Yipin Farmer

The results of the New Year’s Eve dinner selection were unexpected. No.1 was Zhaodi’s salad with shredded radish and pears. There was not a single shredded radish left on a large plate. Xiangmei became the last leftover, most of them cooked meat dishes with rich flavor, but Zhaodi didn't want to show his face or anything, he just wanted to take out one of his best, everyone ate too much greasy and fat , this sweet shredded radish is naturally extra refreshing.

"This is not to fight."

Ting Shuang made a summary, and sent an extra red envelope as she said, and her younger brother received the red envelope with a flushed face and bright eyes. In the past, she was beaten and scolded by her adoptive parents and lacked food and clothing. She was thin and cowardly. Later, she worked as a helper in a restaurant. Ting Shuang still felt that it was not good to use child labor, so she took her back to the village to accompany Xiaolan and do some housework. She had a good time and became more cheerful. Now the red envelopes are secondary, and the dishes are welcomed by everyone. It is a kind of rare encouragement and affirmation, which added a bright color to her gloomy childhood.

The dish with the most leftovers is Baoqi's "Brother Chicken died so wrongly" rich roast chicken. Although Baoqi stabs Tingshuang and Chenguang with an eye knife and makes them eat hard, the two still don't give face. Patronize the chicken that "died unjustly".

The second most left is Xiaolan's goat's milk mixed with apples and peanuts. Innovation is good and should be encouraged, but innovation is also risky and may not be accepted by the audience.

Xiaolan was a little depressed, but she was the first to pick up the dumplings and ate the copper coins, which finally made up for a little regret.

After dinner, Mrs. Li brought a pot of frozen persimmons. In winter, people prefer to eat something cool. Put the frozen persimmons in water to melt. After a while, there will be a bag of water in the persimmons. Take a bite and suck it. , the cool and sweet honey water is sucked into the mouth, not to mention how pleasant it is.

Everyone gathered around the brazier to eat persimmons and melon seeds. Baoqi looked at the pots and pans as high as a hill, with a bitter face and extremely resentful.

"What are you looking at, hurry up and work." Ting Shuang gloated and leaned against the door of the kitchen to oversee the work, and added before leaving: "I will check after washing, if it is not clean, rewash."

Bao Qi looked at his back and secretly waved her fist.

After finally washing a lot of dishes, Baoqi went back to the main room and saw everyone chatting on the kang to watch the new year. Ting Shuang was not in the room, but sat alone on the roof watching the stars. Baoqi went to sit beside him : "Another year has passed."

"Yeah, another year has passed." Ting Shuang was deeply moved, and when she really had mixed feelings, she couldn't think of plagiarizing poems anymore.

"time flies."

"You have been in the village for two winters." Ting Shuang thought about it for a while, not knowing how to say that she would not violate the agreement and not hurt Baoqi, so she thought for a while and said, "Why did you stay here?"

Baoqi naturally said without hesitation: "Because I like it." ╭(╯^╰)╮I like the poor but carefree life here, I like the natural and unadorned scenery here, I like the simple people here, especially a certain personal……

"Well, I like this place too." I like the life here, the scenery here and the simple people here, but if you stay here, you are still looking for something besides liking it. If you find it, you will definitely leave without nostalgia.

After the New Year's Eve, Ruan Ying returned to the capital after her vacation, and advanced palace reported what she had seen and heard in Changping County and Sanhua Village.

The emperor wanted to laugh when he heard what he said about "white bears", sika deer, and little monkeys.

"He actually came up with such an idea to lure people to an open area outside the city."

"No way, actually there are so many people in the city, if you're unlucky, his method won't help much, but he said, you have to do something in the face of a disaster, even if it doesn't work, you've done it, and you won't regret it in the future. Ruan Ying relayed Ting Shuang's words.

"Yeah," the emperor pondered, his eyes drifted out of the window, and fell on the invisible mountains and rivers outside. "Whether it's useful or not, you have to do something, so you won't regret it in the future. My knowledge is not as good as that of a farmer."

"Why did the emperor say that?"

"Several vassal kings in the south hold heavy soldiers and refuse to accept the court. They are like a cancer growing on a person, making him unable to run. If I don't do something now, I will be old in the future, and I will not be able to do it. Isn't it a lifetime?" regret."

"The emperor wants to cut down the vassal. I'm afraid it will cause accidents. We need to be careful. It depends on who has to cultivate and win over, so as to get more help in the future." Ruan Ying supports the emperor's decision and only reminds him to act safely.

