In the following days, the Cui family and the Wu family resumed the relationship between the well water and the river water.

Wu Lixin had medicine, and since then he has treated Cui Pu as nothing. Their boat walked ahead, and when they arrived at the post house, they left Cui Pu and his party far away, and they no longer lived next door to them. Cui Pu expressed helplessness about this.

In this way, after nearly a month and a half on the ship, their ship finally arrived in Yangzhou and docked at the ferry port in Guangling County.

After getting off the boat, Tianchang County had already sent a few carriages to pick it up, and Daddy Hongdou hurriedly commanded people to carry the luggage up one by one. At this time, Zheng Da and his wife came forward to say goodbye.

These days, everyone gets along well, and Cui Pu still likes this honest couple, so he suggested: "It's still a little far to go to Yangzhou Mansion, and you don't have much money with you, so why don't I rent a carriage and send you there! ”

"No, no, no! These days, we eat and drink for nothing on your ship, and we live in such a good place, and we need twenty copper plates a day in such a good place on a passenger ship! When we were working in the town, it only added up to five or six cents a day, and we should have owed you something, so where did we dare to ask for any hard money?" Zheng Da hurriedly waved his hand, "Besides, our relatives said that they would come to pick it up." ”

Seeing that their eyes didn't seem to be fake, Cui Pu gave up, and then explained that Hu San called two rangers to carry their luggage. Hu San readily agreed.

Soon everything was ready, Mu Jiaojiao and Cui Pu both got into the carriage, and saw a very ordinary-looking carriage slowly marching to the ferry and stopping at Zheng Da and his wife. Zheng Da and his wife both smiled and hurriedly greeted them.

It seems that their relatives are also coming. Cui Pu and Mu Jiaojiao both breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly ordered the coachman to urge the horses to go west.

On Zheng Da's side, when they stepped forward, a man in regular clothes with an elegant and resolute face jumped down, held Zheng Da's hand tightly and shouted: "Brother, sister-in-law, you have arrived!

"We didn't suffer. On the way, I met noble people, and they not only treated your sister-in-law, but also let us come with them on their boat. The boat is big and spacious, and the food and accommodation are good, don't you see that your sister-in-law and I have gained a lot of weight?" Zheng Da hurriedly laughed.

But the man had tears in his eyes. "I haven't seen my brother and sister-in-law for seven or eight years, I only saw that you are a lot darker and thinner, where did you get fat?" As he spoke, his eyes suddenly froze, "What did you just say?

"Yes, the doctor said it was so dangerous that I almost thought she couldn't be saved. As a result, who knew that when she met the Sixth Young Lady, she would save your sister-in-law with a pill!" Zheng Da nodded.

The man's face suddenly straightened. "I don't know where the benefactor is now? He saved my sister-in-law's life, that is, he saved my life, and I must thank him in person. ”

"This ...... You're late, they've just left!" Zheng Da said, pointing to the convoy where only one tail could be seen in the distance.

The man looked at a team of seven or eight cars, and his eyes narrowed slightly: "With so many cars and horses dispatched in one go, it seems that they are from a good background! Brother, do you know where they are from, who their surnames are, and what they are doing in Yangzhou this time?"

They are people from Chang'an, surnamed Cui, and this time that Xiao Langjun came to Yangzhou to be an official. Zheng Da said busily.

"The surname Cui, but the county magistrate of Tianchang County?" the man immediately asked.

"Yes, yes, this is this place!" Zheng Da nodded hurriedly, "Or brother, you are more familiar with this place, I heard them say this place name several times on the boat, but I can't remember it." ”

"It turned out to be him. The man bowed his head, "Since it's him, it's easy to do." We will definitely meet again in the future, and I will find another opportunity to repay his kindness. ”

It's only early February, but the weather in the south is very different from that in the north.

At this time, the north has just faded a little cold, but the ice and snow in the mountains and forests have not disappeared, and the flowers and plants in the city have just revealed a little tender green branches. But at the same time, Yangzhou was already weeping willows, the weeds on the roadside were thriving, and the flowers were blooming one after another.

Not to mention the sunlight overhead, it was warm and soft, and it was so comfortable to shine on the body that Cui Pu and Mu Jiaojiao almost didn't want to walk, they just wanted to ask someone to stop the carriage and horses, spread a blanket on the side of the road, and the two of them lay on it comfortably and soaked up the sun and slept for a while.

