Chapter 880 A Day in the Life of Scrivener Hong (Part 2)
Boo~
As soon as the cork was pulled out, the sweet aroma of wine filled the carriage.
With a few fingers of his left hand, Hong Jiu hooked the cork into his palm. Then he slowly raised the wine bag and adjusted the angle of his neck.
But just when the amber wine was about to overflow, he suddenly stopped and mechanically and stiffly pushed the cork back into the wine bag.
Alas~
Throwing the wine bag into the corner, Hong Jiu slumped down on the cushion, sighing silently.
Although he felt that he had done nothing wrong, after sending away the deaf eldest brother and the second son, he still felt the urge to get drunk to forget his sorrow.
However, now was not the time for him to get drunk.
It was not known how long it had passed, but the area around the carriage gradually became noisy, and the spirited calls of hawkers urged Hong Jiu to sit up straight again.
He reached back with his hand and took out a palm-sized mirror from somewhere. He held it in his palm and kept adjusting his facial expression.
Not until the stiffness and decadence completely disappeared, and until his face was filled with a humble yet sunny smile, did Hong Jiu put down the mirror with satisfaction and casually lifted open the heavy curtains.
In the morning light, the Dali Temple with its high walls and spacious buildings looked even more solemn and dignified. Even the two lazy yamen runners outside the main gate seemed to be given a different color.
Seeing this scene, Hong Jiu's depression was quietly relieved by three points.
It’s time to make a break with the past!
After all, my future is not in Shanxi Lane, but behind these high walls and in these spacious buildings!
The carriage quickly circled to the east corner gate of the Dali Temple, but did not stop. Instead, it continued to rush to the side door in the northeast corner. Although people entered and exited from the east corner gate on a daily basis, the place where clerks and runners reported for duty was near the side door in the northeast corner.
Although it is called a side gate, it is actually wider than the east corner gate. This is because the officials' stables are also nearby - yes, only officials of certain ranks are eligible to use the stables in the yamen for free.
As for officials like Hong Jiu, even if they brought their own carriages, they could only park them in privately-run parking lots around the Dali Temple.
Stop talking nonsense.
But Hong Jiu got off the carriage, nodded to the gatekeeper neither humbly nor arrogantly, and then walked to the check-in point in the southwest corner under the complicated gazes of the two men.
When he was about to reach the door, he ran into two clerks from the right temple. They greeted each other with a smile. Hong Jiu moved aside and the two clerks followed suit.
After giving in for a long time, the two clerks finally took the lead.
This scene seems to be very harmonious.
But the sense of alienation contained in it is beyond words.
After all, Hong Jiu's background as a beggar had long been no secret in the Dali Temple. Not only were the clerks ashamed to associate with him, even the yamen runners discriminated against him.
But it just so happened that Hong Jiu was specially recruited by Sun Shaozong.
No matter how much they resented it in their hearts, there were only a handful of people in the Dali Temple who dared to show any disapproval to Hong Jiu.
Therefore, whenever facing Hong Jiu, he always adopted this polite yet distant attitude.
Fortunately, Hong Jiu didn’t care too much.
When he was begging, he was treated coldly a hundred times.
And he believed that one day, the contempt hidden in his heart would turn into awe for him, Hong!
With ambition in mind, Hong Jiu pushed the door and walked into the check-in place. He glanced around the room casually and a clear-cut scene came into view.
Four or five clerks were scattered on both sides, but there was a lone man standing in front of the roll call list in the middle.
Seeing this, Hong Jiu walked up to the isolated person without hesitation, bowed and said jokingly: "Assistant Zhao, you are in such a bad mood today."
Assistant Zhao returned the greeting with a bitter face, handed over the roster, pointed outside, and walked out silently.
As soon as he left, the clerks who were originally scattered on both sides came forward and greeted Hong Jiu.
Hong Jiu returned the gift with a smile, but his mind had already flown to Assistant Manager Zhao.
Speaking of Assistant Zhao's identity, it is somewhat similar to his - although Assistant Zhao is not a beggar, he is a barbarian from Wuxi Prefecture.
Not long after Lord Sun took office last month, he transferred Zhao Nan here. However, at that time he was only a servant of the Sun family. It was not until the beginning of this month that he was transferred to become an official of the Dali Temple together with Hong Jiu.
To be honest, Hong Jiu's status is actually higher than Assistant Director Zhao. After all, although he is not a well-known figure, he can still be considered an official in a sense.
But Hong Jiu did not dare to be arrogant in front of Zhao Nan - although the identity of a house slave had more shackles, in a sense, it also meant a closer relationship.
