The cause of the incident was that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan wanted to turn Baoxin County into a Shang County. They needed to keep up with the population. If they wanted to increase the population, they needed to have a good economy. Furthermore, education and medical care could also play a big role.
The two of them wanted to bring a river over. There was a small river here, but boats couldn't travel on it. Otherwise, they wouldn't have to dig a well to get water for irrigation.
Not far from Baoxin County, there was a big river called Ru River. It was a very big river, but it wasn't in Baoxin County. Instead, it was in Xin Cai County. Occasionally, there would be people fishing on the river when there weren't many boats coming and going. There were also many boats that specialized in transportation, so the flow of traffic was very large.
After bringing the river over, there wouldn't be much of an impact on the downstream. It could even allow people who wanted to visit Baoxin County to come over by boat. Only by thinking of the customers would they be able to take the business away.
The two of them originally wanted to use administrative means to solve the problem, which was to submit a report to the imperial court. Then, the imperial court would send someone over to talk about this matter. However, if that was the case, Xin Cai County wouldn't get any credit. If they cooperated well, they would be following orders. If they didn't, they would have to bear the responsibility.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan didn't want to do that. They planned to go to Xin Cai County personally to talk to the officials of Xin Cai County. They wanted to talk to each other and put the matter on the table.
In the end, Old Man Pi took over the matter. He said that he would send his family to ask about the situation first. If the other party agreed, he would go over. He didn't want to embarrass the other party if they didn't give him face if he rushed over.
After sending people over, they came back saying that they failed. Old Man Pi couldn't help but be angry. He thought that the other party didn't give him face.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan wanted to know what the officials of Xin Cai County were thinking. Were they preparing to get benefits or were they just targeting the two of them?
As soon as the two of them returned to the yamen, they applied for leave from He Yiwei. They only needed to take three days off. They still had enough time to play in Xin Cai County for two days.
Now, the officials in the yamen had never taken a break. They wholeheartedly devoted themselves to the construction of Baoxin County. They vowed to turn Baoxin County from Zhongxian to Shangxian so that they could pay more tax to the imperial court.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan also did not hide this matter from He Yiwei. He Yiwei very happily allowed the two of them to have a three-day fight. The two of them then led the first unit of the Seedling Protection Team, a hundred people, and set off on horseback, heading towards the northeast direction at full speed.
"Cuckoo, don't you think we brought too many people? It's a bit of a nuisance." Zhang Xiaobao rode his horse and galloped on the road, stirring up clouds of dust. Although there were only a hundred or so horses, their momentum was not small. The commoners in front all gave way and stood to the side to eat the dust.
"Not much. What are our identities now? If we brought too few people, it's very likely that a spy from another country hiding in Tang will have a chance to make a move. We are in the open while they are in the dark. It's very easy for something to happen. The commoners should bear with it for now. Once the water is brought over, their lives will be better. "
Wang Juan glanced at the commoners who avoided the dust and said to Zhang Xiaobao.
Perhaps the commoners were already used to it, so they really did not care. They did not even cover their mouths to block the dust. Instead, they were very curious about Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's trip. When the dust had settled, they still stood there and looked in the direction that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan left. There were others beside them who said a few words, guessing what Xiao Bao and Cuckoo were doing.
Baoxin County and Xincai County were very close to each other. Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's cavalry only took four hours to reach the place, and they were still not fast enough.
They walked forward and came to the Rushui River. Looking at the boats shuttling back and forth on the river, the two of them searched for a while but did not find a bridge. Perhaps it was because it was not easy to build a bridge. The Rushui River's current was not small, and a simple rope bridge could be built between the two banks. However, there were probably not many people coming and going, and the boats were constantly moving, so no one built it.
When the boatman on the river saw the approaching group, he raised his voice and asked if they wanted a boat. There were many people and many horses. The boatman found another boat, and the two boats began to move back and forth. The trip was really not easy.
A hundred people and a hundred horses? It took half an hour to reach the other side of the river. At this time, there were many commoners on the other side of the river who were watching the show. To be precise, they were waiting for the boats.
"Aiya, this river is really good. When we reach Baoxin County, the place where the water is diverted will be more lively. When the time comes, we will think of a way to build a bridge so that people can comfortably watch the boats coming and going."
Zhang Xiaobao did not forget to look back at the river and praise it as he urged his horse forward.
"Then you have to get them to agree to divert the water first. Have you thought about it carefully? Are you sure you don't want to use administrative means directly?" As Wang Juan spoke, she slowed down when she passed by a woman who was carrying a child. She took out a piece of fruit candy from her pocket and bent down to stuff it into the mouth of the child who was curiously looking at her. When the child was drooling and staring at the candy, she caught up with Zhang Xiaobao.
