Kingdom of Heaven and Han

Chapter 503 Who would have thought
When I left the city gate, I saw someone selling fish by the side of the road.Xu Cai stepped forward, bought two breams with wicker twigs, put them in his hands, and walked towards the industrial area by the mountain.The industrial area is very quiet, and there are few pedestrians on the road.Only a few large carts occasionally pass by, pulling goods.

When he arrived at his elder brother Xu Qi's factory, Xu Cai quickly stepped in.I saw that there were a lot fewer people in the factory, and it was not as lively as when I came last time.Those who know Xu Cai lazily say hello.

When he arrived at the place where his brother was dealing with business, he saw that the door was open, so Xu Cai walked in.

After entering the house, I saw Xu Qi lying on the chair like a dead fish, looking up at the sky, not knowing what he was thinking.Hearing the movement, Xu Qi glanced at it, and said lightly: "Are you free today? Let's sit down and go out for dinner later."

Xu Cai looked around, and couldn't help asking: "Brother, why are you so listless? I heard people in Xiangyang City say that you were tricked into gambling on a boat a few days ago and lost a lot of money. Fortunately, you You were smart, reported to the official in time, and got all the money back.”

After hearing this, Xu Qi straightened up, shook his head and sighed.He said: "If I had known this was the case, I might as well have given the two thousand guan. Even if the factory's turnover is difficult for a while, I can always earn back after suffering."

"How do you say that? Two thousand guan is not a small amount of money!" Xu Cai felt strange and walked forward quickly.

Xu Qi smiled wryly: "How did I know that so many people would be implicated because I reported to the officials! There are several officials in the inspection department, especially one inspector Zhang, who is very loved by people, but they lost their money because of the bet. Life. There are also six inspectors who were imprisoned for participating in this matter. There are 18 inspectors who were kicked out of the Yamen because they did not report. This is just the inspection department, and there are government offices and county offices Well! As many as eight officials were beheaded. Nearly 20 were imprisoned. Four to fifty were dismissed by the government. Brothers, most of these officials are not vicious people. People complained about them. Especially two days ago, I heard that Chen Shenyi was also suspended because of his family's involvement in this matter. How many good things has Chen Shenyi done for the people since he came to Xiangyang? These days, everyone said that I Coveting my own petty fortune has ruined the future of so many people. People from the inspection department often scold me, and ordinary people don't look good. What's more terrible is that the bank in Xiangyang Prefecture has let me know that they will not lend me money in the future. How do you think my factory can continue? These days, I am thinking about transferring the factory to others, but this business is really impossible.”

Xu Cai was taken aback when he heard this: "How could this be so? By covering up prostitution and gambling, and harming one party, how could it be my brother's fault? There is no such reason in the world! Don't worry, brother, after a few days, everyone will naturally understand!"

Xu Qi said: "Brother, things in the world are not so black and white. Of course these punished officials are greedy for money, otherwise they wouldn't be involved in the gambling boat case. But although they are greedy for money, many of them are not bad people. People read Their kindness is very natural. I can only blame the government for being too strict in handling this matter, and the people naturally complain. Who would have thought that I would become a bad person in people's mouth."

After speaking, Xu Qi shook his head.He stood up, looking sad.

Xu Qi understood that the situation he faced was not only caused by people complaining about the officials, but also related to the government's handling methods.After the incident, the government asked the gamblers that night to come forward and file a complaint.As long as you confirm that you are on the boat that night, you can get back half of your gambling money.Of course, gambling boats don't remember how many gamblers there were in one night, how many people lost money, and how much they lost. It is inevitable that some people fish in troubled waters.But how much money is earned in one night, the gambling boat will remember.In the end, after the final calculation, he lost one or two thousand yuan in gambling on the boat that night.

When this matter spread, ordinary people thought that these gamblers had made a profit, and looked down on Xu Qi even more.

Xu Cai stood and thought for a while.Said: "Brother, I think that there is nothing wrong with the government's arrest of gambling, and you have done nothing wrong. It is very wrong to fall into today's situation. These days, I passed the official examination, and now I am also an official. When I go back, I will report it. This matter!"

Xu Qi turned around and looked at his younger brother.He said: "You are also an official, what kind of official are you? I heard people say that the recruiting of you officials doesn't care about any affairs, they are basically idle jobs. Everyone said that I don't know what is the use of recruiting you officials. Eat idle food. Who do you report to such an idle official? In the Yamen, who will sell your face?"

Xu Caidao: "You don't know about the affairs of the government. Idle officials have their uses, so they are naturally useful."

Xu Qi shook his head and didn't bother to say any more.Seeing that it was getting late, he said: "Let's find a tavern and have a couple of drinks. It's a pity that the workshop can't be run. But this year, I did make some money. When I return to Nanzhang, I still have the opportunity to start over again." .”

The two left the workshop, went to a nearby cafeteria, and sat down in a small tavern.Xu Cai bought two breams with shrunken heads, and asked the store to steam them and bring them up to serve with wine.After ordering food and wine, the two brothers drank together.

Had a few glasses of wine.Xu Caidao: "Brother, how much effort have you put in to make the workshop what it is today, how can you give up so easily? The common people are talking about it, and it's just for a moment, and it will be fine after a while."

Xu Qi said: "Brother, it's not that simple. A few days ago, the people in the bank said that I was unreliable and wanted to stop my loan—"

Xu Caidao: "Brother is rich now, the factory can continue to operate without the bank's loan."

Xu Qi sighed: "It must be opened, and it can continue to be opened. It's just that there is no loan, so you can develop if you want. But what is more troublesome is the people from the supply and marketing cooperative. Although I didn't say it clearly, the supply and marketing cooperative also didn't want to sell my products. Once the supply and marketing cooperative stops selling, who will sell the things made by this factory? This is the most terrible thing."

After finishing speaking, Xu Qi suddenly poured all the wine in the glass into his mouth.Said: "Who would have thought that I just don't want to pay gambling debts, but I will cause such a big trouble? Not only the government will arrest the casino, but the common people will hate it too. Why did I become my fault when I came here?" ?”

Xu Caidao: "There are many things in the world that don't make sense. When my brother meets him, I can only blame myself for my bad life."

Xu Qi nodded: "Yes, I can only blame my fate. In the first few days, I gritted my teeth and insisted on fighting these people to the end. I didn't believe that my factory would not be able to continue. After a few days, the days are getting worse. It was even more sad one day, and I gradually realized that this is my doom. What can I do? If I am destined to have this doom, I will suffer this.”

Xu Caidao: "I don't think my brother should be so negative. There is always a solution. Although my brother is only trying to avoid repaying his gambling debts, it can't be regarded as doing any good deeds for the people. But the actual effect is that the people benefit."

Xu Qi said: "So what? If the sky has eyes, can it still seal the mouths of the people?"

Xu Cai was at a loss for words and didn't know what to say for a moment.

After a long time, I gradually became drunk.Xu Qidao: "If you really want to say it, you can only say that the government has done a good job in handling this matter. If it is just to catch the mastermind of the gambling boat and not involve too much, how can anyone hate me? It is said that it is the order of the commander-in-chief. No one involved in this matter was spared. Many officials who were arrested were kind to the people, but they were just greedy for money. The people saw it and blamed me."

(End of this chapter)