In his previous life, Xu Yun, due to the nature of his freelance profession, had a relatively flexible schedule every day, so over time, he developed a sort of underworld biological clock.

It meant sleeping at three or four in the morning and waking up at one or two in the afternoon.

Such a routine over the years led Xu Yun to develop reflux esophagitis, causing stomach acid to burn the esophagus.

However, after being reborn, he deliberately adjusted his sleep habits. Although his scientific research work inevitably involved staying up late, overall, his sleep schedule became more in tune with the living world's pattern.

Hence, when the urging voice came from outside at three quarters past Mao hour, Xu Yun quickly woke up.

"Hey, inside the room, get up early!"

"...Oh, coming!"

Xu Yun rubbed his sleepy eyes, responded simply, and got up to dress.

Yesterday, the old steward gave him a set of standard servant attire, extremely simple and plain, without any discernible historical style.

As for the clothes worn by that elderly patriarch, they seemed rather nice, possibly made of silk, which a professional might easily distinguish the dynasty from some of its patterns.

But don't forget.

Xu Yun is a science student.

If you ask him to recite the CVs of guys like Little Niu or Dirac and those bosses, there's no problem, he could even recite them backwards.

But trying to get him to analyze the specific era from some clothing details, that's a bit much.

After all, every field has its specialty, and human capability is limited.

After dressing.

Xu Yun opened the door and walked into the courtyard.

The room he occupied was in the middle of the South Wing, with a firewood room next to it, and further down were the servants' dorms.

In the courtyard, a large millstone was slowly grinding, crushing the big rice.

In addition, several servants were in the courtyard, moving and chopping firewood, looking very diligent.

Seeing Xu Yun come out, one of the servant men immediately stepped forward and handed over a set of items:

"Hey, your washing kit, there's a channel in the corner, quickly get water and wash yourself, you have to work later this morning."

Xu Yun instinctively took the set of items and found it was a wooden cup and a soft small wooden brush.

Upon seeing this, Xu Yun was deep in thought.

Although he lacked knowledge about clothing, he was quite familiar with toothbrush history:

The term toothbrush officially appeared in the Yuan Dynasty; Guo Yu's poem said: "Southern land toothbrush sent on head day, removing dirt and cleaning, worth one gold."

But in the Song Dynasty before the Yuan Dynasty, there was already a habit of brushing, and the toothbrush was also called brushing.

For example, the Southern Song loyalist Zhou Mi recorded in his work "Dream Liang Recording":

"At Lion Alley entrance there's Ling's brushing shop, at Gold Alley entrance there's Fu's brushing shop."

Going further back through the Sui and Tang Dynasties, although there were records of brushing teeth, people mainly chewed willow twigs.

Perhaps some created toothbrushes early for various reasons, but it couldn't have been widespread enough that servants could use them.

"Yuan Dynasty's clothing obviously isn't this style, Ming Dynasty's toothbrush had long handles, as for Qing... just looking at the hairstyle, it's impossible. So, that means... I probably arrived in the Song Dynasty?"

Thinking of this, Xu Yun's eyes couldn't help but brighten:

"Scientists of the Song Dynasty... Shen Kuo? Su Song? Qin Jiushao? Or perhaps... Yang Hui?"

Just as Xu Yun's thoughts were wandering, the man's impatient voice rang again:

"Hey, what are you doing standing there dumbly? Do we need to carry you over those few steps?"

Xu Yun then regained his composure and quickly apologized to the man:

"Sorry, sorry, got lost in thought."

Saying this, he took the dental kit and walked to the channel, scooping some water from a wooden bucket and began to brush his teeth.

Actually, Xu Yun didn't understand why the owner of the courtyard didn't report him to the government but arranged such a residence for him.

After all, logically, he totally counts as trespassing, right?

Yesterday, the elderly man's words seemed to have a hint of regret, as if he was imagining something peculiar.

But for Xu Yun, this was considered a good thing.

After all, going to jail is troublesome in any dynasty, though it feels as if people's gazes upon him are somewhat strange...

How should I put it.

It's like in his past life when he went to the hospital to register on a machine and suddenly glanced at the guy next to him registering for urology...

