Ten days later, on September 20th, the autumn colors were already turning cold.
Seeing that early winter is approaching and looking at Lingyuan City, which is still flooded with water, the governor of Huaxing County should know that he cannot sit still!
...
Before getting to the main topic, I have to mention the capital of Quzhou, Taihao City.
In order to better manage the territory of the Han Dynasty, the current emperor Liu Yan reorganized the nine states and established two capitals and nine cities. Using this as a root, they extended vertically and horizontally to convey government orders and bestow royal authority. These eleven cities gradually became the support for the Han Dynasty's territory of nearly ten million people. important pillar.
These two capitals are Chang'an, the capital, and Luoyang, the attached capital. The capital is responsible for administration, and the attached capital is responsible for Han clan affairs. Since almost all the Liu family members are gathered in Luoyang, the level of luxury in Luoyang is much higher than that in Chang'an. But to put it bluntly, Luoyang, the bustling capital, is like a huge cage that traps most of the people. All the clan members of the Han Dynasty were imprisoned here, given fine clothes and fine food, allowed to have sex, let them gradually become depressed in the indulgence, and finally, they were quietly lost in the long river of history.
This gentle approach greatly reduced the power of the Liu clan and prevented the kings from relying on their own troops to rebel and become self-reliant, allowing the empire to survive smoothly for forty years.
The nine imperial cities are the capitals of the nine states of the empire, namely Xuanjia City in Fengzhou, Linyue City in Naizhou, Polu City in Bozhou, Phoenix City in Yizhou, Taibo City in Liuzhou, Taihao City in Quzhou, and Xuanzhou in Cangzhou. Ningcheng, Muzhou Jiangcheng, Mingzhou Anxi City.
These nine cities each dominate one side and are the political, economic, cultural, and military core of the nine states of the empire. Different from the prefectures that open their own offices in a county under their jurisdiction, these nine cities are the independent locations of Kyushu state pastoralists. They are all ten miles square. They are either built in military fortresses, or on fertile land, or near mountains and rivers, or extending in all directions. Due to its position in Feng Shui, it is actually a treasured land and an important place for a strong city. The previous Mohist scholar Jiuzi, who helped the empire build nine cities, once lamented: Two capitals and nine cities, with millions of households scattered among them, are actually the key points of the empire, even if all nine states are lost. , in these nine cities, the Han people's sparks are endless.
The status and importance of the nine cities are evident!
Taihao City, where Mu Jiangfeng of Quzhou is located, was originally the territory of the ancient Youzhou Daijun. Before the Qin and Han Dynasties, it had always been a strategic location to resist the nomadic people traveling from the north to the south. Forty years ago, during the Qin-Han War, the Han Empire expanded its territory to the north. Millions of miles away, Fengzhou was established in the northwest of the original Western Region, Muzhou was established in the northern land with fertile water and grass, and Bozhou was established in the northeastern land with lush forests. From then on, Daijun changed from a border town to a inner city.
After the current emperor Liu Yan reorganized the Jiuzhou, considering the strategic position here, he carried out large-scale construction and built Taihao City.
Today's Taihao City is located at the intersection of Huaxing, Fanggu and Dezhao counties, and at the intersection of Hengshan, Taihang and Yanshan mountains. It controls major roads and is connected in all directions with convenient transportation. It can be used as a hub for going north and south. , and can be used as a barrier to prevent the enemy from moving south. It can be said to be a strong city.
We will talk about the story of Taihao City and the Jiang family later.
It is only said that Taihao City is more than 500 miles away from Lingyuan County. There is no banditry on the way and the road is smooth. After four steps, a fast horse can rush 300 miles and can go back and forth in five days.
Today, it has been ten days since the first batch of cavalry sent by Ying Zhi set off, but there is still no reply. Most officials in the county governor's office speculated that Quzhou Mu Jiangfeng was dissatisfied with Ying Zhi's disobedience to his own arrangements, and was dissatisfied with the change of general before the battle, and deliberately delayed it. This move undoubtedly angered Ying Zhi.
