Porridge and side dishes [farming]

Chapter 136 2 Dog's Birthday

In winter, it was inconvenient to be on the mountain, so Li Ji and Er Gouzi moved to the downhill residence.After the snow falls, the snow on the road is easy to clear, and it is not difficult to contact the other side of the city.

At twelve o'clock in the first day at home, it was always warm.In the past, as long as the two of Shen Tianzhan's servants were nearby, they would come to take care of them even if they were alive.Li Ji told them that they don't need to be on duty at night, they work, and Li Ji pays, which is fair.Covering the quilt at night will not catch cold, and the fire will be cold before going to bed, and the kang will be cold in the middle of the night.

But Li Ji said, they all nodded happily.As a result, the kang was hot all night every day, and I don't know how many times the fire continued to burn at night.

There is a greenhouse in the backyard of the house in the county's Taiye Mansion, and some vegetables can be grown in previous winters.This year, Li Ji was not abandoned, so he asked Shen Tianzhan, who grew vegetables in winter from the premise, to come and help.Sow seeds when it is cold, and when the first snow falls, many leafy vegetables can be eaten.

Li Ji and Er Gouzi eat one portion every day, and those who grow vegetables share one portion.The rest are sent to various shops and craftsmen to try something new.

After a heavy snowfall, it took seven days to open the road in Dao County.Li Ji clicked on the business situation in the county.Just sit in the carriage and go into the city to have a look.At the same time, Er Gouzi's birthday is approaching, which is the day when he met Er Gouzi.Li Ji thought that Er Gouzi would spend his birthday at his own inn in the city this year, and when his birthday came, the two of them would go to the mountains to celebrate together.

Here, only the garrison troops left over from the past manage the county, and there are no more than [-] decent county magistrates and yamen servants.

The initial period when the war subsided was fine, but now more than half a year has passed, how do those who fought know how to manage the people in this county?Force can be suppressed, but the complaints are getting more and more.

Li Ji and Er Gouzi were sitting on the second floor of their inn eating snacks, watching the people coming and going on the street.

The shopkeeper came up to serve the tea in person, and asked twice if he was comfortable.

The innkeeper is a servant under Shen Tianzhan who can read and understand some business in the past, but now he manages such a large inn.

"It's pretty good, the left and right belong to my house." Li Ji said again, "Business has been good these two days, and I saw a lot of people when I came in."

The shopkeeper nodded: "Recently, our county has been quite lively. In the past, there were few outsiders, and there were few people staying in inns. Those who came from the countryside just found a farmhouse and spent a few pennies for a night, and they were reluctant to stay in an inn. Recently Maybe people outside know that the county magistrate of our previous dynasty has become the current marquis, so there are more people who come to have a look. We, who run the inn, naturally have more people."

The second floor is the inn, and the first floor is for dining.The business used to be on the first floor, but now that the war is over, the business on the second floor is getting better.

Speaking of Shen Tianzhan, Li Ji found it strange even thinking about it himself, let alone an outsider.

"A good business is a good thing. If there is not enough manpower, you can recruit two more guys to help. Don't be too tired yourself." Li Ji said.

The shopkeeper hurriedly said: "I'm still busy now, please forgive me, Fourth Master."

At this time, Li Ji on the second floor saw several soldiers coming downstairs, still wearing armor and holding weapons in their hands, looking very scary.

Seeing this, he came to the inn, the shopkeeper obviously saw it, his face was not very good, and he hurriedly said hello to go downstairs: "Little one is going downstairs!"

Li Ji was not stupid, he saw something was wrong, and asked, "Don't leave in a hurry, tell me what those soldiers are doing here. Don't say they are here to stay, they have a camp."

If it was a meal, they clearly saw them coming from the opposite restaurant.

The shopkeeper's face was filled with embarrassment, and he struggled to write before he opened his mouth and said, "I'm dissatisfied with you, but you have to pay taxes."

Li Ji raised his eyebrows: "Paying taxes is a normal thing. I should have taken the initiative to send it over. Why do I ask someone to come over and ask for it?"

