Aspirations

Chapter 100
Ding Ke had no choice but to take Xiao Wu, so he had to guess: "Bought? Stolen? Stolen?"

"Neither." Xiao Wu shook his head again and again, turned around and pointed to a seven or eight-year-old child on a tree not far away, and laughed, "He asked me to help him climb the tree, and I want the candied haws in his hand. After climbing the tree, he I'm scared again, thinking about coming down, he only has a candied fruit, and I don't care about his coming down."

Ding Ke didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The child on the tree was grinning and crying. He asked the catcher beside him to help put down the child and grabbed Xiao Wu's sleeve: "Brother Xiao, where is Xia Xianzun?"

"On the boat." Xiao Wu pointed to the boat in the river.

Ding Ke did not dare to neglect, and hurriedly ran to the boat, just in time to meet the new arresting fast Qihe, Xia Xianzun, all the worries and fears just now turned into anger, and he kicked Qihe's leg without saying a word. Go up, scolded: "Blind your dog's eyes, do you know who the person in front of you is? It's Xia Xianzun!"

There are more than [-] people in the Zhending County yamen, together with the arrests, among them, there are not a few people who have never seen Xia Xiang, and Qi He is one of them.He was kicked on the leg by Ding Ke, and he wanted to stand firm, but when he heard that the person in front of him turned out to be Xia Xianzun, he was startled, his legs softened, and he fell to the ground with a "thump".

"Xiaxian Zun, who has little eyes and no pearls, offended Xia Xian Zun, please punish Xia Xian Zun!" Qi He was very fond of Xia Xian Zun's name, but he often ran away recently and didn't have the chance to see Xia Xiang. He didn't want to be there. He didn't know each other, and he was extremely remorseful and scared.

"To punish? What crime to punish?" Xia Xiang chuckled and helped Qi He up, "Get up, Qi He, you have performed your duties, loyal to your duties, you should be praised. Ding Caotou, Qihe rewarded money consistently."

Before Qihe was on the job, he always heard people say that the county honor is the honor of a county, the official of the heaven, and the heaven of Zhending county. No offense.After he was on duty, he often heard people say that Hao Haiji, the magistrate of the county, was sandwiched between the prefect Cui Xiang and the county magistrate Xu Heguang. He drove away a few yamen that he disliked.

The yamen were originally officials, and the county magistrate could decide who to use and who not to use.Usually, in order to maintain the prestige of the county, and in order to facilitate the handling of the case, the yamen would call and drink to the people, making a fortune.As soon as you enter the public gate, it is as deep as the sea, which means that people in the public gate will become strangers with the common people, and will even be above the common people.Therefore, once you enter the public gate and then come out, it will be difficult to gain a foothold among the people.

Especially the yamen and the fast catchers.

Several yamen and arresters who were expelled from the public gate by Hao Haiji, after taking off their official uniforms, lost their status as the public gate, but they were not tolerated by the common people because they bullied the people when they were on the job.In the end, he had nowhere to live in Zhending, and he couldn't even make a living. In the end, he had to go far away.

I heard that among the few people, none of them died well, some died of illness in other places, some starved to death on the way, and some were arrested and imprisoned for robbing people of money.

Qi He's first thought after learning that he had offended Xia Xianzun was that it was over, and he would definitely be kicked out by Xia Xianzun.When he thought of the tragic encounter he was about to face, he was indeed frightened.

Unexpectedly, Xia Xianzun actually helped him up and said that he would reward him with money. He thought he had heard it wrong, and was stunned on the spot.

Not only was Qi He stunned on the spot, Zhang Xuehua and Jin Erniang were also so surprised they didn't know why!
What, Xiao Langjun turned out to be the dignified Xia Xianzun?Thinking of his rude remarks just now, calling Xia Xianzun a yellow-mouthed child, he was extremely frightened. He crossed his hands and bowed to Xia Xian Xiang to the end: "Xia Xianzun, the young old man has offended many times, please Xia Xianzun punish him."

"Xia, Xia, Xia Xianzun, I, I, I didn't say anything bad about you just now, but the sound of laughter was a little louder. You, you, you won't also punish me for my sins, right?" Jin Erniang was frightened. He even spoke abruptly, his legs trembled, and he almost sat on the ground.

