Soon, the table was filled with all kinds of delicacies, and Zheng Mi Chang picked up the wine glass, filled Hai Rui's glass, and then poured himself a glass.
"Come on, let me take this glass of wine as my thanks for your kindness last time!"
Zheng Mi Chang raised his wine glass as he spoke. Hai Rui also raised his wine glass and clinked it with Zheng Mi Chang.
After a glass of wine, Zheng Michang's face turned rosy, and he continued: "Come, come, let's eat some food. The fish in this restaurant is excellent!"
Upon seeing this, Hai Rui took a piece of fish and put it into his mouth. In an instant, the unique sweetness of fish filled the entire mouth, making people unable to stop.
"How about this fish? Isn't this fish good? This is the signature dish of this restaurant! Most people can't even eat it."
After Zheng Michang finished speaking, he also picked up a piece of fish and put it into his mouth.
Hai Rui put down his chopsticks with a look of hesitation on his face: "Mr. Chief Envoy, I would like to..."
"We won't discuss business matters over the wine table. Let's talk about it later."
After Zheng Michang finished speaking, he glanced at Hai Rui with a reproachful look on his face.
Hai Rui had no choice but to continue holding up his wine glass and clinking glasses with Zheng Michang.
"Come on, come on, cheers!"
"cheers."
After three rounds of wine and five tastes of food, Zheng Michang was lying on the table helplessly, still talking nonsense.
"My Lord Chief Minister, can I ask you questions now?"
Hai Rui put down the wine glass in his hand and spoke.
"Ask...ask, Hiccup! After all, you drank so much, why don't I see you even a trace of drunkenness?"
Zheng Mi Chang barely supported his body, looked at Hai Rui with drunken eyes, and said doubtfully.
"The chief envoy doesn't know something. Before I became an official, there was a wine shop in the village! Although the wine it sells is new wine, it has the taste of old wine."
"If things go on like this, I will develop the ability of an official to be able to drink even a thousand cups."
Hai Rui smiled and then explained to Zheng Michang.
"Absurd, this is clearly in a certain storybook! I have also read it."
After Zheng Michang finished speaking, he stood up unsteadily, poured himself a glass of wine, and drank it all in one gulp.
"Didn't you say before that you have any questions you want to ask me? Just ask."
Zheng Michang was in a good mood, turned his gaze to Hai Rui, and said in a deep voice.
"Master Chief Envoy, the thing is like this..."
Hai Rui immediately informed Zheng Michang of all his doubts.
"What? Stop looking into this matter! Just pretend it never happened, keep it in your stomach, and never say it out!"
After Zheng Michang heard Hai Rui's description, he suddenly broke into a cold sweat, sobered up a lot, and warned Hai Rui.
"Why?"
Hai Rui was quite puzzled by Zheng Michang's reaction and said doubtfully.
From Hai Rui's point of view, the imperial government's policy of reducing taxes for the common people has never been implemented! The burden on the people is getting heavier and heavier. If things go on like this, once there is a natural or man-made disaster and the people lose their livelihood, they will end up selling their sons and daughters.
If the government's relief is not in place, these people who have lost their jobs will instantly turn into refugees in order to survive, thus causing turmoil! By then the situation will be irreversible.
Zheng Mi Chang did not answer Hai Rui's question directly, but picked up the wine bottle on the table, poured himself another glass of wine, and then spoke slowly.
"When I went to measure the fields in Zhejiang, someone said the same thing as you. He was Gao Hanwen, and he was also a student of Xiaoge Lao Yan Shifan!"
"Logically speaking, his status and background are much higher than that of you, the magistrate of Chun'an County! But why did he choose to remain silent later?"
"Because there are too many people involved behind this. If we investigate thoroughly, the entire court and even the high-ranking elders will not be spared! They will all be punished according to the Ming Law!"
When Zheng Michang said this, he paused for a moment, and after drinking all the wine in the glass, he continued.
"Don't continue the investigation. I also wanted to be kind to you before I said this to you. Otherwise, I would have dealt with you long ago!"
"Listen to my advice, you can't handle this! Forget about it completely, and stay in the position of county magistrate for a few more years. As for your promotion, I will find a way for you. "
After Zheng Michang finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Hai Rui and waited quietly for his answer.
After a long time, Hai Rui's throat moved, he shook his head, and said slowly: "Mr. Chief Minister, you misunderstood! The previous incident was what I was accusing. If someone else were present, I would Will do that too.”
After Hai Rui finished speaking, he stood up from his seat and prepared to leave.
"Hai Rui, don't give me a toast and be fined with alcohol! Is this something that a small magistrate like you can handle?"
"You are making an enemy of the entire officialdom! If you walk out of this door today, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
When Hai Rui walked to the door, Zheng Michang's threatening voice came from behind.
Hai Rui paused for a moment, turned around and looked at Zheng Michang, bowed slightly and said loudly: "Thank you so much, Chief Envoy, for taking care of me! Your Majesty also understands what you said. It’s all true, but someone has to do it, right?”
"If everyone knows the truth and doesn't say anything, just muddle along and continue to whitewash peace, how can the people live and work in peace and contentment? How can we, the Ming Dynasty, talk about prosperity?"
"Sir, I'm sorry! I have to do this."
After Hai Rui finished speaking, without a trace of hesitation, he immediately opened the door and left, leaving Zheng Michang sitting alone in the room.
After a while, there was a crisp sound, and it turned out that Zheng Mi Chang had dropped his wine glass in anger.
"Asshole! Idiot! Hai Rui, I will make you regret it!"
Zheng Mi Chang looked at the open door and gritted his teeth.
…
When Hai Rui came out of the restaurant, he was greeted by a gust of cool breeze, which made him sober.
"By the way, what is the name of the person the Chief Envoy mentioned just now? Oh, I remembered, his name is Gao Hanwen!"
Hai Rui stood at the door of the restaurant, muttering silently to himself.
Hai Rui then made up his mind to find Gao Hanwen to find out some specifics.
After many inquiries, Hai Rui finally found out where Gao Hanwen lived.
"Is this where Master Gao lives?"
Hai Rui came to Gao Hanwen's residence and asked the guard at the door.
"Sir, what are you doing?"
When the guard at the door saw the official uniform that Hai Rui was wearing, he didn't dare to be disrespectful at all and quickly said respectfully.
"I am Hai Rui, the magistrate of Chun'an County. I have something I would like to know from Mr. Gao. Please go in and inform me!"
"Sir, please wait a moment, my subordinate will go in and report."
Seeing that Hai Rui had something to discuss with his master, he quickly went in to report.
In the room, Gao Hanwen was practicing calligraphy, his pen moving between dragons and snakes, showing his elegance.
This has been his habit since he became an official. Whenever he feels depressed, he calms down and writes a word. After finishing a word, his mood will feel much better.
"Huh~ I'm finally done!"
Gao Hanwen put down the brush in his hand and looked at his masterpiece with satisfaction.
At this moment, the guard's announcement came from behind.
"Sir, Hai Rui, the magistrate of Chun'an, is outside asking for a meeting!"
"Hai Rui? Why is he here? Forget it, let him in."
Gao Hanwen gave the order after being suspicious for a moment.
"Yes, sir! I will inform him now."
After hearing Gao Hanwen's instructions, the guards quickly followed the order and left.
(End of chapter)
