While the three of them were talking, footsteps sounded outside. Erhei went out to take a look and came back to report: "The head of County Magistrate Jiang is here, please come and have a brief talk." After saying this, he handed over an invitation.
Wang Xian glanced at him and said, "Now is not the time to see him. Go back to that person."
"How do you say that?" Erhei asked.
"Just find any reason." Wang Xian said nonchalantly: "Say that I'm not feeling well today and I'll definitely visit you another day."
"Okay." Erhei went out to reply. When he came back and talked for a while, someone came outside again. Erhei went out to take a look again and reported back: "Xian Cheng Zhao is here."
"Invitation." Wang Xian said without fear of revealing his secrets: "Forget it, I'd better welcome you."
County Magistrate Zhao was the original Inspector Zhao. Because of his contribution to disaster relief, he was promoted to the eighth-level County Magistrate of the county. After all, he was still a Shangguan, and he was not involved in those bad things. Wang Xian had to go out to greet him.
A welcome.
The two met in the front yard. Wang Xian bowed deeply and said, "Brother Zhao."
Zhaoxian Cheng did not dare to be too embarrassed at all. He walked forward quickly, supported Wang Xian with all his strength, and laughed and said: "Brother, don't do mischief. It's my turn to salute you."
"Doesn't this mess up the hierarchy?" Zhao Xiancheng was a patrol inspector after all, and he was very powerful, so Wang Xian was easily lifted up by him.
"What's the matter of superiority and inferiority? Not to mention that my brother is now a famous person in front of the feudal government, and I'm still looking forward to your support." Zhao Xiancheng said with a smile: "In the past, brother, I followed you out." This is
To be honest, although he is a ninth-rank inspector, Wang Xian, the acting Dianshi, is the spokesperson of Weizhi County. It is not surprising that a small person controls a large person.
"I'm just pretending to be a tiger." Wang Xian smiled and touched his nose and said, "It's cold outside, let's stop poking at it and go inside to talk."
The two of them entered the room affectionately, and Shuai Hui served tea again. Zhao Xian Cheng knew that he would soon become an official, so he said awkwardly: "You can't help it, this is a servant's job."
"What can't you do?" Shuai Hui said with a playful smile: "We have little education, and we know that we must not forget our roots. We will never forget the well diggers. We will always be my master's followers."
Zhaoxian Cheng knew that these words were obviously meant for him, so he hurriedly expressed his position: "That's how it should be. I am also such a person. I have never forgotten Mr. Wei's cultivation and brother Wang's support.
.”
"Brother Zhao is serious." Wang Xian smiled and said, "I knew you were a kind and righteous man, unlike some people who are ungrateful and turn their backs on others."
Hearing what Wang Xian said so seriously, Zhao Xiancheng also felt a thump in his heart. He quickly drew a clear line with the man and said: "I really didn't expect Mr. Jiang to be that kind of person, but Brother Yu promises to God that I have not mixed up with them.
." After that, he sighed and said: "But brother, you also know that the second master of the county magistrate is in charge of everything, and he doesn't say anything. When brother Wu Wei was squeezed out of the yamen, I was very angry, and I felt sorry for him.
I said a few words, but not only was it of no use, but I was also humiliated..." Such a big man, with red circles in his eyes, said: "This county magistrate is really not as comfortable as being a patrol inspector."
Although Wang Xian did not return to Fuyang after arriving in Hangzhou, Wang Xian still knew the situation in the county very well. He knew that those big households resented the time when Zhao Xingjian was the lackey of Weizhi County, blocking water and land transportation, preventing them from transporting food out, and even arrested
Someone seized the ship, causing several officials to suffer great shame and humiliation. The wealthy people couldn't do anything about Wei Zhixian and Wang Xian, so they took it out on him. The second master's life was indeed difficult.
"I know it's not easy for Brother Zhao," Wang Xian comforted him warmly: "But we have endured the end, and good days are coming."
"What?" Zhao Xian Cheng put away his tears quickly and looked longingly at Wang Xiandao: "What's the news, brother?"
"Haha, yes, there is, but it must be kept secret." Wang Xian smiled mysteriously.
"Brothers are not big talkers..." Zhao County Cheng said.
"I know," Wang Xian nodded and said, "But neither am I."
"..." Zhao County Cheng was speechless: "Okay."
"Don't be disappointed, it's a good thing after all." Wang Xian emphasized with a smile: "A great thing."
"The relationship is so good..." Zhao Xian Cheng saw the presence of the old god Wang Xian, and remembered his heroic appearance when he tied the iron rope across the river and manipulated the rich people in Fuyang to applause. His confidence suddenly increased, and he took the initiative to ask: "Is there anything I can do for you?
,Brothers, please don’t see anyone outside.”
"Is this..." Wang Xian pondered for a moment and said, "I really need Brother Zhao's help with something."
"Please speak" Zhaoxian Cheng came to his senses.
"I need the county's disaster relief accounts." Wang Xiandao: "Brother Zhao should have access to it."
Zhaoxian Cheng's heart sank and he was tongue-tied: "What, for what?"
"I have my own uses." Wang Xian said calmly: "Why, is it inconvenient for Brother Zhao?"
"Fang, convenient." Zhaoxian Cheng immediately thought of Wang Xian's move to move Li Sheng to check the accounts, and said: "Mo, is there something fishy in it?"
"Haha..." Wang Xian smiled and said nothing. But it was no different than what he said... Zhao Xian Cheng almost concluded that someone in the Yamen had informed Wang Xian.
