Aspirations

Chapter 92
Lian Ruohan is very aware of Xia Xiang's special emphasis on the deep meaning that has nothing to do with the government, and nodded and said, "The little girl also asks Xia Xianzun to lead the way, and talk to Xu Yuanwai and Ma Yuanwai."

"It goes without saying." Xia Xiang nodded with a smile, and said with emotion, "I didn't expect this official to come to the real decision, so I would be entangled in all kinds of things, not to mention the case of Fu Ke, Xu Wangshan and Ma Qingyuan are here for the first time. After visiting this official, he proposed to let this official repeal the new law. When this official first visited the prefect of Cui Fuzun's mansion, Cui Fuzun recommended Liu Changting and Xie Huagai to take over the granary and grain growing business, and also suggested that this official should not go any further. Investigate the case of Fu Ke. To this day, Lu Langjun wants to serve as the head of Zhending County. The small Zhending County is really the land of Longtan and Tiger's Den, and it is about to be turbulent."

Before Xia Xiang heard King Qing and Lian Ruohan say that it was really the land of Longtan and Tiger's Den, he didn't quite believe it, but now he is convinced.The four major families are all gathered here, and the four wealthy businessmen who are truly determined also have different thoughts and plans.He is a small civilian magistrate, with no one in the court, no support from the prefect, and no foundation at the bottom. How can he gain a foothold in the turbulent Zhending, which is really a big problem.

Lian Ruohan smiled lightly, and said calmly, "The wind is rising and the clouds are rolling and the flag is rolled up, and it is the time when the man makes up his mind. It is a good thing and a bad thing for Xia County to be born in a prosperous age. It is a great opportunity to build a career and gallop in the world. A small truth and a few minor problems are just an episode of Xia Xianzun's journey to the top of the court, and it is nothing to be concerned about."

Not wanting even Ruohan to be a woman, Xia Xiang laughed and said, "Is the prime minister a prime minister? Haha, sister Ruohan really thinks that this official can become the prime minister? She really thinks of this official."

"Xiaxian Zun was originally the prime minister." Lian Ruohan looked up at the night sky, pointed to the northern sky with his right hand, and said, "Recently, the Ziwei star has flickered and dimmed, and the main emperor's condition is good and bad. Before the Fourth Tomb Palace, if you were unfaithful to your ministers and unfilial to your son, you can see that the emperor is worried about being forced into the palace. If the emperor wants to recover from his illness and his imperial power is stable, he needs the assistance of loyal ministers and good generals.”

"The emperor's auspicious person is in heaven, and the spring and autumn are prosperous, and he will be able to die and become auspicious." Xia Xiang did not dare to trust him, and believed that he could become the emperor's loyal minister and good general.

Lian Ruohan smiled sweetly: "The emperor is in trouble at this time. If he wants to be killed and become auspicious, he needs a loyal minister and a good general, Xia Xiang."

Xia Xiang's heart skipped a beat. Although Lian Ruohan was joking, it was also a rare coincidence. Since Lian Ruohan could think of this episode, there must be others in the court who could also think of it.If someone really made a big fuss about his name, saying that the emperor wanted him to be killed and become auspicious, I am afraid that it will attract some people's jealousy, and even cause the emperor's uneasiness.

Lian Ruohan saw Xia Xiang's face was slightly disturbed, and he knew what Xia Xiang was thinking, and said with a straight face, "What I said just now is just a joke of mine. Don't take it seriously, let alone spread it everywhere."

"No, definitely not. Sister Ruohan, please rest assured that Lu is not a gossip person." Lu Zhiyue looked at Mantuo and smiled softly, "I don't want to believe Mrs. Mantuo either."

Mantuo glanced at Lu Zhiyue nonchalantly, and said indifferently, "Mantuo can only do things, not speak."

Lu Zhiyue was boring, and smiled embarrassingly: "Is Mrs. Mantuo the sister of Xia Xianzun or?"

Mantuo was stunned for a moment. She really hadn't seriously thought about her relationship with Xia Xiang. She said that she was Xia Xiang's slave, but it wasn't.She and Xia Xiang are not masters, servants, relatives or friends, and they don't seem to have much connection except for having a common opponent, the Third Prince.

Mantuo didn't know how to answer Lu Zhiyue, and there was a trace of loss and anxiety in his heart.What is lost is that his life experience is like duckweed, and he is helpless.What's uneasy is that he doesn't know where he is in Xia Xianzun's mind.

