli clan. There is also a category of Poyang Hou Gu clan, who has all the fiefs and fiefs, and the Son of Heaven has given Longen from outside, and can set up a single official in the feudal country as a substitute for the herd. There are still several positions under the Yi officials, such as the deputy in charge of the clerical affairs, the Yi Zhonglang in charge of the account books, the Yi envoy who sweeps away thieves and thieves, and the Yi system that guards one side. ”

Shang Cheng's head was a little swollen when he heard this. It's no wonder that Hou Gushi of Poyang is cautious anytime and anywhere, and he is reluctant to marry his daughter, but brings a daughter from his concubine over, it turns out that there is such a reason behind it. Think about it, the Gu family has already received the fief at the beginning of the founding of the country, and after more than a hundred years, even if the number of fiefdoms on the fief has not changed, the descendants, in-laws, and branches of the fiefdom, as well as the relatives and friends, subordinates, disciples, and old people of the Gu family, add up to a mess that I don't know how many people there are. Even if Gu Shi himself doesn't have the slightest other thoughts, it is a big question whether the decree of the local government can go out of the state and county yamen now. Oh, there is such a country within a country behind Gu Shi, he dares to be cautious? If he wants to be close to himself, he dares to take his in-laws' daughter out to solicit him?

He suddenly remembered something big. What kind of title is he given to the county earl?

He hurriedly returned to the inner study, brought the edict with the seal of the Son of Heaven, and asked Cheng Qiao to help take a look.

Don't look at Cheng Qiao's quotation from the classics, in fact, he has seen the edict of the Han and Tang dynasties in the history books, and he has never seen the edict of the knighthood of this dynasty, so he has to carefully study and figure it out.

The edict is very short, less than 100 words:

"Edict: Shangzhu Guoda General Shang Cheng, loyal and strong, super Lun Zhimo, etc., has the courage to win a thousand miles and step on Kou Feng Wolf. Remembering his merits, I am resting, it is advisable to swear mountains and rivers, and Tejia is allowed to open wells. Today, the county should be enclosed, 800 households are eaten, and 560 households are sealed, and the rest are the same. The Lord does it. ”

The first two sentences describing the success of the business are vague and vague. The key is to "Tega Grace to open a well-gup". Cheng Qiao held the edict and deliberated it repeatedly, and finally dared to identify it. He carefully closed the edict, put it back in the red bag, stood up and tidied up the crown and belt of his clothes, and said solemnly: "Congratulations to Uncle Ying." This is a precedent that follows the precedent of Poyang and other lords, and waits for the long's grace to be given from outside. Since the Eastern Yuan Dynasty, there have been no less than 100 knights, but only Sun Chenzi and Xu Anzi have this honor. "But those two people are all 100 households, where can they be compared with Shangcheng's more than 500 and nearly 600 households?

Shang Cheng's face was full of smiles, and he said in a loud voice: "Joy and joy." Nowadays...... Sage ...... What's that, you know, huh? Shang Cheng didn't know what to say. This edict is carrying the imperial seal of Emperor Dongyuan, but he dares to pat his chest and assure that Emperor Dongyuan is definitely not very willing to give him this real title. He was still wondering why he hadn't heard that Emperor Dongyuan was going to summon him for almost half a month since he returned to Kyoto, so his roots were here! He hated Zhang Pu and the Nanjin faction in his heart. Dogs do things, and they are really willing to spend their money! Not to mention that such a large piece of meat with belt bones was thrown on the trap, and he also provoked the relationship between himself and Emperor Dongyuan, killing two birds with one stone, this ability is enough to clean up the king of Donglu Valley!

This is noted in advance, and there is time to slowly pull with Zhang Pu when I look back!

He put away the edict and asked Cheng Qiao: "Lian Shangong, you came here specifically to congratulate me on my promotion?" I'm a straight talker, and I've been in the army for a long time, and the most impatient thing is to go around and around, and I have a headache when I listen to it. Everyone is a fellow countryman, and it is easy to say anything. If you don't want to do anything about this prince's mansion anymore, or if you want to do something practical in the local area, just say it. ”

Cheng Qiao lowered his head and groaned without speaking.

