"Don't worry, father-in-law. I have personally checked this location and it is absolutely foolproof." Hearing Yang Kang's worried words, Ma Lianshan hurriedly patted his chest and signed a guarantee.
However, in the past few days, he really went to see the burial place.
After the impact of the river water, it has completely integrated with the surrounding river beaches. No one can tell that there are traces of excavation here.
"It's okay." Yang Kang nodded, "From the murder case to the encircling of the river, I always feel that everything is going too smoothly. People often say that things will turn against each other at the extreme. You have to pay attention to what happens in the river behind you.
Report any situation immediately."
"Of course, I will report this matter to my father-in-law every day." Malianshan said hurriedly.
Yang Kang reached into his arms with his left hand, took out a piece of paper folded in half, and handed it to Malianshan: "This is the list of people collecting donations this time, with their specific donation amounts on it. However, it is all money. As for one or two
I didn’t write anything on the coins or other donations from the common people, just take a look.”
Malianshan hurriedly raised his hands and waved them as if refusing: "This is a fundraiser for the county government. I won't read it. My father-in-law will just keep it."
"How can this be done?" Yang Kang pushed forward the banknotes and broken silver and copper plates on the table, "These are all the income from this donation. Take it and complete the water conservancy project."
"Isn't this necessary?!" Ma Lianshan refused.
"No? You don't need to pay for your labor? You don't need to pay for food? Although we have our own Xiao Jiujiu in the middle, the cost of official matters is still very high. I can really ask you to carry it alone. Look.
Will you go bankrupt? You can have no food, but my daughter cannot suffer." Yang Kang stubbornly pushed the banknotes on the table towards Malianshan.
"No, when I was at the scene, I already stated that I would be responsible for all the labor. My father-in-law will keep the money in the county government office for emergencies." Malianshan pushed the money back again.
Malianshan had no idea how far this nominal water conservancy project would go. His purpose was to search for jadeite stones in the river.
If the money is accepted, then the project does not really have to be done in a decent way. If that is the case, wouldn't it mean that a lot of labor will be arranged for it to be carried out.
There are too many people, and it is difficult to manage. The original search for rough stones in a generous manner has become secretive. He does not want to do things in a hidden way.
"The whole county has been buzzing about this donation. Even if I want to leave some for the county government, I don't dare to leave it." Yang Kang laughed, "You take it first and put the accounts into the project. As for
It's not you who has the final say on how much money is actually used. Later, if you use various expenditures to divert the money, at that time, I can happily accept it as a filial piety to the county government."
Malianshan suddenly realized.
Are you letting the money circulate around me, making the project look bigger from the accounts, plating the project with gold, and then dividing it up privately?!
He is really an old fox who wants both money and political achievements.
Malianshan squeezed his eyes and laughed obscenely: "That's what my father-in-law meant. Don't worry, I will make the project accounts larger to give you an excuse to apply for special funds from the Xi'an government."
"Applying for funds is a trivial matter, but the Xi'an government must know how difficult this project is." Yang Kang nodded.
"Let the Xi'an Prefecture know how difficult it is. If we solve the funding problem on our own, even if the project is not very satisfactory in the end, the Xi'an Prefecture will have nothing to blame? My father-in-law is smart." Malianshan wasted no time in flattering him.
"Having said that, the scene must be big. So, take the money and build momentum first."
Ma Lianshan stopped being polite and collected the banknotes on the table. He nodded, took out two thousand-tael banknotes, and handed them over to Yang Kang with a smile.
"What are you doing?" Yang Kang was a little confused.
Malianshan lowered his voice: "The two thousand taels of silver are for purchasing materials in the project accounts."
"Oh." Yang Kang narrowed his eyes and smiled knowingly.
He took the banknote, put it in his arms, and nodded slightly: "The county government has already sent these materials, and they are all piled in the river."
"My son-in-law understands that I will let people use the 'raw materials' in the river tomorrow."
"Hahaha."
"Hahaha."
...
In the early morning, the Shuilu Temple at the foot of the Qinling Mountains felt cool and quiet.
