Aspirations

Chapter 157 The villain wins
Xia Xiang nodded: "The tiller has the fields, the homeowner has the house, and the businessman has the business. It is a pity that it will not be long before Zhending City is peaceful The scene will disappear. Rise and fall are the suffering of the people.”

Ma Zhanguo naturally understood Xia Xiang's implication. He said cautiously: "The lower official searched Zhending City secretly yesterday. He also checked the caves outside the city and the woods where he could hide. He didn't find Fu Ke's whereabouts. Today, the lower official will continue to search." After an investigation, we will strive to settle the case of Fu Ke as soon as possible. It's just that the lower officials think that even if Fu Ke's whereabouts are found, Fu Ke's confession alone may not be able to stop someone from continuing to stir up trouble."

Xia Xiang nodded: "I am humble and dare not forget to worry about the country... Some things just do your best, and no one can tell what will happen in the end. Ma Xianwei and Ding Butou, Zhending County has you two as Zhending people It is a blessing. The emperor is lucky to have loyal subjects like you two."

In all fairness, Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke are afraid of the coming storm and huge waves. Although they have the intention of shrinking back, they dare not reveal it because Xia Xianzun is determined to face the difficulties. Hearing Xia Xiang's words, the two people's hearts suddenly burned. When a raging fire broke out, a man should be a hero in life, and a hero in death. It is his duty to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country. After death."

"Okay, okay, don't talk about serving the country with death. It is admirable to serve the country with death, but it is a pity that you can only leave your name after death, but you can no longer serve the country. You have to live well so that you can continue to report to the king. Report to the common people." Xia Xiang chuckled, with a calm expression on his face, "I think that if the superiors live up to the king and the subordinates benefit the common people, we should be in good health and have a good appetite. Only in this way can loved ones be happy and enemies painful. .Don’t do what your loved ones hurt your enemies, haha.”

Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke also smiled heartily. Xia Xianzun was right, not only must he live, but also live well in order to benefit the people.They also believed that Xia Xianzun had strategized, and although the official was soft-spoken, he was able to win the final victory with all his might.

When he arrived at the county government, Xia Xiang handled some official duties.Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke called Zhang Xuehua and Lu Dongliang again, and they gathered the situation together for Xia Xiang to make a decision.

It can be said that dredging the Hutuo River has no human and material problems. Boatmen and boats are always on call. The boatmen who have sailed on the Hutuo River all year round are very supportive of dredging, knowing the importance of dredging and the convenience after dredging.The shops and residents along the banks of the river are the biggest resistance to dredging. If they can cooperate, dredging can start at any time.

Xia Xiang heard from Lu Zhiyue again, Lu Zhiyue had already registered all the refugees, and Shen Liangren also became one of the refugees.The refugees were all elated about cleaning up the silt and transforming the fertile land.For thousands of years, owning land has been the prerequisite for people to live and work in peace and contentment, and those who hold property have perseverance.Originally, many refugees planned to go out to beg after the arrival of winter, but after learning that Xia Xianzun had already thought out a resettlement plan for them, no one wanted to leave Zhending.After all, it's hard to leave old friends, and no one wants to leave their hometown and live in exile!
Everything is ready, but the east wind is the only thing. Ma Zhanguo is eager to see the early arrival of hundreds of boats and thousands of sails. He asked, "Xiaxian Zun, when will we start dredging?"

Xia Xiang smiled calmly: "It's not yet time, don't worry, wait until the wind blows."

At noon, Cao Shujun came to the county office from Guanxin Pavilion and told Xia Xiang that Mrs. Lian, Mrs. Cao, and Mrs. Xiao had taken people to Wenyuan for surveying and planning. He had nothing to do, so he came to the county office to help Xia Xiang handle the case.Xia Xiang was speechless, Cao Shujun helped him handle the case?Don't make trouble, thank God if he doesn't make trouble.

Fortunately, I heard that Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke would continue to search for Fu Ke's whereabouts. Cao Shujun was very interested and insisted on going with them.Naturally, Xia Xiang couldn't ask for it, but Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke were very happy, imagining that Cao Shujun could use his magic skills again, and he could find out where Fu Ke was hiding in one fell swoop, which would save a lot of trouble.

In the afternoon, Xia Xiang went back to Guanxin Pavilion and visited Mantuo.Man Tuo was still asleep, so he asked Liu'er to take good care of Man Tuo. As soon as he returned to the county government, Xu Heguang and Yang Jiang appeared.

Xu Heguang looked like a villain, and even Yang Jiang looked smug. After the two met the ceremony, Xu Heguang said in a strange way: "Cuifu asked Mr. Xia to come to the mansion, and Mr. Xia Leave immediately, don't let the Cui family wait for a long time."

