You Ziji was not happy at all at this time. This so-called Captain Hong, a big old man, was clinging to his side, staring at him with eyes like copper bells. You Ziji secretly sighed. It was a bit difficult to go out and investigate the origin of the porcelain pieces now. Although this stupid guy was a little arrogant, he was also a foundation-building monk after all. He couldn't get away at all with such close attention.
"Brother Hong, why do you keep staring at me?"
"You are new here, I can't trust you."
"Did anyone ever work as an undercover agent here?"
"That's not true. Hmm, why are you asking so much?"
You Ziji hesitated for a moment and asked, "Brother Hong, why don't your eyes dry up if you keep staring like this?"
After hearing what You Ziji said, Lieutenant Hong did feel that his eyes were a little dry and itchy. He unconsciously raised his hand to rub his red eyes. When he opened his eyes again, he had already lost sight of You Ziji. He stood up in a hurry. After chasing him into the yard, he saw You Ziji pouring the fresh water into the tub and handing it to him with a towel, "Brother Hong, wipe it off."
Lieutenant Hong looked a little unnatural, but he still took it and washed his face. This time, he felt that he was being looked down upon by being so startled. Instead, he stopped staring at You Ziji so closely, which made You Ziji sigh in relief.
"Brother Hong, I heard Grandpa Butler call you Captain Hong. What kind of official is that? Why didn't I see your subordinates?" You Ziji saw that Captain Hong didn't speak and didn't care. He still couldn't stop talking and continued to ask. Said: "The clothes you are wearing now are much more beautiful than the ones you wore when driving."
Lieutenant Hong suddenly pricked up his ears when he heard this, and his face was a little rosy. He was a little excited, and he raised his head unconsciously and said: "This is the official uniform of Lieutenant Military Attaché. Don't look at me. I don't have anyone now. If I have all the people, I can command a team of three hundred people, even the Zhang family we went to yesterday is only on the same level as me."
You Ziji showed an expression of disbelief: "Don't lie to me. I heard someone said that the head of the Zhang family is a general. He can command three battalions of troops, which is 3,000 people."
"What a general, he's not even a general. And our responsibilities are different. I belong to Tianfu Temple and am mainly responsible for the security of the county guards. I go out to fight, so of course the number of people I command is different."
You Ziji seemed to understand, "Then why did you disguise yourself as a groom yesterday? Why didn't you protect the Sheriff?"
"It is also my duty to protect the governor's family." Lieutenant Hong said angrily.
Only then did You Ziji realize that this was the county governor's residence, and the young lady yesterday was the county governor's daughter. However, it was a bit deserted here.
The two were speechless for a long time, but it was You Ziji who started the conversation first. He approached Captain Hong and said, "Brother Hong, who gave you this official title? You should have a very high status in this city."
"Of course, my official position is higher than mine in the whole Zijun city. Only the governor, county magistrate, and the two captains of Tianfu Guard are higher than me." Lieutenant Hong looked quite proud but did not have that arrogant feeling. , just like the eldest brother next door who has done something promising and shows off to his neighbors.
His proud expression only lasted for a moment before turning bitter, "I am able to have such an official position because of the cultivation and promotion of the Sheriff. I will definitely repay the kindness of the Sheriff." At this point, Captain Hong's expression was solemn and firm. , as if saying an oath.
"The Sheriff must be a good man." You Ziji looked at Lieutenant Hong's expression and said this naturally.
Unexpectedly, this slightly uncertain tone made Captain Hong suddenly excited. His big hand like a cattail fan grabbed You Ziji's shoulder and shook it hard. He suddenly felt that his hand was too heavy and he quickly let go, "You too?" Think so, the people outside are saying that the county governor is a corrupt official, how do they know the county governor's sufferings, I believe that as long as you stay with the county governor for a while, you will be able to truly understand the county governor's character."
…
The main entrance of the Sheriff's Mansion was deserted and no one had passed by it for a long time. Today, a carriage came, and an old man with white hair and beard came down. He was dressed simply and had an elegant temperament, like a wife. He only took a groom with him and no other servants.
The gatekeeper is an old man in shabby clothes with a big nose of rosacea. This place was originally guarded by serious government officials, so it was not his turn to be on duty. It’s just that the reputation of the county governor is too bad in the local area. Even if he is recruited at a high price, the children of good families are not willing to work in the county governor’s house. If relatives and neighbors find out that their children are working for the county governor, the family will be stabbed in the back. . This old man didn't care. He was already despised by others, drank all day long, and had no livelihood. When something like this happened, he would take advantage of it.
The old man looked at the old man in front of him like an old scholar. His clothes were white from washing. This carriage may have been rented with money, so he was very poor. The man behind him lived in the mansion of the county governor. He was a high-ranking official. How could he know such a poor man? The old man believed that the old scholar in front of him was here to catch the autumn wind, so he didn't even say hello. He just sat on the steps and waited for the other party to talk to him. .