"It's okay, it's okay, you just say it." Shang Cheng thought that he was embarrassed to talk about fame and fortune when he met for the first time, so he smiled and said, "What can't you say?" It's common for people to be ambitious and self-motivated. It is not ordinary to have these two items. I remember that you have been in Beijing for more than ten years, either in the Hanlin Academy or in the Prince's Mansion to manage correspondence, but you have learned a lot of skills but can only deal with books and copywriters all day long like an old official, and your heart is depressed for sure. In this way, I have a good relationship with Xue Shilang in the Ministry of Officials, and if you want to change your position or transfer to other places, I can help you say a few words. Of course, if you have a position or place you like, you can say that. I think the ministry will definitely consider it. ”

This was said very thoroughly, and Cheng Qiao also heard it very clearly. Shang Cheng and him met for the first time today, and he was almost to the point of putting his heart in his heart, just this trust at first sight made him inexplicably grateful. It was because Shang Cheng valued him so much that he had to help Shang Cheng even more!

He bowed in his seat and took out a brocade box from his sleeve pocket......

Shang Cheng still looked at Cheng Qiao with a smile, but his smile was no longer as close as it was just now. Cheng Qiao: What is this doing? He said something in front of Xue Xun to recommend someone, and it was just a gesture, but it was not a reward for coveting Cheng Qiao. Besides, this matter is privately promoted by fellow villagers, and Yu Gong is recommending virtue to the court, and others can't say anything unpleasant. But if Cheng Qiao gave him a gift, the nature would be completely different. Just don't mention that he made a big mistake in meddling in the appointment of civil officials in this matter, just a crime of offering and accepting bribes can make Zhang Pu wake up with a smile when he falls asleep.

He was about to wave his hand to stop it, but Cheng Qiao first said: "I came this time, in addition to really wanting to get acquainted with Uncle Ying, in fact, I was also entrusted by someone to give this thing to Uncle Ying......"

"Who is it? Who's going to send me something? ”

Cheng Qiao was not busy answering Shang Cheng's question, and while putting the brocade box on the table or opening it, he said: "When Uncle Ying was in Yanshan, he must have heard that Lu Bofu's predecessor was once imprisoned for something and was exiled according to the law," Speaking of this, he looked up at Shang Cheng, "...... But after he made a sacrifice to the present day, he changed his exile to be dismissed. ”

Shang Cheng grinned, not knowing whether he was angry or funny. Of course he knew about it. Didn't that guy just send a "63 Post" to Emperor Dongyuan? Maybe this person who asked Cheng Qiao to have such a big pen can take this book sticker from Ouchi and give it to himself?

Cheng Qiao had already taken out a piece of red silk from the brocade box, and unfolded it in his hand to Shang Cheng Guanzhan: "This is today's imperial pen, a facsimile of "63 Stickers". ”

Shang Cheng only glanced at the red silk, fixed his gaze on Cheng Qiao's face, and stared at him for a long time, then slowly asked, "Who is that person?" ”

His voice was not high, but it was gloomy and seemed to come out of the ground, and it was terrifying to listen to. The atmosphere in the room seemed to be condensed immediately. Cheng Qiao was also frightened by his tone, and took a breath before waking up, as if he had been self-defeating. Since he entered the door, Shang Chengcheng has been happily talking with him, pouring tea and soup to push dried fruits, and there is no half of the general's majesty in his gestures, and gradually even he has forgotten Shang Cheng's identity. It wasn't until now that I thought back to it, and it wasn't a famous person who laughed and talked to me about it, but the general of Weizhen who used to hold heavy troops. He wanted to defend himself, but Shang Cheng's eyes were staring at him tightly, and he couldn't avoid it if he wanted to. In desperation, he could only stubbornly spit out three words: "King of Chengdu." ”

Shang Cheng nodded and withdrew his gaze. He lowered his head, took the lamp and said, "Master Cheng, forget about today's matter, you can also bring back the things." I can't help you with anything, so please don't come back in the future. As he spoke, he stood up, stopped talking to Cheng Qiao, lifted the curtain and pushed the door out of the study, and said to Li Feng, who was on duty under the dripping eaves, "Send him out!" ”