Hua Qingfeng glanced at Ye Xiaotian. Seeing Ye Xiaotian's encouraging gaze and relaxed demeanor, Hua Qingfeng's nervous mood relaxed a little.
He coughed lightly and announced to the laborers who had gathered curiously, "This County Magistrate announces to all of you that, in view of the mistakes made by County Magistrate Xu during the repair of the relay road, and in view of the importance of the relay road to the imperial court's transportation of military supplies, from today onwards, this County Magistrate will be fully responsible for all matters related to the relay road!"
The commoners did not have much of a reaction to this. No matter who was in charge, they would still have to work. Moreover, although Magistrate Hua's position in the yamen was a mere figurehead, the commoners did not know much about this. What they knew was that Hua Qingfeng was the County Magistrate. Wasn't it reasonable for the County Magistrate to personally supervise the repair of the relay road on the Second Master's behalf?
Of course, the bailiffs and bailiffs that Xu Boyi had sent to manage and supervise the laborers were quite surprised. However, no matter how arrogant their master was, it did not mean that they dared to challenge the County Magistrate's authority. Moreover … there was still that Yeh Dianshi standing next to him.
Yeh Dianshi was all smiles, like a smiling tiger. His smile was a little malicious, and his eyes were shifty, as if he was waiting for someone to jump out. Unfortunately, Ye Xiaotian was disappointed. No one dared to step out. When Ye Xiaotian's gaze swept over them, the people who met his gaze all lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.
Ye Xiaotian was very satisfied. He waved his hand and said, "Squad leader Zhou!"
Squad leader Zhou bravely stepped out and loudly said, "This humble officer is here!"
Ye Xiaotian said, "From now on, your people will take over the management of the relay road!"
Squad leader Zhou said, "This humble officer obeys!"
Ye Xiaotian then turned to the bailiffs and bailiffs and said, "Brothers who originally guarded the relay road, you have worked hard. Now you can go back. The County Magistrate is merciful and will grant you three days of rest and bathe. After three days, you can return to the yamen.
Xu Boyi was not here, so how could those people dare to challenge the famous Warden Donkey? What if he started to act like a donkey again? Once this fellow raised his leg, even Magistrate Xu's face was bruised and swollen. Only a ferocious tiger could surrender, but County Magistrate Xu … was a ferocious tiger?
The petty officials and bailiffs who were originally guarding the relay road obediently handed over their duties. The relay station's couriers more or less understood some of the open and covert struggles within the county government. As soon as they saw this situation, they knew that the county magistrate had come to seize power. This matter had nothing to do with their relay station, so they just giggled and watched the show.
Hua Qingfeng's heart had been hanging in suspense. Seeing that things had gone so smoothly and that they had seized the enemy's fort without shedding a single drop of blood, he quietly relaxed. Unfortunately, Ye Xiaotian really did not let him be at ease. Just as he relaxed, Ye Xiaotian spoke again.
Ye Xiaotian smiled and said, "Daren, the relay road has already been handed over. Leave this place to Squad Leader Zhou. Our County Magistrate Xu still does not know about this. We have to go to the relay station and inform him."
Ye Xiaotian was very assured about the relay road. He had already contacted the Gaoli and Gaoli Stockades. The mountain people of the Gaoli and Gaoli Stockades, including their Stockade Master, were all loyal people. Once they took a liking to someone, they would spare no effort to support them.
Moreover, this matter was also beneficial to them. Who didn't want to make more money? Previously, Xu and Wang, as well as Deputy Zhao, had taken the opportunity to profit from the horse and carriage shops that relied on them. Although they did not deliberately offend them, objectively speaking, it had affected their profits. Whether it was for public or private reasons, they would still fully support Ye Xiaotian.
Therefore, when Ye Xiaotian's news arrived, the Young Stockade Master of the Gaoli and Gaoli Stockade Masters personally brought reinforcements and were now on the way. If Xu Boyi wanted to instigate people to quit, Ye Xiaotian was not afraid. He had enough people to step in.
