Aspirations

Chapter 101
"It's more than ten years, more than 15 years." Zhang Xuehua, like Lu Dongliang, lives on the Hutuo River and knows the Hutuo River well. I don’t think the river is rising. In fact, the reason why the river has not decreased is that the silt at the bottom of the river is getting thicker. If it is not cleaned up, once the flood comes, it will be unimaginable.”

Zhang Xuehua said with emotion: "The little old man raised this matter with Hao Xianzun before, but Hao Xianzun ignored it."

Xia Xiang had some calculations in his mind, and he had already made plans for the governance of the Hutuo River before he really decided to take office in the future.Zhending has had good weather and a peaceful environment for many years, but he has studied history for many years, and he is very clear about the truth that long-term droughts will lead to floods and long-term floods will lead to droughts, just like the general trend of the world.

That's why the ancients said, born in sorrow and died in peace.If there is no sense of urgency in times of peace and happiness, when woes come, you will have no strength to resist, and you will undoubtedly die.

It is also reasonable that Hao Haiji did not manage the Hutuo River. Let alone Hao Haiji was restrained by Cui Fuzun and Xu Xiancheng during his tenure, and he could not decide everything. He only said that the difficulty of governing the Hutuo River would discourage most county magistrates.If it is done, it will be a great achievement.If it is defeated, it is even more important.

Compared with river governance, the implementation of the new law is more likely to catch Hou Xianggong's eyes, and there is no risk.Under balance, Hao Haiji chose the new law instead of governing the Hutuo River, which is also the way of being an official without seeking idle merit but seeking no fault.

"Qi He, in your opinion, should the Hutuo River be managed?" Seeing Qi He bowed his head and said nothing, Xia Xiang wanted to test him.

Qi He raised his head, his eyes full of anticipation: "Xia Xianzun, the villain dare not speak nonsense."

"But it's okay to say." Xia Xiang's eyes were full of encouragement, "The speaker is innocent."

Qi Hecai mustered up his courage again: "The Hutuo River has not been governed for 15 years. It is not entirely because the previous county officials did not want to govern, but the people and wealthy businessmen along the coast did not want to govern."

"How do you say that?" Xia Xiang knew that if he wanted to manage the Hutuo River, he would inevitably face many obstacles, such as opposition from Cui Fuzun, pressure from Xu Xiancheng, ignorance from the people and doubts about his waste of money and money. Wait, what Qi He said made him realize that there were still problems he hadn't thought of.

"Most of the people along the coast rely on boating and fishing for a living. Harnessing the Hutuo River will inevitably affect their livelihood. The rich merchants along the coast also rely on the river for food. The flower boats in the river, brothels, teahouses and restaurants by the river, After the river is closed, there will be no customers." Qi He has been living along both sides of the river since he was a child, and he is very familiar with it, whether it is ordinary people's houses, cottages, teahouses, restaurants or even brothels.

Xia Xiang thought it was the same, but he neglected this point, and couldn't help praising: "Qi He's words made me understand immediately, Qi He, go back to the county office with me, I have something to ask you. Zhang Xuehua, Lu Qigong, you The two also went to the county government office together."

"Yes." The three were overjoyed. Xia Xianzun let them go to the county government because he recognized and valued them. The coldness and danger they suffered in the water just now were all worth it.

Later, Lu Dongliang and Zhang Xuehua were responsible for evacuating the boatmen and boats, and the Hutuo River returned to its former calm.

But in the calm, the legend of Xia County honoring hundreds of boats to retrieve corpses has been passed down from word to mouth.The original legend is still in line with the truth. It is said that three people committed suicide by jumping into the river, but only two bodies were found, and the body of one was never found.Xia Xianzun knew astronomy and geography, and calculated with ingenuity. He calculated that the corpse was washed upriver by the water, and requisitioned more than a hundred boats, went upstream, and recovered the corpse.

Later, the legend became more and more bizarre, and in the end it turned out that Dong Xian's corpse was detained by the river god because his body was full of treasures.Xia Xianzun asked the river god to hand over the body, but the river god refused.Xia Xianzun, who could judge yang by day and yin by night, was furious and dispatched more than a hundred boats to startle the river.If the river god does not hand over Dong Xian's body, he will not only salvage all the treasures in the Hutuo River, but also make the boatman disturb the river every day, so that the river god will not be at peace.In the end, the God of the River had no choice but to hand over Dong Xian's body because he was afraid of Xia Xianzun.

