Records of the Cattle and Horses of Chang'an

Chapter 542 Awarding Officers

The Jiang family of Jiahuifang.

Yangyang Noodle House is closed today.

A rooster from someone's house had a great voice, and as soon as it crowed, the Jiang family members all jumped up and rushed out of the house.

Jiang's mother quickly and efficiently caught and killed the chicken. Everyone was spinning around excitedly and drooling. Old Fan kept saying what a pity: "How long has this chicken been raised? It's not fat yet, and there's not much meat on it. For stewing chicken soup, you need a two-year-old hen. The stewed soup will be rich and oily. Oh, what a pity..."

He was just one step slower, just one step!

It was almost there, just a little bit, and the chick wouldn't have died.

If he wants to eat chicken, he can just go out and buy one, right?

This is so unlucky!

Old Madam Xia, who was plucking chicken feathers with freshly boiled water, smiled with a pursed mouth. She had lost a tooth a few days ago, and she always felt awkward laughing. "Then fry it! Our home-raised chickens are different from those raised outside. These chickens eat well and grow well. The meat is guaranteed to be tastier than the ones you buy outside."

As she spoke, she pinched the half-feathered chicken in her hand and hesitated, "But this chicken is a little small. Why not kill two more?"

Everyone in my family likes to eat meat, and I'm afraid a chicken this big won't be enough.

When Old Fan heard this, he got anxious. There were only five chickens in total. If he killed two more, wouldn’t his chicken coop be empty?

"Madam! Madam!"

He desperately stood in front of the chicken coop, his feet firmly digging into the ground, his posture showing that he would not give up an inch of ground: "Save the chickens! I'll go out and buy two, buy two! I will definitely pick the two most energetic ones!"

Jiang's mother was delighted: "Mother, if that's the case, let him go buy it. This way he won't have to cry in front of the chicken coop later."

"Yes, yes, yes! I'll go right away!" Old Fan was afraid that if he was a step slower, the remaining chickens would also suffer, so he jumped up and ran out.

They all thought he was going out for a walk without them, so they ran out after him, whimpering.

Xia Zhenying came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of meat patties. She glanced at the slightly brightening sky and said in a low voice, "Grandma, Aunt, please speak softly. Erlang hasn't woken up yet. If we wake him now, he'll probably make a fuss."

After Jiang Wangri came back yesterday, he had a big meal, took a bath and went to sleep. His son had crowed twice but still hadn't gotten up. It was obvious that he was tired.

"When the rooster crows three times, the sky will be bright. It will definitely be a good day today. When it gets bright soon and the light comes in, he will definitely not be able to sleep." Although Jiang's mother still felt sorry for her son, she slowed down her actions.

Madam Xia said, "When Old Fan comes back soon, tell him to go back to the shop and put up a notice. We'll close the shop for two more days tomorrow and the day after tomorrow."

"Why are you closing the shop?"

Jiang's mother paused, her voice rising again involuntarily: "Why close it? Are you not making money anymore?"

Yangyang Noodle House is doing great business now, but the mutton noodle soup business becomes difficult during the hot summer.

When the weather is hot, people still prefer to eat cold dishes to cool down. They are impatient to eat hot foods that burn their mouths and make them sweat after eating.

Xia Zhenying was also confused, but she didn't say anything. Ever since that incident, she became less talkative.

"Of course we're moving. Although we didn't have much stuff at home, thanks to Nian Nu, the Cui Mansion often sends us good things, so we have more space to live here these days."

"Yong'anfang hasn't been occupied for a while, so we need to clean it up properly. If we hurry, it will be almost done in two days. Even if there are still some leaks, it won't be a problem. Old Fan said Jiulang asked him to look after the house from now on, so it won't be a problem if we move back."

"He can make do with his breakfast, go to the shop for lunch, and bring dinner back from us. He'll be alone, so we don't have to cook."

Old Madam Xia had been planning this matter for a long time, and now she spoke very clearly about it.

Jiang's mother was a little confused by the sudden talk of moving: "Why are you in such a hurry? Can't we wait until the weather gets hotter and business is slow?"

Although I originally planned to move back after Jiang Shangxian got married when I moved here, isn't this too hasty?

Madam Xia glanced at her and said, "Didn't you hear what Erlang said? Jiulang has important matters to attend to and is not returning to Chang'an with us. He will be back later."

"Why didn't you listen?"

Jiang's mother was not convinced and was still a little unhappy when this matter was mentioned!

"Jiulang, what kind of son-in-law is this? It's fine that he didn't come to the wedding, but he didn't come back with us after the wedding? Let's move back now..."

outrageous!

She curled her lips: "Outsiders think he is dissatisfied with our young slave!"

No one knows a daughter better than her mother. Old Madam Xia guessed she would react this way. She glanced at her granddaughter who was quietly working beside her before saying, "Didn't you hear what Erlang said? Nian Nu's grandmother has also returned. In a year or so, her grandfather might also come over. The Cui family is such an aristocratic family, and their grandfather is still alive. How could they follow their son to Chang'an?"

When asked this question, Jiang's mother felt that she was being looked down upon.

Although she has no parents-in-law, she is at least a member of the Yong'anfang gossip vanguard. She has heard a lot of gossip about other people. Her father-in-law has no official position, and he and his family came to Chang'an to live with his son.

Let alone the Cui family, even ordinary farmers wouldn't make such a mistake. The elderly are still alive at home, and the family hasn't been divided. How can it be wrong for him to live with his wife and children alone?

Mother Jiang activated her clever brain, her eyes lighting up: "Could it be that my in-laws are going to be promoted to an official position?"

That would be great if that were the case!

What virtue and ability does the Jiang family have? Both their father-in-law and son-in-law are officials in the court. How honorable it would be to say this to others!

After saying this, Old Lady Xia didn't even bother to pay attention to her. Instead, Xia Zhenying spoke up in surprise: "That shouldn't be the case, right?"

This year is a big year for the imperial examinations, with three subjects being taken: Jinshi, Mingjing, Mingfa, Mingshu, and Mingsuan.

Although not many people passed the imperial examination and only about ten people were admitted, the results of the selection by the Ministry of Personnel have not yet been announced.

The selection here refers to the fact that after the provincial examination by the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel will conduct four assessments on the Jinshi and Mingjing who have passed the five subjects: body, speech, writing, and judgment.

Firstly, officials are the face of the court. Those who are too ugly and behave rudely, unless they have a strong backing, will have to wait for the next time.

Secondly, officials in the Tang Dynasty relied mainly on family connections and recommendations. In the early period, officials placed more emphasis on family background and practical work, while in the later period, officials placed more emphasis on poetry, songs, and literary talent.

Xia Zhenying was a little bit unconvinced: more than ten newly-minted Jinshi have not yet been released from their official positions, so there is an official position vacant for Cui Zhe?

"Why, hasn't that young man surnamed Lin been appointed as an official yet?" Old Lady Xia asked casually.