Chapter 388

Xu Boyi wrote a lengthy memorial to the throne. He changed the draft nine times, describing the original intention and the significance of his decision to change the name of Hulu County. He didn't need to be too straightforward. Between the lines, he had already expressed the meaning of His Majesty's power over the world. As long as the emperor was not illiterate, he would be able to understand it. Of course, Emperor Wanli was not illiterate.

With Xu Boyi's literary ability, even though it was his first time writing a memorial, he already knew the standard and format of the memorial. There was no need to change it so many times. One of the reasons why he changed the draft so many times was because, in theory, any official appointed by the emperor had the right to submit a memorial to the emperor. However, it was very rare for a small county magistrate to directly submit a memorial to the emperor.

What reason did a small official have to bypass so many superiors and directly ask the emperor for instructions? This was also a taboo in the officialdom. Moreover, Xu Boyi was not a county magistrate, but an assistant magistrate. This was even more of a taboo. Therefore, the first thing Xu Boyi needed to confirm was whether or not to co-sign with Hua Qingfeng.

Since the purpose of submitting the memorial was to take credit, of course, he wouldn't bring Hua Qingfeng. Hua Qingfeng was the official seal officer. As long as he brought Hua Qingfeng, the credit would definitely go to Hua Qingfeng. Xu Boyi would not do anything for someone else. Moreover, this person was his enemy.

However, this way, Xu Boyi would need to clearly explain in the memorial why he didn't go through the official seal officer. He couldn't slander Hua Qingfeng unscrupulously in the memorial. Although he wanted to do so, it would not be worth it and would leave a bad impression on the emperor.

Fortunately, the imperial court had heard of Hua Qingfeng's incompetence. Therefore, he only needed to hint a little, and the emperor and the cabinet would understand that he had no choice. The county magistrate was too conservative. He didn't ask for credit, only to not make mistakes. It wasn't that he didn't want to co-sign with the county magistrate, it was that the county magistrate had no guts.

Next, he had to confirm one thing: whether or not to bring Wang Ning.

He had been hiding this matter from everyone. Now it was time to see the truth. There were two advantages to bringing Wang Ning. First, their alliance would be more stable. Second, once it was done, both of them would be promoted. But, the disadvantage was also obvious. Someone else would take credit, which would weaken his achievements.

Moreover, although he and Wang Ning were allies, they were both from the Tian Clan and had internal competition. In this case, throwing Wang Ning aside was the right choice to maximize his benefits. But this way, he would have to bear all the consequences. What if he failed?

This was the main reason why Xu Boyi was so conflicted. That was why he only made a final decision after changing the memorial nine times. Xu Boyi took a deep breath. He decided that he would take a gamble. He solemnly signed his name on the memorial: Deputy County Magistrate of Hulu County, Xu Boyi!

Xu Boyi didn't send the memorial through the relay station. He was already wary of Zhao Wenyuan, the seemingly harmless deputy county magistrate. However, he had been guarding the relay road every day and had gotten to know a few Ming generals who escorted military supplies. It wasn't difficult for him to bypass the relay station and send the memorial through the military.

The memorial had been sent. Now all he needed to do was wait. In the process of waiting, he had to endure Ye Xiaotian's arrogance. But what did this matter? The one who had the last laugh would be the final victor! The one who had the last laugh would definitely be him!

…

Ye Xiaotian was smiling at this time. There was a guest at his door. As the host, how could he put on a bitter face? Ye Xiaotian smiled at Zhao Wenyuan and said, "Brother Zhao, during the time I was not in Hulu County, Yaoyao has been taken care of by you and your wife. I cannot thank you enough."

Zhao Wenyuan said, "Worthy brother is too polite. You and I are of the same age and are officials of the same county. We should take care of each other! Moreover, although my wife and your sister are very different in age, their personalities are very compatible. They can be considered a pair of friends despite the difference in age. This is rare. "

Ye Xiaotian looked outside the window. In the courtyard, Zhan Ning 'er and Duo Ni were chatting with Qian Qingqing under a tree. The atmosphere was very harmonious. The three women were all beauties. One was slender and elegant, one was petite and exquisite, and one was curvaceous. It was truly pleasing to the eye.

Yaoyao, on the other hand, was holding an umbrella and carefully approached the teasing fountain. As soon as the intermittent fountain gushed out, she would immediately run away while giggling. Although she was unable to dodge in time and her clothes were drenched, she was still having fun.

Ye Xiaotian smiled and turned back to Zhao Wenyuan and said, "Yes, you and I are of the same age and colleagues. We should take care of each other. Therefore, there is something I need to make clear to Brother Zhao, lest Brother Zhao misunderstand me. Chang Zi Zai's carriage business is related to Brother Zhao. This is something I know. "

"Oh?"

Zhao Wenyuan was slightly startled and stopped playing with the teacup in his hand. He came today to establish a relationship with Ye Xiaotian, but there was another important matter, and that was to speak up for Chang Zi Zai. Chang Zi Zai relied on him and gave him a lot of money every month. Now that he had been forced by Ye Xiaotian to the point where he had no business, he could only struggle at death's door. Of course, he needed Zhao Wenyuan's help.