Some people were dissatisfied after hearing the legend, Xia Xianzun is just a mortal, how dare he go against the river god?Aren't you afraid that the river god will cause a flood in a fit of anger and harm the people of Zhending?Aren't you afraid that the River God will stir up trouble and take Xia Xianzun's life?

Some people retorted that Xia Xianzun is the Wenqu star from the sky who came down to earth, and is a god. In front of the gods, how can Xiao Xiaohe have the ability to make trouble?
In short, in the end, the more rumors became more mythical Xia Xiang.Even after Xia Xiang heard the legend, he was stunned for a long time before he realized that the protagonist in the legend turned out to be him.

This is a later story, let me say that Xia Xiang and his party went to the county government office. Xu Heguang, Liu Changting, and Xie Hua built the Zilong Bridge and went to the government office.The three of them remained silent all the way, shocked by the salvaged body of Dong Xian.

Originally holding the idea of ​​watching a joke, they believed that Xia Xiang would be so inspiring and mobilizing people that he would end up laughing and generous in the end. They never thought that Dong Xian's body was found upstream, and several people were puzzled. How could this be so?How could this be so?

Originally, although the salvage of the body was shocking, it was not enough to make several people rush to the government office to meet Cui Xiang. Instead, Xu Heguang saw Zhang Xuehua, Lu Dongliang and Qi He go down the river, and heard about Xia Xiang The shock of intending to control the Hutuo River was no small matter, and he didn't have time to go back to the county government office to wait for orders, and he didn't care whether Xia Xiang had something to order, so he hurried to the government government office to make it clear to Cui Xiang.

Cui Xiang just stood on the Denggui Tower, the tallest building in the government office, and had a clear view of the situation in the river.When Dong Xian's body was salvaged, amidst the cheers of all the people, he went downstairs with a livid face, very depressed in his heart.Xia Xiang has only been in Zhending County for a few days, and he is full of majesty. He is regarded as a god and a good official by the people. What is his face and prestige?
This Xia Xiang was too shameless and ignorant, he showed him some kindness, did he really think that his mansion was just a display?Cui Xiang was so angry that his cough intensified, and he asked someone to drink some medicine before he calmed down a bit.

Hearing that Xu Heguang, Liu Changting, and Xie Huagai were visiting, Cui Xiang had already lay down, wanted to rest for a while, and got up again to greet the guests.

Without waiting to sit down, Xu Heguang couldn't wait to sue Xia Xiang.

"Cui Fuzun, Xia Xianzun salvaged Dong Xian's body with great fanfare, and wanted to mobilize the masses to clean up the Hutuo River. How many businesses stopped at the river bank, and how many people have nothing to do. Dredging the river has always been a dangerous project, and I don’t know how many people will be ruined and destroyed, and they will not be stable.” Xu Heguang looked distressed and put his hands on his chest. There are teahouses, restaurants and brothels each, Liu Yuanwai and Xie Yuanwai also have several shops, and the shops of Guangjin Trading Company on the river bank are also making money every day..."

"Stop talking!" Cui Xiang slapped the table suddenly, furious, "I will never allow Xia Xiang to do whatever he wants in Zhending. I will immediately write a letter and send it to the capital to inform Mr. Hou about the Zhending."

Xu Heguang was secretly delighted, and said: "Master Cui understands righteousness deeply, and it is the blessing of the imperial court and the common people."

A glint of coldness flashed across Liu Changting's eyes: "Actually, it's okay to let Xia Xiang manage the Hutuo River..."

"How do you say that?" A strong question flashed in Xie Huagai's eyes, and after a little thought, he understood a little bit, "It's true, once something happens, Cui Fuzun will try his best to turn the tide, but it will show Cui Fuzun's determination and determination. Courage. There is just one thing, we just ignore it, if Xia Xiang succeeds, wouldn't it be a huge advantage for him?"

"Hahahaha, how could such a huge advantage fall on Xia Xiang's head? What kind of thing is he?" Liu Changting smiled coldly, and the coldness in his eyes turned into determination, "If Xia Xiang succeeds, the huge advantage will also come true." It will fall on the heads of Cui Fuzun and us. The Hutuo River is turbulent. How many people will not be drowned in a year? In the past, those who drowned were ordinary people. Maybe this year it was a county lord..."

Xu Heguang took a breath, at most he wanted to take Xia Xiang out of the picture and let Xia Xiang be used by him, or at worst let Xia Xiang be suppressed by Cui Xiang, unable to move, but he never thought of taking Xia Xiang's life .After all, Liu Changting came from the capital, he was cruel and merciless, and would take someone's life at every turn, and it was the life of a majestic imperial court official.

