Once upon a time, there was a minister named Zhang Penghe, who was a bachelor of Wuying Palace and his official position was equivalent to the prime minister. He had been an upright and honest official all his life and was diligent in government affairs. He had not returned to his hometown to visit relatives for many years. Now that he was nearly sixty years old, he took leave and returned to his hometown to visit relatives, fulfilling his long-cherished wish. In order not to alert the local officials along the way on his way home, he dressed in casual clothes and took only one old servant who had been with him for many years, and walked towards his hometown in a dusty way.
On this day, the master and servant came to a prosperous town. They saw many merchants, people coming and going, and it was very lively. It was getting late, so they found an inn in this town. They walked in and looked around. They felt that the inn was spacious and clean, so they asked for two upper rooms. The master and servant had just entered and put down their luggage. Before they had time to take a sip of tea, they suddenly heard a noise coming from outside the door. When they opened the door, they saw that several government servants had come in. Each one looked very impressive and looked around the hotel, then gave the owner a few instructions and left.
After a while, the owner came to Zhang Penghe's residence. As soon as he entered the door, he said with a smile, "Sir, the county magistrate just sent a message, saying that the newly appointed Daotai master will pass by and stay here tonight, and all the upper rooms here will go. This hotel is the largest inn in the town, and the county magistrate will serve wine here for the Daotai master." I really have no choice but to give in to you two and move you to two houses in the side yard. Do you think that will work? Zhang Penghe's old servant heard what the shopkeeper said and was about to speak, but Zhang Penghe quickly waved his hand to stop him. And expressed his agreement to the hotel owner to change rooms. But he put forward a condition, that the dinner should be according to the standard of the upper house. The owner agreed wholeheartedly. Before leaving, he also told Zhang Penghe that the county magistrate and Daotai master would be coming over soon. These people were noisy and noisy. Please don't come out then, so as not to offend them.
The accompanying old servant felt very unhappy, but Zhang Penghe asked the servant to close the door tightly, and told the servant that I didn't want to disturb others when I returned to my hometown this time, just to keep things clean. I never wanted to encounter such a thing today, so let's pretend not to see it and don't make any noise. Let's rest early after dinner later and continue on our way tomorrow!
The old servant packed his luggage according to Zhang Penghe's instructions and moved with the clerk to two simple guest rooms in the side yard. After a while, the waiter brought the food, which was not the standard for staying in the room at all. The old servant was about to go find the owner to question him, but Zhang Penghe didn't let him go, saying that the kitchen must be busy preparing a banquet for Master Daotai and had forgotten about us. Forget it, it's better not to ask, let's just eat something.
The master and the servant were eating, when suddenly there was a lot of people outside and it was very lively. Zhang Penghe walked out and took a look. It turned out that the county magistrate was leading the county officials, big and small, dressed in official uniforms, discussing how to present gifts to Master Daotai in the hall. Some government servants were busy preparing tea and snacks, and a group of cooks were busy in the kitchen. There were everything from bird's nest, shark's fin and sea cucumber .
At this moment, a government servant hurriedly ran in and said that Master Tai and his party were not far from the entrance of the town. When the county magistrate heard this, he quickly said hello and led a large group of people to the town entrance to greet him. The shop gradually became quiet, and the old servant took the basin to the kitchen to prepare some foot washing water for Zhang Penghe. When I came to the kitchen, I saw more than 20 people busy, and all the stoves were occupied and there was no hot water. The old servant casually asked if he could boil some hot water. Unexpectedly, he was scolded so badly by a yamen servant on duty that the old servant had to go back with the empty basin. After returning home, he truthfully reported the situation to Zhang Penghe. After hearing this, Zhang Penghe sighed and advised the old servant to be patient a little longer, saying that we would go get hot water after those people left.
At this time, there was a sound of gongs and drums from a distance, and Master Daotai's sedan arrived. The magistrate and others gathered around Master Daotai and got off the sedan and came to the hall. The magistrate immediately ordered someone to light the lamp and invited Master Daotai to rest in the upper room. Daotai finished his feast in the guest room and drank tea. Accompanied by the magistrate and others, he and his entourage officials took a seat in the hall, and began to eat and drink around the delicacies of mountains and seas, wine and delicacies that had been prepared long ago.
The old servant waited in the room for a long time, until the group of people had finished their meal and dispersed, then he took the basin to the kitchen to get hot water again. At this time, Zhang Penghe was already very unhappy by the noise outside. He thought about why a small trail platform, and he was just passing by it, was making such an earth-shattering noise. When I return to the court, I must find out who this person is and see what his political achievements and reputation are!
Just as he was thinking, the old servant suddenly opened the door and knelt on the ground, crying to Zhang Penghe, Sir, I went to the kitchen to fetch water and saw a large pot burning on the stove. As soon as I picked up the pot, a steward snatched it away. He slapped me several times involuntarily and cursed that this was boiled water for Master Daotai. How dare you, an old bastard, use it! I am already so old, and they beat me like this for no reason. Master, you must make the decision for me! She shed tears as she spoke.
