On March 17, the two auxiliary officials of Juchao County, the county magistrate and the chief registrar, finally arrived belatedly.
When they met, Li Hui was a little disappointed. The two of them were actually over fifty years old. They looked like someone owed them money, and they were very arrogant. Even facing Li Hui, their superior officer, they seemed
Also with a little contempt.
Li Hui talked with them for a long time and got to know a little bit about it, but he could only describe it in half a sentence.
One of these two men was called Song Yande and the other was Hu Wenli. They claimed to be from a small clan in Jingzhou. The specific family identities were not clear and it was difficult to ask. But Li Hui could feel it from their words and deeds.
A hint of something strange.
After the two arrived, they looked through the files for a few days. After learning about some of the measures taken by Juchao County, they put forward a lot of opinions. It was a bottomless pit to say that Li Hui should not use the captured bandit materials to help the people.
This increases the inertia of the people. He also criticizes Li Hui's flood discharge plan and the agreement with the rich families.
For some unknown reason, the two of them got together with some so-called local celebrities in Juchao County within a few days. They often had banquets and travels, singing about the wind and the moon, which made the people have a bad impression.
Li Hui was very speechless about this. He originally expected two people who could do something to help him. But now, it's good that these two people not only failed to help him, but also did not help him.
While others were working, a group of them wandered around drunkenly and went to Laoshan Island for fishing and boating. The people looked at them with eyes burning.
What's more, someone reported to Li Hui that the two people in the city were asking about the details of the annihilation of the Lake Bandits, and they seemed to be trying to find out the news. They also asked the people in a guided manner, trying to get things out of their mouths.
However, everyone in Juchao County respected Li Hui extremely, so naturally some of their ill-intentioned questions did not get the answers they wanted. Instead, they reported them to Li Hui.
Li Hui didn't show anything about it, but Zhou Che couldn't stand it anymore.
One day in the hall, when the two men were murmuring and making a lofty argument, Zhou Che, who was very drunk, came in from outside, kicked over the table in the hall, took out his waist knife, chopped it on the table and cursed.
"Where did these two old guys come from? When the people of Juchao County were in dire straits and bandits were rampant, where were you? Magistrate Li turned the tide and used good strategies to kill the lake bandits. He also worked hard day and night to relieve the people and work hard for the people's livelihood.
Where were you when we were here? The bastards actually came here to point fingers, saying this is not that and not that. If I had called you here years ago, you would have been scared to death. There is only one person who calls the shots in Juchao County, and that is Magistrate Li. Which one?
If that bitch dares to spread rumors behind his back and cause trouble, I will cut off his legs. If he can’t keep his mouth shut, I will tell him to shut his mouth forever!”
This time, the two of them turned pale with fright and muttered that Zhou Che was unbecoming, how could he be so rude and try to threaten his colleagues and so on.
Li Hui quickly stopped Zhou Che and told him not to be impulsive. He was mainly worried that Zhou Che would get really angry and get angry with these two people. After all, he was an official appointed by the imperial court and was no joke.
However, from that day on, those two people calmed down a lot. Although they still talked a lot of nonsense, when they saw Zhou Che, they did not dare to say anything with their tails between their legs, for fear that Zhou Che would really be detrimental to them.
Li Hui sent someone to send a letter to Wang Muzhi, asking him whether these two subordinate officials were recommended by him and whether they were deliberately holding him back. Why did he send two such people here?
Wang Muzhi's reply was concise and concise: "Colleagues should be tolerant and tolerant to each other. Those two are elderly and prudent and will be of great benefit to the affairs of Juchao County. You will know in the future."
Li Hui smiled bitterly and was speechless, but he finally figured out something. Wang Muzhi did not say whether these two people were recommended by him, so Li Hui took it as his acquiescence. The court's intention should be that he was young and not prudent enough in his actions.
So I sent two older ones to balance it out.
