After putting away the token and removing the altar, Zhao Shu said to Zhang Liwei: "It seems that the group of rat demons are no longer nearby. Only a few are wandering outside, which is not a good thing."
"Then what does the immortal plan to do?" Zhang Liwei asked.
"Now that I know the location of the rat demon, I certainly won't sit back and watch. I'm going to Xinglong County now." Zhao Shu said.
Zhang Liwei said: "I wonder if I can accompany you?"
Zhao Shu was deep in thought. He actually knew about Zhang Liwei's secret dealings with the Chiyundu monks, but he did not reveal it. Instead, he pretended to be puzzled: "Isn't Zhang Liwei doing anything else in the village?"
"If we can witness the rat demon being subdued by the immortal, the villagers in the village will feel at ease." Zhang Liwei had no choice but to give a random reason.
"That's right, the villages around you are the first to be invaded by evil spirits." Zhao Shu nodded: "Okay, Zhang Liwei can come with me and be a witness."
Without delay, Zhao Shu immediately asked his soldiers to set off after coming down from the mountain. Zhang Liwei took several villagers with him and followed Zhao Shu to Xinglong County.
Similar to Qiaozhang Village, Xinglong County was established by Huaxu State to settle a large number of overseas Chinese refugees since the Five Kingdoms War. Zhao Shu did not bother to waste his words and directly identified himself outside the county seat. After hearing the news, the local county magistrate hurriedly arrested Zhao Shu.
Everyone welcomes him.
"I wonder what the official duties of Marquis Zhenming are here? But I have been given an order, and I will serve you wholeheartedly." In the government office, the county magistrate put Zhao Mi on the throne and asked respectfully.
"Now the troops of the two countries are confronting each other. The situation is unusual. There are even more evil spirits at work. I have been ordered to hunt down all evil spirits inside and outside Jianjia Pass." Zhao Shu said: "I have been inspecting here, and I would like to ask if there have been any evil spirits in your county recently.
A disaster?"
The county magistrate smiled and replied: "The ruler of the country is wise, all ministers are capable, and the people of Xinglong County are harmonious and happy, and there are no disasters or ominous things."
"Oh?" Zhao Shu raised his eyebrows. Before entering the city, he had secretly summoned the Lutan soldiers and horses and asked them to investigate the situation inside and outside Xinglong County. He then said, "I hope the Xinglong County Magistrate understands that if someone is found in your county,
If there is an evil, evil, or unusual situation, you will be charged with negligence of duty. If you know about it and fail to report it, that will be an even greater crime."
The county magistrate immediately broke out in a cold sweat and turned pale. He waved his hand to ward off the other Cao officials and said in a low voice: "This official is stupid. I will send a thousand taels of silver to the post house later. I hope Marquis Zhenming will accept it."
Zhao Mian's expression did not change. He did not expect that when he asked a few questions, the other party thought he was taking the opportunity to ask for a bribe.
"Xinglong County Magistrate is so generous!" Zhao Shu laughed: "One thousand taels of silver will be given away at any time. It seems that your county is prosperous and prosperous, far beyond my expectation."
"Ashamed, ashamed!" the county magistrate said with a smile, "I am just doing miscellaneous work for the nobles in the capital."
There is a hidden meaning in these words, which clearly implies that he has another backer in Dongshengdu. One thousand taels of silver is considered as a favor for Marquis Zhenming, and I hope he will not push too far.
Of course Zhao Shu understood the meaning of the words, so he took the opportunity to ask: "Zhao is curious about what kind of chores can make Xinglong County Magistrate such a huge profit? Can you give me a few pointers?"
The county magistrate wiped his sweat, thinking that Zhao Shui felt that one thousand taels of silver was not enough, so he had to explain: "Marquis Zhenming should know that Xinglong County is located in a remote area, and it only relies on land taxation, and the local officials and government officials' salary and silver are all paid."
