County Magistrate Cheng of Sanshui County was not as relaxed as Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. He had been waiting outside with a group of people for three and a half hours. The snow had not melted yet, and the breeze outside made people feel cold from the inside out.
County Magistrate Cheng knew that the person who came this time was Chen Yong, the Military Advisor. He did not get along well with his colleague, Zhou Qiong. He was closer to Zhou Qiong because his nephew was here.
They said that they would arrive around 7: 15 am, but it was almost noon. Judging from the situation, they did it on purpose. County Magistrate Cheng suppressed his anger and could only continue to wait here. There was a difference of one rank between them, and they were here for a specific purpose. If he really neglected them, they might report that they had neglected the auspicious signs.
"Sir, why don't you enter the carriage to warm up? I'll wait here. It won't be too late for you to come down when they arrive." Deputy County Magistrate Zhang Mingsheng saw that County Magistrate Cheng's expression was not good, so he softly persuaded him.
County Magistrate Cheng wanted to go in and warm himself up, but when he saw Zhao Xiang next to him, he suppressed this thought. Zhao Xiang was the Head of the Department, so he still had some restrictions on him. Usually, the two of them had an average relationship, neither close nor distant. Fortunately, Zhao Xiang had never done anything bad.
Usually, the Registrar was very businesslike. Who knew if he would impeach him if he entered the carriage at this time? He stood so straight and did not speak, as if the weather was not cold.
It was almost noon. Except for Zhao Xiang, who still had no expression on his face, the others were a little impatient. They stamped their feet one after another. Their feet were cold.
From time to time, people passed by and knew that they were waiting for someone. Some people guessed that something auspicious had happened in Sanshui County. If it was on a normal day, they would watch from the side. However, today was the 15th day of the month, so they were all busy with tonight's matters. None of them stayed and left after seeing.
After waiting for a quarter of an hour, a group of people finally appeared in the distance. There were people in the front with flags, and behind them was a carriage. This time, they were right. They were here.
The people of Sanshui County were moving around. They had to greet them later. As the group got closer, County Magistrate Cheng gave up waiting and led people to greet them. When the two sides met, County Magistrate Cheng opened his mouth first.
"The County Magistrate of Sanshui County, Cheng Lingxiang, respectfully welcomes Lord Auspicious Sign Patrol Inspector and Commander Si Gong, Chen Yong."
After a while, the door to the carriage was opened and a person walked out. It was none other than Chen Jinian, the Prefectural Minister of Merit, Chen Yong. When Chen Yong came out, there was no expression on his face. Weiwei nodded.
"County Magistrate Cheng, we were ordered to investigate the auspicious sign. The weather was bad on the way, so we were delayed. We will go and take a look. I heard that the auspicious sign came from Zhuangzi. Let's set off now."
Hearing this, County Magistrate Cheng cursed in his heart. What bad weather? The fifteenth of August last year was a sunny day, so it should be the same on the fifteenth of January this year. You want to go to Zhuangzi? Dream on. There are cucumbers in Zhuangzi. Do you think I'll let you go?
Although he thought so, he put on a humble smile and said, "Lord Chen, the auspicious sign is no longer in Zhuangzi. It has been moved to a place on the bank of the Luoshui River. If you want to see the auspicious sign, why don't you go there?"
Chen Yong, the Prefectural Minister of Merit, was stunned when he heard County Magistrate Cheng's words. He didn't expect the people here to move the cucumbers so quickly. He originally planned to go to Zhuangzi. After all, Zhuangzi was full of ordinary people. As long as he didn't follow the etiquette well, he could impeach County Magistrate Cheng and say that he neglected the auspicious sign.
But now that the cucumbers were moved here, he couldn't go to Zhuangzi. Otherwise, County Magistrate Cheng could submit a report and ask him whether he came to see the auspicious sign or Zhuangzi.
"Okay, then take me there." Seeing that he didn't use his first preparation, Chen Yong didn't say much. He nodded and agreed. They didn't even prepare to eat and went there.
Although it was called the Luoshui River, it was actually a tributary. It was different from the tributary where the carrots stopped. Ordinary people called it Little Luoshui. People like County Magistrate Cheng didn't like to be called Little Luoshui.
Little Luoshui was not as far away as the real Luoshui, but it wasn't close either. After walking for more than an hour, they arrived at the place. They stopped and saw the place that was surrounded by cloth.
"This is the auspicious sign, the cucumbers?" Chen Yong pointed and asked with a sullen face.
"Yes, Lord. Please take a closer look." Deputy County Magistrate Zhang Mingsheng answered at this time and led them to open the cloth.
"County Magistrate Cheng Lingxiang, do you admit to your crime?" Chen Yong didn't answer Deputy County Magistrate but stared at him and asked.
"What crime does Lord Chen want to convict me of?" County Magistrate Cheng didn't smile at this time. You are here to find fault. Crime? What crime? Did you eat less cucumbers?
The purpose of Chen Yong's visit was very clear. He wanted to leave the benefits of the auspicious sign to the county and find fault with the county magistrate. It would be fine if he didn't get punished, but he wouldn't get the benefits. Therefore, he had to convict Cheng Lingxiang of a crime so that his merits could offset his demerits.
