Jurong County Government.
Gu Zhengchen was quite bored.
There are a lot of local disputes and conflicts, but after all, there are not many lawsuits involving human life. Even if there are, the evidence is usually conclusive, and it is really not a challenge to catch them all.
In addition, with the summer harvest and autumn planting coming together, the people were very busy, and a conflict over a penny would not cause a big deal. Many matters were settled directly in the countryside, and there was no need to go to the county government office.
What's more, during this period of time, the county government did not release any complaints, and there were no thieves or murders. Gu Zhengchen did not want to go to the college to teach, and Jurong Guard and Yuanhuo Bureau had nothing to do, so he could only stay in the second hall and read.
Just as he was yawning and feeling sleepy, Luo Shao and Yang Liang ran over with panic on their faces. Before Gu Zhengchen could ask why, they saw two sturdy sergeants with wild goose feather sabers hanging on their waists. There were no obvious patches on the clothes, or they were covered by a bronze mirror similar to a breastplate.
Luo Shao was extremely anxious. He gritted his teeth, stopped beside Gu Zhengchen, and shouted: "Two military masters of the Duwei Mansion, please sit down for a moment. Yang Liang won't let Zhang Pei and Yao Zhen serve tea!"
Yang Liang glanced at Luo Shao and ran out quickly.
People from the pro-military Duwei Mansion!
They do not leave Jinling easily. Once they leave, they basically only do one thing:
Arrests.
Luo Shao didn't know what crime Gu Zhengchen had committed that alerted them, but Gu Zhengchen was kind to him and could buy him some time.
Gu Zhengchen squinted at the two people, ignored Luo Shao's eyes, and waved to Zhang Pei and Yao Zhen who walked in: "You have nothing to do here, get out!"
Zhang Pei and Yao Zhen took a look at the situation inside the house, glanced at the pro-military captain's mansion, bowed before retreating, and then Yang Liang's rapid and brief screams came from outside the house.
I didn't notice that he didn't even wear any shackles or shackles, which is worth making a fuss about. Fortunately, you are Dianshi and you don't have any eyesight. If I don't beat you, who will beat you?
Gu Zhengchen stood up, pushed Luo Shao away, and asked in a deep voice: "Are you two looking for me?"
A rough man with a beard raised his hands, cupping his fists and grinning: "Mr. Quanzhou County, Your Majesty has a decree that after you have finished explaining all the county government affairs, you can quickly come to Jinling and serve as the deputy director of the treasure bank promotion department... "
"What?"
Gu Zhengchen couldn't believe it.
I am the magistrate of Jurong County, not a brick. I can move it wherever I want.
The most important thing for a county magistrate is to stay in the county office to handle matters and send people to Jinling. Is it a matter of whether he is a magistrate or a deputy promotion? How can he become a deputy seventh-grade official by messing around...
Luo Shao was confused and couldn't understand the situation.
The treasure banknote lifting department is amazing. Oh, the imperial court plans to print treasure banknotes? Then just find someone to seal it. It doesn't matter if we take our county magistrate away.
If you really want to get rid of me, you can just be promoted or transferred directly. It doesn’t matter if you hold a concurrent position. I’m still looking forward to being promoted...
Gu Zhengchen looked at the two of them and nodded slightly: "I understand, I will return to Jinling tomorrow. You guys..."
"This is Mewanjie."
"I'm Deng Yuan."
The two took the initiative to introduce.
Mei Wanjie raised his hand and scratched his messy beard: "Mr. Quanzhou County, it's not yet noon, so hurry up and get to Jinling tomorrow. Your Majesty is eager to see you, can you set off as soon as possible..."
Gu Zhengchen frowned, but finally agreed: "We will set off after lunch, give me an hour."
Mei Wanjie and Deng Yuan were much more relaxed.
