White-robed Minister

Chapter 119-0117 [Scholar Xu Takes Up His Post in Yingtian Prefecture]

On the day Xu Lai left the capital, about twenty people came to see him off.

It has a very impressive presence.

Su Shi did not appear; his wife had suddenly fallen seriously ill and was asking Ouyang Xiu to find a renowned doctor.

Xu Lai knew nothing about medicine. He hadn't read many historical fiction novels and didn't know how allicin was extracted. Besides, allicin wasn't a cure-all.

Xu Lai could only introduce Lin Yi to Su Shi.

Lin Yi had been compiling medical books for many years under orders and knew many famous doctors in the capital and the provinces. Perhaps he could save Su Shi's wife's life.

If Wang Fu's life had been saved, the "ten years of separation between life and death" would probably have been over.

Su Song and Shen Kuo both asked for leave to see him off, along with the Ouyang brothers, Ouyang Bei and Ouyang Bian, as well as students from the Imperial Academy such as Xu Anshi and Lu Zhiyuan.

Yang Shu broke with tradition again by drinking alcohol and wrote a poem to bid farewell.

There were quite a few people writing poems today, one after another.

For every farewell poem he received, Xu Lai would drink a cup of wine. After drinking more than ten cups of wine, his stomach was full, and his whole body felt light and airy.

All told, Xu Lai estimated that he drank more than twenty cups of rice wine.

The young admirer, Ouyang Bian, handed over a calligraphy brush: "Brother, why not leave a farewell poem?"

Everyone looked at Xu Lai with anticipation.

Xu Lai took the brush, and, emboldened by his drunkenness, began to write. After finishing, he cupped his hands in farewell and said, "Farewell, everyone. See you another day!"

Farewell at the Capital

Let us not ask when we will meet again, for in our drunken stupor we point to the myriad paths of the green mountains. Like a drifting duckweed returning to the vast ocean, where in life do we not meet again?

Several scholars who were not familiar with Xu Lai and were just there to join in the fun quickly took out paper and pen to copy down the poem.

Zhang Anji, who was standing not far away, also came over to copy the poem, and then quickly ran back to the Prince of Ying's Mansion.

As Ouyang Bian watched Xu Lai board the ship, he repeated wistfully, "A floating duckweed returns to the vast sea; where in life do we not meet again? A floating duckweed returns to the vast sea—"

Xu Lai was really drunk. He stood on the deck, waving drunkenly at his friends.

Even after the official boat had left the shore and sailed a hundred feet away, he was still waving from afar.

"Let me help you into the cabin to sleep for a while," Yu Shanyuan said.

Xu Lai smiled and said, "I'm just slightly drunk; I can still walk."

Yu Shanyuan also left Beijing today, traveling on the same boat as Xu Lai.

Xu Lai disembarked at Songcheng (Shangqiu), but Yu Shanyuan still wanted to continue south.

The phrase "pointing to the endless green mountains in a drunken stupor" is purely an artistic exaggeration. Kaifeng is only about 200 li away from Shangqiu, and the entire journey can be completed in the blink of an eye by boat.

The next day, in the morning.

The official boat docked at the Bianhe River wharf in Songcheng.

Shangqiu was very prosperous during the Northern Song Dynasty because it was a major transportation and commercial center. Most of the goods transported from the Yangtze River basin to the capital passed through this place.

The harbor was packed with ships, and the docks were teeming with people.

Apart from "A Brief Account of Rites," Xu Lai had left all his other books at his hometown, and he didn't have many personal belongings. After saying goodbye to Yu Shanyuan, he didn't bother hiring any laborers and personally carried his luggage off the ship, heading straight for the south gate of Yingtian Prefecture.

The judges had their own dedicated office, which was connected to the prefectural government office and was called the Judges' Hall, or simply the Judges' Hall.

First, one must enter the main gate of the government office, and then turn to proceed to the signing hall.

The prefectural government office was not as easy to enter as the county government office; he was stopped at the outer gate.

The gatekeeper saw that Xu Lai was dressed in a long robe and wore a turban, clearly the attire of a scholar. However, he was carrying his own luggage and had no attendants with him.

For a moment, the gatekeeper was unsure: "May I ask this gentleman—um, sir, what business do you have at the government office?"

