I'm watching the gate in the jail

The first year of Chenghua, the first month, the first day

The first day of the new year kicked off with a crisp sound of firecrackers.

In the ancestral hall of Xinlebo Mansion, the father and son bowed down to the ancestral tablet of the Wan family together and drank Tusu wine.

Sister-in-law Zhang has already finished her makeup early in the morning.At this moment, accompanied by the servants, wearing a golden crown and wearing the dress of a married woman, they boarded the carriage, and were about to go to the imperial city and other wives from other houses to congratulate the queen and the queen mother on Yuan Day.

The emperor had already left the palace early in the morning to worship at the Temple of Heaven, and then went to worship the imperial mausoleum.After returning to Luan, he continued to participate in the Dachaohui and was greeted by officials and waiters of Fanbang.Among them, Jin Yiwei is in charge of the ceremonial guard, the Jiaofang Division plays the national music, and the Etiquette Division displays the congratulatory messages from various countries. Zhu Jianshen will spend the whole morning busy.

It wasn't until after lunch that Mrs. Wan's father-in-law Qin Chang came to the Earl's Mansion to welcome Wanda into the palace.

"I heard that Eunuch Tan has now been promoted to Supervisor You Shaojian. Congratulations to Eunuch."

After paying New Year's greetings to her sister Wan Zhen'er, she came out of Zhaode Palace full of harvest, and Wanda stuffed a handful of golden melon seeds she just got from Wan Niangniang into Tan Chang's palm.

"New year and new weather, my father-in-law received it well."

"Thank you, Second Young Master. I also wish Second Young Master a happy new year."

Qin Chang smiled.

I heard that the emperor intended to let Father-in-law Qin Chang, instead of the current Wynn, take over the post of supervisor of etiquette.

This father-in-law, who looked like a scholar, actually refused, saying that he didn't have this ambition.He prefers to find happiness in the general affairs of the harem than the affairs of the former court of the ceremonial supervisor.

The emperor had no other choice, so Eunuch Huai En, who had always been selfless and experienced in handling affairs, took over the position.

If it is not Eunuch Tan who is leading the way for him now, but the upright Eunuch Wynn, Wanda would not be able to give away these golden melon seeds even if he wanted to.

"The second son is doing better and better now, and the empress is happier. The empress is happy, and we as slaves are happy. Second son, this way..."

Leaving the West Sixth Palace, passing through the Hall of Mental Cultivation and the Hall of Fengxian, Wanda walked all the way to the front of the Wenhua Hall, surrounded by a crowd of palace people.

A few days ago, another heavy snow fell in Beijing, which decorated the Forbidden City like a snow country.

The golden glazed tiles are covered by white snow, and the cornices and bucket arches are a little less solemn and more lively than before.The mythical beasts on the roof seemed to be more jubilant, and the fairy riding the wind seemed to be leading a row of divine beasts away.

This was the first time that Zhu Jianshen met Wanda in the imperial study.

As soon as he entered the door, he saw Zhu Jianshen clasped his hands behind his back, with his back to the crowd, looking at a huge map hanging above the main hall.

Wanda’s eyesight has not been ruined by video games in this life, it’s not bad, and at a glance, he saw the big characters written on the top of the map—"Guangxi Yudi Quantu" felt that he saw something incredible, Wanda immediately knelt down, dare not speak.

For things like maps, after 600 years, you can find any bookstore or online store and you can get home with free shipping immediately.Not only that, there are Niangdu maps and wicked maps in the phone.There are also various navigation instruments on various vehicles.

Unless it involves military and scientific research secrets, basically everyone has it at their fingertips.

But at this time it's completely different.

Not to mention such provincial-level maps or general maps of the capital, even the defense maps of ordinary county towns can be said to be top-secret documents.

Although he is the adopted son of General Gu of the Bazhou City Regimental Camp, he grew up in the military camp.But every time he went to the army tent to meet his adoptive father, he would put away the topographic map before talking to himself.

Wanda also came here and realized that, like potatoes, peppers, and corn, many things that would be commonplace in the future would be key things that might change the direction of the world 600 years ago.

In the era without satellites, the map is the password to open the world.

Because of its importance, idioms such as "Zhang Song offers pictures" and "pictures are poor and daggers" appeared in ancient times.

