Jia Yujing of Red Mansion

Chapter 308 Local Snake

Because the situation in the Jianghuai River continued to be turbulent, maritime merchants were afraid of being affected, so they left Yancheng one after another.

The originally lively and crowded port has become extremely depressed. Apart from some dilapidated fishing boats and sampans, not even a decent sea-going ship can be seen.

But just outside this deserted port, a group of people were walking under the stars.

One person was riding the horse first. He was slender, with a handsome face. He was wearing a green robe with an owl embroidered on his chest. He was obviously a seventh-grade civil servant.

Although he looked majestic, it was still obvious at a glance that he was not very old, only in his early twenties.

This person is Zhang Zhaoyang, the magistrate of Yancheng County, Jia Qiong's classmate and friend, and the same year as him, he was a Jinshi in Longqing Renwu Branch.

Zhang Zhaoyang is also a young genius. He was only nineteen years old when he was named on the gold list.

However, it was also because he was young and his mentality was not stable enough that he performed poorly in the palace examination and fell into the top three.

Later, Zhang Zhaoyang wanted to go to the local area for some experience, so he got the job of Yancheng County Magistrate.

Of course, Jia Qiong's contribution is also responsible for this. You must know that Yancheng is a prosperous Shangxian County, and most of the top three Jinshi are assigned to serve in lower counties in remote areas.

Zhang Zhaoyang took the lead, and several soldiers escorted a carriage behind him on horseback.

The road outside the port is full of potholes, and the carriages are traveling quickly on it, and you can imagine how bumpy it is.

At this time, there were four people sitting in the car. They were all wearing official uniforms of the eighth or ninth grade, and they were obviously officials.

However, their current condition is not very good. They all look swaying and disheveled.

Especially the oldest man, his face turned red and he was breathing heavily, looking as if he was going to die at any moment.

Fortunately, they arrived at their destination soon. Zhang Zhaoyang tightened the reins, dismounted, and the carriage stopped not far away.

Several people in the car finally heaved a sigh of relief. The youngest one, a middle-aged man in his forties, cursed in a low voice: "What is Zhang planning to do? Bring us to the dock in the middle of the night? We were forced to ride in a carriage, I almost vomited just now."

This man's name was Shao Weiyuan, a lieutenant of Yancheng County. He smelled of alcohol and his face was flushed. He was obviously very unhappy when he was summoned while drinking.

Another middle-aged man shook his head and said, "I don't know either.

I had already fallen asleep in the Cuihong Building when I was suddenly called over. I am still confused to this day.

Chief Zhao, do you know what is going on? "

The man who answered was named Yuan Jiansheng, who was a historian in Yancheng. He was also in his forties. He was thin and looked like he had drunk too much.

Mr. Zhao, a plump man in his fifties, said, "It seems like some big shot is coming, and County Magistrate Zhang brought us to greet him."

Shao Weiyuan asked: "What big shot, what are you doing in Yancheng at this time?"

Zhao Heng shook his head and said: "I don't know about this, Mr. Sun, do you know?"

The three people in the car all looked at the oldest old man, whose name was Sun Ren and was the magistrate of Yancheng County.

Sun Ren stroked his chest and managed to catch his breath. He waved his hand and said, "I don't know. Magistrate Zhang only said that he is an important person. He cannot be delayed and must come to the dock immediately to greet him."

"What kind of thing is this? It's so clueless. It's so talkative and ineffective in doing things..."

Shao Weiyuan had a bad temper, drank again, and kept his mouth shut.

Sun Ren heard what he said becoming more and more outrageous, so he quickly interrupted him and said: "Okay, just go down and ask whoever you want to welcome, don't be rude to the county magistrate."

Sun Ren obviously had the highest prestige among several people. When Shao Weiyuan heard what he said, although he felt unhappy, he no longer complained. Although the carriage was a little far away from Zhang Zhaoyang, he still listened attentively on the quiet dock.

Zhang Zhaoyang was angry in his heart, but it didn't show on his face.

The harm caused by subordinate officials was common in all parts of Dachu, and it was especially serious in Yancheng.

The few assistant officials in the car all came from wealthy local families in Yancheng and had deep backgrounds.

Take the Sun family as an example. During the more than 100 years since the founding of Chu, the Sun family had produced seven Jinshi scholars. The one with the highest official position once served as Shangshu of the Ministry of Household Affairs and became a bachelor in the cabinet.

Although there are no particularly outstanding figures in the Sun family today, one of Sun Ren's brothers is currently serving as an official in Sichuan as an inspector. He is also a dignified third-grade civil servant and is in charge of a province of prisons.

The situation of the other three families is roughly similar. They have been officials for generations and are married to each other. Their influence is intertwined.

In the eyes of Dachu's top dignitaries, these four families may not be considered much, but in this small Yancheng, they can be said to be able to cover the sky with one hand.

The four surnames have controlled the government affairs of Yancheng County for a long time, and they have taken advantage of it. Over the past few decades, more than half of the land in Yancheng has belonged to these four families.

As the saying goes, it is difficult for a strong dragon to defeat a local snake. The previous county magistrates of Zhang Zhaoyang were all ignored by these companies.

If Zhang Zhaoyang didn't have a strong backstage and these people didn't dare to go too far, he might have ended up like several of his predecessors, turning into a clay Bodhisattva who couldn't give orders out of the county government.

Zhang Zhaoyang has been very angry with them in the past two years. Many of the decrees he implemented are full of obstacles and difficult to implement, which makes him feel angry.

This time, Jia Qiong's arrival not only gave him hope of defending Yancheng, but also gave him a chance to get out of this predicament.

Zhang Zhaoyang looked at the bright moon on the sea, and the scene in front of Yueyang Tower could not help but appear in his mind.

A high-spirited young man holds a pen in one hand and a pot in the other, writing an immortal poem that is destined to illuminate eternity.

The tide of the Chunjiang River connects to the sea, and the moon and the sea coexist.

Yanyan followed the waves for thousands of miles, where is the spring river without moonlight.

I haven’t seen you in a few years. Brother Yujing, I wonder how charming you will be now. It’s really fascinating.

Thinking of this, Zhang Zhaoyang felt heroic in his chest, and the depression that had accumulated in his heart over the years seemed to disappear all of a sudden.

At this time, Sun County Magistrate and four others came to Zhang Zhaoyang's side. Sun Ren raised his hands in a respectful manner and asked: "County Lord, I wonder who we are waiting for?

My old bones are no younger and stronger than yours. I was almost knocked apart just now. "

"That's right, after tossing us around in the middle of the night, we should know who to welcome."

"The rebels may come to attack the city at any time. It may not be appropriate for the county magistrate to leave the city at this time."

"Yes, what big shot can be as important as the wealth and lives of the people in Yancheng?"

The four of them talked to Zhang Zhaoyang with every word. If it had been in the past, Zhang Zhaoyang would have been angry, but now he looked at the four of them like clowns and not worth mentioning.

He pointed at the moon in the sky and said with a faint smile, "Have you ever heard of "Moonlit Night on the Spring River"?"

Sun County Prime Minister and the other four looked at each other in confusion, wondering what kind of medicine Zhang Zhaoyang was selling in the gourd.

Sun Ren said: "Of course we know Jia Shixian's masterpiece, but I don't know what the Lord County Lord means?"

Zhang Zhaoyang smiled and said: "I want to congratulate you four, because you will be able to see Shixian himself soon."

(End of this chapter)