The child's mother was surprised for a moment, but she was not worried anymore. She felt that the little girl on the horse did not look like a bad person. Moreover, people who could lead such a large group would not hurt their own child. The current public security was still pretty good.
She thanked them from afar and carried the child as she walked. She said that she had met a benefactor today and that something good would definitely happen.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan rushed for another hour and finally entered the county town of Xincai County. They dismounted and pulled the reins as they walked and looked around. They looked at the shops on both sides of the main street, felt the ground under their feet, and observed the clothes and facial expressions of the people passing by.
"Xiao Bao, it seems that Xincai County is not bad. At least the people are doing well. It is much better than when we first arrived at Baoxin County. It is not a prosperous place, but it can still be like this. The officials must have worked hard."
After looking around, Wang Juan praised the officials of Xincai County.
Zhang Xiaobao was a little disapproving. "It is so close to such a big river, and it is also an important place. It would be strange if it is poor. Besides, it may not be the work of one official. It will naturally be prosperous after generations."
The two talked and looked around as they walked. Asking for directions was done by others. In fact, they didn't need to ask much. Generally, the county yamen was beside the main street. As for whether it looked good or not, it depended on whether the officials repaired the yamen.
This time, it didn't take long for the group to arrive at the yamen of Xincai County. There was also a drum at the entrance of Xincai County. The drum was very old, but it could still be beaten. The door of the yamen was open, but it was not broken. Two yamen runners were standing on both sides of the door, chatting idly.
When Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's group arrived, the two yamen runners glanced at them. When they saw that no one was wearing an official's uniform, they ignored them and continued chatting.
"Please help to inform them that Baoxin County's Registrar Zhang Xiaobao and Deputy County Magistrate Wang Juan are on vacation. They are passing by this place and would like to see Lord Feng."
Zhang Xiaobao took out his and Wang Juan's name cards, walked in front of a yamen runner, and handed them to him. He didn't ask his subordinates to give them to him to show the seriousness of the etiquette.
The yamen runner who was given the name cards by Zhang Xiaobao was stunned. He carefully looked at Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, then said "wait" and turned to report. He didn't seem to have a good attitude.
The other yamen runner also looked at them indifferently. He didn't say anything and didn't do anything else. The look in his eyes showed that he believed Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's identities. It was estimated that the two people's unique age advantage made it easy for others to believe them.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan stood outside and watched the yamen of Xin Cai County. They waited for a quarter of an hour. Not only County Magistrate Feng Changgong didn't come out, but the yamen runner who just entered also seemed to have disappeared. Even the two officials didn't come to see them.
Wang Juan was a little unhappy. If the master didn't come out and was busy, at least let the yamen runner come out and say something. Or let them wait for a while or go to another place to rest. What was the meaning of this?
At this time, the weather was very hot. The group and the horses were very uncomfortable standing under the sun. Zhang Xiaobao didn't say anything and continued to watch the passers-by. He was also watched by others.
After waiting for another quarter of an hour, there was still no one inside. Zhang Xiaobao thought for a while and said to Wang Juan, "Why don't we find a place to rest first and wait for County Magistrate Feng to finish his work? Or we can wait until dusk, when he doesn't want to work."
Wang Juan nodded helplessly, "Okay, I don't know if there's a better place here. Anyway, we'll be in Xin Cai for two days. It's convenient to find a place to rest first."
As they talked, the two were ready to pull their horses and lead the group to find a restaurant or inn to rest. At this time, the yamen runner who just entered finally came out with Zhang Xiaobao's goods and Wang Juan's nametags in his hands.
He said to the two of them, "The county magistrate isn't here. If there's anything, come back tomorrow. The county is short of water recently. The magistrate must have gone to see the river."
Zhang Xiaobao calmly took back the nametags and said to the yamen runner, "When you bring County Magistrate Feng back, tell him that there's a lucrative business coming."
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan did not believe that County Magistrate Feng was not here. He just did not want to see the two of them, but they felt uncomfortable. If he did not want to see them, he should have told them earlier. Why did he make them wait for so long outside?
Leading the horses, the group began to look for a place to rest. On the way here, there was a restaurant that looked good. If they continued to walk forward and could not find a better restaurant, they would turn back.
After Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan left, the two yamen runners began to talk about what had just happened.
The yamen runner who stayed here asked the one who went in, "Why were you gone for so long?"