Although Xia Xiang was angry, he still stood up calmly and said, "How can I make Mr. Cui wait for so long? Let's go."

The three of them left the county office. Xia Xiang had neither Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke, nor Xiao Wu to follow him. He was alone, sandwiched between Xu Heguang and Yang Jiang, alone, and the autumn wind was blowing the fallen leaves. It is somewhat bleak and desolate, with the tragic feeling of "the wind is rustling, the water is cold, and the strong man will never return when he is gone".

However, Xia Xiang didn't have the slightest sense of tragedy, but instead enjoyed the scenery on both sides of the strait with great interest.When I came to the Zilong Bridge, there were several boats docked under the bridge, and the people on it were busy, and the water kept coming out.There was one person on the biggest boat, and it was Yan Hao.

"Taiwei Yan broke his heart for the silt of the Hutuo River. It's really rare. I should reward him with a hundred coins." Xia Xiang held the railing with both hands and looked down. It's awe-inspiring for a dignified captain who doesn't hold a position in Zhending, but wholeheartedly cares for the people of Zhending."

The corner of Yang Jiang's mouth grinned, showing contempt inadvertently. Not only did he not take Xia Xiang's words seriously, but he couldn't help but want to laugh at Xia Xiang's ignorance.Where is Yan Hao thinking about the common people, he is clearly laying piles and laying mines.Xia Xiang, Xia Xiang, when the emperor's dragon boat touches a wooden stake and triggers fire and thunder, the dragon boat sinks and the emperor dies, you are the culprit. At that time, His Royal Highness Xingwang will take advantage of the situation to inherit the throne, and you will be the first one to take the knife. Your whole family will also kill your nine clans.

However, Xu Heguang could hear the irony in Xia Xiang's words, and he smiled lightly: "Xia Xianzun was joking, Taiwei Yan was thinking about the safety of the emperor when he was sailing on the Hutuo River during his southern tour, isn't it?" In order to determine the common people. Who is Taiwei Yan? He cares about the world, so why would he care about a small determination?"

"That's right." Xia Xiang didn't refute Xu Heguang's words. He looked around and pointed to the shops along the bank, "Xu Xiancheng, among the shops on both sides of the river, two out of ten are Guangjin. The shop of the firm, Guangjin firm is the No. [-] firm in Zhending, I heard that you are the behind-the-scenes owner of Guangjin firm?"

Xu Heguang waved his hands together: "Rumors, rumors, Xiaguan only has a small share in Guangjin Commercial Bank, and the real owners of Guangjin Commercial Bank are Liu Yuanwai and Xie Yuanwai. When it comes to Guangjin Commercial Bank, Xia Xianzun, don't blame Xiaguan Talk too much, the dredging of the Hutuo River is something that cannot be done. I also ask Xia Xianzun to take it back."

"Oh, let's hear it, why can't things be done?" Xia Xiang said as he walked, with his hands behind his back, "Is it your intention to ask me to take back the order, or Cui Fuzun's intention?"

"It's what I mean, but as far as I know, Cui Fuzun also has this intention." Xu Heguang is still respectful to Xia Xiang in etiquette, but his tone is a little less humble, "Let's not talk about the dredging of the Hutuo River How much manpower and material resources will be used, nor how to deal with the silt after dredging, not to mention the cold weather, what if someone dies? Just say that the closure of shops along the river will affect how many people's livelihoods will be affected. How much tax will be reduced? Besides, the emperor’s southern tour is coming soon, if dredging is really necessary, how to ensure the safety of boats on the river during the emperor’s southern tour? Xia Xianzun, have you thought about so many hidden dangers and future troubles?”

The implication is that Xia Xiang was young and ignorant. When he first entered the officialdom, he didn't know anything but still wanted to clear the silt. It was just like using hundreds of civilian boats to salvage Dong Da's body. It was a great feat.

Yang Jiang then said: "Also, Xia Xianzun, have you reported to Cui Fuzun about the dredging? On both sides of the Hutuo River, besides shops, there are also a prefecture and a county. Xia Xianzun is in charge of a county. Don't forget, Cui Fuzun is in charge of the whole house!"

Yang Jiang's words were even more insinuating, accusing Xia Xiang of acting recklessly and not taking Cui Fuzun seriously.

Xia Xiang stopped suddenly. Yang Jiang was walking in a hurry and couldn't hold back. He bumped into Xia Xiang when he saw him. In a panic, he turned to the left side and wanted to get out of the way.Unexpectedly, his foot slipped and he sat down on the ground.

