Chapter 11 It feels so good to be a nouveau riche
"Second brother, they said you were here, so I came here eagerly."
"When I got here, they actually said that I don't look like you, and that they found the wrong person."
"Isn't this bullying an honest man like me?"
In the yard, a short man was pulling Wu Song, jumping up and down in anger, dancing with joy.
"Brother, don't listen to their nonsense. How can we brothers not look alike?"
Wu Song was a little helpless with his brother, so he had to comfort him in a low voice.
"..."
The yamen runners standing around fell silent at the same time, and everyone looked strange.
Obviously, Wu Song's words were too unconvincing.
Everyone was embarrassed to complain just because of Wu Song's face.
"Isn't it?"
Wu Song frowned and asked around.
"Yes, yes, that's what Second Brother Wu said."
"Ah, yes, yes! That's right."
"Brothers naturally look alike..."
Several yamen runners looked at each other and responded weakly.
Hearing this, County Magistrate Chen frowned.
"Brother Wu!"
When the atmosphere was about to cool down, Lin Xuan and Huang Rong walked into the courtyard side by side and clasped their fists.
"Well, I am Dalang, who are you?"
Wu Dalang turned around and saw Lin Xuan dressed like a scholar, and he was a little confused.
"This brother Lin is the tiger-killing hero, and he is also a hero who stands tall and proud."
Wu Song introduced him with a proud look.
"Ah? So the big tiger was killed by you, please forgive me for my rude words."
Wu Dalang was stunned and bowed quickly.
"I am just a scholar, brother Wu, you don't have to be polite."
Lin Xuan's mouth twitched and he returned the greeting.
Wu Dalang is also a very interesting person.
Some people say that the prototype of Wu Dalang is Wu Zhi.
This man passed the imperial examination in his middle age and became the magistrate of Yanggu County. He promoted benefits and eliminated malpractices throughout his life and was honest and fair.
He and Pan Jinlian are also a loving couple.
Later, because he offended a villain, his reputation was slandered for no reason, and he was written as a clown by Shi Naian, and his reputation was ruined and he died with hatred.
It sounds pretty miserable.
However, people later discovered that...
Wu Zhi's tomb was rebuilt in the 1990s after being abandoned for hundreds of years.
The content of the epitaph was also written based on the stories passed down by later generations, and there are many places that don't match at all.
For example, it is said that Wu Zhi was a Jinshi in the Yongle period.
But Shi Naian had passed away in the third year of Hongwu, and it was absolutely impossible for him to write Wu Zhi, who passed the Jinshi exam decades later, into the book.
Later, it was discovered that...
There was no Jinshi named Wu Zhi from the Hongwu to Yongle periods of the Ming Dynasty.
In addition, the "Qinghe County Chronicles" has been revised seven times since the first revision during the Jiajing period...
There is no record of Wu Zhi and Pan Jinlian.
The name "Wu Zhi" never appears in the entire Water Margin.
Therefore, it is likely that the character Wu Dalang only exists in Water Margin, and there is no so-called prototype.
Because of the popularity of Water Margin, the locals, in order to develop tourism, forcibly took advantage of the so-called "eternal injustice".
This kind of back and forth reversal is still quite touching.
"Scholar? So the young master is a scholar, hey, reading is good."
Wu Dalang sighed: "My second brother is actually quite smart, but he is unwilling to study hard. He learns some fighting and killing all day long, and I don't know what's the use."
"You can't say that, Wu Erlang is proficient in martial arts, chivalrous and brave, and he is also a rare talent."
County Magistrate Chen hurriedly said: "We have discussed it just now, and let Erlang be the head of my Yanggu County tomorrow."
County Magistrate Chen also likes Lin Xuan very much.
However, Lin Xuan speaks in a literary way, and he also has the style of a scholar.
The bad temper of the literati in the Northern Song Dynasty, everyone knows it...
Others are doing well as scholars, and asking them to change their careers to become heads of the county is definitely a grudge.
County Magistrate Chen understood this very well, so he could only sigh inwardly and give up the idea of recruiting him.
"Well, this is actually happening, it couldn't be better!"
Wu Dalang's eyes lit up and he grinned: "Second brother, the county magistrate has given you a favor, you must work hard, and you will be the one to bring honor to the family in the future."
