(Thanks to Dameng, Xiaopang, and Tongle Village)

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The interior of the gathering is similar to Wulei City, with the same tic-tac-toe streets, the same earthen hut roofs, and even the trading places such as food shops and livestock farms, which are all the same, which is equivalent to a miniature version.

Qiu Tang's home, just around the corner of the street, has two wings, a courtyard, a corral, and a well, and that's it.

Upon learning of the nobleman's visit, Qiu Tang's wife brought out the best food in the house, the most new reed mat, and the mash that had just been sold.

Zhang Fang smiled, it seems that he likes to drink mash, and everyone in the palace knows it. He thanked him at the moment, beckoned the guards to offer gifts—but a stone of grain, an urn of sauce, and half a sheep that had just been slaughtered and washed.

Qiu Tang and his wife were both grateful and ashamed, which was obviously because the distinguished guests considered that there were many people who came, and it was difficult for them to receive them, so they brought their own food and had the right to make gifts. This not only does not embarrass them, but also solves the banquet of the host and guest, which is really thoughtful. The couple pushed it again and again, but they accepted it with gratitude. At the moment, his wife Zhang Luo cooks the food, and Qiu Tang spreads a mat in the courtyard to entertain the guests.

As soon as everyone sat down, the courtyard door opened, and a black and thin young man who was almost the same as Qiu Tang walked in. Seeing so many guests, I was a little at a loss for a while.

Qiu Tang laughed and said, "This is Xiao'er Qiu Zhong, haha, come and meet Zhang Gongzi and all the guests." ”

Qiu Zhong hurriedly threw down the things in his hand, and according to his father's words, he saluted Zhang Fang, and was surprised: Is this young man about the same age as himself actually the noble son from Chang'an who has been gathered and circulated for a while now?

After Qiu Tang instructed his son one by one to salute people of different statuses, he waved his hand and asked him to give his mother a hand.

Zhang Fang looked at the back of the young man leaving, and smiled at Qiu Tang: "I just heard Qiu Shan Zeng say that this expedition is for the sake of the neutron and no need to change, I don't know what to do?" ”

Qiu Tang said with a smile: "The prince doesn't know, my dynasty has clearly decreed that anyone who has military merits, qualifications, and titles will be able to recover depending on the number of merits, and the few can be reinstated (I am exempted), and the big one can be the Xia family (the whole family is exempted)" ......"

After listening to Qiu Tang's explanation, Zhang Fang understood that there was a law in the Han Dynasty that anyone who was exempted from military service within the number of years of service must have certain military merits, qualifications, and titles, or raise or donate military horses, food, and coins to a certain amount; There are also descendants of meritorious officials, scholars, and elderly people who are courteous to the imperial court, and men who are less than the required size (6.2 feet or more) can be exempted from military service.

is like a person like Qiu Tang, so naturally he can only work hard in terms of military merits, qualifications, and titles. If there is no war, there is naturally no military merit; Qualifications, this has to be boiled; The title depends either on military merit or on the ...... In the final analysis, if an ordinary official like him wants to get the dividends of the imperial court, there is only one way - to go to the battlefield and fight for military merits.

“…… Now I am already a good man, if I can be promoted to the head of the official, I can recover, and I will not be able to change the ...... of a son" Qiu Tang's face was full of hope when he said this.

Zhang Fang heard it a little unclear, he knew that he was the twentieth rank of the Qin and Han Dynasties, and he could also say some of it, but there didn't seem to be a "good man", "official head" or anything. asked Tao Sheng in a low voice, only then did he know that the lord Qiu Tang said was not a civil lord, but a martial arts lord.

When it comes to martial arts, we can't help but talk about Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty who established this kind of knighthood. During the reign of Emperor Wu, the war between Han and Hungary was in full swing, and in order to raise military funds, Emperor Wu ordered the sale of 20th rank lords (below the marquis of Guannei), which made the 20th rank of lords light. Therefore, there are 11 other martial arts knights for the meritorious servicemen, which are the first-level maker, the second-level idle guard, the third-level good man, the fourth-level Yuan Rongshi, the fifth-level official head, the sixth-level Bingduo, the seventh-level Qianfu, the eighth-level Leqing, the ninth-level Zhirong, the tenth-level political chief, and the eleventh level military guard. Later, it was also sold, but it was finally a bit of a bottom, and the highest was only sold until the eighth level of Leqing.

Qiu Tang is just a low-level official in charge of military quartermasters, and after some years of experience, he finally got the rank of a third-level good man, and if he is promoted again, he will be powerless. Although military quartermaster is regarded as an oil and water department, at least officials above the middle level can have oil and water to fish, and it is difficult for the lowest level to smell the fish. Therefore, if Qiu Tang wants to do something for his family, he must go to the battlefield and fight for military achievements, and there is no other way to do it.

