Chapter 124

After a large scale inspection that affected the entire county, the inspection of merchants and carriages by the Gourd County's magistrate became lax. This greatly relieved the merchants.

The bailiffs in the yamen, especially those who followed the official bailiffs, were originally a group of people who wanted to take advantage of others. Usually, when there was no reason, they would find excuses to take advantage of them. Now that there was a legitimate excuse, they were really annoyed. Now, they could finally relax.

Although the magistrate reduced the daily inspection of them, they strengthened the inspection of outbound goods at the last checkpoint at the exit of the Gourd County Courier Road. Originally, there was only one tax checkpoint here. Tax officers were stationed here to collect taxes on outbound goods. Now, there was another group of bailiffs in addition to the tax officers.

As a result, the speed of the journey was slowed down. Some of the aristocrats went to Magistrate Hua to complain. Magistrate Hua called Ye Xiaotian over to ask about the situation. Ye Xiaotian complained to him: "Magistrate Hua, why are you listening to their nonsense? They only want convenience. How would they know about my difficulties?

Once the imperial court found out that there was smuggling, they would suppress it layer by layer. In the end, it will always fall on my head. If I don't do anything, it means that I am neglecting my duties. If I do something, there will be people making irresponsible remarks. Then, should I do something or not? How can I satisfy the people around me? If the checkpoint is set up there, I will also have an explanation. If it is removed, who will bear the responsibility? "

After listening to Ye Xiaotian's complaints, Hua Qingfeng pinched his nose and accepted it. Compared to Ye Xiaotian, he still felt that the aristocrats were easier to deal with. Hua Qingfeng smiled bitterly: "Of course I know your difficulties. Then let the checkpoint be set up. But you must restrain your subordinates. They must not take advantage of others, extort money, take bribes, or do anything that disturbs the people. Go and do your work. "

"There is no hurry. Magistrate Hua, I have something to discuss with you."

Ye Xiaotian told Hua Qingfeng about his plan to send a letter to Tongren Province to ask for the authority to handle cases across the border. To apply for the authority to handle cases across the border in Tongren Province, the magistrate had to come forward. If he bypassed the magistrate and went to the higher-ups himself, it would be no different from what Xu Boyi did.

If Xu Boyi succeeded, he would be able to rise to the heavens in a single step. It didn't matter if he offended his colleagues or offended them. Ye Xiaotian didn't have this kind of opportunity. Of course, he couldn't do such a thing.

After listening to Ye Xiaotian, Qingfeng frowned and said: "You want to go to the Myriad Mountains to investigate? Magistrate Ye, it. "Ye Xiaotian:" Magistrate Hua is the county. it are is good news. it is Magistrate of Mountains.

Ye Xiaotian said, "Magistrate Daren, you are also talking about 'if'. It would be best if there were no smugglers in this county. What I'm afraid of is that it's not that there aren't any, but that it's hidden too deeply for us to discover. If that's the case, we will be neglecting our duties. I think it is better to investigate.

We didn't find much when we investigated the county last time. If the Myan goods continue to appear in the cities of the Central Plains, the higher-ups will still push the blame to us. Instead of being forced by the higher-ups, it is better for us to take the initiative. "

"Hmm …"

Hua Qingfeng stroked his beard and hesitated. Officials like them were like beasts of prey in the animal kingdom. Everyone had their own territory. Invading other people's territory was a very sensitive matter. One wrong move could turn friendly neighbors into enemies. Hua Qingfeng was worried about this. He thought for a while and then said: "Let me think about this matter before making a decision."

Ye Xiaotian had no choice but to say: "That's fine. But we need to make a decision as soon as possible. In addition, if there is indeed a hidden smuggler in our county, he must have many eyes and ears. It is good that you and I know this. Magistrate Hua, you must not let others know. "

Hua Qingfeng smiled and said, "Of course I will."

Ye Xiaotian cupped his hands and left. Hua Qingfeng sat down and thought for a while. Then he called a servant and said: "Go and ask Register Wang to come here."

After a while, Register Wang came to the second hall. Hua Qingfeng asked him to take a seat and told him about Ye Xiaotian's request. Then he asked worriedly: "Register Wang, won't it seem that we have crossed the border? What if the officials of the Myriad Mountains are dissatisfied with us?"

Register Wang's eyes narrowed and he blurted out: "Magistrate Ye wants to cross the border? Could it be that he already has some important clues? "

Hua Qingfeng shook his head and said: "No. It's just that although our county has made some progress in cracking down on smugglers and smugglers, from the seized goods, none of them can match the Burmese smugglers that were sold to the Central Plains. Magistrate Ye is worried that the smugglers from Burma will continue to flow in and that the government will put the blame on him. So it is better to take the initiative to investigate. "

"I see …"

Register Wang stroked his beard and thought for a while. Then he said slowly: "Magistrate Ye, you don't have to worry about anything. The Myriad Mountains is a hereditary local official, but we are officials of the imperial court. We are not the same people, so there is no need to talk about harmony. If we can catch the culprit of the smugglers and smugglers, it will undoubtedly be a great achievement. "

Hua Qingfeng said: "So, you also think it is time to ask the magistrate for the right to cross the border?"