"You don't have to panic, don't be afraid, this official will not punish your sins." Xia Xiang instructed Ding Ke, "Ding catch the head and break Dong Xian's clothes."

"Yes." Ding Ke used a heart in his throat. Seeing that Xia Xianzun was so magnanimous, his heart calmed down a little, and he had a little more respect for Xia Xianzun. He took out his waist knife and placed it on Dong Xian's body. With a stroke, he felt that the blade seemed to be scratched on the iron plate, and he couldn't help but "huh", "Strange thing, what kind of clothes is Dong Xian wearing, how does it look like armor?"

Ding Ke pulled hard from the cut, and the clothes were pulled open, revealing the mesh-shaped armor inside!
"It really is armor!" Ding Ke exclaimed, "Dong Xian is wearing armor, no wonder he sank in the water and the body didn't surface."

The armor was first made of leather, and iron armor has been available since the Warring States Period.In the Han Dynasty, iron armor was called Xuanjia, which was different from gold armor and bronze armor.In the Song Dynasty, there were several types of mirror armor, such as steel chain armor, black lacquer armor near water and mountain spring, bright light mesh armor, Ming Ju armor, and walking man armor.The armor Dong Xian was wearing was a fine mesh armor made of iron wire and weighed more than [-] pounds.

Xia Xiang nodded, thinking that as expected, Dong Xian's body did not float because he was carrying a heavy object.But he didn't know what kind of weight Dong Xian was carrying, he was just guessing.

"It seems that there is still something." Qi closed his eyes, and found that Dong Xian's waist was bulging. Xia Xianzun was very approachable and friendly, so he became more courageous and stretched out his hand to pull the clothes harder.

With a bang, the clothes were torn, and a bunch of things fell from Dong Xian's waist, shining brightly and dazzlingly.Everyone was taken aback, and they stepped aside one after another, and looked closely, it turned out to be silver ingots and copper coins.

With a waist of [-], riding a crane down to Yangzhou is the ultimate dream pursued by predecessors.The wealthy are indeed very rich. From the Tang Dynasty to the summer, the rich really like to wrap money around their waists.However, money has always been very heavy, and it is amazing to have dozens of kangaroos around your waist.

Zhang Xuehua's eyes widened, tsk tsk repeatedly: "Dong Xian wears armor to guard against bandits and thieves. And he brought so much money with him, didn't he provoke thieves again? It's really hard to understand."

Xia Xiang can understand, however, that Dong Xian's business goes north to Mobei and south to Quanzhou, and even to the countries of the South China Sea. Although money is light, it is not a hard currency. Many places do not recognize it and do not accept it. It is still easy to use copper coins and silver.He carries money with him, and he also thinks that where there is money, he can build a bridge between mountains and rivers.

I believe that Dong Xian could never have imagined that the armor on his body and the silver coins around his waist had become the main culprits that made him sink to the bottom of the river.

Now that everything has come to light, Xia Xiang let out a long sigh of relief. If Dong Xian's body hadn't been salvaged, he wouldn't be able to greet the people and the boats today. Gong! Dong has a spirit now, and I will thank you all for making his body visible again."

Everyone was terrified, and they were busy paying their respects.Many people among the boat masters have seen Hao Haiji, the former magistrate.

Xia Xiang came to the side of the boat, looked into the river, and asked, "How deep is the river?"

"More than three feet." Ship Master Lu Dongliang replied respectfully, "There is still more than one feet of silt below."

"How many people will be needed to clean up the silt? How long will it take?" Xia Xiang asked Ding Ke to organize a fleet of [-] ships to salvage Dong Xian's body with great momentum, not just for the purpose of salvaging the body. The picture is far-reaching and has a longer-term plan.

Lu Dongliang was stopped by the question, and after a long while he answered awkwardly: "Huixia County Honorable, the villain is a boat master, not a river worker, so he doesn't know how to calculate."

"I don't blame you. I didn't make it clear. I want to ask you, if more than 100 boats transport silt, how much can they transport at one time?" Xia Xiang grew up in a mountain village surrounded by the Hutuo River. He can swim in the river, but he doesn't know how to sail a boat or fish, nor do he know how to work on a river.

"The villain's fishing boat can pull more than 100 catties of fish at a time. Among the more than 100 boats, it is neither too big nor too small. Assuming that each boat can pull 3 catties, more than [-] fish is more than [-] catties. "Lv Dongliang fishes and sells fish, and is very good at settling accounts.