"I'll take care of this myself. Big brother, come here specially, and go out with me for a few drinks and reminisce about the past." Wu Song sweated for a moment and quickly pulled Wu Dalang's sleeve.
"Reminisce about the past? By the way, second brother, I also married you an aunt, you should go back with me to meet her."
Wu Dalang slapped his forehead and said anxiously.
Because of his own problems, Wu Dalang has always been somewhat inferior.
He often ignores his own existence.
As a result, there is some confusion in the titles of his family members.
Not only does he call Wu Song "Second Brother", but he also always calls Pan Jinlian "Sister-in-law".
Of course, how other people's families call each other is also their freedom.
There are also many people who call each other "Mom and Dad" in private among boyfriends and girlfriends.
Not surprising.
"...Okay, okay, let's go and see."
Wu Dalang thought it was nothing, but Wu Song blushed when he heard it.
Helplessly, Wu Song had to apologize to everyone and walked out with Wu Dalang.
If it was just to drink, Wu Song would probably drag Lin Xuan and Huang Rong with him.
But Wu Dalang said directly that he was going to "see Auntie".
In this kind of occasion, if you bring a few outsiders with you...
It is indeed a bit inappropriate.
"Everyone should disperse..."
Chen Zhixian smiled and waved to the yamen runners, signaling everyone to stop slacking off.
He was in a good mood.
Since Wu Song was willing to be the head of the city, he had achieved his goal and gained a lot.
Now that the brothers had reunited, they had a good chat and went to see the eldest sister-in-law.
It was human nature, nothing to say.
Now that the melons were eaten, the magistrate had to do his business.
There were notices to reassure the people, to publicize the heroes who fought tigers, and to prepare for the reward silver...
As a seventh-rank official, he was still very busy.
"At this point, has Wu Dalang already married Pan Jinlian?"
"So... if we don't interfere, Wu Dalang should only live for two months at most, but not much longer."
"It's a good time to check the plot and see which version of Water Margin it is, and whether there are any obvious changes."
Lin Xuan finished thinking and looked at Huang Rong: "Now that there is nothing to do, let's go out for a walk. Is there anything you want to buy?"
"Tiger-fighting hero" is still very valuable.
I heard from County Magistrate Chen that there is a total of 1,000 strings of reward money.
It's about 500 taels of silver.
For an ordinary family, it's enough to live comfortably for the first half of their lives.
You can be corrupted appropriately.
"There's nothing good in this country place, I don't think much of it."
Huang Rong's eyes flickered, and she seemed to be expecting something: "Is there any place you want to go? I can reluctantly accompany you to take a look."
"Where I want to go?"
Lin Xuan's mind moved: "Any place is OK?"
"Of course, no... no."
Huang Rong was stunned, and hurriedly said: "It's OK to listen to the music outside, if you... if you insist on going in, I won't go in with you."
"Listen to what music?"
Lin Xuan looked at a loss: "Where are you talking about?"
"Tell me where you want to go first..."
"I heard that the bookstore here has bought some martial arts books before."
"You can go and see if there are any internal skills."
"You are a little expert in this area, help me pick it out later, so that I can have an idea."
Lin Xuan smiled: "It doesn't matter if the skills are almost there, the important thing is that it is safe and has no hidden dangers, and it's no pity to abandon it."
Huang Rong didn't mind passing on the internal skills of Taohua Island to Lin Xuan.
But, Huang Rong is actually only half-baked in this aspect...
The inner strength and mental method are enough for her now. If she continues to practice, she will have to ask Huang Yaoshi for advice in one or two years.
Lin Xuan has a bright future now, so naturally he doesn't plan to practice such a thing with great hidden dangers.
You know, the consequences of being obsessed with the martial arts worldview are extremely serious.
So, it is better to find a low-level method to kill time.
"You... you plan to practice martial arts as soon as you have free time?"
Huang Rong was dumbfounded and speechless.
Although it is a good thing to be motivated.
But, this is too motivated...
"Don't be so disappointed, let's find a brothel after going to the bookstore, eat something and listen to some music."
Lin Xuan smiled and said: "To be honest, I am also a little curious about that place, so it's a good opportunity to see it."
Huang Rong: "..."