Chapter 155: 162. People Useful to the Imperial Court and the State

162. People Useful to the Imperial Court and the State

A few days ago, Longcheng County had drizzling rain.

Today, the sun is bright.

It is rare for the sky to clear up once.

The Su Fu on Lueming Street seems to follow the name of the Su family's old master, Su Su Xian. When it was built, many exquisite and interesting Jiang Nan gardens were built.

Some are full of flowers and trees, pavilions and towers, strange rocks, and scattered rockeries.

Some are powder walls and green tiles, several bamboo poles, window paintings, and dazzling arrays.

There are also spring pools and flowing water, low walls and leaking windows, exotic flowers and grasses, and winding corridors.

All kinds of styles, different styles.

All show the elegant taste and heart of the garden owner who is indifferent to the world and a wealthy man of leisure.

When Magistrate Ouyang Rong came for the first time, he almost got lost, but fortunately, a Su Fu maid led the way.

However, because he occasionally had to come to find his Xiao Shimei or Su Su Dalang, he gradually became more familiar with the road after coming a few more times.

Today is also the same.

In the morning, southeast of the Su Fu.

Outside a garden named Juxian Garden, which is in a slightly remote location, in a high pavilion for people to rest, several figures are drinking tea and waiting.

It's just that the tea is almost cold.

"Magistrate, where is Su Su Dalang? Didn't he say today to call us to go to the Yunshui Pavilion to maintain our health? We agreed to gather here, so why don't we see a person now? The tea is cold."

Yan Yan Liulang, who had rushed over to wait with great interest, complained a little:

"Sigh, it's not easy to wait for a day off to come out and play, but Su Dalang, this guy, keeps standing us up. No, later, he has to pay for the treat!"

Yan Yan Liulang's face looked "gritting his teeth."

He wasn't wearing his blue constable uniform today, just a black round-collared soap robe, which looked quite sharp and heroic.

This high pavilion for rest was located in the center of a pond, connected to the shore by a narrow water-friendly walkway.

Surrounded by a pond with secluded green water, several golden swimming carp appeared inside.

Mei Lu Garden was right next door. Magistrate Ouyang Rong had arrived earlier than Yan Yan Liulang and had waited longer.

However, Magistrate Ouyang Rong was leaning against the railing in the water pavilion right now, with a box of fish bait in his left hand, sprinkling it lightly into the pond with his fingers.

The golden swimming carp flicked their tails lightly.

"Maybe he's bathing and changing clothes or something."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong fed the fish in a leisurely manner, with his back to the Juxian Garden where Su Su Dalang lived, and said softly:

"Just before you arrived, he came out for a bit, looking high-spirited, saying he had just finished today's morning class, sent the teacher out the door, and should be able to rest for half a day next...

"Sigh, how come it's like having a holiday or finishing school? But Su Dalang's studies seem to be quite tight; he only gets this half-day off every month."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong sighed.

Yan Yan Liulang took a long breath:

"Hiss, only half a day? Is studying so hard now?

"Isn't it supposed to be about seeking flowers and asking for willows, chanting poems and making pairs, and having red sleeves adding fragrance? I used to think that being a scholar was much easier than us rough guys beating gongs in the county government office."

"Not satisfied with half a day?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong straightened his face:

"Only people who are useless to the imperial court and the state get long holidays. Like Su Dalang, a pillar of talent and a star of the scholarly forest, taking half a day is his highest tolerance for his own requirements."

"..." Yan Yan Liulang.

"Magistrate, what about you?"

"Me? Isn't this accompanying you all."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong sighed and shook his head, put down the round box of fish bait in his hand, reached out to take the handkerchief handed by Liu Ashan, and wiped his hands.

He turned his head and said seriously:

"The Chenjun Xie family matter was handled beautifully by everyone a few days ago. Bringing you all out to play and rewarding you is called team building, understand?"

Yan Yan Liulang and Liu Ashan looked at each other, not understanding what "team building" was, but they could understand the general meaning.

And because this young County Magistrate often came up with strange words, the two who hadn't read much just assumed it was the young master's profound knowledge, similar to the "Zhi Hu Zhe Ye" of the sages in ancient books.

As for why sometimes the well-read Chenjun Xie Private Secretary was also confused and looked at them... that goes without saying, of course, it's because the Senior Brother's knowledge is more profound than the Xiao Shimei's.

"Also, today we aren't going to any Yunshui Pavilion to maintain health. Yan Liulang, don't think about these things all day. Later, when Su Dalang comes out, I'll tell him."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong shrugged his shoulders:

"Let's go out and walk around more, do something else beneficial to body and mind, don't always think about maintaining health."

Yan Yan Liulang whispered: "But I think health and tea ceremony are also quite beneficial to body and mind..."

"Ashan's family is about to arrange a marriage for him. Don't lead Ashan astray." Magistrate Ouyang Rong curled his lips. "Besides, even if you want to go, you can't go now."

Yan Yan Liulang was curious: "Ah, why is that?"

"After coming back last time, I had the Market Order Division in the government office issue an official document ordering the Yunshui Pavilion to rectify."

