Chapter 114: A joy in my heart

When County Magistrate Jia was about to enter the yard, the woman inside had already found the person coming. She looked up and took the child back to her arms, and said to County Magistrate Jia: "It turns out that the county magistrate has arrived here. The little woman went back to let her in-laws come out."

While talking, the woman didn't even look at the other yamen runners, and went in with the child in. Immediately, an old man and an old lady came out. The two of them seemed very happy. They hurried to the door of the yard, opened the door and said to Magistrate Jia, "Sir, I didn't expect you to come. Please come inside."

"Uncle Song, we are today..."

"Oh, you are here too. You can't sit in the house, so find a place for yourself." Before the old man could finish his words, he threw down his words with his face and waited to face County Magistrate Jia again, his smile appeared again.

"I'm laughing at the adults. The home is small and there is nothing to entertain. Yang'er's child is ignorant, so you must watch more."

County Magistrate Jia looked at the yard carefully. The snow was covered on the ground. Only the road under his feet was paved with sand. Then he looked at the house. I don’t know how long it took for the paper to paste the windows. It was yellow and black, and many tiles on the house were broken. When he walked into the house, he only saw two bricks at the threshold, and the rest were full of soil.

There are only three houses, two are big and one is small. The big one should be living in the kitchen, and a squirt of smoke came out of the kitchen, accompanied by the slight cough of the child.

"Sir, sit here." After entering a room, Song Yang's father rubbed his sleeves against the wood along the edge of the earthen kang, and said embarrassedly to County Magistrate Jia.

If it weren't normal for County Magistrate Jia, he would never sit. Today, he suddenly had an idea in his mind and immediately walked over and sat down, touched the mat with his hand. It was quite warm, it wasn't that cold, it should have burned fire.

He has now understood the kang. He has paved the mat and mud bricks on it. It is not too complicated. It is nothing more than some mud, or bricks are built in some order. It can be seen in any Sanshui County.

But the decorations in this room and the clothes worn by the family of four are not that good. Isn’t the life of the yamen runners controlled by Zhangjiazhuang? Why is his family like this? Why does his family have the same attitude towards other yamen runners?

County Magistrate Jia observed this, and after sitting down, he asked Song Yang's father: "Brother Song, you seem to be a little financially dependent. Is this the same thing in other yamen runners' families?"

"Oh! I'll tell you, I'm just like this at the homes of a dozen yamen runners like Yang'er. Children are ignorant and can easily offend people." Song's father sighed and said.

"Oh, this is wrong. Song... I know this person. I am honest and work hard. I am like this at home. Brother Song, it won't work like this. I have some money. Brother, I will use it for me to let Song Yang do things well."

County Magistrate Jia finally found the opportunity and took out a few pieces of silver from his pocket in his sleeve and a string of copper coins worth more than 40 months. He pulled Song's hand and stuffed it in.

He didn't want to eat, but he had to go to some designated places to prepare it. He brought as much money as twenty taels of silver at any time, and he didn't feel heavy. This time he took out twelve and three taels of twelve taels.

Song's father held the silver money in his hand and returned it back with a trembling trembling, "Sir, you can't use it, how can you get this money? Sir, please take it back quickly, at home..."

"It's okay, Brother Song, you have a good son, what's this little money? Can other yamen runners take other people's property, but I can't send it out?"

Of course, County Magistrate Jia would not take back the money, and he glared at him and said he was unhappy.

"Sir, you are so adult. Don't worry, sir. When the boy from my family comes back, I will tell him that he will listen to his words more in the future and never be lazy." Song's father said excitedly, his face flushed red.

When the magistrate Jia saw that Song Yang's father had taken the money, he felt relieved. He looked at the family and said with a smile: "Brother Song, I don't have the money from Taidu when I come out today. I will definitely find a way to make life easier for Brother Song's family."

This is to say goodbye. He was afraid that the yamen runners outside would be anxious and would be bad if they came over and found something.

Song's father quickly got up and saw him off. When County Magistrate Jia came out, the yamen runners who followed him did not even enter the yard, but were just standing outside. County Magistrate Jia felt a little more at ease.

"Sir, should someone take the things to the next house? You are just here." At this time, Tong Yabos arranged for the matter of County Magistrate Jia again.

"Okay, let's go to the next family." County Magistrate Jia did not look angry at all this time, and agreed naturally. With his plans, he didn't care about redirecting the county in the past few days. After spending money, he always had to keep a reputation.

