Aspirations

Chapter 162
Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke, who came back after setting up the wind chimes, also accompanied them at the last table.The crowd gathered together, but also enjoyed themselves happily.There is a big pot in the middle of the table, boiling water is boiling in the pot, all kinds of ingredients are placed around the pot, there are slices of meat as thin as cicada wings, cabbage, wine, sauce, pepper, and cinnamon to make a sauce, full of fragrance .

"Paxia offering!" Xia Xiang's eyes lit up, and his appetite immediately whetted, sitting around with relatives and friends on such a cool night, eating the steaming offering, is indeed a supreme pleasure, "Whose idea is this? "

"Me." Cao Shuli raised her right hand high, as if she was a student who had been praised by the teacher, and smiled sweetly, "They said they didn't know what to eat. Like water, it is just right for warming up.”

"It is said that the Paoxia Puja was created by Master Mu..." Xia Xiangchao nodded and smiled at Mantuo, who was still sluggish, "It is said that Master Mu is a fellow villager of Mrs. Mantuo, and he lived in seclusion in Wuyi Mountain. One year, when the mountain was blocked by heavy snow, he picked up a A hare that was killed was wanted to be roasted and eaten. But an old man told him to put a small charcoal stove on the table and put a soup pot on the stove. After the water boiled, cut it into thin slices with chopsticks The wild rabbit meat, when stirred in the steaming hot soup, immediately turned into a cloud-like color, and then dipped in the seasoning water made of "wine sauce and pepper", the taste was extremely delicious. Master Mu cooked it in the same way, and it was really delicious. The Dharma is named as the Paxia Gong."

Man Tuo glanced at Xia Xiang lazily, his eyes were still indifferent and his expression was indifferent.

Xia Xiang's heart moved, Mantuo really took a lot of effort this time, it was really difficult for her, he continued: "Although the name of the Boxia offering is elegant, it is not delicious. There is a pot on the fire, it is a hot pot. Use chopsticks It’s better to call it “shabu-shabu” if you eat it after shabu-shabu.”

"Shabu-shabu? Okay, that's a good name, both refined and popular, it should be clear." Cao Shujun applauded loudly, and raised his wine glass, "Come, respect the county magistrate Xia."

Xia Xiang also raised his wine glass: "The first glass of wine is to Mrs. Mantuo."

Everyone responded and respected Mantuo, but Mantuo weakly raised his wine glass, barely drank a glass, couldn't bear it anymore, and left for a rest.

Although Man Tuo's physical discomfort made everyone feel a little down, but with Cao Shujun around, the atmosphere soon became much more active.After drinking for three rounds, Ma Zhanguo still couldn't hold back, and complained a few words through his drunkenness.

"Xia Xianzun, Cui Fuzun insists on making things difficult everywhere, why don't you ask Beijing Central Censor to impeach him for violating his authority?" Ma Zhanguo became more and more angry. The officer and Mr. Cao Lang searched Zhending City for a day, no corners and deserted places were spared, but Fu Ke was still missing. Xia Xianzun, why don't you tie up Yang Jiang as an officer and force him to speak."

Lian Ruohan put down her chopsticks thoughtfully: "Master Xia, did Master Cui say something?"

Before Xia Xiang could open his mouth, Ma Zhanguo answered, "To tell you the truth, Madam Lian, Cui Fuzun ordered Xia Xianzun not to clear the silt and not to try the case of Fu Ke again, and wait until after the emperor's southern tour. If you really wait until after the emperor's southern tour, It's too late."

A sullen look flashed across Lian Ruohan's eyes, and she quickly regained her composure. She smiled lightly: "The Cui Fuzun is the magistrate who overwhelms the Xiaxian Zun. According to the official rules, the Xiaxian Zun can only obey his orders, don't be afraid of him. There is no other way." She turned to Xiao Jia, and smiled easily, "Today, Mrs. Xiao and I measured the Caijia Kiln, and asked someone to mark out the place for the construction of Wenyuan. After leaving the kiln, the construction of Wenyuan and Xiajiazhuang can be started immediately."

"Xiajiazhuang?" Xia Xiang asked in surprise.

"Yes, Mrs. Xiao and I agreed to build a Xiajiazhuang outside the city to accommodate all the refugees. From now on, all the refugees will be villagers of Xiajiazhuang, and they are also tenant farmers who are always in good times." Lian Ruohan nodded and said, " After discussing with Mrs. Xiao, I decided that the construction of Wenyuan and Xiajiazhuang will start immediately, what do you think Xia County respects?"

Xia Xiang thought for a while, then nodded and said: "Yes, winter is coming, and the people can't wait, the sooner the better."

"Okay, Xiajiazhuang will be completed within one month, which can ensure that all the refugees outside the city can survive the winter safely." Lian Ruohan continued, "The granary jointly built with Xu Wangshan and Ma Qingyuan has also started construction, and within ten days The project can be completed. Xu Yuanwai and Ma Yuanwai have already negotiated the purchase of grain, and it is no problem to purchase [-] shi of grain. Also, there is news from outside the Great Wall that Guangjin Commercial Bank is going to increase the price to buy iron ore, and wants to get back the source of goods. However I have already negotiated with the supplier, no matter how much Guangjin Commercial Bank asks, Haojing Changzai will buy it at more than double the price."