It is not complete, so we have to find another way. There are several small roads in the local mountains and fields, which can accommodate carriages and horses to and from Jiuli Country to sell goods."
Zhao Shu concealed his anger with a smile. The Zheng family in Jiujiang was originally convicted of selling grain, rice, cloth and silk to Jiuli Kingdom. Now that the Zheng family has been overthrown, the border smuggling business has not been cut off at all. This Xinglong
The county magistrate also made a lot of money through this.
"But in this situation, can the business still be done?" Zhao Shu asked.
The county magistrate thought that Zhao Shu was interested in getting involved, so he smiled a bit strangely: "There are many tribes in Jiuli country, and they are not monolithic. The tribes near the border have always been willing to trade with us.
After they got the goods, they resold them to other tribes and made more profits! Moreover, there was a drought in Jiuli Kingdom last year, and the price of grain and rice there was the same every day, so that part of the food and grass for Jiuli Kingdom's soldiers and horses depended on us.
!”
Zhao Shu tapped his fingers on his knees and stopped, asking: "Besides your county, is there anyone in the nearby counties doing this business?"
"Of course!" the county magistrate became interested: "Marquis Zhenming doesn't know something. Jianjia Pass is close to the county, and the person who makes this business the biggest and most prosperous is that Gao Pinggong!"
Zhao Mo was startled: "But isn't Duke Gao Ping guarding Jianjia Pass?"
"That's right! Only with this kind of status can you control the exchanges with Jiuli Kingdom." The county magistrate said with a smile: "Xiaoguan heard that Wu Kuijun has taken over Jianjia Pass. I think Zhenminghou also has a way, Xiaguan
There’s no need to show off.”
Only then did Zhao Shu understand why, in the hands of Duke Gao Ping, the military armaments at Jianjia Pass were so depleted and he himself lived in such luxury. Now it seems that it was not just about driving and plundering the local soldiers and civilians, but treating the border military town as a
A cornucopia of wealth for oneself.
In fact, there is nothing wrong with such things as border trade. There are regulations and systems in Huaxu country that specify what cannot be sold to other countries, and there are corresponding prohibitions in Jiuli country.
But often the more we put an end to it, the more people take desperate risks. For example, Mr. Wu, who was smuggling dragon blood lipids, might have met up with people from the Jiuli Kingdom near Xinglong County and obtained the dragon blood lipids.
Similarly, there were many nobles and nobles in Huaxu who took advantage of this to make profits, and they simply colluded with the county officials. Among them, Gao Pinggong was the most rampant, directly operating the border military town as a private property.
Zhao Shu pinched his eyebrows. Having experienced Dongshengdu, he already had a general understanding of these things, and he would not lose his composure on the spot.
And looking at the words of the Xinglong County magistrate, it is obvious that people regard this kind of thing of using the position of a local official to make profits with Jiuli country private traders as a normal thing. Gaoping Gong has done this, and officials of all sizes in neighboring counties naturally do the same.
Followed the example.
This kind of thing really cannot be changed by Zhao Shu alone, and he is not so naive now.
But this will not change Zhao Shu's view of Gao Pinggong. As a clan leader of the country, he is also sitting in a key place such as Jianjia Pass. It is nothing more than smuggling for profit, but he should not let the armament be so depleted. This is the biggest
The mistake!
Now outside Chen Bingguan of Jiuli Kingdom, General Wei and Zhao Shu are busy cleaning up this mess for Gao Pinggong, and it is inevitable that there will be resentment in their hearts.
"My purpose of coming here this time is not just to hunt down evil spirits." Zhao Shu added: "I think the Xinglong County Magistrate has received the order from the imperial court to recruit soldiers and raise money and food. I wonder how he has done it now?"
When the county magistrate heard this, he immediately showed a troubled look and said, "Marquis Zhenming, can you give me a few days of grace?"
"What?" Zhao Shu asked: "These two things are difficult to handle? Recruiting soldiers can be delayed a little, but General Wei is in urgent need of money and food at the front."
