Zhong Mingli sat at another table silently, poured a glass of wine and took a sip.
Zhao Zhijie sat at the table, glanced at him, and frowned slightly.
Among the other people beside Governor Dong, some had regrets in their eyes, while others showed pity on their faces.
The petty officials at the same table with him looked at him with less respect, and there were many who were gloating about his misfortune.
Zhong Mingli's expression remained unchanged. When he picked up the glass of wine for the second time, there were footsteps outside the door.
Governor Dong stood up immediately and walked to the door in person. The other officials also stood up and followed him.
A bright smile appeared on Dong's face, and he cupped his hands and said: "Master Fang, I have been waiting for you here for a long time..."
"Master Fang..."
"I have met Mr. Fang..."
The officials behind Governor Dong also saluted.
Fang Hong frowned slightly when he saw the many officials behind Governor Dong, but only for a moment before he nodded and said: "We are all colleagues, no need to be polite..."
Governor Dong quickly stretched out his hand and said: "Master Fang, please come inside..."
Although as the governor of Zhongzhou, he had the same official rank as Fang Hong, but the central and local officials were not on the same level, let alone the Fang family behind him, so Governor Dong could not help but lower his profile.
After the guests and hosts were seated, Governor Dong smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries. Fang Hong only responded politely and did not look very enthusiastic.
Although Governor Dong was slightly unhappy, he did not dare to show it. The Ministry of Civil Affairs was responsible for the evaluation and review of officials. He had been sitting in the position of Governor of Zhongzhou for many years. He had no backer in the capital, so it was extremely difficult to get promoted. He made friends with Fang Hong.
To him, it means a lot.
The officials present naturally saw Mr. Fang's alienation, and couldn't help but sigh in their hearts. After all, he was an important minister in the capital and an ordinary governor of Zhongzhou, and he didn't take it seriously at all...
Fang Hong took a symbolic sip of his wine, glanced at everyone at the table, and suddenly asked: "I wonder who Magistrate Zhong is?"
Governor Dong was stunned for a moment, then he felt happy and said, "Even Mr. Fang knows that this Magistrate Zhong is really outrageous..."
Everyone couldn't help but tremble in their hearts. Governor Dong was determined to remove Magistrate Zhong from his eyes.
"What's so outrageous?" Fang Hong looked at him and said, "I haven't been back to Lingzhou for a long time, but I have also heard that Zhong Mingli, the magistrate of Yong'an County, loves the people like a son, resolves cases like a god, and does everything personally. He is a man who serves the country.
I have long wanted to meet a good official who serves the people. Why, didn't he come today?"
"Love the people like a son, and focus on solving cases..." Governor Dong's expression froze, and he said with difficulty: "Fang, Mr. Fang, is there any misunderstanding..."
Fang Hong frowned and asked, "Is it possible that Magistrate Zhong is not here today?"
After Dong Jishi came back to his senses, he looked at the other table with a complicated expression and said: "Magistrate Zhong, why don't you meet Mr. Fang soon..."
Fang Hong looked at Zhong Mingli, who was sitting in the corner, and there seemed to be a flash of strangeness in his eyes. He stood up directly, walked over, and said with a smile: "County Magistrate Zhong, I have admired your name for a long time..."
Zhong Mingli was still a little unable to recover at this moment. After reacting, he immediately stood up and said repeatedly: "Master Fang, thank you, thank you..."
"I have heard about Magistrate Zhong's deeds. Mr. Sun also mentioned it to me. Mr. Zhong did not hesitate to take risks and went deep into the epidemic area. He is a good official who loves his people like his own son..." Fang Hong looked at
He smiled and said: "Your Majesty has already had the idea of purging the cruel officials. He can make the criminals confess without even using one sentence or one punishment. I have a good friend who is a prisoner on Jingdong Road. He has always praised this method.
I have the opportunity to introduce you to Mr. Zhong..."
Lord Fang, who even treated Governor Dong with respect, was suddenly so polite and enthusiastic to him, and even wanted to introduce friends to him. Zhong Mingli's mind went blank, and he mechanically replied: "Thank you, thank you Lord Fang..."
At another table, Governor Dong's face had turned dark.
Fang Shilang ignored him, the governor of Lingzhou, but he was enthusiastic about Zhong Mingli, a small county magistrate. What does this mean?
He also said that he would introduce Jingdong Lu Tixing to him?
Lingzhou is affiliated to Jingdong Road, and is in charge of criminal and prison affairs. It is in charge of the criminal and prison affairs of the states and governments under its jurisdiction. At the same time, it also supervises other officials in the road and subordinate state and county officials. It is simply hanging over the heads of their local officials.