"I know." The emperor smiled: "I have clear rewards and punishments, and I will not treat useful people badly. Qi Chongyu built water conservancy, completed the grain collection ahead of schedule, and did a good job in the aftermath of the earthquake. He passed the decree and was promoted to a higher level."

"Now there is no lack of sixth grade."

"Then stay in the post and fill the vacancy when there is a seat." The emperor ordered again, "As for the farmer, I will reward him with a rank nine title."

Ruan Ying couldn't help laughing: "He's already an eighth-rank title, so there's no reason for him to be downgraded."

Ruan Ying also talked about why Ting Shuang got the ninth rank and how he was promoted to the eighth rank. The emperor was even more moved: "I never thought that he is brave and resourceful, he is filial and fraternal, and he is enthusiastic about public welfare, so he should be rewarded."

Soon the imperial decree arrived in Changping County. Qi Chongyu worked hard in civil affairs and was promoted to the sixth rank.

This caused a sensation in the entire county, including the whole province. A young farmer who has never been educated and has no fame, his deeds have reached the heavens, and he has been awarded the official title of the imperial court. This is unprecedented. In the past, only centenarians had no fame. In fact, the imperial court would directly give official titles below the fifth rank to show respect for the elderly, but Ting Shuang, who has no fame and is not a centenarian, actually enjoys this kind of treatment, which is really rare.

Ting Shuang is still modest and prudent, and he doesn't show any embarrassment. Firstly, he himself has always kept a low profile. Secondly, this official title is still a false title with no actual job. this.

As for the celebration, he didn't think about it. Someone wanted to offer him flower wine, but he refused. He only thought about the work in the field. After the Lantern Festival, the grass and trees had sprouted, the rain gradually increased, and the countryside began to be busy with spring plowing. The winter wheat has begun to turn green, and watering is required to preserve moisture. Rapeseed must be mossed and topdressed. The water conservancy repaired last year can already be used.There are also sweet potato seedlings, fruit tree pruning and loosening of the soil. There is a lot of work to be done in the field.Although he can now hire someone to do it instead of going to the fields himself, he still can't stay idle every day, and labor itself is fulfilling.

In the countryside, there is a custom on Yushui’s day, called “Recognize the Greatness”, to bless the children to grow up smoothly and healthily, to bring up the children with the blessing of a godfather, and hope that the children will worship a scholar as a godfather if they are educated. The children are thin and sick. Just ask a strong man to be your godfather.

Ting Shuang is not a scholar, and she is not tall and burly, so she was dragged by several people to be her godfather for some reason. The other party's explanation was "You are lucky, the child can be blessed by you." Ting Shuang pouted secretly, I am now What I have is something I earned, not by luck.But he also readily accepted this custom, and gave red envelopes to his godson and daughter as a meeting gift.

Having a bunch of children before getting married is really...um...interesting.

Qi Chongyu received a letter from a teacher in the capital, saying that there is a vacancy for a sixth-rank vacancy, and he is likely to be transferred to the capital.Ting Shuang congratulated him first, the promotion is naturally a happy event, and the transfer to the capital is closer to the emperor, maybe there will be a good chance.

Qi Chongyu looked sad.

Ting Shuang knew what he was worried about, and said: "Is it necessary for resettlement fees to take up the post? I'll just find out where to get your three thousand silver share capital and return it to you."

When you go to a new place, it is not a small expense to hire a sedan chair and a horse to live in the mansion and do things up and down.

"That's all. My teacher is in the capital. I can live with him, and he will help me with the arrangements. It's just that people leave tea, and when encountering difficulties, people who were fawning on at the beginning are not willing to lend a hand."

Ting Shuang nodded sympathetically: "Indeed, you are leaving, and you are worthless in the eyes of some people. They are rushing to curry favor with the new county master. But don't worry, I can help you with this matter."

"Really? Do you know what I'm worried about?" Qi Chongyu was surprised and delighted.

"It's not easy to guess? Isn't it because you are going to work in Beijing, and Madam can't take it with you. I'll just take care of you." Ting Shuang guessed very accurately. It was so difficult to travel far in ancient times. It's going to kill me.

Qi Chongyu quickly got down from his seat and bowed: "Brother, I am grateful for your righteousness. I will entrust Zhuo Jing and the child to you."

When Ting Shuang returned home, she made some arrangements, vacated the courtyard of the main house at the back of the restaurant for Mrs. Qi to live in, and housed maids in the wing rooms, ordered Ting Hui to take care of her often, and found midwives and doctors in advance. The arrangements were very proper.