In the side room of Huaxing County Magistrate's Mansion, next to the sapphire-eared stove, Ying Zhi sat crookedly on the mat, raised his eyebrows, bulged his triangular eyes, his mustache flew up and down, and cursed, "Jiang Feng, you son of a bitch" , how dare you keep delaying something that the people are anxious about and longing for? If you help evil, your clan will be exterminated! Bah!"
Ying Zhi was not relieved and continued to curse, "Old Jiang, no, bah, old dog Jiang, you've already read a book and got your ass off. Now you're acting arrogant. Have you forgotten the principle that the people should not be ignored? And Liu Xing is so mean." Nei Jiang Lan, how can you not understand the importance of family and state affairs? You are so charming and disgusting with the weight of your chest. Bah! Jiang Feng, Jiang Lan, you brothers and sisters are really a stupid and jealous couple in the Jiang family. , with you in charge of the Jiang family, can the Jiang family survive?"
The officials of the County Sheriff's Mansion had never seen Ying Zhi, who had always been elegant, so rude, and they all fell silent.
It should be known that he might be a little tired from scolding. After three cups of tea, he leaned sideways on the table, leaning on the corner of the table with his hands. His nose slowly approached the two-bird sunburst on the table. He inhaled gently, and the faint fragrance of ink passed through his nose. Entering the brain, the mood slowly calms down.
After a few puffs, Ying Zhi suddenly opened his eyes. He suddenly remembered that this thing was bribed by Liu Xing. The anger in his heart rose again. He grabbed the colorful object with his left hand, stood up and threw it out the door, "Straight mother-in-law, thief, The two good sons you gave birth to ruined a pot of good porridge! Bah!"
People who are angry dare to rely on wind and thunder, and dare to live in the fire of the earth. You should know how to throw away this rare treasure.
The moment he threw it out, Ying Zhi regretted it and wailed, "How could you waste such a waste of natural resources?" He hurriedly chased him out without caring about his image.
After chasing him outside the hall, Cao Zhi, with his bare feet and holding the pair of birds facing the sun in both hands, was looking at Ying Zhi stupidly.
Seeing this, Ying Zhi breathed a sigh of relief, then rolled up his sleeves and said 'viciously', "You are the only one who dares to be the leader."
Cao Zhi smiled flatteringly and said, "Hey, sir, what you said is true. Your Majesty is right. This bird is just in its infancy. How can I dare to compare with you, sir?"
Last year, after experiencing the Wangbei Tower incident, Cao Zhi devoted himself to studying. He was less resolute and more diplomatic than a year ago. Maybe, this is called growth!
"Haha! You kid, you are strong-willed when you are in trouble, and you are full of evil in your free time, which suits my taste." Ying Zhi still couldn't hold it back, looking at Cao Zhi who showed two rows of white teeth, and laughed.
All the officials in the government breathed a sigh of relief!
When the two of them were laughing at each other, a fast horse ran up outside the door. One person dismounted and entered the hall. He knelt down and said, "Sir, I encountered robbers on the road and the horse did not dare to move. I was delayed on the road for four days. I will give Jiangzhou Mu's approval now." Submit it, I hope you will forgive me!"
It turned out that the cavalrymen who went to Taihao City to submit documents came back.
Ying Zhi immediately regained his energy and demeanor. He walked forward and saw that the cavalryman's face was exhausted and there were several stab wounds on his body. He asked softly, "Where did you meet the robber?"
The cavalryman was very angry and replied, "Reporting to your lord, the four young brothers encountered robbers in the Jiafu Mountain area near Taihao City. The robbers wanted to intercept and kill us. With the help of the four brothers, we The villain went to Taihao City alone, and although he did not see Jiangzhou Mu, he fortunately fulfilled his mission and got the approval."
After saying that, the cavalryman yelled "I hope Lord Ying will avenge his brothers", then his wound burst and he passed out.
