Zhou Zong ran away. This unloyal person didn't know how to finish his work before leaving.
Gu Zhengchen was sitting in the second hall, playing with a copper coin in his hand. The list of completed exams was on the table, the ink had been ground, and the brush was hanging on the pen holder but had not been taken off.
Zhou Mao sat and looked at the door from time to time.
Time passed little by little, and no one came.
Gu Zhengchen knew that it was not enough to just kick out a small warehouse. It could even be said that this group of people had determined that it was impossible to kick everyone out of the county government. Even if they were kicked out, they would come back.
The brushes were shaking. Gu Zhengchen took off one of them, moistened the ink, put down the pen, turned the page, and put down the pen again.
Zhou Mao looked at Gu Zhengchen who continued to write and did not stop. He was a little frightened and stood up quickly: "Your Majesty, it is not appropriate to remove everyone from the county government..."
After Gu Zhengchen finished writing the last few words, he closed the list of full exams, handed it to Zhou Mao, and said solemnly: "Send the squad leader Xu Lin, the prison leader Zhou Hong, the work room Li He, and the household room Liang Bin out of the county government office. , told them to move out immediately without staying, and also told them not to leave Jurong County!"
Zhou Mao's expression changed slightly.
It's nothing to let Liang Bin, Li He and others leave. The last instruction is what costs people's lives.
The so-called prohibition of leaving Jurong County means that Gu Zhengchen plans to investigate the four people for corruption in the past. Once confirmed, these four people will soon return to the county government office, but they will no longer be officials, but prisoners!
Such a tough magistrate, this is already showing off his sword.
Zhou Mao went to make arrangements, and not long after, the four of them actually moved out of the county government office, without much complaint and a bit of happiness.
It is understandable that the houses of the county government officials are narrow and dark. It is not like the magistrate's house or the county magistrate's house. It has a separate courtyard. If the imperial court did not insist that they live in the county government office, they would have moved out to prosper the real estate industry.
Gu Zhengchen didn't mind. After staying for more than an hour, he turned around and went to the prison room.
There are still several people imprisoned here. They cannot starve to death. They need to take care of food and check if they are sick.
"Sun Niang."
Gu Zhengchen opened the door of the women's prison, looked at Sun Niang hiding in the corner and shouted.
Sun Niang stood up and asked, "Master, is there any news about my son?"
Gu Zhengchen shook his head slightly and said seriously: "Let me ask you first, can you do needlework?"
Sun Niang looked confused, needlework?
This is a prison and I am a prisoner. Why are you asking about such unimportant matters if you are not trying the case?
Sun Niang sighed: "The county magistrate is joking, there are some women in the countryside who don't know how to sew. I am a tailor. I can make some clothes every winter to supplement the family income. It's a pity that my family is gone now..."
"Are you a tailor?"
Gu Zhengchen was overjoyed. He walked outside the door of the women's prison and saw that Sun Niang was still inside. He couldn't help but shout: "Come out."
Sun Niang was surprised and walked out cautiously. When she saw that Gu Zhengchen came alone, without even a jailer, she couldn't help but feel even more uneasy.
Gu Zhengchen closed the door of the women's prison, locked it, and said to Sun Niang, "Let's go."
"County Master, if you are going to be interrogated, shouldn't it be the prison chief?"
Sun Niang followed for two steps, the chains on her feet making a rattling sound as they rubbed against the stone road.
Gu Zhengchen did not explain, but took Sun Niang to the second hall. Gu Cheng came in carrying a piece of linen, put it on the table, and said to Gu Zhengchen: "Master, a piece of linen is worth 350 yuan."
"Okay, let's buy a set of equipment needed for cutting."
Gu Zhengchen ordered.
Gu Cheng agreed and turned to leave.
Sun Niang touched the brown burlap and asked puzzledly: "Isn't the county magistrate bringing me up for trial?"
Gu Zhengchen brought a cup of tea to Sun Niang and said with a smile, "When did I say that the case would be tried?"
"Why is that?"
Sun Niang took the tea bowl tremblingly, feeling uneasy.
After Gu Zhengchen walked back to the desk, he picked up a file and said seriously: "You were arrested for digging a grave. According to the law, digging a grave will lead to a coffin of 100 miles and a journey of 3,000 miles. These Liu County Prime Minister and others should Told you."
Sun Niang nodded.
Gu Zhengchen put the files together and said slowly: "Did you dig up the Guo Liang family's ancestral graves intentionally, or unintentionally?"
Sun Niang was taken aback and quickly explained: "Of course it was unintentional, but my husband was dreaming about it, so he was confused because it was dark and he touched the wrong place."
"That's the key!"
Gu Zhengchen clicked on the file: "You have never admitted that you intentionally excavated the Liang family's ancestral graves, which means that your sentence may be reduced."
Sun Niang quickly knelt down and kowtowed: "Please ask the county magistrate to make decisions for the common people."
Gu Zhengchen tapped his fingers on the table and said softly: "To be honest, your case seems simple, but there are many people involved behind it. Even if I want to exonerate you, I'm afraid it will not be easy."
Sun Niang sat slumped on the ground with a look of pain on her face.
Gu Zhengchen stood up and said, "You are a tailor. If you can make what I want, your sin may be exempted."
Sun Niang looked at Gu Zhengchen in confusion: "What does the county magistrate want?"
Gu Zhengchen walked out from behind the desk, took out a drawing from his sleeve and handed it to Sun Niang.
Sun Niang took the drawing, unfolded it, and saw a strange bag drawn on the drawing, as well as two ropes. There were many small bags on the bag, and the inside seemed to be divided. She frowned and asked: "This is it?" "
Gu Zhengchen did not explain, but patted the linen on the table: "If you do it, I will absolve you. I can't say 100% sure, but I am 70% sure, at least you will not be exiled."
