After leaving the city gate, I saw someone selling fish on the roadside. Xu Cai stepped forward, bought two breams, pierced them with wicker sticks, carried them in his hands, and walked towards the industrial area on the mountainside. The industrial area is very quiet, with few pedestrians on the road. Only occasionally a few large trucks passed by, pulling goods.
When he arrived at his brother Xu Qi's workshop, Xu Cai quickly walked in. I saw that there were a lot less people in the factory, and it was not as lively as the last time I came here. Anyone who knew Xu Cai lazily said hello.
When he arrived at the place where his brother was doing business, he saw that the door was not closed, so Xu walked in.
When they entered the house, they saw Xu Qi lying on a chair like a dead fish, staring at the sky, not knowing what he was thinking. Hearing the movement, Xu Qi took a look and said calmly: "Do you have free time today? Let's sit down and go out to eat later."
Xu Cai looked around and couldn't help but ask: "Brother, why are you so listless? I heard someone in Xiangyang City said that you were deceived into a gambling boat a few days ago and lost a lot of money. Fortunately, you I was smart and reported it to the official in time and got all the money back."
After hearing this, Xu Qi straightened up, shook his head and sighed. He said: "If I had known this was the case, I might as well have given him the two thousand dollars. Even if there is a temporary difficulty in the factory's turnover, I can always earn back my hard work."
"How do you say this? Two thousand guan is not small money!" Xu Cai felt strange and walked forward quickly.
Xu Qi smiled bitterly: "How did I know that so many people would be implicated because I reported to the police? There were several officials in the Inspection Department, especially Inspector Zhang, who were very popular among people, but they lost their asylum because of gambling. Lives. There were six other inspectors who were imprisoned for their involvement in this matter. There were 18 inspectors who were kicked out of the government office because they did not report their knowledge. This is only the inspection department, as well as government offices and counties. Where are the yamen? Eight officials were beheaded. Nearly twenty were imprisoned. Forty or fifty were dismissed from their posts by the government. Brother, most of these officials are not extremely evil. People, many people are aggrieved for them. Especially two days ago, I heard that Counselor Chen was also suspended because of the involvement of his family officials in this matter. How many good things has Counselor Chen done for the people since he came to Xiangyang? These days, everyone Everyone said that I was greedy for my own small fortune and ruined the future of so many people. People from the inspection department often came to scold me, and ordinary people didn't have a good face. What's worse, the bank in Xiangyang Prefecture warned me that they would not give me money in the future. I've got a loan. How do you think I can keep running this factory? These days, I'm thinking of transferring the factory to someone else, but I really can't do this business."
Xu Cai was shocked when he heard this: "How could this happen? How could he be my brother's fault for supporting a prostitute and gambling, harming one party? There is no such truth in the world! Brother, don't worry, after living for some time, everyone will naturally understand!"
Xu Qidao: "Brother, things in the world are not so black and white. Of course, these officials who were punished were greedy for money, otherwise they would not be involved in the boat gambling case. But although they are greedy for money, many of them are not bad people. People think Their kindness is very natural. We can only blame the government for handling this matter too strictly, and the people naturally feel aggrieved. Who would have thought that I would become a bad person in people's mouth."
After speaking, Xu Qi shook his head. He stood up with a sad look on his face.
Xu Qi understood that the situation he faced was not only because people complained about the officials, but also because of the government's handling methods. After the incident, the government asked the gamblers that night to come forward and report. As long as you make sure you get on the boat that night, you can get back half of your gambling money. Of course, the gambling boat will not keep track of how many gamblers there were in a night, how many people lost money, and how much they lost. It is inevitable that some people will fish in troubled waters. But how much money you earn in a night will be recorded by the gambling boat. At the end of the day, I lost one or two thousand dollars gambling on the boat that night.
When this incident spread, ordinary people thought that these gamblers had made a profit, and looked down upon Xu Qi even more.
Xu Cai stood and thought for a while. Said: "Brother, I think there is nothing wrong with the government's arrest of gamblers, and you are not wrong either. The situation we are in today is completely inappropriate. These days, I passed the official examination, and now I am an official. When I go back, I will report it. This matter!"
Xu Qi turned around and looked at his brother. Said: "You are also an official, what kind of official are you? I heard from people that the officials recruited by you do not care about any affairs and are basically idle. Everyone said that I don't know what the use is of recruiting you officials. Eating for free. Who do you report to such an idle official? Who in the yamen will sell your face? "
Xu Cai said: "You don't know about the affairs of the government. Idle officials have their uses, so they are naturally useful."
Xu Qi shook his head and was too lazy to say anything more. Seeing that it was getting late, he said: "Let's find a tavern and have a few drinks. It's a pity that the factory can't be run. But this year, I did make some money. When I return to Nanzhang, I still have the opportunity to start over. .”
The two left the factory, went to a nearby canteen, and found a tavern to sit down. Xu Cai bought two breams and asked the store to steam them and serve them as a side dish with wine. After ordering food and drinks, the two brothers drank together.
Had a few glasses of wine. Xu Cai said: "Brother, how much effort have you put into making the factory what it is today, how can you give up so easily? The people are just talking about it, just for the sake of being happy for a while, and just live a while."
Xu Qidao: "Brother, it's not that simple. A few days ago, people from the bank said that I was unreliable and wanted to stop my loan——"
Xu Cai said: "My brother is rich now. Even if the bank does not lend money, the factory can continue to operate."
Xu Qi sighed: "It must be opened, and it can be opened. But if you don't have a loan, you can develop if you want. But what's more troublesome is the people from the supply and marketing cooperative. Although it is not stated clearly, the supply and marketing cooperative does not want to sell my goods. Once the supply and marketing cooperative stops selling, who will sell the things made in this factory? This is the most terrible thing."
After saying that, Xu Qi poured all the wine in the glass into his mouth. Said: "Who would have thought that I just didn't want to pay gambling debts, but I would cause such a big trouble? People who open casinos are not only wanted by the government, but also by the people. How come they are here and become my fault? ?”
Xu Cai said: "Many things in the world are unreasonable. When my brother meets him, he can only blame himself for his bad fate."
Xu Qi nodded: "Yes, I can only blame my life. In the first few days, I gritted my teeth and must fight these people to the end. I didn't believe that my factory would not be able to continue. After a few days, it became worse day by day. It became more and more sad every day, and then I gradually realized that this was my destiny. What else could I do? If you are destined to have this calamity, you must suffer it."
Xu Cai said: "I don't think my brother should be so negative. There is always a solution. Although my brother is just trying not to pay off his gambling debts, it can't be considered as doing anything good to eliminate harm for the people. But the actual effect is that the people benefit."
Xu Qidao: "So what? If the sky has eyes, can it still seal the mouths of the people?"
Xu Cai was speechless and didn't know what to say.
After a long time, I gradually started to feel drunk. Xu Qidao: "If I really want to say it, I can only say that the government has done a great job in handling this matter. If it is just to arrest the mastermind of the gambling boat and not involve too much, how can anyone hate me? I heard that it was the order of Commander Jie. No one involved in this matter will be spared. Many of the officials who were arrested were not bad to the people, but were just greedy for money. The people saw it and blamed me."