Zhang Fang nodded again and again, and understood, this kind of incentive is indeed very good. There is "no meritorious service" on the top, and there is "military merit awarded" below, so from top to bottom, a ladder of meritorious service is formed. Everyone in different "ladders" can find the direction of their efforts.

Chen Tang is like this, and Qiu Tang is also like this.

Zhang Fang looked sideways at his servant guard: "So, you also have a civil lord?" ”

The guards all laughed and bowed their heads. This one is said to be made by the second-level lord, and the other is said to be the third-level lord. Only the Han brothers and Qingyan were silent, and they didn't have any titles...... And Zongba, a Hu man, is not to mention.

"What about the two of you?" Zhang Fang smiled at Gu Deng Zhan and Tao Sheng.

"Tao Sheng is a fourth-level lord."

"Deng Zhan's civil lord has been transferred to his brother-in-law, and only the military lord Yuan Rongshi is retained."

"Yuan Rongshi, Deng Escort must be the best in the army." Qiu Tang's smile was even more bitter.

Deng Zhan said with a smile: "This military lord was also obtained by my brother who risked his life back then and cut off the head of Hunush, who committed crimes. If Brother Qiu accompanied the capital to conquer the Xiongnu this time, and made meritorious deeds of capturing and killing Hu Nu for more than 100 years, he could be promoted to the third level and promoted to Bingduo. At that time, not only can taxes be reduced or reduced, but if you are lucky, you can get ten households to be sealed and get rid of the family. ”

Qiu Tang waved his hand again and again, and smiled bitterly: "Deng Hugh wants to make fun of it, Qiu Tang is just a small fighting official who transports horse feed, and he doesn't even have the opportunity to go into battle with a knife, how can he capture and kill...... Oh, teasing, teasing. ”

Zhang Fang said with a smile: "Anyone has a chance, look at me, didn't I also cut off the heads of two Hu chiefs - by the way, Deng Zhan, is this considered a military merit, how many ranks can I get?" ”

In the laughter of the crowd, the mutton was cooked.

When the food was served, the Qiu family did not have so many cases, only a half-new and not old food table was placed in front of Zhang Fang, and the rest of the people only held clay pots and wooden bowls, dipped in sauce and smeared with salt.

Qiu Tang cut off the leg of mutton with a knife and called Er'er to present it to Zhang Fang.

Zhang Fang took it upright, called the second son of the Qiu family who wanted to retreat, and said solemnly: "Do you know your father's wish to go on the expedition?" ”

Qiu Zhong lowered his head and said in a low voice: "I hate to replace my father with my body." ”

Zhang Fang smiled happily and nodded to Qiu Tang: "The hard work of the Qiu officials has not been in vain. ”

Qiu Tang grinned, his smile filled with relief.

At dusk, under the earnest send-off of the Qiu family, they walked out of the gathering.

Deng Zhan and Tao Sheng had a worried face, and after glancing at each other, they nodded vigorously to each other, and rode their horses close to Zhang Fang: "Young master...... I'll wait for a word......"

Zhang Fang was sitting on horseback, writing today's experience on the book "Crossing Diary" with a fine thread, and said without raising his head: "Say." ”

"I don't know...... cough, I wonder when the young master plans to return to Chang'an? ”

Zhang Fang raised his head and looked left and right, and Deng and Tao did not avoid his gaze.

Zhang Fang smiled, put away the pen scroll, thought about it, and stopped the war horse.

The people did not know what was going on, and they also reined in one after another.

Zhang Fang looked around and pointed at the guards with a long whip: "You, do you want to be promoted to a fourth-level lord or a doctor (fifth-level lord)?" ”

The guards didn't know what they meant, but no one didn't nod.

Zhang Fang pointed to the Han brothers and Qingyan again: "Do you want to get a civil lord, or even a military lord?" ”

After all, the Han brothers and Qingyan had gone through hardships with Zhang Fang, and they knew their sons better than Deng, Tao and other palace guards, and when they heard this, they seemed to understand something, their eyes gradually brightened, and they nodded vigorously.

Even Zongba, who was not named, shouted in the Chinese dialect he had just learned: "I, also, itch (think)." ”

The crowd laughed.

Zhang Fang also laughed loudly, whipped a false blow, and made a crackling sound, accompanied by a sonorous sound: "Just think about it!" It's better to act than to be excited! Even the little officials in Biansai are working hard for a better future for themselves and their families, are you willing to patrol the Hou Mansion at night and welcome guests for a lifetime? ”

The palace guards stared wide-eyed, and even Deng Zhan and Tao Sheng couldn't speak. The words of the young master touched the deepest desire in their hearts - who doesn't want to get ahead?

"If you believe me, follow me." Zhang Fang's long whip pointed at the west halberd, his eyes flashed, and he exhaled, "There, there will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity waiting for you." I promise you, you never, no, will, regret! ”