Promotion and fortune in Song Dynasty

When it comes to persuading Lu's mother, Lu Ci did not make a wrong choice.

Because she has been taken care of over the years, Lu's mother has a very good impression of the Zhong family and his wife. When she heard that there were two adjacent houses for sale, and they were of good quality and cheap, she was immediately moved.

Even if she is just a woman, she knows that living in low-rent housing is by no means a long-term solution.

Leaving aside Ci'er's need for a good environment where he can study quietly when preparing for the exam, if he doesn't buy a property, Fang Guo, the last customer, will have to wait another five full years before he can qualify for the exam.

Mother Lu asked carefully, and he was also patient and endless.

Although this meant that she had to fill in her meager savings over the years, plus the money that Lu Ci had filial to herself, but it was just enough, thanks to the connections of the Zhong family.

Regarding the purchase of real estate, Zhong's father suggested that only he and Lu Ci, who will become the heads of the household, come forward. As for Lu's mother and Zhong's mother, they should just stay at home and wait for news.

Mother Lu naturally had no objection.

Lu's mother didn't know that it was her son who actually arranged the matter. After agreeing happily, she was very excited about the relocation.

After finally finishing her day's work, she hurried home and happily said to Lu Ci: "If there is anything you don't understand, you might as well ask Uncle Zhong for more."

--nonexistent.It would be better to say that it is something Zhong Li doesn't understand, and you need to ask him humbly.

Lu Ciming knew the most details, but pretended to be surprised that he didn't know anything. After patiently listening to Lu's mother's narration, he smiled cooperatively: "It's so kind! It just so happens that there are still six days off, so I will be more Go outside with Uncle Zhong, and try to get everything done before the academy reopens."

Mother Lu said apologetically, "It just makes Da Lang tired and delays his study time."

Lu Ci smiled: "My mother's words are wrong. Not to mention that studying is not a day's work, and preparing for exams is not a month's work. Once the family is relocated, it will be a good thing once and for all. How can it be said that it is hard work?"

Lu's mother couldn't help but also smiled, and sighed for a long while: "I never thought that after so many years of the official's death, you and I, mother and son, would buy a family property and return to Shanghu again. , the day from the guest to the master."

Lu Ci smiled and said: "There is no fixed trend between rich and poor, but it depends on human effort. The days will surely get better and better."

Mother Lu couldn't help wiping the wet corners of her eyes: "It's thanks to my son's success..."

Zhu said that he was holding a bowl of hot soup next to him, and he looked at it with joy at first, really excited for Lu Lang.

Afterwards, he gradually lowered his head, his slightly moist eye sockets filled with envy from the steam.

If his mother had never remarried back then, but lived as a widow like Lu's mother and raised her husband alone...

Although he would be living a poor life at this moment, he would not end up alone.

Lu Ci didn't know Zhu Shuo's mixed emotions in his heart, and after talking with his overjoyed mother for a while, he went back to the house and made detailed arrangements for tomorrow's itinerary.

Seeing that Zhu said that he was looking at his head curiously, Lu Ci couldn't help but smile, and suddenly said: "If Brother Zhu is not in a hurry, you might as well stay a few more days and be me as a companion? In this way, I will be able to do everything well." A person who negotiates."

Zhu said Zheng was worried about the increasing debts owed to Lu Ci, and his eyes lit up immediately, and he replied without hesitation: "I would like to go! I am a fool, I don't know anything about building houses, but if anyone can help Lu Ci Brother Lu, please speak frankly, I definitely have no reason to refuse."

Lu Ci nodded seriously: "Then I won't be polite. Thank you Brother Zhu."

Zhu said that he quickly returned a salute: "I don't deserve it."

Even though they all said that they need to go to bed early in order to maintain their energy and cope with the busy tomorrow, neither the excited two adults, Zhong Yuan who was in a complicated mood, or even Zhu Yue who accidentally overslept during the day could not Seriously closing his eyes, but tossing and turning, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, wishing to see dawn in the blink of an eye.

Only Lu Ci fell asleep the fastest and slept most peacefully.

Almost at the moment when the drumbeat of the fifth watch sounded, Zhong and Lu's family sat up energetically, lighted candles, washed and changed clothes in a hurry, went to the morning market to buy a few steamed buns for breakfast, and looked at each other eagerly. Lu Ci, who was waiting for the best and leisurely, went out.

Zhong's father was probably the one who knew the most about Lu Ci's ability among these people, so he naturally didn't dare to urge him, and enthusiastically helped Lu's mother with some physical work; Zhong's mother also hurriedly helped Lu's mother; Yuan Ze stared speechlessly at Zhu who also looked expectant, and said, "Why are you having fun?"

Lu's mother was embarrassed to keep Zhong's family waiting for a long time, and she was reluctant to teach Lu Ci in front of others, so as not to hurt the face of this very sensible son, so she just gave him subtle winks.

