bayedsolid Chapter 452: A Reputation That Is Worthless
Chapter 452: A Reputation That Is Worthless
Jiangnan water town.
A hand pushed the banknotes in front of an official.
The official took the banknote and looked at it, and asked in surprise, "Three thousand taels?"
The owner of the hand said, "It's not enough, add another seven thousand." He knocked on the table with his hand.
The official said, "Zhao...10,000 taels."
The official surnamed Zhao said, "Old Zuo, think about it, three years as a clean magistrate can earn you 100,000 silver coins. Let's not talk about the various ways that local officials have to make money, let's just talk about ordinary bureaucrats. On the river, the river workers can embezzle the money. The grain tax can be taken by the pound. Not to mention the salt officials, they are simply holding a money jar." As he spoke, he stood up and took two steps.
Turning back to face the official, he continued, "Beijing officials may be poor, but they pay tribute year-round. In the winter, when it's cold, they send charcoal. In the summer, when it's hot, they send ice. In short, they find a reason to send money."
Walking to the chair, he continued, "Officials like us who are in charge of the imperial examinations, with clean offices, don't respect anyone."
Official Zuo also stood up and said, "But... no matter how poor I am... I can't trade my academic career for money. Ten years of hard study have drained my blood and turned my hair white. How can I spend this money?"
Official Zhao said, "After ten years of hard study, Lao Zuo, have you forgotten a saying? It's easy to become an official if you have connections in the court. Even if you pass the imperial examination, you are still rich. Those with connections will be given priority when vacancies arise. For those who don't have connections, it's useless to pass the exam, right? Just like you and me, you were the ninth imperial examination winner, but what can you do now?" He made various gestures as he spoke.
Official Zuo said, "Anyway...I won't do it."
"No?" Officer Zhao was stunned and said, "Old Zuo, think about it. We are all officials of the Great Xuan Dynasty. Why should he make money and gain something while other officials should just eat white radish and white rice? Have you figured it out?"
The official on the left said, "But I have a clean reputation throughout my life."
"It's worthless." Officer Zhao said, turned and left.
Official Zuo blinked and fell into deep thought.
……
on the official road.
Two carriages were traveling one after the other.
Liu Quan said stop the car.
The carriage stopped.
Liu Quan and Heshen got off the carriage and ran towards the carriage in front.
Heshen said "stop" several times, and the last word was "stop".
The carriage in front also stopped.
Heshen called out "Miss Xiaoyue" twice.
Mo Li lifted the car curtain.
Du Xiaoyue said: "What's the matter, sir?"
Mo Li said, "A night owl comes into the house for no reason. He must be up to no good."
He Shen frowned and said, "Mo Li, please don't have such a deep prejudice against me."
Mo Li said, "If I had known earlier, I would have left with Ji Xiaolan first."
He Shen said, "Ji Xiaolan is impatient, but we are not like him."
After saying that, he looked at Du Xiaoyue and said, "Miss Xiaoyue, come down and take a look. Take a look."
Du Xiaoyue looked up at the sky, exclaimed, got off the carriage, took two steps, and said, "What a beautiful view."
He Shen said, "That's right, Miss Xiaoyue. You are studying to write poetry and couplets. Let me tell you, poetry should be inspired by feelings, and the same goes for prose. As for couplets, they can't be empty."
Mo Li, sitting in the carriage, smiled and said, "Master He, you won't let Xiaoyue write two poems about the scenery before leaving, right? If I had known you would dawdle like this, I would have walked ahead with Ji Xiaolan."
He Shen said, "Mo Li, Ji Xiaolan is used to being alone. Can we be like him? If he likes to walk in front, then let him do so. We can't follow his example."