In the blink of an eye, three days passed by in the blink of an eye, and it was March.
In order to make sure nothing went wrong, Zheng Michang took people to wait near the dock early. However, after waiting from morning to evening, the grain-carrying ship that everyone was eagerly waiting for arrived from Jiangxi to Zhejiang.
At this moment, a subordinate on the side mustered up the courage to ask Zheng Michang.
"Sir, did you remember the time of transporting grain incorrectly, or maybe the ship responsible for transporting grain encountered something on the road and was delayed?"
When Zheng Michang heard this, he became very angry and immediately reprimanded him.
"What an idiot. How can I remember the time wrong for such an important matter?"
"Logically speaking, the water route is much faster than the land route. It takes three days to deliver the first batch of food from Jiangxi!"
As Zheng Michang spoke, he turned his gaze to the water surface in the distance that looked sparkling under the setting sun. He clenched his fists and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Something must have happened. You continue to wait here while I go report the matter to the Governor!"
"Yes, sir!"
After that, Zheng Michang didn't stop at all, and immediately took a sedan and rushed towards the direction of the Governor's Mansion.
…
"It's been so long since this Zheng Michang, why is there no news at all?"
In the study room of the Governor's Mansion, Hu Zongxian put aside the official documents he had finished processing, and immediately complained.
At this moment, there was a knock on the door. After receiving Hu Zongxian's permission, a guard pushed the door open and entered.
"Your Majesty the Governor, the Chief Envoy is outside asking for an audience!"
After hearing the guard's report, Hu Zongxian couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief, and said in his heart: "Finally there is news about Zheng Michang!"
Immediately, Hu Zongxian came to his senses and ordered: "Let him come in!"
After Hu Zongxian's words fell, the guard immediately responded in a deep voice: "Yes, Lord Governor!"
Not long after, Zheng Michang, led by his guards, came to the study room of the Governor's Mansion and met Hu Zongxian.
As soon as Hu Zongxian saw Zheng Michang, he couldn't restrain his eagerness and asked: "How much grain has been transported from Jiangxi?"
When Zheng Michang heard this, the expression on his face suddenly became extremely ugly. He hesitated for a long time before choosing to tell the truth: "My Lord Governor, to tell you the truth, I have been waiting at the pier for nearly a day with my people, not even one ship. I didn’t even see the shadow of the ship!”
After listening to Zheng Michang's report, Hu Zongxian's face was full of disbelief, and he immediately asked.
"Are you sure you didn't even see a ship?"
Zheng Michang had no choice but to repeat this cruel fact: "Yes, Lord Governor, I didn't even see the shadow of the ship, let alone any food!"
After Hu Zongxian learned this cruel reality, he was stunned for a moment. Then he couldn't help but feel a flash of joy in his heart, and said silently to himself: "Fortunately, I didn't distribute all the remaining grain in the warehouse to Sannong."
After that, Hu Zongxian quickly came to his senses and asked Zheng Michang.
"How long can the remaining grain in the warehouse last at most?"
When Zheng Michang heard this, he thought for a long time before he responded: "Your Majesty, the remaining grain in the granary can probably barely last for twelve days."
After Zheng Michang finished speaking, without waiting for Hu Zongxian's response, he immediately said cautiously: "Mr. Governor, do you think it is possible that Qingliu threatened Jiangxi Governor Cao Shunhe and prevented him from going to Zhejiang..."
Before Zheng Michang could finish his words, he was categorically interrupted by Hu Zongxian: "No, it won't happen. I know Cao Shunhe's character, so he must have been delayed by something on the way!"
Seeing that Hu Zongxian's attitude was so resolute, Zheng Michang immediately responded and said: "Your Majesty, Governor, you are right, it is because of the rudeness of the lower official!"
Immediately afterwards, Zheng Michang asked Hu Zongxian: "Then Governor, what should we do next? There is not much food left in the warehouse."
When Hu Zongxian heard this, his expression suddenly became sad, he sighed, and said: "In this case, let's distribute relief grains according to the minimum quota!"
After Zheng Michang heard this, he immediately responded in a deep voice: "Yes, Lord Governor!"
At this moment, there was a rush of footsteps coming from outside the door.
Not long after, a guard entered the study, turned his attention to Hu Zongxian, and reported respectfully.
"Mr. Governor, there is a man coming outside who claims to be Cao Shunhe, the governor of Jiangxi. Look..."
In the study, when Hu Zongxian and Zheng Michang learned the news from the guards, they were so shocked that their brains shut down for a while.
Then, Hu Zongxian came to his senses first and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Bring people in quickly!"
"Yes, Lord Governor!"
After Hu Zongxian's words fell, the guard did not hesitate at all and quickly took the order and left.
After that, Zheng Michang lowered his head with a look of shame on his face, and immediately said: "My Lord Governor, it seems that the lower official is judging the gentleman with a villain's heart!"
After hearing this, Hu Zongxian withdrew his eyes from Zheng Michang and waved his hand quite casually, indicating that he didn't care about the matter: "It doesn't matter."
Not long after, the visitor was led by the guards into the study room of the Governor's Mansion. As soon as he entered the study room, he carefully took out the letter from his arms and said respectfully: "Your Majesty Governor, this is my family. I am sending it to you. Letter coming here!”
Hearing this, Hu Zongxian nodded slightly to the visitor, then took the envelope from his hand and said, "Okay, I have received the letter. You can go down and rest first!"
When the visitor saw this, a look of gratitude appeared on his face, and he said respectfully: "Thank you, Lord Governor!"
After that, the man who came to the Governor's Mansion to deliver the letter left the study under the guidance of the guards.
After the visitor left, Hu Zongxian looked at the letter in his hand, opened it without too much hesitation, and began to browse the contents.
The further he looked down, the tighter Hu Zongxian's brows became. Soon after, Hu Zongxian put the letter aside and said helplessly.
"As expected, things are not as expected. There is a problem in Jiangxi!"
When Zheng Michang heard this, he couldn't restrain his inner curiosity. He immediately boldly asked Hu Zongxian: "My Lord Governor, can you tell me what happened in Jiangxi?"
"Here, see for yourself!"
After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he handed the envelope to Zheng Michang and immediately spoke.
When Zheng Michang took the envelope, he began to browse the contents just like Hu Zongxian did before. When Zheng Michang read the contents recorded on it, there was a look of shock on his face that could not be concealed, and he spoke subconsciously.
"More than a dozen large ships responsible for transporting food suddenly caught fire inexplicably just as they docked at the dock!"
"Not only that, we can't find out who the murderer is!"
"These innocent people are really abominable. When I get the chance, I will cut you into pieces!"
When Zheng Michang said this, he could no longer suppress the anger in his heart.
Perhaps due to being too angry, Zheng Michang's breathing began to become rapid, and his eyes became red, as if fire was about to spit out from them.
(End of chapter)
