"Auntie, don't worry. I'll get someone to take a look at your cow immediately. It can still work after its calf is chopped off. There's no need to kill it."
Wang Juan had been handling all the cases in Baoxin County. She arrested those that needed to be arrested, released those that needed to be released, and educated those that needed to be educated. She did not have much to do with the commoners, but she did collect a lot of evidence of County Magistrate Ma's crimes. He had forced people to give him money, owed a bill at a restaurant, and refused to pay up. In any case, there were no major crimes that resulted in someone's death.
Wang Juan was not in a hurry to arrest County Magistrate Ma immediately. She did not have the authority to do so. She needed to send a document to the manor first. However, considering that County Magistrate Ma should have someone to take care of him in the prefecture, she first gathered the evidence of his crimes. She and Zhang Xiaobao wrote a memorial and sent it to Luoyang, preparing to use it when the time came.
For a while, there were fewer matters in the yamen. As long as the criminals were not beheaded, Wang Juan ordered people to watch them dig wells and reform them through labor. They could not just be locked up and eat for free.
The bailiffs were also disciplined. In the past, those who had committed major crimes were also sent to dig wells and were stripped of their positions as bailiffs. Those who had committed minor crimes had to compensate the victims. Wang Juan told the bailiffs that if they made any more mistakes, it would not be as simple as locking them up, nor would it be as easy as stripping them of their positions. They had to do as they saw fit.
The bailiffs were all well-behaved. In the end, only three bailiffs were left in the yamen. They did not have to occasionally help catch pigs or chickens like the bailiffs of Sanshui County. The main reason was that the commoners of Baoxin County were not used to having the yamen help with work.
In the past, the commoners resolved all the problems between the neighbors themselves so as not to tire out the cute little girl Cuckoo. Today, an old woman in her fifties came to the yamen. After beating the drum, she came in and told Wang Juan that she had come because she had no other choice. She was not deliberately looking for trouble. The calf at home had been chopped off and could not work.
Wang Juan asked someone to bring a stool for the 'old man' to sit on. She didn't stay on the stool. She moved a small stool and sat in front of the 'old man'. She held his hand and comforted him.
Hearing Wang Juan's words, the old man also touched Wang Juan's small hand and said, "Child, do you really not need to kill my family's cow? You don't need to pay compensation? "
"There's no need, Auntie. It's just a split leg. It's not completely broken. There's a doctor with me. He'll take a look at it. He'll be fine after a few days of rest. Auntie, are you worried that there won't be any cows to plow the fields?"
Wang Juan was very serious about this matter. She knew that something that she didn't care about was a big deal for the people. If it was done well, the whole family could live a normal life. If it wasn't done well, they might be even more poor.
"Yes, or do you know that there is only one cow in the house? Without it to work, how can we plow the land? My old man died in the army, and my son is sick. There's only me, my daughter-in-law, and a twelve-year-old daughter at home. We can't survive. "
The old woman began to cry as she spoke. She looked very sad.
Wang Juan also took a deep breath and said, "Auntie, don't worry. The cows can't plow the land right away. I'll find someone to do it for you. Cheng Er, come here. Later, go to the well digging place and find two criminals. Go to Auntie's house and help her plow the land. If they can't plow the land well, use the whip to hit them. When they're done plow the land, they can go and dig the well. If other people's land is done but Auntie's land is not, then I'll stuff them into the well."
Cheng Er was a yamen runner. He knew that the new Deputy county magistrate shouldn't do this, but he didn't object. He couldn't do anything about it. The young man had a powerful backer. He agreed and ran out, ready to find the people he despised the most. This was a private revenge.
The old woman was happy this time. She touched Wang Juan's hand and said, "Child, you're a good child. It's a pity that I don't have a grandson. Otherwise, I'll definitely let him marry you."
After saying this, the old woman realized that even if she had a grandson, he wouldn't be good enough for Cuckoo. Cuckoo was out of her league, not to mention that she had a registrar. Looking at the two children, she knew that they were a couple. She quickly changed her words and said,
"My granddaughter has nothing to do. Why don't I send her to the yamen to help you? Although my granddaughter is only twelve years old, she can do any work. She can do washing clothes, cooking, and raising. People in the neighborhood always praise her."
How could Wang Juan agree? Now the food at home was cooked by Zhang Xiaobao. She didn't think that the daughter of an aunt could cook better than Zhang Xiaobao. As for washing clothes, she had already built a small river nearby. The washing machine was installed. Who would wash clothes by hand? What's more, it was not easy for an aunt. There were four people in the family, and one of them was sick and couldn't work.