After a whole day passed, County Magistrate Jia dragged his body back to the yamen with exhaustion. As soon as he entered the yamen, he sank his face and said to the two yamen runners who were guarding here: "Where is Song Yang? Call him to my official, Humph! He dared to do that."

The two yamen runners left one in a daze, and the other came to the side of County Magistrate Jia and asked, "Sir, what's wrong with Song Yang? Did you do something wrong? The young one can guarantee that Brother Song is the best in doing things in normal times. The young one is not far from his home. His family is the same as the young one, and there are not many things, so life is a bit difficult."

County Magistrate Jia was happy and felt that he had found another person to win over. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly remembered something and said calmly: "It has nothing to do with you. It makes sense for me to ask him for it. It's too unreasonable, hum."

After throwing this sentence, County Magistrate Jia walked towards the study room. He felt a little scared. He felt that everyone beside him, except for Song Yang, seemed to be a spy from Zhangjiazhuang. Who could win over him? He had to ask Song Yang. From the situation in his family, it can be seen that Zhangjiazhuang did not take care of him as much as others. There was a little kid in the family. Logically speaking, Zhangjiazhuang should give some benefits.

It didn't take long before Song Yang walked in from outside. It seemed that he had been back all the way, with a lot of sweat on his forehead and the hair next to his ears was wet.

"Sir, are you looking for a younger one?" Song Yang asked after gasping for a few moments and tried hard to calm his breathing down.

"Well, are you back? Sit and drink a little water first." County Magistrate Jia smiled on his face and said to Song Yang very kindly. He poured a bowl of water for Song Yang and signaled him to drink.

Song Yang seemed to be a little nervous because he had never been treated like this. His hands were stumbled together and he whispered: "Sir, if you have any questions, please tell me quickly. The younger one will do it immediately."

County Magistrate Jia waved his hand and said, "Actually, there is nothing wrong, but if you say something is wrong, it's really not a trivial matter. I'll ask you, why don't you tell me about your life at home? Are you afraid that I will harm you?"

"Sir, have you gone to the little one's home? Oh, sir, there is nothing in the little one. You can't even drink some tea when you get there. Are you..." Song Yang said embarrassedly, as if he was upset.

"With water, boiled water is delicious. I am content to drink such a good water from the yamen runner's house. Song Yang, this matter is because of you. Why don't you tell me about your family affairs? If I know, how could your family live so difficult?

Come on, there is some money here, you can take it first, I have left some for your father just now. When I came back, I thought that the New Year was coming, and that little money was not enough to do anything.”

As he spoke, County Magistrate Jia pulled out the drawer on his desk, which contained two ingots of ten taels of silver. County Magistrate Jia took out the silver without thinking, put it on the table and pushed it in front of Song Yang.

Song Yang stared at Yinzi blankly and said with a little concern: "Sir, the little one knows the affairs of the small family, but how can you worry about them? Sir, I didn't expect that you have left money for the family. Then the small one must not be asked for this small one. When it is almost thirty, the little one may be able to take some things home."

"I hope Zhangjiazhuang will give you it? Look at the other yamen runners and look at you. Then Zhangjiazhuang clearly looks down on your family. If I don't know about this, I will give up. Since I have seen it, I naturally cannot ignore it. I will take it. I will take it. As long as I do things well in the yamen in the future, I will never treat you badly."

When County Magistrate Jia saw Song Yang's appearance, he was very satisfied with the effect of taking out the silver, and said loudly, pushing the silver into Song Yang's arms.

Song Yang covered the place where the money was placed with his hands and said with emotion: "Sir, you are so kind to the young man. If you have any problems in the future, the young man is willing to work hard. Now, don't worry about having nothing during the Chinese New Year. There are actually some people like the young man."

"Seriously? Others' lives at home are not good? Didn't Zhangjiazhuang give you anything?" County Magistrate Jia asked deliberately in surprise.

"There are also some, but there is only a small amount of grain. When the young man and those people gave him a stone, they became even more than a bucket. They also became yamen runners, so why did they get more? The young man had just had a child in his family for a short time. If he hadn't found other jobs, the young man really didn't want to continue to be this yamen runner."

Song Yang showed a sad expression on his face. As he spoke, his head lowered, and it seemed that he was indeed dissatisfied.