Hearing Cheng Lingxiang's question, he snorted and pointed to the river in front and said, "Spring is coming and the snow melts. The river is rising. What is your intention to move the auspicious sign here? Do you want the river to wash away the auspicious sign and weaken the luck of our country? "
What he said was serious. If he really investigated, he would be beheaded. If it was someone else, he would have to admit that he didn't do enough. County Magistrate Cheng didn't care at all. Since they had offended each other, then let's face it. He also snorted.
"Chen Yong, you are the Deputy County Magistrate, not the Deputy County Magistrate. Do you know more about water conservancy? Could it be that there is no county magistrate in Sanshui County and you don't know how to control the flood? If you ask about water conservancy, you seem to have overstepped your authority. Do you want to be the provincial governor? Yes, then you can ask about everything. "
"You, you don't have to slander me." Chen Yong was more frightened than he was just now. He had convicted County Magistrate Cheng, and the higher-ups wouldn't agree. He just wanted County Magistrate Cheng to take a step back.
Now, County Magistrate Cheng accused him of a crime, which was even less serious. He just asked a question, but there were many people around him. If someone heard it and passed it to the provincial governor, he could imagine what would happen to him in the future.
Moreover, not only would the provincial governor be unhappy, but the other five departments would also dislike him, especially the Deputy County Magistrate. If he got angry and said that he wanted him to be the deputy county magistrate, he would be in big trouble.
While Chen Yong was still thinking about the consequences, County Magistrate Cheng said, "Since Deputy County Magistrate Cheng wants to help manage the water conservancy, we will naturally help. We will send a report to the higher-ups and let Deputy County Magistrate Cheng take on the position of deputy county magistrate. I will have to trouble all of you to be a witness."
The "all of you" he was talking about were the people who followed Chen Yong here. These people were not all in a group. They all had their own supporters and factions, and there were definitely people who opposed Chen Yong.
"County Magistrate Cheng, Brother Cheng, Brother An Ran, it's just a joke. I know that there is an auspicious sign in the land under Brother An Ran's jurisdiction. I am happy for Brother An Ran, but I am afraid that Brother An Ran will be negligent and disappoint the Emperor, so I am joking to remind Brother An Ran."
Chen Yong didn't care about his face anymore. If he really let County Magistrate Cheng submit the form, the first one to suffer would be him. He had no choice but to give in. He even called out County Magistrate Cheng's name and called him Brother An Ran. A smile appeared on his face. As for what others thought, he couldn't care less.
"As Brother Jinian said, it's just a joke. Brother Jinian, please come in and take a look at the auspicious sign first." County Magistrate Cheng had to take a step back at this moment. He had to confirm the auspicious sign first. He was also worried about how to stop this person who deliberately came to find trouble from going to Zhangjia Zhuangzi.
This was really difficult to handle. If Chen Yong couldn't find fault here and insisted on going to the place where the auspicious sign was, what excuse could he use to stop him?
"Okay, okay, Brother An Ran, please." Chen Yong needed to be patient and agreed with a smile. The crowd came closer and ordered people to roll up this piece of cloth. Immediately, a green color appeared in front of them.
Many people ate the cucumbers sent by County Magistrate Cheng. When they ate the cucumbers, they had a different feeling. Now that they saw the cucumbers on the stalks, they had a different feeling. The weather was so cold, and the cucumbers were hanging on the stalks. Just looking at them made them feel festive. No wonder they were said to be auspicious signs.
The crowd was looking at them. Just like the people in the county, they all wanted to pick one of the cucumbers themselves. They didn't even wash it. They rubbed it and took a bite. The taste was definitely different.
"Everyone, please take a look. These are the cucumbers that didn't bear cucumbers. But a few days ago, some of them had already borne cucumbers and withered. Some of them are still growing. This one, when I came to see it yesterday, it was only two inches long. Today, it has grown to three inches. Our dynasty's new policy, so the auspicious sign appeared."
County Magistrate Cheng Lingxiang introduced it to the crowd. The crowd quickly nodded and said yes. No one dared to say anything. According to County Magistrate Cheng, the auspicious sign appeared in the second year of Kaiyuan. Of course, it was the new policy.
Chen Yong originally wanted to find fault with it, but after hearing County Magistrate Cheng's words, he had to give up.
Now that the auspicious sign had appeared, even if it was decided, someone had suggested to take some away. County Magistrate Cheng had also agreed. When the time came, who knew how many of them would still be alive? Who cared who wanted to use this to seek an official career? It was fine as long as they could protect themselves.
Since the matter had been decided, it was time to eat. Everyone was hungry. County Magistrate Cheng originally wanted to arrange for them to stay at the Waterview Restaurant, but before he could say anything, Song Jinggong ran over, panting. He had just arrived on a horse. Just now, he had gone to contact Thousand Tasting Town's Water Restaurant.
That restaurant was opened by someone from elsewhere. Not only was he willing to arrange a place for them, he didn't even want a single copper coin.
"Zijin, why are you in such a hurry?" County Magistrate Cheng saw that Song Jinggong was in such a hurry, and his heart tightened.
"Sir, this student will listen to your instructions. I have already booked a place at Thousand Tasting Town's Water Restaurant," Song Jinggong replied respectfully.
"Oh, right, it's like that. If Zijin hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten. Everyone, the place to eat has been chosen. Why don't we go together?"
County Magistrate Cheng heaved a sigh of relief and called everyone to Thousand Tasting Town's Water Restaurant.
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