Now is also the time when wild vegetables have just broken through the soil. The fresh wild vegetables are crisp and tender, and they have a refreshing taste when moistened by the morning dew. Just stir-fry with chicken fat, it is so fragrant, Cui Pu is addicted to eating, Yangzhou is indeed a good place, he definitely earned it when he got here!

In this way, they walked and enjoyed the scenery and ate and drank, and they walked on the land for more than half a month before finally entering the territory of Tianchang County.

It's just that after walking a few miles inside, the look of anticipation on Cui Pu's face gradually turned into dullness and even loss.

When there were still more than ten miles away from the county seat, more than ten people from Tianchang County and the county lieutenant were already waiting there.

Cui Pu hurriedly jumped out of the car and greeted them politely. Then everyone took the bus back to the county seat together.

When I entered the city gate, I saw several well-decorated carriages parked on the side of the road. Beside it, gongs and drums beat loudly, and a colorful lion fluttered up and down on several stacked wooden tables, dancing in a gall.

The county man hurriedly said to Cui Pu: "This is the best lion dance team in the county specially invited by the squires in the county, and I am here to welcome you on the county master." ”

Cui Pu hurriedly got out of the car again and exchanged salutes with these squires.

It's a busy greeting again. Mu Jiaojiao took the opportunity to look at both sides of the street through a thin layer of window screens—now they were on a main road that looked quite spacious, and there were many shops on both sides of the street, and they were all complete for eating, drinking, and merrymaking, but the doors of the shops were not large, and there were not many people coming in and out. Perhaps because of the lion dance, there were a lot of people gathered at the city gate, including men, women and children, but on the whole, the excitement was not as good as the scene they usually saw on a small road on the side of the West Market. Moreover, the people were dressed very ordinarily, and the squires were relatively extravagant.

After Cui Pu and the squires finished meeting, the convoy continued to march and walked along the street to the end, and arrived at the location of the county office.

The yamen sits in the north and faces south, and there is a figure-eight wall in front of the door, and there are several mottled notices pasted on the wall. I don't know how long ago I posted it, but now I can barely read what is written on it.

Bypassing the gate of the county government, what appeared in front of them was their residence for the next three years. Entering from the gate, the car stopped at the second gate, and a few red beans hurriedly stepped forward to help Mu Jiaojiao into the inner courtyard, and then the officials came forward to help carry the cage.

Gangnam gardens have always been famous, and now this residence is also typical of Gangnam style. Walking in from the second gate, you will see the nine-curved corridor in front, and the rockery water is decorated under the shade of a cluster of trees, and a warm and comfortable feeling comes to your face. Walking to the end of the cloister, and then passing through a small door, there is a vast space in front of you, with two wings on the left and right, neatly five main rooms, connected by a verandah. Such an ingenious design gives people a unique sense of hole. And through the middle hall, I found that there was a large courtyard and several small courtyards behind me. The height is staggered, and there are many flowers and trees dotted inside, which is very pleasing to the eye.

Because they bring a lot of people. Without Mu Jiaojiao's hands, Hongdou and her aunt commanded people to clean up the east wing where Mu Jiaojiao and Cui Pu lived. Then Hongdou took Mung Bean and others to continue to clean up the house, and Hongdou A-Niang hurriedly went to the kitchen to make a fire and cook.

For this meal, Cui Pu ate very little for the first time.

Waiting for the dishes to be removed, Mu Jiaojiao took the initiative to propose: "This courtyard is very distinctively designed, much more delicate and small than the place where we live in the post house." Why don't we hang out together?"

Cui Pu nodded and agreed.

The two of them didn't bring many people, only asked Hongdou and Xiao Si'er to follow from a distance, and the couple walked side by side in the empty yard.

After going around the courtyard inside, Mu Jiaojiao asked softly: "I've seen you sullen since you entered the county border, but you think this place is too withered?"