"Ms. Mantuo is the official's relative." Xia Xiang said earnestly and sincerely, "She, like Xiao Wu, is the official's most trusted relative."

As soon as these words came out, Mantuo's expression froze, and tenderness and emotion flashed in his eyes.She is alone, wandering, and without relatives. She is like a lonely boat wandering on the sea of ​​the world. She meets Xia Xiang by chance and follows him, but she values ​​his courage and resourcefulness in resisting the three kings, and hopes to help him. , by his hand to get revenge for killing his father.Never thought that Xia Xiang would treat her as a relative or a close relative.

The frozen iceberg in her heart suddenly melted a corner, and Mantuo lowered her head, so that no one could see the tenderness in her eyes.

Lian Ruohan also warmed his heart. Xia Xiang treats people with sincerity and affection. He is a kind and righteous man. If he is a good official with a sense of responsibility and courage, he is really expected to become a pillar of Daxia.

Xiao Wu thought about it the least, his mind was the simplest, he smiled and said, "Mr. Xiao Wu is a relative of his closest relatives, and Xiao Wu is also a relative of his closest relatives, and he will not change until his death."

"Haha, it's a good one to die." Xia Xiang looked at Mantuo with playful eyes, "Is Mrs. Mantuo also unswerving to the death of this official?"

For some reason, Lian Ruohan suddenly felt a tightness in his heart, and was inexplicably nervous. He stared at Mantuo without blinking, thinking in his heart that if Xia Xiang really wanted Mantuo, it would be logical for Mantuo to make a promise. .

Mantuo raised his head, his eyes were light, and his expression was as calm as water: "Mantuo swears here today that if he violates Xia Xianzun in this life and this life, he will die without a place to be buried."

Such an oath, is it a promise or a life and death?Lian Ruohan suddenly envied Mantuo very much. Although he was alone, he was free. He could do whatever he wanted. If he wanted to follow the person he liked, he would follow him all the way. For the family's interests, it would be great if she had the freedom of Mantra.

But then again, although she came from a wealthy family, she was rebellious by nature. Not only did she change her surname, but she didn't obey the words of her parents' family. Among the children of the aristocratic family, it is also considered to be an outlier.

Xia Xiang saw that the atmosphere was a bit dignified, so he couldn't help laughing and said, "Okay, since Mrs. Mantuo has a life-and-death relationship, this official will never leave her."

"Long time and time will come to an end, this hatred will last forever..." Lu Zhiyue was moved, and wiped her eyes, "There should be the sound of the piano and fine wine here."

"It's getting late, and although the sound of the piano and the wine are good, the dream can't be let down." Xia Xiang got up and drank the tea in the cup, "I have tea today to drink today, and tomorrow I have no tea to worry about tomorrow. Good night, everyone."

Back in the room, Xia Xiang talked with Mantuo and Xiao Wu for a while, and learned that there was still no progress in the search for Dong Xian's body. Thinking that this matter might not be the director of Mantuo, he had an idea in his heart.

The next morning, Xia Xiang arrived at the county office early.There is no major event that needs to be promoted. Just after Ertang and Xu Heguang, Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke dealt with some official affairs, and after reviewing some official documents, Xia Xiang wrote a letter by himself, and elected Lu Zhiyue as the head of Zhending County. The letter was handed over to the post station and sent to the Ministry of Officials in the capital.

At noon, Xia Xiang held a banquet at the county government office, and invited Xu Heguang, Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke for a few people. As the most important assistant officials of the county government office, Xia Xiang had to rely on a few people if he wanted to make a difference in Zhending.

The disciples Lu Dongdong and Lu Buqi were already in place and began to perform their duties. The two were loyal to Xia Xiang.Lv Huanhuan is Xia Xiang's personal maid. In addition to taking care of Xia Xiang's daily life, he is also responsible for all affairs of Xia Xiang's house, which is equivalent to the role of the housekeeper.The Lu family was very grateful to Xia Xiang, and even more grateful to Xia Xiang for their trust. Lu Dongdong even hinted to his daughter that if Xia Xiang wanted to accept her as a side room, she must serve her with heart.

Lu Huanhuan shyly agreed.It's just that she also understands that she is afraid that Xia Xianzun has no intention of being a man or a woman to her, and he doesn't look down on her.