With boldness and courage, Xia Xiang applauded: "Mrs. Lian is really the pillar of the country."

"Xiaxian Zun is the pillar of the country, and the little girl is just a small businessman." Lian Ruohan smiled, "Since Cui Fuzun insists on bullying others, Mrs. Xiao and I can't just watch Xiaxian Zun Are you being bullied? Miss Xiao, you urgently transferred [-] guan from the capital to try to buy up the surplus grain in Zhending and nearby counties, so that Liu Xie and his wife would not be able to buy a grain of grain.”

"Why bother? Miss Lian, don't have to get angry." Xia Xiang didn't want Lian Ruohan to lose his mind because of being angry.

"His Majesty Xia, please relax. I am not out of anger, but for the sake of the people and the people of the world." Lian Ruohan's face was shining with determination, and his eyes were piercing, "Judging from the current situation , Xia Xianzun is single and weak, and is at a disadvantage. If Cui Fuzun blindly bullies Xia Xianzun as the magistrate, Xia Xianzun is above the officialdom and is powerless to resist. Mrs. Xiao and I are people in the mall, so don't worry too much. There are many official rules. Moreover, this move is for the stability of the Great Xia and the safety of the emperor."

Xia Xiang bowed his head and remained silent, with a look of shame on his face. It took a long time before he drank the wine in his glass: "Thank you for your righteous actions, Mrs. Lian and Mrs. Xiao, but you don't really think that I have nothing to do but sit and wait to die?"

Cao Shuli opened her innocent eyes wide: "Mr. Xia Lang, what else can you do? A senior official crushed someone to death, and Cui Fuzun won't let you clear the silt and let you try the case. Can you still resist orders?"

"You have to follow the orders of the lord of the government. People can't help themselves in the officialdom." Xia Xiang sighed, and put the wine glass down heavily, as if he really had nothing to do, but then smiled slyly, "But then again, Cui Fuzun won't let me clear the silt, I just don't know. If I don't let me judge the case, I won't judge it. I just want to be an idle magistrate, wandering leisurely every day, visiting mountains and rivers, drinking tea and reciting poems, surpassing living gods .”

Lian Ruohan blinked, Xia Xiang is not a person who gives up lightly when things happen, why is he so frustrated today?Thinking again, no, Xia Xiang had something in his words, suddenly thought of something, and smiled: "Xia Xianzun is right, Cui Fuzun just prevents Xia Xianzun from dredging and trial cases, but he didn't say that we are not allowed to dredge and trial."

"That's right." Ma Zhanguo slapped the table, causing the things on the table to jingle. He realized that he was using too much force, and smiled apologetically, "That's not right. Only the government can be involved in dredging and adjudicating cases, and Xia Xianzun can't. Who of us can come forward?"

"Stupid." Xiao Jia cursed with a smile, and stuck out her tongue embarrassingly. After all, Ma Zhanguo is also a county captain.

"How to repair and how to save? I'm a rough person, I can't figure it out or guess it." Ma Zhanguo scratched his head and laughed.

Before Xiao Jia could speak clearly, there was a loud voice outside, and a muffled voice came from afar: "Sir, Xiao Wu is back, and Xiao Wu is back alive. I never expected to see you again, Mr. Xiao Wu." Even die in peace."

Xiao Wu is back?Everyone was shocked.Everyone didn't care much, they got up one after another, and went out the door together with Xia Xiang.

Outside the door, under the moonlight and candlelight, Xiao Wu was covered in mud, and Qi He beside him was even more embarrassed, as if he had just crawled out of a mud pit.

There is another person standing behind the two, standing calmly, with a thin face and thick eyebrows, about forty years old.He was dressed in commoner clothes, dressed like a commoner, but the demeanor revealed in his expression was clearly the power and influence of someone who had been in power for a long time.He glanced at Xia Xiang lightly, with a hint of surprise in his expression.

On the surface, Xia Xiang has full confidence in Xiao Wu, but in fact, he has always been worried about Xiao Wu's safety.Seeing Xiao Wu's return safely, he immediately took a step forward, put his hands on Xiao Wu's shoulders, and was extremely excited: "Just come back, Xiao Wu, you are finally back, you can count yourself back."

Xiao Wu also hugged Xia Xiang's shoulders, he was so excited that he even stuttered: "First, sir, Xiao Wu, although Xiao Wu encountered two dangerous situations along the way, fortunately, he arrived in Xingzhou without any danger. Every time when he was in danger, Xiao Wu would think, it’s nothing to die, and he’ll be a good man again 18 years later, but he’s delayed his husband’s business, how can Xiao Wu die with peace of mind? So he has no choice but to hold on.”

Xia Xiang was taken aback: "What? Did you encounter a dangerous situation on the road?"