Lu Ci swallowed the last mouthful of buns helplessly, and wiped his hands with a clean linen cloth soaked in water: "Let's go."

The first place to go is, of course, the shop and house affairs that specialize in the management of the official house.

It's just that it was obviously too early for them to go, the doors of the shop and house were closed, and none of the officials had arrived.

Just when Zhong Li felt a little embarrassed and was about to find a place nearby to sit and wait, he saw Lu Ci step forward calmly and knocked on the small door.

Zhong Li was surprised and said, "Lu Lang, you—"

Before he could persuade Lu Cimo to do this futile thing, a lazy voice came from inside: "Who is knocking on the door?"

Lu Ci gave Zhong Li a casual look, and said in a calm manner, "Lu Ci, I agreed with you that it's today."

As soon as these words came out, under Zhong Li's dumbfounded and Zhu Shuo's surprised gaze, the door really opened.

"All here?" The man in the uniform of a small official greeted Lu Ci with a smile, asked a few words in a low voice, and then glanced at Zhong Li who was waiting outside: "Come in, let It’s not good for others to see.”

Although it is not a violation of the regulations for the errands to come to work early, it is quite annoying to ask the good-for-nothing to go to the yamen to sue if they see it.

Zhong Li followed in like a sleepwalker.

"Lu Lang is really good at it. I still remember a little bit of what you looked like when you came here three years ago. In just a short while, you are about to buy a house by yourself, and you have become a household in Fangguo!" The little official surnamed Li said to Lu Ci. Not only is it not so good, not only did I wake up early at Lu Ci's request, but also searched out the required documents in advance, which saved me a lot of time. I was full of praise for Lu Ci, and I also took some time off , made a cup of hot tea for the three to warm up.

He smiled slickly, but not annoyingly: "I only have a bowl of crude tea, and you don't mind."

Zhu said that he was neither humble nor overbearing and thanked Zhong Li, but Zhong Li's reaction was a little bit bigger, and he took it with unconcealed flattery, and thanked him again and again, but the person the other party wanted to treat favorably was obviously not him.

He only glanced at him casually, then stopped talking to him, and continued to talk to Lu Ci actively.

"How dare you accept such a compliment?" Lu Ci smiled and shook his head: "After running around for several years in cold and heat, now there is only a small surplus, just trying to make food and clothing. How can you compare with Brother Li?"

But the man shook his head and sighed: "Lu Lang looks like a dragon and a phoenix, and his future is immeasurable. Now he is so great. When he goes to high school, he may not even see each other. How can I be the bottom of the well that is so desperate for wealth?" Frogs can compare!"

These words were spoken in such a serious manner that Zhong Li was terrified when he heard them.

Fortunately, this person didn't say anything else, and he handled things very neatly. With his active cooperation, Lu Ci successfully signed the document for terminating the lease contract and put down the monogram. It's over.

The official surnamed Li joked: "Lu Lang bought a house, why didn't he consider bidding for public housing? To be honest, there will be several good houses next month. If you want to take pictures, I will find someone to pay attention to you. Get it cheaper, and I can also be a guarantor for you. How about it? Would you like to consider it?"

Both Lu Ci and Zhong Li are tenants of low-rent housing. When signing a contract for buying and selling a house, they need a person who is willing to act as a guarantee.

Zhong Li's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help looking at Lu Ci, but Lu Ci politely refused, "I've heard a little about those public houses. It’s good for the owner to deal directly.”

The man couldn't help but sighed with regret: "Hehe, Lu Lang, you are good at everything, but you are too cautious!"

——Be careful to sail for ten thousand years.

Lu Ci smiled inwardly, and stopped talking about that topic, and said with a smile, "Thank you. I've been a little busy recently, so I'll talk to you another day. Take care."

Obtaining this promise from Lu Ci, that person decided not to keep anyone else, and waved his hand: "Okay, I'll wait for your news, and I won't delay your busy work, go!"

After being sent off with a smile on his face, Zhong Li didn't feel like a dream any more after he walked far away, and couldn't help asking curiously, "Lu Lang, how did you make friends with that official?"

Lu Ci wrote lightly: "One day I was destined, I helped him a little, and we have occasional contacts after we got acquainted."

When he first moved here, he managed to get involved in the business of transferring certificates, and in the process, he met Li Jie's elder brother.After working in partnership for a while, he accidentally learned that the other party's younger brother Li Jie was working in housekeeping. Thinking that he would definitely need it in the future, he offered to bring Li Jie here as well.

At the beginning, he only let that person share a share of the profits. Later, he felt that he had made enough money, and the rest did not need to be risky, so he accepted it as soon as it was good, and when he quit this type of business, he gave up his position to the other side.

Li Jie got such a windfall for no reason, of course Lu Ci's 1 is pleasing to the eye.

"I see."

Zhong Li didn't know anything about it, and besides sighing, he also knew that he couldn't envy him, so he continued to concentrate on the next itinerary.