"Marquis Zhenming may have heard that there have always been Chiyun rebels lurking in the surrounding counties and counties, hiding in the countryside and markets, and instigating unruly people to fight against the government. Whether it is collecting taxes or levying corvees, it is particularly difficult." The county magistrate sighed.
: "And the more remote the village, the more unruly people are able to gather people to resist. It is difficult for government officials and government officials to send people to do anything unless..."
"Unless what?" Zhao Shu was not angry at the county magistrate's pushback, perhaps he had expected it.
"Marquis Zhenming might as well go to General Wei and send more troops and horses. Those unruly people will definitely obey when they see the power of the imperial army." The county magistrate said: "If there are one or two more thieves who want to rebel against the people, they can be put on the spot.
Kill."
Zhao Mi smiled and said nothing. This Xinglong County Magistrate had a good plan. He took advantage of Chi Yundu and was very perfunctory about the court's orders. When someone from above urged him, he passed the responsibility to the other party and let the court deal with it.
When people are angry, you can hide aside and protect yourself wisely.
"Okay." Zhao Shu was indeed secretly angry, but he did not explode on the spot. He lightly dusted his sleeves and said, "I can send a letter to mobilize troops, but Xinglong County Magistrate must also do something. We are in urgent need of money and food at the front, so we might as well
Let’s borrow it from a big local banker first.”
Gu Luan
"This..." The county magistrate hesitated.
Zhao Shu stood up and said: "Don't forget, Magistrate Xinglong. Later, when the soldiers and horses arrive, Zhao will directly borrow money and food from the local big households. It's okay. After I lead the troops to leave, you, Magistrate Xinglong, will
Let’s find a way to repay it.”
Since the county magistrate wants to deal with the matter perfunctorily, Zhao Shu might as well create a powerful force to suppress the local snake.
After returning to the post house, Zhao Shu immediately wrote a letter and asked his soldiers to send it to General Wei at once. As soon as the letter was sent, several officers carried the box and delivered it to Zhao Shu. After opening it, it was not Tianxia.
The silver cake is actually cast, with inscribed official silver, neatly arranged.
After the government servants left, He Dangguan couldn't help but squat in front of the box and stared at it for a long time, sighing: "How much is the annual salary of this county magistrate? I vaguely remember that all the grain, rice, cloth and silk were folded into silver taels, which was only more than a hundred.
Two?"
Zhao Shu sneered: "I urged him to collect money and food, and I tried to avoid it in every possible way. I even threatened him a few times, but it was immediately regarded as asking for bribes."
Zhao Shu was still deep in thought when he heard the message from the soldiers and horses of Lutan: "Altar Master, we have found the rat demon's lair."
"Oh? Where is the nest?" Zhao Shu asked intently.
"There are many entrances just underground in Xinglong County, but they are protected by magic. If we rashly go deep, we may disturb the evil spirits inside."
Zhao Shu thought about it and said: "You guys should guard several entrances first and don't expose your traces."
"Yes!" Lu Tan's soldiers and horses replied: "But in addition to entrances such as wells and canals, there seems to be another place in the city where rat demons can enter and exit. That is a temple."
"Shrine? Which god is it?" Zhao Shu secretly wondered.
"The Great Immortal who attracts wealth and treasures."
"What kind of honorary title are these?" Zhao Shu laughed out loud, and then asked: "Is there any divine aura in the temple?"
"There is a barrier surrounding the shrine, and we can't see what's going on inside."
Zhao Shu remained silent. He could vaguely guess that this rich immortal was not a righteous god, so he planned to go and find out.
But just as he was about to leave, Zhao Shu took back his steps and asked He Dangguan: "Are there any prostitutes in this city?"
He Dangguan froze on the spot, not knowing what to say: "It should be..."
"Go, recruit three or five prostitutes, dancers, and singers." Zhao Shu said, "We will also arrange some food and drinks. I will hold a banquet in the post house tonight for fun."