Gu Zhengchen looked at Luo Shao, called Zhou Mao, Yang Liang and others, and said: "I am going to Jinling this time to serve as deputy director of the treasure bank transfer department. I think I am just here to assist with the initial matters and determine the rules and regulations. , it won’t take too long. During this period of time, the county magistrate Luo Shao will be temporarily in charge of all county government affairs. If there are unresolved or difficult matters, he can send someone to Jinling..."
This kind of thing is not stressful for Luo Shao and others. When the imperial court sealed the seal in the twelfth month of last year, these people were in charge of everything.
The magistrate's residence.
Zhang Xiwan just came back from the textile compound and saw the food on the table. Xiao He brought water. Zhang Xiwan washed her hands. She didn't notice Xiao He's hesitant expression and said to Gu Zhengchen: "If it weren't for this sentence, With the help of the Rongwei family, I am afraid that the two weaving and tailoring branches will be suspended during this period. Sir, I am planning to set up a new weaving branch, located within Jurongwei, so that these women will not have to return home every day. Not home."
Gu Zhengchen smiled and said: "This is a good idea, but you need to arrange it after you come back."
"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm not back."
Zhang Xiwan sat down.
Xiao He couldn't help but finally said: "My uncle is talking about after the young lady came back from Jinling."
Gu Zhengchen rolled his eyes at Xiao He, trying to steal his lines.
Zhang Xiwan was in a daze, as if she couldn't believe it. She looked at Gu Zhengchen and asked with smart eyes.
Gu Zhengchen nodded slightly and said calmly: "Not long ago, someone from the pro-military captain's mansion received an oral instruction from His Majesty, asking me to return to Jinling for a period of time. It's hard to say whether it will be three to five days, or half a month."
"really?"
Zhang Xiwan was pleasantly surprised.
After getting married, Zhang Xiwan and Gu Zhengchen came to the unfamiliar Jurong County. Although they were busy with the two courtyards all day long, Gu Zhengchen also knew that she missed Zhang He very much.
When she grew up, she was separated from her father for the first time, and the separation lasted for half a year. How could she not miss him? She just endured it silently without saying anything.
"Xiao He has packed your things. We will go back after dinner and arrive in Jinling tomorrow."
Gu Zhengchen pointed to the box beside him.
Since we are going back to Jinling, how can we go back without Zhang Xiwan? My father-in-law will probably be ashamed when he finds out.
Zhang Xiwan was very excited. After a simple meal, she ran to the two courtyards to make arrangements. Finally, she got on the carriage and slowly left Jurong under the protection of Zhang Pei, Yao Zhen, Mei Wanjie, Deng Yuan and others.
We stayed at the inn for the night and set off again before dawn.
After the monks from Tianjie Temple built the road, the road from Jurong to Jinling became much smoother. However, it could not bear the heavy traffic of merchants and horses. In addition, the summer rain washed away the road, which caused the road to become bumpy again. The shaking made Zhang Xiwan feel dizzy.
"This road is not smooth enough."
Gu Zhengchen opened the curtains and looked at the straight official road. Everywhere he could see a pothole. Many of the potholes were only bigger than a horse's hoof, and there were many twisted ruts.
"The roads in Tianjie Temple are not repaired well either."
Zhang Xiwan complained a little.
Gu Zhengchen agreed. After all, these monks are not professionals in engineering. The so-called road construction is probably about cultivating the heart. If there are holes in the heart, just recite sutras to fill them. If there are potholes in the road, just find some soil to fill them in. That's fine. Whether it's repaired or not repaired depends on the Buddha.
Of course, these monks cannot be entirely blamed. The caravans from Jurong to Jinling are indeed far better than before. Before Gu Zhengchen took office in Jurong, except for the merchants who went to Jurong to purchase medicinal materials, there were only a few scattered merchants, and there was almost nothing. Caravan.
But now Jurong's weaving compound and craftsman's compound are doing well, attracting many businessmen from other places. In addition, Jinling is a big market, which forms a business road from Jurong to Jinling.
It is true that the more people walk, the better the road will be. But it is also true that the more people walk, the harder the road will be.
