New Trickster

  When he saw a foreigner coming, Lü Shi didn't know how to address him, so he simply stood up politely and nodded at the man as a greeting.

  Zhang Laoshi saw the newcomer and smiled warmly, inviting him to sit down. He jokingly said, "Well, well, well! Look who's here! You've been gone for so long, but now you're back to mock me? Are you trying to get in good with someone by coming here at this time? You've grown a nose like a dog and have come running just because you smelled something. Now that you've caught wind of it, why don't you come join us and eat together?"

  At this time, the little girl hiding behind her mother suddenly shouted and flew over like a butterfly. With a loud crash, she rushed into the iron tower-like man's arms. The man dropped his hands and picked up the little girl, holding her in mid-air and spinning around in a circle. He raised his face, beaming with joy, laughing loudly: "Two days without seeing you, I almost died! Come on, give your godfather a kiss."

  Xiao Yao burst out laughing and gave the man a big kiss on the cheek, at this moment, the little girl finally regained her innocence and liveliness.

  After a burst of laughter, Xiaoyao proudly handed the remaining chicken leg bones to the man's mouth and said in a tender voice: "Dad, I left you the chicken leg, just waiting for you to come, eat quickly, eat quickly." Little Miao had a smug look on her face.

  That man took a big bite of the whole bone and chewed with a crunching sound, mumbling: "Good filial daughter, fragrant."

  Xiao Yao laughed even more happily, with a satisfied expression on her face.

  "Brother, don't blame your brother for not calling you. I heard that you had an early engagement and couldn't get away. We also didn't dare to call you over to keep company with our guests at home, fearing it would delay your official business and cause unnecessary trouble, which might be criticized by your superiors. You brothers have known each other for many years and understand each other's temperaments, what is there to pick on? Come, come quickly inside and sit down to eat."

  A few kids were shouting "Uncle" while bringing him a stool, it seemed like everyone was familiar with each other.

  That man heard that there was a guest, and he quickly put down the small bowl, took a big step into the house, scanned with his eyes, and saw Lu Shi standing there with short hair and a tall stature. Although his clothes were shabby, he didn't show any signs of decline, but instead stood there with his hands clasped in front of him, smiling calmly at himself. He quickly went forward, laughing and bowing to greet him, saying: "I don't know which temple's master has come to my brother's house, I, Zhao Dahan, pay my respects here." Then he made a deep bow with his fists clenched, without any pretentiousness or artificiality.

  At the sound of his voice, it was clear that Zhao Dahan was a straightforward and honest man. Lü Shilian hastily stepped forward to return the courtesy, smiling as he said: "I dare not be called 'master', originally I was in the Buddhist temple, but the rules were too rigid, I couldn't bear the temptation of this worldly life, so I abandoned the Buddha and came down from the mountain. Now I'm free to eat meat and drink wine, running to Zhang's house to freeload, please forgive me."

  A simple and unadorned sentence brought everyone's hearts closer, Zhao Dahi heard it and was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing: "You monks are really to my liking, come on, do you have wine or meat?"

  "Alright." Lü Shi also liked it, so he didn't decline or pretend to be polite, and simply agreed.

  "Haha, since you gave my daughter chicken legs, let's have a good drink together." As he spoke, he magically pulled out a paper package from his waist and slapped it on the table. When opened, it was indeed half a jar of braised pig's trotters. Immediately after, he pulled out an earthenware pot from behind his waist and placed it on the table.

  Zhang Laoshi quickly shooed away the children whose eyes were fixed on the pork trotters, and shouted for his wife to bring a few large bowls. Zhao Dahan opened the mud seal with a slap, and Lv Shifeng, also a connoisseur of wine, knew its quality just by smelling it - it was indeed top-grade Fenjiu wine. He praised the good wine, which made Zhao Dahan feel even more pleased with himself. He picked up the wine jug and filled each person's bowl to the brim. Without saying much, they stood up, faced Lv Shifeng, and downed their drinks in one gulp.

  Lü Shi didn't mince words either, and got straight to the point.

  "Alright, it's about time, a man like you should have returned to secular life long ago. What's the need for suffering in that small temple?" Zhao Dahai patted Lü Shi's shoulder and laughed loudly.

  Zhao Dahai's slap was quite forceful, and Lü Shiniu endured the passionate pat, but it indeed hurt, so he could only grit his teeth and smile without retorting.

  Everyone sat down formally, Zhao Dahai picked up the little girl who was lying on his leg, hugged her in his arms, and unceremoniously pulled out a chicken leg to give to the child. With the support of her "dry father", the little girl ate beautifully and carefully.

  At this time, Lü Shicai carefully sized up the man. He saw that Zhao Dahan was tall and strong, with a height of over 1.9 meters, which was unusual in this era. He had a sturdy build, wore a white courier uniform, and had a wide-brimmed fur hat on his head, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a beard that made Gan Niang hide behind him. However, despite his rough appearance, he was actually meticulous and careful, and would intentionally or unintentionally cover his face to avoid scratching the child. When he turned to look at his daughter, his eyes were filled with love and tenderness.