He Dangguan has been following Zhao Mi for some time, and he knows very well that this Deacon Zhao is definitely not a person who is greedy for pleasure, and can tolerate poverty and boredom. He looked around and asked in a low voice: "Is there something wrong with Deacon Zhao?"
arrange?"
"Yes, but don't make it public." Zhao Shu took out some gold and silver from his bamboo basket and said, "Go and do it."
He Dangguan did not take it, but pointed to the box of silver on the ground and said, "Deacon Zhao doesn't need to pay for it himself. Didn't the local county magistrate give him a big box?"
Zhao Shu shook his head and said, "Don't touch this box of official silver yet, I want to use it as a game."
…
"Is the news true?"
In the government office, the county magistrate heard the report from the officer and couldn't help asking: "Did Marquis Zhenming really recruit singers and dancers to the post house?"
"It's true!" the officer replied: "I saw with my own eyes those singers and dancers going to the post house, and Marquis Zhenming came out in person, hugging them from left to right, talking and laughing as they entered."
The county magistrate laughed and said: "I heard before that this Zhenminghou is diligent and pragmatic. When I saw him today, it turned out that he was just a greedy and lustful man!"
"Even so, don't underestimate this person."
Then he saw a man with a deer head and rat eyes walking out of the back hall. The county magistrate waved the officer to leave and asked, "Does the Lord know this man?"
"I have heard of the name Zhao Mi for a long time." The rat-eyed man twirled his slender beard: "He became famous in Dongsheng Capital because a group of spies from the Jiuli Kingdom failed to assassinate him. Instead, he killed them all. Then Dongsheng
The ghost market near Shengdu was implicated because of this, and was destroyed and razed by the imperial court. A familiar comrade of mine escaped in a panic, and the news about Zhao Mi has already spread throughout the mountains and fields of Huaxu Kingdom."
The county magistrate said cautiously: "Honored Lord, it is said that Zhao Shui is quite trusted by the king. It is best not to cause trouble with him rashly, otherwise the consequences will be great."
"Of course I know better." The rat-eyed man was about to say more when he suddenly saw the candlelight in the room beating inexplicably. He immediately became vigilant and jumped out of the window very quickly, looking around with his nose twitching.
"What happened?" the county magistrate caught up and asked.
"I noticed a hint of magic power, and I suspect someone is spying on you and me." The rat-eyed man searched for a long time, but found nothing.
The county magistrate was surprised and asked: "Could it be Zhao Shu?"
The rat-eyed man did not answer immediately, but closed his eyes and made a gesture. After a moment, he said: "It doesn't seem to be the case. The eyes and ears I sent to the post house found that there was endless singing and dancing inside, and Zhao Shui was still clapping his hands."
"Then what should I do next?" the county magistrate asked.
"You gave Zhao Shu a thousand taels of silver before?" The rat-eyed man asked, "And it's public silver from the treasury, so you're not afraid of anything happening?"
The county magistrate said calmly: "I have a sum of money that is still circulating outside. In order to deal with Zhao Mi, I can only transfer it from the treasury. When the money comes back later, I can settle the account."
"It's a pity that I was forced to leave by Chiyundu's gang. If it were normal, I could still control a road to Jiuli Kingdom. Why worry about lack of money and silk?" The rat-eyed man snorted coldly.
"This gang of rebellious parties has harmed the country and the people, offended the gods, and cut off people's financial opportunities. It is really hateful!" The county magistrate said: "It seems that I have to waste more words and let Zhao Shu lead troops later to directly hide the rebellious parties.
The village was slaughtered. If he refuses to do it, I will write a letter to impeach him for being suspected of indulging in the chaos of the party!"
"Okay, okay, this is the right way!" The rat-eyed man nodded in praise.
The two people were chatting happily on the ground, but they didn't notice a black paper crane among the roof tiles, blending into the night and making no sound.