lady, please calm down

Chapter 297: The only people I need to explain to you are Mr. Caizhou

Jieshuai official office, study room.

Chen Chu, who was calmly listening to Li Mulezi's report, suddenly raised his eyebrows when he heard a familiar but distant name, "They said they were the visiting envoys?"

"Yes."

"Haha, these bastards. The three-year period has expired. Are you going to disgust me again?"

Chen Chu leaned back on his chair, seeming to be talking to himself, and seemed to be caught up in some memory.

Li Mulezi didn't quite understand what Marquis Lu An meant. He didn't quite understand what the 'three-year period' meant either.

After waiting for a few breaths, Li Mulezi didn't wait for Chen Chu's next instruction, and then whispered: "Master Marquis, how should we deal with this matter?"

"Where are they now?" Chen Chu asked.

"In the government office next door, please ask Chen Tongzhi to send someone to arrest Wu Yifan."

"Uh, this is Xia Xia."

"Master Hou, the name of the visiting envoy is Xia Zhizhong."

"Oh, is Xia Zhizhong so stupid? Do you really believe Shi Xiaowu's self-reported family status?"

"Master Marquis, Xia Zhizhong may not believe it. But the Shi team will be able to report Wu Yifan's name. If Xia Zhizhong comes, he must be acquainted with Wu Yifan. It is normal to find Mr. Wu for questioning."

"Too."

"Master Marquis, shall we intervene in this matter?"

"Forget it, let's leave it to Chen Tongzhi to deal with it for now. After all, we are the Commander-in-Chief's Mansion, not a government office. If we forcefully intervene, it will be unfair and will harm Chen Tongzhi's face."

"Yes."

Li Mulezi responded and was about to exit, but Chen Chu asked again: "Where is Shi Xiaowu now?"

"Team Shi will go to the Soldiers' Club run by Zhenhuai Army Guesthouse to have a drink."

"Oh, this guy is really big-hearted." Chen Chu shook his head with a smile and said, "Find someone to bring him to Jieshuai Yamen."

"Yes."

The government office next door.

Xia Zhizhong and Wu Yifan, who was called for confrontation, looked at each other. After learning that the latter came from the Wu family in Yingchuan and was the nephew of Sun Zhifu, Xia Zhizhong had changed his mind that Wu Yifan knew the person who committed the crime today.

Although Mr. Wu is missing a front tooth, he has a graceful demeanor when he is not smiling. He looks like the same person as the lean man with a ruffian look.

Xia Zhizhong quickly adjusted his thoughts and guessed that the lean man had a grudge against Mr. Wu so he deliberately made false accusations. After thinking about it, his thoughts suddenly became clear, "Mr. Wu, do you have any enemies in Caizhou?"

enemy?

have!That’s a lot!
Before Wu Yifan spoke, he looked back at the sleepy Chen Jingyan in the courtroom. After a moment's hesitation, he moved closer to Xia Zhizhong and whispered: "Xia Xunfang, I have some disagreements with Huaibei Commander Lu Anhou."

"."

Xia Zhizhong's face twitched slightly, how dare you say that.

He pretended not to hear, but took a step forward, raised his hands and said to Chen Jingyan: "Chen Tongzhi, please ask your government to find a famous painter to draw shadows and patterns according to my instructions to capture the vicious ones."

"Oh, uh."

Chen Jingyan yawned, rubbed his eyes, as if he had just woken up, and said tiredly: "Last year, our mansion was hit by floods and then by thieves. Now the whole mansion is devastated, and the people are living in dire straits. Last night, I discussed with my colleagues how to restore our mansion. The government and the people’s livelihood are concerned, so I didn’t go to bed until late at night.”

This statement is completely different from what Xia Zhizhong said. I said the city gate and the building, but he said the hip bone axis.

However, as a member of the officialdom, Xia Zhizhong naturally heard the implication of Chen Jingyan's words. I am busy, so don't cause trouble with such a trivial matter as yours.

In addition, he also heard another layer of meaning.

The duties of a search envoy include not being friendly to outsiders, but also having the power to monitor local taxation.

Xia Zhizhong, who arrived in Caizhou two days ago, has been staying in the south industrial zone.

The Caizhou he saw was full of various factories, employing at least dozens of people to hundreds of people at most.

Whenever the market goes down, the industrial zone within a few miles is a prosperous scene with crowded shops and overcrowded shops. It has nothing to do with the "devastated situation and people's livelihood is in dire straits".

Xia Zhizhong is not a reckless man. He knows that anyone who can open a large business must have the support of a "big shot" behind him.

After a day or two of research, he learned that the owners of the largest factories in the industrial zone were either the wife or aunt of Huaibei Jiedushi, or they were owned by the famous Sihai Trading Company.

These are tough bones, and Xia Zhizhong had no intention of eating meat from them.

That’s why I made inquiries in various places in the industrial zone, trying to find some factories with a moderate background and moderate scale to start with.

It just so happened that at noon today, when he and his companions passed the gate of Xinsheng Textile Factory, he was attracted by a pretty girl.

