Chapter 120: Why worry about leaving the prison?
When Cheng Ye asked this question, the old yamen runner didn't know how to answer.
"Sir, can a mortal easily communicate with a god?"
Cheng Ye glanced at him and said, "How did I know that?"
The old yamen runner shut his mouth and thought to himself, you don’t know why you ask me, but I dare not say it out loud.
"Wait until those people finish their work and come back, then put them aside and keep them under observation. Minimize their contact with others to avoid any disturbance or complications."
"Yes, sir."
The temperature outside dropped and Cheng Ye felt a little cold staying outside. After giving his instructions, he went back to his single room in the inn to rest.
When you are out and about, having money to pave the way is a lot more comfortable. The attitude of the clerks in the post station has also become more enthusiastic. Cheng Ye would greet everyone he saw when he came in and out: "Master Cheng, you have worked hard."
Cheng Ye felt very comforted after hearing this. After having some wine and food in the room, he felt dizzy from the alcohol. He asked the soldier standing guard outside the door, Mr. Xiong, to report to him in time when he came back, then he took off his coat and went to bed.
Soon, the soldiers standing guard outside the door heard thunderous snoring from inside.
The clerk of the post station brought people to deliver hot water. He heard the deafening shouting inside and knew that he had come at the wrong time. Before leaving, he couldn't help but glance at the servant standing outside the door.
The officer watched them leave coldly.
The Qingzhou Postmaster had rested in the afternoon and was not sleepy after dark. He was handling official business in the office. He was halfway through reconciling accounts with his men when his clerk came up from downstairs.
"Sir, everyone has been arranged."
The Qingzhou Postmaster looked up and said calmly, "Hasn't the chief, Lord Xiong, returned yet?"
"In reply to your Excellency's question, he hasn't returned yet, but judging from the expression of that Cheng Baihu, he seems to be confident and not worried. I don't think anything unexpected will happen."
"It would be best if nothing unexpected happens. If something goes wrong, just put the blame on them."
"Yes, sir."
The Qingzhou Postmaster reached out and tapped the account book, then instructed his subordinates who were checking the accounts: "Remember to take out Mr. Cui's things from inside. Keep the filial gifts as filial gifts, and don't write down the things that shouldn't be handed in."
"Understood, my lord."
The Qingzhou Postmaster stood up and went downstairs with his trusted men. When passing by Cheng Ye's room, he stopped for a moment and then the two went downstairs.
In the post station, there were not only people exiled from the capital, but also many people passing through the capital, many of whom were powerful figures like Xiong Jiushan and Cheng Ye. After so many years of welcoming and seeing off people, they had already memorized what kind of people should be treated and in what manner.
After walking around the kitchen and instructing the kitchen manager to do a good job, the Qingzhou Postmaster took his men outside to digest the food.
Seeing the campfires across the way from afar, the Qingzhou Postmaster was not quite used to it. "So many people... too conspicuous."
"Don't worry, sir. I heard from those hundreds of households that they are anxious to leave the border. When that sir Xiong comes back, they will all leave. Nothing will happen. There are many officials to escort the many prisoners."
The Qingzhou Postmaster laughed and said, "Are you in a hurry to leave?"
"Yes." The subordinate nodded.
Another chuckle. "Why rush out? Let's get past those man-eating wolf cubs in Panlong Ridge first."
"Aren't the higher-ups going to suppress the bandits anymore?"
The Qingzhou Postmaster glanced at him and said, "Just pretend to be deaf and blind when it comes to things that shouldn't be mentioned. Got it?"
"I will follow your instructions, sir." The clerk restrained his expression and did not dare to speak nonsense.
The Qingzhou Postmaster looked deeply into the distance and suddenly asked, "This group of exiles is full of troublesome and hot potatoes. Stay away from them, don't let the cat smell them when you get involved."
The clerk thought for a moment and said, "Among this group, there are members of the Xie family who are said to be able to communicate with spirits."
The Qingzhou Postmaster snorted coldly, "I don't care if the Xie family is divine or not. To have their property confiscated and exiled to this point, even the gods themselves wouldn't be able to help. They're just bluffing."
"The people in Beijing asked us to keep an eye on them. How should we respond?"
"There's nothing to say. We're just following the rules. If anyone asks, just say you know nothing."
Subordinate: “…”
Okay.
Seeing his subordinate's dilemma, the Qingzhou Postmaster, with a kind heart, warned him: "Don't you think about it? Even after your property has been confiscated and you've been exiled, the people in the capital are still thinking about you. How can this be a good thing? If we get involved with them, we'll be dealing with trouble. If we do deal with them, we'll have to report it to the higher-ups. How should we say it? Saying too much or too little is wrong! Saying nothing is the right answer."
"Wouldn't it be more wrong not to say it?"
"Wrong!" The Qingzhou Postmaster sneered, "If you don't say it, then it's right! The fault lies with my incompetence, but incompetence isn't serious, so why should I be afraid? The most frightening thing about being associated with people like the Xie family is that you're an insider, don't you understand?"
"The villain is stupid."
"Now I have to be a dull person. I am dull and incompetent. I don't know whether the Xie family has the protection of the gods. I only know that the exiled prisoners are hungry and miserable. As long as I don't do anything, there is no good or bad, right or wrong!"
His subordinates were shocked, feeling that at this moment he had an epiphany in his official career.
After staying outside for a while, the Qingzhou Postmaster also felt the cold weather. "Whatever they need, we will provide according to the rules. Since Lord Xiong is highly regarded by Lord Wang, the commander of the Beijing Guards, we must consider this a little bit of face."
Bowing and watching the messenger return to the posthouse, the clerk stood there, looked at the Xie family's position again, and then turned back. He felt that what the master said was reasonable. Regardless of whether the Xie family had real ability or not, it was better to stay away from big trouble.
The moon was rising above the treetops, and black bird shadows were flying back and forth among the branches.
Under the tree roots, Zhang Dayi was telling stories to little Xie Jiarui while chewing on some dry food. Occasionally, when he felt thirsty, he would drink some water to quench his thirst. Water was precious during the exile, but Xie Wuying had already obtained the approval of Mrs. Xie. As a thank you to Mr. Zhang for taking care of the youngest son of the Xie family, the Xie family willingly gave him the water to drink.
Xie Jiarui was young and good-tempered. Before he came of age, he only focused on exercising and playing in the mansion and never learned anything.
Xie family members like Xie Wuying and Xie Wenjie, who were preparing for the imperial examinations in Beijing, would not presume to teach the young masters of aristocratic families, as they were too busy to do so. Therefore, when a learned Hanlin scholar like Zhang Dayi used simple and easy-to-understand language to explain ancient myths to Xie Jiarui, the child's curiosity was fully aroused.
For a whole hour, he lay motionless in his sleeping bag, with his bright eyes open, listening attentively to Zhang Dayi's story.
Zhang Dayi may have been somewhat straightforward and stubborn as an official, but as a scholar, he was by no means a stickler for tradition. His passion for learning was to study the world and gain knowledge. He excelled at adapting to local conditions and teaching students in accordance with their aptitude.
The road to exile is difficult, and it is not suitable to give children a serious education. The most appropriate thing to do is to start with the strange stories and anecdotes from ancient times to the present.
First, it broadens the mind, and second, it kills boredom on the journey. This kind of bizarre and tortuous legend is the most unacceptable.
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