A few minutes later.

Having washed up, Xu Yun returned to the scene, the bell on his foot jingling all along.

After reaching the man, he gently bowed his hand:

"May I ask, brother, what can I do?"

This man was one of the servants holding Xu Yun yesterday, and after returning to the room, he heard the old chief steward relay the master's speculation, thinking of something, he sympathetically glanced at Xu Yun's lower body:

"You don't have the strength to chop wood or push the mill... Okay, Xiaosan!"

The man's voice had just fallen when a boy in his teens sprang out:

"Brother Yongzhu, I'm here, I'm here."

The man nodded and said to Xu Yun:

"You follow Xiaosan to fetch water. There are more than forty people in the household, and the daily water usage is quite significant.

You... Right, what's your name?"

Xu Yun thought for a moment and replied:

"I am Wang Lin, but everyone calls me Wang Mazi."

"Wang Mazi?"

Xiaosan, standing nearby, paused for a few seconds as he looked at his face:

"Your skin looks fair and clean, how could you be a 'Mazi'?"

Xu Yun sighed:

"They say a humble name brings a carefree life..."

Hearing this last sentence from Xu Yun, the tall man thought Xu Yun had recalled his sad past. After a moment of silence, he urged:

"Mazi, the past is past. That you accidentally ended up in this household was perhaps fated.

When the master returns to his hometown, he will make you an official record, so at least you won't just be someone's plaything."

Xu Yun: "...?"

I understand each word you said, but why does it feel weird when put together?

Following Xiaosan's lead, Xu Yun reached another well by the South Wing.

As Xiaosan was securing the bucket, he said to Xu Yun:

"There are two wells in the South Wing; the other fell into disrepair yesterday and needs a few days' rest before reuse.

These days, we'll focus on this one. Understand?"

Looking at Xiaosan, who seemed like a little adult, Xu Yun obediently nodded:

"Got it."

Xiaosan continued:

"As long as you understand. Our mansion houses nine family members, thirty-one servants and guards... no, adding you, that makes thirty-two people.

The water you fetch first goes to the main house. If any guests stay over, then to the East Wing. If not, it goes to the West Wing, and lastly to the South Wing."

Xu Yun nodded again:

"I remember."

Being young, Xiaosan spoke more as Xu Yun showed a positive attitude:

"Wang Mazi, you don't have to be so quiet. Do you know where you are?

Let me tell you, in Bianjing City, the monthly pay for ordinary household servants is no more than three thousand coins. If they have families, they have to be very frugal.

But our master is generous; he offers four thousand coins monthly pay, plus New Year's money at the end of the year. Wang Mazi, guess how much I got last year?"

Xu Yun smiled and randomly guessed a figure:

"Three thousand?"

Xiaosan swiftly shook his head and proudly spread out five fingers:

"A full five thousand! My mother said that with a bit more saving, she could arrange a marriage for me in East Alley!"

Then Xiaosan's eyes showed a hint of expectation, as if he thought of something:

"Last year's New Year's money was five thousand. I'm afraid I might get no less than ten thousand this year?"

Xu Yun blinked, genuinely surprised this time:

"Ten thousand? Such a big raise? New Year's money doubled in just a year?"

"What do you mean 'work experience'?"

Xiaosan gave him a puzzled look and said:

"Last month, there was a general amnesty, and the master's friend, Dongpo Scholar, was reinstated as Chao Feng Lang in Yongzhou. With such a joyful event, wouldn't the master be inclined to give more annual bonuses?"

General amnesty.

Dongpo Scholar.

Chao Feng Lang.

These three words were like lightning bolts slicing through the night sky, heavily striking Xu Yun's heart, even causing him to feel a temporary loss of focus.

Gulp.

Moments later.

Xu Yun swallowed hard and stared intently at Xiaosan:

"Third Brother, may I ask what is the master's name...?"

Xiaosan slapped his forehead:

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, our master's surname is Su, his name is Song, and his courtesy name is Zi Rong. Appointed as a Chancellor in the Seventh Year of Yuan You, he now serves as a Counselor to the Crown Prince. Not just in Bianjing, but throughout the Great Song, he is a renowned figure!"

.........

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