A group of officers and soldiers surrounded the prefect and other officials. When they arrived in front of the Huang family's mansion, someone was already waiting in front of the door to greet them.
"Master Song is here to welcome you." A handsome young man in a brocade robe said loudly, but he did not welcome these people to the door. "They are busy moving, very busy, and the servants also sold a lot
, there are not enough people to serve and pour tea. If you have anything, sir, please send us to the government office."
Being turned away naked like this made the officials who stopped in front of the door blush.
But what can be done? Now they have bowed their heads.
Magistrate Song called Axiao, looked at the young man with a kind and sad expression, and said, "Why don't you even call me uncle?"
The Song magistrate had served in Guangzhou Prefecture for several years and was familiar with these aristocratic families. The younger generations of each family also knew their names and could address them as uncles and nephews during private gatherings.
The word "uncle" was simple, but it immediately told the story of the long-term closeness between them. The accompanying officials praised in their hearts that the magistrate was worthy of being a magistrate, and he was able to bend and stretch with ease.
Axiao, the Huang family's nephew, was somewhat weakened by the shout. He turned his head away from Magistrate Song and said, "I'm afraid my uncle won't recognize me as my nephew."
Magistrate Song stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder: "What are you talking about? A single tree cannot grow into a forest. Now Guangzhou Prefecture is in trouble, and only my family can help. Please ask Axiao to help me ask the old man.
It just so happens that Lord Tao is also here, and the emperor's ministers will definitely be able to help me in Guangzhou Mansion."
After he said this, he bowed and bowed. He saluted and other accompanying officials followed suit.
They knew it as soon as the people from the government came out. So it's not surprising that the people from the government knew about Tao Ran's arrival from the Huang family. Everyone has their own powerful connections.
The relationship between the aristocratic family and the government is intertwined in this way. Either the east wind prevails over the west wind, or the west wind overpowers the east wind. Of course, they are better now.
Huang Axiao looked at the officials who were leaning over in front of him and sneered in his heart, but he still knew that he would accept them as soon as possible: "Masters, please wait in the hall for a moment. I will ask my grandfather. I can't hide the moving matter from my grandfather. His old man
Because the old illness of wanting to leave home has returned."
In the end, a sarcastic arrow was thrown at him, he was just a latecomer.
Is there anything I can do? I just bow my head and admit defeat. Magistrate Song endured it: "I'm really ashamed."
Fortunately, Mrs. Huang didn't keep them waiting, and came over after drinking two bowls of cold tea in a room without charcoal fire.
Seeing Mr. Huang wrapped in a cloak and being carried by four or five strong servants, the prefect and others hurriedly stood up and saluted.
"Old Master, please lie down quickly." Magistrate Song held down the recliner and said proactively without Old Mrs. Huang having to say anything, "You are sick, and we are really ashamed to bother you again."
"Jiacheng, why am I sick and why are you here? If you all know it well, just tell me," Old Man Huang said calmly, looking at the officials standing in the hall, "You and I know each other."
After all these years, who still doesn’t know whose temper? Well, who is this?”
His eyes fell on an unfamiliar face.
This was an old scholar who was not wearing official robes, but was wearing brand new clothes that did not look like his own. The old scholar followed the officials' salutes and looked around with his eyes... When he heard the question, he hurriedly looked away.
Magistrate Song said: "This is Mrs. Wu's disciple."
"Jiang Liang." The old scholar took a step forward and said with a smile, "Young Madam asked me to come and see if I can help."
Old Mrs. Huang said: "Don't help. Everyone is so busy now because of your young lady's help."
These words are really rude and are undoubtedly meant to be insulting in person.
Magistrate Song was hesitant. Should he defend the young lady and immediately turn his face on the old guy and scold him?
Jiang Liang saluted with a shameful smile: "So please give me some advice."
Magistrate Song no longer needed to hesitate, he held Old Mrs. Huang's hand and said, "Old Mrs. Huang, you have to save me."
Although they had already agreed that they were here to bow their heads, they had no choice but to bow their heads to the low-ranking prefect. The other officials could only lower their heads and follow vaguely. Guangzhou Prefecture has become famous in Huainan Road these days, and even in half of Huainan Road.
Everyone is used to being awed because of the horse's head, but to suddenly bow his head like this is really unaccustomed.
Of course, Mr. Huang could see the reluctance and shame of these officials, which was exactly what he wanted to see.
The greatest joy in life is to see your enemy bow and helpless.
"It's not to save you." Mr. Huang slapped away Magistrate Song's hand and said with a straight face, "It's to save the people of Guangzhou Prefecture."
Jiang Liang said from the side: "So please ask the old man to appease the people."
Old Man Huang glanced at him: "I am a bad old man with no official position, no fame, and no reputation as a fairy like Mrs. Wu. How can I appease the people?"
An official picked up the topic. Since they were here together, they could still do such a thing by flattering the prefect. He bowed deeply: "The Huang family has had a reputation in Guangzhou Prefecture for hundreds of years."