In fact, there is nothing shocking inside. It is just a correction of the policies of the predecessor by the officials and gentry. The official of Weizhi County is too clear-minded. He not only has high standards for himself, but also has strict requirements for others, which makes the people below him miserable.
Later, Wang Xian appeared, and the situation got better. Some bad rules and routines were restored, and everyone could live their lives. However, after the disaster relief began, under tremendous pressure, Wei Zhixian returned to his old ways and demanded that every penny spent on the victims
On the body, even Wang Xian's words were useless this time.
In other counties, regardless of whether the victims live or die, the officials are making a lot of money. Like in Fuyang County, the victims are well fed and live well, but the officials are dying of poverty. This is really all.
The officials in the same family did not dare to complain openly, and they were already very depressed in private.
Fortunately, Weizhi County was transferred midway, and the officials immediately returned to their old ways. They wanted to recover what they had lost. And because the price of food in Fuyang dropped, they had room for manipulation. The officials purchased food at a fair price, but still according to the price.
The original high price was sold to victims of disaster relief work.
On the other hand, the large households with serious blood loss were also eager to recoup their losses. They asked the magistrate Jiang to transfer the work-for-relief objects to their tea gardens and workshops, and exploited the cheap labor force. The victims were even harder than before.
The return is only less than half of the original... Although there is still so much food, the price of food has dropped by more than half.
The price difference here was all pocketed by the officials and gentry. They thought that this method was very clever and could be used unnoticed, but how could they hide it from Wang Xian, who knew everything about it?
Is there any cat that doesn't steal fish? In other counties, it would actually be nothing. After all, the victims did not starve to death. But Fuyang is a model vigorously promoted by the court and the province. Once the work-for-relief policy actively promoted by the higher-ups becomes
Big joke, do you think the court and the province will be angry?
Thinking back to the secret conversation between Zhou Zhitai and Wang Xian, it was almost certain that some victims of the disaster had brought the complaint to the province. Anticipating the anger from the imperial court and the province, Zhaoxian Cheng couldn't help but sweat profusely. After all, he knew about it and had a share of the spoils, so he couldn't escape.
Department... Prime Minister Zhao became more and more frightened as he thought about it, and his face turned pale.
"Brother Zhao, don't worry. I won't let you be implicated. On the contrary, I will let you make this great contribution." Wang Xian saw that this guy was frightened and comforted him: "If the matter is done, maybe you can be promoted again."
…”
"It seems they want me to expose them." Zhao Xian Cheng calmed down for the time being, and said with a hard smile: "Xian Cheng has not yet settled down, so I don't expect to be promoted. But my brother has his orders, and I will definitely do it."
"Excellent." Wang Xian nodded and praised: "When brothers get rid of the evil atmosphere, it will be the day when Brother Zhao can be proud and proud."
County Magistrate Zhao suddenly realized that this was what Wang Xian meant - he wanted to find out the crimes of the officials and gentry who had enriched their own pockets, and it was the right thing to do to get rid of Magistrate Jiang and them, no matter what, they had to ensure their own safety first. After thinking for a long time, he finally
Still agreed.
"In addition, this matter may be a scandal that no one wants to see." Wang Xian said slowly: "How it will be handled depends on the superiors, so Brother Zhao must not make it public." Don't say it, don't say it,
Still said everything...
"Of course." Zhao Xiancheng nodded repeatedly: "I know what's appropriate."
"Okay, brother, I'm waiting for your good news." Wang Xian cheered him up: "Don't worry, our backers are very strong."
Zhaoxian Cheng nodded his head as if pecking at rice, talked for a while, then left and returned to the Yamen.
People in later generations thought that in the back office of the county government, only the magistrate's family lived, but this was actually wrong. Just as the front office also had the county magistrate's office and the chief registrar's office, the back office also had the houses of the county magistrate and the chief registrar. Three families
In fact, they were neighbors. Sometimes when Magistrate Jiang was at home, he was beaten by his wife, and both Zhao Xiancheng and Ji Zhubo could hear clearly.
Zhaoxian Cheng had just returned home when the county magistrate Jiang came over to invite him. He was not surprised by this and did not need to change his clothes. He followed the magistrate to the magistrate's house next door.
Ever since he learned that Wang Xian did not keep his appointment, but immediately met with Magistrate Zhao, Magistrate Jiang had been uneasy. When he saw him come in, he immediately asked: "What did Wang Xian tell you?" After saying this, he felt that it was inappropriate.
, said sarcastically: "I'm so worried now, so don't worry about me."
"I can't say anything about this..." The relationship between Zhao County Cheng and Jiang County Magistrate is obviously not as bad as outsiders think, at least he can still be ordered by him. This visit to Wang Xian was entrusted by Jiang County Magistrate. But Zhao
After the county magistrate came back, his attitude was obviously much colder: "I'd better go there in person and beg for mercy. Maybe there is a way out."
Zhaoxian Cheng believed Wang Xian's words deeply, and Jiang Zhixian also believed his words. When he heard this, his old face turned pale and he said: "Just say it clearly."
"He won't let me tell you. You'd better go see him yourself." Zhao County Cheng said with a straight face: "You have to do it as soon as possible. If you are late, it will be too late."
Jiang Zhixian was so frightened that he couldn't find Ding Mao after all. After returning home, he felt restless as if he had lost his soul. He finally waited until dark. He quickly changed into casual clothes and sat on a sedan chair.