This is what County Magistrate Jia wanted. He smiled, stood up and patted Song Yang on the shoulder, and said, "Song Yang, I am optimistic about you. You will definitely be better than others in the future. Oh, and there are other people like your family? Since that's the case, go with me to the warehouse behind. How many people do you think I will give you thirty taels per person, and you will add ten taels.

The harvest is a little worse today. I have decided how much does it take to have a good New Year for those of you who only know how to work and are not valued?"

"Look at Rong Xiao, one, two... lords, there are not too many people, and there are only thirty-three people together. Compared with the other 600 people, there are really fewer people, and there are no less than the other 600 people." Song Yang heard the words of County Magistrate Jia, and started to calculate there, and finally gave a number of thirty-three people.

County Magistrate Jia did not think there were few people. Thirty-three people, plus Song Yang himself, that would be thirty-four people, which would be more than a thousand stalemates. As long as these people can listen to their words, what would it be possible to get more money? It would be better than having spies around him who have always come elsewhere.

Song Yang was so excited that he didn't know which leg to step on, and kept saying, "Thank you, sir, thank you."

When he arrived at the place where he put the money later, County Magistrate Jia was a little embarrassed. With so much money, it was impossible for Song Yang to move out and send it to others alone. One was too heavy, and the other was that he had to send the money out by himself, so he said to Song Yang:

"You go and get the thirty-three people. Remember, don't tell them what's going on when you come, and also look at those people well. If one has a good relationship with the Zhang family, don't call him here. Do you understand?"

"I understand, I understand, I have been waiting for this day for a long time. Sir, don't worry, the person I found must be like what the little one said to you, and it will not be bad at all. But Sir, where did you get so much money? What if someone finds out, what should I do if you are troubled?"

Song Yang showed his clever side at this time, and said with confidence and concern to County Magistrate Jia.

County Magistrate Jia was even happier now. Song Yang didn't know where his money came from, which means that Song Yang was not trusted by Zhangjiazhuangzi. In this way, there were finally people around him who could use it. As for which one was reliable or not, you can find some things to try.

Thinking of this, County Magistrate Jia said to Song Yang: "You don't have to worry about money, just find someone. Don't worry, wait until the New Year is over, I will definitely make you a little boss. Humph, those people want to cheat me when doing things, but I will not rub the sand in my eyes."

"Yes, I know, thank you for your trust. I'll go find someone now. Sir, please wait for a moment." Song Yang said excitedly, turned around and ran out of the yard.

Looking at Song Yang's leaving figure, County Magistrate Jia was not so relieved. He felt that he had to test it a few more times, otherwise if anyone was secretly left by the Zhang family, it would be too much to implicate.

Thinking of this, County Magistrate Jia took out the silver coins he should have. In order not to let other yamen runners find out, he did not take cloth this time, but just chose some broken silver and copper coins. It was so easy to carry that others would not see it.

After a while, Song Yang came back first. He was the only one who entered this place and said to Magistrate Jia: "Sir, the young man didn't find all the people, only twenty people were found. Should they let them come in first, or should the young man help the adult take out the things?"

"No need to go out, let them all come in. I am not sure about using people." County Magistrate Jia was generous this time. He still understood the fact that he had won people's hearts, but he had no chance before. Now that he has found a breakthrough, how could he be willing to give up for nothing?

Song Yang looked at County Magistrate Jia for a while, nodded seriously, turned around and ran out. When he came back again, there were twenty yamen runners who were loyal at first sight.

County Magistrate Jia was even more scheming. It seemed that Zhangjiazhuangzi liked those slick people and was not so good to such honest people, especially the yamen runners named Tong, who turned out to be a gangster, and only such people would be used by Zhangjiazhuangzi.

"Sir." These twenty people bowed and greeted each other under Song Yang's leadership, and their voices were loud.

"Okay, okay, they are all good things. I'm right." County Magistrate Jia was happy when he heard the neat voice. This was a real yamen runner, not that messy gangster.

"Everyone comes here and let me take a good look. Unfortunately, you such capable people are actually excluded from the yamen. Don't worry, as long as you have me here in the future, I feel that you will not worry about your family anymore. Come on, come forward one by one, and I will send you money for the New Year."

County Magistrate Jia looked at the twenty-one people carefully, and the more he looked at them, the more he felt that this matter was feasible. He said something again, put the money in front of him, and greeted the people.

"Sir, do you really give money to the young people? Sir, how can you repay the young people if you do this?" A yamen runner may have been too excited. Seeing the money on the ground, he actually cried when he heard the words of County Magistrate Jia.