Ever since Eunuch Qin Chang brought him to the Wenhua Hall, which is close to the top three halls, Wanda knew that entering the palace today was definitely not as simple as paying homage to Yuan Day.

In the heart of this brother-in-law, his "little uncle" has finally been upgraded from a "gatekeeper" to a courtier who can entrust some important affairs.

"It's cold on the ground, get up."

Zhu Jianshen turned his head to look at Wanda with a stiff face.

"I heard that you have a good relationship with a Yang Qianhu in the guard. What's his name?"

"Return to Your Majesty, his name is Yang Xiuxian."

Wanda replied respectfully.

"Yes, that's the name. It is said that he is only in his early twenties, and he is already a 'trial of thousands of households'. His adoptive father was the commander of the capital during the Jingtai Dynasty. This time the fake bank case was solved, and Yuan Bin handed it over. In the booklet, the merits of this Yang Qianhu are mentioned a lot."

"Yes."

Wanda thought for a while, and added, "Yang Qianhu is reliable in his work, and is highly respected by the Fusi of Beizhen."

"Don't Uncle Xiao Lang think that you are the 'first credit' in this case? After all, you found the account book. Oh, you were also the one who found the breakthrough and the murderer in the previous case of the 'scorpion head'. Why do you speak for your subordinates like this? Woolen cloth."

Turning around and sitting back on the golden dragon chair, holding the armrests of the armchair with both hands, Zhu Jianshen closed his eyes and raised his jaw to ask.

"It's just a fluke, sir."

Wanda bowed his head, the invisible coercion made his hair stand on end.

"This case, Beizhen Fusi, is all doing their best. Yang Qianhu, Deng Zongqi, and a cadre of school lieutenants and warriors have been investigating and interrogating day and night, and rushing around to close the case in such a short time. I dare not devote myself to it!"

"Do you know that Yang Xiuxian is Commander Yuan's adoptive son? A few years ago, Yuan Bin even mentioned that he would betroth his granddaughter to him."

Zhu Jianshen said suddenly.

"what?"

Wanda looked up in surprise.

Last night Yang Xiuxian even told himself that he was the son of a concubine, but he didn't reveal a word about his relationship with Master Yuan.

Not to mention the fact that he was almost hired as a son-in-law.

This Yang Xiuxian is really a black-hearted sesame dumpling!

Fortunately, I thought you really had a heart-to-heart with me.

Wanda cursed inwardly.

Seeing Wanda's expression, Zhu Jian smiled deeply and shook his head, "Uncle Lang, do you know that he approached you on purpose?"

"This... the minister knew from the beginning."

Wanda shrugged her nose.

"Since you know that he approached you on purpose under Yuan Bin's order so that you could mention it in front of me, aren't you angry?"

After this counterfeit bank case, the Fusi of Beizhen each received rewards.

But for Yang Xiuxian, no reward is better than being remembered by the emperor.

If there is no accident, the word "test" in front of Yang Xiuxian's "Test Thousand Households" will be erased, and it is only a matter of time before it even goes one step further.

"Isn't the emperor's intention to let the minister go to Beizhen Fusi to 'watch the gate'? The minister thinks that apart from supervising their work, it is also to show His Majesty's attention and see what talents there are in Jinyiwei."

Wanda said frankly, "Master Yang is a talent. Such a talent, even without the recommendation of the minister, will come to His Majesty sooner or later. As the saying goes, 'gold always shines'."

Zhu Jianshen's eyes trembled slightly.

"Master Yang took the initiative to walk in front of me, that is a 'self-recommendation'. Facts have proved that Mr. Yang is agile, mature, and has a high reputation in Jinyiwei. He is a talented person. If you can find such a talent, you will not be disappointed His Majesty entrusted me to 'take good care of those people'."

Although he was a little unhappy about being kept in the dark, Wanda still praised Yang Xiuxian in a down-to-earth manner.

He knows his role, and he also knows his position and duty.

After all, I am just a foreign relative, and it is not a good thing to be too beautiful.

Forget about other dynasties.In order to prevent foreign relatives from making trouble, the old Zhu's family, whether emperors or princes, except Yongle Emperor Zhu Di who married the founding minister Xu Da's daughter, the others all chose concubines from the people to prevent the influence of foreign relatives from growing up.