Huang has the world in his mind and the common people in his heart. Mr. Huang is highly respected. When there was a great epidemic in Guangzhou Prefecture, Mr. Huang invited famous doctors to distribute soups and medicines to more than 100,000 people in Guangzhou Prefecture. Half of the people in Guangzhou Prefecture survived because of him.
"
Other officials also praised the glory of the Huang family and the merits of Mr. Huang himself, and their words made the cold room warm.
Reaching out to avoid hitting the smiling man, Old Man Huang's face became a little unbearable, so the young people accompanying him snorted: "Since we know that our Huang family is as virtuous and respected as An Fang, the God of Dinghai, why do you have to drive us away! Steal our money
Are you going to take away our food, divide our land, and force wealthy families like us to leave our homes?"
The atmosphere in the hall was a bit awkward.
"No way, no way." Magistrate Song came out to support the situation, "It's a borrowing, it's a borrowing."
Jiang Liang added on the side: "The money, grain and land are all used on the people."
Mrs. Wu still didn't think she was wrong. Old Mrs. Huang looked at Jiang Liang and said, "Really? I thought it was used on Mrs. Wu. She is a deity who descends to earth and can do anything. People only go to her to worship her."
Once you bow, you need money, money, food, food, and land."
Magistrate Song tried to smooth things over: "It's all for the people, it's all for Guangzhou Prefecture."
Jiang Liang was neither anxious nor annoyed: "Old Master, what do you think we should do?"
This is when Old Mrs. Huang talked directly with Mrs. Wu. The officials present were quiet and relieved. At that time, Yuanji brought two people to see them, saying that they were the disciples of Mrs. Wu. They would represent the young lady in the negotiation with the family.
.
Everyone was a little surprised by these two disciples who suddenly appeared, but they were not too surprised. There were many people who came to seek refuge with Mrs. Wu. In addition to those knights, there were also painters, storytellers, singers, candy makers, and liars.
There is everything to eat, cheat and drink...
Mrs. Wu said that they were disciples, and they were here to meet these aristocratic families in person. If there was anything that happened, they did not need to be reported to the government, and it was convenient for everyone.
Old Mr. Huang looked at him: "It's very simple. It's all for the people, money and food. We can give it directly to the people without going through the young lady."
Jiang Liang said with a smile: "The reason why our young lady did it ourselves is for convenience, otherwise so many people would be in a mess and there would be no plan. If Mrs. Huang wants to do it, of course there is no problem, but for the sake of the people and the order of Guangzhou Prefecture,
There still have to be rules."
"Our Huang family has been doing disaster relief for generations, and we know the rules very well." Huang Axiao said politely from the side.
How old is this Mrs. Wu, and she still wants to scare people by showing that she doesn’t know the rules?
Jiang Liang neither made trouble nor retreated, nor gave in. He smiled and said: "This kind of disaster is not famine and epidemic, but war. Naturally, the rules are different during war."
Huang Axiao wanted to say something else, but Mrs. Huang waved her hand to stop her: "Mrs. Wu is right. Wartime is no better than other times."
The old man's expression has softened, showing tolerance.
"In that case, it's up to the young lady to set the rules, and we can do things ourselves."
Jiang Liang praised: "The old man is transparent."
The matter was settled, and there were discussions and discussions, and everyone took a step back when they had requests. Everyone was really happy. The prefect and officials immediately followed up with praises. The faces of the young and old in the Huang family also improved a lot, and the atmosphere in the hall became lively.
"Then the same goes for the fields." Jiang Liang took advantage of the good atmosphere and continued.
The atmosphere in the hall darkened just like the faces of the Huang family. Money and food were easy to come by, but the land was the foundation of their family.
"It's just a borrowing, a borrowing." The prefect smoothed things over again, "Let the refugees be able to farm and settle down in peace. When the world becomes peaceful and everything around Huainan Road becomes stable, the borrowing will expire."
He stretched out his fingers to measure.
"Everyone knows the current situation. His Majesty the Emperor has great majesty. The guards of Daxia are winning one after another. At most, they will be almost there by the end of next year."
The officials all nodded and tried to persuade him.
He couldn't say that the situation was bad and the emperor couldn't put down the rebellion, right? Old Mrs. Huang couldn't bear the noise: "Okay, okay."
The prefect and other officials immediately stopped talking and looked at Old Mrs. Huang nervously and quietly.
"If there are people who need farming, please choose and send them over." Mr. Huang looked at Jiang Liang, "We will arrange the fields."
The eyes of the prefect and other officials immediately turned to Jiang Liang.
This was the first time in Jiang Liang's life that he was stared at by so many people. So many people were waiting for his answer. His answer was crucial. He touched his collar and smiled calmly and steadily: "I have help from the old man, young lady."
Very happy.”
Old Mrs. Huang called out to Ah Xiao: "Why don't you light a charcoal fire when the guests come?"
Huang Axiao lowered her head in shame: "There are not enough servants, they are all busy organizing and bowing."
Old Mrs. Huang scolded: "My servant has been sold, and your wife and mother are gone too? Even if the roof is gone, my Huang family must not lose etiquette in hospitality."