"Xia Xianzun, the villain's father is a river worker, and he knows Hutuo River like the back of his hand. If you have any instructions, just call him." Qi He took a step forward and said as if offering a treasure.

"Okay, very good." Xia Xiang was overjoyed and ordered to go on, "Ding Caotou, send someone to take Dong Xian's body back to the county office for an autopsy. Lu Dongliang and Zhang Xuehua, you two find a few good boatmen. Go down to the bottom of the river to measure the depth of silt."

"Yes." Ding Ke took the order and left.

Zhang Xuehua was overjoyed, Xia Xianzun not only did not punish him, but also wanted to use him, he immediately asked for his order: "Xia Xianzun, although the little old man is very old, if you talk about water, ordinary people really can't compare. The old man is willing to go into the water."

"Xia Xianzun, the villain grew up in the water since he was a child, and is nicknamed the black stripe in the waves. The villain is willing to go into the water." Qi He volunteered.

"Isn't it called Langli Baitiao? How can it be called Langli Heitie?" Xiao Wu had not finished eating the candied haws in his hands, he tilted his head, and his face didn't understand.

Qi He smiled embarrassedly: "The skin of the villain is darker. After entering the water, it looks like a loach, so it is called the black strip in the waves."

"The villain used to be called Langli Baitiao." Lu Dongliang said, fearing to be left behind, "The villain has been fishing on the Hutuo River for decades, and no one is more familiar with the Hutuo River than the villain, and the villain will also go into the water. ."

"Haha." Xia Xiang also smiled happily, "Okay, Lu Dongliang, Zhang Xuehua, and Qi He, the three of you go into the water. Remember, don't be stubborn and don't be careless."

"As ordered!"

Several people immediately took off their clothes and wore only short clothes. Although it was the late autumn season, the boatman who walked on the river all year round was not afraid of the cold.Xiao Wu stared at Qi He, and after Qi He showed his back and a pair of black and strong legs, he finally finished eating the last candied haws, then nodded and said very seriously: "It's real black, not fake black. ."

Several people tied ropes around their waists, and each person's rope was held by three people, so as not to let go.The three moved their muscles and bones a few times, and Zhang Xuehua kicked his legs: "Wait for the little old man to call one, two, three, everyone jump down together, come, one!"

As soon as the words came out, Zhang Xuehua jumped into the river, and Lu Dongliang cursed angrily: "You old and unscrupulous guy, you lied again. Two!"

After he finished shouting, while Qi He was in a daze, he plunged in.Qi He looked aggrieved: "How could it be like this? People who are more than 100 years old together can't even blink their eyes if they deceive people. Forget it, three!"

Xia Xiang was amused by the jokes of several people. The people are the most kind and contented, and the most gentle and simple.As an official, as long as he truly cares about the people, the people will support them wholeheartedly, and will never back down and perfunctory.

After the three entered the water, they disappeared in a blink of an eye.The river water was turbid, and I saw that the rope kept submerging into the water, and in one breath, it had already submerged more than ten feet into the water.

Xiao Wu was eager to try: "Sir, I also want to play in the water."

Xia Xiang glared at Xiao Wu: "No nonsense, you are responsible for protecting the three people comprehensively, and whoever has an accident, you will rescue whoever comes up."

"Yes." Xiao Wu rubbed his stomach reluctantly, "I ate too much candied gourd, and I just went into the water to digest my food. Don't let me go, I'll climb the tree later."

Xia Xiang smiled helplessly, he really had nothing to do with Xiao Wu.

"Three feet!" A boatman with a full beard shouted, "Lu Qigong's rope has come to an end."

Lu Dongliang ranked seventh, he was called Lu Qilang when he was young, and he became Lu Qigong when he was older.

"Oops." Beard exclaimed, the rope in his hand couldn't help but let go, and he was shocked, "No, something is going to happen."

"Don't be afraid, I'm here!" Xiao Wuzheng was worried that he had no place to use it, he reached out and was about to take off his clothes and go into the water, but was stopped by Xia Xiang.

"Don't worry, Lu Qigong is very good at water. Most of the time, he deliberately broke free of the rope and wanted to compete with Zhang Xuehua and Qi He." Xia Xiang was calm and didn't panic at all.