"..." Yan Yan Liulang.

He had a little resentment in his eyes, "Magistrate, Ashan brother said that recently Ye Weilai girl is back, Magistrate, you are not worried..."

"It has nothing to do with Ye Weilai."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong shook his head, then nodded and said:

"Opening a brothel requires a business license from the Ministry of Rites of the imperial court. They are a restaurant that eats and watches plays, but they are both non-compliant and engage in edge-ball activities. This won't do."

Yan Yan Liulang opened his mouth for a while and whispered: "The Magistrate is really strict."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong's face was a bit serious:

"It has to be strict. I don't know about other places, but in Longcheng County, it has to be like this. Brothels don't have to not exist, but they must be compliant, and the sources of the wind-and-dust women inside must also be legal."

He shook his head: "Otherwise, letting wild brothels develop will easily lead to a decline in social customs, and eventually phenomena like forcing good women into prostitution won't be strange. This is bad, very bad."

Yan Yan Liulang closed his mouth, put away his playful expression, and nodded:

"The Magistrate considers things thoroughly."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong shook his head.

Just at this moment.

On the path leading to this water pavilion in the Juxian Garden not far away, a tall figure appeared, running in a panic.

"Rong, Yan Liulang, it's terrible, it's terrible."

Su Su Dalang, with a distressed face, ran all the way from the narrow path, broke into the water pavilion, and sighed to Magistrate Ouyang Rong and the others, whose faces were stunned:

"I don't seem to be able to go. Originally, I was going to send Old Yuan away, but I don't know why, the old gentleman was in high spirits today, saying he wanted to give me a few more lessons and teach me how to write parallel prose.

"Rong,."

Su Su Dalang looked like a defeated rooster, sighing, completely different from his appearance in the morning.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong couldn't help but look at him a few more times. "Your monthly day off... even half a day is gone?"

Su Su Dalang nodded bitterly.

Yan Yan Liulang couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder, comforting him:

"It's okay, it's okay, Su Dalang. Using the Magistrate's words, Su Dalang, you are a person of great use to the imperial court and the state. It's a good thing."

Su Su Dalang was stunned. "What is a person of great use to the imperial court and the state?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong glared at Yan Yan Liulang.

The latter shrank his head, then as if remembering something, turned to look serious:

"By the way, Su Dalang, why don't you give us the money? Didn't you say you were treating us? We'll help you spend it."

"..."

Su Su Dalang was speechless for a long time, but still silently reached into his bosom and took out silver beans.

He said seriously:

"It really should be my treat. I've kept Rong, Yan Liulang, and Ashan brother waiting for a long time. Are you all going to the Yunshui Pavilion? Sigh, then I'll pay..."

"Just kidding, don't take it seriously, don't listen to Yan Liulang's nonsense."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong hurriedly pressed Su Su Dalang's hand and shook his head.

He looked thoughtful, frowned slightly, and asked:

"Su Dalang, is this Old Master Yuan the famous teacher your father found for you before?"

Su Su Dalang's expression became solemn, and he nodded:

"The old gentleman's surname is Yuan, and his courtesy name is Xiangshan. He was a famous ritual official in the imperial court before, but later retired... Old Master Yuan is venerable and respected, and his learning is profound. Father told me to follow him and learn well."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong looked at Su Su Dalang's face, and although his expression was serious, his eyes still seemed to have a look of disappointment.

He tried: "Why don't I go and speak for you, see if I can grant you half a day off? You're also quite tired."

"Better not." Su Su Dalang hesitated. "Old Master Yuan is quite good, but his temper is a bit strange."

He shook his head, changed the subject, and prepared to say goodbye:

"Rong, I have to go back. I really can't accompany you all to the Yunshui Pavilion to drink health tea this time. Sigh."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong just wanted to speak.

A hoarse voice suddenly came from the shore not far from the water pavilion;

"What health tea are you drinking? Su Dalang, is this the friend you said you were waiting for?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong, Yan Yan Liulang, and Liu Ashan all turned their heads curiously.

Only to see an old scholar wearing a purple Confucian robe, surrounded by four book boys, passing through the narrow walkway on the pond and walking into the water pavilion in the center of the pond.

The old scholar was about seventy years old, with white hair and beard, and many age spots on his face. He was leaning on a cane.

The book boys behind him respectfully held books and boxes.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong even saw one carrying a teacup.

The airs were quite big.

"Teacher, why are you here?"

Su Su Dalang hurriedly greeted him and respectfully supported the old scholar.

Yuan Xiangshan nodded: "The teacher came to see the friends you made."

Su Su Dalang: "Teacher, Rong brother and Yan brother are preparing to go back. The disciple will go back to class now..."

Yuan Xiangshan shook his head and didn't speak.

He leaned on his cane, led the book boys, and sat directly in the main seat in the center of the lake in the water pavilion. He raised his eyelids and sized up Magistrate Ouyang Rong and the others one by one.

"This old man's body is not very good, so I'll sit down rudely. You all sit too."