"Mr. Liu, don't be in a hurry. Although the county magistrate Xia is hateful, he still has something to offer. Let's give him another chance." Xie Huagai laughed, shaking the Buddhist beads in his hand, "Mr. The officials were expelled from the capital, dismissed or relegated, and they did not take their lives. Tolerance is great, the prime minister can hold a boat in his stomach, even the third prince said that Xia Xianglai was really determined to be the county magistrate, and it was also a one-off for him It is an opportunity to recognize the good and the bad and see what is right and what is wrong. The third prince cherishes his talents. In the long run, if he becomes a great treasure in the future, he will need loyal ministers and good generals to assist him in order to achieve immortality."

"Don't talk nonsense." Cui Xiang said majestically, "Now that the emperor is in the prime of life, what will happen in the future, you can't speak nonsense. As a courtier, you should remember your duty as a courtier, and don't talk about the emperor and the princes."

Liu Changting secretly scolded the old fox, saying in his heart that he was doing things for the third prince, people on a boat, how can they pretend?Now who is not gambling that the third prince will succeed after the death of the emperor, if the third prince is the weakest among several princes, the possibility of succession is the least, you Cui Xiang will obey the third prince?Don't think that as a member of the Qinghe Cui family, you can have a good relationship between the third prince and other princes.If the position is not firm, hehe, just a fifth-rank magistrate, the third prince can reject it at any time if he says no.

Xie Huagai smiled lightly: "The Cui family respects what they say. Xie and Liu Yuanwai are not imperial court officials. Talking about court affairs in private is just a street talk, so it can't be taken seriously."

"Mr. Xie, you don't have to be so polite. If Cui Fuzun wholeheartedly follows the third prince, it's fine. If he secretly has any contact or even friendship with King Jing, the fourth prince, or the fifth prince, my brothers will find out by accident. , then I’m sorry, my two brothers will definitely make it clear to the Third Prince.” Liu Changting’s words were far less tactful and polite than Xie Huagai’s, and there was a seven-point threat in the three-point warning.

Xu Heguang's complexion changed, and he wanted to explode immediately, but was stopped by Cui Xiang's eyes, Cui Xiang smiled calmly and calmly: "Liu Yuanwai's words are too far-fetched, although I come from Qinghe Cui family, but I have always regarded myself as a commoner, and I never think that I am a member of a noble family. Since I entered the official position, every promotion is due to the love of the third prince, and the love of the third prince for this official is deeply felt by this official, and I dare not forget it for a moment."

Liu Changting was quite satisfied with Cui Xiang's statement, and smiled slightly: "Liu has only the third prince in his eyes, and if his words offend him, please respect Haihan from the Cui family."

Cui Xiang waved his hands and smiled: "One family doesn't talk about two families... But then again, this official is old and sick, and I have long been willing to return to my hometown. I am sure that when the prefect's term is over, I will resign from the emperor. It's also very good to go back to Qinghe to be a rich man who doesn't have to worry about everything. The emperor treats all officials generously, and the salary is very generous. I am an official not for money, and I don't take a penny of the salary. All of it is donated to the Taiping Huimin Bureau to help the people use."

Liu Changting and Xie Huagai looked at each other, and they were slightly stunned.Cui Xiang's words carried a gun with a stick, and he retaliated the blow neither light nor heavy.The implication is that if the third prince doesn't use him, he doesn't care. Cui's family property is rich, and he has no worries about food and clothing.Besides, he is indeed weak and sick now, and he doesn't have much nostalgia for his official career.

The Taiping Huimin Bureau is a government-run pharmacy in Daxia, equipped with special doctors to treat diseases and prescribe medicines for poor people, without taking a cent.All the expenses are borne by the government. As the magistrate, Cui Xiang's basic salary, post money plus "minister's money" (special office fee), job field rent and various subsidies, at least five hundred guan.Five hundred guan, equivalent to nearly two hundred times the income of an ordinary family.

"Mountain people have the easiest way to make a living, and they earn a living from mountain trees. Those who pay a salary can get a hundred dollars, and return it to their wives and children to steam a bucket of millet." It can be seen that the mountain people can sell firewood for 1 yuan a day.The helpers, on the other hand, "do what they can do, and earn a hundred dollars a day for cooking", and their daily income is about a hundred dollars.Fishermen "sell fish for less than a hundred dollars a day, and their wives and children live in poverty. They go back to Luwan empty-handed to sleep when they are hungry at night."The woman "spun, washed, sewed, cooked, and cleaned for her neighbors, and received tens of hundreds of dollars a day, which was paid to her aunt", which is also about Baiwen.