More than a dozen workers had already gotten up and started packing their tools, preparing to officially start the construction of the water conservancy project.
From the temporary thatched houses built on the river embankment, streams of smoke emitted and disappeared under the cool breeze.
A sweet smell of corn paste floated throughout the shed.
On the official road, Malianshan's carriage creaked towards the construction site. Everything seemed to be going smoothly.
"Sir, you're here." As soon as Malianshan got off the carriage, the servant in charge of managing the construction site came up to him with a smile.
This person was none other than the coachman who buried the body and Mal Lianshan's housekeeper in the county. His name was Wu Tian.
"Yeah." Ma Lianshan nodded and glanced in the direction of the kitchen: "What are you cooking for breakfast today?"
"Pork corn, two steamed buns for each person." Wu Tian bowed his body and said respectfully.
"Carrying stones in the river is a real physical job. How can two cornbreads be enough?" Malianshan looked at Wu Tian with stern eyes.
His body trembled involuntarily, and Wu Tian hurriedly said: "Go back to the shopkeeper, we have all you can eat of corn paste, and everyone also takes a plate of side dishes."
"Really?" Malianshan glared at Wu Tian and walked straight towards the kitchen where the smoke was rising.
In the kitchen, there was an old man working in front and back. Wearing an apron, his body was hunched over, and his hands and feet looked unusually nimble.
Seeing Mal Lianshan walking in, the old man hurriedly bowed and greeted: "Shopkeeper, you are here."
Malianshan didn't answer, walked to the huge pot, picked up the wooden spoon next to it, and started stirring in the pot.
It is said that the corn is mushy, but it cannot be that mushy. The sound of gurgling like clear water is just because the color is a little yellow due to the cornmeal.
Throwing down the wooden spoon, Malianshan turned his head and stared closely at the old man: "How much cornmeal was put into this pot?"
"It's raining, it's raining..." The old man was a little at a loss. From the corner of his eye, he glanced at the housekeeper Wu Tian who was following Malianshan and whispered, "This morning, a liter of cornmeal was poured."
"Say it again?" With a bang, Ma Lianshan kicked a small wooden stool in front of his feet out of the door, "Do you think I'm blind or something? Give me such a clear and watery corn soup.
Talk about a liter of cornmeal?”
With a "pop", the old man knelt on the ground and looked at Malianshan with a grimace: "Master, there are more than ten people eating on the construction site, and we have to pay for the food ourselves. I just want to save a little for you.
ah."
Ma Lianshan turned around and stared at the butler Wu Tian behind him: "Is this your idea?"
Wu Tian grinned, as if he was smiling but not smiling: "Sir, I don't know how long this project will be completed. We can't do it unless we save money."
Taking out two banknotes from his arms, Malianshan flicked them over: "This is a water conservancy project in the name of Xi'an Prefecture. Is it a trivial matter? Not only did the county conduct fund-raising activities, but also returned to Xi'an
The government will allocate special money. Do you want to use water to make everyone feel hungry after doing such heavy physical work? Take these banknotes and prepare food at the construction site. Don’t limit the number of wotou to two per person. Let everyone
Eat as much as you want."
With an embarrassed look on his face, Wu Tian took the banknote that Ma Lianshan threw at his face and said, "Master, do you really want them to eat freely? It's just a day's physical survival. The cost of food will not be low."
"Just do what I tell you. How can you come up with so many words? Let go of the money I gave you and make clear the accounts for me." After scolding Wu Tian for a few words, Ma Lianshan turned around and walked out of the kitchen door.
.
How can such a fussy person achieve great things?
Muttering in his heart, Malianshan was ready to visit the construction workers again.
"Master, master." A servant in charge of construction site safety hurried over, panted and stood in front of Malianshan, pointing to the door of the construction site with his hand: "There are three people over there, saying they want to talk to you about something.
.”
Looking in the direction pointed by the servant, Ma Lianshan couldn't help but frown slightly.
In the gap enclosed by the fence at the construction site, a man in a bright red gown, followed by two men, looked around.
