Sir, I can do it!

Wei Zhao went out with Changsun Ke today, and did not call the coachman at the house to see him off.At this time, they wanted to go outside the city, so they asked Huo Bao'er to rent a car near Sajinmen, and bought honey water nearby, and with the woman's steamed cake, the master and servant ate eight percent full.

After eating and drinking enough, Xiahe Village has also arrived.As the spring plowing season approached, the farmers also began to get busy. When they saw a nobleman getting out of a foreign carriage, they only took a quick glance and did not show much surprise.

Xiahe Village is not far from Shengjing City. The farmers went to work in the city during their slack, and they had seen many high-ranking officials and dignitaries. When they saw Wei Zhao at this time, they were at most amazed at his handsome appearance.

Huo Baoer looked around and saw a simple and honest man passing by, so he went up to him and asked Mrs. Jiang who sold candied fruit.

The strong man raised his hand and pointed to the east, and said, "Aunt Jiang's house is at the east end of the village. When you see an old locust tree, the second house is there. Are you here to buy candied fruit? Aunt Jiang made it." The candied fruit is sweet and sour, and many people from far and near have inquired, but I’m afraid you won’t be able to buy it today.”

"Oh? Why?"

Speaking of this, the strong man showed a sad face, and said: "Aunt Jiang's son Dong Yu has not returned for two days, and Aunt Jiang is worried."

Wei Zhao said, "Perhaps it was delayed by something outside."

The strong man shook his head: "Dong Yu is a filial child. Although Aunt Jiang is his stepmother, she also serves him like his own mother. Since Uncle Dong passed away, the mother and son have depended on each other for life, and the relationship is even more profound. Dong Yu is a scholar. I was copying books for others in the Huguo Temple area, and every day when the stalls were closed, I had to go to Sajinmen to pick up Aunt Jiang, without a single day of delay. Let alone not returning for two full days without leaving a word."

"Yesterday, I went to Honglu Temple. The official said that I didn't see Dong Yu yesterday. I went to Huguo Temple again. The little master also said that I hadn't seen Dong Yu. I haven't seen Dong Yu come home today." , I was about to help Aunt Jiang go to the Yamen to report to the officials..."

"Wait, Honghe Temple? Dong Yu is a small official of Honghe Temple?"

The strong man said: "No. Last year when Beiyan envoys came to Beijing, Honglu Temple was busy with affairs, so they recruited some miscellaneous officials, and Dong Yu was among them. Although he is not a serious official, it is a good thing to get to know the adults .”

Most of the officials of the state of Chu were recommended by various places. Da Qi followed the system of Chu, and only added a big test for selection.Taixue also added some subjects according to the times.In addition to the sons of nobles in Shengjing, there are also sons of nobles from all over the world who should be recommended to go to Taixue to study.A big exam is held every three years, and officials are selected from the students of Taixue.As for the small officials in the yamen of various ministries, they are selected by the headquarters according to the needs, and they don't need to pass the big test.

Although the reform of the scholar-selection system screened out a batch of idiots, the forces in the officialdom are deeply intertwined. In order to consolidate their own interests, they naturally have to deal with it.In the later years of Emperor Wu, cheating in the exam was repeatedly banned, and the selection of officials was uneven, and there were very few officials who actually did things.

Therefore, it is a common practice for various ministries to recruit temporary miscellaneous officials from the people during the busy season every year.There are often students from poor families who are called to go. If they can get in touch with officials and operate well, they can also get a serious job.As a result, the funds allocated by the Ministry of Household Affairs to various ministries have increased year after year.

Emperor Wu was furious and ordered the General Procuratorate to conduct a strict investigation, dismissed a group of redundant officials, and suspended the grand examination.When Emperor Yuan ascended the throne, he reformed the examination system again, abolished the recommendation system, and allowed scholars to register for reference by themselves, and select scholars by different subjects.However, the status of the old aristocrats was stable, it was difficult for poor families to get ahead, and it was difficult to reverse the trend of officialdom for a while, and a few yamen still had to recruit miscellaneous officials from the people.

