Everyone had a good time that night. Even the officials who were hostile to Zhang Zhong didn't go to bed until very late. After all, it was rare to have such a lively night, not to mention that it was under the atmosphere of a bonfire.
None of the officials dared to casually comment on Zhang Zhong's good or bad. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the house. Some were contemplative, some were curious, and some wanted to own it.
However, none of the officials could figure out what the glowing thing was. Similarly, they couldn't figure out why the house could move on its own. Everyone only understood one thing, and that was that the Zhang Family and the Wang Family valued the four children very much.
They didn't eat anything given by outsiders, and they didn't use any toys given by outsiders. Someone suggested that they make clothes for them, but that suggestion was also rejected.
When they were sleeping that night, the Judicial Military Supervisor even suggested kidnapping the four children to threaten Zhang Zhong. Without a doubt, that idea was vetoed by the other people in the same tent.
If they really dared to kidnap the children, regardless of whether they succeeded or not, it wouldn't be a simple matter of dealing with Zhang Zhong. If they failed or succeeded, they would have to face the Zhang family's pursuit. There was absolutely no doubt that the Zhang family wouldn't use any official means to solve this matter.
The worried people were very satisfied with the food. Even the seven people who had eaten at Zhang Zhong's house yesterday and didn't taste anything had to admit that the cooks at Near the River Restaurant were far inferior to the cooks at Zhang Zhong and the Wang Family.
They could make the simplest dish with the most complicated method, and they could also make the most difficult dish with the simplest method. Even the barbecue was different from other places. The meat skewers that were made without lamb were so tender. When they asked what they put in, the cooks refused to say. It was a secret.
Everyone slept through the night with their own thoughts and woke up early the next morning. Under the leadership of the Judicial Military Supervisor, everyone ate very slowly. When they set off, they couldn't move faster.
Zhang Zhong understood that this was to buy time for Mountain Lake Village. After all, they had just removed the lake, and it would be even more difficult to build a new one. The soaked ground was too muddy.
Zhang Zhong did not rush them. It was like bringing the two families on a trip together. Wang Juan's father also received the corresponding courtesy. He was a fourth-rank official after all. Even if he was dismissed, he was still an official. At the very least, his wife also received the title of a fourth-rank imperial lady.
The most direct benefit was the salary. Another benefit was that they would be treated differently when they were in court.
The large group of people and horses moved forward slowly. The slow little ones occasionally came down and ran with the group. When they passed by the small river, they could even play by the side for a while.
Since no one was in a hurry, they would just drag it out.
In the end, it took them seven days to arrive at their destination. The County Magistrate of Taihu County had already finished all the preparations and brought a group of people to welcome them.
Apart from the officials, there were also 'scholars' who could accompany them and recite poems. Compared to Lu Zhou, Shuzhou was indeed much better. At the very least, those who could enter the school were not people Lu Zhou could compare to. They had already known about this mission in advance. In advance, each of them had prepared a few poems that they thought were good enough to avoid embarrassing themselves at the crucial moment.
The official matters were handled by Zhang Zhong. Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were free, so they took their younger brothers and sisters to wander around. Even a weaved insect made of grass was enough for the four little ones to play with for half a day. Not to mention, they rarely had the chance to play outside in the past.
The four little ones had a slightly older brother, who was Zhang Zhong's adopted son. He rarely came out to play and was sick. Perhaps it had something to do with the different soil and water in Lu Zhou's place. It should be caused by the difference in the physique of the people in the north and the south. In a deeper sense, it was genetic.
That was to say, the medical standards of the Zhang Family and Wang Family were slightly better than the people here. Otherwise, it was very likely that they would have died. For example, when the people in the north were sent to Ling Nan Road, many of them died on the way.
After recuperating for a while, he could occasionally come out for a while, mainly to let him bask in the sun more.
The excuse of coming here was to build a spiritual civilization in Shuzhou. What they did was to go on a scenic tour. Hundreds of people did not take cars but walked up the mountain on foot. At this moment, Zhang Zhong finally showed his ability. Occasionally, he would stop to write a poem or take out a classic sentence from a book he had read.
Although Zhang Zhong became the top scorer through tricks, that was because of the actual situation. However, Zhang Zhong himself was not bad. He also studied hard for many years in a slightly 'rich' family to get to where he was. At this moment, when he spoke, many people around him who wanted to echo him felt it was difficult.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan did not care about this kind of thing. The two of them led the people in the inner courtyard to carry the four little guys up the mountain with poles. Every time they encountered something edible, they would pick a little, wash it, and feed it to the four little guys. There was both sour and sweet. It was also a personal experience of life.
