Pingyang Prefecture in Shanxi Province, Pinglu County under Jiezhou.

Dianshi Mansion.

"Brother Yusen, this time it's all thanks to you. If you hadn't helped me solve the case, I wouldn't have known that Mr. Wang was so abominable. He usually looked righteous and kind, but he turned out to be a greedy villain."

"That Li family kid, even though he was born in a poor family and his family has fallen on hard times, who would have known that he actually has a connection with the prefect."

"If it weren't for brother Yusen's refusal to speak up, this kid from the Li family would have filed a complaint and reported it to the governor. I would have been in danger of losing my head."

The magistrate of Pinglu County spoke sincerely to the man in his thirties in front of him with a grateful face.

In front of him was the Dianshi Di Yusen, who was recommended to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince by the Minister of Personnel Zhan Hui.

The position of Dianshi was an assistant official to the county magistrate, and he had no rank, that is, he was "not in the mainstream".

He is an official under the county magistrate in charge of arrests and prisons.

The Dianshi was a non-official civil official below the ninth rank. However, when the positions of county magistrate and chief clerk were abolished, their duties were taken over by the Dianshi concurrently.

Therefore, the positions of Dianshi were all selected by the Ministry of Personnel and could also be considered as "officials appointed by the imperial court."

However, in today's world, especially in smaller counties like Pinglu, the Dianshi can also be replaced by a clerk.

Di Yusen was just a student, and although he also received a salary, strictly speaking he was an acting historian.

When he passes the imperial examination and becomes a scholar, he can become a regular employee.

It was just that Di Yusen was so obsessed with solving cases and studying the law that he neglected the Four Books and Five Classics and had no interest in reading them. He was always troubled by the stage of becoming a scholar.

"You are too polite, County Magistrate. These are my duties. I do not deserve such a great gift."

Di Yusen looked at the burden carried by the servant outside, bowed and said, "Please take it back, sir."

The county magistrate said quickly, "How can that be possible? I sent this here specially to show my appreciation. Brother Yusen, are you thinking it's too little and refusing to accept my kindness?"

Di Yusen's eyes were firm, and he insisted, "Yusen is not being polite, but I don't want to be rewarded without merit. This case is also within the responsibility of the Dianshi, so it shouldn't be like this."

"Please take it back, Mr. County Magistrate."

Faced with Di Yusen's repeated insistence, the county magistrate was helpless and could only sigh: "Brother Yusen, you really have the demeanor of our ancestors. I am sorry for being rude."

"In that case, I will host a banquet for you tonight. You can't refuse it. Otherwise, you will look down on me."

Di Yusen had no choice but to raise his hand and said, "Please rest assured, County Magistrate, Yusen will definitely be there."

After the county magistrate and his men left, a woman appeared.

Different from the way ordinary women dress, this woman is dressed in tight clothes. She does not look dignified and virtuous, but instead has a heroic look between her brows.

"Di Yusen, I just watched from the side. It was top-quality silk and satin fabric, and there was also delicious meat."

"It's been a long time since we had meat in the Dianshi Mansion. With your three stone of rice per month, we still have to survive for seven or eight days before we can have something good."

"Don't you feel bad?"

"Besides, this was sent by County Magistrate Li himself. If it weren't for you, he would have been covered in black sand. It can't be considered a bribe."

The woman said with some complaints.

Di Yusen was somewhat helpless and explained, "Lixue, you don't understand. The county magistrate's offer is worth at least twenty strings of treasure notes. It is so valuable, how can I accept it?"

"The emperor today hates corruption and bribery the most. Once you are involved, not only will you lose your official position, but you will also have a hard time keeping your life and property."

"We can make a living now. Even if life is a little worse, it's not a big deal. I saw in the capital's newspaper that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has proposed to increase the salaries of officials. Maybe it will be implemented in the next one or two years."

"Our lives will be much better then."

The woman was Di Yusen’s wife, Qin Lixue, who was twenty years old and had been married for only two months.

The acquaintance between Di Yusen and Qin Lixue was not arranged by a matchmaker, but was a free love relationship.

Qin Lixue is an orphan who grew up in a nunnery, but did not become a nun. She learned martial arts.

Novels were popular in the Ming Dynasty. After reading a lot of martial arts novels and having superb martial arts skills, he developed a nature of standing up for the weak.

And then, of course, he would venture into the ** world.

However, reality gave Qin Lixue a severe blow.

Under the household registration checkpoint system implemented by Zhu Yuanzhang, Qin Lixue was almost arrested before she could walk ten miles out of the nunnery.

Fortunately, he pretended to be a businessman's guard and got away with it.

However, the wandering life I imagined was almost like that of a refugee, where one often went hungry.

The underworld in the early Ming Dynasty was different from any previous dynasty and had a very high threshold.

If you want to truly be able to roam around the world and live a carefree life, the first thing you need is a clearance document.