The master got off the carriage, thinking that the old man was here to rest, and didn't care, so he knocked on the door, but he was stopped by the old man.
"Where are you from, and what do you want from my master?"
A smell of alcohol hit his face, and the old scholar quickly covered his nose with his hand. Feeling so rude, he cupped his hands in front of the old man and said, "Is this a servant of the Zhou Mansion? I want to visit Mr. Zhou, please let me know. .”
"Brother? You are older than me." This old man was originally a bastard, but when he saw his master speaking politely, he became hardened.
The master was not a pedantic person, so he took out a dozen copper coins from his sleeve and handed them over, which was just enough for a dime of bad wine. The old man immediately beamed and took it happily. He kept saying, "Master, you are so polite. I will report it right away. I will go right now."
The old man opened the door and walked in. He met Butler Zhou. Before he could speak, he was scolded: "Why did you come in? Don't have money to drink again?"
"No, no, someone wants to visit you, sir."
"Is there anyone coming?" Housekeeper Zhou didn't know who else could take the initiative to visit the county guard at this pass, so he walked out with the old man. When he saw the person clearly, he saluted quickly and said, "It turns out to be the Lord Commander, please come in quickly. We didn't entertain you well and neglected you."
"It's all a trivial matter. Take me to see the governor quickly."
The old man's heart almost jumped out of his chest when he heard the two talking. Hey, my dear, the county magistrate is the official position second only to the county governor, a veritable second-in-command. The old man looked at the copper coin in his hand and felt it was extremely hot. He was stunned on the spot as to whether he should keep it or return it.
Jun Cheng and Housekeeper Zhou ignored the old man's strange behavior and walked toward the inner courtyard in a hurry. The road was deserted. Although the courtyard was large, there was no one in sight. The flowers and plants in the garden were also deserted and no one took care of them.
"The flowers and plants here are much messier than the last time we met." Jun Cheng said without explanation.
Butler Zhou replied: "Miss has always taken care of the flowers and plants here personally, but she has been ill in recent days and has become weaker and weaker. She really has no energy."
"Niece Xian's illness is not cured yet? Isn't Mr. Li's medical skills good enough?"
"Li Langzhong, who was recommended by your Excellency, has superb medical skills. My lady's illness has improved a lot. Unfortunately, Li Langzhong has been unable to escape from something in recent days, and it worsened again without timely treatment."
"When I get back, I will definitely visit Mr. Li. As soon as he is free, I will ask him to come over."
"Then I'll thank you on behalf of the master."
"You're welcome."
The two of them crossed the courtyard. Butler Zhou led them to a side room and knocked on the door, "Master, the county magistrate is here."
There was a chaotic sound in the room, and after a while, the door opened. It was an elegant and handsome middle-aged man with three long beards hanging down. His clothes were neat, but his eye sockets were sunken and he had a pair of panda eyes. He looked like She is in low spirits, perhaps bothered by trivial matters.
"Uncle Zhou, why didn't you inform me first if you have guests coming? Why don't you go directly to my study to entertain them?" At this point, he suddenly remembered that he didn't seem to have many servants at home, so he couldn't leave the guests outside. "Hey, Uncle Zhou, go ahead and get busy."
The old housekeeper didn't say anything and left.
County Sheriff Zhou apologized slightly, turned sideways and ushered the County Cheng into the house, and said, "My little brother, the house is in a mess. Please don't dislike it, Brother Wang."
"Don't worry about it Mingzhi, I'm not that particular."
As Zhou Mingzhi said, this room is really a bit messy. There are books and papers everywhere. There is only some free space next to the chair. I think it was just tidied up.
The two found a seat and sat down. Zhou Mingzhi picked up his teapot and poured a cup of herbal tea for the senior official in front of him. Wang Lexian and Wang Juncheng were his only friends in Zijun City. The two were in similar situations, but Wang Lexian had to endure it for a few years and was slowly accepted by the locals.
"Have you contacted Zhou Weiming?" Wang Lexian asked. This was the main purpose of his visit.
"Of course, thanks to my brother for providing me with a way, I have an ally."
"What are you going to do after that? When will you start implementing your plan?"
"We are not fully prepared now. We have initially decided to do it after the temple fair. After all, the Five Elements Orb was lost during my tenure. I must give an explanation to my fellow villagers."
"Explain? You don't want to resign, do you?" Wang Lexian was shocked.
"I must be over fifty this year. It took me more than ten years to be recognized by the locals."
"You can take it slow."
"I can't do it. The resistance from the aristocratic families here is too serious. Even if I want to endure it, the people can't stand it for that long. After the temple fair, it will be up to you, brother, to take charge of the overall situation. We must wipe out the bandits and return them to the temple. A stable hometown for my fellow villagers.”
