At the end of the third year of Yuankang, the winter in Jingzhou was once again full of snowflakes.

In the northwest of Jingzhou, on the road leading to Wanquan Township, a horse-drawn carriage is moving forward unhurriedly.

In the car, a withered and lean hand lifted the curtain, revealing a face with a white beard and a withered wax face, as if he had been sick for a long time. He was an old man in his sixties, looking at the snow like flying flakes in the sky, and fell into deep thought. The wind and snow were so severe that his gray beard was soon covered with cold snowflakes, but it was a long time before he suddenly realized it.

Although it was snowing, the carriage walked steadily, because there was a wide road with hard soil under the wheels. After a little thought, he judged that this road should have been built by the Zheng family.

And the quality of this road is comparable to the ordinary state and county main road, which makes him secretly marvel in his heart. Immediately, he remembered the various rumors of this Zheng Shizi, and suddenly felt that this road was not surprising.

From Zheng Zi Paper to Peach Blossom Spring, from Solitary Living to Auctions, as well as the slim bookstore and the library that caused a lot of turmoil.

However, although he is also interested in this child. But this time, he didn't come just for him, he had a mission. If you want to see Zheng Sheng, you can only mention it after that incident is completed.

"Squire, further on is the territory of Wanquan Township." Outside the carriage, the coachman in a big fur suddenly spoke.

The old man replied, "Oh? All right. "Through the car window, the world was white outside. The carriage still walked through the flat fields, but the snow was falling heavier and the place became more and more silent. Except for the rustling of snowflakes falling to the ground and the sound of cold winds, there was only the sound of his carriage moving.

"It's still a remote place in the countryside!" He felt it.

But not long after, when he looked out again, he noticed that the large new fields on both sides of the road had obviously been carefully leveled by the villagers, and the neat ridges and straight field paths seemed to be very orderly. Between the fields, there are also some small canals scattered from time to time. In the distance, there are waterwheels standing high above the river...... Although, they are now covered in a layer of silver. But the old man understood what such a field meant, which also proved that the actual "owner" of the land was not in vain.

He was lost in thought again.

After the carriage turned northbound. The world outside the car seemed to have suddenly gone to summer, and it became very lively, as if the sound of countless people shouting, the snorting of donkeys, cows, horses and other animals, and the sound of wheels rolling across the stone pavement continued to reach his ears through the curtains.

He awoke from his contemplation, "What is this place, so lively?" He asked, surprised.

"This is a seventeen-mile commercial town, and today should be the day when the paper mill produces paper. That's why it's so lively! However, on weekdays, it is also very lively. There will always be a lot of business in places like iron mills and bookstores......"

The old man looked solemnly at the scene outside the car through the window.

Amid the chatter of the coachman, the carriage quickly passed through the bustling commercial town, and then returned to the silent and snowy winter day, and the carriage traveled up the Fangju Creek for a long distance before finally reaching its destination.

The old man got out of the car, put on his robe, and after he gave a word or two to the coachman, he turned to look at the middle-aged man who had been waiting by and walked briskly after seeing him.

"Sheep Squire. In the lower Xinye Gongchang Shi Wei arrived. Squire, it's freezing today, you always come in the snow, it's better to ......"

"Wei Changshi, you should know what I'm here for. I have the imperial decree and must not delay. ”

"Yes, please." Wei didn't want to say anything, and finally had to bow down and say, "Please come with me." The prefectural office, in Kikuya...... Please. ”

Wei Zhi led the way, and the sheep waiter touched the middle purpose of the cuffs, and his heart was settled for a while.

The snow is still drifting, and the Kikuya at this time is naturally not as gorgeous as the spring and autumn seasons, but the snow scene is also very interesting. But the two people walking in the snow, one is full of sorrow, the other is thinking about the mission, and there is no leisure to watch it.

Wei Zhi led him, walked across the Jutan wooden bridge, crossed the rugged mountain road, and came to two shabby and simple wooden houses in the barren forest.

"Please wait." Wei Zhi said to the sheep waiter, he took a few steps forward and knocked lightly on the door. Soon, a woman dressed in plain clothes opened the door, saw that the visitor was him, and said softly: "Lord Changshi." ”

"Sun Niang, the sheep squire sent by the imperial court has arrived. The county magistrate ......"

Sun Wenxuan glanced at the old man standing quietly in the snow, and a smile appeared on his pale face, "The county magistrate knows that the squire is coming, and he has been waiting for a long time. Please allow the servant to pass the report. ”

She saluted the sheep waiter not far away, and hurried back to the house. Soon, she opened the door again, "Snub the two adults, the county lord invites the squire to come in." ”

The sheep waiter walked under the eaves, and he took off his coat with the help of Sun Niang. During this period, he thought thoughtfully for a moment, seemed to understand something, and his expression was a little lighter.

Walking into the wooden house, he saw at a glance the man who was still sitting on the chair. A sloppy, unstalked beard, dressed in mourning clothes.

In this regard, Yang Shilang didn't mind, he took out the silk book from his cuffs, "County magistrate, please accept the order." ”

Sima Xin raised his head and looked at him with a calm expression, and the guard on the side reminded him in a nervous whisper: "County magistrate, please accept the order!" ”

Sima Xin stood up silently and bowed.

Yang Shilang opened the decree, "The emperor said: Xinye County's public letter and filial piety expire...... It is characterized by a free-rider attendant. After reading the decree, the sheep waiter waited for Sima Xin to take the decree and call it a day. But after waiting for a long time, I only heard Sima Xin speak in a hoarse voice and say slowly: "I, no... Accept this grace. Ask the angels for forgiveness. ”

Yang Shilang was surprised: "County Lord, why is this?" ”

"The three-year filial piety period has not expired, and I dare not obey my fate." Sima Xin said calmly, "According to the expiration of the three-year period, there is still ...... Nine months. ”

Yang Shilang calculated carefully, "According to the etiquette system, the period of three years and twenty-seven months has already ended, so why is there an extra nine months?" "Their officials don't eat dry food, and they can't count the time: Sima Xin's performance before and after the filial piety period is admired by the people of the world, so at the end of his filial piety period, he personally came to Jingzhou to summon him to the court.

"Three years, thirty-six, not twenty-seven."

Yang Shilang understood, but he was very embarrassed, Sima Xin should not be edicted, how should he reply?

"My eldest brother, King Shunyang, will write to the Son of Heaven to explain this matter for me. It will not embarrass the angels. Sima Xin continued to explain.

Yang Shilang nodded slowly, "The county is really filial and filial, this is the luck of the country." ”

"The squire is too famous, I'm still in the filial piety period, and I can't stay as an adult for a long time. Wen Xuan, send off the guests for me. ”

Out of the Chrysanthemum Valley, the sheep waiter and Wei Zhi continued to greet each other.

Yang Shilang declined his invitation, "The official business is over, and the old man still has a private matter to do." ”

"Oh?"

"Hehe, I, Taishan Goat, donated fourteen first-class books to the Nanyang Zheng Clan's Tianxia Library. Moreover, this time I specially brought a jade card to Jingzhou. ”

Wei Zhi suddenly realized, he said with emotion and envy: "I see, then I won't delay the adult's time." Adults, please. ”