Hongri City is not wealthy. As the center of the city, the Hongri County Government Office is also mottled and old. The black bricks on the wall are damaged in many places. Even the red paint on the door has faded badly. It has obviously not been repaired for many years.
In the courtyard of Houya.
Fang Tingxiao, the magistrate of Hongri County, was dressed in patched gray cloth casual clothes with neatly combed hair. He was enjoying the pastries from Chunlaixuan under the service of two maids.
I heard that one plate of this pastry costs half a pound, and eight plates cost one tael. Tsk, but it tastes really good. That boy Li Gang is very sensible and knows how to honor me from time to time.
Unlike several other gangs who don't know what is good or bad, it seems that they have to find a reason to let the agents go out for activities and enjoy the autumn breeze. The money to pay homage to the superiors this season has not yet been paid.
"Sir, the leader of the Mozhu Gang, Zhuo Mufeng, would like to see you."
Just when he was feeling proud of his plan, he saw a guard walking into the yard and lowered his head and said.
"Mozhu Gang?"
There are six gangs in Hongri City, big and small. But what really makes Fang Tingxiao remember the Mozhu Gang is because the former gang leader never gave gifts during holidays.
He had secretly sent people to suppress him many times, but the other party just didn't understand. He heard that he died in a vendetta a few days ago, which was really satisfying.
Why did the new gang leader come to see me if he didn't want to straighten out the gang affairs?
After thinking about it, Fang Tingxiao decided to meet him and ordered two maids to carry away the table and cakes. He wiped the powder residue from the corners of his mouth, took another book "Things a Leader Must Know", and posed to read.
Fascinated.
"The common people have seen the adults."
Fang Tingxiao didn't even raise his head when he heard the sound.
It wasn't until Zhuo Mufeng said it for the second time that Fang Tingxiao woke up from a dream, rubbed his eyes and said, "It turns out to be Gang Leader Zhuo. I'm sorry, I have been addicted to books since I was a child, which made you laugh."
Zhuo Mufeng asked where he was, cursing secretly in his heart, you even held the book upside down, who are you showing off to?
Fang Tingxiao put down the book and looked at Zhuo Mufeng with a smile without saying a word. This was his experience as an official for many years. He could take the initiative at any time without asking or mentioning anything.
Especially when dealing with gang leaders like this, you have to be sure.
How could Zhuo Mufeng fail to see the other party's intention, and he was too lazy to make excuses, so he said: "Master Fang has been in Hongri City for five years. He has worked hard on political affairs and managed thousands of chickens every day. He has put in unimaginable efforts to govern this city, so this
Once, the grassroots came specially to express their gratitude to Mr. Fang."
Fang Tingxiao was a little confused.
Zhuo Mufeng continued: "In order to express the gratitude of the grassroots, the grassroots decided to give 20% of the rent of the Mozhu Gang's land outside the city to Mr. Fang, and I beg Mr. Fang to accept it."
At present, his foundation is too shallow. He has never done anything better than the Tiger Gang, so he has to temporarily find a backer. After thinking about it, the biggest thigh in Red Sun City is none other than Fang Tingxiao.
No matter how arrogant Li Gang is, he is only at the first level of cultivation. How dare he ignore Fang Tingxiao?
According to legal principles, even a peerless master without an official status must still bow to Fang Tingxiao when he sees him.
Of course, this is impossible to happen. Those kind of people are either strange people in the world, giants, or have inextricable connections with the imperial court, so they will not take Fang Tingxiao seriously at all.
But for most people who live in the world, the government is always an existence that needs to be respected.
Unexpectedly, Fang Tingxiao's face turned calm, and he immediately stood up from the stool and shouted: "Master Zhuo, please respect yourself! Fang Mou has always been an honest and clean official. During his tenure, he never owed a single coin to the people. If you are so dirty,
Thoughts, please come back!"
With a wave of sleeves, no one could expel Zhuo Mufeng.
Zhuo Mufeng knew it well.
This Fang Tingxiao, known as Fang Papi, is notoriously greedy and lustful, but he likes to pretend to be a moral gentleman. It seems that he thinks the 20% land rent is too little, this bastard!
Fang Tingxiao thought to himself, you Zhuo Mufeng is quite capable of doing things, but I have already sent someone to find out that the land rent of the merchants can collect two hundred and forty taels a year, so you only give me forty-eight taels. Do you think I am a beggar?
?
Zhuo Mufeng could only say: "Recently, the gang has been spending a lot of money and has been unable to make ends meet. There is really no spare money. However, in order to thank Mr. Fang for everything he has done, the grassroots are willing to donate 30% of the land rent."
Fang Tingxiao still refused to accept it, but his attitude was much better than before.
Zhuo Mufeng secretly swore that when he got out of the predicament, he would make Fang Papi spit out everything he swallowed. He smiled and said: "Forty percent, please accept it, Mr. Fang."
Fang Tingxiao sighed: "Mu Feng, it's really not easy for you to support such a big gang at such a young age. That's all, Fang just accepts it reluctantly. But don't worry, all the money will be invested in Red Sun
In the construction of people's livelihood in the city, the people will remember you."
Zhuo Mufeng kept saying that Mr. Fang was wise, but the latter simply said he didn't dare. After the business talk was over, he casually invited Zhuo Mufeng to stay for dinner. Zhuo Mufeng thought about it, it would be a meal if he could save it.
Unexpectedly, the other party put out two bowls of rice and a plate with only a few dozen peanuts.
"Fang went on a diet and shrunk his clothes just to remind himself from time to time that if the people of the world do not have common prosperity, Fang will not be able to stop his hard work."
Zhuo Mufeng felt like vomiting and quickly stood up to say goodbye.
"mock up!"
As soon as the others left, Fang Tingxiao immediately asked the maid to remove the coarse food and replace it with the fine wine and delicacies that had been prepared long ago, and ate heartily.
When we returned to Mozhu Gang, it was getting dark.
"Senior brother, something serious has happened!"
As soon as they passed the screen wall, Shang Zirong led a few people and ran over anxiously.
Now we have one senior brother at a time. Why didn’t I see you when I was trying to grab the benefits? Zhuo Mufeng asked helplessly: “What happened?”
"Senior brother, there are more than thirty brothers who are clamoring for monthly salary. They will quit the gang if they are not paid. They also say that Wang Dong and others have already received it, and you cannot favor one over the other."
Zhuo Mufeng was shocked after hearing this.
When did he send money to Wang Dong?
"Gang Leader, something bad is going on!"
Another person rushed in and said anxiously: "Gang leader, many of our farmers outside the city were attacked at the same time today, and were threatened that they could no longer rent our land. Many farmers are clamoring to come back tomorrow to cancel the lease!
"
Two incidents in succession gave Zhuo Mufeng a strong smell of conspiracy.
Shang Zirong thought for a while and said bitterly: "It must be the Tiger Gang. They are taking revenge on us. They are really despicable."
While he was talking, many members of the gang gathered around him, demanding money from Zhuo Mufeng. If you don't give it, we won't give up.
"Where is Wang Dong? Let him come out and talk."
Zhuo Mufeng said coldly.
"Brother Wang said that he leaked this news. I'm sorry for you, gang leader, so he hid out."
someone answered.
Zhuo Mufeng's expression changed slightly. He seemed to have no evidence to prove his case. As a result, he couldn't explain why he was justified, but it would also make the gang members feel resentful.