Ye Xiaotian sincerely said, "If I said I didn't know that Chang Zi Zai's carriage business was related to Brother Zhao, then that would be sincere. But although I knew, why did I treat Chang Zi Zai's carriage business the same as Xie Chuanfeng's? This little brother has his own difficulties. "

Zhao Wenyuan smiled and said, "Since you are so straightforward, then I won't hide it anymore. Not bad! This is the reason why I came to visit you this time. I don't know what difficulties you have, but I'd like to hear the details. "

Ye Xiaotian poured a cup of tea for Zhao Wenyuan and said with a sigh, "Brother Zhao, during the time I wasn't in Gourd County, Luo Li Gao Chariot was pushed aside. You know this. And Luo Li Gao Chariot is the business of a few of my brothers. They were implicated by me, so since I'm back, of course I have to give them justice. "

Zhao Wenyuan nodded and said, "That's natural. It's just that during the time you weren't in Gourd County, County Magistrate Xu and Register Wang took control of the situation. I'm just a deputy, so I can only protect myself. I don't have the strength to go against them. Even if I wanted to protect Luo Li Gao Chariot, I don't have the strength to do so. This matter has nothing to do with me …"

Ye Xiaotian sighed and said, "Brother Zhao, I naturally understand the reasoning behind this, but the problem is that my subordinates may not. They only see one thing, and that is that when Xu Boyi and Wang Ning were in power, Chang Zi Zai's carriage business wasn't affected at all. When I'm in power, Chang Zi Zai's carriage business is still the same. How can they be calm? If that's the case, then they might as well join Brother Zhao and avoid the fight between me and Xu Boyi. I can't ignore their feelings! "

Zhao Wenyuan understood that Ye Xiaotian was forcing him to take a stand. All this time, he had been involved in the conflict between Ye and Xu in a rather aloof manner, benefiting from both sides. Now, Ye Xiaotian didn't want him to stay out of it.

The power of a deputy was naturally limited, but Zhao Wenyuan had the backing of the Yang family in Bozhou, which was no small matter. Zhao Wenyuan didn't need to do anything specific. As long as he was willing to stand on Ye Xiaotian's side, it would be enough to strengthen Ye Xiaotian's influence and rope in some of the neutral factions that were still watching from the sidelines, creating more pressure on Xu Boyi's faction.

"Perhaps it's time to make a decision …"

Zhao Wenyuan swirled the teacup in his hand again as he thought to himself, "If I always stay out of it, I can maintain my aloof status, but I'll never be able to integrate into it. I won't be able to influence or interfere too much with the government affairs of Gourd County."

Although Yang Tianwang had given him the task of ensuring that he had his people on the relay road, so that he could use all or part of the road in the event of a major change, who wouldn't want more power? Zhao Wenyuan also wanted to become an influential political figure in Gourd County.

But to stand on the same side as Ye Xiaotian? Would he be able to stand firm? Although Xu Boyi and Wang Ning had suffered a loss, they couldn't possibly admit defeat. If they succeeded in their counterattack, wouldn't he also have to face a great deal of pressure?

Ye Xiaotian saw Zhao Wenyuan's silence and couldn't help but smile. He picked up his teacup and took a sip, then slowly said, "Of course, it's just an explanation. It's just an explanation to show my brothers that there's a difference between those who are close to me and those who are distant. I want them to understand that they won't lose out if they follow me.

There's a lot of money on the relay road, and a single carriage company can't handle it all. Especially with the recent wars, a large amount of military supplies have been crossing the border. A single carriage company's transportation strength is stretched even further. After a few days, when they've earned enough money, their resentment will subside. At that time, I'll separate Chang Zizai and Xie Chuanfeng, and they won't have anything to say. "

Zhao Wenyuan could only smile bitterly in his heart. At present, the most profitable part of the relay road was the transportation of military supplies. Because the relay road was extremely dangerous, the laborers brought by the imperial court weren't familiar with the terrain. Not only was it dangerous to transport supplies through them, but it was also incredibly slow.

In order to guarantee the logistics of the Yunnan frontlines, the imperial court could only requisition a large number of local civilian transportation forces. The wages they paid were also several times that of normal times. Once the war subsided, they would miss the best opportunity to develop and make a fortune.

After this village, how could there be another shop? Chang Zizai following him was a union of benefits. He could wait, but could Chang Zizai wait? If Chang Zizai turned to Ye Xiaotian, the power he had just established would be completely lost. Moreover, when would it be a few days? These words were too insincere.

"Xu and Wang are both from the Tian Clan. Sooner or later, they will become my enemies. Originally, I wanted to maintain my aloof status and let them fight to the death with Ye Xiaotian. But now that Ye Xiaotian is forcing me to take a stand, I have no other choice. Under these circumstances, I have to make a decision and involve myself in the internal affairs of Gourd County. I believe the chieftain will not blame me! However, with my current status, the role I can play in the battle between the two factions is very limited. What is Ye Xiaotian plotting to pull me over? "

I can't guess! I really can't guess! Ye Xiaotian's way of doing things had always been unconstrained. There were very few connections that could be found! If I can't guess, then I won't guess. The wine cup in Zhao Wenyuan's hand stopped swirling. He slowly raised his head and calmly said to Ye Xiaotian, "If I stand on your side from now on, will I be able to give your subordinates an explanation?"

Ye Xiaotian smiled happily and happily said, "If you and I become a family, how can we be separated?"

Zhao Wenyuan's eyebrows jumped and he said, "Good! Then we will be a family! "

The two of them clinked their teacups and drank the tea in place of wine.