Li Hui actually doesn't care. Since these two are useless, he just treats them as if they don't exist. He will do things according to his own ideas and will not consult their opinions. As long as they leave the cabinet without making a fuss, it will be fine. If there is a fuss, it will be fine.
If they go too far, or are holding back some bad feelings, then I won't spare them. If they just drink and go crazy, I don't need to care too much.
…
One evening in early April, when Li Hui was repairing the Manshui Mound with others on the Jiaohu embankment, Jiang Sheng came from the county seat to report that someone from the Gu family of Wu County was here.
When Li Hui heard this, he hurried back to the county government office with Dachun Dazhuang. Sure enough, there was a large cart parked in the courtyard of the government office, which was piled with things. There were two people sitting in the lobby of the county government office. It was Gu.
Two servants in the South House.
When the two of them saw Li Hui, they stood up and kowtowed in salute: "Daniu Ershun has met the young man of the Li family. You can see that we are here."
Li Hui was very happy. He was very happy to see someone from Wu County for the first time in half a year. Hearing their Wu County accents, he felt very friendly.
"Oh, why are you here? This is great. Get up, get up." Li Hui said loudly.
The two servants thanked Dachun and stood up. Just as they were about to speak, they were stopped by Dachun and Dazhuang who rushed up and hugged them. Danniu Ershun was considered to be friends with Dachun and Dazhuang in the South House. They are both honest people. This time
I am very happy to see you in spring.
After laughing for a while, he sat down again.
"Daniu Ershun, did you come overland? That big car outside belongs to you, right?"
"Yes, we originally wanted to take the water route, but this time we brought too many things. Dong Weng said that it would be better to pull an ox cart and walk slowly. So we drove the ox cart here. The young man didn't know something
"The two of us have been walking on the road for half a month. Dahua walks too slowly. He can't be beaten, he can't understand scolding, he gets whipped and loses his temper. There's nothing we can do about it." Daniel replied.
Li Hui laughed. Dahua is the name of a cow that pulls the cart in Nanzhai. It has a hair on its butt that looks like a flower. It has great strength in pulling the cart, but it has a bad temper. The servants who drive the cart are all coaxing it.
"A big cow can't cure a big flower. Hahaha, after walking such a long way and dragging so many things, no wonder it loses its temper." Li Hui said with a smile.
Both Daniel and Ershun laughed.
"How are my mother and the others doing? Did they know when you came?" Li Hui asked.
This is what Li Hui cares about most. In the past few months, Li Hui has been worried about his mother and Chou Aunt. Especially after the situation settled down, he became even more concerned.
"Oh, the eldest lady is very good, and the ugly girl is also very good. Of course we have to report it to them when we come. After the new year, we all got good news and learned that the young man was promoted to county magistrate in Juchao County. Dong
Weng personally went to report the good news to the eldest lady. It's just because of the Lu family's affairs that we can't make it public. Otherwise, everyone will make a fuss over the wedding wine." Ershun said with a smile.
Li Hui nodded slightly. He could imagine what his mother and Chougu looked like when they learned the good news that he had been promoted to county magistrate. They must be very happy, and they must have cried.
"The eldest lady has brought a lot of clothes and food this time, and they are all in the car. The eldest lady also asked us to ask the young man when he will pick them up here for a reunion." Dan Niu said with a smile.
Li Hui laughed, but also sighed in his heart. His mother and Chou Gu missed him and wanted to be reunited. Why didn't he want to pick them up? But it was definitely not possible at the moment. The situation here was not stable enough, and it was not suitable for them to come here.
I'm afraid picking them up will be delayed.
"Dong Weng sent you here, did you get a letter? Or did you bring a message?" Li Hui said.
Daniel slapped his head and cursed: "Look at me, I'm so stupid, I forgot such an important thing. Dong Weng specially asked us to deliver a letter to you this time. I'm sending you something by the way. Er Shun, where's the letter?"
Please present it to Mr. Xiao Lang quickly."