Especially the bitter mountain vegetables, which were eaten by the common people as vegetables. In Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's time, it was a good thing. Now, as long as people could think of a way, they would not eat wild vegetables. The consequence of eating salted wild vegetables was that the food consumption was very large, and there was no oil and water.
When everyone climbed to the top of a mountain, there was a lake in front of them as far as the eye could see. It was bigger than when Zhang Zhong came a few days ago. There was even a running water leading to the lake. It was unknown how much effort the county magistrate of Taihu County had put in.
In addition to the lake, there were also the boats that the county magistrate of Taihu County found. They were not big, and each boat could not hold more than five or six people. Those with enough status would go on the boat to play, while those who were not could only watch from the shore, find things to do, and chat in groups of three or five.
Xiao Bei, the youngest of the four little guys, was sick from eating too much sour food. After being fed some green onions and being smoked, his eyes turned red. When he saw others getting on the boat, he pointed at the lake and shouted, "Boat, boat!" over and over again.
The boat had already left the shore and been rowed away. Where could he find a boat for her? Besides, that was where the adults did things, so he could not get involved now. Zhang Xiaobao's eyes were fixed on the house in the middle of the mountain. If he really wanted to, he could push the house into the water.
As soon as this idea came out, it was rejected by Zhang Xiaobao. It was not suitable to reveal too many things now. He reckoned that the news of this house would spread to Beijing very soon. It seemed that he had to make two houses for Beijing according to the little guys.
Of course, it was impossible to give them a house made of agarwood. It was not a matter of money, but wood was not easy to find. The glass windows were simple, and he could just buy some cheap carpets. If they wanted fine cashmere carpets, they could buy them themselves. He could give them a few wheels and let the Ministry of Works study them. It was not a big deal to hand over the mercury dynamic balance. The production cost was too high. He only told them the principle and did not provide them with the real thing.
While Zhang Xiaobao was thinking about this, Wang Juan went to the lake to take a look. The water was very clear, and the temperature was suitable. She gave a look to some of the members of Team Zero who stayed on the shore. Eight of them changed into swimsuits and jumped in.
After swimming up and down in the water for a while, they popped their heads out and nodded to Wang Juan on the shore. Wang Juan then put on swimming trunks for the four little guys and threw a life buoy into the water for them to play with.
"Put on your swimsuits. We'll also go down to play. Let's see if someone wants to kill the children of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Family."
Zhang Xiaobao said to Wang Juan when he saw his younger brother and sister paddling happily in the water. This was also an opportunity for others to attack them. At the same time, it was also an opportunity to deal with others.
After Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan went into the water, there were two places on the lake that were lively. One was Zhang Zhong's boat, and the other was naturally the small water area where the children of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Family played.
People who did not know the situation inside would really think that this was a very harmonious scene.
*****
Shuzhou was a pier on the side of the Yangtze River. At this time, there were many people moving things from the boat here. They all looked a little happy, but also a little unfamiliar with the environment.
Two old men ignored the busy people and walked slowly along the road that led to Shuzhou from the pier.
One of the two old men looked at the surrounding scenery and said to the other old man next to him, "Long Ze, this place doesn't look so rich now."
"The Zhang family hasn't completely freed up their hands. Besides, this place is far from the place where the people live. It's not worth spending money around the pier immediately. When the people live better, they can build the road here. At this time, they are already building it. They have a lot of people, and they don't lack money.
It's estimated that by this winter, they will be able to build the main road from the provincial capital to the counties. Then, they will build this place for convenient transportation. You have just come from the capital, so naturally, you will feel that this place is not as good as the capital. But, Shuzhou is already good enough.
If you have seen Lu Zhou, you will understand the difference between the two places. When I went to Lu Zhou, what I saw was not bad. At least, the Zhang family has built the road there. But, when you pass by Lianzhou, you will know the situation in Lu Zhou.
This matter can't be rushed. The imperial court doesn't know when the road will be built, and there is no edict to ask Zhang Zhong to build the road. The imperial court cares about this year's tax. Since you are here, don't worry about it. Take care of yourself. I have thought it through. As long as I am alive, there is hope. "
The old man called Long Ze looked much better than the old man who spoke first. The old man who spoke first not only had many age spots on his face, but also many wrinkles and a lot of hair loss. Moreover, he gave people the feeling that his eyes would only be lively at certain special times. Usually, they were so cloudy.
After hearing Long Ze's words, the old man did not say much about this issue. He sniffed the smell of the soil here and said,
"Yes, it is good to be alive, but people can't do more things when they are alive. What's the difference between that and a walking corpse? I have resigned, but my heart can't rest. I have to do something. Fortunately, you came early. Otherwise, I might be buried in the soil. "
"Yuanzhi, you are wrong to think so. Even if I don't go, I think you will be fine. It is just a small illness. When we meet Xiao Bao and Cuckoo, we will ask them to make a special diet for you. Take care of your body and live a few more years. See how the people of Tang live a good life."
