Aspirations

Chapter 75
Xia Xiang and Lian Ruohan crossed the streets and alleys, turned right from Zilong Bridge, and came to Wuyouxiang.On both sides of the alley are high-profile families. Every family has a closed Zhumen gate. There are stone lions guarding the door, and there are family members who are looking after them in a nursing home.

Among the many big families of Zhumen, there is a house that does not show the mountains and waters.The door is not big, and there are no servants at the door, only a row of horse bolts.In terms of style, it is only a moderately wealthy family.

There is a plaque on the door with three big characters: I have to live alone.

Pushing the door in, the yard suddenly opens up, with a size of more than ten acres.If there is a house of more than ten acres in the capital, it may not be a big deal, but in Zhending, it is an amazing compound.

"Is the county magistrate still satisfied?"

Lian Ruohan led the way and led Xia Xiang into the courtyard. Although it was night, the lanterns in the courtyard were high and bright, but there were green trees, rockeries, ponds, and wing rooms. It was really a paradise.

"Satisfied, very satisfied." Xia Xiang smiled and stopped, "No merit is not rewarded, this official and Lian Xiaozi are not related, although they have business dealings, but they are only friends of gentlemen, even the little girl is there The capital has the friendship of gifting a house, this time is really determined, and there is such a deep house and compound to send each other, this official is frightened, how can he be so loved by the little lady?"

Lian Ruohan smiled: "What does the county magistrate mean by this? But you don't want to live here?"

Xia Xiang has a very clear understanding of Lian Ruohan's kindness. Although the literati of the Daxia style has a high status and is favored by the daughters of high officials and dignitaries, he also knows that with Lian Ruohan's origin and appearance, what kind of men are not attracted by her. Will surrender under her skirt?Although he considers himself to be a handsome man with outstanding literary talents, he is not so adored by Lian Ruohan to such a degree of love.

Then don't think about it, Lian Ruohan treats him so highly, it's not because he loves him, he must ask for something.

"The county government has an official residence. It's better for this official to live in the official residence. It's not bad to use this place as another courtyard." Xia Xiang brushed his fingers over Biluo on the rockery, and smiled lightly, "Otherwise, if you stay here often Living in Zhending County is not big, I am afraid there will soon be rumors that the county magistrate has an outer room in Zhending."

Lian Ruohan's anger flashed in his heart, what a Xia Xiang, who am I, and the outer room?This lady is also worthy of you as the wife you are marrying.But with the thought, she suddenly blushed again and her heart beat, Xia Xiang was just a joke, why was she angry?Could it be that she really fell in love with Xia Xiang?

No, no!

Lian Ruohan calmed down the ups and downs in his heart, smiled lightly, and lightly moved the lotus steps to the Sifang Pavilion behind the rockery: "The county magistrate is young, in his prime, and he is not married. It is also suitable to have an outer chamber first and then marry a regular wife. Common sense. Even if there are rumors that the county has an outer chamber, it's just anecdotes about the romance of the literati."

"Okay, let's stay." Xia Xiang took a step forward with a happy smile, and got a little closer to Lian Ruohan, "It is a great joy in life to be with Lady Lian day and night."

Lian Ruohan took a step to the side and kept a considerable distance from Xia Xiang: "How does the county magistrate continue to implement the new law in Zhending? The new law is related to the county magistrate's reputation and achievements in office. The three fires of the new officer's appointment must be burned first. Which one?"

"Which is more important between official reputation and political achievements?" Xia Xiang no longer approached him, and asked Lian Ruohan in return. The two walked into the living room several feet apart.

Ling'er covered her mouth and smiled as she walked. She knew all too well that her wife had never backed down in front of a gentleman, or even turned around and left if she didn't agree, and she was never false to a man who dared to tease her. The color, but alone, has nothing to do with Xia Xiang.Although she didn't like Xia Xiang's jokes from time to time, although she was angry, she could bear it. It could be seen that the lady was very accommodating to Xia Langjun.

However, Ling'er also felt that Xia Xiang was not worthy of the lady. After all, Xia Xiang was a small seventh-rank sesame official. There were countless high-ranking officials and nobles who admired the lady. Xia Xiang's appearance and background are all very different.Furthermore, although Xia Xiang is a talented young man, he has offended the third prince. Whether he will have a bright future in the future is still unknown. The lady must never entrust her life to Xia Xiang. She made a mistake in choosing Xia Xiang. Life is the biggest regret in life.

"The official voice is the voice of the people, which cannot be seen or touched. Political achievements are the appreciation of the boss, which can be appreciated and promoted. But sometimes the official voice and political achievements are not the same, and it is difficult for officials to choose between them." , Xia Xiang did his part and sat on the head. The servants had already served tea. He picked up the teacup and took a sip, "Implementing the new law can get political achievements. Correcting the new law can get the official reputation. Even the little lady, you said this. What should the officer do?"