A hundred wen a day and three thousand wen a month, that is, Sanguan, can be used by a family of four or five people.The magistrate has a monthly income of [-] guan and an annual salary of [-] guan, which is more than enough to support more than a hundred people in the mansion.

Although Xu Heguang is Cui Xiang's brother-in-law, he is closer to Cui Xiang emotionally, but he is neither from a family nor a member of the fifth rank. There was a bit of anger in the words, but there was also a sense of discouragement, so I couldn't help being anxious: "Liu Yuanwai, Xie Yuanwai, the Cui Fuzun is just depressed for a while, and it's not that he really doesn't want to serve the court. For the position of Minister of the Ministry of Officials, Cui Fuzun has been looking forward to it for a long time."

Cui Xiang gave Xu Heguang a meaningful look, wanted to say something, and shook his head again. Xu Heguang was too eager and obvious, and if he lost his composure, he lost bargaining chips with the third prince.

"Cui Fuzun just feels a little sick occasionally, and he will recover soon. The court and the third prince still need Cui Fuzun." Xie Huagai didn't want to make the atmosphere too tense, so he hurriedly came forward to smooth things over. Xu Heguang is fine. You can let them at their mercy, after all, Cui Xiang is from a famous family, even if the family has declined, there is still arrogance without pride.

While talking, Xie Huagai winked at Liu Changting. Before Xia Xiang was influenced by them, Cui Fuzun was the most effective force to suppress Xia Xiang.

Liu Changting recalled the advice from the third prince, so he accepted it as soon as it was good: "Master Cui's salary is all funded by the Taiping Huimin Bureau. He is really a good person. Liu admires him, and he should learn from Master Cui in the future."

Cui Xiang waved his hands modestly, trying to ease the atmosphere, but suddenly someone came to report, and Lian Ruohan sent someone to bring a chair.

"Chair, what chair?" Cui Xiang was very surprised, and thought of something for a moment, and said, "Bring it in."

Liu Changting and Xie Huagai were also very surprised why Lian Ruohan gave Cui Xiang a chair. The chair was carried in. It was different from the usual chairs, but it was a bamboo chair.The place under the chair should have been hollowed out, but there are two more layers of drawers.

The person who sent the chair was Lian Ruohan's servant, who was young and weak, dressed in Taoist robes, and after introducing the usage of the chair to Cui Xiang, he drifted away.

"It turned out to be a moxibustion chair." Liu Changting smelled the strong aroma of wormwood wafting from under the chair, and remembered the chair he saw in the capital. He couldn't help saying, "I saw this chair at Mr. Light moxa on the top and bottom, and use the yang energy of wormwood to moisten the body, which can strengthen the foundation and nourish the body. The emperor's condition improved, all because of Mr. Jin Jia's sunburning chair and bed. Weird, how could Lian Ruohan make moxibustion A chair? This chair is very effective, Cui Fuzun won this chair, and his condition is very good, just around the corner."

Xie Huagai had also seen the Sunburning Chair with his own eyes at that time, but he only had a quick look at it and never looked at it carefully. Now that it was in front of him, he couldn't hold back his curiosity. He walked around the Sunburning Chair several times, opened the drawer and studied it for a while. He asked in a deliberate way: "It's just that there are some more ventilation holes on the chair. There are two layers of drawers below, one for moxa and one for charcoal. It's not difficult. Why do you have to ask Lian Ruohan to make it? One can be made in three days."

Cui Xiang was overjoyed, and sat on the broiler chair for a trial. He was very satisfied. He put his hand on the armrest and felt something strange. He looked down and saw that there was a word on the armrest. With a smile: "Miss Lian always spares no effort to publicize the good times, but she is really a smart woman. You don't understand this, Mr. Xie, the chair looks simple, the size and arrangement of the ventilation holes, the distance between the two drawers, Ai The amount and heat of down, as well as the material and shape of the chair, etc., there is a lot of knowledge in it, and it is not simple."

Liu Changting nodded in agreement with Cui Xiang's statement: "Besides Mr. Xie, we are separated from each other like a mountain. We don't understand things above the way of medicine, so we don't have to intervene. There is one thing Liu doesn't know. Cui Fuzun and Lian Ruohan are What's the relationship, what is Lian Ruohan's background?"

Cui Xiang stroked his beard and remained silent, and after deliberating for a while, he said: "Well, I'm not afraid that you will know that Lian Ruohan and I are from the same school!"

(End of this chapter)