Yao Xiong smiled and replied: "If the prime minister is referring to your Majesty's permission for me to retire, then of course I am satisfied! Of course, I am also satisfied with the recent affairs in the court... "
Before he finished speaking, the officials of Qingyang, big and small, dispersed in a noisy manner. Apparently, Magistrate Yao had made an old habit again. Can this Wei ambassador and prime minister be part of the same party?
Wei Cen replied coldly: "Since you have resigned from the official position as you wished, you will be in vain from now on. You don't need to worry about the important affairs of the court! If I don't respect you as a veteran of the two dynasties, just based on your words today, believe it or not, I will recommend you to return to the army." Appointed as Qingyang County Magistrate?"
"Don't, don't..." Yao Xiong immediately shut up.
Zhang Wenbiao suddenly stepped forward and said: "Mr. Wei, since the decree has been announced, let's settle down first. After such a long day, we have to stop and eat!"
"Why are you here? You want to rest and eat first?" Wei Cen glanced at him, nodded and replied: "Well, let's ask Magistrate Yao to vacate the county government office. The prime minister will live in the county government office. Easy to walk in and out.”
Yao Xiong opened his mouth, thought about it, and then closed it. He was currently living in the county government house. He obviously couldn't leave until the new county magistrate came to take over the office. And if Wei Cen and his party have to live in the county government office today, so the dozens of people in the family may have to move out early.
The problem is that Yao Xiong has been in the officialdom for most of his life, but he has not purchased any other residence except the county government here. The whole family has nowhere to settle down. The old Yao Xiong suddenly blamed himself. He had squandered so much money over the decades, but in the end he forgot to buy a private house and property for his family, and he felt extremely guilty.
Zhang Wenbiao seemed to see a hint of embarrassment in Yao Xiong's pale face, and then said calmly: "I can't live in the county government anymore. I'm used to marching, so I can just live in the post office."
Wei Cen said coldly: "Please, Zhang Yuhou, I just want to tell you that I will set off to the mountains at dusk. Don't forget the time. If you are late, I won't be able to wait for you." Don’t say that I didn’t inform you when the time comes.”
"Don't worry, Minister Wei, it's a very important matter. I won't be late no matter what." Zhang Wenbiao cupped his hands, then leaned closer and whispered: "But there is one thing, Minister Wei, what is going on with your imperial edict?" ? We are traveling on the same road, why am I not informed from the beginning to the end? Could it be that this is your imperial edict? "
Wei Cen seemed to have a premonition of what Zhang Wenbiao was about to say, and immediately waved his hand and snorted: "This imperial edict was written by Prime Minister Feng a few days ago, and His Majesty sealed it with dignity, so there is no doubt about it. Zhang Yuhou, this is a matter for the Central Committee, and you and I What's the point? Don't I have to explain everything to you one by one, no matter how big or small it is?"
Zhang Wenbiao shook his head and sighed: "Mr. Wei, this is not a cooperative attitude! Well, this matter indeed has nothing to do with me. Again, since you and I are determined to cooperate, it is best not to hide anything from each other."
Wei Cen frowned and thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll do it as you please. I won't hide the truth from you in the future. We'll meet in the county government office lobby at dusk. Don't forget Zhang Yuhou!"
Zhang Wenbiao didn't expect him to agree so happily, but he was a little surprised.
A conversation between the two standing on the steps gave Yao Xiong some idea. It seemed that Zhang Wenbiao and Wei Cen were not on the same path. It seemed that the two of them were able to walk the same path, perhaps because of temporary common interests. , reached some ulterior agreements. Regarding this vulgar situation, Yao Xiong, who has been immersed in officialdom for many years, has long been used to it...
Thinking of this, Yao Xiong was suddenly frightened. As soon as Left Prime Minister Feng Yanji was detained by Dali Temple, Wei Cen and others impatiently came to visit Jiuhua Mountain. This time, they even brought a Forbidden Army general with them, and his subordinates They are still the imperial army guarding the imperial city, and Zhang Yuhou is a subordinated general. What on earth are these people plotting...
"Magistrate Yao, can you tell me where the post house is?" Zhang Wenbiao asked Yao Xiong, who was in a daze.