This is the season when the crops are not harvested, and the price of grain is rising. The autumn grain collected last year was sold at a good price, filling the deficit of the county treasury, and some left over fell into the private pockets of Qi Chongyu and Ting Shuang. Although this is not illegal, it is still a matter of opinion. It's hard for people to catch and find fault, so the two of them kept silent.Qi Chongyu entrusted his family to Ting Shuang to settle down, handed over the government affairs and went to Beijing to take up his post.

The new county magistrate's surname is Yang and his name is Sanli. His ancestors are well-known. They are the descendants of Yang Zaixing who died in Xiaoshangqiao to defend the country. There are also several famous people in his ancestors. This guy seems to have some prejudice against him.It was the first time to meet the squires, and Ting Shuang was considered a squire, and he was able to listen to his inauguration speech, which was "If any profiteers violate the law and control the county's government affairs, they must be reported to the province and severely punished." And so on.

As he spoke, he gave Ting Shuang a look, as if he was the profiteer who "controlled government affairs". Ting Shuang was so angry that he wanted to slap him. He just assisted in making some suggestions, and did not interfere with the decision-making of the county leaders. Is this considered "controlling government affairs"?Ting Shuang didn't bother to talk to him, and stopped going to the county government, and told his family to behave well and not to be caught.

Seeing that he was unhappy, Bao Qi smiled and said, "They didn't nominate him, why do you think it's you?"

"Hmph, he's talking about me, I know. Every new chief will try to overthrow the predecessor's move to show how capable he is." Ting Shuang insisted that the new county magistrate was trying to find fault with him.

In less than a few days, something really happened.The county magistrate in charge of criminal names sent someone to tell Ting Shuang at night that the county magistrate would order the seizure of all properties of the Meng family so that he could prepare early.

Ting Shuang was stunned and slapped the table angrily: "What law did I break? He dared to do this. He should interrogate me first and then convict me if I broke the law. Why did he ransack the house and seal the door without even a chance to defend?"

Baoqi persuaded him: "You have to wait until tomorrow to appeal, now hurry up and let the family prepare."

Ting Shuang held back her anger and told her family members to make preparations overnight, hide the valuables, and plan to talk to the county magistrate the next day.

Baoqi was afraid that he would do something when he was angry, so she accompanied him to the county government office to find the new county magistrate, but she couldn't even get in. For many years, the famous master of punishment has assisted three magistrates, and he is very prestigious in the hearts of the people and magistrates. His family was rescued by Ting Shuang in the fire scene, and he had a good impression of him. Tell him the truth, this time it is not the new county magistrate. It was an order from the province to trouble him.

"I've always done my own business, what law have I violated?" Ting Shuang was even more puzzled.

The master said, "Do you know someone named Geng Xianghua?"

Ting Shuang remained silent, and said after a while, "I've seen it twice."

"It is said that you once rescued him. You went to Queshan to drink with him the year before last, and he sent someone to send you a good horse last winter, right?" The master reminded him, "Geng Xianghua is a gangster. , it is against the law for you to make friends with bandits, and you were not arrested and imprisoned because you have the official position of the imperial court, so it is lucky."

"Ah, when I saw Geng Xianghua was seriously injured, I felt pity for a moment. I couldn't bear to see him die by the side of the road, so I saved him. The words 'I am a gangster' were not written on his face." Shuang argued eloquently that he treated Geng Xianghua's injuries and already felt that he was not an ordinary person, but he just pretended not to know and didn't ask, just so that there was a way out when someone made trouble with this matter.

Then he said: "Then I ran into him on the way. He asked me to go up the mountain to talk. Can I say no? Can I resist? He wants to thank me and send me some horses, can I send them back? And I paid The money is not considered to accept his things.”

Master Zheng nodded: "Understood, your case can be big or small, and besides, Geng Xianghua didn't do much bad things, and he has the name of a righteous bandit. It's not justified not to trouble him but to trouble you."

"That's right." Ting Shuang was relieved, "I'll be fine if I plead my case to the higher authorities?"

"It's nothing to blame." Mr. Zheng pointed him, "Since this case is big or small, think about why the government closed your door without even interrogating you. This shows that someone deliberately punished you and kept you from turning over. , this case is just a pretext.”

Ting Shuang didn't understand the filth of officialdom and personnel, and felt heavy after hearing this.

As for other people in the county who were worried or gloated, most of them took a wait-and-see attitude, and few were willing to lend a helping hand.