Ying Zhi was silent. At this moment, his face was gloomy, and his eyes were filled with anger. Compared with the curse just now, he looked even more frightening.
After the county soldiers carried away the cavalry who reported the news, Ying Zhi immediately waded to Cao Zhi and said in a deep voice, "Cao Zhi, summon officials with more than 500 shi to discuss matters in the hall in half an hour. Those who have not arrived, call They get twenty big boards for themselves.”
"No!" Cao Zhi took the order and left. He returned in three steps and asked tentatively, "Sir, do you still want to call people like Huang Yan and others who are close to Liu?"
Ying Zhi clenched his fists and said, "Shout!"
Seeing Ying Zhi striding away, Ying Zhi nodded slightly, and then hurriedly chased after him.
Hey hey hey! Cao Zhi, keep my bird!
No one could see how the Governor Ying, who was smiling and scolding, was feeling in his heart.
...
The side room of the Sheriff's Mansion is only for the Sheriff to rest on a daily basis. Most of his favorite jades are displayed here, such as soft jade in the lower hall, fine velvet blankets, tea and light ink, and pearls. It is natural to discuss matters here casually.
Due to the obstruction of the flood, some work that required going out could not be carried out. Most officials had to stay in the county magistrate's house and busy themselves, and convening them was not as time-consuming and laborious as in the past.
After a while, except for the county guard Wang Dali, who was unable to participate in the meeting due to official business, the other fifteen officials with more than 500 shi from the county guard's office all showed up. Some had evil intentions, some were gearing up, and some were withered. In short, all kinds of expressions were expressed, people were whispering to each other, and there was a lot of discussion!
After Ying Zhi, who was dressed in a plain shirt, arrived, everyone stopped talking. The officials sitting on the edge of the chair and standing next to the case stood up one after another. The officials standing on the wall in front of the window turned their heads and all raised their hands, "Sir Ying!"
After Ying Zhi returned the gift, he began to call his name. After learning that more than ten ducks raised by Beicheng's widow Zhang were swimming with the water, and that Wang Dali was chasing the water for ducks, Ying Zhi laughed and said, "Wang Dali is a landlubber, and landlubbers are looking for water ducks. Interesting, interesting. Tell Wang Dali back that his board depends on the duck he retrieves. If you retrieve a duck, you will lose two boards for him. Haha!"
The atmosphere became much more relaxed.
After everyone sat down again, they should know that there was no delay and they went directly to the topic.
I saw him taking out a pack of flat oil paper from his arms. After opening it, a yellow scroll appeared in front of the officials. The top of the scroll was sealed with a fire seal, and the seal was engraved with the special seal of Taihao City Lord. It was obvious at a glance that this was Quzhou Mu Jiangfeng. Approved all affairs in Huaxing County and County Council.
The officials stared intently at Huang Juan. They all wanted to know what the Quzhou pastor's attitude would be after Ying Zhi disobeyed Jiang Feng's order and forcibly used Liu Desheng to control the flood.
It should be known that when the scroll is slowly unfolded, it is empty, with only a seal at the end, and the four words "Quzhou Mu Seal" are clearly visible.
It should be known that after the papers were collected, the officials had different expressions, including thoughtful, angry, and worried.
Ying Zhi felt a slight chill in his heart, but his face looked calm. He poured a cup of tea slowly from top to bottom on the two birds facing the sun, and the light fragrance filled the room. Then, Ying Zhi pinched his mustache and said simply, "What do you think of Mr. Zhou Mu's secret scroll?"
The disciple Cao Huangyan was the first to speak, "Is it possible that it was sent by mistake? How about we send someone to verify it again?"
Guo Xiu threw the table and yelled in a rage, "Fart, don't you tell us clearly that Jiangzhou Mu wants money but no money, no one, no one, nothing!"
Cao Zhi, the reporter, blushed and added, "I think this is an act of shirking responsibility. The person chosen by Jiangzhou Mu released the water dragon. Naturally, he doesn't want to interfere too much in the following matters." All things need to be settled at once, let’s go wipe his ass.”