Among the queen and concubine next to the emperor's brother-in-law, Queen Wang used to be a goose shepherd girl in the south of the Yangtze River. Her family was poor and she could not read a single word.

Concubine Bai's father was nothing more than a low-level jailer in the county government.

Don't look at their old Wan's family living in the Earl's Mansion now, he is a hereditary Jinyiwei Qianhu, and his elder brother goes in and out of the military office.

When I was in Bazhou before, it was just the home of a soldier, or a soldier who was convicted and exiled into the army.

In the Ming Dynasty, there was no saying that "one person serves as a soldier, and the whole family is honored", but "one person serves as an army, and the whole family is naturalized."The Ming Dynasty stipulated that at least two males should be selected from military households to serve in the army.

No matter how prominent your previous background is, as long as one member of your family is exiled into the army, the entire family will lose their original household registration and be incorporated into the military.

In addition to being under the jurisdiction of the local yamen, they are also under the control of the guard.

Although military households are also good registrations, they are only in comparison with "leisure households" and "beggar households".Otherwise, how can there be a saying of "thieves with the army".

What is the attempt to rely on the matrilineal family to marry, form a powerful family, challenge the imperial power, and even coerce the emperor to order the princes.

In the Ming Dynasty, this kind of plot never happened at all.

In the Ming Dynasty, it was better to keep a low profile as a relative.

What's more, the current reputation of the Wan family sister and brother is already very unbearable in the circle of high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the capital.

According to Wanda's limited historical knowledge, it may be "notorious for thousands of years".

Let's keep our tails between our legs.

"Servant Wan is right, you really are a little clever ghost. Hahaha."

Zhu Jianshen raised his arm and slapped it heavily on his thigh, laughing loudly.

"call……"

Seeing the emperor's smile, Wanda breathed a long sigh of relief, and secretly wiped his cold sweat.

Damn, it really is "A companion is like a tiger"-this TV series didn't lie to me.

"I want to send troops to Guangxi."

After receiving the tea from Wynn, Zhu Jianshen hooked Wanda and motioned him to come forward.

"Do you know Guangxi?"

I know Guangxi Liuzhou snail noodles, Lipu taro buckwheat and Luchuan roast suckling pig...

Wanda shook his head, "I've never been there, I don't know."

"Never read any books about Guangxi either?"

Zhu Jian squinted at him.

"The minister never reads."

Wanda replied confidently.

On this point, he has always had a clear conscience.

"What nonsense!"

Zhu Jian put down his teacup heavily, "I really haven't read books before. The sentence just now 'gold always shines'. Did you come up with such a philosophical statement? Or did someone teach you to say it?"

This sentence is a bit rough, and the words are too straightforward, not like a literati tone.However, the connotation is profound, and Zhu Jianshen felt deafened after just listening to it.

Wanda secretly thought it was bad. Although he was ignorant and incompetent, he did not escape the nine-year compulsory education. Isn’t this sentence as simple as a good sentence in a middle school student’s composition?

Could it be that it is what Mr. Lu Xun said?

(Nietzsche & Zhou Shuren sneer)

"It's gold, it will always shine... Silver will also shine. Copper and iron won't... won't they if they get rusty?"

Wanda blinked her eyes and replied stumblingly.

"puff……"

Tan Chang, who was standing aside, couldn't help laughing, and was immediately bumped by Wynn, who was standing beside him, with his shoulder.

"..."

Zhu Jianshen found sadly that he could not refute this semi-literate man.

"Aren't you on good terms with that Yang Qianhu? He was sent to Guangxi by Beizhen Fusi for a year, and now that he's back, he hasn't mentioned anything about that place to you?"

Not only one Jin Yiwei went to Guangxi to spy on the military situation with Yang Xiuxian, but also the fans of Dongchang and the secret agents of the military department.What information did Yang Xiuxian bring back, it had already been formed into a document and sent to Zhu Jianshen's desk.

"I didn't ask, and Lord Yang didn't mention it."

Wanda raised her head without hesitation and replied loudly.

Anyway, I have watched a lot of spy war dramas in my "last life", and I know that they do intelligence work, and confidentiality is the first priority.If he showed any timidity at this moment, he, Yang Xiuxian, and even Commander Yuan would have nothing to eat.

"Why?"

"This is not the duty of a minister."

Brother-in-law is also true, why is he always spying on him today.

