Chapter 203: Taking Money but Not Doing the Work
"Hurry up!" Lu Zhaoshi helped Hu Dalang up. "What happened to Mr. Su?"
"Mr. Su was arrested by the Tong County government officials!" There were bruises on Hu Dalang's face and footprints on his body. He had been beaten severely.
"Why was Mr. Su arrested in Tong County?" Lu Zhaoshi was confused.
"My father asked me to escort Mr. Su to see you. I don't know why, but he just asked me to escort Mr. Su safely." Hu Dalang grabbed Lu Zhaoshi's official robe tightly.
"Please, sir, please save Mr. Su quickly. Those yamen runners are very rough with their beatings."
"Mr. Su wants to see me?" Lu Zhaoshi didn't move. He had a vague guess in his mind, fearing that the aristocratic family's intentions would be discovered.
Su Bucheng was from Chang'an. He had seen many aristocratic families annexing land and was very sensitive to this. He probably wanted to discuss countermeasures with him.
"Yes!" Hu Dalang was extremely anxious.
From Wu County to the provincial capital, we passed through Tong County. Fortunately, when we entered the Tong County boundary, the yamen runners had some doubts, but they let us go after giving us some money.
It is adjacent to Wu County, and the yamen runners from both sides often deal with each other, doing favors with each other and giving some money to each other for the benefit of everyone.
When leaving Tong County, the yamen runners had no connections with Wu County. They were extremely cruel and vicious, and they used various methods to extort money from passers-by.
Su Bucheng had the warrant from the magistrate of Wu County, not from Tong County. A fugitive actually ran out of bounds. Hehe, a fat sheep!
The yamen runners were so happy. They were just worrying about not having any money to make during the New Year, and now a big fat sheep was delivered to their doorstep!
In addition to squeezing huge sums of money from the prisoners, they can also receive rewards from the government. They are eager to get more fat sheep!
Without giving Su Bucheng any chance to explain, the captain waved his hand and the bailiffs rushed forward and took Su Bucheng under control.
Hu Dalang stepped forward to dissuade them, but was kicked to the ground and beaten, and was almost arrested as an accomplice.
They didn't arrest Hu Dalang because they were afraid of his status as a student at the provincial government's official school, and not the son of the Wu County magistrate!
Hu Dalang left Acai to take care of the yamen runners to prevent Su Bucheng from suffering a big loss, and rushed to the provincial capital to find Lu Zhaoshi.
The Tong County magistrate didn't take his father seriously at all. It was useless for him to run back to Wu County to bring his father over. It would be better for him to go directly to the provincial capital to bring the governor over.
Hu Dalang thought quickly and went to the governor's mansion. He took off the jade pendant from his body and handed it to the doorman, introducing himself and asking for help.
Seeing the valuable jade pendant, the doorman knew that the young man was of some importance, so he thought for a moment before reporting the matter.
"Let's go!" Lu Zhaoshi got excited and pulled Hu Dalang out.
Lu Zhaoshi had a mutual admiration for Su Bucheng, saw his own shadow in Su Bucheng, and regarded him as a fellow traveler.
What's more, Su Bucheng has an indomitable, positive, optimistic and open-minded spirit, which Lu Zhaoshi does not possess.
Despite being a fugitive, he came to see me. He had the imperial court and the people in his heart, and he fought against the aristocratic families with his meager strength.
I can't do anything else, but I can at least keep him safe.
The carriage hurried out of the governor's mansion and almost collided with an oncoming carriage.
"Whoa..." The coachmen on both sides were experienced and they managed to stop the horses by reining in their horses.
Lu Zhaoshi and Hu Dalang fell in the carriage.
"What's going on?" Lu Zhaoshi got up and asked the driver.
"Reply, reply sir, it's Lord Wang, the registrar." The coachman saw Wang Yannian adjust his official hat and jump down from the opposite carriage.
"Sir, are you going out?" Wang Yannian came to the front of the car.
"Brother Heling, why are you here?" Lu Zhaoshi asked in surprise.
"I have something to talk to you about. Are you going out?" Wang Yannian looked anxious when he saw Lu Zhao.