"Xia Xianzun, the Hutuo River is fast-flowing, and there are often vortices at the bottom. Once involved, it will be difficult to get out." The beard was anxious and wanted to go into the water to save people.

"Wait." Xia Xiang waved his hand and said, he can't let the bearded beard go into the water rashly, the more one person goes, the more danger, and he also intends to let Xiao Wuyi try his skills, "Wait for Zhang Xuehua and Qi He to come up. Xiao Wu , grab the rope and don't go into the water."

"How can I grab the rope if I don't go into the water?" Xiao Wu scratched his head and seemed to be stumped. At this time, the rope was floating in the river, and he saw that it was about to sink. The lottery was tied to a rope, and when he raised his hand, the bamboo stick flew out, hitting the rope that was about to sink accurately.

With a flick of his wrist, Xiao Wu used the technique that Mantuo had taught him recently. The rope that fell into the water was like an arrow from the string, flying from the river and returning to the boat.

"Okay!" Chuan Gong and the yamen applauded in unison, both stunned by Xiao Wushen's incredible stunt.

The cheers from the crowd were still there, the water flickered, and a figure emerged from the water. He wiped the river water on his face and laughed: "Xia Xianzun, the villain has discovered the mud at the bottom of the river."

It was Lu Dongliang.

The bearded man glanced at Xia Xiang with admiration, Xia Xianzun was so amazing, how could he know that Lu Dongliang was okay?
"Come up and talk, come up quickly." The river was cold, Xia Xiang saw Lu Dongliang's lips turning purple, and hurriedly greeted him to board the boat, "Xiao Wu help."

"Wait." Xiao Wu raised his head and looked smug. He grabbed the rope, pulled it hard, and shouted, "The carp leaped over the Dragon Gate."

Lu Dongliang felt a tightness in his waist, and a strong force came, he flew out of thin air, and jumped onto the boat.After standing firm, he was still amazed. Xiao Wu looked thin and weak. He didn't want to have such great strength. Xia Xianzun was surrounded by countless high-ranking people, all of whom were elite soldiers.

The boat masters had previously disapproved of Xiao Wu, and only regarded him as a relative of Xia Xianzun, so he looked neither big nor small.He's not too young, and he eats candied haws like a child. He's either a fool or a heartless man.Not wanting Xiao Wu to be so skilled, everyone thought to themselves, fortunately he didn't tease him just now, if he annoyed him, wouldn't he be thrown into the river like a sack?
"How about Zhang Xuehua and Qi He?" Xia Xiang took Lu Dongliang's clothes and wanted to put them on for him, "Why haven't they come out yet?"

Lu Dongliang was moved when he saw Xia Xiang clothed him in person. He was just a boatman, and he was engaged in a lowly business. The usual yamen could yell at him, punch and kick him, not to mention the county magistrate, even the county captain and He said the last sentence, and he felt a light on his face. Now that the dignified county magistrate treats him so politely, he suddenly has a kind of pride that a scholar will die for his confidant.

Moreover, Xia Xianzun asked Zhang Xuehua and Qi He first, instead of asking about the situation at the bottom of the river, which made Lu Dongliang think that Xia Xianzun was a real good official.

Lu Dongliang didn't dare to let the Xianzun put his clothes on for him, so he hurriedly took the clothes, put them on himself, stepped aside, and said respectfully, "The villain doesn't dare to make Xia Xianzun put on his clothes."

Without waiting for Lu Dongliang to answer, Qi He and Zhang Xuehua surfaced at the same time with the sound of water. The two got on the boat and put on their clothes. Xia Xiang was not in a hurry to ask about the situation at the bottom of the river. People drink to warm themselves.

After a while, several people recovered their energy and rushed to tell Xia Xiang about the situation at the bottom of the river.

"Xia Xianzun, the deepest point of the river is about three feet, and the shallowest point is more than two feet. The bottom of the river is turbid, and you can't see more than two feet away." Lu Dongliang was the first to say, "The silt has accumulated more than ten feet, and we can calculate it accordingly. , about a foot of piles every year.”

Xia Xiang nodded and asked, "So, the Hutuo River hasn't cleaned up the silt at the bottom of the river for more than ten years?"

(End of this chapter)