Gu Zhengchen looked at Wu Xiong coldly. After Wu Xiong knelt down, he looked at Wu Laizi: "He robbed your family's land?"
Wu Xiong suddenly broke out in a cold sweat and said quickly: "Master, I have returned the land deed to him, and now it is still in his hand..."
"I didn't ask you!"
Gu Zhengchen scolded angrily and looked at Wu Laizi.
Seeing Wu Xiong pleading with his eyes, Wu Laizi lowered his head and looked at the paper in his hand. Although he didn't recognize many characters on it, there was no doubt that it was a land deed.
The young man in front of me is the magistrate of Jurong County!
Wu Laizi rolled his eyes, stuffed the land deed into his waist, and said with a smile: "Master, Mr. Wu didn't steal my land."
Wu Xiong almost shed tears, looking at the ugly Wu Laizi felt so friendly for the first time.
Gu Zhengchen stared: "Reply truthfully."
Upon seeing this, Wu Dasheng hurriedly walked to Wu Laizi's side, pulled him and said, "Speak boldly, the county magistrate will make the decision for you."
Wu Xiong's eyesight was a little dark, Wu Da called you sister, what's the matter with you here...
Wu Laizi bent down, picked up the sickle on the side, and said calmly: "This is our family's land. I'm going to cut the rice. If you have nothing to do, just leave."
Wu Dasheng was a little surprised. Just when he was about to persuade him, Gu Zhengchen smiled calmly: "That's fine."
Wu Xiong raised his sleeves to wipe the sweat from his forehead and grinned.
Gu Zhengchen took a deep look at Wu Laizi, gave Wu Xiong a few warnings, called Wu Dachen, and turned to leave.
Looking at Wu DaCheng who was full of doubts, Gu Zhengchen said calmly: "There is nothing to be confused about. Wu DaCheng is a smart man and he knows very well that this is the most beneficial thing. After all, Wu Xiong is a big family here. He is completely offended and will be indispensable in the future. I was tripped up by someone, but now I am selling a favor to Wu Xiong, reached a reconciliation, and have been in peace ever since."
Wu Dasheng was stunned.
Gu Zhengchen sighed: "Although this is equivalent to letting these evildoers go, as far as the people are concerned, they are willing to accept the money and settle the matter. If the people do not file a lawsuit or submit a petition to seek a reversal of the verdict, I will It’s not easy to interfere.”
Wu Dasheng thought about it and realized that it was true. Money can make people shut up.
Gu Zhengchen was somewhat relieved.
When the water is extremely clear, there are no fish; when people observe it, there are no disciples.
There are already many local problems in the countryside. If the big local households make small mistakes, correct them if they know they are wrong, and use money to appease the aggrieved people, this result is not unacceptable.
My energy is limited and my time is limited. If I really accept the requests one by one, I will be completely trapped in the county government.
The investigation of cases many years ago was complicated and long, and the existence of evidence and witnesses from that year was uncertain. Instead of being entangled in a mountain of small cases, it was better to let them negotiate and resolve on their own.
Although this idea has some inertia of "doing nothing", Jurong, which is currently in trouble, can no longer dwell on the past, but needs to face the future.
The county government only needs to handle major human life cases, cases that cannot be resolved through private consultations.
In order to achieve this goal, we must increase pressure on local townships, establish an inquiry system, and find opportunities to hammer these large households.
Gu Zhengchen decided to take advantage of the Guo family case to rectify the Jurong area.
However, now is not the time to summon the district chiefs and local tycoons, because the far-sighted Liu Ji and the unpredictable Mao Xiang are coming to Jurong.
In the evening when Gu Zhengchen returned to the county magistrate, Liu Ji and Mao Xiang had brought the Tatar prisoners to the post station thirty miles northwest of Jurong.
Although the status of these two people is far inferior to that of Gu Zhengchen, according to the regulations of the imperial court, officials who are ordered to do not need to be escorted ten miles away, so Gu Zhengchen will naturally not go thirty miles away to pick up people.
By the time of Zhang Juzheng, this rule had been reduced to rubbish. You are just kidding me. People send greetings thousands of miles away. The greetings and farewells across provinces are so sincere and sincere that Gu Zhengchen, who is just starting out, can't do it. Understood...
Because there were so many prisoners and there were army escorts, it was impossible to march hundreds of miles in one day, and the Ming Dynasty did not have so many horses for the prisoners to ride on, so they had to camp outside for one night and continue marching early the next morning.
Before dawn, Gu Zhengchen took Zhou Mao, Lin Shan, Luo Shao, Tao Zhen, and Yao Zhen to accompany him. Only six of them left the county town and traveled ten miles to wait at Changting.
It's not that Gu Zhengchen didn't want to bring more people to welcome him, at least he seemed lively and respectful. The problem was that there were a lot fewer people in the county government office. There were no county magistrates, chief registrars, and officials, and the government officials were busy ransacking homes. They were very tired. I don't have time to come out to pick people up, so be it.
"A horse is coming!"
Yao Zhen heard the noise.
Gu Zhengchen looked to the northwest.
The official road was far away, the morning fog had just dispersed, and there was no trace of anyone. The late autumn wind is a bit chilly, and it’s time to add some clothes.
At this moment, Gu Zhengchen thought of his mother, sister, and Hu Dashan. Since the Mid-Autumn Festival, this man had gone north. Time has passed by for more than a month. I wonder if he has successfully arrived in Teng County, and whether his mother and sister have seen him. A letter reporting safe arrival...
