"Thank you, Mr. Fu, this is nothing." Faced with Wang Muzhi's praise, Li Hui said humbly.
With a smile on his face, Wang Muzhi chuckled and said: "Magistrate Li, there is no need to be too humble. I am here to congratulate you. It is gratifying to have accomplished such a remarkable feat. I never thought you could do this.
It is true that a hero is born young, and the waves behind push the waves ahead. I am happy for you and the people of Juchao County."
Li Hui smiled and said: "Thank you, Mr. Fu. This is nothing. It is just the responsibility of the lower officials. It is your duty to exterminate the lake bandits and stabilize the people. But Mr. Fu braved the severe cold and came to visit during the New Year.
Li Hui was very touched when he came here. It is really a blessing for the people of Juchao that the Lord Fu cares so much about Juchao County."
Wang Muzhi's face felt slightly hot, and he suspected that Li Hui was blaming him. However, he didn't care and said with a smile: "This is also my responsibility. Everything under Liyang County is my business.
. Lake bandits and wandering bandits are rampant in Juchao County, and I have been paying close attention to them. I am planning to mobilize troops and materials to eradicate them after the year. But it would be best if County Magistrate Li can solve the matter in advance. The provincial officials will come to suppress the bandits.
Putting an end to the chaos will save the people of Juchao County from suffering. In short, this is a great joy. How many more years will it take? I must come immediately to personally congratulate you."
Li Hui smiled and nodded in agreement. He was extremely contemptuous of Wang Muzhi in his heart. He said at this time that he had already prepared to send troops to solve the problem here, which was extremely hypocritical. But fortunately, he didn't seem to have any intention of picking peaches, I'm afraid.
It's just a matter of face.
I still have something to ask of him, and he is my superior, so there is no need to expose his hypocrisy and make it difficult for him to step down.
"Mr. Wangfu, let's go into the city to talk. It's cold and windy here, and Mr. Wangfu has worked hard all the way here. Why don't we go into the city to rest. Please!" Li Hui said.
Wang Muzhi nodded, turned around and called the bearded uncle, and said in a deep voice: "Hu Yong'an, you lead people into the city to clear the way first. I and County Magistrate Li will arrive soon."
Hu Yong'an, a bearded man, bowed in agreement and immediately led a hundred soldiers from the government to rush into the city.
Li Hui and Zhou Che looked at each other, and they were like mirrors in their hearts. Wang Muzhi was still cautious about this move, fearing that he would be ambushed, so he sent people into the city to find out the situation first. The two of them didn't take it seriously. After all, they lived in the city before.
The situation in Chao County is dangerous, and it is understandable for Wang Muzhi to doubt whether things are true or not. This person acts so cautiously and meticulously, but he is not a reckless person. If it were him, he would probably do the same thing.
Sure enough, after Hu Yongan led people into the city, he quickly took control of the east city gate. After about a stick of incense, someone waved a flag at the top of the city. After seeing the flag, an uncle stepped forward and reported to Wang Muzhi in a low voice.
After a few words, Wang Muzhi nodded slightly.
"Magistrate Li, let's go into the city right now." Wang Muzhi said with a smile.
Li Hui cupped his hands and said, "Okay, I will lead the way for you."
Wang Muzhi said with a smile: "You suffered a leg injury while suppressing the bandits, and you are limping when you walk. So go into the city with me in the same car."
Li Hui smiled and said: "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Fu. In fact, it's not a serious problem."
Wang Muzhi waved his hand and said: "It's difficult to walk with a sprained foot. It would be bad if the injury is aggravated. I can't let you, a man who has made great achievements, become disabled. Get in the car."
Li Hui said hurriedly: "I don't dare to lower my rank."
Wang Mu stepped forward and took Li Hui's arm, and said with a smile: "What are you afraid of? You dare to kill the bandits in the capital, but you don't dare to ride with me? Am I scarier than the bandit leader? Hahaha."
Li Hui smiled and said: "In this case, it is better for subordinates to be respectful than obey orders."
At that moment, the two got on the cart, and the carriage and horses slowly headed towards the city gate. When the mule cart passed through the city gate and entered the city, Wang Muzhi sighed softly: "I have been the prefect of Liyang County for more than two years, and this is the first time.
I entered Juchao County for the first time. I feel ashamed, extremely ashamed."
Li Hui was stunned for a moment and did not answer. Wang Muzhi actually felt ashamed. It seemed that he was not a heartless person. I just didn't know if he was sincere.
Hundreds of government soldiers surrounded the convoy and slowly headed towards the county government on the street. Wang Muzhi looked out of the car window. He saw the bustling crowds on the street, the children chasing each other and laughing, and many shops that had opened.
, I saw a lively scene. I felt a little emotional in my heart.
"County Magistrate Li is really amazing. In just a few days, Juchao County can have such a scene, which really makes me surprised and admired." Wang Mu said.
Li Hui said with a smile: "It's not the result of lowering the official rank. Juchao County has been in chaos for five years. The people are miserable and people are at peace. As long as the lake bandits are eradicated, the people will naturally settle down. There is no need for anything else.
Special guidance.”
Wang Muzhi nodded and said: "Yes, the people actually just want stability. But, after all, it was you who saved them. I couldn't save them from the fire, but you did it. I thank you, and I also thank you for them.