Three women supported a family. It was difficult to think about it. Even if there were always people who said that women were strong, it was not as useful as having more men in the family. She shook her head and refused, "Aunt, I have enough people here. When the spring plowing is over, I'll ask Xiao Bao to think of a way to provide more income for your family. You can't live like this."
"Okay, good child. Now my granddaughter can do things. Why don't you wash clothes for the yamen? There are old grains in the yamen. Just give some."
The old woman was really afraid. She was worried that Wang Juan would forget, so she asked Wang Juan to arrange something for her to do.
Wang Juan thought for a while and agreed, "Okay, aunt. Tomorrow I'll ask my sister to come over and do things. You won't lose out. I'll find another doctor to treat uncle. If he can be cured, then he can be cured. But the money for the medicine will have to be slowly paid back when uncle can work."
"Okay, then I'll go back now and cook for the people who come to help." The old woman was relieved. She touched her chest and prepared to leave.
"Aunt, you don't have to cook for them. You can cook for yourself. Their food is taken care of by the yamen. Aunt, is there no food at home? Don't pawn things. Take some back from the yamen first. I'll think of a way. "
Wang Juan knew what was going on. The aunt wanted to pawn things to exchange for food. Her chest was bulging. She must have put something that could be pawned. She quickly stopped her.
The yamen runner next to her was sensible and immediately went to get the food. Soon, a small wooden basin of food was brought over. It was about five kilograms, enough for the family of four to eat for a few days.
The old woman quickly waved her hand, "There are too many children. Half, half is enough to eat for half a month. Dig some wild vegetables and mix it in. It's delicious."
"Aunt, don't say anymore. Go and get some salt and oil." Wang Juan didn't want to see this kind of thing.
After ordering the yamen runner to get the things, she shouted to the back of the hall, "Xiao Bao, come out. Think of a way."
Zhang Xiaobao came out from the back. He heard everything just now, but it wasn't his fault. The two of them had just taken office and didn't have time to do anything. The future arrangements were still being prepared. There had to be some time. How could they solve all the problems as soon as they arrived? Otherwise, they would really become immortals.
"Aiya, you can help one family. Can you take care of all the families now?" Zhang Xiaobao meant to put it aside for now.
"Help one family means help one family. Quickly say a way."
"Okay, let's think of a way. Aunt, since you don't have anything to do, let your daughter-in-law plow the land. Your granddaughter will come to the yamen. As for you, you can help with the publicity. How about it? I'll give you five copper coins a day. You'll be responsible for carrying a kettle and chatting with people. But you can't chat with all the families. You can walk around the streets and chat with people you know. "
Seeing that Wang Juan was urging him, Zhang Xiaobao had to come up with a way first.
The old woman didn't understand, "You'll give me money for gossiping? No, isn't this giving me benefits for free? I have hands and feet. I can't take benefits for free. "
"It's useful, it's very useful. If what you're talking about is the same as what we said, just tell the others that after the spring plowing, the county needs to occupy a very good place, especially next to the main road. Let everyone be prepared. When the time comes to move, the county will give you money. You can think of a place to build a new house.
Building a house requires wood, and we can't be short of manpower. Have a plan in advance. Don't wait for the yamen to forcefully demolish the house. I'll draw a place for you. In such a place, all the residents around will have to leave. Those who are living now will be compensated by the yamen. At the very least, it will be enough to build a better house.
If anyone doesn't give up the place, the yamen will forcefully pull them out and destroy the house. We don't want to go to that step. Also, those who voluntarily move out will be given new jobs by the yamen. The kind that can make money. "
Zhang Xiaobao was ready to carry out the next step of his plan. If he needed to let the people move out, he could use administrative means to solve it directly. There were no holdouts at the moment. The people were honest, but there were some people who were attached to their homes and needed someone to persuade them in advance.
Of course, the compensation would be great. It was impossible to let them demolish the old house and find that the compensation was not enough to build a new house.
The old woman was not too stupid. After hearing Zhang Xiaobao's words, she nodded and agreed. "I understand, I understand. Actually, I don't need to say anything. Once you two show up, everyone is willing to help you. I'll go back and find someone to talk to, especially the old man and old woman. Once you talk to them, they will be willing to move. Five copper coins a day, isn't that too much?"
"It's not much. Auntie, you have to know that the things you do are also very difficult. Persuading people is the most difficult. That's it. Five copper coins a day." Zhang Xiaobao set the price and smiled as he and Wang Juan sent the old woman out of the yamen.
