Jing Xingzhi’s Daily Life in Ancient Times

“You don’t have to worry about it! Just wait for me!” Cheng Huan looked at Jing Xingzhi, gritted his teeth bitterly, and clenched his fists tightly.

Cheng Huan endured it again and again but finally did not take action. He turned around and left angrily, suppressing the hatred in his heart.

The mother was gone, and Cheng Huan had gained a little more IQ after taking a beating from the boss. He knew that beating this man for no reason would definitely offend his father, and it would be unwise to cause trouble at home.

When he caught this person, he would definately let this person named Jing knew how to write the word ‘regret’.

Cheng Huan came over in despair but walked away angrily.

Jing Xingzhi, who kindly extended his hand, was left on the spot, shook his head indifferently, and immediately left Cheng Wei’s yard.

Now that he had spoken to Cheng Wei, Jing Xingzhi thought about leaving. The rented place was not far away, so the group simply packed up their things overnight.

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On the second day, when Jing Xingzhi went to work, Wang Zhuang took his luggage to his new residence.

Jing Xingzhi first went to the official division and socialized, then went to find Secretary Fang, who was in charge of the government office.

When he heard that Jing Xingzhi said he wanted to go to the household division, Secretary Fang looked surprised: “Is it enough to stay in the official division for only two days?”

“That’s enough.” Jing Xingzhi smiled, calm and confident written all over his body. He himself had a good memory in modern times, and the memory of the little scholar was also excellent.

Now that the two sides were combined, Jing Xingzhi felt that there was a slight gap between himself and the kind of genius who had a photographic memory, but he could definitely remember the article after reading it five times. Here, remembering dozens of people just a little thing for him.

“Then I’ll take you to the household division. The household division is usually very busy. It’s okay now. In a few days, it will be the summer food collection time, and it will be very busy.” Secretary Fang was the second-in-command of the government office and very knowledgeable about every division.

If the people in the official division were all white and fat, it seemed that life was be easy. Living in a household division would be even better because the household division was in charge of foods and accommodations.

Although there was a lot of oil and foods, the people in the household needed to work hard seasonally, and the body shape was still relatively restrained, more like…a nest of sweet potatoes, with the top and bottom skinny, and only the strong belly in the middle shows a deep foundation.

The big sweet potato, oh no, it was Chief Qian looked at Secretary Fang and smiled flatteringly, and said politely to Jing Xingzhi: “Hello, Young Master Jing, we met last night! Do you still remember me?”

Jing Xingzhi thought of the face that was red after being drunk last night and said, “Of course, I remember. It’s Chief Qian. Your bold drinking style last night impressed even a non-drinker like me.”

“Haha, too much praise, too much praise.” Chief Qian thought of how generous he had been drinking one glass after another last night and touched his beard humbly.

Seeing that the two of them were chatting well, Secretary Fang ran away first, leaving Jing Xingzhi in the living room. Even if he changed places next time, Secretary Fang felt that he didn’t to come along. Anyway, Young Master Jing was also adept at making friends.

Jing Xingzhi didn’t know he had become a ‘social butterfly’ in Secretary Fang’s heart. His banter with Chief Qian was mostly for business, with five out of ten statements being true. Despite Chief Qian looking like a bear when drunk last night, he still exuded heroism while drinking.

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After chatting with Chief Qian for a while, Jing Xingzhi was taken to his new job, a desk smaller than the official division.

Behind the desk was a small library of accounting books spanning years, the focal point of this assignment.

“Young Master Jing, don’t underestimate these old things. Each piece is hard-earned!” Chief Qian exclaimed, eyes shining as if they held a golden brilliance.

Chief Qian presented a series of blue-covered ledgers, containing various information about each county over the years, from population to productivity and prices.

Jing Xingzhi listened intently, flipping through the ledger. After perusing the account book, Jing Xingzhi understood the prowess of Chief Qian. The man could meticulously recount numbers from many years ago.

These were indeed valuable. Jing Xingzhi listened carefully, even the other inhabitants of the house paying close attention to Chief Qian’s useful information.

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Beijing.

Ning Yongyuan gathered a group from the south of the Yangtze River, admiring the endless lotus leaves in the Marquis Zhenyuan Mansion courtyard.

In a remote part of the courtyard, Ning Yongyuan, hiding in silence, frowned, appearing unhappy.

This caught the interest of a passing dandy emerging from the hut. He approached Ning Yongyuan and asked, “Brother Ning, what’s with the bad face? Weren’t you having a good time earlier?”