"I went to the back to rest for a while. After a short nap, I went to find the master. The master said that he did not want to see me and asked me to say what I said just now. I would not let them leave so soon. If they want to rob our business, we have to let them suffer more. Just now when you were outside, they were very anxious, right?"
The yamen runner who went in said to the yamen runner who stayed outside with a smile. The yamen runner who stayed outside was obviously a little dissatisfied. If he had known earlier, he would have gone in and slept for a while. Now that others had taken advantage of him, he listened to the yamen runner's question and said, "They did not look anxious. When they were waiting there, they were quite leisurely.
If what you did today was known to them, you would be in trouble. You dared to play tricks on the officials. Today, you can treat me to a meal later, but I won't say it. "
"They are now on holiday and have nothing important to do. Otherwise, why would they give me a nametags instead of an official card? They are not wearing their official robes, so I am not afraid. Last time, you still owe me two meals. Just right, I will treat you today. You can treat later. "
The yamen runner who went in did not compromise at all. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he leaned against the door at the back and closed his eyes to continue sunbathing. Perhaps he did not sleep enough and was sleepy again.
When the yamen runner who stayed outside saw that his threat had failed and he had lost a meal, he said regretfully, "If I had known earlier, I would have asked them for some money. If they did not give it, I would not have helped to inform them. Don't you think you are becoming more and more foolish? You can't even do such a small thing well. Otherwise, why would I need to pay for it?
Let's make a deal. The two debts in the past will be counted as one today. It is still the small shop from before. It cannot be changed. It is all your fault that you did not get the money. They are very powerful outside, but when they return to the Tang Empire, aren't they obedient? The master keeps saying that they will rob our business. What business do you think it is? "
"They want to lead the water over. Of course, it is the ferry business. Why is there not a bridge here? Originally, there was a wooden bridge that had not been repaired for many years. In addition, someone probably destroyed it. Now, we can only rely on the ferry business. Last month, there were a total of 12 ferry boats, and the tax paid was 6 strings of coins.
If we let people lead the water over, wouldn't it mean that there are people from other places rowing boats over here? Naturally, we can't let them ruin the business. As for asking for money, I don't dare. I was just informing them normally. If I took the money, they are likely to remember me when they are rejected. When the time comes, they will complain that I have taken the money. That is their best excuse. I am not stupid. "
The yamen runner who went in found an excuse for himself. After saying these words, he kept muttering about what he wanted to eat later. When he heard the names of two dishes, the yamen runner who stayed outside did not listen.
"I did not say that I would treat you to so much. In the past, we ate what we ate. If you are not stupid, then there are no fools in this world. Do you want to rob a business just for 6 strings of coins? In my opinion, it must be a big business, a very big one. Let's wait and see. "
The yamen runner who stayed outside also wanted to lean against the door for a while like the other yamen runner, but he could not squeeze in the door. He swayed back and forth, which was very uncomfortable. He could only yawn and spread his legs to stand more comfortably.
"Yes, yes, no, no. You keep watch. I will sleep for a while so that I have the energy to drink." The yamen runner who went in closed his eyes tightly and fell asleep while enjoying the warmth of the sun. It seemed that he had trained the ability to sleep often and could sleep like this.
*****
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan who were looking for a place to stay walked forward. After walking for about five hundred steps, they finally saw another inn. It was similar to the one they saw before. The two were not willing to walk back, so they chose to stay here. They asked people to arrange two big courtyards and looked after the horses. They went in and casually ordered a few dishes. As for the people who followed them, they would go and order their own food.
"Xiao Bao, do you see anything? Is it that Feng Changgong does not like us? He is obviously inside, but he made us wait for such a long time. He is obviously looking down on us. "
Wang Juan and Zhang Xiaobao did not order wine. She saw a plate with a lot of soup, so she poured it into her bowl and swallowed it. She asked Zhang Xiaobao.
Zhang Xiaobao also felt uncomfortable in his heart. After all, the sun was not weak outside, and they came all the way here. He was already tired, and now he was even more tired. When he heard Wang Juan's question, he replied, "We don't need to wait until tomorrow. We will sleep first. At night, we will ask people to prepare a gift to see if he likes money."
"I don't think so. If he really likes money, then he should have come out to welcome us. Who doesn't know that we are rich? He must think that he is only a seventh-grade official. It is not easy for him to get such a position after living for so long, but us two children are already ninth-grade officials.
This is called jealousy. He is jealous of our future achievements, so he found a reason to not agree to let us use the river. Hurry up and use your idea. If I am not treated well this time, I will not let them have an easy time when they come to find us. "
Wang Juan was very vengeful. Today, she hated Feng Changgong. She was determined to get back at him in the future instead of using people to do it now.