After the old woman walked away, Wang Juan looked back at Zhang Xiaobao. She smiled sweetly and said, "Xiao Bao, you're really not ordinary. When I asked you to give me an idea, you didn't even have to wait. You just opened your mouth and said it. I agree with you pursuing me now."
"Thank you. I'm very honored." What else could Zhang Xiaobao say? He looked at Wang Juan carefully. 'She's still a little girl. What's there to pursue?'
"Little Young Master, Little Miss, this is bad. Something big has happened. There's news from Lu Zhou. I've been looking around. Someone has just delivered it from Luoyang. Master said it's extremely urgent. Look at this letter. There are three chicken feathers stuck on it."
Wang Juan and Zhang Xiaobao were just about to have a heart-to-heart talk when Erniu rushed in with the letter in his hand and shouted loudly.
Wang Juan took the letter and read it from top to bottom. Then, she said to Zhang Xiaobao, "The locals of Luzon have joined forces to attack our people. What do you think?"
Zhang Xiaobao did not read the letter. He could roughly guess what was going on from Wang Juan's words. He considered it for a moment before he said, "The people there know how to join forces? Is it written in the letter that our people repelled their attacks a few times, but more of them joined forces? "
"Yes, it's written like this. In the end, our people pulled back the defensive line and stabilized the place. However, the locals no longer helped us. Lu Zhou wants to send troops to suppress them. He asked us what we should do."
Wang Juan waved the letter in her hand and nodded in agreement.
"How do you think this happened? Could it be that the local people were really so united? Or are the things we gave them not good enough? "Zhang Xiaobao stood at the entrance and looked up at the sky.
Wang Juan blinked. "I don't think this matter is as simple as it seems. Is there a merchant from Great Tang behind this?"
"No, no merchant would dare to do this. The coastal area is our world. Even if he chased the others away, he won't be able to bring back the goods. If he's the only one who can trade with others, what do you think everyone will think? Has he forgotten my family's ruthless methods? "
Zhang Xiaobao did not believe that the Zhejiang merchants were stirring up trouble. They would not be able to do so even if they were given the courage.
"Then what's going on? I don't think they can be united without someone commanding them from behind. " Wang Juan was good at war, but she was not good at this kind of invisible conspiracy. She would only be able to make a judgment if she was given more information.
Zhang Xiaobao smiled and said, "Let's not talk about who's stirring up trouble first. Lu Zhou's pigeons are in Luoyang, right? Send a letter asking everyone on the island to retreat. Don't leave anyone behind. Tell the merchants to stop trading temporarily. Tell them not to worry about the losses for now and that they will be compensated in the future.
At the same time, send out more patrol ships to circle Luzon Island. Sink any ships that appear in the vicinity after receiving the order, no matter who they are, even if they're carrying the dragon flag. In two months, there will be new news from there. "
Zhang Xiaobao also did not know who was stirring up trouble behind the scenes. Since he could not find out immediately, he decided to wait. The people on the island were used to the good things sent by Tang. After using them for a long time, if they suddenly ran out of goods, they would panic. They would know who was trying to cross the island by patrolling the island.
Wang Juan picked up the letter and wrote a reply. "We have no choice but to force them to show themselves. What if they want to negotiate with us?"
"Then, we'll use the gunship to negotiate with them." Zhang Xiaobao was ready to kill.
Wang Juan finished writing the letter and asked Erniu to deliver it to the messenger. The news quickly reached Luoyang.
When Zhang Zhong saw the letter, he immediately sent a pigeon to Lu Zhou. At the same time, he wrote a letter and sent it to Gao Lishi in the capital to inform him of the situation.
It only took three days for the news to reach the capital. Gao Lishi happily brought the letter to Li Longji.
"Your Majesty, there's news from Luoyang. Zhang Zhong said that he left this matter to Xiao Bao and Cuckoo. The two little fellows asked Lu Zhou's men to withdraw and patrol the island with patrol ships. They said it won't take long for the matter to be resolved."
Gao Lishi now had a clear identity. He was Zhang Xiaobao's godfather. As long as it involved Zhang Xiaobao, he would pay attention to it.
Li Longji really did not expect that instead of sending troops to suppress them directly, and also not using conciliatory methods to pacify them, they would retreat. After thinking carefully, he suddenly saw the light. He said to Gao Lishi, "Your family's Xiaobao is indeed outstanding. This move of retreating in order to advance is formidable. Good, the flexibility of this strategy is difficult to see.