In winter, Wanda felt that her inner shirt under the layers of dress was drenched with sweat.

Wynn, who is in charge of the East Factory's intelligence work, also casts admiring eyes on Wanda at this moment.

"I ask you, what do you think is the most important thing if there is a real war?"

Satisfied, Zhu Jianshen kicked the little cockroach under the dragon chair, motioning for Wanda to sit on it.

Wanda's legs were weak from standing a long time ago, and she ran over like a puppy, pulled up the hem of her clothes and sat on Xiaozi.Turning around, he accepted the fragrant tea offered by Qin Chang, and smiled gratefully.

"I thought... it should be 'money'..."

After taking a sip of tea, Wanda said uncertainly.

Wanda has never fought a war, but it has played strategy games.

Although he is a rookie, he also knows that the starting point of RMB players is completely different from that of ordinary players.

Only by recharging can you buy the coolest equipment, skins, and skills.

Don't tell me about technology, anyway, my technology is worthless in front of the recharge boss.

"Uncle Xiao Lang thinks so too? I think so too. The most important thing in a war is military pay and supplies. 'Soldiers and horses go first before the food and grass arrive'. After all, no one will give their lives to others hungry."

Zhu Jian nodded approvingly.

This may be the imperial version of "I want what I think".

"Wan Shichang must have given you a lot of rewards. I won't give you those gold and silver vulgar things. Wynn, companion, bring 'that thing' over."

Put in front of Wanda, a brocade box, about ten inches, delicate and beautiful.

"Uncle Lang, come on, open it and have a look yourself."

Seeing Zhu Jian's unfathomable smile, Wanda licked his lips and reached out to open the box.

"This, this is..."

Looking at the golden object lying on a piece of red silk satin in disbelief, Wanda couldn't help wiping her eyes with her hands.

a pistol?

A local tyrant's pistol with a lot of gemstones inlaid on it, and the whole body glows with gold!

etc!Has the Ming Dynasty invented this kind of thermal weapon?

The scumbag Wanda is messed up again.

"This is the latest lightweight firecracker developed by Shenjiying. It is much smaller than the original 'long barrel' and is suitable for carrying around. Give it to Uncle Lang for self-defense."

Zhu Jianshen put the box on casually, lowered his head, his brother-in-law's immature face was printed in his pupils like glass beads.

"Uncle Lang, find a way to get me some money."

The 19-year-old emperor said in an extremely hooligan tone.

Time flies, and on the fifth day of the first lunar month, the common people opened the market, and all officials resumed their daily pilgrimage.

In the words of later generations, the Spring Festival holiday is over, and everyone should go back to their respective jobs to work.

The same is true for Beizhen Fusi. Wanda took the little donkey back early in the morning to go on duty.

As soon as he stepped into the threshold of Jinyiwei Yamen, he was dragged by Wang Xi to pay New Year's greetings to Commander Yuan with a loving face, and then sent back to the backyard where the dining hall was located by Commander Yuan who was full of smiles.

They already knew that Wanda had recommended Yang Xiuxian to His Majesty in front of the imperial court, so they came here to show their favor.

It wasn't until this moment that Wanda was completely accepted by Commander Yuan and other top Jinyiwei figures, and became their "person of their own".

Watching Commander Yuan leave respectfully, Wanda sighed and turned to see Yang Xiuxian stepping out from the back kitchen of the dining hall.

"Yo, Yang Qianhu, happy new year."

Wanda cupped his hands at Yang Xiuxian, who was full of spring breeze, "It's rare that Yang Qianhu will come to the back kitchen. It's really a new year."

Unlike Deng Xiang and Gao Hui who would go into the kitchen to find something to eat when they were hungry, this Yang Qianhu is the ultimate practitioner of "a gentleman stays away from the kitchen". .

"Didn't I come here specially to thank Lord Wan?"

Yang Xiuxian lowered his head, and made a deep bow to Wanda, "I concealed a lot before, but it wasn't Yang's true intention. I hope you will forgive me."

He looks friendly on weekdays, but he is actually a person with a very high spirit inside.

At the beginning, when Commander Yuan let himself get close to this "thousands of households", Yang Xiuxian still had some contempt for him in his heart.

But what he despises even more is that in order to get promoted, he has to approach himself to curry favor with an uneducated "relative".

Only through this period of getting along, those initial prejudices and unwillingness have long been thrown to Java.

