What Cen Rubai didn't know was that before coming today, Zeng Nianzhen was still hesitant. He didn't want to worry his friend Cen Rubai, but he also didn't want to stay with his new master, even if it was just a guest.
He originally thought that after his friend mentioned him in front of Su Ziji, he would go there in person, thank him for the kindness, and forget about it.
Unexpectedly, when I walked into the wine shop and approached the young man who was sitting alone in the corner and looking at me with a smile, I suddenly couldn't say no.
"What's going on? Is this the style of the legendary Lord Mengchang?"
Lord Mengchang was in Xue Yi, soliciting guests from all over the world as well as people who had committed crimes and fled. All the wise men in the world were attracted by him. When Su Ziji immediately promised to bless him, he felt a complicated emotion in his heart.
After suppressing these, Zeng Niuzhen said: "Young Master Renyi, since you are so sincere, I, Zeng Niuzhen, will do my best to help you. To be honest, I will be leaving the capital this time with many brothers by my side."
"I can't do other things, I don't know how to do it, but I am an expert in the world of martial arts."
"I can't do government affairs, but as long as you give me three days, I can give you a clear report on the private details of the entire Shun'an Prefecture."
Zeng Nianzhen said this with confidence. He was famous in the world, and many powerful men were friends. Investigating these things was difficult for others, but not for himself.
Speaking of the black mine, I also found out through my own investigation.
"Even if the young master wants to encircle and suppress the three major sects, we can still help. As for what you just said, collecting some chickens, ducks, pigs, etc. is a trivial matter. If there is anything else that needs to be assigned, just ask!"
"Mr. Zeng really has the style of an ancient chivalrous man, so happy!"
When Su Ziji heard this, he nodded repeatedly and was very satisfied.
Without martial arts, gangs are at the lowest level of society. Even if they have martial arts, gangs cannot rise to the top.
These three gangs are entrusted with important responsibilities and control the gold mines, which shows that although they are unlikely to be direct descendants of King Qi, they may be the roots of the demon clan.
Now that King Qi has colluded with the demon clan, he is also a member of King Qi's party.
"This is not the capital, but Shun'an Mansion. Even if there is a big move, as long as the results are good and the emperor knows about it, it should be fine."
"He regards me as the prince's heir. Even if I fight with the King of Qi, in his opinion, it is an internal fight and is not too out of line."
Su Ziji sighed with emotion when he thought of this.
If he hadn't had this status, he would have been charged with "the following is guilty of the above" in a fight with the King of Qi.
"These three major gangs can be killed. The King of Qi attacked me and it was rude, so I just gave him a gift in return."
So, Su Ziji nodded: "You and those friends in the world, please continue to keep an eye on the black mines, don't expose your whereabouts, and wait for my reply."
"It's best to draw a diagram of the private mines."
As soon as he said this, Zeng Nianzhen smiled: "Don't worry, sir, I have already drawn a map of the mine."
With that said, he took a piece of paper and handed it over.
"oh?"
Su Ziji unfolded it and saw that on this piece of paper, there were topography and mineral veins drawn on it. Although it couldn't be compared to standard cartography at all, it was very vivid. Dozens of black mines were marked.
"Mr. Zeng is really well prepared. I really admire him." Su Ziji only glanced at him and stood up: "Now that everything has been found out, I can go see Qi Hongxin."
If you just rely on Jianghu people to deal with the three major gangs, even if it is feasible, you will definitely suffer heavy losses. Su Ziji will not do such a thing.
At present, Shun'an Prefecture is short of silver. The fact that it can smoothly collect black mines, including gold mines, is equivalent to getting a large amount of silver out of thin air. Qi Hongxin, who is so anxious to go to the province to beg for money, does he know this?
Can you still sit still afterward?
At that time, Su Ziji can just ask Zeng Ninzhen to help secretly, so that he can not only take revenge, but also solve the problems in the house without hurting his own foundation.
He went as he was told. Taking the mine map he had drawn, Su Ziji, two people and his own soldiers, set off for the prefect's Yamen. Naturally, he was stopped directly by the Yamen servants.
"Don't go any further!" a yamen servant shouted: "This is the prefect's yamen, and no one else is allowed to enter!"
When one of the squad leaders saw this fight, he knew it was a big deal. He quickly called out to the yamen servants and hurried out, until he smiled in front of Su Ziji and said, "May I ask what your surname is, Mr. Taifu?"
Su Ziji did not answer, but Cen Rubai answered on his behalf: "This is the number one scholar of this year. He has been appointed as the acting county magistrate of Shun'an Prefecture. He has come here to announce the decree and report to Lord Qi."
"Why don't you go in quickly to send a message and ask Magistrate Qi to come out to receive the order?"
"This..." This time, the people who were blocking him were frightened. In the face of the imperial edict, even if they didn't know whether it was true or not, in order not to be accused, several people present immediately knelt down.
The squad leader looked timidly at Su Ziji and kowtowed: "Sir, the prefect is not in the Yamen now..."
"He's not there?" Su Ziji asked, "Where has he gone?"
"After the magistrate gave some instructions, he went to the flood control yamen and said he was going to collect money."
Since this matter was not a secret and even ordinary government officials knew about it, Su Ziji told him directly when he asked.
Su Ziji thought for a while: "If that's the case, then I'll go to the flood control yamen to find him."
Just as he was turning around to leave, he saw an ox cart stopping in front of the Yamen. Qi Hongxin got out of the cart with a dark face. Obviously, this trip to collect money was not going well.
"Master Magistrate, an imperial edict has arrived!" A government servant knelt and shouted towards Qi Hongxin.
Qi Hongxin raised his head and saw Su Ziji. With just one glance, he recognized that this was the "Ju Ren" with whom he had a close relationship. Why, the identity was actually fake, not Ju Ren, but someone sent by the imperial court?
But there was no need to think too much. Qi Hongxin saw the brocade box that obviously contained the imperial edict in Su Ziji's hand, and said: "Please come in quickly, imperial envoy!"
He also ordered the government officials to quickly set up the incense table and receive orders inside.
Everyone knelt down and Su Ziji read the imperial edict in a loud voice. After reading, Su Ziji rolled up the imperial edict and returned it to the brocade box. He immediately smiled all over his face and performed the etiquette of a lower official meeting a superior official to Qi Hongxin.
"Master Su is an observer sent by the imperial court, so you don't need to be so polite." Qi Hongxin hurriedly extended his hand to help him. Although Su Ziji came here to temporarily act as the county magistrate, he was his subordinate, but there was still someone else who didn't.
Although he is a high-level observer, he sounds very scary, which is completely inappropriate.
"What do the higher-ups think?" In fact, the officialdom is very taboo about this kind of confusion of authority. Qi Hongxin had no choice but to invite Su Ziji into the room and take a seat as if they were almost equal.
After sitting down and being served tea, Qi Hongxin gradually calmed down and had time to observe the young man sitting on one side.
After arriving in Fucheng, he soon heard that the imperial court would send a county magistrate to come over. Now that he saw the person, he had some ideas.
"Although he is the number one scholar in a new subject, he is talented and has the status of an observer. He needs to give him some face so as not to cause trouble for me in government affairs."
"But this person has arrived early tomorrow and still refuses to report. Isn't this a bit wrong?"