Go to Mingyuxuan?

Guo bǔtóuThe post refers to someone who was typically a low-ranking law enforcement officer responsible for catching criminals, maintaining order, and assisting in investigations. It was a position found in local governments during various Chinese dynasties. was stunned for a moment, “Why are we going there?”

“Then why are you here, if everything’s fine?” Zheng bǔtóu countered.

Guo bǔtóu: “…”

Naturally, it was to cause trouble for Huibinlou and to avenge Mingyuxuan opened by his mèifū.

But he couldn’t say this.

“The world is unstable nowadays, and the person we are investigating this time is a murderer. People are coming and going in Binlou right now, and if I stay here, I can help Binlou Town to maintain order.” Guo bǔtóu defended.

“Since there are so many benefits, Lord Ye meant that you are familiar with Mingyuxuan, which is also your mèifū’s territory. I think he wants you to go there to maintain order. If you go there, I think your mèifū will be very grateful to you.”

Zheng bǔtóu sneered, “Guo bǔtóu’s little tricks are really just written on his forehead. This is Lord Ye’s order. If Captain Guo does not obey, he can go and tell Lord Ye himself.”

“Besides, Lord Ye also said that the government has its own rules. If some people always think of being arrogant and cause a lot of trouble, then it’s better not to wear this dress.”

This was a clear rebuke.

In front of so many people.

Guo bǔtóu’s face suddenly became very ugly.

He originally came here to cause trouble, but instead, he got embarrassed.

How would his mèifūHusband of younger sister look at him in the future? Wouldn’t Wu Jiantong and Su Yujin also be full of ridicule and gloating over his misfortune?

How could he tolerate this?

He had to save face, and he couldn’t let those people laugh at him!

Guo bǔtóu gritted his teeth and said, “Lord Ye is mighty. I’ll stay here today. I’ll stay at the door of the restaurant today and I won’t go anywhere!”

“If you don’t accept my toast, you’ll have to drink the wine for punishment! Do you really think you’re such a big shot?”

Zheng bǔtóu raised his hand and shouted, “Come here, Guo bǔtóu has disrespected the Lord and committed insubordination. Take him to the government office and wait for the Lord’s punishment!”

“Who of you dares?” Guo bǔtóu shouted.

He was the bǔtóu!

After serving in the yamen for so many years, even Ye Yongwang had to show deference to him as a bǔtóu!

Not to mention, all the constables around him had listened to him as well!

But as soon as he finished speaking, many bǔtóu came forward and tied him up.

Those who took action included the bǔtóu under his command.

“You guys!” Guo bǔtóu’s eyes widened into bells!

“We are yāyì, of low status, even less than ordinary commoners. Are you still thinking of challenging the Xiànchéng DàrenCounty Magistrate now?”

“That’s right. Xiànchéng Dàren is an official. He can kill you with just a flick of his finger, oh no, just a move of his mouth. How dare you talk back to him?”

“Don’t you realize your status? Do you think you are so great when people compliment you?”

“The Xiànchéng Dàren is the real official. Even if he hasn’t been in Qinghe County for long, he’s not someone a mere bǔtóu like you can easily handle!”

“It’s ok for him to show off in front of us normally, but this time he is really courting death!”

“……”

Guo bǔtóu’s face turned pale as paper.

Yeah, he was making a fuss.

He was just a bǔtóu, while Ye Yongwang was the Xiànchéng Dàren, a legitimate court official. They were not at the same level at all! It was
never too late for a gentleman to take revenge, so why was he arguing with him?

Guo bǔtóu suddenly came to his senses, and the anger that had rushed to his head completely subsided. He hurriedly tried to explain and beg for mercy, striving to be exempted from punishment and keep his dignity.

But he had no choice but to wait for the others to stop him because they thought he was too noisy and had stuffed his mouth tightly with a rag. No matter how hard he shook his head and struggled, he could only make a “whimpering” sound.

“It’s come to this, and you’re still not honest!”

“I must tell the Xiànchéng Dàren later that he should hit you harder!”

“The bǔtóu definitely won’t be able to keep his position; he’s probably going to be driven out of the yamen.”

“Of course, otherwise, he’d stay around for Qingming, wouldn’t he?”

“That’s the end of it!”

Guo bǔtóu suddenly wilted like a frost-bitten eggplant.

In Mingyuxuan, Manager Song was leisurely drinking tea in the backyard.

Although there was no spring breeze yet after the beginning of spring, the sun is shining high in the sky, making the small courtyard warm and cozy.

Lying on the rocking chair and drinking hot tea is really a great enjoyment.

Especially when he thought that Huibinlou was in a terrible state right now and that Wu Jiantong and Su Yujin’s faces would surely be as black as the bottom of a pot, he felt even happier!

They say every year has today, and every age has its own present.¹

He didn’t ask for too much, if it could be like this every day this year, that would be great!

Manager Song drank the tea in the cup clean, poured another cup from the teapot, and took a sip.

“Boss, something bad has happened!” A clerk hurried to the backyard, “Something bad has happened, Boss!”

Manager Song: “…”

You were not good!

Your whole family was not well!

Manager Song frowned, looking unhappy, “What are you so flustered about? Can’t you speak more slowly?”

“Boss.” The waiter came up to Boss Song, “Guo bǔtóu has been arrested!”

“What?” Manager Song stood up suddenly. “Who dares to tie up Guo bǔtóu? How dare he be so bold!”

“It was Zheng bǔtóu!” the clerk said, “I heard that it was Lord Ye who ordered this! I also heard that Lord Ye was dissatisfied with Guo bǔtóu’s misuse of public resources and was secretly causing trouble for Huibin Restaurant. Not only is he planning to bring Guo bǔtóu back to be punished, but he also intends to expel Guo bǔtóu from the yamen…”

“Boss!” Another waiter ran over, sweating profusely, “Many yamen runners are standing at the door of Mingyuxuan, interrogating people as usual. It has caused panic among the people at the door. No one dares to come to Mingyuxuan for dinner!”

Was it because Lord Ye knew that he and his jiěfūHusband of elder sister. In here, I am thinking they are two people married to two sisters had joined forces to bring down Huibinlou, so he specifically supported Huibinlou and wanted Ming Yuxuan to taste the same thing?

When did Huibinlou get to such a high position as Lord Ye? Why did even Lord Ye favor Huibinlou?

Speaking of which, Su Yujin was a young girl who was very generous and arrogant. She didn’t take them seriously at all. Zheng Mingyuan’s cooking skills were not inferior to those of the restaurant owners in the capital…

There must be someone behind Su Yujin whom they couldn’t afford to offend!

Was it Lord Ye, or someone that even Lord Ye was somewhat afraid of?

And now he wanted to go against Huibinlou…

It was over, it was all over!

There was no way to live in the days ahead…

Manager Song looked ashen and slumped to the ground.

Guo bǔtóu was taken away, and the news of the interrogation farce at Huibinlou now happening in front of Mingyuxuan soon spread back to Huibinlou.

Everyone in the guest house felt extremely happy.

(End of this chapter)

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Footnote

1. The proverb “年年有今日，岁岁有今朝” (nián nián yǒu jīn rì, suì suì yǒu jīn zhāo) translates to “Every year has today, and every age has its own present.” It suggests that every year or era brings its own unique experiences and opportunities, highlighting the continuity and recurring nature of time and events. A similar English proverb would be “Each year brings its own new day” or “Every age has its own time.” This reflects the idea that while each year or period of life is different, it continuously brings new experiences and moments.