What's more, Zhao Nan is now working with the new lawyer Qin to supervise the discipline of the Zuo Temple. In the past few days, he has punished a number of lazy officials. It is precisely because of this that others would avoid Zhao Nan as much as possible.
I heard that Lord Sun is planning to extend this rectification campaign to the entire Dali Temple. By then, Zhao Nan's deterrent power will probably increase significantly.
However, Hong Jiu and Zhao Nan seem to have a certain sympathy for each other.
Because Zhao Nan seemed to be indicating to him that he would wait outside, Hong Jiu said a few perfunctorily to the clerks and hurried out of the check-in place.
Sure enough, after going out, I saw Zhao Nan with his hands folded, waiting in the shadow of the gate tower.
Hong Jiu hurried over, bowed his hands and apologized, "Thank you for waiting for me, Assistant Zhao."
After a pause, he asked tentatively, "But what do you want to ask of Lord Sun?"
When saying this , Hong Jiu was both excited and frightened.
What's exciting is that if Sun Shaozong specifically asked Zhao Nan to come and assign tasks to him, it would show how much he values him.
What worried him was that Zuo Si was currently carrying out a rectification movement, which had offended many people. He didn't want to get involved and end up as embarrassed as Zhao Nan.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Nan shook his head and said, "It's not that the master has any instructions, but I have some personal matters and I want to ask Assistant Manager Hong for help."
Personal matter?
Hong Jiu was slightly stunned, and asked more carefully: "I don't know what it is?"
"I wonder if Assistant Manager Hong knows Lord Wang Zhen?"
Wang Zhen?
Hong Jiu pondered for a moment before he suddenly realized, "But he was one of the commanders of Lord Sun's personal guards when he went south to suppress the rebellion?"
"Exactly."
Zhao Nan nodded: "Yesterday, Lord Wang's job was decided. He was promoted to the position of Captain of the Northern Pacification Office for his meritorious service. Lord Wang is going to hold a banquet at home to celebrate today. Zhao is also among the invited guests, but..."
"Just how?"
"It's just that Zhao usually spends money lavishly, and he is really short of money. He can't even afford a presentable gift."
Zhao Nan spread his hands and looked at Hong Jiu with burning eyes, as if he was expecting Hong Jiu to be generous.
However, others might not have found out the truth, but Hong Jiu knew that Zhao Nan used to be a traveling businessman and was a very frugal person. If he was told that he had spent all his savings lavishly, Hong Jiu would definitely not believe it.
Therefore, Zhao Nan showed this expression, obviously trying to blackmail him!
Damn barbarian!
He really becomes arrogant when he succeeds!
It's a pity that I had some feelings for him at first.
Hong Jiu was complaining in his heart, but he laughed loudly: "I thought it was nothing, just a few silver coins, is it worth it for Assistant Zhao to ask for help? Before noon, I will have someone present a hundred taels of silver, I wonder if it is enough?"
Zhao Nan also laughed: "Assistant Manager Hong is really a quick-witted person!"
But in a flash, he stopped smiling and said calmly, "But don't worry about the money. Assistant Manager Hong just needs to buy some gifts and go with me to congratulate Lord Wang in the evening."
Go to Wang Zhen’s house to congratulate?
Hong Jiu's anger suddenly turned into joy.
It turns out that this barbarian didn't want to blackmail me, but wanted to help me expand my network!
Although the centurions of the Inspection Office are responsible for internal supervision, they are considered to be the real power holders in the Northern Pacification Office and even in the entire Da Zhou officialdom.
To be able to establish a relationship with him, not to mention a new official like Hong Jiu, even officials of the fifth or sixth rank in Beijing would probably flock to him.
Of course, this is more thanks to Sun Shaozong.
If they both didn't have the support of him, with Hong Jiu's identity, even if someone introduced him, he would probably not be favored by Captain Wang.
However, Hong Jiu agreed without hesitation, and after carefully inquiring about Wang Zhen's preferences, he wanted to rush out immediately to buy two gifts - in addition to the one for Zhao Nan, he also wanted to give one for himself.
Before he could even move, a bailiff came running over and shouted from a distance, "Sun Shaoqing has been ordered to come to the palace to see the emperor. Hurry up and bring out your weapons!"
After hearing this, Hong Jiu and Zhao Nan no longer cared about anything else and looked at each other in confusion. They were all well-informed and naturally knew that Sun Shaozong had accompanied the prince to watch a play at Wangjiang Tower last night.
The emperor sent someone to summon him so early in the morning. Could it be that last night...