It is a good thing to be able to find a suitable woman while looking for ways to make money.

Afterwards, the companion stepped forward to stop the young lady. Although it was a little abrupt, it was not too much. He just asked: Young lady, do you want to go to Tokyo City? There will be a big fortune with you.
Then, a conflict broke out out of nowhere.

Thinking of this, Xia Zhizhong organized his speech and said in a low voice: "Tongzhi Chen, you should know that the responsibilities of this official are very important, involving the good relations between Jin and Qi. If you delay the important affairs of the court, the superiors will blame you. It’s not easy to handle!”

It was hard to bring the matter of 'extortion of money' to the table, so Xia Zhizhong vaguely mentioned the matter of 'seeking beauty'.

Every three years, the state of Qi donated three hundred women to the state of Jin. It was a rule after the founding of Qi, but it was also something that scholars who still had some conscience were most ashamed to mention.

Although he had no choice but to sacrifice his daughter to a foreign race for protection, his ancestors for eighteen generations have been embarrassed.

Chen Jingyan could not openly criticize this national policy, but he pointed out the problem from another angle, "Xia Xunfang, this matter has always been discussed with the local officials and gentry, but you stopped a good girl in the street! You are not afraid of provoking Is there public resentment?”

Although Xia Zhizhong is not as high-ranking as Chen Jingyan, he is a Beijing official after all. Hearing the latter's dissatisfaction, he couldn't help but get angry, "What kind of good family girls are they? They show their faces and work for others. How are they any different from slaves?"

"How brave!"

Chen Jingyan was just pretending to be angry at first, but Xia Zhizhong's words aroused his anger, "We in Caizhou have experienced many disasters, and everything is waiting for improvement! These women made pancakes and knitted socks for the frontline soldiers during the war, and now the disasters have been calmed down , they are not afraid of rumors, go out to work, earn money, honor their parents, and support their children, how can they not be considered good girls!"

Nowadays, the three prefectures in Huaibei are facing a shortage of manpower. Freeing up women's labor force is equivalent to creating half more human resources out of thin air.

To this end, the Caizhou government office worked hard under Chen Chu's supervision.While Liu Lingtong's troupe was touring the opera "Mulan" singing "Brother Liu's speech is too biased, who said women are inferior to men", Zhao Renren, Mrs. Ximen and even Chen Jingyan's wife Tan took the lead in going out to work and set an example. .

After nearly a year of hard work, although the currently unrealistic initiative of 'gender equality' has not been proposed, the idea that 'women can also go out to earn money' has finally been accepted by more and more people.

To be honest, in the hearts of traditional scholars like Chen Jingyan, there is also some slight resistance to the appearance of women.

It was only because of the strong promotion of Chen Chu and his wife that they had to cooperate.

But at this time, Chen Jingyan was immediately annoyed when he heard Xia Zhizhong slandering these women who were self-reliant as not being good girls.

That feeling is similar to: If I have a problem in Caizhou, I can say it myself, but if others say it, it’s just a damn thing to find fault!

Seeing the two people frozen on the spot, Wu Yifan, who didn't know who to speak for, looked around and finally plucked up the courage to say: "Uncle Shi, Xia Xunfang."

"To shut up!"

"You don't have the right to speak!"

However, the two men scolded him in unison. Wu Yifan's handsome face twisted and he quickly stopped talking.

Xia Zhizhong took two deep breaths, glared at Chen Jingyan and said coldly: "Chen Tongzhi, my companion was beaten in your Caizhou, and the beating was in the face of the court. Are you really not going to give me an explanation?"

"Hahaha, explain? I am a fellow acquaintance of Caizhou. The only people I need to explain to you are the hundreds of thousands of people in Caizhou!"

Above the court, Chen Jingyan stood with his hands behind his back, majestic and upright.

Below, the head catcher Ximen Xi, who had been guarding the hall, looked at this old boss whom he had worked with for many years, and for a moment he felt that this old cunning man had a little bit of greatness.
"haha okay!"

Seeing that the conversation was over, Xia Zhizhong sneered and walked away.

At this point, Chen Jingyan slowly sat back.

Today, he was so tough on Xia Zhizhong. Apart from the other party's words that made him unhappy, the more important reason was that Chen Chu was not at the scene.
Others didn't know the inside story, but Chen Jingyan knew it. Back then, Lao Wu was tortured a lot by the search envoy. Feng Changning extorted money and blackmailed her in the name of tax evasion, and was forced by the search envoy to kill Aunt Chen.

Although times have changed now, based on Chen Jingyan's understanding of his fifth brother, the latter would never let these people take away a woman or a penny of silver from Caizhou this time.

If he, Chen Jingyan, compromised, not only would his fifth brother think he was weak, but he would probably also be scolded for "turning his elbows out."

This is a matter of principle, and Chen Jingyan must consider the psychological feelings of his fifth brother.

Therefore, the harsher the scolding from both sides is, the better.