Ershun agreed and hurriedly took out an envelope wrapped in sheepskin from his inner pocket and handed it over with both hands.
Li Hui looked at the envelope with the words "Li Hui personally signed it", which was Gu Qian's handwriting. The seal of "Qianzhi" on the envelope seal was intact. After Li Hui came to the public case, he tore open the envelope and took out the letter.
Come and read the letter.
"Li Hui's great-nephew, it's like meeting each other. I was delighted to hear the good news later that year. I learned that you had suppressed the lake bandits, pacified the refugees, and stabilized the situation in Juchao County. I was very pleased. You were in a difficult and dangerous situation.
It is really admirable to be able to plan bravely, not be afraid in the face of danger, and achieve this feat. I once said that day, you are not a thing in the pond, so it is a matter of course that you have achieved today's achievements. Now I grant you the title of Juchao County Magistrate.
It's great to congratulate you. I specially ordered Daniel Ershun to go there and bring some congratulatory gifts to congratulate you on behalf of the Gu family!"
"... Lu Zhan's incident is very regrettable. But you handled it properly and fulfilled your responsibilities, so you don't have to blame yourself. The servants of the Lu family who sent Lu Zhan's coffin back home made it very clear that on the way to take office
You have fulfilled your duty to remind me, but Mr. Lu refused to accept it and was not prepared. The court newspaper also made it clear that the murderer of Lu Zhan has been brought to justice by you, which can be regarded as your best effort. That day I
I talked about this matter with Mr. Lu, and he asked me to express his gratitude to you. Being able to return Lu Zhan's coffin and avenge Lu Zhan has fulfilled the friendship of fellow Wu County people. Several servants of the Lu family risked their lives to avenge the lord.
Lu Shijun also approves of staying in Juchao County. I heard that you asked them to serve as county government servants. Lu Shijun has removed their slave status and restored their freedom. From now on, they will follow your arrangements.
"
"Li Hui's grandnephew, everyone in my Gu family is very happy to know what you have done in Juchao County. The head of the family and I personally went to visit your mother at her residence to encourage and praise you. Lanzhi is blessed. Giving birth to your son is a blessing after all the hardships.
However, I still want to make it clear to you that I have something to say to avoid any misunderstanding."
"...This time I recommended you to be an official in Juchao County. I didn't know that the situation in Juchao County was so dangerous before. I only knew that refugees gathered and the situation in Juchao County was chaotic. I definitely didn't know about the lake bandits. If you knew about the lake bandits and the refugees,
The bandits are here and they will never allow you to go. Lu Shijun can testify for me on this matter, otherwise he will never agree to Lu Zhan to take office. The Lu family has prepared food and supplies for Lu Zhan after he takes office, and plans to
Help, I never expected that Lu Zhan would be killed after arriving. If he knew the danger was like this, how could he sit back and watch Lu Zhan go and die? I don’t need to explain, but I am afraid that you will misunderstand, so I said this. You also know that I am an upright person.
I will only explain this matter once and will not mention it again because it is not necessary."
"Li Hui's grandnephew, it is a good thing that you have stabilized the situation in Juchao County. You need to be further stable in the future and have political achievements before you can be promoted. The situation is constantly changing and we cannot relax. I and the head of the family expect a lot from you.
Yin, I think you will definitely achieve something. You can go ahead and do it. If you need any help in manpower or material, you can write and let us know. Your family will do their best to help. You have grown up in the Gu family since you were a child, and you are just like a child of the Gu family. Your mother
I am a member of the Gu clan again, and I will be your strong support. I, the Gu clan, will also use my strength to pave the way for you. As the saying goes, those who drink water remember the source, and those who enjoy the shade remember the virtues of their predecessors who planted trees. You must understand this truth.
I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing from you."
A eloquent letter was written on three large pieces of paper. Li Hui read it carefully, frowned and thought for a moment, then slowly folded the letter and put it into his sleeve.