With a thought in his mind, Wei Zhao asked the strong man again: "Do you know what specific affairs Dong Yu is responsible for at Honglu Temple?"

"I heard that he is in charge of receiving envoys, but we don't know the details. Hey, around the Spring Festival, Dong Yu was very happy, saying that he found a way this time, and he will be able to officially serve in Honglu Temple in a short time. He was happy. He said that Mr. Zhang, the prime minister of Honglu Temple, had already submitted his appointment, and he was just waiting for his appointment. Who knew it was going well, and this person disappeared."

The strong man regretted while talking.

Wei Zhao reassured, "Don't worry about this big brother, Dong Yu is such a big man, maybe he was really caught by something."

"Ji Yan, Mr. Cheng, it's getting late, I have to go to the city quickly."

"Brother, walk slowly."

Wei Zhao watched the strong man go away, stood on the spot and thought for a while, then walked to the east of the village, stopped at the second yard in front of the old locust tree, raised his hand and knocked on the door.

After a while, a woman opened the courtyard door, and it was the woman selling candied fruit.

Jiang is about fifty years old, but her appearance is not as old as that of ordinary old women.There is a bit of dignity in his gestures, elegant speech, soft voice when he speaks, and kindness in his eyebrows and eyes when he laughs, which makes people feel a little close to him.

Wei Zhao often buys candied fruit with her, Jiang naturally recognizes it.Xu Shi's son didn't return, and Jiang's brows were frowning, but when he saw a visitor, he still tried his best to cheer himself up.

She smiled slightly: "Young Master Wei, we won't be selling candied fruit today."

Wei Zhao nodded slightly at her: "I heard that something happened at Aunt Jiang's house, I wonder if there is something Wei Zhao can use?"

Jiang Shi hurriedly avoided her body, and said: "However, it's a private matter at home, how dare you bother Mr. Wei, it's really out of style."

"Hey, Aunt Jiang, don't be polite to me. I saw someone report to the official for Aunt Jiang. It's not that I don't listen to what I say, but that elder brother is too straightforward, and the people in the government are the best at teasing people. I'm afraid I will report to the official. And no one cares."

Speaking of this, Jiang sighed: "There will always be some hope when you report to the official."

Wei Zhao turned his eyes slightly, and said again: "I heard from that elder brother that your son is working under the Honglu Temple Cheng Zhang Bing?"

Mrs. Jiang nodded: "Mrs. Zhang likes to eat our candied fruit. Mrs. Zhang is on duty to go home, and occasionally buy some. Sometimes when I come back late, I happen to meet Yuer to pick me up. Mrs. Zhang knows that Yuer is rude. Reading poetry and books is quite appreciated. Last year when the envoys came to Beijing, Lord Zhang asked Yuer if he would like to work in Honglu Temple."

"Yu'er originally wanted to take the imperial examination this year, but she also knew very well that her family had no foundation and no money, and the road to the imperial examination would probably be impossible. With Master Zhang's affection, she might be able to move around and find a job in Honglu Temple." Little official, even if it doesn’t work, I won’t delay this year’s imperial examination. So I happily accepted the call and went to Honglu Temple.”

"Master Zhang treated him well. He kept him by his side all the time, and asked him to be responsible for receiving the envoys. Yu'er was happy and energetic every day in those days. I am naturally happy to see him."

"Then... is there anything unusual about Dong Yu these two days?"

Jiang thought for a while, and said: "Yu'er has always been sensible, even if he encounters difficulties, he endures it by himself. A few days ago, he seemed a little bored, and he couldn't hear me when I talked to him. I thought about it There are a lot of official affairs, maybe he didn't dare to disturb when he encountered a difficult matter. After two days, he was fine. He also said that Mr. Zhang accepted him and allowed him to work in Honglu Temple. He also said that he would wait for him After earning a salary, he took me to rent a room in the city..."

