...
In the middle of the night, everything was silent, and a violent cough shattered all the tranquility.
The dark room seemed to be frozen. Only the thin figure on the bed struggled to get up. The figure lay on the bedside with difficulty, spitting out several mouthfuls of blood.
Those eyes were dim and dull, like those old people who were about to die and would be annihilated at any time and merge with the darkness.
Fan Liren felt weaker and weaker. He knew that his body was about to be unable to hold on. The body that had been carefully maintained for more than thirty years would burst like a dam that burst thousands of miles away.
"Uncle Fu, Uncle Fu!"
After a feeble and low roar, a rickety figure appeared from the darkness, as if this person had been waiting in the room to be called.
Fu Bo was a bit bloated and wore a hat that covered most of his face. The black and white mottled hair on his head was enough to tell his age. He was always hunched over, his eyes falling on the ground beside Fan Liren's bed, not looking directly at Fan Liren.
"Young Master." Uncle Fu has been taking care of Fan Liren. The disease brought from his mother's womb is now getting more serious.
Fan Liren took out a silk scarf and wiped the corners of his mouth. I coughed a few more times before I felt relieved.
"Where's the medicine? Still haven't found it yet?" Fan Liren spoke very quickly, and he was very anxious in his heart. He had been off the medicine for a day, but just this day made him panic and his body became weaker and weaker.
Fu Bo remained silent. Silence is often an answer.
It is not difficult to find the medicinal introductions on the prescriptions, but it is rare to find these medicinal introductions quietly.
This is extremely difficult.
Fan Liren held the blood-stained silk scarf tightly in his hand and said angrily: "Tomorrow, you must find the medicine. No matter how much money you have, you must find it for me!"
The Fan family has no shortage of money, so lavish spending is not a problem.
The Fan family also spent a lot of effort on Fan Liren's illness.
Fu Bo agreed in a deep voice. He is like an emotionless wooden man who only needs to obey Fan Liren's orders, even if these orders are extremely vicious.
Ahem!
Severe coughs sounded from time to time, tearing the silent night into pieces.
At dawn, Su Muchi listened to the servant's report. "Last night, the young master couldn't sleep well again. Let's make some soothing soup."
Su Muchi dressed Tuantuan and sent her to school.
On the way out of the house, Su Muchi met Fan Lixin again. As long as Fan Lixin was in the house, he would pester Su Muchi like an evil ghost, but Su Muchi never knew when she had offended Fan Lixin.
"Going out again, where are you going?" Fan Lixin asked.
As if nothing happened like yesterday, Su Muchi said, "My father and brother asked me to go back to the Su Mansion."
Fan Lixin sneered and said: "Your good-for-nothing brother, who can't even hold the position of county guard, is married to my Fan family. It's really embarrassing for our Fan family."
Fan Lixin has always looked down on the Su family. Nanzhou values literature and produces talented people and great Confucians. These literati have always set their sights higher than others, maintain their own status, and are superior to others. In Nanzhou Prefecture, there are more wealthy families like the Fan family who have passed down their scholarly heritage.
Throughout the dynasties, some members of the Fan family entered the dynasty as officials, and even became marquises and ministers, becoming one of the top noble families in Chu.
As a merchant from the Su family, it was natural that he would not catch Fan Lixin's eye.
Although the marriage between the Su family and the Fan family is not the main lineage of the Fan family, in the eyes of outsiders, the Su family still ranks high.
Su Muchi listened to Fan Lixin's words without refuting. She is conflicted inside. Su Muci knew that Su Sui was a loser, but someone insulted the Su family, which Su Muci did not want to see.
Fan Lixin continued to mock: "Since you are married, don't spend all your thoughts on your mother's family. When your husband's family is sick, you have to take care of him in the house."
Su Muchi replied in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "I have already spoken to my husband when I return to the Su Mansion."
Fan Lixin raised his eyebrows and stared at Su Muchi, as if he wanted to eat someone.
Su Muchi secretly took a breath and said, "If nothing happens, I will go to the Su Mansion first."
As soon as Su Muchi took a few steps, Fan Lixin's voice came from behind her.
"In a few days, Fan will send someone to Su City. Just stay calm and don't cause any trouble."
Su Muchi was just walking, and she was already used to hearing these unkind words.
...
Early in the morning, Yu Zhi exchanged all the gifts from the officials into banknotes, a total of thirty thousand taels, a thick stack that needed a box to contain it.
In the county governor's mansion, there was a middle-aged man standing in front of Yu Zhi. This was Zhang Zhongmin, the magistrate of Xiangcheng County, Sucheng County.
Zhang Zhongmin has an upright figure and a nonchalant expression. There is some contempt and sarcasm in the depths of his eyes. He looked directly at Yu Zhi, without any fear because of Yu Zhi's official position.
Yu Zhi still had his legs crossed, looking carefree.
Zhang Zhongmin spoke first and said, "If Mr. Yu has nothing to ask, I will leave first. I am not as free as your Excellency. There are still a lot of official affairs to be handled in Xiangcheng County."
Zu Anbang sat aside and did not interrupt.
Early this morning, Yu Zhi came to the Sheriff's Mansion and asked people to take all the antiques, calligraphy and paintings to a pawn shop and exchange them for money.
Then, Yu Zhi called Zhang Zhongmin to the county governor's house.
Zu Anbang really wanted to see what medicine was sold in Yu Zhi's gourd.
Last night, Zu Anbang also figured something out. When Yu Zhi came to Sioux City, his actions were all just for promotion and wealth.