These things can only be obtained through some connections of the gangs under the Chamber of Commerce, or they are children of aristocratic families.

Anyone who learns some martial arts is not qualified at all and will undoubtedly be blocked from entering the world of martial arts.

When he was in Pinglu County, he was framed.

After all, Qin Lixue has been practicing martial arts for a long time and has a good figure. She also has a decent appearance and is quite pretty. Even if she is disguised as a man, she can be easily recognized.

Di Yusen came across this case and solved it with just a few words. The slanderer was arrested and thrown into jail, thus clearing Qin Lixue's name.

Later, Qin Lixue discovered that solving cases like Di Yusen's was extremely attractive.

As the saying goes, when a man pursues a woman, there is a mountain between them; when a woman pursues a man, there is only a layer of gauze between them.

Di Yusen's conditions were considered low in the officialdom, but to the common people, he was an official.

In addition, Di Yusen was either reading books on solving cases or studying the Four Books and Five Classics all year round, so he had no intention of getting married.

I am still unmarried at the age of 35 and my family has been urging me to get married.

After a few meetings, he married Qin Lixue.

Although Di Yusen wanted to clear his name, he finally got the position of Acting Dianshi in Pinglu County by relying on the reputation of Taiyuan Di family.

"Okay, I know you, Di Yusen, have the style of your ancestors and great ambitions, but today is the day we agreed on. You are not allowed to read books on solving cases. You must read the Four Books and Five Classics."

Qin Lixue was not a person who despised the poor and loved the rich. Although he said so, there was no trace of nostalgia for the property he had just received.

After all, Di Yusen was an acting historian and a clerk.

Who knows, one day during the Ministry of Personnel's selection, there might be a new Dianshi, and then this Dianshi Mansion won't be able to be lived in.

Therefore, the right thing to do is to quickly pass the examination to become a scholar, strive to become a regular official, and become an official.

When Di Yusen heard this, his mouth felt bitter, but he could only nod helplessly.

"Well, I can't urge you today. The roof is leaking. Some tiles are broken. I have to go to the market to buy some tiles and patch up the roof."

Qin Lixue said it casually, and from the look of it, he had no intention of hiring anyone.

Naturally, she couldn't count on a scholar like Di Yusen, but fortunately, she herself was quite skilled and had done things like climbing up roofs and removing tiles many times before, so she was very familiar with it.

Hearing this, Di Yusen's eyes showed some emotion and determination: "Thank you for your hard work, my lady."

Qin Lixue waved her hand and walked towards the door indifferently.

At this moment, there was a sudden knock on the door: "The Dianshi Lord is in the mansion."

Qin Lixue just walked to the door.

When he opened his mouth, he saw that it was the county yamen runner.

"But what kind of case is this that requires my husband's help?" Qin Lixue asked directly.

The bailiff smiled and bowed, "So it's my sister-in-law. May I ask if the prefect is here? There's no case, it's the magistrate who is calling you."

Qin Lixue was stunned when he heard this, and then he couldn't help asking: "Sir, is there a new Dianshi coming?"

The yamen runner smiled and said, "That's not the case. I don't know the details, but the postmaster is here in person and is currently in the county hall. The county magistrate is hosting a banquet to accompany him. There must be something good going on."

"We should ask the Registrar to come over quickly. If we wait too long, it might not be good."

Upon hearing this, Di Yusen hurried forward and said, "Lixue, since the magistrate has invited you, I will go first. You wait at home. I will bring the tiles back when I come back."

Qin Lixue nodded and watched the two leave.

Pinglu County was not big and the Dianshi Mansion was close by. It took only an incense stick of time for Di Yusen to arrive at the county government office.

In the lobby, a man dressed as a postmaster was talking to the county magistrate.

Seeing Di Yusen coming over, the magistrate quickly put down his wine glass and called out, "Yusen, come here quickly."

When the postmaster saw him, he asked the county magistrate, "This boy is the Dianshi Di Yusen, he is really a handsome man."

The county magistrate stroked his beard and smiled, "Isn't it true? Di Dianshi is the pride of our Pinglu County. Since Di Dianshi, our Pinglu County can be said to be free from looting on the road and doors are not locked at night."

"After years of accumulated cases, the truth has finally come to light under the divine judgment of Di Dianshi, restoring the innocence of the people."

"But in terms of public opinion, even I, the county magistrate, cannot compare to Di Dianshi."

The postmaster He said: "I am in the post station. Among the officials who come and go, anyone who passes through Pinglu County will definitely mention Di Dianshi's Ming. Now that I have seen it, it is true that there is no false reputation."

Di Yusen came over and bowed to greet them. He was confused when he heard the magistrate and the postmaster praising each other.

After praising him, the postmaster straightened his clothes and took out a letter written on yellow rice paper from his bosom.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has issued an order! Di Yusen, the Acting Prefect of Pinglu County, is to receive the order."