"I'm just a woman. I'm a little girl who doesn't know anything about politics." Lian Ruohan avoided answering, but he was worried. If Xia Xiang wanted to keep his political achievements and ignore the official status, he would be the same as a collaborating official. How would she face it? right?

However, Xia Xiang raised it high and put it down gently, changing the subject: "I don't know if Mantuo and Xiao Wu have settled down yet?"

"Man Tuo and Xiao Wu are superb in martial arts. I'm afraid it's not their superiors to investigate the secret visits. You don't entrust them to someone. You should choose your confidantes from the county government after taking office, and let them verify it. In case If Man Tuo and Xiao Wu were discovered, wouldn't they scare the snake?" Lian Ruohan didn't understand Xia Xiang's arrangement very well, since he arrived in Zhending County, it should be the first priority to take office, after taking office, he can mobilize the power of a county To complete the big plan, "The county lord asked Fan Li to escort Fu Ke and others to hand over to Xu Heguang alone. Are you afraid that Xu Heguang will interrogate Fu Ke overnight and disrupt your deployment? You must know that there are many nights and dreams."

"If Mantuo and Xiao Wu investigate something without being noticed, it is their ability. If they are noticed, they should take a warning to avoid making the same mistake next time. It's a worthwhile trip." Xia Xiang thought about it, because he already had an idea in his heart, so he was so sure, "Whether Xu Heguang arraigned Fu Ke or not, it doesn't matter, Fu Ke is just a stone to ask for directions."

Lian Ruohan stared at Xia Xiang for a moment, then smiled: "If it weren't for the fact that I and the county magistrate had known each other for a long time, I would have suspected that the county magistrate was an old official who had been an official for more than ten years. The little girl wanted to ask why the county magistrate was. Are you so old-fashioned when you first enter officialdom?"

"Haha, old-fashioned skills? Lian Xiaozi is too ridiculous." Xia Xiang's heart is big, when Lian Ruohan's words are complimenting him, "Since the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, to the establishment of the Great Xia, thousands of years, the dynasties have changed, the world has changed, and the world has changed. Is there anything you can't learn from history books? An expert once said that there is nothing new under the sun. No matter what happens, you can almost find the corresponding events from history..."

"There's nothing new under the sun? What do you mean? Which expert said it?" Lian Ruohan raised her face, playful and cute, her face ignorant and puzzled.

"That is to say, there is nothing new under the sun. No matter how bizarre things are, they have happened before. Who said that? Of course, I am the official." Xia Xiang laughed, and got up and walked around, "It's getting late, let's rest early , I will take office tomorrow."

Xia Xiang's room was the main room, and his head led the way, and the housekeeper Liancheng followed closely.Passing through a corridor and bypassing the rockery, I came to Xia Xiang's bedroom.

Ling'er opened the door and window, hesitated for a moment, and asked with a smile, "Your Excellency, can you make the bedding for you?"

Xia Xiang saw that Ling'er was joking in her pretty smile, so he deliberately said, "This way, there will be labor Ling'er."

Ling'er's face changed slightly, she was Lian Ruohan's personal maid, and when Lian Ruohan got married, she would also marry.Just now, he proposed to lay the bedding for Xia Xiang, just to test Xia Xiang, not wanting that Xia Xiang really didn't think he was an outsider, and responded casually, really thought she was a maid he could use at will?

Ling'er was displeased, but his expression remained the same, and he rushed out the door and shouted: "Liu'er, from now on, you will take care of the county lord's daily life, so there will be no mistakes."

"Yes."

As a timid voice sounded, the door curtain slammed, and a fourteen-year-old maid walked in. She was as pink as jade, fairer than snow, with a waist of Ana, melon-seed face, slender eyebrows, and a pointed chin. But it is round, with a pair of almond eyes that are very agile, and she looks three parts beautiful, three parts pleasing, and four parts clever.

"Liu'er has seen the county lord." Liu'er respectfully bowed to Xia Xiangfu, "If the county lord has anything to do, just tell Liu'er, if Liu'er did not do well, the county lord scolded him, and Liu'er must change it."

"Okay, since it's the kindness of Lian Niangzi and Ling'er, this official will accept Liu'er." Xia Xiang refused to come and accepted with a smile, "Liu'er, you don't have to be cautious in front of this official in the future. , when the official is the elder brother."

"Liu'er doesn't dare." Liu'er smiled quietly and got up to help Xia Xiang pack up the bedding. When she bent down, her waist was taut and her long legs were taut. Compared with Ling'er's subtle style, she was more charming and moving.