Thinking of this, Jiang felt a little sad, took out her handkerchief and wiped away her tears, then smiled apologetically at Wei Zhao: "I'm sorry."

Wei Zhao shook his head: "Don't worry, Aunt Jiang, I'll ask Aunt Jiang later."

"This……"

"Aunt Jiang doesn't need to be polite to me. Wei Zhao lost his mother since he was a child, so it is very kind to see Aunt Jiang. But it's a little effort, and Auntie don't want to refuse."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Wei. Ah, Mr. Wei, wait a moment." Jiang Shi didn't know what to think of, and hurried back to the house, and when she turned back, she had a small basket in her hand.

"Thanks to Mr. Wei for looking at it, this candied fruit has been made too much and has not been sold. It is fresh. Mr. Wei will accept it quickly."

Wei Zhao took it with a smile, and Huo Baoer hurriedly handed over the money, but Jiang Shi refused to take it.Wei Zhao couldn't hold back anymore, so he had to accept it.

"Master, why do you have the mind to take care of these little things?" Huo Bao'er was a little puzzled.

Wei Zhao raised the curtains of his car and looked at Biye on both sides, and said leisurely: "Master Changsun said that many things seem unconnected on the surface, but behind them are inextricably linked. On the day when the incident happened, Zhang Bing was also in Meiyuan, and this Dong Yu also had indirect contact with Zhang Bing, and it happened that Dong Yu disappeared at this time. Anyway, there is no clue about the case, so it is better to inquire from many sources and try your luck."

"Besides, it's true that I said that I fell in love with Aunt Jiang." Wei Zhao sucked his lips, and suddenly asked Huo Bao'er: "Do you think that Aunt Jiang doesn't look like an ordinary person?"

Huo Bo'er shook his head blankly: "Young master, do you want to check on Aunt Jiang?"

Wei Zhao put down the curtain, picked up a candied fruit and chewed it.

"No need, if you have any doubts, it's better to ask Aunt Jiang face to face. Bao'er, tell the coachman to go to Nanfu."

The driver who was driving the carriage trembled when he heard the words, the carriage swayed and hit a rock, and it jerked violently, the candied fruit in Wei Zhao's mouth got stuck in his throat, and he almost choked so hard that he lost his breath.Huo Bao'er let out a cry of surprise, hurriedly took the breath out for Wei Zhao, and at least swallowed it down.

Wei Zhao coughed a few times, and said in a hoarse voice, "Is Nanfu so scary?"

Huo Baoer nodded timidly.

Wei Zhao: ...

The coachman didn't want to go to Nanfu, but he didn't want to offend Wei Zhao, so he hesitated and drove the carriage to the gate of Nanfu.Wei Zhao ordered him to wait outside the door, the coachman trembled and almost peed his pants.

Wei Zhao has the Qinglong Token in his hand, so he can freely enter and leave Nanfu.It's a pity that Changsun Ke is not here at this time, and he is a little disappointed.

Zhan Yi smiled apologetically, "My lord has ordered that if Mr. Wei has something to do, it's the same to find an official."

Wei Zhao looked eagerly for a while, and then reluctantly told Zhan Yi that he wanted him to find someone named Dong Yu.Zhan Yi accepted the matter, and sent him out respectfully.

Huo Bao'er sat on the carriage and kept looking back until the carriage turned out of the alley and Nanfu could no longer be seen, then he sat upright, frowned and muttered: "Nanfu doesn't seem so horrible."

Wei Zhao glanced at him, and thought to himself that the young servants of the other family took advantage of their master's position, each with arrogance, thinking that he was also the rich man in Shengjing City, but the young servants close to him were honest and honest.Don't talk about showing off your power, even if it's a fox pretending to be a tiger, he won't do it.

Wei Zhao often said, if it wasn't for the fact that you are a servant of the Wei family, you would have been bullied to death.

He wanted to praise Bao'er, who was as courageous as a grain of rice, for finally opening his mind today, so he heard Huo Bao'er muttering again: "As long as the supervisor is not here, it will be fine."

Wei Zhao: ...