Meishan Su family, Su Yun is the most virtuous

Chapter 9 The journey is difficult!
It is certainly not a good thing to be on the road in the cold winter. Even for Su Shi sitting in the car, it is very tormenting.

Fortunately, Su Yun was there, and he arranged the route, food and accommodation very well along the way.

Although he was only fifteen years old, he was much more mature than Su Mai, who was in his early twenties.

He was very skilled in communicating with people along the way, and there was nothing he couldn't do as long as he wanted to.

Su Yun's actions made Su Shi nod his head repeatedly, and he couldn't help but feel sad for the child:

If it was unavoidable, who would be so knowledgeable about the world at such a young age?
If one had parents to rely on, who would be willing to be so experienced in human relationships?

When Su Yun and his party arrived in Chenzhou, it was New Year's Eve, and the entire city of Chenzhou was in the midst of New Year's carnival.

Every household hung up red lanterns and posted red couplets. Everyone took out new clothes or good clothes that they were reluctant to wear in the past and put them on to visit relatives.

The sound of firecrackers rang out on the street, and small vendors filled their stalls with all kinds of things that children liked. Children were laughing and running around among the stalls.

Su Yun saw that Su Shi and others were all moved by this scene. They must have thought of their families. Even Zhu Ada and Tian Asan showed signs of missing them.

Who doesn’t want to be with family during the Spring Festival?

However, the sadness was only temporary. Su Shi said, "It's not good to disturb people on New Year's Eve, nor on the first day. It's better to go on the second day. We have been traveling very fast these days. I think it won't delay our trip if we stay in Chenzhou for a few days."

Zhu Ada and Tian Asan knew that Su Shi was going to wait for his brother Su Zhe here, so they were prepared and nodded and said, "We will follow Mr. Su's instructions."

Su Mai looked a little unnatural.

If I don’t go to Wen Tong’s house now, I have to find an inn to stay. Today is New Year’s Eve, and I don’t know if any inn is open.

Moreover, along the way, Su Mai had almost used up the money he borrowed in Bian Jing, and now he was short of money. This was because Su Yun had prepared a cart of food.

Su Yun noticed Su Mai's awkwardness and said with a smile, "Brother, stay with uncle first. I'll go ask someone where there's an inn where we can stay."

Su Mai quickly stopped Su Yun and said, "I still have some silver here, take it first."

Su Yun smiled and said, "Don't worry, brother. I still have some on me, which is enough for you."

Having said that, he strode away.

Su Shi and Su Mai asked, "Is your pocket already empty?"

Su Mai nodded and said, "I borrowed some before leaving Beijing. Those people heard that I was from the Su family and were unwilling to lend me more. They said that we might not be able to pay it back. All the money has been used up on the accommodation and food along the way."

Su Shi sighed. He had always been a bold and unrestrained person. After becoming an official, he spent money as soon as he got it and had no savings. Only when he encountered problems did he realize that a penny could make a hero fall.

He couldn't help but think of his childhood. If it weren't for his mother, Madam Cheng, who managed the business well, the Su family would have starved. Let's not talk about the journey to Huangzhou. After arriving in Huangzhou, the hard life will really begin. By then, more than a dozen people in the family will have to live together in Huangzhou. The family's food, drink, chewing and necessities will be the biggest expense. Although he still has an official position, he has been demoted to a minor official with only a little salary, which can't support his family at all.

What is the name of your current official position?
He was appointed as the acting deputy minister of the Ministry of Water Resources and deputy envoy of the militia in Huangzhou. He was to be stationed in the prefecture and was not allowed to sign official documents.

The shuibu yuanwailang was originally the deputy chief of the shuibu, but jianxiu meant an acting or nominal title, not a full-time official.

The deputy envoy of militia was originally a local military assistant officer, but here he is just a figurehead, because the following two sentences "placed in this state, not allowed to sign official documents" have made his identity clear: he has no right to participate in official affairs, and is just a criminal official under the custody of the local state and county, which is almost like exile.

Because he was almost a criminal official, he had no other income, including official salaries and benefits such as extra allowances, official land, and public fees. He was only left with a little salary from his official position, which was not enough to support his family.

Su Shi sighed, thinking about how he had studied hard behind closed doors in his hometown, and became famous in the capital. The emperor praised him as a talent for prime minister, and important officials invited him to be a guest of honor. He thought that a career that would change the world would be within his grasp. How could he have expected that one day he would end up in such an embarrassing situation?
While Su Shi was daydreaming, Su Yun had already returned with brisk steps.

Su Shi couldn't help but smile gently. It seemed that nothing in the world could stump this young man. He was cheerful every day. He was really happy.

Su Yun shouted from a distance: "Uncle, I have already found out. A few blocks ahead is the largest inn in Chenzhou. Let's stay there."

Su Mai hurriedly took two steps forward and whispered, "This inn is not cheap, I don't have much money, how about we find a small inn?"

Su Yun smiled and said, "Brother, don't worry about this. I still have some money here, enough for us to spend all the way to Huangzhou."

Su Mai was a little embarrassed and said, "How can we ask you to pay for this? Just think of it as us lending it to you, right?"

Su Yun laughed and said, "If it weren't for Madam Cheng's gift, my father Yan and my mother Ci wouldn't have been able to get married. If they couldn't get married, there would be no me. So, big brother, don't mind this little thing. Yes, big brother, you are in charge of the expenses, take these first."

Su Mai only felt that Su Yun stuffed something heavy into his hand. He took a peek and was immediately shocked. It turned out to be a gold ingot worth twenty taels.

According to the current market price, one tael of gold can be exchanged for ten taels of silver, and one tael of silver can be exchanged for two strings of coins. In other words, the official twenty taels of gold ingots can be exchanged for four hundred strings of copper coins!
Su Mai tried his best to talk nicely to those lenders, but he could only borrow a dozen strings of cash. Now Su Yun is offering four hundred strings of cash at once. How can he be so rich!

Su Yun had already walked to Su Shi's side, helped Su Shi get into the car, and said to Zhu Ada and Tian Asan, "Let's go."

Zhu Ada quickly held the donkey's bridle and walked in front. Su Mai quickly ran over, jumped on the shaft and started driving, but his mind was still full of random thoughts.

As soon as the car started moving, Zhu Ada and Tian Asan fell behind. Su Yun had the strongest legs and followed the car easily.

Su Mai was so curious that he couldn't help asking, "Brother Yun, how much money did you make in Meishan?"

Su Shi was about to scold him in the car, questioning him about his family background was indeed a bit presumptuous, but he heard Su Yun smile and said, "I did a lot of preparation in the early stage, but later on, the competition became fierce and I didn't have the energy to do anything. I only made a little money in the beginning, but it wasn't much, just a little over ten thousand."

This shocked Su Mai, and he asked, "How much?"

(End of this chapter)