Ling'er looked at Xia Xiang's actions quietly, but to her disappointment, Xia Xiang turned a blind eye to Ling'er's style, just picked up a book and read it happily, she wrinkled her nose, hum, I don't believe you can keep If you don't start with Liu'er, you will not put down your chopsticks when you are facing a plate of delicious food every day?Unless you are a saint!
As long as you put chopsticks on Liu'er, the lady will no longer have any expectations for you.

After Ling'er left, Xia Xiang asked Liu'er to step back, and Liu'er responded and said, "Xianzun, Liu'er is outside, and you can give instructions at any time."

Xia Xiang nodded, closed the door, shook his head and smiled: "I don't know if it's Ling'er's ghost idea, or even the little lady deliberately made Liu'er stay by my side every day, do you have to let me accept Liu'er? It's a pity that they are kind, I like beautiful and elegant women, not beautiful and charming maids."

Xu Heguang slept very sweetly that night and had no dreams all night.

Yang Jiang suggested that he might as well arraign Fu Ke and others overnight, or there might be unexpected gains.He refused, but felt that Yang Jiang was making a big fuss.Xia Xiang brought back Fu Ke and others on the way, but it was just a whim, and the new official was arrogant and arrogant, so he would not be bumped by others, so he took Fu Ke and brought him back for trial.

A scoundrel of Shile, who has nothing to do with Zhending, the county magistrate insisted that Shile county captain be escorted to Zhending with great fanfare. It can be seen that Xia Xiang is still not out of his book business spirit and likes superficial articles, so let him go.Now that Xia Xiang has reached the true conclusion and is safe and sound, Xu Heguang is relieved and hurriedly returns home.

Today is the lady's birthday, Cui Xiang and Cui Fuzun are going to visit the mansion in person, he wants to see Cui Xiang earlier, so that he can report Xia Xiang's actions to Cui Xiang.

The family banquet was held very successfully, and Xu Heguang and Cui Xiang had a good talk.Regarding Xia Xiang's appointment, although Cui Xiang did not make a clear statement, he also hinted to Xu Heguang that the third prince would make Zhending's term the last term of Xia Xiang.

Early the next morning, Xu Heguang came to the county office early and ordered the loess pavement to be paved with clear water. Ma Zhanguo, Ding Ke, and Yang Jiang were arranged on both sides of the county office entrance. The arrival of the county magistrate.

Not long after, a carriage slowly approached.There were two high-headed horses in the back, two people on the horse, one male and one female.The men are handsome and young, and the women are noble and indifferent.

Xu Heguang squinted his eyes slightly, snorted inwardly, and cheered a lot. A small magistrate actually accompanied by horses and horses. When Hao Haiji took office, he only rode a skinny donkey and brought an old servant with him. Even the male and female entourages rode good horses, and he even rode in a carriage pulled by two good horses, which was really extraordinary.

What kind of city government and strategy would such a public person have?Xu Heguang secretly sneered from his nostrils. From Xia Xiang's demeanor, it can be seen that Xia County Zunhui is a magistrate that is better and easier to control than Hao Haiji.

After thinking about it, Xu Heguang hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to the forkhand of the carriage: "Xiaguan Zhending County Prime Minister Xu Heguang welcomes Xia Xianzun."

Ma Zhanguo, Ding Ke and Yang Jiang also saluted.

Unexpectedly, several people waited for a long time, but no one got out of the car, and several people looked at each other, not knowing what medicine was sold in Xia County Zun Hulu.The two of them immediately turned their nostrils up, neither dismounting nor speaking, as if Xu and Guang did not exist.

Xu Heguang was very angry, Xia Xianzun was too big, and he couldn't even get on the carriage. What did he mean?Do you need a few of them to ask for three or four prayers before they get off the bus?

"Xu Heguang, Prime Minister of Zhending County, Xiaguan, welcomes Xia Xianzun!" Xu Heguang intensified his tone and raised his volume.

"Xu Xiancheng, this county is here."

When Xu Heguang was about to greet him for the third time, a brisk voice suddenly came from behind him. He looked back and was stunned.

A person is standing in front of the county yayi gate with his hands behind his back, pointing to the couplets on both sides of the ceremonial gate.

Xu Heguang couldn't believe his eyes. He blinked and rubbed a few times before he was sure that there was someone else in front of the door.The ceremonial door is usually closed and cannot be opened. It can only be opened when the magistrate takes office, welcomes guests, or has major celebrations.

The gate of ceremonies is originally the gate of etiquette and the second gate of the county government. It is located within the main gate. When did Xia Xianzun pass through the main gate and reach the gate of ceremonies?Obviously he didn't even get out of the car.