The shopkeeper looked at Li Ji, then at Er Gouzi, gritted his teeth, and said, "I'm timid, because I'm afraid that I will cause some trouble by talking too much. It was fine earlier, but now every county magistrate is in charge, and it has always been these things. The soldiers are in charge! Each team is responsible for one street, and the tax... they set it themselves."

Li Ji frowned slightly, and at this moment, he could hear the shopkeeper shouting from downstairs: "What is the law?"

The shopkeeper wiped the sweat from his brow: "The amount of tax paid is the same as that of the previous court, that is, copied from the previous court. It's just... this month, this is the fourth time I have come to collect taxes."

"Why didn't you say it earlier!" Li Ji stood up and made a gesture to go downstairs.

The shopkeeper hurriedly kept it a secret: "Fourth Master, think twice! As the saying goes, the king of Hades is better than a little devil, and they are just soldiers in charge of asking for money. How about you and the eldest son, the fourth master of the people there? If they bumped into the two of you in a daze, then But what to do."

There is a saying that when a scholar meets a soldier, the soldier and the general are used to being arrogant in this place, and knowing that there are only military officers in the county, naturally no one takes it seriously.

Li Ji thought about what the shopkeeper said was reasonable, nodded, and thought about going directly to the local military camp to look for it, and Shen Tianzhan, the Marquis, was on his side.But looking back, it's not feasible.

Because civil servants and military generals dislike each other, especially after the war, those with weapons in their hands look down on scholars who dance with words.With Shen Tianzhan under pressure, things are easy on the surface, but if someone wants to make trouble behind the scenes, there is no way at all.

"Go down, give them as much as they want, don't offend them. But this matter can't be like this. Just put your heart in your stomach, there will always be a way to solve this matter." Li Ji had some thoughts in his heart, and the specifics still needed to be solved. Look how powerful Shen Tianzhan is.

That's right, how could Li Ji, a commoner, win against an official?All he could do was write to Shen Tianzhan.Nothing else is needed, just find a way to arrange a new county magistrate here.

The county magistrate came, and there were yamen servants and officials, so it was unreasonable for the soldiers not to delegate power.This taxation is originally a matter of the yamen, but Li Ji wants to see how they get involved.

After the shopkeeper went downstairs and gave them the money they asked for, Li Ji asked him to come up and help write the letter.

It might take a long time to send this letter out in winter, so Li Ji was not in a hurry.The arrogance of being a soldier, let's just be arrogant.The more arrogant you are, the deeper the grievances among the people.How did the previous dynasty fall? Isn't it going the old way now?

Ergouzi's birthday.In the morning, the two bowed to Li Yan's prepared ranking. Theoretically speaking, Er Gouzi should fast and eat vegetarian this day.But Er Gouzi is a master who loves meat and joy, and this is not a serious birthday, so he is not so particular about it.

It was snowing lightly outside, Li Ji and Er Gouzi looked out from the second floor, and most of the county could see it.This is a small county, and there are not many houses with two floors.Li Ji heard that there are three-story buildings in the capital, and nine-story towers.Seriously, I want to check it out.

"Today is your birthday. Is there any place you want to go? I'll go with you."

Er Gouzi looked outside and shook his head: "I don't like to move when it snows, it's good here."

Li Ji took an egg from the table, rolled it on the table, knocked open the glass shell and handed it to Er Gouzi: "Then eat an egg first, and then have a bowl of longevity noodles at night."

If it is passing the birthday, especially the big family, they are busy from morning to afternoon, and the birthday noodles are also eaten during the banquet in broad daylight.It's just that Er Gouzi's age is far from the end of his life.

Er Gouzi took the egg, stuffed it into his mouth and chewed.Li Ji looked at Ergouzi's bulging cheeks and thought of Songsong and Taotao: "What do you want to eat tonight? Let the kitchen prepare it in advance."

"You can do whatever you want." He chewed something in his mouth, and his words were a little fuzzy.

Li Ji was a little speechless and said, "I came to the city to celebrate your birthday just to let you eat more good food. If it's just me cooking, we can celebrate it in the village."

"You're doing very well." Er Gouzi swallowed the egg, "It's best for you to cook a few dishes, and let the kitchen do the rest."

Li Ji stretched out his hand and tugged at Er Gouzi's face, wanting to say that he was worthless and whether he was willing to give up.Peel an egg and eat one by yourself, and play chess with Er Gouzi to relieve boredom.