After a while, Chen Jingyan reviewed his performance in detail, and with satisfaction, he took a pen and wrote on the rice paper, "What I need to explain are the hundreds of thousands of people in Caizhou!" '

After thinking for a while, I changed the word 'common people' to 'fellows and fellow citizens'. After a moment, I thought about it again and crossed out the word 'fellows'.
After several hesitations, Chen Jingyan still couldn't make up his mind, and suddenly asked Ximen Xi, who was looking down, "Ximen is the head catcher, should I use 'common people' or 'fathers' in my official sentence?"

"Huh?" Ximen Xi was confused.

"Cough cough~"

Seeing that this stupid person didn't understand, Chen Jingyan stood up helplessly, clasped his hands behind his back again, and straightened his body.

Just when Monk Ximen Xizhang was scratching his head, Chen Jingyan's peaceful face suddenly turned righteous and awe-inspiring, and he shouted towards the void: "The only people I need to answer to are the hundreds of thousands of people in Caizhou! The only people I need to explain to you are the hundreds of thousands of elders in Caizhou. Which title more clearly shows that I love the people like my sons?"

"."

Ximen Xi opened his mouth and looked constipated. Oh, my good lord, this is not a stage. Are you singing a big show for me here?
Seeing that this idiot couldn't understand the difference between 'common people' and 'fathers', Chen Jingyan shook his head in disgust and said, "Go to the Caizhou Five-day Newspaper Office on Shuyuan Street and ask Ayu to come."

For this matter, I have to ask my daughter to help me make up my mind and instruct her to write an article for me in the newspaper. She must write this sentence, 'The only people I need to explain are the hundreds of thousands of elders in Caizhou'!

Outside the government office.

Xia Zhizhong strode out. Although the position of search envoy has a bad reputation, it is a real job. It only comes around every three years, and every time a bunch of low-level officials are trying to get the job.

After going out for a trip and returning to Beijing, even a timid person can earn 8000 taels.

Unexpectedly, Xia Zhizhong came to Huaibei and had a bad start, so Chen Jingyan was vaguely unwilling to give up anything!
If you get nothing at the first stop, who will be willing to give you money in the next state capital?

All people in the world, whether officials or civilians, bully the weak and fear the strong!

Xia Zhizhong thought angrily.

If he can't get the money, how can he honor his superior when he returns?How to make progress?

Furthermore, the search for the envoy suddenly started half a year in advance, which was closely related to the situation in the court.

The emperor was seriously ill, so the eldest prince and the queen were caught in the act of donating beautiful women to Jin. Probably in order to gain the approval of Jin, Liu Lin and Qian Yinian paid special attention to it.

If nothing else happens, the new emperor will most likely be Liu Lin in the future. If he doesn't do well the first time he helps him, how can he expect to be reused in the future?
Feeling bored, Xia Zhizhong looked back casually, only to find that Wu Yifan was still following him step by step.

He couldn't help but frown and said: "Master Wu, is there anything else?"

Wu Yifan hurried forward and whispered mysteriously: "Xia Xunfang, Mr. Cai just asked me who has a grudge against me. The Huaibei Festival Marshal Lu Anhou has a feud with me! Xiaosheng told Xia Xunfang in the court, Xia Xunfang But I didn’t hear it, Xiao Sheng came here to tell me!”

"."

If it weren't for the fear that Mr. Wu was the nephew of the then Minister of Punishment and the wife-nephew of the prefect of Caizhou, Xia Zhizhong would have wanted to spit on that handsome face.

Didn’t I hear you just now?I couldn't hear you. I asked who had a grudge against you. I was trying to find the tough guy who beat up the policeman, but your mother said that you had a grudge against Marquis Lu An.
Why, is it possible that you still want me to find a bad luck coach?

Damn it, don’t get involved with me even if you want to die!
No wonder Sun Changhao was turned into a clay Bodhisattva. Are your Wu family members so stupid?
Xia Zhizhong scolded Wu Yifan for eighteen generations of his ancestors in his heart, but then his mind changed. After pondering for a few breaths, he suddenly showed a kind smile, "Master Wu, speaking of it, Mr. Sun is the chief official of this Caizhou mansion. Why? Is it Chen Tong who is the only one in the government who knows where the horse is headed?"

"This" Wu Yifan looked embarrassed and didn't know how to answer.

Xia Zhizhong then sighed and said: "I can guess a thing or two when I met this colleague today. I represent the face of the imperial court, but he still doesn't look down on me. I think Magistrate Sun is often suppressed by him."

Wu Yifan hesitated for a moment, then hesitantly said: "Chen Tongzhi is not a bad person, it's just that Chen Chu was not a son of man and deceived Chen Tongzhi."

As long as Wu Yifan mentioned Chen Chu, Xia Zhizhong would not answer.

So one person secretly criticized Chen Jingyan, and the other just said: It's all Chen Chu's fault.

Xia Zhizhong endured his "sickness" and chatted with Wu Yifan for a few words, and finally said: "When I first became an official, I was taken care of by Mr. Wu. It seems that I have some connections with your family. Now that I have come to Caizhou, I need to Visit Magistrate Sun."

"That's very good! Xia Xunfang, please come with me to the official residence."

(End of this chapter)