There is a Chaijia village at the foot of the long-stranded mountain, and there is a big family in the village. The head of the household is Chai Shigui. Chai Shigui has a thousand acres of fertile land, but he is unlearned and unskilled. He wants to find an official and half-time job, and with money, the official position can increase his status. His children and grandchildren are full of people, but they are all idle and not doing their jobs properly. It seems that it is difficult for his children and grandchildren to realize his dream of an official career.

Heaven-given opportunity. Emperor Daoguang's ascension to the throne coincided with the decline of the dynasty and the deficit of the treasury. Ministers offered suggestions one after another. Emperor Daoguang issued an edict: All the people of the Qing Dynasty who donate 5,000 taels of silver to the imperial court, the imperial court will seal the fifth-grade official titles, and give corresponding official uniforms and flower plumes.

Chai Shigui was overjoyed and responded immediately. He donated 5,000 taels of silver in exchange for the fifth grade Chengdelang, and finally realized his dream of becoming an official. 5000 taels of silver is only a drop in the bucket, and if you have an official, you will have power.

In front of the gate, he built a five-curved wall, built a saddle bud, renovated the hall, and hung the imperial uniform in the hall. All the buildings were matched with the five-rank official rank. In this area, only Chai Shigui has the highest official rank.

Chai's mansion has a new look. Chai Shigui held a banquet, invited local officials and invited the head of the country gentry to celebrate, showing the official status of the Chai family. Unfortunately, the people in the official court reminded him that fifth-grade official clothes and floral feathers can only be displayed, not worn.

The edict comes with an article: Those who receive the seal have honor but no real job. They are not allowed to wear them at ordinary times, but only when they are on their deathbed.

With an official title, but unable to wear official clothes, Chai Shigui's official appearance could not be put on. He was sullen. The big butler also racked his brains to make his master happy. All methods were eventually stuck with one word: death.

If you are taboo, you will lose your head. Chai Shigui asked Mr. Feng Shui to look for a cemetery, and he mobilized his teachers to build a grave. According to the choice of auspicious days, Chai Shigui personally planned and set up his own mourning hall at home. He wore official clothes and floral feathers confidently, and lay motionless in the mourning hall.

The pre-appointed monks set up the dojo, and the sounds and smells of wooden fish, Buddhist scriptures, and incense overflowed over Chai Mansion. The children and grandchildren wore hemp and filial piety and kept watch all night. Occasionally, when they heard the wrong voice, Chai Shigui whispered to the eldest son and gave instructions. He told him to act as if he were really dead, otherwise it would be considered unfilial.

The funeral band was blowing and beating, and the money was like flowers in the sky along the way. Local officials took up the post and came to pay tribute to the funeral. There was a small part of it paid tribute to the body in official clothes. He really wanted to open his eyes, but he had to hold back. Chai Shigui lay in a heavy and prosperous coffin with holes cut in the wall. The funeral queue stretched for several miles, and the journey was very unmajestic. People from all the neighboring towns came to watch the news, but their eyes were opened: it turned out that the funeral of the fifth-rank official was so grand and grand.

Chai Shigui in the coffin judged by his voice that the effect was unprecedented: this time, it saved enough face and made a lot of limelight.

When the coffin entered the tomb, Chai Shigui opened the lid of the coffin, stuck his head out, and breathed. The entire funeral was strictly in accordance with the procedures he had set in advance, step by step. However, he did not imagine being buried in the grave. This is a living funeral, putting on a show, walking the form.

Seeing that Chai Shigui was about to get up and leave the coffin, the big housekeeper of Chai Mansion thought that Chai Shigui still had an explanation, and hurriedly reminded: My lord, this can't be done, it can't be done.

Chai Shigui said: I have died, and it should be over.

The head butler is knowledgeable and talented. He made a stop gesture and said, "Don't move rashly, long live your purpose.

Chai Shigui said, "Isn't the funeral over?

The eldest son wanted to cover the coffin and said, "Father, if you come out and violate both the customs and the king's law, you may be beheaded.

Chai Shigui shrank back and said anxiously: There must be a way to live, right? I obviously didn't die.

Across the gap in the lid of the coffin, the butler said, "My lord, I have left a secret door behind the tomb, but it is inconvenient to come out during the day. After all, there are many ears and eyes. If it is passed to Long live, it will definitely cure the crime of bullying the king.

The eldest son dismissed the mourners. He said: Father, only Yin returns to Yin, and Yang returns to Yang. I have wronged you.

Chai Shigui said, "You unfilial son, do you want me to really die?

The eldest son said: Father, you also know that among the children and grandchildren, none of them can provoke the family business you have created. We all rely on big trees to enjoy the shade.

The head butler said, I have told all the people in Chai Mansion not to leak the news.

From then on, Chai Shigui took advantage of the night, dressed in official clothes, and went out of the coffin for ventilation. Occasionally, he would sneak back home, but he would never stay overnight. Eating meals and changing underwear, the butler was meticulous and always sent to the back of the tomb.

Chai Shigui also slowly figured out that if there is a loss, there will be a gain, and it is better to die than to live. Besides, he has already worn official clothes as a matter of course. He often put on the shelf of a fifth-ranking official under the bright moonlight, and strolled around the tombs in a big way.