Li Ji looked at the snow falling outside the window, and suddenly said, "I want to see what the fireworks look like."

Li Ji hadn't seen fireworks before. In the past, there were two families in the village who were willing to spend money. They bought some not-so-decent fireworks for New Year's Eve. They were only a little small, and they disappeared after a couple of blows.

I heard people say that during the New Year, the officials in the city will set off a lot of big fireworks, which are very beautiful.Li Ji likes such vain things, and has always wanted to see them.

"What are fireworks?" Er Gouzi had never seen them before.

Li Ji shook his head: "I can't say for sure, anyway, it's a beautiful thing. After all, you said that we are both so rich, so it's okay for us to set off fireworks on your birthday, right?"

How could Er Gouzi have any objection, Li Ji went downstairs directly, it was rare for him to ask the shopkeeper where he could buy fireworks like a child.

If you say it a few days in advance, you can be prepared.The shopkeeper was persuaded by Li Ji's thought, and hurriedly said: "In the past, there were some fireworks in the Hou Ye's mansion, but I just went to find them now. They have probably been stored for a year or two. I'm afraid they won't be able to when the tide returns. It might not look good. Don’t worry, if you’re laughing, arrange for someone to find someone who makes fireworks. You should be able to buy them.”

Li Ji nodded: "That's troublesome."

Er Gouzi accompanied Li Ji down the stairs, seeing Li Ji's expectant face, he only felt that the more he looked the better.

Li Ji turned his head and looked at each other, speechless.Li Ji's eyes were full of smiles, he jumped up the steps in a few steps, and dragged Er Gouzi back to the house to continue playing chess.

The fourth ancestor wanted to watch the fireworks, how could he not make arrangements.Anyone who has been with the two for a long time knows that Li Ji and Er Gouzi, although Er Gouzi is the serious son of the world, but it is Li Ji who really can't be messed with.

Of course, being annoying doesn't mean that Li Ji is mean, it can only mean that he is really good at dealing with people.

The fireworks are bought back, the more gorgeous and beautiful the fireworks, the higher the price, but in this small county, the most expensive fireworks are only more than ten taels of silver.

Ten taels of silver is a huge number for ordinary people, but it is nothing for big families, especially for people like Li Ji Er Gouzi who are sitting on mountains of gold and silver.

It's just that when civilians set off fireworks, they should report to the government. Nowadays, there is no government, only generals.The shopkeeper personally brought money to the door to talk about it, but it turned out that the money used by generals was more than the money used to buy fireworks.

If it is a normal government, even if it is a bit greedy, a few coins will be passed away. In a clean and honest government, it is enough to just say it, and there is no money at all.

How much can this inn earn in a day?Just like that, they cut it away one by one.

Of course you can't tell Li Ji about this.Today is Shi Ziye's birthday, so we can't make the two masters feel bad because of this bad luck.

In the afternoon, Li Ji started to cook for Er Gouzi.Even the longevity noodles are made by Li Ji himself.

Er Gouzi is a little birthday star, so he can't be allowed to stretch his hands to work.Fortunately, there was a buddy to help light the fire, and Li Ji was still busy.

Er Gouzi's favorite potato stewed chicken is indispensable, and he also fried a few side dishes that are often made at home.You can't blame Li Ji either.Li Ji can cook a few dishes in total.Before meeting the county magistrate, the two of them turned over and adjusted to the same dishes they ate.

Er Gouzi wiped the sweat from Li Ji's hair thoughtfully, almost bursting into laughter.

Li Ji sat on a small stool and watched the fire.In fact, there is no need to worry about it at this time, the cook in the inn will watch it when the time comes.It's just that Er Gouzi wants to eat what Li Ji made by himself, so Li Ji has to do it all by himself, so it looks like it.

Li Ji sat in front of the stove watching the fire blazing, and looked at Er Gouzi who was sitting next to him.It's like going back to two years ago.

People can't bear to think about it.I can't stop thinking about it.

"Let's go back to the village to celebrate your birthday next year. Just the two of us." Li Ji said.

"Yes." If Li Ji hadn't brought him to the city first.What Er Gouzi wanted most in his heart was to spend time at home with Li Ji.