Zhang Xiaobao nodded and said, "Don't worry. It is useless to be anxious about this kind of thing. Besides, he does have a reason to not be afraid of us. After all, Xin Cai County is an important place. In fact, in my opinion, it is the same as ours, a middle county. The population is obviously not enough. Isn't it just a river?"
"Who says it isn't? In fact, if we check normally now, Xin Cai County is written as a middle county in the book. It is a waste to let them use the Ru River. They have such a good resource, but they don't know how to develop it properly."
Wang Juan was really hungry. After talking to Zhang Xiaobao, she stopped talking and ate with all her might. After a while, a bowl of rice was in her stomach. She felt that it was not full enough, so she asked the waiter to bring her another bowl. She put half of the rice into her bowl and poured the rest into Zhang Xiaobao's bowl.
She said, "I think the best gift is money. Give him a cart full of money and see if he will accept it."
If we can't reach an agreement with him, it'll be very easy for him to use this to impeach us. Zhang Shuo might even use this as an excuse to attack us. Even if Li Longji manages to suppress him in the end, he'll still write us a letter to let us know that he's helping us, and that he's been of great help. "
Zhang Xiaobao said and began to eat faster. He didn't eat much and just stared at the food. When he was almost full, there were still two mouthfuls of rice left. He forced himself to eat it, rubbed his stomach, burped, and went back to the place where he slept. He directly lay on the bed.
In the yamen of Xin Lai County, the county magistrate Feng Changgong was discussing something with the secretary and the county magistrate. They were talking about the arrival of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan.
County Magistrate Feng first told them what he had said today, and then said, "I guess they are waiting anxiously, so they came in person. Think about it. Do you really want them to lead the water to Xin Lai County?"
"I think we still can't agree. It doesn't matter whether they lead the water or not, but once they do, the lives of the people in their county will be better, and the people in our county will easily go to their side. At that time, not to mention keeping the middle county, it is likely that we will fall to the lower county.
The population of the county will soon be enough. Once it is enough, this county will no longer be middle county, but upper county. Our class will also be promoted. Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's family is powerful, so we can't compromise with them. Otherwise, there will be no hope for us in this life. "
The secretary picked up the tea and held it in his hand without drinking. He talked about his opinion. The county magistrate next to him also supported this matter, and said,
"I also don't think we can get the benefits we deserve by doing things with them, unless they are willing to send us to the capital to be officials. Otherwise, we will never agree to let them lead the water to Xin Lai County. Once they lead the water to Xin Lai County, it is also convenient for the people in our county to go there.
"I think the current situation is pretty good. The people coming from Rushui who want to go to Baoxin County must stop at this county first, and then they can change to the overland route. I think we should do as Daren suggested, build a pier by Yuhe. When the time comes, we can build a beautiful restaurant on the pier.
Just like what Zhang Zhong did in Wangjiang County of Shuzhou, he built a bridge and then built a restaurant on an island that is not close to each other. He made a lot of money. When we also open a restaurant, even if we have to buy it with money, we must buy the population of less than 5,000 people. "
"We can't just build a restaurant, but also let the people in our county set up stalls next to the restaurant. This way, we can collect more taxes and arrange for people we like to go there to make money. It can be said that Zhang Zhong is a local official. Didn't he let the people do things and find things for the people to make the county prosperous? If he can do it, so can we. "
The registrar official added again.
Hearing the two people's words, County Magistrate Feng felt that it was very reasonable, but he always felt that something was going to happen. The most important thing now was to pull in hundreds of people from other places. As long as the number of people was enough, he could apply to make Zhong County online.
Although it was an important place now, the official's expression did not change because of whether it was important or not. He had inexplicable concerns in his heart, so he said to the two people,
"I always feel that things are not that simple. What if Zhang Xiaobao plays tricks? If we submit a memorial to the imperial court and insist on leading the current Rushui to Baoxin County, can we stop him? Don't underestimate them. "
"You're right, sir. We can't underestimate them. Last time, the people sent by Bigou's family may also find a chance to take revenge. Recently, nothing can happen. Be steady, we must be steady."
The registrar official flattered County Magistrate Feng again, which made him very happy, but he said a little arrogantly, "Don't underestimate them, don't be afraid of them. At the same time, don't forget to be vigilant against them and don't be fooled in the end. If they come and say that they want to do business together, we can't agree. Even if they send money, we can't accept it casually. Otherwise, they will take advantage of us."
The three people discussed together and soon reached an offensive and defensive alliance that they thought was beneficial to them. Once there was a bigger conflict, they had to unite together. They could not let one person bear it alone.
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