Just when Gu Zhengchen was lost in thought, two horses suddenly appeared on the official road and galloped towards them. The leading sergeant looked at Gu Zhengchen and others and frowned: "Mao Tongzhi and Uncle Chengyi have led the team five miles away. , why haven’t all of your people arrived yet? Don’t cause disaster because of your disrespect, get someone here quickly!”
After the sergeant finished speaking, he turned the horse's head and ran back.
Zhou Mao looked at Gu Zhengchen with a bitter look on his face: "Your Majesty, here are just these people here. If they think the county government is being disrespectful and have a grudge, wouldn't it be..."
Gu Zhengchen withdrew his far-looking gaze and said calmly: "If everyone from the county government comes, some people will be unhappy and think that we want to surrender to these two people. But their identities are unusual. One is the sincere uncle with unparalleled resourcefulness. , one is a commanding comrade who is one of the emperor's personal guards, it is better to keep a little distance than to be too close to make people feel reassured."
Zhou Mao and Lin Shan looked at each other, somewhat confused.
County Lord, you are just a small county magistrate, there is no need to worry about such a trivial matter, right? Besides, you are not an important official in the imperial court. Even if you are showing favor to these two people, so what, who will care...
Gu Zhengchen couldn't explain that he was now tied to the East Palace. Although he was not a princeling on the surface, he probably already was in Lao Zhu's eyes.
A princeling approached the commander of the emperor's bodyguard and had a good conversation. Could there be some hidden agenda behind this?
Although Lao Zhu may not be so sensitive or suspicious, Gu Zhengchen cannot help but be wary. Lao Zhu speculates on people's hearts and will not give people a way to survive. He can chop off people's heads just by picking out a single word...
Soon after, the sergeant rode to the pavilion again. When he saw the same people, he couldn't help being stunned and reminded: "We are two miles away!"
Gu Zhengchen nodded slightly, ordered someone to tidy up his clothes, and stood on the roadside with his hands down.
A red triangular flag was waved by the sergeant in the wind. The fluttering red was like the rising red sun in the east!
Twenty cavalry sergeants advanced in four columns. The horses' hooves trampled on the ground, making a clattering sound. The mighty and majestic sergeants had a stern face, and the evil spirit was rolling like the sea.
Liu Ji was sitting in the carriage, opening the curtain and looking at the man on the horse beside him. His face was slightly broad and long, showing determination and coldness. There was always a coldness in his small eyes, like the darkness on his body. His armor was cold, and there was a terrifying scar on the right side of his forehead, like an earthworm, moving with the raising and lowering of his brows.
"Liu Tongzhi, where did your injury come from?"
Liu Ji met Mao Xiang a few years ago, but he did not have this injury.
Mao Xiang raised his hand and touched the scar, and a murderous intent flashed in his eyes: "This wound was left to me by the Japanese pirates!"
"Japanese pirates?"
Liu Ji frowned.
Mao Xiang held a riding whip and said seriously: "Uncle Chengyi has been recuperating at home these years. He may not know about the Japanese pirates."
In the six years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, it has indeed faced the threat of Japanese pirates.
In the second year of Hongwu, the Japanese pirates, together with the remaining troops of Fang Guozhen and Zhang Shicheng, plundered Wenzhou and other places. Yongjia, Yueqing, Yuhuan, and Zhongjie were all plundered.
In the fifth year of Hongwu's reign, Japanese pirates invaded Wenzhou and other places more frequently.
On June 25, Wenzhou Guard Qianhu Chen Wang pursued the invading Japanese pirates, but was ambushed and suffered huge losses.
On June 27, Mao Xiang led his troops and captured 12 Japanese pirate ships and more than 150 Japanese pirates.
It was with this military merit that Mao Xiang was promoted to the commander of the Habayashi Left Guard. However, when killing the Japanese pirates, Mao Xiang was too fierce. He chased them into the sea and refused to let go. He just killed them before withdrawing his troops. He almost lost his life if he advanced too rashly.
From this perspective, Mao Xiang can be regarded as an anti-Japanese hero and the predecessor of Qi Jiguang.
Liu Ji still wanted to speak, but the sergeant came to announce: "The Jurong County government officials are waiting in front."
Mao Xiang understood and looked at Liu Ji: "Your Majesty told us before we came here that we should take a good look at Jurong and Mr. Gu. This matter needs more sincerity. I am a vulgar person." , but not good at looking at people."
Liu Ji shook his head slightly and said seriously: "Since you know that I can read people, why do you need to say that you are a vulgar person? Haha, Mao Tongzhi, let us get to know Mr. Gu well. There are talented people in the country, but I don't know this country. There are so many outstanding people who have not yet been born. With the stability of the four directions and the people recuperating, the Ming Dynasty will surely usher in its heyday."
Mao Xiang's brows moved slightly.
Yes, there are talents for generations to come!
Being born in this era, I should leave a lasting mark!
The army stopped, and the long line of prisoners stopped.
Gu Zhengchen looked at the generals riding out, looked at the old man stepping out of the carriage, and saluted solemnly: "Gu Zhengchen, Magistrate of Jurong County, welcomes Uncle Chengyi and Tongzhi Mao."
Mao Xiang looked at the few people around Gu Zhengchen, frowned slightly, looked sideways at Liu Ji, who was silent, and said: "Uncle sincerity, this county magistrate only brought a few people to greet us, look at how sincere he is. ?”
Liu Ji stepped forward, stretched out his old and frail hand, and lifted up Gu Zhengchen who was bowing. He carefully looked at Gu Zhengchen's appearance, nodded repeatedly, and said with a smile: "Mr. Gu, I have long admired you. The words of the Autumn Night in the East Palace , it is particularly inspiring to this day, three provinces in one day!”
