At some unknown time, Cen Rubai walked up to Su Ziji's side, looked at the retreating figure, and sighed: "Zeng Nianzhen has always been stubborn. When he was in the capital, he was approached by many people, but he refused them all."
"Although we are friends, I am not as good as him in this regard."
After Su Ziji heard this, he stared blankly at the back until he could no longer see it, then he looked away.
A small part of Cen Rubai's words may be true emotion, but most of them are saying good things for Zeng Nianzhen.
After Zeng Ninzhen leaves, if he encounters a vengeful master, he will probably mark it in his heart.
Su Ziji was usually generous and tolerant towards his own people, but towards his enemies, he was as decisive as the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves. Cen Rubai was probably worried that Zeng Nianzhen's actions would make Su Ziji angry.
Cen Rubai was very optimistic about Su Ziji's future. It would not be a good thing to provoke such an enemy.
Of course, there may also be reasons to give Su Ziji relief.
"Why are Mr. Cen here?" Su Ziji didn't want to continue this topic, so he asked instead.
Cen Rubai replied: "Because I was counting the time, I thought the young master should be back soon. I just finished taking care of things and there is nothing going on at the construction site, so I came to pick you up."
This is not nonsense. During the most stressful period, the project has been developing more and more smoothly.
Cen Rubai has also gone from being so busy every day that eating is like being chased and bitten by a dog, to now, he still has time to take a walk and pick up people.
Su Ziji nodded: "Then let's go back together."
On the way, he told Cen Rubai about Qi Hongxin's condition.
"I'm afraid that Magistrate Qi's illness will not get better for a while. I have to take care of the affairs in the government. If there is something urgent at the construction site and you don't have time to find me, you can ask the inspection department to cooperate with you. If there is any disturbance, you can kill it first and then report it." , you are my disciple, and at this critical moment, I give you the right to kill first and then show off."
A smile flashed in Cen Rubai's eyes, and it was not a bad feeling to be trusted by his master, whom he gradually recognized.
"I will remember what you said."
But looking at Su Ziji, I felt a little uncomfortable. Whether he was busy during this period, or the sudden departure of his friend Zeng Nianzhen, or there were other things that he didn't know about, his current situation as the head of the family was affected.
"Master Su!" As he spoke, he had already arrived at the temporary residence near the construction site. Before he could enter, a clerk came quickly from a short distance away and reported to Su Ziji the progress of a section of the project he was in charge of with a happy face.
"The construction of Yangshui Canal, which I am responsible for, is progressing very smoothly. Due to the active participation of the people, it has been gathered together. With the repairs and finishing touches, it will be completed in three days at most!"
At this time, another official came over to announce the good news.
“Yixing Canal and Shuiling Canal are also progressing smoothly.”
After hearing this, Cen Rubai turned around and congratulated Su Ziji: "Sir, the progress is going smoothly, all because of your good planning."
This is true. The original water control plan of Lord Long was to choose the most appropriate point on the terrain to repair water conservancy, which would get twice the result with half the effort.
However, Su Ziji's unified planning, segmented repairs, and contracting rewards may seem simple, but in fact they also greatly increase the speed. To put it bluntly, they reward enthusiasm.
Therefore, the people are very enthusiastic about the construction of water conservancy projects. With the food supply and the large number of participants, the project in Thuan An Prefecture originally only took two months to complete, but now the time has been shortened, and the entire project can be completed ten years ahead of schedule. sky!
Don't underestimate the fact that we are only ten days ahead of schedule. The ten days saved not only means saving part of the expenses in terms of materials and manpower, but also means reducing possible losses before the heavy rain is approaching.
It would be no exaggeration to say that this project was a race against time, but it was not until Su Ziji heard the report that he was really relieved to achieve the current results.
Cen Rubai observed the words and said: "Sir, the situation of exterminating locusts in other counties is not that good. Many crops have been eaten up and the people's lives are miserable. Although Shun'an Prefecture also suffered a lot of losses after the locust plague broke out, but A bushel of locusts exchanged for a bushel of grain immediately calmed people's hearts."
"Furthermore, the government also pays special attention to replanting. Even if there is no grain, you can still register with the government and receive grain to replant. Now there are water conservancy projects that provide work-for-relief, not to mention that it is Compared with other counties, even compared with the local area in previous years, the lives of the people are now better and improved."
"Usually, when there was a natural disaster, people died of hunger all over the land, but now things are better than before. These are all because of the practical things you and Mr. Qi did when you came to Shun'an Mansion. The people are now very grateful to you and Mr. Qi. No. You and Mr. Qi would not have the current scene in the mansion."
Although this kind of false name is not useful at critical moments, it actually has a little encouraging effect for those who want to make some facts.
Although Su Ziji is a person who does not stick to trivial matters and does not attach great importance to official reputation, a normal person will not like someone who picks up the bowl to eat and puts it down to scold his mother. Although he did this, he did not ask for the gratitude of the people, but They are really grateful and their mood is naturally different.
What makes him most happy is that the project can be completed ahead of schedule.
"This is not my credit, it is Master Qi's guidance and your hard work."
Su Ziji cheered up and ordered: "Everyone who works on the construction site today will be rewarded with half a catty of soy sauce meat and a bowl of rice wine to reward everyone!"
As the order spread, bursts of cheers were heard.
Although I can eat enough when working on a construction site, I only eat whole grains. Not to mention meat, white flour steamed buns are also hard to eat. Now everyone is rewarded with half a catty of soy sauce meat. Counting everyone, But it’s also a big expense!
"As for you, if you have merit in supervising and supervising the project, and if you complete it in the water conservancy project, I will also give you a favorable rating."
The officials in Dazheng are mainly divided into four categories: messengers, department officials, code officials, and order officials.
It is very difficult to be promoted. Even if there are no other circumstances such as the waiting list and Ding You returning home to stay, it will take 9 years to be promoted from a sergeant to an officer. Even if he is the same as a deputy inspector, he is still not the same. Although he has entered the stream, he hopes to go further and join the ranks of officials - inspectors, household clerks and other positions.
With the Shangguan's commendation, the process will naturally go much smoother. The minor officials present were surprised and quickly bowed: "Thank you for your grace."
After declining the cautious invitations of several officials, Su Ziji asked Cen Rubai to attend the simple banquet on the construction site in his place. He returned to the office shed, sat on the bamboo and rattan armchair, took out a stack of manuscripts from his arms, and then flipped through them. got up.
After reading it, you can see that this is indeed Qi Hongxin's experience as an official as Mrs. Zhou said, but it is not just experience.
"Every word is permeated with Qi Hongxin's worries and anguish. This experience note is no longer just the experience of being an official, but more like a summary of the perceptions, pain, expectations, and attempts to leave the official life." The path forward has been vaguely written.”
