Chen Sijing just listened quietly and didn't interrupt at all.
But Cong Mingzhang didn't take it seriously.
Zheng Wuji was certainly not a fool, and even if he wanted to exploit the people, he would never be too blatant.
These common people give them a taste of the sweetness and then suck their blood, but few people will wake up.
Zheng Wuji gave some small favors to these people, which was enough for them to praise him.
"We saw a lot of people digging canals along the way, even children of several years old were using them. Isn't that ridiculous?" Cong Mingzhang let out a long burp and felt more comfortable.
"How can there be poor people who don't work? If you work and take care of food, that's already good enough." The woman said, "Otherwise, how much food will the whole family eat after the autumn harvest?
The strength of a poor person is worthless, but his belly is too full, and all he thinks about is how to fill his belly. At this time in the past, even if he wanted to find a job, he still couldn't find one."
"That's just like handling livestock." Cong Mingzhang sneered slightly, "You have to work hard and eat grass tools."
"We are rough people and do not understand these refined words. It is those landlords and rich people who really treat the people as cattle!"
Cong Mingzhang stopped asking and signaled his entourage to give the woman the money for the spicy soup.
Then he stood up and said to Chen Sijing: "Master Chen, let's go meet Zheng Zhizhou!"
Chen Sijing stepped aside half a step, stretched out his hand and said, "Master Cong, please go first."
Cong Mingzhang, who was living in Tongtai, came to the gate of Zhizhou Yamen and prepared to meet Zheng Wuji.
However, to his surprise, Zheng Wuji was not there.
The doorman said: "I wonder what you are doing with us adults? Our people left the city early in the morning. Only my wife is in the backyard."
"Where did Mr. Zheng go?" Chen Sijing asked.
"The canal was completed today, and the magistrate, together with several magistrates, went to Fangmaping outside the city.
The river networks of several counties intersect there, and now that it is completed, it is natural to celebrate."
"We have to go take a look at such a big excitement!" Cong Mingzhang thought this opportunity was very suitable.
Isn't Zheng Wuji very happy about his success? Now that the canal has been dug, he is naturally extremely proud.
And the imperial envoy's appearance at this time is simply more accurate than the gongs and drums of an opera singer.
Giving him a show of strength in front of everyone is more thought-provoking than meeting him in the government office.
At this time, someone had already reported it to Xu Chunjun.
"Those people seem to be from the capital." Zi Ling said to Xu Chunjun, "I'm afraid those who came here are not good-natured."
After hearing this, Xu Chunjun just smiled slightly, put down the needle and thread in his hand, stood up and said: "This will happen sooner or later, but I don't know who is coming."
Zi Ling supported her and said, "Girl, be careful, it's a little slippery outside."
When Xu Chunjun arrived at the door, he couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
She recognized Mr. Cong, but the two families had no friendship.
But I didn't expect that Chen Sijing would also come.
"Mrs. Zheng, Mr. Chen and I were ordered to come to Chenzhou for business." Cong Mingzhang said to Xu Chunjun, "Unfortunately, Mr. Zheng is not here, so let's go out of the city to find him!"
Xu Chunjun didn't ask why they were looking for Zheng Wuji. After all, she was a woman and could not interfere in official affairs.
He just bowed and said, "I don't know if you two sirs came here, but I'm sorry for the lack of welcome. I hope you'll forgive me."
My elders indeed left the city early. I thought you two had important matters to come here, so I didn't dare to delay.
Just ask someone to take you out of the city."
With that said, he asked the gatekeeper to pull his horse and lead the way.
Chen Sijing only glanced at Xu Chunjun when she came out, and then lowered his eyes slightly.
It's easy to be tempted, but difficult to keep one's temper.
Xu Chunjun is married to someone else, so he should abide by etiquette and should not cause her any more trouble.
Besides, seeing that she was living a good life, that was enough.
After Chen Sijing and others left, Zi Ling asked Xu Chunjun: "Girl, should we go out of the city to see it too?"
"My lord originally wanted me to go, and the person who will pick me up will be here soon." Xu Chunjun looked at the sky and said.
The digging of the canal was decided upon by her and Zheng Wuji together. On the surface, the rhetoric was just to fool others.
The real purpose is to benefit the local people.
Zheng Wuji had already said that he would go there first and then send someone back to pick up Xu Chunjun after the arrangements were made.
He is willing to experience everything with Xu Chunjun. In his opinion, no one's praise is as good as Xu Chunjun's affirmative look.
Xu Chunjun also understood this, so he insisted on going there.
Sure enough, the people sent by Zheng Wuji arrived soon.
Xu Chunjun got on the sedan chair, followed by Zi Ling and Ah Li, and headed out of the city.
By the time Xu Chunjun got there, Cong Mingzhang and others had already arrived.
There were tens of thousands of people present. In addition to officials at all levels, there were also many gentry and merchants, and even the youngest son of King Huaiyang, Yao Zheng, was also there.
These people were all invited by Zheng Wuji.
In addition, at least two people from each family came to participate in the canal digging.
Zheng Wuji's face glowed red and he was full of energy. He was now darker and stronger than when he was in the capital.
Especially the look in his eyes was completely different from when he was a libertine.
Therefore, as soon as Chen Sijing saw him, he remembered the allusion about the three-day separation and how he should look at him with admiration.
The arrival of the two imperial envoys did not panic him at all.
This surprised Cong Mingzhang.
But he did not directly accuse Zheng Wuji of raising an army. He just said: "The scene today is so spectacular. Mr. Zheng is such a great artist! He has completed such a large project in just a few months since he came to Chenzhou.
I have to report it truthfully to the Queen."
He just wanted to see what tricks Zheng Wuji would do today?
The more exaggerated and showy he is, the more leverage he has to catch.
"It's a coincidence that you two are here today." Zheng Wuji said with a smile, "Xiaguan has limited talents and only wants to build water conservancy projects to benefit the local area. If the canals are not dug before Jingdong, next year's spring plowing and irrigation will not be possible.
The common people are crying out for food, and as a parent, it’s really hard to sleep peacefully!”
Cong Mingzhou smiled and nodded, but didn't say anything. He was thinking that Zheng Wuji was always glib and could talk nicely about the Three Horsemen.
But no matter how eloquent he is, he can't hide the truth.
First, the use of civilian labor went beyond the norm, and even the elderly and children were used.
Secondly, not only did they not pay these workers, they also asked the court for funding.
Although the amount allocated does not exceed the project cost, it is even significantly less.
But didn’t all the money end up filling his pockets?
In addition, although these canals have been dug, their actual effectiveness has yet to be tested.
If it was found that corners were cut and there were hidden dangers, it would be even more embarrassing for him to walk away.
He believed that Zheng Wuji might not know the purpose of their trip.
But at this point, he had to think of a last-minute solution, but he was afraid it would be too late.
