"Thank you, Lord Marquis."
This thank you comes from the heart, sincerely, and is completely the true feeling of Cai Da's heart.
Who wouldn’t want to live a stable life as an ordinary person?
Why risk your head by doing something like this?
"But I also want to remind you, don't do anything too much, don't accept too many people from coming and going, just enough to live on, the long and steady flow is the road."
"I understand, thank you Lord Marquis for your warning."
The matter was settled, Zheng Xiong didn't stay long and continued on his way with the army.
The group of people in Xiaoqingshan watched Zheng Xiong's army walk a long way before they came back to their senses.
"How many people are there? There are so many people. If the Marquis hadn't been so easy to talk to, we would have almost died."
"You are worthy of being a Marquis. This magnanimity and mind are really different. To be honest, I thought I was going to be doomed when I offended a Marquis this time. Fortunately, the Marquis was generous and kept our Little life.”
"Yes, we will also be ordered to collect fees from now on, so don't worry about it. Brother Cai, you have done a good job building this road!"
"The road has been repaired and there are many people coming and going. Now that the government has recognized it, we can collect fees openly."
"I hope the Marquis can keep his word! If the government can admit it, we have to prepare for the worst."
"That's what Brother Cai said."
"Come on, go home. There are still a few cubs not at home. Go find them quickly and don't get into trouble."
"Hey, my third son, don't worry about anything! Brother Cai, go back quickly."
Zheng Xiong didn't know what these people were thinking, and it wouldn't matter if he knew.
The mighty army marched smoothly along the way. It moved straight forward without any goal, and it was not without its foresight.
Except for walking through the road built by Xiao Qingshan and others, the rest of the road was a bit difficult to walk. It took a little more time, and it was a little slower than normal marching.
The county seat of Caoxian County is larger than the average county seat. After all, it has only been two years since it was demoted from Caozhou, and its foundation is still there.
The city walls are mottled and appear thicker after the baptism of time.
Caoxian is also a famous city with a long history.
Caoxian County was a Dongyi land before the Xia Dynasty. There are many Dawenkou, Longshan and Yueshi cultural relics in the territory, which were the activities of Yao, Shun and Yu.
The King of Shang established his country and capital here. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, princes fought for hegemony and had many alliances here. It was known as "the best in the world". Liu Bang and Xiang Yu worked together to conquer Qin and started their business here.
It has prosperous politics, developed economy, splendid culture, gathering of celebrities, and extremely rich historical and cultural resources.
There are the great sage Xia Yu, the great sage Shang Tang, the Yuan sage Yi Yin, the famous sage Hui Shi, the Taoist sage Zhuang Zhou, the military sage Wu Qi, the agricultural sage Fan Shengzhi, the science sage Yansu, etc.
There are three champions, hundreds of Jinshi, and countless meritorious generals.
Many famous people have left their remains or are buried here, such as Tangling Tomb, Pangeng Mausoleum, Jizi Tomb, Yiyin Tomb, Laizhu Tomb, Ranghou Weiran Tomb, Chunshenjun Tomb, Xiang Yu Longxugang, Tantaizi Yu Temple, etc.
Tushan is the place where Xia Yu met the princes of all countries, Shang Tang met the three thousand princes, Jingshan is the place where Shang Tang was appointed, and Qingshan is the place where Xiang Yu made his fortune. Historical monuments are scattered throughout Caoxian County.
Therefore, Caoxian's position as the center of the universe is not just a joke, it is really supported by strength.
The county magistrate of Cao County is also the configuration of a large county, starting with the high ranking of the seventh grade.
After hearing the news of Zheng Xiong's arrival, he quickly went out of the city to greet him.
"The Marquis is here, and I have no intention of congratulating you. I have prepared a banquet in the city. I hope that the Marquis can honor me and allow me to show my kindness as a landlord."
"No need, I am coming from Gunzhou to see how to suppress bandits."
"But the effect was not good. Along the way, I was either running away from the wind or running away from the wind. There was no challenge."
"I heard that there are many gangsters in Cao County. Do you have any specific targets? I am going to kill them along the way."
This is a bit embarrassing. If you don't open the pot, you won't touch it. There are many gangsters, so don't poke your heart!
"The situation is similar to what the Marquis said. I also tried to organize a manpower encirclement and suppression. However, it was ineffective with less manpower. When there were more people, they fled. The suppression was endless. There is really no good way."
"Is it so difficult to suppress?"
"It's very difficult. Caoxian County is located in three provinces and eight counties. The gangsters can advance and retreat freely. It's very difficult."
Then there is no other way. My time is very tight and I don't have time to waste it here. I have finished my personal affairs and the only thing left is to go home.
"There are so many gangsters, do you know the reason?"
I thought Zheng Xiong was here to ask for punishment, so the county magistrate immediately asked for punishment.
"It's because the official is incompetent. This land is often affected by the Yellow River. The people can't survive, so they can only take risks. It's almost become a routine. The official has no good way to do it, so he can only survive. I ask the Marquis to punish him."
"I'm not one of those guys from Yushitai. What do you care about? I'm just asking."
"What about the Yellow River? Can't it be cured?"
"If we can't cure it, we can only reinforce it. No matter how good our county is, it won't be enough."
"I have a method, please see if it works."
"Your Majesty is all ears."
"I pass by Xiaoqingshan. The road there is well built. They charge some tolls to make a living. Have you heard about it?"
"I have heard that they charge fees without permission. Many people have told the official, but the impact is not big, so the official has not paid attention to it."
"If they collide with the Marquis, I will gather the troops to take them away."
What's the use of talking about it now? Besides, I'm not a vegetarian after bringing so many people with me. What's the use of flattering me other than to make myself comfortable?
"No need, I'm telling you this because I think they did a good job."
"If you are self-reliant and make money based on your own abilities, you are not a heinous person if you don't ask for help. Just go and complete the formalities for them and send them some food and grass by the way."
Zheng Xiong's operation made the county magistrate a little confused, so he asked if he didn't understand, but he still asked the doubts in his heart.
"Please forgive me for my stupidity, and please give me a clear explanation from the Marquis."
"Let me ask you, can't you solve the flooding problem?"
"cannot."
"Then when the flood comes, nothing can be harvested, and gangsters are everywhere again."
"The official will do his best."
"Tell me something."
"We will try our best to provide disaster relief. As long as we survive the disaster years, we will have a promising future."
Damn, it’s hopeless.
"How can you resist? If you don't need help from the imperial court, can you guarantee that the coming year will be a good harvest?"
"Xiaoguan~"
"Stop talking. The methods you mentioned are all methods of reducing expenditure. I will teach you a method of increasing revenue. Please listen carefully."
"Your Majesty is all ears."
Although he didn't have much hope in his heart, he still made the proper gesture. The magistrate of Cao County made a respectful gesture to listen to Zheng Xiong's teachings.
"The Yellow River can't be changed, can it?"
The magistrate of Cao County nodded and acknowledged Zheng Xiong's words.
"So Caoxian County is located at the intersection of three provinces and eight counties, and it is also the first stop for the Yellow River to enter Shandong. Can't you make good use of it?"
Without giving the county magistrate a chance to ask, Zheng Xiong continued speaking on his own.
(End of chapter)