Unless - build roads.
Build a road that won’t break down, at least for twenty or thirty years!
Asphalt roads?
Don't think about it. Asphalt comes from oil. Not to mention how backward the Ming Dynasty's oil mining technology is and how low its output is, Gu Zhengchen can't even get the complicated technology and related equipment for processing oil.
Asphalt roads were ruled out, leaving only one option: concrete roads.
Jurong has inherent advantages in developing concrete roads. Massive limestone is a necessary material for making cement. Although there are certain technical difficulties, it is not insurmountable. It is nothing more than firing. Temperature is a thorny issue. Tried and tested, but if it doesn't work, getting more coking coal should solve the problem.
As for the other materials of concrete, gravel, stones, and water, it doesn't matter.
Just building concrete roads requires a lot of manpower. With the financial resources of Jurong County Government, it is impossible to do it unless a few enemies are recruited to help, such as Zhu Dalang, such as Lao Zhu...
The familiar Jinling is back again.
Gu Qingqing happily rushed forward, pulling Gu Zhengchen and Zhang Xiwan to talk and laugh.
Liu Qian'er was still as usual, from the initial hesitation to talking to the non-stop chattering later, it was only the interval between Gu Zhengchen's greetings.
Gu's mother was very happy and prepared the food.
Perhaps it was because of the fragrance that the two guys, Mu Chun and Mu Sheng, came over to enjoy the food. One bite was good for the other and the other was short. Father-in-law Zhang He did not come back at noon. Hongwenguan was involved in the compilation of pinyin and was a little busy during this time.
Mu Ying came and looked at Gu Zhengchen with a smile: "You will also be there tomorrow morning."
"A deputy promoted from a seventh-rank official is not qualified to attend court meetings."
Gu Zhengchen didn't want to go to court in the morning. He would have to wait outside the palace gate before dawn. It would be more comfortable to sleep in.
Mu Ying said softly: "Your Majesty said so."
Gu Zhengchen shut his mouth.
I can reject Mu Ying, and I can even reject Zhu Biao, but I can't reject Lao Zhu...
Mu Ying rubbed her arms and said to Gu Zhengchen: "I heard from the prince that the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes you designed are very popular with His Majesty, especially the idea of printing the portrait on it, which is a wonderful move."
Seeing Mu Ying rubbing her arms from time to time, Gu Zhengchen frowned and asked, "Are you injured?"
Mu Ying shook her head: "I used too much force during martial arts training a few days ago, which caused some damage to my arm. It's okay."
"The situation should be relatively stable now. You are working so hard. Did something happen?"
Gu Zhengchen was a little puzzled.
Mu Ying hesitated for a moment and said solemnly: "As your majesty's adopted son, I have not made many achievements and have few military achievements. I cannot compare with those princes and earls. You set up a long-distance fire station in Jurong. Once the firearms are improved, the court will It is very likely that I will turn from defense to attack and send a large army to attack the Yuan Dynasty. I am practicing more martial arts now so that one day I can become a general in the army and kill enemies for Your Majesty and the Ming Dynasty!"
Gu Zhengchen looked deeply at Mu Ying and could understand his uneasiness and unwillingness.
What's disturbing is that at such a young age, he is the commander of the Dudu's Mansion and a second-rank official. However, this official position is not obtained by military merit, but by his status as the adopted son of Zhu Yuanzhang. There are also a lot of marquises in the Dudu's Mansion, such as Pingliang. Hou Fei Ju and others may not recognize Mu Ying, even if she is friendly on the surface.
Mu Ying is a person with great ambition. He never reconciles himself to being mediocre or having no achievements. He is eager to go to the battlefield and prove to everyone with his own strength!
Gu Zhengchen said firmly: "You will become the Marquis of the Ming Dynasty in the future, you will!"
Mu Ying smiled slightly, this was a comforting prophecy.
Gu Zhengchen shook his head, this is not a prophecy, it is a plug-in of history...