Xu Lai put down his luggage, took out his official document and said, "I am a judge of Yingtian Prefecture, here to assume my post."

This is a bronze plaque engraved with the official's name, rank, and other information.

The gatekeeper, upon seeing the contents of the notice, was startled and hurriedly said, "Judge Xu, please come in quickly!" Then he called inside, "Wang Liu, come quickly and get Judge Xu's luggage!"

A middle-aged clerk hurried over, first bowing to Xu Lai with his hands clasped in salute, and then helping Xu Lai carry his luggage.

Only after they entered the hall of judgment did a government official run over and whisper to the gatekeeper.

"Who is this Judge Xu? He looks so young."

"Most of them were newly appointed Jinshi who passed the imperial examinations with top or second-class honors, and whose families had high-ranking officials."

"Tsk tsk tsk, he must be a descendant of some great magistrate. Judge Zhou was only in office for less than a year when he was ousted by him."

"What do you mean by 'squeezed out'? Don't talk nonsense!"

"Could it be that Scholar Xu who wrote the memorial in the official gazette?"

"His name really is Xu Lai!"

"————"

The office area of ​​the Judgment Hall was not very large, and it was an auxiliary building of the government office, but it also had its own backyard residence.

In other words, Xu Lai did not need to rent a house; the backyard of the court was his official residence.

Upon hearing of the arrival of the new judge, his subordinates came to pay their respects.

Not long after, Zhou Shenzhi, the outgoing judge, walked slowly with a resentful look on his face, only managing a smile when he reached a crowded area.

Zhou Shenzhi was almost fifty years old and had to endure twenty years of hardship before finally being promoted to a position in the capital.

Last year, when Zhao Shu took personal control of the government, Zhou Shenzhi's patron was also promoted, and he finally managed to get a position as a judge in Yingtian Prefecture.

I haven't even had a chance to sit down properly, and they're already moving me to another seat!

Zhou Shenzhi really wanted to strangle Xu Lai.

This official position doesn't actually offer much in terms of personal gain, but once you complete one term, it can serve as a stepping stone for rapid promotion.

Suppressing his murderous urge, Zhou Shenzhi smiled and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture: "I have long admired Scholar Xu's name. A couple of days ago, I read in the official gazette a memorial requesting the abolition of the imperial favor silver; I was utterly impressed!"

"Zhou, you flatter me," Xu replied in return.

Zhou Shenzhi's composure was still lacking. He had just been putting on a very elegant act, but now he couldn't help but reveal a hint of resentment: "Please stop referring to my position. I am about to hand over my post as the judge."

Xu Lai smiled and said, "As long as the handover is not completed, the judgment remains in effect."

Zhou Shenzhi really didn't want to talk to Xu Lai anymore, afraid that he would say something strange again: "Let's handle the handover in a couple of days."

"Scholar Xu can settle in first. Zhang Kongmu, you make the arrangements."

This Zhang Kongmu, whose real name is Zhang Deyong, is an elderly clerk in his fifties.

He was not an ordinary clerk, but the "chief clerk," who was the head of all the clerks in the office.

Zhang Deyong, a clerk in the capital, looked down on ordinary civil servants and always considered himself a scholar. Moreover, he received a salary just like civil officials, unlike ordinary clerks.

Xu Lai bid farewell to Zhou Shenzhi and his subordinates, and followed Zhang Deyong to an official residence.

Zhang Deyong explained cautiously, "Judge Xu and Judge Zhou haven't taken over yet; he'll be staying in the back courtyard of the signing hall for a few more days."

"Understood, I'll stay here for now," Xu Lai said, expressing his understanding.

Zhang Deyong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that Xu Lai, young and impetuous, might cause trouble.

He continued, "Most of Judge Zhou's servants are to be dismissed. Judge Xu can transfer his employment contract if he wishes. If not, I will find him other servants."

"No need to look elsewhere," Xu said. "Just leave me a cook and a cleaning lady."

Zhang Deyong suggested, "It would be best to keep another gardener and a maid. Especially the maid; it's not good for the cook to prepare the food, and for Judge Xu to personally go to the kitchen to serve it."