To use such a forceful method, Ye Xiaotian and Hua Qingfeng would really need to join hands. Hua Qingfeng had a righteous reputation, but he did not have the power or connections to do anything. If he did it himself, would anyone listen to him? What if Xu Boyi really quit? Moreover, it was very likely that Xu Boyi would not quit, but rather strongly oppose. What could he do? He had to personally roll up his trousers to repair the roads. Even if he was willing, could he alone ensure that the road was smooth?
What he did not have, Ye Xiaotian had! If you want to quit, I have people to step in! Power came with corresponding obligations. Only by fulfilling corresponding obligations could one wield corresponding power. But Ye Xiaotian did not have a status. As a subordinate, did he want to reject his superior's arrangements? In his own territory, he could do whatever he wanted, but he did not have the power to interfere with the government affairs of the entire Hulu County. This was Xu Boyi's greatest source of confidence.
But if Ye Xiaotian and Hua Qingfeng could 'unwaveringly' join hands to complement each other, then what would happen?
When Hua Qingfeng heard that he was going to have a direct confrontation with Xu Boyi, he became timid again. "Yeh Dianshi, this … this is not necessary. Why don't we send someone to the relay station to tell him that we should return to the yamen first?"
"Return to the yamen? How can that be? Magistrate, from now on, you will have to guard the relay road until the end of the Yunnan war! "Ye Xiaotian lowered his voice and said," Even if it is just for show, Daren, you cannot leave now. Otherwise, the credit will still belong to County Magistrate Xu. Don't even think about taking back your power! "
Hua Qingfeng hesitated. "But … if there is a conflict … Yeh Dianshi, I think …"
Ye Xiaotian raised his voice and loudly said, "Magistrate is going to the relay station, the guards of honor are leading the way!"
"Bang! Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! " Seven strikes of the gong meant 'all soldiers and civilians are to leave'. The Magistrate had no choice but to hold his breath and crawl into the palanquin. He was forcibly carried by Ye Xiaotian to the relay station in Hulu County, just like a clay Bodhisattva.
Good men and women believed in Bodhisattva and would follow the teachings of Bodhisattva, but Bodhisattva would not personally give them any enlightenment or guidance. Bodhisattva's spokesperson was the preacher. At this moment, Hua Qingfeng was playing the role of Bodhisattva, and Ye Xiaotian was undoubtedly the Abbot with the Lotus Flower Tongue.
Wang Ning was still in the temporary detention room that Xu Boyi had set up at the relay station. He and County Magistrate Xu were pondering the possible strategies that Ye Xiaotian might use. Although they were very familiar with Ye Xiaotian's temperament, they did not expect that Ye Xiaotian would have the guts to seize power in such a blatant way. They had already tried their best to imagine what methods Ye Xiaotian would use, but they did not deviate from the usual methods and methods used in the officialdom.
Analyzing from this angle, the two conspirators came up with countless possible ways to seize power for Ye Xiaotian. The nature of the ways was nothing more than to promote and demote Ye Xiaotian, implying insinuations, cultivating cronies, scheming, scheming, forming a circle, taking a roundabout route, using tricks, waiting …
As a result, the two also came up with all kinds of countermeasures. They already had the upper hand, so they were not afraid of this kind of open and veiled struggle. The process was very long, and if everything went smoothly, it would take at least one or two years. Meanwhile, Magistrate Hua would at most be the boss of Hulu County for another year and a half. Even if he did not leave at that time, it would be time for him to leave. Who would still want to rely on him?
Moreover, once the war in Yunnan was over, Xu Boyi would have a great contribution when it came to the reward. At that time, he would have another important bargaining chip. Magistrate Hua, who was already in a weak position, would want to suppress him. It would be very difficult! As difficult as ascending to the blue sky! Of course, the one they were truly afraid of was Ye Xiaotian. However, Ye Xiaotian was their subordinate. Ye Xiaotian had the ability, but if he wanted to challenge them, he did not have the status and authority. The most appropriate method was to borrow Hua Qingfeng's name.