"Now that you're here, it's a good opportunity for us to go together." Lu Zhaoshi didn't want to let Wang Yannian go and drag him into the water. Anyway, the Wang family was not a good family to deal with.
"Where are you going?" Wang Yannian asked after getting in the car.
"Tong County, looking for Mr. Su." Lu Zhaoshi did not try to be sarcastic.
"Mr. Su? Tong County?" Wang Yannian thought hard and stared at Lu Zhao. Who of them had a problem with his brain?
"Yes! You'll know when you see him later." Lu Zhaoshi said nothing more.
"Old Lu, I want to get off the bus!" Wang Yannian's eyes turned, guessing that it was not a good thing, and made a gesture to stand up.
"It's too late! You can't leave now!" Lu Zhaoshi grabbed Wang Yannian and said with a smile, "We are just grasshoppers on the same rope, no one can escape!"
"You are so good, Old Lu. I have no share in the good things, but you drag me into the bad things!" Wang Yannian scolded with a smile.
"What a coincidence! You bumped into it yourself!" Lu Zhaoshi smiled. He felt less depressed when he had someone to talk to.
He leaned against the car wall and sighed heavily.
"Oh!" Wang Yannian also sighed.
Lu Zhaoshi glanced at Wang Yannian and asked, "Why are you sighing?"
"What do you think? Let's not say anything bad about each other! Oh!" Wang Yannian slapped his thigh, "Blessing or curse?"
Hu Dalang felt very uncomfortable. The two big men in the state government were saying things that he shouldn't hear. He wanted to disappear on the spot and not hear anything!
"Whose son is this? Why does he look familiar?" Wang Yannian looked at Hu Dalang.
"Greetings, Lord Wang. I am Hu Bushen, the eldest son of the Wu County magistrate." Hu Dalang bowed.
"No wonder, he's Hu Erlang's brother!" Wang Yannian suddenly realized, "Hu Sansi is really lucky. He himself is not so good, but his two sons are very promising."
"Thank you for your praise, sir! I am ashamed!" Hu Dalang said modestly.
It was very rare for students at the academy to meet the governor of the state, so it would be a lie to say I wasn't excited to meet two of them at once.
If you get the favor of your superiors, a letter of recommendation, and a few good articles, it will be much easier to participate in the imperial examination in the capital.
"You are so brave that you dare to come to the governor! Aren't you afraid of being beaten out?" Wang Yannian teased when he saw Hu Dalang's miserable appearance with bruised face and nose.
"Apart from the governor, who else can save Mr. Su? I promised my father that I would escort Mr. Su safely, and I will do it even if it costs my life." Hu Dalang said frankly.
"Oh, I didn't expect you to be such a gentleman who values his promises and is also quite chivalrous! Not bad, not bad, you dare to do and take responsibility! You will be more successful than your father in the future!" Wang Yannian praised him generously.
Lu Zhaoshi looked at him, smiled and said nothing.
He was successful at a young age and was full of ambition, wanting to achieve something, but the reality was too helpless, making him powerless and gradually losing hope.
Looking at the young man in front of me, I can't help but sigh, it's great to be young! He has ideals, passion, and lofty ambitions!
After more than an hour, we arrived at the Tongxian County Government Office.
Because it was Chinese New Year, the government office was closed and the area in front of the gate was deserted.
"Acai!" Hu Dalang shouted to the person squatting in the corner.
"Da Lang, you are finally here!" Ah Cai's nose felt sore. When he saw the man in the crimson official uniform behind him, he knew that reinforcements had arrived.
I've been sitting here without eating or drinking, and I've given the money and food to Mr. Su inside. I wonder if he can get enough to eat?
He knew the ins and outs of the yamen.
"Is there anything wrong with Mr. Su?" Hu Dalang asked with concern.
"We've made all the necessary arrangements, but they won't let us in. Tong County is determined to cause trouble!" Acai said angrily.
These yamen runners are like Pixiu. They will take money no matter how much it is. They will not do their job even if they are paid, and they are also ruthless. They are even more corrupt than the Wu County government.
Bah, the Wu County government office is not corrupt. At that time, the boss was poor and had no choice but to do it. But the yamen runners took the money to do the job.
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