Xia Xiang's banquet was set up in the inner house, firstly, it was convenient, and secondly, it was also intended to make several people feel close.People who are not close to the inner house are not allowed to enter. Xia Xiang's move is also to let a few people put their guard down, relax their thoughts, and have a chat with him.

Although Xia Xiang also knew that Xu Heguang would never be with him, but Xu Heguang, as the county magistrate, was the second official of a county after the magistrate.In the Tang Dynasty, the county chief had a low status, had a position but no power, was in name only, and was bullied by the officials, so he could only bow his head.After the establishment of the Great Xia Kingdom, the powers of the county magistrate far surpassed that of the previous dynasty. Not only did he control the documents and warehouses of a county, but he also acted as the chief clerk. Therefore, some small counties did not have the post of chief clerk, and the county magistrate took his place.

Zhending is a large county, the office of the chief clerk has been vacant for a long time, and no one has yet been appointed. , no need to send more people here.Xia Xiang also knew that Xu Heguang did not want the Ministry of Personnel to send an additional clerk down. The clerk was vacant, and the affairs within the purview of the clerk should be managed by him, and he would become more powerful.

For today's banquet, Xia Xiang only had a little rice wine prepared, not white wine or red wine.Xia Xiang sat on the main seat and raised his glass to toast to a few people: "This official has come here for the first time. If there is any inconvenience, I also ask my colleagues to help. Please!"

Several people were busy and humble and polite, and they all drank.

Xia Xiang put down his wine glass and smiled slightly: "To sit together and have a light meal today is not only the official's intention, but also want to discuss a few things with you. First, there are many vacancies in the post of Zhending County clerk. The official has already sent a letter to the Ministry of Officials to recommend Fan Yang scholar Lu Zhiyue as the post of Zhending Master."

Xu Heguang's eyelids twitched a few times. In the morning above the second hall, he saw a letter written by Xia Xiang and handed it over to the capital. Sullen: "Xia Xianzun, the selection of the registrar is an important matter. It should be reported to the Ministry of Personnel after discussing with the lower official. The lower official may have been appointed for many years, and there may be a more suitable candidate."

Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke looked at each other, and they both thought to themselves that Xia Xianzun's move was equivalent to cutting the power of Xu Xiancheng.As a county magistrate, the magistrate nominates candidates for the registrar and negotiates with the magistrate, which is a courtesy to the magistrate.Not discussing with the county magistrate is also an official rule, and there is nothing wrong with it.Discussing or not discussing is only within reason, not within the law.

Xia Xiang's expression did not change, and he smiled lightly: "I am in a hurry and follow the power. The candidates recommended by this official have also been compared and selected. It is also true that there will be many important things to be done in the future. I'm afraid of delaying things. But if Xu Xiancheng has a more suitable candidate, he can also report it, and this official will recommend it."

Ma Zhanguo put down his chopsticks as if nothing had happened, put his hand on the wine glass, and turned it gently, thinking in his heart, Xia Xianzun seems to have no opinion, but in fact, there is a needle hidden in the cotton. And a different way.Xu Heguang's words just now actually have the following meanings, but Xia Xianzun is still calm, and he is really humble. It is really remarkable that he can have this kind of heart at his age.

Ma Zhanguo thought that Xu Heguang was just talking, since the Xia County Zun has already nominated a candidate, he can only admit it no matter how dissatisfied he is, after all, Xia Xian Zun is the only one in a county, but Xu Heguang unexpectedly smiled: "Come on. The official elected Li Chi as the head of Zhending County."

Li Chi of the Li family in Taiyuan?Xia Xiang remembered that even Ruohan had mentioned that Li Chi of the Li family in Taiyuan and Zheng Huarui of the Zheng family in Xingyang also wanted to seek the post of the head of Zhending County. Xu Heguang actually recommended Li Chi. Could it be that he has something to do with the Li family?

Xia Xiang nodded, noncommittal, and asked Ma Zhan Guodao, "Can someone choose Ma Xian Wei?"

Ma Zhanguo pondered, originally he did not want to intervene in this matter, but Xia County honored him to nominate him, why didn't he give him a favor, and said, "The lower official recommends Zheng Huarui."

Xu Heguang gave Ma Zhanguo a meaningful look, and laughed dryly: "Ma Xianwei doesn't seem to know Zheng Huarui, why would he recommend him? And Zheng Huarui is far away in Xingyang. By the way, is it because Zheng Huarui is from the same clan of Zheng Tong's sentence? ?"