  At this time, Zhang's aunt came forward and thanked Zhao Dahan: "Come on, every time it's a waste of money, can't you treat your brother's home as your own?"

  Lü Shina glanced around and saw the object that the man had dropped on the ground, which turned out to be a half sack of grain, weighing about twenty or thirty kilograms. At this time, it was a precious gift.

  "Sister-in-law, don't worry too much. Today, a big shot came to the station and we managed to entertain him satisfactorily. As for what's left over, as a single man, I always come to your house to eat and drink together. If I keep these leftovers for myself, it would be a waste and those mice would get them cheaply. It's better to give them to the kids to fill their bellies. Ah, after one round of entertaining, even if it means breaking the bank for several families, it can't be helped."

  Lü Shi knew that in the Ming dynasty, although the post station was a public office, it was not even ranked ninth, and it was considered unimportant. Moreover, they were responsible for receiving officials along the way, which made them vulnerable to bullying. Therefore, no one wanted to manage the post stations. However, according to the regulations of the Ming court, the post stations were in charge of receiving officials from various levels of government in Beijing, and the expenses were borne by the local authorities. Because the local governments during the Ming dynasty did not have a budget for this, they had to solve the problem on their own. Nevertheless, managing a post station was still profitable because it was an official reception place. If someone could not be received or was not well-received, the local officials would be held accountable, and if a big shot was not treated properly, it might affect the local official's future prospects. Therefore, every year, the local government spent a lot of money on post stations.

  Not only that, but local stations also have an advantage, they not only have money, but also - apportionment.

  As long as there is a reception task, there is a name, and the ordinary people can spend money and effort. When someone comes from above, they will not take out their own money to invite people to dinner, so they find the ordinary people to pay for it. If your family has money, you pay; if not, never mind. You have to believe that as long as you are human, you have a use, whether it's being a porter or a sedan chair bearer, anything can be done.

  In fact, according to regulations, former officials who want to use the post station must be on official business and show their credentials; otherwise, they are not allowed to use it casually.

  But there are policies from above and countermeasures from below, anyway there's always a way to get something for nothing.

  There were not many people in Diaobingshan relay station, only Zhao Tou and three relay station soldiers. They usually entertained a few traveling merchants to stay overnight and helped them with food to earn some small money. Except for the tribute to their superiors, they could also keep some big money. Zhao Tou was a bachelor and not too stingy, so he would divide the money among his comrades when he got it, which was also a relief during times of no grain allowance.

  If there are guests from above, it's even more possible to get some extra benefits by the way.

  One was rough and the other was refined, but before long, Lü Shi and Zhao Dahu were chatting as if they had known each other for years, their laughter filling the air, and they soon forgot about their initial awkwardness.

  Zhang Laoshi saw everyone discussing speculation and stood up formally to introduce his good brother to Lü Shi.

  Yi Zhan Yi Cheng Zhao Da Hai is from Yulin Prefecture. He inherited the title of Bai Hu (百户) from his ancestors, but now it's just an empty name without any power or wealth. The glory days are gone, and he only has a meager job as a station deputy to make ends meet. After his parents passed away, he was left alone with no family, no house, and no land. He is still single in his 20s, but some well-meaning people tried to introduce him to potential brides. However, he got used to being alone and doesn't want to get married again. He lives in the backyard of the station, truly making it his home.

  The relay station usually needs a carpenter to repair and maintain it, so Zhao Dahan got to know Zhang Lao Shi through his frequent visits. Zhang Lao Shi is a kind-hearted person with a strong sense of brotherhood. His wife, Zhang Da Sao, is also very enthusiastic and often helps Zhao Dahan with sewing and laundry. As a result, Zhao Dahan would occasionally visit the Zhang family for meals, and he even became a godfather to their young daughter. However, he never came empty-handed, always bringing some goods to help out the Zhang family.

  However, Zhao Da Hai is a good man with a strong sense of justice, often offending his superiors and standing up for the villagers. Although he is not liked by his superiors, rumors have it that he has connections with some local henchmen, so neither the county nor the village can do anything to him. As a result, no henchmen dare to come to the village to loot, and thus the village enjoys peace.

  Zhao Dahi and others waited for Zhang Lao Shi to finish introducing himself, then shifted their gaze towards Lyu Shi. Lyu Shi just smiled and said: "Brother, don't look at me, I'm just a monk who lost his way and came down the mountain on my own, it's better not to say anything." This wasn't Lyu Shi hiding anything, but rather that his experiences were too strange, if he really said he was a future time-traveler, it would be counterproductive. Either they would think him crazy and chase him away, or believe he was insincere and untrustworthy, so it's better to just keep a low profile and appear more straightforward.

  Zhao Dahi was taken aback, then burst out laughing: "Alright, alright, you're a straightforward person too. I won't ask anymore. Let's just drink and eat meat instead! Come on, kids, the food isn't much, let's not waste it by letting Xiaoyu devour everything in a bit!"

  Then a group of kids shouted and rushed up, and in an instant, a war broke out on the table.