Xia Xiang stood on two floors and three steps. In front of him was a blue wall and gray tiles, a black beam and a red door, with big brass nails. Against the tall and majestic door, he did not look small.

"The four seasons are spring and the wind is sweet and rainy outside the door, and the three-foot law is scorching sun and frost inside the case..." Xia Xiang nodded again and again, "That's right, good couplet, good couplet. If there weren't the three-foot approach and the scorching sun and frost inside the case, where would the people come from at four o'clock? Spring and wind and sweet rain."

When he turned around, he saw Xu Heguang rushing towards him, Xia Xiang smiled slightly, and stepped down the steps.Just now, he asked Mantuo and Xiao Wu to take a step ahead, and he followed behind the carriage.When he arrived at the county office, he entered through the side door, and after admiring the layout of the county office, he appeared at the Yimen.

There is also a pair of couplets on the inside of the ceremonial gate. The first couplet: A hundred years of smoke and clouds will return, and the second couplet: The vicissitudes of the summer, the vicissitudes of the wind and rain, and the vicissitudes of the writing force revealed a bit of helplessness and desolation. Xia Xiang shook his head slightly and said: "This couplet is too much. If you're a little depressed, it's better to replace it with - a hundred years of smoke and clouds rise to the end, a summer wind and rain speak the official voice... Xu Xiancheng, what do you think?"

Xu Heguang didn't expect Xia Xiang to appear for the first time. He didn't greet him with politeness, but he commented on a couplet, which made him startled, so he had to reply: "The change of the county magistrate is like a stroke of genius, which makes the lower official feel suddenly enlightened. feeling."

"Tell me, what's the difference in the mood after such a change?" Xia Xiang smiled implicitly, went down the steps, and met Xu Heguang and others one by one.

Xu Heguang was at a loss for words, he just said casually, just to please Xia Xiang, where he thought about what the mood was different, he couldn't help but say: "The county respects the talent, and the lower officials dare not talk nonsense."

"Being in charge, what is the name behind you." Yang Jiang took a step forward, gave a deep salute and a flattering smile, "My subordinate is really determined to hold the Secretary Yang Jiang, and I have seen the county magistrate. Comprehension, can you get one or two of the essence of the county honor?"

Xia Xiang glanced at Yang Jiang meaningfully, and admitted that Yang Jiang's words were very agreeable to him. This person is a witty person. He nodded slightly: "Very good, very pleased."

After being praised by Xia Xiang, Yang Jiang's face was smug, his eyes squinted, but seeing Xu Heguang's bad eyesight, he hurriedly coughed, keeping his face straight, and didn't dare to show off any more.

Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke stood aside and did not speak.

Xia Xiang let Xiao Wu and Mantuo also enter the county office, and a group of people came to the lobby.

The lobby faces south, towering and majestic, with three big characters "Jinmintang" written on it.The lobby is a five-syllable hall, and the middle is a three-syllable hall.The place about one foot above the ground is called "platform", and the space surrounded by four pillars on the platform is called "official pavilion", which is where the magistrate sits when the case is being tried.

Because the four sides of the official pavilion are ventilated, when the case is settled in winter, a stove is usually placed under the case on the stage to keep the magistrate warm, so the official pavilion is also called "warm pavilion".On the case, there are usually four treasures of the study, relics, gavel wood and other promotional items.There is a wooden frame next to the case, on which are placed official seals and letters of appointment.There are 36 pictures of cranes facing the sun on the roof of the official pavilion, which symbolizes the unity of imperial power and the unity of the four seas.

The screen in the lobby is painted with a picture of Guangjin Chaoyang. The mountains are upright, the water is clear, and the sun is bright, that is, "clean and honest", which is in contrast to the plaque "Mirror Hanging High" hanging above the palace pavilion. , Lian Ming.

On the east and west sides of the lobby are the money and grain depot and the military equipment depot.In addition to handing over the land tax and silver collected by the households, the local government also kept a part of it for local daily expenses and disaster relief during famine years. These expenditure silver and account books were stored in the money and grain depot, which was the responsibility of the county magistrate.Therefore, Xu Heguang, the county magistrate who is in charge of managing the money and grain depot, has a lot of power, second only to Xia Xiang in Zhending County.

The weapon warehouse on the west side is where the torture tools and some weapons used in the ascension are stored, as well as the list of all the weapons and torture tools of the county government. It is usually managed by the county captain Ma Zhanguo and some officials.

The layout of Zhending County Office is no different from that of other county offices. Although Zhending County is a large county, at most the area occupied by the county office is slightly larger.

(End of this chapter)