Qi He wanted to speak, but Xiao Wu preempted him. Xiao Wu directly pushed Qi He aside, rolled up his sleeves and said: "Being chased all the way, fortunately, Xiao Wu is brave and martial arts, with one as ten, three punches and two kicks." Beat the shit out of the enemy..."

Qi He couldn't stand listening anymore, coughed a few times: "Cough, cough, cough, Xiao Du head, it's windy outside, be careful to get wind in your mouth..."

"Wouldn't it be better if you just said that you should be careful with your tongue?" Xiao Wu and Qi He went through life and death together, and now they are brothers who depend on each other for life and death. He hugged Qi He's shoulder, "Qi Xiaosan, no matter what bad things you say about me, I will never dislike you, who made us good brothers who will never leave?"

The clothed man at the side couldn't bear it anymore, coughed softly, and moved his nose: "There is a smell of food... There are guests coming from afar, and it's time for dinner, but not inviting guests to dinner is not the way of hospitality, Xia County Your Majesty, you should apologize to me."

Xia Xiang had noticed the commoner man long ago, but Xiao Wu kept talking non-stop, he had no chance to greet the commoner, so he quickly crossed his hands and saluted: "Did you ask your name, brother?"

"His name is Zheng Xiang'an, and he is Zheng Tixing's entourage." Xiao Wu hurriedly introduced, "Zheng Tixing has official business, so let Zheng Langjun come with me and Qi He to make a decision first, maybe he can help Mr. a little bit."

What is Zheng Tixing's intention, and why did he send a follower here first?Although Xia Xiang was a little puzzled, he didn't mean to belittle him, and hurriedly invited Zheng Xiang'an, Xiao Wu, and Qi to enter together.

Seeing this, Xiao Jia asked someone to open another table. She, Cao Shuli, Ma Zhanguo, and Ding Ke sat at the same table.Qi He was terrified and afraid to sit in front of Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke. Xiao Jia tried to persuade him again and again, but Ma Zhanguo also said it was all right, so he sat down on his side.

A screen separated the two tables, and the other table was Xia Xiang, Lian Ruohan, Cao Shujun, Xiao Wu, and Zheng Xiangan.Originally Xia Xiang wanted Zheng Xiangan to sit on his right, but Zheng Xiangan refused to say anything and insisted on sitting at the bottom.Xia Xiang saw that he insisted, so he stopped pushing.

After sitting down, Xiao Wu talked about the experience along the way, and Xia Xiang and the others were startled and terrified. They never thought that the other party was so ruthless that they sent someone to intercept and kill Xiao Wu. Fortunately, Tian Manchu helped, otherwise Xiao Wu and Qi He would be gone forever.

Xia Xiang suppressed the resentment in his chest, and secretly thought that he was lucky. The first encounter with Wada's dissatisfaction not only brought him unexpected joy, but also saved Xiao Wu and Qi He because of it. Those also.Therefore, there is nothing a gentleman can do to be kind to others.

"On the way, I heard from Xiao Wu that Tian Manchu once had a relationship with Xia Xianzun. Xia Xianzun did not treat Tian Manchu with courtesy because of his humble status. Zheng was lucky enough to sit with Xia Xianzun today, and only then did he know what Xiao Wu said. The words are true." Zheng Xiangan raised his glass and smiled slightly, "Zheng is of low status, and he is not worthy to sit with Xia Xianzun, but he is grateful for the love of Xia Xianzun. Zheng is very grateful for this glass of wine. Respectfully."

Zheng Xiang'an drank it all in one gulp, and said: "Be kind to others, and do good to yourself. There is a way to be with others, and there is a way to retreat from yourself. The so-called heaven has no relatives, and it is always with good people. Xia Xianzun not only has the heart for the country and the people, but also Being kind to others is really admirable. Zheng dares to ask, Xia Xianzun sat with Zheng because Zheng was Zheng Tixing's entourage, or because Zheng and Xiao Wu walked together?"

Cao Shujuan's face changed slightly when he said this. He looked directly into Zheng Xiang'an's eyes questioningly, and asked, "Mr. Zheng, Mr. Xia Xianzun treats you like a guest. Why do you go to such lengths? The master treats guests well." Dao, a guest is also a guest and does as the host does."

Xia Xiang waved his hand and said with a smile: "Mr. Cao doesn't have to be like this. Mr. Zheng Lang, I am sitting with you at the table, neither because you are Zheng Tixing's entourage, nor because you are walking with Xiao Wu all the way."

"What is that for?" Zheng Xiangan was surprised.

"No reason." Xia Xiang smiled lightly, and returned a glass of Zheng Xiang'an, "Differences in ways do not conspire, and differences in aspirations do not lead to the same path. You can walk with Xiao Wu all the way, which shows that you are like-minded people. Just now Seeing that Mr. Zheng Lang has an extraordinary bearing, although he is only Zheng Tixing's entourage, he speaks politely and calmly, making people feel happy when he sees him, so I sit with you at the table."

(End of this chapter)