Shaofu Shi Ding Xinchuan immediately retorted, "Master Cao's words are a little far-fetched. A county is suffering from serious floods, and the people have no food and no stable place to live. This matter must have reached the heavens. He, Jiangzhou Mu, cannot cover it up." of!"
Seeing Ying Zhi nodded slightly, Ding Xinchuan immediately walked around the hall and began to analyze the current situation, "In Jiangzhou Mu's view, Huaxing is a hot potato that cannot be eaten or thrown away. No one thought that this A good thing that took a long time to come ended in such a bleak way in the first half of the journey."
Ding Xinchuan said solemnly, "There is never a fool who can sit in the position of state pastor, and most of them have equal strength and talent. How Jiangzhou pastor became the first state pastor in Kyushu, I will not go into details below."
"In Jiangzhou Mu's intricate network of relationships, the Lingyuan Liu family is an extremely important resource for his governance and is indispensable."
Having said this, Ding Xinchuan extended his index finger and pointed to the sky, "Whether the Lingyuan Liu family is in the hands of the Jiang family is directly related to whether Quzhou Mu Jiangfeng can reach a higher level."
Cao Zhi said anxiously, "Does he want to break the earth and become the king?"
Ding Xinchuan smiled and said, "You said it, I didn't! However, no matter who continues to take charge of this matter, as long as it is the Liu family, Jiang Feng will not interfere too much from now on, and will definitely let it go, so , the current Jiangzhou Mu, letting things go is actually just taking care!"
"Oh? What should I say about last year...?" Guo Xiu suddenly asked.
Ding Xinchuan continued to laugh and said, "The law is nothing more than reason. For the sake of his own sister, Jiang Feng will more or less interfere!"
Ding Xinchuan reorganized his thoughts and said, "I'm afraid the imperial court has already known about the rupture of the Huaxing sluice. The reason why there is no movement yet is probably because they are waiting for Jiang Feng to deal with it. I'm afraid the imperial court also wants to wait and see Jiang Feng's attitude before deciding on the next move." . Apart from these, even if we apply for money from the imperial court, the just-named Jiangzhou Mu must come forward. The officialdom has always been subordinate to the first level. If the emperor directly issues an edict, our Jiangzhou Mu will be embarrassed. We have always known that, Jiang Feng has an impatient temperament. If His Majesty directly issues an edict to Huaxing County, Jiang Feng will inevitably not do anything outrageous in his rage."
Cao Zhi stood up, pointed at Huang Juan, and continued, "So, he neither wants to have a showdown with the court nor lose the help of the Liu family. He doesn't want to take care of it but has to take care of it, so he can only use this method!"
Ding Xinchuan's face was clear and solemn. He sat down and made an invitation gesture to Cao Zhi. After Cao Zhi nodded slightly, he then analyzed, "The "Han Law·Government and Regulations" once said that all kings, state pastors, and county guards pass orders. It must be made in duplicate and the manuscript should be kept for future reference. I think the manuscript of this approval at this moment should also be blank."
Ying Zhi coughed lightly and said, "Jiangzhou Mu's meaning should be this: to hide the meaning, write it on a blank sheet of paper, and ask you to write it by yourself. If it is handled properly, the written content will be copied and archived. If it is handled properly, If it is not appropriate, I will find an excuse such as issuing the wrong prefectural pastoral order, and at the same time shirk the blame for poor governance on me, Ying County Sheriff and all my colleagues in Huaxing."
"His heart can be punished! His person can be punished!" Cao Zhi said viciously.
In the side room, incense curls up, accompanied by the light fragrance of the two birds facing the sun, leisurely.
The tea dripped, dripping, dripping, and after the last drop of tea-washing water dripped, the scene seemed to be still, and it should be known that all the officials were lost in thought at the same time.
This is what officialdom is like, there is never any exchange of words, everyone has his or her own position and calculations.