.You have done a great job."
Li Hui looked at Wang Muzhi in surprise. Wang Muzhi smiled and said solemnly: "It's not a lie, it's what I say from my heart."
Li Huidao: "I dare not claim credit for my own responsibility."
Wang Muzhi nodded and said no more.
A group of people arrived at the county government office, and Li Hui introduced Wang Muzhi inside. Wang Muzhi did not delay and immediately announced that he would be promoted to court.
In the hall, Wang Mu ordered Li Hui and Zhou Che to once again report in detail about the bandit suppression and relief process. The accompanying master made detailed records. This time, the prefect presided over the inquiry, and the recorded things could be officially recognized and used as the final report.
In fact, it was reported to the court.
During the reporting process, even though Wang Muzhi had known the story of the bandit suppression several times from written and oral accounts, hearing it from Li Hui and others' own words was still thrilling and quite impressive.
Li Hui's strategy of luring the enemy was very clever. He used the lake bandit's informant to release the news, lured the lake bandit to attack, and set up a dragnet to make the lake bandit fall into the trap step by step. It can be said that the attack was not bloody, but it was thrilling.
Although it is a trick, the wisdom and courage in it are the background. Without courage and wisdom, one would not dare to fight against the lake bandits, let alone lead the lake bandits to attack, which might lead to the wolf entering the house.
An act that reaps its own consequences.
As for the process of killing Wang Guangzu, Li Hui said it lightly, but it was even more frightening. According to Li Hui, he knew Zhou Che would help him, so he dared to attack Wang Guangzu.
But actually from Zhou Che's point of view, he knew that Li Hui had not communicated with him at all beforehand. Moreover, if Li Hui had not killed Wang Guangzu on the spot, he might not have stood by him.
After the report, Wang Muzhi stroked his beard and nodded, taking a long breath.
"Everyone, I would like to express my congratulations to County Magistrate Li and everyone present here. The lake bandits in Juchao County have been entrenched for a long time and have always been a stubborn problem in the local area. The previous county governor conducted many encirclement and suppression campaigns, but all failed. Since I took office, I have not been able to do anything for a day.
We don't want to solve the problem of lake bandits in Juchao County, but due to various reasons, we have not yet implemented it, so we have to adopt the containment strategy. It is really a last resort. Now that County Magistrate Li can solve this problem, it is a great achievement. I am happy to know that
So I came here immediately to congratulate you and celebrate your success. Tonight, I will hold a celebration banquet to celebrate County Magistrate Li, Zhou Che and everyone who participated. On behalf of the people of Juchao County, I would also like to express my gratitude to you all.
." Wang Muzhi said loudly.
Li Hui, Zhou Che and others hurriedly thanked him without even saying so. However, Li Hui knew what his previous attitude was. At this moment, it was so high-sounding that it was actually a bit hypocritical and ridiculous. In any case, Wang Muzhi's words still sounded good to the ears, at least in Ming Dynasty.
On the surface, his posture is correct.
"Those who have meritorious deeds shall be rewarded, and those who are guilty shall be punished. I have always made clear distinctions between rewards and punishments. Magistrate Li has made great contributions to calming down the situation in Juchao County, benefiting the people of Juchao, and stabilizing the refugees in the south. How can I not praise him for his meritorious service. After I learned the news,
As soon as possible, I have reported to the court to ask for merit for County Magistrate Li. Magistrate Li’s appointment as the official magistrate of Juchao County will arrive soon. I would like to congratulate County Magistrate Li in advance. The so-called name is correct.
By the way, from now on, Magistrate Li, you can free your hands and feet to do things." Wang Muzhi said with a smile.
Li Hui hurriedly bowed and thanked him. Since Wang Muzhi said this, it was a done deal. Although he deserved it and it was what Wang Muzhi had promised before, in just a few months, he became the official county official of Juchao County.
Ling, this is indeed something that Ling should be happy about.
Although there is only one step away from the county magistrate and the county magistrate, they are actually in a relationship between being in the stream and not being in the stream. Although the county magistrate has a small official position, he is already an official of the imperial court and the head of a county. Although the county magistrate is also a ninth-grade official, in fact
He is just a high-ranking official, and the difference between the two is still very big.
Although Wang Muzhi's previous actions were suspicious, and he seemed to have deliberately allowed himself and Lu Zhan to come to die. But at least he did not lie to himself about this matter. In his last letter, he said that if he could solve the problem here,
He would formally appoint himself as the county magistrate, but he did not break his promise.
Everyone congratulated Li Hui one after another, and they were all very happy. Especially the people who came with Li Hui, they knew what kind of dangerous situation they had experienced before. They also knew how brave and capable the young man of the Li family was, and they were able to escape from that.
He turned the situation around in a dangerous situation. He faced the desperate situation of death several times, which was beyond the reach of ordinary people. Li Hui was officially appointed as the county magistrate, and he deserved it.
Jiang Sheng and others thought of the dead Lu Zhan and felt sorry and sad for their master. If Lu Zhan could have listened to Li Hui's advice and cooperated with him, he would not have died here. Facts have proved that even if the situation is
Even though it is dangerous, it can still be very promising.