Now his "thoughts" for this "boss"...

That is, don't have a "thought".

From an angle Wanda couldn't see, Yang Xiuxian smiled slightly.

It's rare to see Yang Xiuxian, who is always wise and martial, also take the initiative to lower his figure, which makes Wanda amused.

"Okay, young master, I'm not the kind of person who cares about everything."

After waving at Yang Xiuxian, Wanda strode into the kitchen and put on an apron.

Today is the first day of work, let's make a "good fortune" for the brothers - braised pork head!

"I knew there would be something delicious to come here today! Happy New Year everyone."

As soon as it was time for dinner, Qiu Zijin stepped on the sign and came to the dining hall, looking at the smiling big pig's head in the middle of the table, he smiled happily.

When Gao Hui saw him, he tore off a piece of pig's ear without saying a word, and put it in his rice bowl.

Deng Xiang immediately followed suit and tore off another pig's ear.

"Have you eaten enough?"

Wanda put down the chopsticks, and said to Qiu Zijin with a smile.

"It's still short of soup."

Qiu Zijin's Grilled Rice - Bibimbap with Braised Gravy is really delicious!

Seeing that Wanda served Qiu Zijin the soup without saying a word, and then lay down on the table, his big eyes watched Qiu Zijin's cooking without blinking, Yang Xiuxian suddenly felt that Beizhen Fusi should have a good time this year. Rectify the discipline of the Yamen.

For example, non-essential personnel are not allowed to stay in the yamen for a long time except for the handover of official duties.In particular, it is necessary to prevent some people from coming in in the name of family members to cheat food and drink.

Yang Xiuxian glanced at Deng Zongqi who was picking his teeth.

"I heard that in the year-end assessment of the Imperial College, Zijin Xiandi, you won the first place again. Not only did you receive Lumi, but you also got a piece of pork, right?"

Seeing Qiu Zijin put down the soup bowl, Wanda graciously handed over a snow-white handkerchief.

Qiu Zijin was the same age as Wanda, but he was born half a year after him, and he hadn't attended the crowning ceremony, so he hadn't taken his name yet, so he had to call each other by first name.

The Guozijian conducts regular assessments every year. Simply put, it is the midterm and final exams.Students who do well in the exam are called "lin students" and receive "national scholarships"—usually a bag of polished rice and a piece of pork.

Don't think there are too few things. You must know that the food, lodging and seasonal clothes of these Guozijian students are provided by the state, so that they can study with peace of mind.

The rice and meat distributed here are completely extra pocket money - looking back at the salary of civil servants in Ming Dynasty, it is only a few liters of rice for a month of hard work.

Those who are at the bottom of the exam will become the focus of observation. If the next exam results are still not good, they will be directly "dissuaded" and expelled from the Imperial College.

Although Qiu Zijin hadn't been studying in the Imperial College for a long time, his status as a top student was already unshakable.

It is said that the academic administrators of the Guozijian have unanimously agreed to let him go to Chunwei in March this year.

Li Dongyang, a concubine who is now studying and being taught in the Imperial Academy, won the No. 1 in the imperial examination last year at his young age!

Of course, there was a great child prodigy, Xie Jin, who became a Jinshi at the age of 19.However, the former Chief Assistant was imprisoned by Emperor Yongle because of his involvement in the prince's misfortune, and finally died in prison, so let's not talk about it...

"My dear brother!"

Wanda decided not to go around in circles, and grabbed Qiu Zijin's right hand.

Yang Xiuxian frowned.

It is urgent to decide on strict discipline.I will write a proposal in the afternoon in a while, and submit it to Wang Qianshi before I am on duty, and I must strictly investigate it in place within this month.

"As the old saying goes, 'There is a house of gold in a book'—quick, tell me which book contains the recipe for getting rich overnight!"

Looking into Wanda's sincere eyes, Qiu Zijin burped, and said without changing his face, "There is such a book that can make you rich in the shortest time."

"Really? What book?"

"The Law of the Ming Dynasty."

Qiu Zijin thought for a while and added, "There is also "Da Gao"."

To put it simply, the ways to get rich are all written in the "Criminal Law", it depends on how courageous you are.

"Are you playing with me..."

"What are you thinking about? There is an old saying that 'there are thousands of millet in the book', you see, I come to your dining hall every day to eat."