Sun Niang stared at the drawings, then looked at Gu Zhengchen, and nodded: "It can be done, but the county magistrate, the common people have never seen the use of this thing."
Gu Zhengchen picked up a piece of cloth that was nearly half a foot long and rolled into a square, and handed it to Sun Niang: "Just do it, don't ask. I have marked the dimensions for you. The general appearance and interior are like this, and how to sew them and how to make them. It's your business. If you make this piece of cloth, you will be a meritorious person. This matter will be kept secret and will not be spread."
Sun Niang wanted to stretch out her hand, but then took it back. Looking at her dirty hands and clothes, she took a step back and said, "The common people will get dirty."
Zhou Mao walked in, looked at Gu Zhengchen, and said to Sun Niang with some reluctance: "Liang Bin's room in the household has been tidied up. You can live in it. New clothes have been put in. It may be a little bigger. Just make do with what you wear, and the hot water will be sent to you later."
Sun Niang looked at Gu Zhengchen in surprise, with gratitude and surprise.
Gu Zhengchen cleared his throat and said: "You are now employed as a Jurong County government tailor to serve the court. Go ahead. In addition, no one is allowed to enter your room without my order." , If there is one, stab him with scissors. If the person dies, I will bear it."
Zhou Mao was shocked. The magistrate, who had always been restrained and wise, actually issued such an incredible order!
Could it be that Sun Niang holds secrets in her hands and the place where she lives has become a forbidden area?
If someone dies, you, the county magistrate, can’t bear this responsibility.
Sun Niang was inexplicably moved and followed Zhou Mao away.
Gu Zhengchen took a sip of tea and thought about his next response.
Not long after, Zhou Mao walked in and asked incomprehensively: "County Lord, she is a prisoner. It is illegal to leave the women's prison. How can she live in a house? Once this matter is spread, I'm afraid that It’s not good for the county magistrate.”
Gu Zhengchen glanced at Zhou Mao and said calmly: "You don't need to interfere with her affairs. I have my own arrangements. There is still no movement from other officials in the household and workshop, right?"
Zhou Mao nodded with difficulty.
Gu Zhengchen knocked on the table and sneered twice: "Wang Lu, the Dou-level officer, gave them a warning. This is a matter of the morning. Move the household room, workshop, squad leader, and prison head, give them a second warning, and this is over." It's been more than an hour. Since you don't understand, let's expel all the officials in the household and workrooms from the county government."
Zhou Mao became anxious: "My lord, is this not appropriate?"
Gu Zhengchen held the copper coins and kept turning them in his fingers: "If you can't serve the imperial court, you can't listen to the orders of my officials, it's useless to stay in the county government. Get them out. In addition, let the county school learn the teachings, teachings and students in the palace." Member, come to the county office this afternoon."
Seeing Gu Zhengchen's persistence, Zhou Mao sighed and had no choice but to pass on the message.
The horse gallops and passers-by give way.
Zhou Zong got off his horse, showed his belt, and hurriedly entered the East Palace.
Zhu Biao was having dinner with the princess. When he heard that Zhou Zong was back, he quickly let him in.
Zhou Zong stepped in and saluted: "Zhou Zong has met the prince and the princess."
Zhu Biao glanced at the Crown Princess.
Mrs. Chang smiled, stood up and said, "I will leave first."
Zhu Biao didn't hold back. After the Crown Princess left, he asked Zhou Zong to stand up, pick up his chopsticks and take a bite of green vegetables: "It's much slower than I expected. Is it because I haven't ridden a horse for a long time?"
Zhou Zong did not intend to take the blame, so he took out the letter, bowed and raised it above his head: "Your Highness, it's not that I'm not good at riding, it's because I was persuaded by Mr. Gu to stay, and I moved two thousand kilograms of grain before I was willing to leave the county government. .”
"Two thousand catties of grain, why?"
Zhu Biao was a little surprised, put down his chopsticks, and reached out to take the letter.
Zhou Zong said angrily: "Your Highness does not know something. When Your Majesty arrived at the Jurong County Yamen yesterday, Mr. Gu had already become an official in the reception room."
"What?"
Zhu Biao's face looked a little cold.
Zhou Zong explained: "Those who dissatisfied with Mr. Gu in Jurong County Government all fell ill in one day. If he did not have two servants and one official to give orders, Mr. Gu would be in charge of the county government alone!"
"That's unreasonable!"
Zhu Biao was angry, with a fierce look in his eyes. Then he thought of something and asked, "Is this what Mr. Gu asked you to tell Gu?"
Zhou Zong said quickly: "Mr. Gu strictly warned me not to tell the prince or your majesty. He also said that he has his own countermeasures and there is no need to worry."
Zhu Biao breathed a sigh of relief. It would be a shame if the people he relied on couldn't even deal with a few subordinates.
Since he has countermeasures, there is no need to worry.
Take out the letter and read it carefully.
When he saw "the long logistics and the guarantee of the war", Zhu Biao stood up with excitement, held the letter and read aloud: "One thing can carry the logistics for several days; after walking hundreds of miles, the sergeant is not tired..."
"The name of this thing is - tactical backpack! Tactical backpack, what is this?"
Zhu Biao squinted his eyes, what a strange name, shook his head, and continued to read: "The prince and your majesty are also asked to wait for a few days. When the things are ready, one or two sergeants will enter Jurong to test whether the tactical backpack can be used with No. A hundred miles from Jurong to Jinling, I observed that the five armies were strong and Zhou Zong was powerful enough to take on this task..."
When Zhou Zong heard this, he was immediately confused: Gu Zhengchen, your uncle is cheating on me...