No matter how good the conditions are, what kind of father you have, and how much property you have.The happiest days in Er Gouzi's heart were those spent with Li Ji.

The dishes are all out of the pot, the chicken has been stewed for a long time, and the chicken is very soft and rotten.

They brought them up to the second floor one after another, and Li Ji and Er Gouzi were not in a hurry to eat.The weather is colder, the house is hot during the day and you can open the windows to see the outside, but it is colder at night, it is a bit cold to open the windows.

I asked the buddy to add two more charcoal basins, and only waited for the temperature in the room to rise before opening the window and waiting for the fireworks to be set off outside.

After pouring twice as much warm wine, the two of them stared out of the window holding the glasses.

The more I haven't seen it, the more excited I feel.Li Ji waited with eyes full of anticipation.Seeing that the windows on the second floor were open, the guys outside lit up the twigs quickly, and soon, colorful fireworks exploded, which should make Li Ji's eyes come alive.

It was the first time Li Ji saw that there were such beautiful and gorgeous things in this world.Fireworks are indeed a masterpiece of flames blooming in the sky.Li Ji couldn't find any words to describe it, but just stared blankly, his face full of surprise.

Er Gouzi looked at the fireworks, and he was looking at Li Ji who deserved the beautiful face of the fireworks.Seeing his amazed and contented appearance, Er Gouzi also felt that this firework is really the most beautiful thing in the world.

The fireworks lasted for a long time, and when Li Jishe was willing to look away, the fireworks hadn't burned out yet.

Li Ji turned his head and saw Er Gouzi staring at him intently.Pick up the wine glass and hook Er Gouzi's arm: "Have a cup of wine."

Li Ji just had a temporary idea, and the two of them hooked their arms.Drank the wine in the glass.

Under the fireworks, the two looked at each other.Er Gouzi's birthday this year is very happy.

For a table of meals, the inn prepared a lot of delicacies from mountains and seas, but when the meal was over, only Li Ji's dishes were left.

The two ate together, there was nothing to say about each other, and after the meal, let the guys come in and clean up.The guys looked at the bones piled up like a hill and the messy dining table, and their faces froze with smiles.

Cleaned up and left.Both were drunk.Warm wine is very intoxicating, the wine is fragrant and delicious, but the feeling is the same after entering the stomach.

Li Ji fell on the bed, and Er Gouzi went to lock the door.Walking back and forth to the bedside, he looked at Li Ji.

"I'm back! What did you do?" Li Ji was a little guilty when he was drunk, and the more drunk he was, the more obvious the problem was.

"Block the door."

"Oh, it's time to lock the door, otherwise it will be annoying if someone comes in." Everyone under the head was shocked.Li Ji felt uncomfortable when he reached out to touch the pillow but couldn't find it, and when he saw Er Gouzi, he felt a double image, "Don't shake it! I'm drunk, I can't see clearly when you shake it."

Li Ji's face was red because of drunkenness, so Er Gouzi bowed down to undress Li Ji.

After getting drunk, Li Ji thinks of whatever he wants, and rolls over to prevent Er Gouzi from touching him: "Didn't you do it yesterday? Why are you still here? I want to sleep, so I won't do it with you."

In Li Ji's impression, most of Er Gouzi's job is to undress him. If he is sober, he will hide the filth in his heart, but he doesn't understand at all when he is drunk.

Er Gouzi stopped in mid-air.Li Ji was so attractive tonight, it really made him right.

Er Gouzi will never force Li Ji, but it doesn't mean Er Gouzi won't persuade Li Ji.

Li Ji climbed onto the bed with slippers, lay down beside Li Ji and said softly, "You think you didn't want to do it because you did it yesterday?"

Li Ji nodded.

Er Gouzi continued: "But I did it yesterday, and I want to do it today."

Li Ji was a little confused, why did the two think differently?

Er Gouzi continued to lure: "We are a couple, what's yours is mine, and what's mine is yours, right?"

Li Ji nodded.

Er Gouzi smiled like a cheating fox: "Then anything can be exchanged."

Li Ji nodded again.