As soon as the words fell, the magistrate hurriedly pulled Di Yusen to his knees.

The postmaster then continued in a loud voice: "I have heard that Di Yusen, the acting prefect of Pinglu County, has the style of his ancestor Di Renjie, and is able to solve cases like a god, and the people under his rule all praise him."

"I now specially invite him to the capital to meet the emperor, and he will set off immediately."

Di Yusen, who was kneeling on the ground, was still a little confused at the moment, but the magistrate next to him hurriedly pulled him by the hand and urged him, "Brother Yusen, why are you still standing there? Accept the order."

Di Yusen finally reacted and quickly raised his hands: "Di Yusen obeys the order of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

After placing the order in Di Yusen's hand, the postmaster helped Di Yusen up and said with a smile, "Your Highness the Crown Prince's order is urgent. Please go home and pack up, and leave with me immediately."

Di Yusen didn't expect that he would leave so suddenly, so he could only nod in agreement.

The magistrate said, "I have said it before, brother Yusen is like a hidden dragon in the abyss, full of knowledge and ambition, and one day he will rise to the top."

"Now that you have been appreciated by His Royal Highness Taisun, you must have a bright future. Just remember that after you go to the capital, Brother Yusen, don't forget Pinglu County, which is also Brother Yusen's home."

Naturally, the magistrate was a long-time official, and his words were very particular. His hidden meaning, of course, was that he hoped that after Di Yusen became successful, he would have a chance to give him some help.

Although Di Yusen didn't like to go along with the crowd, it didn't mean that he didn't understand the meaning of this. He bowed and said, "Please rest assured, Magistrate. During the five years in Pinglu County, Yusen was taken care of by the Magistrate, and I will never forget it."

Upon hearing this, the magistrate nodded happily.

Speaking of which, the reason why Di Yusen was able to come to Pinglu County to be an acting prefect and display his talents was because the Di family of Taiyuan followed the path of the county magistrate.

Speaking of which, I am indebted to you.

The magistrate was also more relieved. After spending the past few years together, he knew that although Di Yusen was innocent, he was not a pedantic person. People like him knew how to be grateful.

When Di Yusen went out, there was already a carriage waiting for him.

Under the leadership of the postmaster, they quickly returned to the Dianshi Mansion.

Qin Lixue heard a knock on the door, walked over to open it, and saw Di Yusen walking in with a beaming face.

He lowered his head slightly and asked, "Why did you come back so soon? Where are the tiles I asked you to bring?"

"Alas, you are a very good case solver, but you always forget things. Forget it, just wait at home and I will go buy it."

Upon hearing this, Di Yusen hugged Qin Lixue and said, "My dear, why are you still buying tiles? Hurry up and pack your things and follow me to the capital."

Qin Lixue shook her arm and broke free, almost knocking Di Yusen to the ground.

"What are you crazy about? You're going to the capital. Your salary is not enough for the journey. Don't block the door. I need to go buy some tiles. Looking at the weather, it may rain tonight. We can't delay any longer."

Di Yusen had no choice but to reveal the scene behind the door.

Qin Lixue saw a carriage and several postmen waiting outside the gate.

The leader was dressed like a postmaster.

Qin Lixue had seen a lot when he was wandering around the world.

The post station only allowed officials to rest. Ordinary people like her did not even have the qualifications to enter. Even if it was pouring rain, they could only endure it outside.

Di Yusen said proudly, "Your husband is so proud today that his ancestors are so proud of him."

Then he raised his hand and bowed to the east, saying: "Today, His Majesty the Great Sun has issued an order for me to leave immediately and go to the capital to meet with an audience."

Qin Lixue looked at the carriage outside, still with a bit of suspicion on her face, not believing that a pie would fall from the sky.

"I have little education, so please don't lie to me."

Di Yusen simply took out the imperial edict from his bosom and handed it over: "My lady will know it at a glance."

Qin Lixue looked at the yellow rice paper, which was used exclusively by the royal family. His eyes suddenly lit up. Then he unfolded it and was shocked.

She immediately said, "Please wait a moment, my husband. It's a long journey. I will prepare your luggage right away."

Seeing Qin Lixue turning around to leave, Di Yusen grabbed her and said, "Madam, what nonsense are you talking about? I have more than just one bag to carry. Go home and pack your bags quickly. Don't take anything unnecessary."

"Take my case books, and my coroner's set, too. There's enough space in the carriage."

Qin Lixue paused and asked in disbelief, "My husband, do you want to take me to the capital with you?"

Di Yusen said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince has summoned me to come, so he must be doing something for me. I don't know how many years it will take me to be away, so I must take my wife with me."

"Besides, I am a weak man, and I don't have a wife with strong martial arts skills by my side. What if I get kidnapped by bandits?"

Listening to Di Yusen's naughty words, tears seemed to flow from the corners of Qin Lixue's eyes.