Zhang Penghe took a closer look and saw that the old servant's face was bruised and swollen from the beating. At this time, he couldn't bear it anymore. Said to the old servant, go and hang up the lantern! After hearing this, the old servant quickly took out a folded lantern from his luggage, opened it, lit a candle, and hung it on the side courtyard door under the eaves. The bright candlelight suddenly illuminated the 7 thick Chinese characters in face and body on the lantern - Wuyingdian University Scholar's Palace!
At this time, the group of people had had enough of eating, drinking, having fun, and the shop owner suddenly noticed this official lantern hanging outside the small door of the side yard. When he came closer, he was startled and hurriedly reported to the magistrate, saying a few words in the magistrate's ear. When the magistrate heard this, he made a sound in his mouth. He thought for a while and said, last month I saw a copy of the government newspaper saying that the great scholar Zhang Zhongtang returned to his hometown to visit relatives. I had sent people to inquire about which way this gentleman was going, but I never heard the news. Who knew that this gentleman was here? What should I do? The magistrate was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot and had no idea for a while, so he had to report the matter to Master Daotai. Daotai was shocked when he heard it, saying that I had also heard that this old man was going back to his hometown to visit relatives. I didn't expect that he would come so soon and meet us again by such a coincidence.
Daotai quickly asked the county magistrate to find an eloquent person to go to the old master's housekeeper to ask clearly, saying that if it is really the middle hall master, you and I will go to meet him! The magistrate immediately sent a servant to inquire about Zhang Penghe's old servant. The old servant was so angry that he even showed his swollen face to the servant. The servant was so frightened that he ran back to report.
The magistrate was even more anxious when he heard that his servants had beaten Master Zhongtang's personal servant. I had no choice but to bite the bullet and put on official uniforms with Master Daotai to meet Zhang Penghe. As soon as they entered the room, the magistrate and Daotai knelt down to greet the master of the middle hall. Zhang Penghe asked them to get up and sit down, but there was only one chair in the room, and Zhang Penghe sat down. They had no stool to sit on, so they had to sit aside.
Daotai bowed and said, I was passing by here on my humble duty, but I didn’t know that Lord Zhongtang was here, so I didn’t come to say hello. I hope you will forgive me. The county magistrate also reported with sincerity and fear that his humble post was busy welcoming Master Daotai, but he did not know that Master Zhongtang was coming and did not greet him! Today, the humble servant beat up your Excellency's old servant again. It is a capital crime. When I return from humble duty, I will definitely punish the person who caused the trouble.
Zhang Penghe briefly asked about their resumes, and then asked Daotai, how many people did he bring with him when he took office this time? Daotai replied hesitantly, and reported to the Lord that there were about a hundred people. Zhang Penghe asked again who you brought with you? Why bring so many people? Daotai hesitated and said that they were all cousins with low-level jobs. Several cousins and nephews were brought to work in the Yamen by their low-level jobs. Originally I didn't want to take so many people with me, but family ties are hard to give up, so I had to take them all with me. It can be regarded as serving the court. Please be aware of this.
Zhang Penghe thought for a while and said slowly, the place you are going to is very poor. You brought so many people to take office, where can you get so much money? Where do the people there get so much money to support you? I advise you not to take office and find a rich place to make a fortune! Daotai became anxious upon hearing this and hurriedly took out the documents from his body and presented them.He said, "There is a document of acceptance of fate from the imperial court here!" Zhang Penghe took the document and stuffed it into his sleeve without looking at it. He smiled and stroked his beard and said, "This is easy to say. When I return to the court to thank you, this document will be canceled on your behalf."
Then Zhang Penghe angrily accused the county magistrate, as a local official, you should be diligent in government affairs and consider the sufferings of the people, but you only know how to flatter your superiors and bully the people. My old servant is so old, and he was injured by your servants. It shows that the people are often bullied by you! Don't blame me for being ruthless. There is nothing else to say now. Go back and wait for dismissal!
Daotai and the county magistrate could only retreat in despair. When the people heard about this incident, they all clapped their hands and applauded. It can be seen that this guy really did a lot of harm to the people.
Conclusion :
Mr. Lu Xun once said:
If a nation is reduced to the point where promotion and wealth are the ultimate goal and pursuit, then this nation is in danger. Once money and power become the only belief, it will be sad!
No matter which dynasty or generation you are in, if an official cannot make decisions for the people, one person pursues money and power, another person only flatters his boss, then this is the tragedy of the official and the tragedy of the people! Fortunately, there are many honest officials like Zhang Penghe who are upright, honest and can understand the suffering of the people. I wish those who serve as officials can be like Zhang Penghe, it will be a blessing to the people and the country!