Er Gouzi rubbed Li Ji's ear with his lips, and said, "Then let's exchange ideas. I don't want to do it because I did it yesterday, but you want to do it every day, okay?"

Li Ji nodded without thinking.

Er Gouzi immediately lay flat and closed his eyes, deliberately said: "Then I don't want to do it, I did it yesterday."

Li Ji quickly adapted to Er Gouzi's thinking, and brought it in very quickly.He hurriedly propped himself up: "No, go to sleep after finishing."

Li Ji couldn't hide the smile in his eyes, and gave Li Ji's words to her: "Didn't you do it yesterday?"

"You had dinner yesterday." After speaking, Li Ji began to take off Er Gouzi's clothes.

In the middle of the night, when he was half asleep and half awake, Li Ji suddenly understood something: "Am I being tricked by you?"

"No." What Er Gouzi said was the truth, after all, Li Ji agreed with every word.

"Oh." Li Ji turned over and fell asleep.

In the morning of the next day, Li Ji completely forgot what happened last night. He only remembered that the two of them were tossing each other out. go with your heart.

However, that fireworks scene is deeply memorable, and Li Ji couldn't help thinking that he would also set off fireworks on his birthday.Right in the village.He also watched with Er Gouzi and drank a cup of wine.

A few days later, at Shen Tianzhan's place in the capital.Shen Tianzhan received the letter from Li Ji, read the contents of the letter, and frowned.

With the establishment of a new dynasty, the most urgent thing is naturally the distribution of local officials.The new emperor has no experience in governing the country, and everything is done by groping.He didn't dare to use too many officials from the previous dynasty, but there were too few ready-made manpower in hand.

It's not that I don't want to arrange people to go to various places in my heart, but that the situation really doesn't allow it.

Shen Tianzhan frowned.This matter is definitely not limited to Li Ji's side.Definitely a common phenomenon across the country.

If you let go.The newly established state of Wu may be in danger again.

Shen Tianzhan never considered being loyal to a certain emperor. What he really thought about in his heart was the people of the world.If there is a resurgence of the flames, it will only be the common people who will suffer.

Shen Tianzhan has been bored in the study for three whole days, and at this moment, he really wants to have Li Ji by his side.Li Ji always has some fresh ideas, even if he can't get along with the solution, it can still give Shen Tianzhan more inspiration.

Shen Tianzhan flipped through the ancient books, and found that there were not many records about the founding and governance of the country, and most of them were specially beautified, as if becoming an emperor was a mandate of heaven and the people respected it.After ascending to the top position, the world prospers with a swipe of a pen.

But in fact, the establishment of a serious empire is not so easy.

Three days later, Shen Tianzhan's eyes were still bloodshot, and he was busy attacking to meet the emperor.

The emperor had a good impression of Shen Tianzhan. Now speaking, Shen Tianzhan was the emperor's most trusted minister besides the meritorious ministers who fought with him.One is because Shen Tianzhan is very knowledgeable, and on the other hand, Shen Tianzhan is not a flatterer.

After the founding of the New Kingdom, civil servants, especially those who were left over from the previous dynasty, met the emperor with a more or less careful ingratiation.These people don't know that bowing their knees may not be appreciated by the emperor.But in this case, who can control those?Don't seek meritorious service, but seek no faults.

Only Shen Tianzhan, when facing the emperor, showed a little bit of respect, but he was upright in his words, quite like a gentleman.

Therefore, the emperor had a good impression of him and gave him more and more reuse.

"Shen Aiqing is here? I haven't seen you in the court for the past two days, and you are sick. Now that nothing is wrong, I can rest assured."

"Your Majesty's atonement." Shen Tianzhan didn't think it was really caring about him, "My Majesty, I have been wasting time reading ancient books day and night recently, now come here and officially present my harvest of the past few days."

"Tell me." The emperor put down the memorial and looked at Shen Tianzhan.

Shen Tianzhan said: "Three days ago, I received a letter from my hometown dog. It said in the letter that the county is now being taken over by the army, and the taxation is also done by the army. Each army manages the taxes on a street. Refer to the rules of the previous dynasty. However, according to Gouzi, there were four tax collections in one month."

The author has something to say: I only need Shen Tianzhan... I suddenly feel that Shen Tianzhan and the emperor can make a CP