Register Wang smiled and said to Hua Qingfeng: "Magistrate Ye, it has been so long. Don't you know Magistrate Ye's temper? No one can stop him from doing what he is determined to do. This person is stubborn. If you don't agree, he can bypass the magistrate and directly ask for the magistrate's permission. With the friendship between him and the magistrate, it is very likely that he will succeed. At that time, you will be the one in the wrong. Why don't you push the boat with the current? It will also show your determination to get rid of the evil. "

Hua Qingfeng carefully thought about Register Wang's words and slowly nodded to agree. What he was worried about was that he would offend the officials of the neighboring county. But according to Register Wang's analysis, with Ye Xiaotian's temperament, even if he didn't agree, he couldn't stop it. At that time, the neighboring county would still blame it on him.

Anyway, the other party was a local official, and he was an official of the imperial court. There was a clear distinction between the two. Since this result was inevitable, it was better to be proactive. If Ye Xiaotian really solved the big case, he could also get a share of the credit. Thinking of this, Hua Qingfeng had made up his mind.

…

There was a small river behind the post station. Both sides of the river were overgrown with weeds. The weeds were as tall as a person and were very luxuriant. In late autumn, some weeds had turned yellow. On a big stone by the river, there were two futons. Ye Xiaotian and Zhao Wenyuan were sitting on one futon respectively. They were fishing quietly on the river.

The late autumn sky was clear, high, and blue. White clouds were reflected in the clear river water. A gentle breeze blew, and there was a slight rustling sound in the weeds, making one's heart unconsciously calm down.

Zhao Wenyuan was lucky. Fishes took the bait frequently. Although the biggest one was only the size of a palm, the fun of fishing didn't diminish at all. Ye Xiaotian sat there, but he didn't catch anything. He couldn't control his temper and changed places frequently. He also learned from Zhao Wenyuan to make the nest. He tried here and there, but still no fish took the bait.

Seeing this, Zhao Wenyuan couldn't help laughing and said, "My magistrate, fish nest is not made like this. Are you fishing or are you feeding the fish? "

Ye Xiaotian smiled bitterly and said, "Forget it, I'm not good at this. I really don't have the patience to keep sitting there. You fish, I'll walk around." Ye Xiaotian put the fishing rod on the ground and slowly walked away. Zhao Wenyuan was enjoying himself and didn't pay attention to him.

Ye Xiaotian walked along the river for a while and strolled to the back of Chang Clan's carriage. He strolled over and strolled back. As he walked along the river bank, he suddenly felt that something was wrong. But after thinking about it carefully, he couldn't say what it was.

At this moment, a figure suddenly appeared on the hillside. Ye Xiaotian looked up and saw that it was Qian Qingqing. Qian Qingqing was dressed in a tight outfit. He held two daggers in his right hand and hid them behind his elbows. His long legs were staggered and his gait was graceful and vigorous.

Ye Xiaotian smiled. Because of Zhao Wenyuan's background, he couldn't help but secretly be on guard against him. But he really admired the Zhao couple. At least up until now, he and Zhao Wenyuan didn't have any conflicts of interest. The two of them could be considered as partners in the officialdom. As for this Madam Zhao, she was candid and generous. She and Yaoyao were like sisters. Ye Xiaotian loved the house and its crow, so he looked at her in a different light.

Qian Qingqing walked down the hillside and saw Ye Xiaotian. She couldn't help but reveal a surprised expression.

Ye Xiaotian waited for her to walk to the small wooden bridge and cupped his hands to greet her with a smile, "Hello, Madam."

Qian Qingqing was surprised and said, "Magistrate Ye, why are you here?"

Ye Xiaotian smiled and said, "Brother Zhao and I were fishing over there. Unfortunately, the fish didn't take the bait. I can't sit still, so I walked around. Madam, you … "Ye Xiaotian carefully looked at Qian Qingqing's attire and said with surprise," Do you know martial arts? "

Qian Qingqing smiled and said, "It can't be considered martial arts. It's just some flowery but not practical moves. I occasionally go up the hill to practice and strengthen my body."

Ye Xiaotian smiled and said, "I don't think it's just a coincidence. Look at this green hillside, you've already made a path."

Qian Qingqing laughed and said, "Magistrate Ye, you must be joking. When my wife and I first came to Gourd County, this path was already there. This servant is alone. Even if I wear out the soles of my boots, I can't make a path."

The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked towards the place where Zhao Wenyuan was fishing. Suddenly, Ye Xiaotian had a flash of inspiration and suddenly understood why he felt something was wrong. It was this path, this mountain road.

The mountain road has been stepped on, and the color is different from the grass on both sides of the road. This is the back of the inn and carriage house. Very few people come here. There is no road in the world, but when people walk on it, it becomes a road. So who walked on this road?

Ye Xiaotian turned his head and cast a deep glance at the mountain road. Then, he looked at the Chang Carriage Company. That carriage company used to have the surname Qi.