Qiu Zijin patted the back of Wanda's hand, blinked his eyes and comforted him.

"What? Your Majesty asked you to raise at least 50 silver within half a year?"

When everyone came to the small hall for discussion, they were all shocked after hearing what Wanda said.

"Is the emperor so anxious to make up for the losses in the internal treasury?"

Everyone thought that the huge money embezzled by Ma Shilang left the inner treasury empty, and His Majesty the Emperor was anxious to get angry and didn't think too much about it.

On the contrary, Yang Xiuxian's spirit was lifted when he heard the words.

During the Chinese New Year, he came back from Xishan and went to Commander Yuan's mansion to pay New Year's greetings.Commander Yuan hinted in his words that His Majesty may use troops against Guangxi within this year, and it may even be not limited to Guangxi province, but multiple fronts.

"After this battle, it is advisable to keep the country in the south for at least 20 years without chaos."

At that time Commander Yuan once said so.

At that time, His Majesty will not only send the East Factory eunuchs to supervise the army as usual, but also send Jin Yiwei to spy on the military situation.

If the war ended smoothly and the imperial court successfully suppressed the rebels, Jin Yiwei would accept the surrender according to the order and escort the chief thief back to the Meridian Gate to offer captives—this is a great honor!

Although Yang Xiuxian is a member of Jinyiwei, since he was a child, he yearned very much for soldiers to expand the territory for the country and defend one side.

Rather than arresting robbers and ransacking his home in Beijing, he would rather go to the front lines of the Nine Frontiers.

Last year, the imperial court wanted to send people to Guangxi to collect intelligence, and it was he who took the initiative to invite Commander Yuan to join the battle.

"The emperor must raise funds in place within half a year, that is to say, the army may be ready to go out in the summer..."

Yang Xiuxian clenched his fist excitedly and said to himself.

"Master Yang, think of a way to save the child!"

Wanda walked up to Yang Xiuxian at some point, held his right arm with both hands, and shook it pitifully.

"Just find a high-ranking official or a wealthy businessman as a target, and find an excuse to copy his house. There will always be something to gain."

Yang Xiuxian sincerely suggested.

"Just find one? Is it okay if there is no crime?"

Wanda couldn't accept it.

"If there is no charge, just fabricate charges."

Deng Xiang fanned the flames, completely ignoring that Qiu Zijin, an intern from the Ministry of Criminal Justice, was already glaring at them.

Making accusations and beating them into tricks - this is also Jin Yiwei's traditional way of doing things.

Anyway, the hands of these officials and wealthy businessmen are definitely not clean. They are either speculating or forming cliques. Otherwise, where did they get millions of dollars.

Ji Gang, the commander of Jinyiwei during the time of Emperor Yongle, and Menda and Lu Gao during the time of the first emperor, all did this.

First ransack the house, then collect evidence, and create evidence if there is no evidence... It depends on human effort.

Then these few were executed by the emperor's order.

Jin Yiwei's discipline has improved, and he no longer disturbs the people willfully, which is just the past few years after Yuan Bin took office.

Of course, the main reason is...from the last few years of the Daxing Emperor to the current little emperor's ascension to the throne, they did not trust Jin Yiwei.

Jin Yiwei's rights were tightly restricted.

"The emperor said that there should be no unjust imprisonment, no disturbing the people, and no people being imprisoned for 'unreasonable' reasons. There are enough heads hanging on the four decks. The emperor's brother-in-law said that he doesn't want to kill so many people anymore."

Wanda said dejectedly.

In fact, where the emperor can see the four archways in the palace, it is not because he has been on the throne for nearly a year now, and the three empresses in the harem have not come out yet.

Before the new year, the group of full-fledged officials started again. On the one hand, they attacked his sister for dominating the emperor's favor, and he was too old to give birth; Violating the harmony of heaven led to the prosperity of the emperor's heir.

Zhu Jianshen was forced to do nothing by them, so he had to take a step back, and decided to reduce killings in the near future, give the four archways, and give the corrupt officials in Beijing a few days to breathe.

"There's only one way."

Deng Xiang leaned against the window, folded his arms, and said with a serious expression on his face, "Find someone who is rich and commits crimes——a black man."

The author has something to say: Zhu Jianshen held a toothpick in his mouth and raised his foot: friend, get some money to spend.