Zhu said but couldn't help but sneak a glance at Lu Ci.

Although he only got along with Lu Ci for two days, according to his understanding, brother Lu's "little favor" might not really be a coincidence.

Lu Ci keenly caught his secretly scrutinizing eyes, slowly smiled, and even winked at Zhu Shuo.

Zhu said that his cheeks were slightly red, and he quickly moved his eyes away.

--what?

Why did he look away?

Before Zhu said he could figure it out, after Zhong Li walked a few steps, he felt a little confused again, and couldn't help asking Lu Ci: "Since he is willing to provide convenience for bidding for the public housing, why don't Lu Lang just...?"

"Bidding for public housing is not something he can give you convenience." Lu Ci raised his eyebrows and smiled kindly: "He is a member of the officialdom anyway, and Uncle Zhong takes his words seriously."

The public house does sell houses, but the quality of the houses is uneven. It is difficult to wait for a suitable house and get it at a suitable price.

The process of bidding for public housing is even more seamless - anyone who intends to buy must go to the place where the bidding documents are posted to submit a written bid. The process of opening bids may take a month or two, and the highest bidder wins in the end.

Although it is not invulnerable, it is definitely not the meddling of one person that can influence the final result.

People who really have the ability to embezzle and cheat can't appreciate the little kickback they get after participating in the bidding.

Therefore, it is obvious that the other party is just bragging.

Unexpectedly, Zhong Li didn't have a young gentleman who was younger than his son, so he blushed suddenly, and Lu Ci changed the subject in a considerate way: "As for the guarantor, I have also decided on a more suitable candidate Uncle Zhong, don't worry."

The author has something to say: Notes:

1. Qualifications for taking the test: You must either have real estate or land, or you have lived in this place for more than 7 years before you can take the scientific test in this place.

(The "Gong Ju Regulations" of the Song Dynasty stipulated that if non-local residents of Bianliang want to take the imperial examination in Bianliang, they must obtain Bianliang household registration, live in Bianliang for more than seven years, or have a certain amount of land in Bianliang before they can "allow to vote shape")

People with the following three household registrations are not allowed to participate in the scientific examination: military registration (lifelong), humble registration (note that they are not untouchables! There were no untouchables in the Song Dynasty, only humble registration), that is, prostitutes and Zaoli, and monks and Taoists (you can’t even return to vulgarity. )

2. Household registration system

The household registration system of the Song Dynasty divided residents into "rural households" (divided into five grades, with one to three being upper households, and four and five being lower households) and "Fangguo households" (divided into ten grades, with the first grade being official households) according to the area of ​​residence. , one to five is the upper household, and six to ten is the lower household), and according to whether the residents have real estate, the household registration is divided into "principal household" and "customer".The main household needs to pay taxes to the government independently.The class is divided according to the amount of family property.

Floaters (refugees) who have lived in one place for one year can settle down and obtain local household registration, which is the last class of Fangguo/rural customers. ("Pretending to Live in the Song Dynasty" and "Yi Zhongtian's Great Song Innovation in Chinese History" p87)

3. "Shop and house affairs": that is, the government department responsible for managing the official house. ("Pretending to Live in the Song Dynasty")

4. The process of bidding and selling public housing is as mentioned in the article, and will not be explained in detail. ("Pretending to Live in the Song Dynasty")

In addition, whether it is bidding or private transaction, there must be a guarantor, or you must have your own real estate as a mortgage. (From "Pretending to Live in the Song Dynasty" and "Yi Zhongtian's Great Song Innovation in Chinese History")

5. Degree ultimatum.Please note that the ultimatum is different from the ultimatum.The precepts are issued by the monks, and you can go to the temple to register with them, and you can eat and live for free; the ultimatums are issued by the government, and you have the right not to pay taxes or perform military service.

However, the degree certificate is for sale, and it is not completely real-named. A blank certificate will also be issued. As long as you fill in your name, you will be recognized as a legal monk by the government.

When Wang Anshi reformed the law, the price of the degree was 130 guan. Later, during the Song Huizong period, he was fired to 220 guan... After a period of chaos, he finally strengthened management and stopped indiscriminate logging. ("Yi Zhongtian Chinese History Great Song Innovation" p120-121)

6. Baozi: It was a delicacy loved by all classes in the Song Dynasty.When the prince was born in the eighth year of Dazhong Xiangfu (1015), Emperor Zhenzong rewarded his ministers with buns, but the stuffing was gold, silver and jewels... There are even kitchens dedicated to steaming buns in wealthy families.During Emperor Huizong of Song Dynasty, someone once bought a woman who claimed to be from the steamed bun kitchen in Cai Jing’s mansion as a concubine, and wanted that woman to make steamed stuffed buns for herself, but the woman said she couldn’t. (...) "Yi Zhongtian Chinese History Great Song Innovation" p22-23