Chapter 1022 Spring Ploughing
Sun Shan led everyone into the teahouse, where they continued to drink tea, eat, and listen to gossip.
Gui Ge'er was really distressed, so he just had to eat tea and meals these days.
It cost a lot of money to get information, and the money in my pocket is slowly getting less. I still have a long time to live, and I don’t know what to do?
Gui Ge'er was anxious in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face.
As soon as Sun Shan winked, Gui Ge'er grabbed a handful of copper coins and passed them over, which made the second brother even more enthusiastic in gossiping.
After visiting several teahouses and hearing a lot of gossip, Sun Shan led everyone back to the post station.
After a night's rest, Master Zhang and Big-Headed Dog felt much better.
When Master Zhang saw Sun Shan coming back, he stepped forward and asked, "Master, have you greeted the prefect?"
Sun Shan shook his head.
Sun Heitan explained, "The prefect has arranged to see you tomorrow."
Master Zhang thought for a moment and asked in a low voice, "Master, do you want to give a gift to the prefect?"
Giving gifts to your boss may inspire him to take care of you in the future.
Sun Shan shook his head and said, "I don't know what kind of personality Liu Zhifu has. He should remain unchanged in the face of ever-changing circumstances."
When Master Zhang heard this, he thought it made a lot of sense.
If they happen to meet someone who is upright and honest, wouldn’t it make them seem like a mercenary when they give them gifts?
If you encounter someone who is greedy, you can explain it carefully afterwards and make up for it later, and they will not blame you the first time.
Giving gifts is not only about what to give, but also about when to give and to whom to give.
Sun Shan sighed secretly.
To be honest, I really don't want to give gifts. Sun Shan hopes to seek truth from facts, do things in a practical way, and do things according to the rules.
But if you get to know the officials, how can you stay out of trouble?
Study, study, tobacco and alcohol. A necessary task for an official is to study how to give gifts.
Giving gifts to officials is usually a bribe of elegant style.
It's like a boss paints a picture that he thinks is invincible, and then hangs it in a distant relative's shop to sell.
Most people would not buy such a high-priced painting that has no collection value.
But most people, knowing that it was painted by their superior, would pay a large sum of money to buy it if they need it.
After layer after layer of laundering, the bribe money becomes white and bright.
Sun Shan thought about it and insisted on not giving any gifts other than those necessary for social etiquette during festivals.
When it comes to things like bribery, it's really hard for someone like him to take the first step.
Of course, Sun Shan also didn't want others to bribe him, and he insisted on not becoming a corrupt official.
Sun Shan chatted with his master for a while.
Butler Wang came over and said, "Master, should we buy all the necessities for daily life in Chenzhou so that we can start cooking right away when we get to Yuanlu?"
Butler Wang explained that when they arrived in Yuanlu County, they would definitely have to stay in the government office.
But no one knows what the yamen is like.
However, according to the He family's experience, the previous county magistrate would definitely take away everything that could be taken away, and even those that could not be taken away would be of poor quality.
Moreover, we don’t know what the previous official is like. What if he has tuberculosis or something like that? If Sun Shan continues to use him, wouldn’t he be following in his footsteps?
You might as well buy all new pots, pans, and utensils, and start cooking as soon as you take office. There is no need to rush out to buy them.
Chenzhou Prefecture is definitely bigger than Yuanlu County, and the items are more complete. I bought daily necessities in Changsha Prefecture before, but I didn’t buy any kitchen items.
Sun Shan thought about it, nodded and said, "Butler Wang, let's do as you say. We won't have to cram when we get to Yuanlu County."
Manager Wang was very happy that Sun Shan accepted his suggestion and smiled and said, "Master, I will do it tomorrow."
There were quite a few people around Sun Shan, but he and his master were the only outsiders, the rest were from Sunjia Village.
Since Steward Wang wants to make progress, he must show his abilities so that Sun Shan can see his good qualities.
Haha, who doesn’t want to get promoted and get a raise and reach the peak of their life?
Even though Butler Wang is already the housekeeper, and there is no more room for him to be promoted, as a human being, one should still have a sense of crisis, what if he is demoted?
This must never happen.
Butler Wang asked again: "Master, when are we leaving?"
Sun Shan didn't know when he would set off, and he would find out after meeting his immediate superior tomorrow.
He shook his head and said, "I'll tell you after I see the prefect."
After waking up, Sun Shan arrived at the yamen early according to the appointment time with the prefect.
As a subordinate, you must be prepared to be humble and submissive. Only subordinates wait for their superiors, and superiors never wait for their subordinates.
Although Magistrate Liu was a graduate of the Imperial College, he was much inferior to Sun Shan, who was a second-class Jinshi who had to compete with thousands of others for a single-plank bridge.
But he had a good grandfather and was reborn into a good family.
Maybe this is life.
Some people take their entire lives to reach the starting point of others.
Some people were born in Rome.
Some people even climb to the top, leaving others far behind.
No matter what, Sun Shan still wants to give himself a word of advice: The greatest success in the world is to live your life in your own way.
Sun Shan saw Prefect Liu not long after, and hurried forward to greet him: "Your humble servant greets the Prefect."
He looked at Liu Yinen secretly. He was tall and thin, with a pale face and a long beard. He was rare to be thin for a middle-aged man.
I don’t know if it’s because of his self-discipline or his physical condition, but in any case, he is not the kind of official who is “fat and big-eared” or “big-brained and fat-hearted”.
Liu Yineng stroked his beard and made a gesture of invitation: "County Magistrate Sun, you are finally here."
Sun Shan was embarrassed. Did he come too late?
It is indeed a bit late, but it should not be too late as we have not missed the spring ploughing day.
Sun Shan quickly apologized: "Sir, I was delayed for some time because I returned to my hometown to erect a monument to my achievements. I beg your forgiveness."
Liu Yineng stroked his beard again, nodded and said, "County Magistrate Sun, I understand."
After a pause, he asked again: "You must have had a hard time on this journey. I wonder which route you took to get to Chenzhou Prefecture?"
Since his boss was chatting with Sun Shan about family matters, Sun Shan was naturally willing to chat.
He briefly recounted the route he had taken, and finally said, "I arrived at Chenzhou Prefecture the day before yesterday afternoon."
What this means is that I came the afternoon before yesterday, checked in the next day, and I saw you on the third day.
He reported in as soon as he arrived, which was the fastest speed, and he did not delay at all. He arrived at Chenzhou Prefecture so late, not because he delayed on purpose, but because he had something to do.
Liu Yineng nodded again and said, "County Magistrate Sun, the Spring Equinox will come in a few days, and farming should be put on the agenda. Since you are here, you should preside over the farming as soon as possible. The plan for the year begins in spring, and spring farming is a major event for the country, so it cannot be delayed."
Sun Shan quickly said, "Sir, I understand."
Liu Yineng waved his hand and said, "I understand. Then go to Yuanlu as soon as possible to take charge of the spring plowing for the people. The previous magistrate has already left Yuanlu, and now we are waiting for you to take charge. Go as soon as possible and don't delay the farming."
At this point, Sun Shan already understood what Governor Liu meant.
There is no need to go to Chenzhou Prefecture to practice how to be an official. In an emergency, you should act according to the circumstances and take up the office quickly so as not to delay the people's meals.