"Your Majesty, you're flattering me. My son Xiao Bao is just a little smart. You can't take it seriously." Gao Lishi was so excited that his face was red, but he still insisted on being humble.
"Since Zhang Zhong has already arranged for people to deal with it, there's no need to worry about this for now. Let's see what's going on." Li Longji did not have much time to deal with this matter. The Zhang family had taken over. If they did it well, it would be the same as before. If they did not, the Zhang family would naturally be anxious.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I'll go do something else." Gao Lishi agreed and left the place. He wanted to write a letter to his son. He wanted to praise him first.
Li Longji looked at Gao Lishi's departing figure and shook his head helplessly. He realized that ever since Gao Lishi acknowledged Zhang Xiaobao as his godson, he had been busy all day. He did not know when to stop.
*****
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan sent out the letter and began to work on the spring plowing. Wells were dug one after another. The people did not lack water anymore. Although it was tiring to use manpower to water the wells, the people did not care. They were fine as long as there was water.
With the addition of the small river here, the spring plowing of the entire Baoxin County was no longer a problem. Zhang Xiaobao was preparing to move on to the next step, which was to plant the food that herbivores usually ate on the poor soil. When the zoo in Beijing opened, the things here would be almost ready. They would then be transported to Beijing to exchange for money. This would subsidize the local finances and provide a new source of income for the local businessmen who had previously paid to dig the wells.
Just as the two of them were checking on the situation of the land, the new county magistrate finally arrived. What a great show of extravagance. The broken carriages were filled with things. The broken animals pulling the carriages did not even have a sack of dung behind them. They just pulled the carriages along the way.
This county magistrate did not have anyone backing him. He had also passed the imperial examination in the past. Back then, his family was poor and he finally made it. In the end, when he saw that other people's families were rich, he had some ideas and made his own family's living conditions not bad.
He was originally a county magistrate in a lower county. Later, when he reached Kaiyuan, he thought that he could be promoted. In the end, after that examination, he returned to a lower county. He still did not pass the examination this year. Just as he thought that the imperial court would remove him, he did not expect to be sent to a middle county. Furthermore, it was a middle county not far from Luoyang.
This made him feel that his luck had turned for the better. He brought everything with him and rushed from the distant lower county to Baoxin County.
"Master, the county seat of Baoxin County is in front. Look at the wall." The new county magistrate's housekeeper waited for the procession to arrive outside the county seat before speaking to his master.
This housekeeper was not bad. He was upright, and he was neither fat nor thin. He gave people the feeling that he had a righteous face. If he had not been called He Baki by the people who had followed his master in the past, people would have thought that he was a good person.
The new county magistrate's surname was also He. The housekeeper followed his surname and was called He Yiwei. It was a good name. At this time, he also saw the city walls in front of him. Although it could not be compared to the city walls of the capital, it was still much better than the places he had stayed in before.
Hearing the housekeeper's words, a smile appeared on his face. He walked forward with his big belly and said, "In the future, this will be our place. Find out more about the merchants in the county."
"Yes, Master. I will go and find out. Master, do you think you will be troubled by your subordinates when you take up the post?" The housekeeper carefully reminded him. He had seen this kind of thing many times. Back when his master was in the county, he was only an official. The main reason was that his ranking in the examination was too low.
But so what? Through his connections with others, his master gradually got rid of the original registrar. Then, he worked with the deputy county magistrate to get rid of the county magistrate. In the end, he became the county magistrate. The deputy county magistrate also went back home to farm.
In terms of means, it was estimated that no one was a match for his master. Moreover, he dealt with people of a lower level with a higher level.
He Yiwei smiled confidently, "What? Do you think there is still someone who can deal with me? Who would come to Zhong County to be an official if they are really capable? Go and tell the county that your master is here. "
"Master is right. I will arrange for someone to go." The housekeeper found two people. After a few words of instructions, the two people rode the two broken horses to the yamen.
As a result, when the two people just arrived at the main street, they were stopped. A yamen runner waved the stick in his hand and shouted, "Who is it? How dare you ride a horse in the middle of the street? Come down. "
The two people did not shout for an urgent report. Naturally, they could not be allowed to run like this. What if they bumped into someone? In the past, no one was an official. But it was different now.
"I am the family of the new county magistrate. Why don't you quickly report? Move aside. " The person on the horse just stopped but did not get down. He sat on the horse and said arrogantly.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