Cui Pu finally let out a sigh. "Although I knew that this county was very ordinary in Yangzhou City. But along the way, I saw so many flowery places, I thought that Tianchang County would not be too bad. It's just that now it seems...... Hey, I'm thinking too much about things. ”

"When you are an official for the first time, you will naturally imagine everything in your mind very beautifully. But this place is actually not bad, how many county citizens in the west and north are not living, that is the real people's livelihood withering, the sage arranged you here, it is already very good for you. Mu Jiaojiao said softly, "Besides, don't you think it's best to get started if you don't have anything to do with it? As long as you can make a little improvement, that's your merit." There is a saying that I don't know if you have heard, 'It is difficult to start a business, but it is even more difficult to keep a business'. ”

Cui Pu had an epiphany. "You're right! It's hard to start a business, and it's even more difficult to keep a business! Yangzhou is rich in natural products and is also a land of fish and rice, so as long as I devote myself to serving the people, am I still afraid that I won't be able to achieve anything? And as long as I do what I should do, and Chang'an has my father and brother to help me, I won't have to worry about not getting the best grades in the performance examination! As long as I wait for three years, I will definitely be able to rise to the top!"

After speaking, he hurriedly picked up Mu Jiaojiao's face and kissed her fiercely on the lips: "She is worthy of being my good lady." With you, a virtuous helper, by my side, why should I worry about not being able to do this county order?"

Mu Jiaojiao was kissed with a red face, and quickly pushed him away. "In broad daylight, you are too Meng Lang!"

"Is there any? Anyway, no one here can see it!" Cui Pu said, and when he looked back, Hongdou and Xiao Si'er quickly hid themselves behind a big tree.

In this way, the two walked back and forth in the courtyard again, and after finding out the general structure of the courtyard, they went back to the room to rest. Early the next morning, Cui Pu went to the county government to take office.

On the first day, he had nothing else to do, so he only walked through the county government again, figured out the structure of various places, and then the county Cheng and others got together again to discuss, and after clarifying everyone's identity and responsibilities, he introduced Wang Qilang, who was the master bookkeeper, and Mr. Zhuang, and even Mr. Wu and Mr. Xu.

In the afternoon, the county man quietly came to Cui Pu's side: "County master, tonight, the squires in the town plan to set up wine in the Yueyue Building to catch the wind and wash the dust for you, I wonder if you are free?"

Before leaving Chang'an, Daddy had repeatedly warned him that he should have a good relationship with the local squire as soon as he arrived at the place. As long as he can win them over to his side, then his work will be much easier to carry out next!

Cui Pu immediately nodded: "This emptiness must be there." However, I just met with them yesterday, and I am not too familiar with them, so I will have to ask Zhou Xiancheng to introduce them on my behalf. ”

"County master, please rest assured, this is the duty of the lower officials, and the lower officials will do a good job for you!"

So Cui Pu sent Xiao Si'er back to inform Mu Jiaojiao of this matter, and then took Wang Qiqilang and his party to follow the county to the Star Picking Tower.

This star-picking building is the most upscale restaurant in Tianchang County. The place is naturally incomparable with Chang'an, but it is really quite stylish against the backdrop of the low wooden houses around.

Today, in order to entertain the new county lord, the squires simply paid for the entire building. Everyone sat down on the second floor, the kitchen sent Tianchang County's special delicacies one by one, and there were several female dancers playing and singing on the side, and there were two fifteen or sixteen-year-old girls in light clothes in the middle who stepped on the beat and danced their sleeves lightly. The plump chest, the straight hips and the soft waist made Cui Pu's eyes look at it.

Between the staggering, everyone figured out the character of the new county lord and knew that he was a bold young man. Now that he was fascinated by the two dancing girls, a light smile appeared in the eyes of the squires.

When the dance was over, the girls retreated, and Jiang Guangda, the richest man in Tianchang County, hurriedly said: "I don't know what the county master thinks of these two little ladies?"

"Good. Cui Pu nodded.

"They are the dancing girls raised in my house, if the county lord thinks they are pleasing to the eye, then he will boldly send them to the county lord, and let the two of them go to serve you tea and water, and fold the quilt to make the bed!"

"No, no, no!" Unexpectedly, as soon as the words fell, Cui Pu's face changed greatly, and he hurriedly waved his hand and shouted, "I can't ask for this person." Otherwise, the lady will be angry!"

Jiang Guangda's face changed. "The county master, you are a famous family, are you still afraid that the lady will not succeed?"

Cui Pu couldn't help but sneer when he heard this.

"Joke, I'm not afraid of her, is it still that she is afraid of me?"