Marquis Zhenyuan gained his real position on Ning Yongyuan’s birthday.

The official seemed to be more favored by the emperor, making many in the capital view the Marquis Zhenyuan Mansion more favorably. Ning Yongyuan, having just returned from Jiangnan attracting even more attention.

Ning Yongyuan desired more people to easily manipulate not one or two enemies. He didn’t like smart people much, finding them meddlesome. Obedient fools were preferable. A really smart person, like Fang Qichen behind Jing Xingzhi, made him wary.

Qu Weiping, in front of him, dared to act even if Fang Qichen supported Jing Xingzhi. Because the old man Fang Qichen had not been around the court for many years, losing the prestige that made the dandy envious.

Ning Yongyuan, looking at the person in front of him, felt satisfaction. Qu Weiping, born in Hannan Prefecture, with family members promoted to the capital, had convenient connections to arrange whatever he wanted.

Ning Yongyuan smiled faintly, shook his head, and said, “It’s nothing. I just encountered something unpleasant in Jiangnan.” Despite his words, Ning Yongyuan’s brows remained furrowed.

Qu Weiping, despite his dandy demeanor, could discern that Ning Yongyuan’s words weren’t genuine. Thinking his father wanted him to befriend Ning Yongyuan, he exaggerated: “What’s bothering you? I dare say, in the south of the Yangtze River, I’m practically the son of the soil. I know Hannan, Hanbei and everything.”

“It’s fine, just a minor issue.” Ning Yongyuan paused deliberately and waved his hand again.

This piqued Qu Weiping’s curiosity even more. What kind of person could upset Ning Yongyuan? Was there some devil in Jiangnan?

‘Minor issue? If it’s small, there’s nothing to fear. Ning Yongyuan is from the capital, and his social circles and connections are there. In a small place, you might encounter people who don’t know how to behave. Maybe Ning Yongyuan can’t think of revenge so he’s not in a good mood today.’

Qu Weiping, unaware that he was dubbed as ‘stupid as a pig, but very active’ meaning he was naive and easily deceived, generously offered, “Little Marquis, if you need anything, I’m at your service. I’ll enjoy your hospitality today, no strings attached.”

Ning Yongyuan seemed reluctant, as if coerced. He concocted a reason for Qu Weiping to keep their conversation secret, turning it into a shared little secret.

Having each other’s secrets fosters a stronger bond. Qu Weiping felt satisfied establishing a connection with Ning Yongyuan; Ning Yongyuan was also content for finding an ally.

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The Qu family held significant influence in Hannan Prefecture, a local powerhouse for centuries. Unlike modern wealth, they possessed vast fertile fields.

In recent years, a fourth-rank official emerged from the Qu family, establishing a solid presence in the capital. Children with better prospects moved to the capital, while others, like Qu Yongzhi, stayed in Hannan Prefecture.

Qu Yongzhi, a concubine’s son, received a letter from the capital due to his close ties with his legitimate half-brother, Qu Weiping.

After parting with friends, Qu Yongzhi found a secluded spot, opened the letter, and read it. Muttering to himself, he pondered how to handle a man named Jing Xingzhi related to the famous Chief Fang, feeling out of his depth.

His closest government office connection was Cheng Yule, who had a penchant for high-class companions. However, Cheng Yule fell ill suddenly and passed away.

Struggling with the situation, Qu Yongzhi decided to seek advice from friends, family members who, though not very useful, were familiar and well-connected.

At least they could help identify the person involved before taking further action.

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Qu Yongzhi rushed to a banquet and poured a glass of wine, addressing his friends, “Brothers, do any of you have a way to get to the government office?”

As a young master of Hannan Prefecture, Qu Yongzhi faced longstanding conflicts with the rich and aristocratic families, particularly the Cheng family.

After Qu Yongzhi’s inquiry, his friends appeared perplexed.

“Yongzhi, our family and the Cheng family aren’t on good terms. I can’t help you,” one said.

A boy in the corner piped up, “Brother Qu, I know Cheng Huan, the young master of the Cheng family. Can I help you contact him?”

Qu Yongzhi considered this and nodded, “Cheng Huan? I remember him growing up. He should know everything about the government office and be familiar with its guests.”

Qu Yongzhi paid fifty taels for the man in the corner, usually unnoticed, to connect with Cheng Huan.

Meanwhile, Cheng Huan, unable to resist the call, left his home and arrived at the secret courtyard. Spotting the Qu family instead of the expected girl, he hesitated by the door and asked directly, “You from the Qu family? What do you want?”