Xia Xiang bent down to help Yang Jiang up: "Why is Yasi Yang so careless, he still falls while walking on flat ground? When walking, you must see your feet clearly. Fortunately, it is daytime and the road is flat. What if it is a mountain road at night? If you fall down, it's still light to break your head and bleed, and it's not impossible to fall to pieces."

Yang Jiang's face turned red and then white, and he thought bitterly in his heart, if you didn't play tricks, how could I fall down?There is a way to be a good person after a stumbling block.But he thanked Xia Xiang repeatedly.

"I will report the matter of dredging to Mansion Cui today." Xia Xiang continued on, "Yang Yasi's words are not unreasonable, the Lord Cui is in charge of a government, and I am only in charge of Zhending County. This reminds me that since I am in charge of Zhending County, the affairs of Zhending County, whether it is people's livelihood, people's conditions or water conservancy projects, should be decided by me. Cui Fuzun is in charge of Zhending Mansion, to really decide the matters in the county, I just need to report to Cui Fuzun according to the rules."

Xu Heguang sneered: "What Xia Xianzun means is that if you want to clear the silt, you can do it, as long as you tell Cui Fuzun to know after the dredging?"

"Otherwise?" Xia Xiang stretched out his hands, with a faint smile on his face, "If you ask Cui Fuzun for everything, wouldn't you let Cui Fuzun manage Zhending County for me, so what's the use of me? Fuzun Being high above you, just take care of the overall situation, how can you ask about every detail?"

Yang Jiang wanted to say something, but was stopped by Xu Heguang with a wave of his hand. Xu Heguang didn't want to argue with Xia Xiang anymore, so he changed the subject: "There is one more thing. I want to remind Xia Xianzun that Ma Xianwei and Ding Tutou are still there. Secretly searched for Fu Ke's whereabouts, since Cui Fuzun ordered Yang Jiang to transfer Fu Ke, why did Xia Xianzun let people search? Could it be that Xia Xianzun still wants to snatch him away secretly?"

"What else?" Xia Xiang looked surprised, "I didn't let Ma Zhanguo and Ding Tutou search for Fu Ke's whereabouts. Could it be that they did it privately? After returning to the county office, I will ask them carefully." .”

Seeing Xia Xiang playing Tai Chi and pretending to be confused, Yang Jiang touched his sore buttocks from the fall, and thought indignantly, Xia Xiang, don't be complacent, and see Cui Fuzun later, I will have good fruit for you.

Xia Xiang and the others got off the Zilong Bridge, turned to the right, and they were not far from the government office.The three of them were only walking, and they didn't even notice that there was a person wearing a bamboo hat standing under a willow tree directly opposite the bridge head.Although she was covered with a black veil and wore dark clothes, she could be seen at a glance from her graceful figure and long neck that she was a woman.

From the time when Xia Xiang and the others got on the bridge, until the figures of Xia Xiang and the others disappeared at the gate of the government office, she looked away, with a seductive smile on her face.

"Xia Xiang, if you escape the first day of junior high school but not the fifteenth day, I will make you die a miserable death, hee hee." A trace of sinisterness flashed across her charming face, but she lightly brushed her nose with her right index finger, Mischievous and cute, it blends perfectly with her viciousness and contradictions, revealing a weird taste.

A gust of wind blew up her veil, revealing her magnificent and peerless face.Her nose is straight, her eye sockets are slightly deeper than those of Daxia people, her complexion is as white and tender as jade, and her eyes are dotted with a pair of slender eyebrows, like willow leaves.

A shopkeeper selling candied melons next to him accidentally saw her shocking face and was stunned on the spot. He forgot to turn the rattle in his hand and stared at her infatuatedly.She smiled sweetly at the shopkeeper, raised her veil, and parted her red lips: "Isn't it beautiful?"

The shopkeeper's head shook like a rattle, and after shaking it a few times he realized his mistake, and nodded again and again: "Beautiful, as beautiful as a fairy girl."

"Would you like to come with me?" Her jade-like white teeth shone like pearls in the sun.

"Wish...will!" The shopkeeper was overjoyed. It was his greatest honor for such a beautiful woman to talk to him, but he still wanted to take him away. He threw the stall aside with a mean smile, "Little People wish to die under the peony flower, even being a ghost is romantic!"

"Follow me." The woman giggled, twisted her waist, and walked towards the bridge.

The shopkeeper followed closely behind, and asked stammeringly: "The villain's surname is Xiao, and his name is Segui, did you ask the lady's name?"

"Little pervert, heck, he really lives up to his name. Do you know that people live in the world, but they are wandering wanderings, and only after death is a ghost, is the real destination. Ghosts return, which means that people can only become ghosts. , is the real return home." The woman sighed faintly, and looked back at Xiao Segui, "You can call me Fang Shiniang."

(End of this chapter)