Suppressing bandits was Yu Zhi's task, so he had to do it as fast as he could. At a young age, he became the Zuo Deputy Imperial Envoy of the third rank of the Imperial Procuratorate and went on a mission to Nanzhou. It was obvious that he was young and promising and won the favor of Emperor Chu.
After quelling the banditry, he gained a good reputation among the people.
After this hunting tour, he will definitely be able to secure a third-rank official position after returning to the capital. Even becoming the prime minister of the current dynasty in the future is not impossible.
As for the money, haha, who doesn’t like silver?
When running errands, it is common in official circles to take some money.
Good means and good planning. As expected, Master Yu was able to reach the third rank of officialdom at such a young age, which was by no means comparable to ordinary people... Zu Anbang was secretly impressed in his heart, and already felt that he understood Yu Zhi's thoughts.
Yu Zhi raised his hand and said, "Wait, wait. Why is Mr. Zhang so impatient? Of course I have something important to come to you for."
Zhang Zhongmin originally heard that the newly arrived censor was a good official who asked for orders for the people and suppressed banditry. He still secretly admired him. But within a few days, Zhang Zhongmin received a letter sending gifts.
What does it mean?
Take advantage of Sioux City officials and become corrupt officials?
Zhang Zhongmin was unhappy because he came, but he didn't bring any "gifts".
Zhang Zhongmin came from a poor family, and he became a parent officer only after passing the Qingyun Examination. He knows the sufferings of the people and the darkness of the officialdom. But he had to mediate, so that he could maintain peace.
If you say who is the most "stingy" among Sucheng County officials, it is definitely Zhang Zhongmin.
No matter who went to inspect Xiangcheng, Zhang Zhongmin never held a private banquet, and everything was done in a business-like manner.
Zhang Zhongmin thought to himself: Let me see what trouble you, a corrupt official, are going to make.
There were stacks of folds on the table next to Yu Zhi. He picked up a fold and said, "Mr. Zhang, you have been in charge of the government affairs of Xiangcheng County for many years, and you haven't made any major mistakes. Compared with other county governments, Xiangcheng County's government affairs are clear and clear, and the people have no complaints. It's a rare good official!"
What does this mean? Does this corrupt official want to make up some omissions and dismiss me from office? ...Zhang Zhongmin's thoughts were racing, and he was probably suffering from paranoia of persecution.
Yu Zhi continued: "However, you have disappointed me this time!"
Zhang Zhongmin had already determined that Yu Zhi was going to take action against him, and he didn't look good on it.
"Master Yu, you don't have to be so arrogant. If you have anything to say, you can just say it." Zhang Zhongmin said.
Yu Zhi said dissatisfied: "You speak so rudely, no wonder you can only be a county magistrate for the rest of your life."
Hearing this, Zhang Zhongmin looked at Yu Zhi with even more disgust.
Just when he was about to retort, he heard Yu Zhi say: "Sucheng County was looted by bandits, and the six counties under its jurisdiction all suffered different losses. However, it was the common people who suffered, and it had little to do with the high-ranking families in the county. . Now that the banditry has subsided, how to resettle the suffering people is also a major matter."
As he spoke, Yu Zhi gently pushed the box containing the banknotes, and placed his fingertips on the box, making a "dong-dong-dong" sound.
"Mum. There are 30,000 taels of silver notes here. It's not much, but it can solve an urgent need. I and Master Zu have many things to do, and they are inseparable. Therefore, I entrust this matter to you, and you must These people who are suffering must be resettled!"
Yu Zhi said it calmly, as if it was an insignificant matter.
But Zu Anbang and Zhang Zhongmin were both confused.
Zu Anbang: What is this kid doing? Asking officials to give gifts is actually to settle the people?
Zhang Zhongmin: What is this guy doing? Asking officials to give gifts is actually to settle the people?
The same inner monologue but completely different meanings.
Zu Anbang finally understood the true purpose of these "gifts". At this moment, Zu Anbang was thinking about the gift list last night, and his face was really ashamed.
I thought you were a corrupt official, but I didn’t expect you are dedicated to serving the people!
What should I, the governor of Sioux City, do?
After being silent for nearly a cup of tea, Yu Zhi took a sip of tea, patted the table, and said: "Master Zhang, you must know that the other five county magistrates and my county governor have donated money for this matter. Donate things. Look at you, you just came to Sioux City to have a meal and did nothing. I know that you are honest and poor, so you can’t give out the money. It doesn’t matter, if you can’t give out the money, just contribute!”
Only then did Zhang Zhongmin come back to his senses, his mind clear, and he immediately said: "I will accept my order."
In just a few words, Zhang Zhongmin already knew Yu Zhi's purpose.
The so-called making money is just a pretense. In the end, the money is only used to help the people.
Zhang Zhongmin is naturally willing to serve the people. "Please rest assured, Mr. Yu, these thirty thousand taels of silver will definitely fall on the people. Not a penny will be wasted."
Yu Zhi nodded with satisfaction and said, "By the way, there are some people who didn't give me any money. Call me too. If you don't give me money, just do your best. How can there be such a cheap thing in the world for them."
"Yes. I believe they will be willing to serve."
At this moment, Zhang Zhongmin's attitude was very humble.
Yu Zhi couldn't trust Zu Anbang, nor could he trust anyone else. I simply came up with the idea of giving gifts to expose these officials themselves.
The more expensive the gift, the less trustworthy the person is.
There is a lot of money involved in settling the aftermath for the people, so we must find an honest and upright person to take care of it.