"Oh, Yao will just lead the way for Zhang Yuhou." Yao Xiong said hurriedly.
Wei Cen frowned and said: "Magistrate Yao, you don't have to lead the way. Before the arrival of the new magistrate, you'd better not wander around. Since Zhang Yuhou doesn't live in the county government, there are still some places. In this way, the truth is How about allowing your family to continue living there?"
Yao Xiong was stunned for a moment and said in a deep voice: "As ordered."
Zhang Wenbiao was secretly amused. Wei Cen seemed to be afraid that he and Yao Xiong would be alone asking questions, but in fact Zhang Wenbiao had no such intention at all. Zhang Wenbiao didn't understand Yao Xiong at all. For him, what kind of flowers could a small county magistrate come up with? Wei Cen was obviously a little over-sensitive.
At this time, Zhang Wenbiao's goal was very clear, and all he could think about was the mysterious and ethereal Jiuhua Mountain, which was the most important matter related to his destiny.
"That's all, just ask someone else to show me the way!" Zhang Wenbiao said nonchalantly, and then turned his attention to the old man in black robe who was very conspicuous in the crowd: "Old man, why don't you accompany me to the hotel? Bar."
Looking for Zhang Wenbiao, Wei Cen discovered the old man in black robe standing alone. The obviously familiar face made him a little frightened. He quickly stopped him and said, "No, the true identity is still there right now." If you have important matters to discuss with the county officials, please do not interfere with official business..."
Zhang Wenbiao looked at Wei Cen with a face full of suspicion, and then without thinking much, he turned to smile and said: "It seems that I can only ask for directions by myself. Minister Wei, it seems that you are treating me, Zhang Wenbiao, as a thief. After all, I am the Duke of Yu, so why would there be any problem if I send a small official to follow me?"
Wei Cen didn't want to argue with Zhang Wenbiao, but frowned and kept looking at the old man in black robe.
Zhang Wenbiao didn't seem to notice Wei Cen's eyes. He waved his hands and smiled boldly: "That's all, I'll just go. I ate dry food along the way until my mouth blistered. I also wanted to take a shower quickly and change into clean clothes. Let’s have another good meal. I wanted to invite Minister Wei to have a meal with me, but it seems that the Minister must have official business first and doesn’t want to waste time.”
Wei Cen cupped his hands and turned around and walked towards the county government hall. Zhang Wenbiao had no choice but to shake his head helplessly and step down the steps. An inconspicuous official said from the side: "Zhang Yuhou, why don't you let me take you there? I'm just a government servant, and it's not my turn to be on duty today."
Zhang Wenbiao smiled and said, "Okay, thank you for your hard work."
The clerk led the way, and Zhang Wenbiao mounted his horse to follow. Qingyang County is not big, with only two main streets and the rest are alleys. Two intersections to the west of the county government office is where the post house is located. Although it is simple, it is still neat. There are only two back courtyards in the post house, and they are both empty at the moment. A group of people already live in the west courtyard, so Zhang Wenbiao naturally chose the east courtyard.
This young official was quite attentive. After all, Zhang Wenbiao was a general of the imperial army. How could he, a small local government servant, be lucky enough to be able to serve such a noble person? Naturally, he had some secret thoughts in his mind, so after a lot of work, he brought He watched Zhang Wenbiao settle down, but did not leave. He stood at the door of the room for more than an hour with a clinging heart.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Wenbiao stayed in the room the whole time without taking a step out, let alone using the food or wine. This made the little official whose legs and feet were numb couldn't help but feel strange. Wasn't Zhang Yuhou shouting about taking a bath and eating just now? Finally, I plucked up the courage to call the door a few times, but no one responded, so I had to leave in frustration...
As dusk approached, with a "squeak", Zhang Wenbiao, who had changed into ordinary clothes, finally walked out slowly. He looked around for a moment, as if to confirm that no one was around, then walked straight through the corridor, but walked to the east and west He ducked through the doorway connecting the courtyard, groped his way to the door of a wing in the west courtyard, straightened his waist, and gently knocked, "Is Li Shangshu here..."