A sharp blade...
Although Fang Hong has a profound background, he cannot reach out to Lingzhou, but he can go directly to the court to issue sentences on Jingdong Road. This is a person who makes people tremble even when they see him...
"Why are Master Zhong sitting here?" Fang Hong looked down at Zhong Mingli and said, "Come and sit together. I still have a lot to talk about with Master Zhong..."
He turned his head and looked to the side of his seat.
The official stood up immediately and said with a smile: "Master Zhong, come and sit here..."
Zhong Mingli exchanged places with the official and sat next to Fang Hong.
Governor Dong was upset in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face. He turned his head and asked with a smile: "Master Fang, is the old lady still in good health?"
"Well." Fang Hong replied lightly, looked at Zhong Mingli and asked with a smile: "Master Zhong has been in Yong'an County for many years, right?"
Zhong Mingli's mood has returned to calm now, he nodded and said: "It's been more than ten years."
A look of embarrassment appeared on Governor Dong's face, and he asked again: "How long will Mr. Fang stay in Lingzhou this time?"
"I will return to Beijing in half a month." Fang Hong replied casually, then looked at Zhong Mingli and said with a smile: "I met Mr. Tang and Miss Zhong at my house that day. One is the most talented woman in Lingzhou,
A rare young hero, he is really talented and beautiful, a perfect match..."
"..."
A smile hung on Governor Dong's face and he stopped talking.
Governor Dong did not speak, so naturally no one at the table was qualified to speak.
Fang Hong asked, and Zhong Mingli replied that the people around him were like foils, and no one said a word until the end of today's banquet.
This strange drinking party lasted less than half an hour.
At the door of the restaurant, before leaving, Fang Hong looked at Zhong Mingli and said with a smile: "Kong Tixing will be arriving in Lingzhou in a few days. I will take him to visit him again then."
Zhong Mingli cupped his hands and said, "I'm waiting for you two gentlemen."
Fang Hong got on the carriage with a smile, and the carriage gradually moved away.
Governor Dong's face turned completely gloomy, he glanced at Zhong Mingli and left without saying a word.
"Master Zhong..."
"Goodbye Master Zhong!"
"Lord Zhong, walk slowly!"
…
When Zhong Mingli left, the Lingzhou officials behind him all saluted him and changed their attitude.
Judging from Master Fang's attitude towards him, I'm afraid that if Governor Dong wants to touch him in the future, it won't be that simple. Being hostile to him will not do them any good.
When Zhong Mingli walked to the sedan, a faint voice came from behind.
"It turns out you already had a countermeasure, but my reminder was unnecessary."
Zhong Mingli looked back at Zhao Zhijie, the magistrate of Ngai An County, shook his head and said, "I didn't know Mr. Fang would be like this today..."
Zhao Zhijie showed a trace of ridicule on his face, "Do you think I will believe it?"
Zhong Mingli said calmly: "Believe it or not."
Zhao Zhijie glanced at him, turned around and left. The moment he turned around, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Wait a minute."
Hearing a voice from behind, he turned his head, looked at Zhong Mingli, and asked, "Is there anything else?"
"Do me a favor." Zhong Mingli looked at him and said, "Help me check a person. I want his household registration and all the information I can find."
Zhao Zhijie was stunned for a moment, then looked at him and asked, "Are you begging me?"
Zhong Mingli looked at him and said angrily: "Don't go too far!"
"In that case..., I won't help." Zhao Zhijie looked at him and simply turned around and left.
"Help me check if there is a person named Tang Ning in Nghe An County, Tang from Tang poetry, Ning from An Ning."
After Zhong Mingli said something, he got on the sedan chair.
When Zhao Zhijie walked back to Ngee'an County Government Office, the sky had completely darkened.
"Sir!" A yamen servant at the yamen gate bowed to him.
Zhao Zhijie walked into the county government office, stopped again, and said, "Ask Secretary Zheng from the household to come and see me."
Now the government office has been released, and the clerks in the government office have gone home long ago. The government clerk looked at the dim sky and was unsure: "Now?"
Zhao Zhiye nodded and said: "Now."
Seeing that the county magistrate was so solemn, the Yamen servant immediately nodded and said: "I will go immediately!"
Zhao Zhijie walked into the county government office and couldn't help but cursed in a low voice.
"Zhong Mingli, Mingli, Mingli... When I asked someone for help, I didn't even say thank you. What kind of etiquette do you know!"