Of course, this did not mean that without Hua Qingfeng, Ye Xiaotian would not be able to deal with them. In the officialdom, small fish eating big fish was a common occurrence, but it would take a long time. He must find a big backer in a higher-level yamen, and he must have enough leverage on Xu Boyi and Wang Ning to topple them. What leverage did he have on Xu Boyi and Wang Ning?
While the two were discussing, Li Yuncong rushed in like a rabbit being chased by a dog. Gasping for breath, he said, "Da … Da … Daren, something bad has happened! The Magistrate and … and Yeh Dianshi have rushed to the relay station. "
Wang Ning was stunned and asked, "What are they doing here?"
Li Yuncong's forehead was full of sweat. He lifted his sleeve to wipe the sweat off his forehead and said, "Magistrate Hua is personally responsible for the relay station. He wants to replace him!"
Xu Boyi said in disbelief, "Impossible! When did this tortoise become so daring? Even if he is the Magistrate, would he dare to completely break off relations with this Magistrate and Register Wang? Without us, can Hulu County still function? "
Wang Ning said gloomily, "Don't forget, there is still Ye Xiaotian!"
Xu Boyi sneered, "Ye Xiaotian is just a scoundrel. Under the current circumstances, what can he do?"
Wang Ning rolled his eyes and said, "It is hard to predict. This person is extremely daring, and his actions are against the law. I really can't guess what he wants to do. Under the current circumstances, if he dares to completely break off relations with us, as long as we play some tricks to delay the military supplies, hmph! How many heads does he have to chop off? "
Li Yuncong said anxiously, "Sirs, the Magistrate is almost at the relay station's entrance."
Wang Ning woke up with a start and immediately said, "This old man is still ill at home, I can't let him see me. This old man will leave from the back door. County Magistrate Xu, no matter what tricks he has up his sleeves, you must keep calm and use the tactic of delaying them. We will discuss the details tonight. "
"Okay!"
Xu Boyi stood up and sneered, "Old Li, let's go welcome the Magistrate. Let's see what tricks he has up his sleeves!"
The relay station was the same as the patrol office. They both had a relatively high status, and their authority was relatively independent. Outside of the county yamen, they were under the jurisdiction of a superior yamen. But at the same time, they were also the Magistrate's subordinates. When the Magistrate arrived, Zhao Wenyuan had to come out and welcome him.
Xu Boyi hurriedly brought Li Yuncong out of the detention room. Not long after, he saw Zhao Wenyuan rushing over. Xu Boyi stopped and said with an unfriendly expression, "Deputy Zhao, I heard that the Magistrate sent two memorials to the capital this morning?"
Zhao Wenyuan said with a smile, "County Magistrate Xu's eyes and ears are very well-informed. Not bad! Because the Magistrate wanted to use the military relay station, these two memorials were personally signed by me. What's wrong? "
Xu Boyi's anger surged, but he didn't say anything. What could he say? Zhao Wenyuan followed the rules, could he blame him for not informing him? Although they usually called each other brothers, Deputy Zhao didn't sell him this friendship. What reason did he have to blame him?
Xu Boyi coldly snorted, flicked his sleeves, and walked away. Zhao Wenyuan looked at his back with a faint smile and hurriedly followed after him. From his standpoint, he didn't want Xu Boyi and Wang Ning to dominate Hulu County. But he also didn't want Hua Qingfeng, who had the backing of the imperial court, to have the upper hand. The best situation was for the two sides to continue fighting and be evenly matched. That way, he, who had no right to interfere with government affairs and only had the authority to manage the relay station, would be able to play the game like a fish in water. Therefore, since Hua Qingfeng was at a disadvantage, he was more than happy to lend him a hand. At this moment, he was also looking forward to Ye Xiaotian's return. He hoped that Magistrate Liu would be able to get back on his horse and go on his way.
However, no matter how rich his imagination was, he didn't expect that Ye Xiaotian didn't help Magistrate Hua to get on a horse and send him off. Instead, he tied the cowardly Magistrate onto a chariot and personally drove the chariot over.
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