After Yuan Xiangshan sat down, he took the tea handed by the book boy and drank a sip before saying slowly.

Su Su Dalang cast a helpless look.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong and the others looked at each other and didn't sit down, still standing.

Yuan Xiangshan didn't stand on ceremony either. After asking Su Su Dalang for the names of Magistrate Ouyang Rong and the others, he cleared his throat and said:

"What health tea at Yunshui Pavilion? Where are you all taking Su Dalang?"

Yan Yan Liulang coughed, "We aren't going anywhere, just preparing to go out for a spring outing or something, old gentleman..."

"Thump thump—"

Yuan Xiangshan suddenly knocked on the ground with his cane, interrupting Yan Yan Liulang's explanation:

"Hmph, don't think this old man doesn't know. This old man is not some corrupt Confucian; I also came from your age. You still don't know the twists and turns between you young people?

"What health tea? Drinking health tea at such a young age? Isn't this a secret code, pointing to which brothel or song house you are going to seek flowers and ask for willows?

"Don't fool this old man."

Everyone in the water pavilion was speechless.

Yuan Xiangshan lowered his head and sipped tea leisurely, nodding:

"Heh, did this old man guess right? You all, drinking whatever tea will only harm you..."

"..." Magistrate Ouyang Rong, Su Su Dalang, and others.

Yuan Xiangshan turned his head and frowned at Su Su Dalang:

"This old man saw your anxious look this morning and guessed that you were not learning well. Sure enough, it's true.

"Sigh, this holiday shouldn't have been given. If you relax a little, you'll go wild. Now you're even drinking health tea. What are you planning to do in the future? What tea do you want to drink?"

Su Su Dalang opened his mouth: "Teacher, disciple I..."

Yuan Xiangshan knocked on his cane to interrupt:

"Your father and mother have high hopes for you, entrusting you to this old man, letting you study well. Look at you, are you worthy of the earnest expectations of your relatives?

"What you, you. Come over and stand. We'll talk about you when we go back."

Su Su Dalang nodded sadly, honestly standing behind the stern old scholar who was sitting upright with a cane, serving tea to his teacher.

Yan Yan Liulang, who was on the side, couldn't help but explain:

"Old gentleman, you really misunderstood. We really aren't going to drink tea this time..."

"That means you've been there before?"

"..."

Yuan Xiangshan shook his head in disappointment and glared at Su Su Dalang:

"Did you go last time? Tell the truth? Su Dalang, you, how can you ask the teacher to rest assured about giving you a holiday? If I'm not careful, you'll be led astray..."

Su Su Dalang's face flushed red, and he whispered urgently: "Teacher, disciple was wrong. Don't say anymore. Rong and the others are still here..."

His own teacher saying these things so unceremoniously in front of his friends.

It wasn't just a matter of not giving him face.

Su Su Dalang's face was very hot, and he couldn't help but cast an apologetic look at Magistrate Ouyang Rong, Yan Yan Liulang, and the others.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong shook his head slightly.

However, he couldn't help but glance at Su Su Dalang's "father-like" famous teacher.

The latter was still preaching endlessly.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong's mind flashed back to the scene he had seen in Su Su Dalang's study before.

He understood some things, but looking at Su Su Dalang again, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Su Dalang, the teacher understands that you are already an adult, but look at what time it is now, and what is your situation?"

Yuan Xiangshan folded his hands, leaned on his cane, and knocked on the floor while lecturing. He didn't seem to notice whether his words would make Su Su Dalang and Magistrate Ouyang Rong and others embarrassed, or rather, the old man didn't care.

"Not to mention sharing the worries for your parents, but at least don't let them worry. Now is the time to focus on your studies. Have you finished reading the "Erya"? What about the "Rites of Zhou"? Put aside matters of love between men and women, and playing, put all these aside, and study well first...

"When heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it must first suffer his heart and will, labor his muscles and bones, and starve his body and skin... I won't ask you to labor your muscles and bones or starve your body and skin, can you at least suffer your heart and will a little?

"You, you, you really want to make this teacher die of anger."

Thump thump thump—!

The sound of the cane knocking on the ground echoed in the water pavilion. The old scholar was glaring, his tone stern.

"Yes, yes, yes, disciple was wrong. Teacher, calm your anger, Teacher, calm your anger..."

Su Su Dalang hurriedly handed tea, his face serious, coaxing him.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong looked at the master and disciple pair and didn't speak.

It wasn't really appropriate to speak.

However, someone didn't speak, but Yuan Xiangshan seemed to notice someone's calm gaze.

The old scholar, full of wrinkles, frowned imperceptibly and then smoothed it out.

After he sat down, he took the tea handed by the book boy, drank a sip, and said slowly:

"You are called Magistrate Ouyang Rong, the new County Magistrate of Longcheng County?"

Everyone held their breath and looked at Magistrate Ouyang Rong.

Only to see Magistrate Ouyang Rong nod and bow, performing the polite triple-bow:

"Old Master Yuan, I have long admired your great name. Disrespect, disrespect."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 156 =====