County Magistrate Jia wanted to see this result, and was also excited. He deliberately looked calm and said seriously: "You are all yamen runners in the yamen. How can I ignore them? How can a yamen runner who always thinks that life is not easy at home, how can he do things well?

This official is the magistrate of Sanshui County. Letting the people under his jurisdiction live a good life is what the officials should do. How can they repay? As long as you work hard in the future, you will be the best reward to me."

"Sir, the young man knows now that he is a good official. In the past, he heard from others that he came here to do bad things. The young man really believed it. Sir, I'm sorry to you. Don't worry, the young man will never believe what others say again. Who dares to say it again? The young man will let him know that he is amazing."

Another yamen runner also started crying at this time, and didn't know how he cried. Not only did his eyes turn red, but his face turned red, and he looked very painful.

County Magistrate Jia was happy. When he heard the yamen runner's words, he hurriedly said, "No, no, no matter what others say, I will not care. Don't argue with others about this matter. After staying for a long time, they will naturally understand the painstaking efforts of my officers, but can they remember it?"

He was afraid that if those people really said something, the twenty-one people in front of him went over and defended him and told him about the money he gave, then the twenty-one people were likely to leave the yamen and would follow him at any time.

Song Yang promised first: "Sir, please rest assured. The younger ones must listen to the adults. If the adults say anything, they will do whatever they want. Even if others say bad things about adults, the younger ones will not cause trouble."

With a leader, other yamen runners also promised.

"Yes, it's time to do this. Come here one by one. I will send you money." County Magistrate Jia was relieved for a while. He picked up some copper coins and broken silver and gave them one by one according to the yamen runners' station. Every yamen runner who received the money was trembling. Some wanted to say a few words, but he was stammering and couldn't say it, and he was about to cry as soon as he said it.

Waiting for the money to be paid, and seeing them put it in, County Magistrate Jia felt a big stone fall in his heart. Thinking about it, he should have tried it and said:

"The Japanese officials in Ming Dynasty will go to Linhe Village in the county to take a look and send some rice, flour and other things over there. You will go there tomorrow to patrol. Remember, if you encounter other yamen runners, don't miss them. I always feel that the yamen runners are born into a gangster and will not achieve great things.

Song Yang, you have an important thing to do tomorrow. Don’t be on duty. No matter what others arrange, you have to go to Xiao Luo Water Wharf to see what ships are there, and write down the cargo on it for me."

"Dan is up to the Lord's order." Song Yang performed the best among these yamen runners. Hearing the words of County Magistrate Jia, he immediately agreed.

Other yamen runners also answered, and this time it was not as neat as before, so that County Magistrate Jia understood that this was not practiced in advance.

"That's all. You guys go down. Remember to go home soon and let the people at home use money to buy some New Year's things." County Magistrate Jia waved his hand and asked the yamen runners to leave.

Waiting for the yamen runners to leave, County Magistrate Jia paced back and forth in the yard alone, recalling the expressions of the yamen runners just now from time to time, thinking about which one was pretending and which one was real, but found that all the yamen runners' eyes were red, and some even gritted their teeth when talking about Zhangjiazhuangzi.

After walking back and forth for two minutes, County Magistrate Jia did not find any problem with the yamen runner, but he was still worried. He returned to the backyard and found his wife and said, "Tomorrow, you can find two of our own servants, go to Xiao Luoshui to see what kind of ships are coming, what cargo is on the ship, and how much is about. Remember, you have to change your clothes, change your hairstyle, and apply your face."

"Master, has something happened? If there is danger, it is better for us to not be this official and leave here early. I have always been worried that this is not a place we can control." When Magistrate Jia's wife heard his arrangement, the first thing she thought was that she was in trouble, or even her life was in danger.

"What do women know? Where is the danger? No one can control your husband and me. I'm waiting to find an opportunity. Let them see my power. Remember, don't make any mistakes."

What County Magistrate Jia least wants to hear is such words, especially now that he feels that with available personnel, how can he leave? Wouldn’t that be laughed at by someone who also wanted to compete for a position but didn’t compete for it?

"What the master said is that he is the most capable. I will make arrangements for you. Master, please rest early." County Magistrate Jia's wife immediately knew what to say, and explained according to her meaning, turned around and left gently.

County Magistrate Jia was happy about what he encountered today, and he became obedient to his wife. He said to his wife who had not yet walked away: "Master tonight, I'll go to your place and go to bed."
Chapter completed!