Old man Long Ze comforted the person he called Yuanzhi. After he finished speaking, he sighed again. Perhaps it was because he felt that he was too old. He really wanted to live a few more years, especially when he saw with his own eyes how the Zhang family gave good lives to the people everywhere they went.
Old Yuanzhi nodded and said, "Then try your best to live. It is a good opportunity to see the means of the masters of the Zhang family and see what other things they can do. Tell people to hurry up. I also want to see if the two children you praised to the heavens are so smart."
"Well, when the time comes, one more person to teach, one more ability. But I don't know how the people of Shuzhou will deal with the Zhang family this time. It is reasonable to say that the rent tax should be higher every year, but now it is lower every year. If Zhang Zhong can't raise the rent tax this year, the people in the imperial court will definitely look down on him."
Old Long Ze looked at Old Yuanzhi and said with a trace of worry in his eyebrows.
Old Yuanzhi smiled. How could he not know what Long Ze meant?
"I just came here, and there are many things I don't understand. It depends on the ability of the Zhang family. Unless there is no other choice, you can just treat me as an idle person. Raising the rent tax to 150,000 strings of coins a year is difficult for other people, but for the Zhang family, no one will think it is too much. After all, he has done so many things."
As the two were talking, the people unloading the goods behind them were almost done. A carriage came and waited for the two to get on. The carriage began to speed up in the direction of the provincial capital of Shuzhou.
*****
Time flew while they were traveling. When the water was cold, Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, who had not encountered any danger, carried their younger brother and sister to the shore again. The people on the boat began to return, preparing to find a place to sleep in the mountains tonight.
Zhang Zhong was really playing. He had not been like this for a long time. Today, he did not care why he was here, but he could play to his heart's content.
At night, the county magistrate of Taihu County prepared a sumptuous feast. When he saw a few hundred people eating there, he felt his heart ache. This was all money, and he couldn't just use ordinary dishes to deal with it. He didn't even need to think about it if he didn't have the Thousand Strings of Coins for this meal. The military counselor and the others wouldn't pay for this meal.
It was a matter of course for a lower official to entertain a higher official. As for where the money came from, the higher official would not ask. Anyway, when there was a problem in checking the account, the higher official would look for the lower official. There was no fairness.
After Zhang Zhong and the others and their families had rested, the County Magistrate of Taihu County found the Registrar and the others.
He was anxious. Because of Zhang Zhong, he lost a batch of goods and was delayed for so many days. Every day, he lost a lot of money. Even if he did not get a lot of money, the pressure from above was great.
Obviously, something happened to the Registrar, but in the end, he had to bear the responsibility. He said that he did not choose the right route when he was transporting the goods. There was only one route and it was to be taken at night. How could he choose? Was he supposed to take the field in the middle of the night? Or climb the mountain?
Thinking about it was just thinking about it. He still had to explain the matter clearly.
When the County Magistrate of Taihu County arrived at the tent where the Registrar and the others were, the seven of them were drinking tea and chatting. They did not seem to be anxious at all. Only the County Magistrate of Taihu County was anxious.
Seeing the seven of them drinking poorly, the County Magistrate of Taihu County felt his heart ache again. This was tea bought from the Zhang family. Zhang Zhong had not done anything when he came to Shuzhou, but he had brought the Chamber of Commerce here to sell things.
This tea was part of the goods. Although it was expensive, not everyone could buy it. It was very rare.
When the County Magistrate of Taihu County bought this tea to welcome Zhang Zhong, he was really impressed. He thought that he should also have a shopping center at home. If he sold food and drinks, even if they were not delicious, he could go to the villages below to have a look. Then, he would specially mention this food and drink on the way.
His subordinates would have to arrange for the food and drink. Even if the price was high, they would have to bear with it. The tea that was bought now was very expensive. They even had to use a silver scale to weigh it. A sip of tea would cost dozens of copper coins.
Although this was what he thought in his heart, the County Magistrate of Taihu County did not show it on his face. He greeted the seven of them with a smile and asked about their discomfort with concern. He meant that he wanted to find a few women to serve the seven of them.
When he asked, the County Magistrate was a little nervous. He was afraid that the seven of them would really agree. Then, he would have to fork out a lot of money. Now, the person he was most grateful to was Zhang Zhong. At least, when Zhang Zhong came, he had already told people in advance that he did not want to be assigned a few prostitutes.
If he could save, he would save.
"Bu Bi, it would not be good if Provincial Governor Zhang heard this. You came at the right time. You have done well this year. Let me ask you, have you thought of a solution?"
When the Registrar saw the County Magistrate of Taihu County, he put down the teacup in his hand and asked.