"Just have the cook bring it over. There aren't many people in the house, so she won't have much to do," Xu said. "The gardener doesn't need to stay. Just have him come every ten days to prune the flowers and trees. I'll pay him by the day."

"yes!"

Zhang Deyong further reminded: "The gatekeepers in the inner yamen of the signing hall can be replaced at any time by Judge Xu."

The doorman must be replaced with one of our own.

But the doorman must be literate and know the rules, and Xu Lai couldn't possibly call someone from Qingxi Village. He had already asked Yu Shanyuan to deliver a message, requesting Yu Zhongxun to arrange an honest and reliable servant from the Yu family.

Ideally, a middle-aged couple would come, with the man as the doorman and the woman as the cleaning and tidying maid.

Bu Chao will definitely be called over as well.

Xu Lai is currently lacking a trusted errand boy.

With so many people employed, is Xu Lai's money enough?

That's enough!

Xu Lai's current benefits are as follows—

Material cost: 30.

Meal expenses: 2.

Add 7 yuan.

Lumi: 4 stones.

Firewood: 20 bundles.

Straw: 40 bundles.

All of the above are distributed monthly. In addition, there are clothing allowances: 12 bolts of silk for spring and 20 bolts of cotton for winter.

This is his total income from official duties and assignments, with the majority coming from assignments, specifically the salary of the judge in Yingtian Prefecture.

Several years ago, Emperor Renzong of Song issued the "Jiayou Salary Decree," which clearly stipulated that the salaries of various official positions could not be combined. If there was overlap, the salary would be paid according to the highest official position.

But if they don't overlap, they can be added together.

For example, the monthly meal allowance of 2000 coins was Xu Lai's meal subsidy as a junior official (Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat).

The position of judge in Yingtian Prefecture was very well paid. Su Zhe would have to work for another ten years before he could get the job, and that would only be if someone recommended him.

This is the special honor of the top scholar; the initial appointment is at a very high level, and the promotion speed is extremely fast!

Xu Lai obtained an official position through his invention of hot air balloons and telescopes, and with the emperor's personal intervention, the negative effects of the imperial examination system and the devaluation of the Jinshi degree were somewhat offset.

If it were in the past, before the Jinshi degree was devalued, Wang Anshi, who ranked fourth in the exam, would have enjoyed the same treatment as the top scholar he has today.

Wang Anshi's initial appointment as a nominal official was at the same level as Xu Lai's, but he was ranked one position higher. In other words, he was superior to Xu Lai.

Wang Anshi's initial post was as a judge in Huaidong Circuit, while Xu Lai was a judge in Yingtian Prefecture. One was at the provincial level, and the other at the municipal level; in essence, they were quite similar.

Xu Lai wasn't in a hurry and settled down obediently in the official residence.

He could tell that his predecessor, surnamed Zhou, seemed very agitated. But the imperial court had set a deadline for the handover, and no matter how unwilling the other party was, he had to get it done on time!

It's just a matter of delaying things for a few days.

Xu Lai didn't actively contact the officials and clerks in the signing hall; he would deal with them naturally during the handover.

For two consecutive days, Xu Lai wandered around inside and outside the city.

First, familiarize yourself with the architecture, terrain, and local customs. While you're at it, buy a couple of books to read, such as law books.

In addition to serving as secretary-general, the signatory also possesses some judicial functions.

For example, they might be appointed by the prefect to participate in the trial and investigation of cases. Based on the "Song Criminal Code," they would analyze the cases, propose preliminary judgments, and write documents for their superiors' reference.

Xu Lai has the right to review unreasonable judgments. Although his intervention will certainly offend judicial officials, he has this power.

Moreover, in major cases in Yingtian Prefecture, Xu Lai could raise objections at any time before the prefect made the final decision!

In addition, all important official documents of Yingtian Prefecture require the joint signatures of the Prefect, the Sub-Prefect, and Xu Lai.

Even if Xu Lai doesn't sign, the prefect can force it through, but he can impeach him afterwards, and he won't take the blame if problems arise.

"Judge Xu, Prefect Lü is hosting a banquet and invites you to the back residence of the prefectural government office tonight."

"understood."

At this time, the prefect of Yingtian was named Lü Jujian, the eleventh son of Lü Mengzheng.