"Ah? Solution? What solution do I have? If Zhang Zhong comes every few days, don't even think about mining the mine. "
The County Magistrate of Taihu County was very angry. When he came over just now, he wanted to ask if the seven of them had a solution. In the end, he was directly asked. What solution could he, a small county magistrate, have? Anyway, he could only earn a little more every year. At most, he would give up and become a county magistrate in another place.
When the Registrar heard the words of the County Magistrate of Taihu County, Weiwei was stunned. His expression immediately became gentler. He also knew that it was not good to bully people too much. If he really forced the County Magistrate of Taihu County into a corner, he would directly write a memorial and send it to the higher-ups. Even if the person behind him was fine, he and the others would also be finished.
When he signaled the Registrar to sit down, the Registrar's expression also changed. "It's fine if you can't think of it. I think we will receive news in the next one or two days. The next place is the Cloud Rock. Has it been arranged?"
"Rest assured, Sir. Everything has been arranged. That place is not like the copper mine. There are too many places to excavate. I have already asked people to clean up the traces on the ground. The exposed places are covered with a layer of mud and grass. Also, small trees and grass have been planted. As long as you don't look carefully, you won't find any problems."
Seeing that the Registrar was pressuring him, the County Magistrate of Taihu County suppressed the anger in his heart and told him the arrangement of the other place.
The Registrar nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad. You have done very well. I think that Zhang Zhong will not insist on removing the mud from a certain place. If that's the case, everyone will have a hard time. We will push the responsibility to him and make it difficult for him to do anything in Shuzhou."
"You are right, Sir. Zhang Zhong already knows what is going on, but he doesn't dare to make it clear. He is also afraid of Sir's means."
The County Magistrate of Taihu County flattered. In his heart, he felt that the Registrar was boasting. If he really had the ability, why would he let Zhang Zhong come over and force him to be in such a hurry? He was probably just bragging to people like him.
The Registrar seemed to have realized that he had said too much. He no longer mentioned this matter and changed the topic. He asked, "Can you find anyone in Zhang Zhong's family who is special? Two people. If you find them, even if you don't want the mine here, we will have made a great contribution. "
"Special? Yes, I did see them. There are really two people who are very special. They are different from the others. "The County Magistrate of Taihu County thought for a while and said.
"Really? Which two people? What do they look like? Are they hiding in the crowd? Hurry up and say it. If you really find them, you won't be the County Magistrate anymore. "The Registrar's eyes lit up and asked anxiously.
The other six judges also did the same. They all looked at the County Magistrate of Taihu County.
The County Magistrate of Taihu County was shocked. He didn't know what happened to the seven of them. He immediately said, "Actually, all of you know who those two people are. They are the young master and young lady of the Zhang Family and Wang Family.
I found something very important. Everyone has to listen to what they say. Even the stewards of the Zhang Family and Wang Family don't dare to oppose them. How is that not special? "
"Sigh ~!" After hearing the County Magistrate of Taihu County's answer, the seven of them sighed at the same time. They were still wondering who those two people were. There was no need for others to say anything. Of course, they were special. But what was the use of that? They were trying to find the two hidden masters of the Zhang family, not two kids.
"Got it. You did a good job. Although the person is wrong, you did your best. If there's nothing else, go back and rest early." The Registrar was very disappointed. However, he couldn't dispel the County Magistrate of Taihu County's enthusiasm. He praised them and was about to chase them out.
When the County Magistrate of Taihu County heard this, he understood that he didn't find the right person. The seven of them were dissatisfied. He thought for a while and said, "Sir, how about this? I saw that the car in their house is very good. I will get it when they are not paying attention. After thinking about it, I will send it to the Imperial Court."
"Why don't you just catch Zhang Zhong as well? You saw the house. Is it something normal? How do you get someone to get it? Steal it. He is such a big guy. Do you think we are blind? Steal it? Then you can go and try. After you succeed, you will be rewarded. "
The Registrar looked at the County Magistrate of Taihu County as if he was looking at a fool.
The County Magistrate of Taihu County just mentioned it. He thought that the seven of them would help him. Seeing that they didn't have the intention to do so, he could only take back his thoughts.
After greeting them, they turned around and prepared to leave. Suddenly, a person came in from outside the tent. After glancing at everyone present, he took out a sealed letter from his bosom and handed it to the Registrar of Military Affairs.
The Registrar took the letter. When he saw the words on it, his eyes immediately widened. He asked the person who delivered the letter to go outside the tent to read it carefully.
After reading from the beginning to the end, he said to the others, "The orders from the higher-ups are that if Zhang Zhong doesn't give up the place, we are to make things difficult for him elsewhere. Let's see if we should do this."
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