The implication is naturally to mock Ma Zhanguo for clinging to the Zheng family and Zheng Hao.

What Ma Zhanguo wanted was to send a favor. He disapproved of Xu Heguang's ridicule and said with a smile: "Zheng Huarui has a literary name, but he has heard a little about it. Although Zheng's family is far away in Xingyang, Zheng Huarui is a person who is really determined. What, Zheng Huarui Are you of the same clan as Zheng Tongjuan? Xiaguan really doesn't know about this. If he had known about the relationship between Zheng Huarui and Zheng Tongjuan, he would have recommended Zheng Huarui to Xia County Venerable earlier."

"Hmph, Zheng Huarui has a literary name? I never heard that Ma Xianwei also likes to read? Zheng Huarui has not even passed the exam, how can he have a literary name?" Xu Heguang was very dissatisfied with Ma Zhanguo's intention to oppose him. The vacancy, of course, was due to his intention to delay and did not want someone to divide the power. It was also because the three families of Lu, Li, and Zheng all wanted to seek the post of master bookkeeper. How could such a hot position be won by outsiders?He wanted to do some work and then report to Cui Xiangbing, but he didn't want to be caught off guard by Xia Xiang.

He and Li Chi have always been on good terms. If it wasn't for Xia Xiang's appointment, he would have recommended Li Chi to the Ministry of Officials as the head of Zhending County.Although others are soft-spoken, it may not be useful to recommend candidates, but they can ask Cui Xiang to sign.With the signature of Cui Fuzun, the Ministry of Personnel will give it a high glance.

But I never thought that Xia Xiang quietly recommended Lu Zhiyue to the Ministry of Personnel. When did Xia Xianzun get along with the Lu family?Xu Heguang couldn't swallow the bad anger in his heart, and put the wine glass down heavily: "Cui Fuzun also mentioned the matter of the county clerk to the lower official a few days ago, and Fuzun is also more inclined towards Li Chi."

Ma Zhanguo usually didn't read much. He was a county magistrate who was in charge of public security and arresting robbers, but he was also a scholar.He smiled and said, "Xiaguan usually studies at home, and the prime minister of Xu County manages all kinds of problems. He has never been to Xiaguan's house, so I don't know how much Xiaguan reads, which is normal. Although Zheng Huarui is not even a juror, it's not that he didn't pass the exam, but he didn't. Go for the test. The following officials know him well, based on his talent, it's just a matter of pocket, and Jinshi is not a problem."

"If Ma Xianwei is the chief examiner, Zheng Huarui will definitely be a high school jinshi, haha." Xu Heguang laughed, laughed a few times, and said to Xia Xiang, "Xia Xianzun, if the lower officials recommend Li Chi, can Xia Xian be invited? Reverence to sign?"

Ma Zhanguo raised his eyelids and suppressed the anger in his heart. Xu Heguang was too bullying, but it was only the first-level official who crushed him.

Xia Xiang calmly raised his wine glass and clinked with a few people: "This official does not know Li Chi, but since he is the person recommended by Xu County Prime Minister, he must have excellent character and talent..."

Xu Heguang was secretly smug, if Xia Xiang and him jointly signed to recommend Li Chi, not only would he have a bright face in front of Li Chi, but also make Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke a little restrained, knowing that he has the ability to influence Xia Xianzun.

"It's not impossible for this official and Xu Xiancheng to jointly recommend Li Chi..."

Xu Heguang was almost overjoyed, but Ma Zhanguo and Ding Kewan were extremely discouraged and almost despaired.

Suddenly Xia Xiang's words changed: "It's just that since Cui Fuzun prefers Li Chi, it is not good for this official to take advantage of people's beauty. It's better to let Cui Fuzun fall. Xu County Chief, why don't you invite Cui Fuzun and you? Jointly endorsed Li Chi."

"Also...good!" The smile on Xu Heguang's face quickly solidified, he was like a mouthful of food stuck in his throat and couldn't swallow, choking uncomfortably, Xia Xiang's reasons were sufficient and irrefutable, leaving him speechless , he had no choice but to nod, "Since that's the case, Xiaguan asked Cui Fuzun and Xiaguan to jointly appoint Li Chi as the county administrator."

Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke smiled at each other, clinked glasses and drank them all.

"The main book is put aside in advance, and the second is that Liu Changting and Xie Huagai will take over the granary and grain growing business. Since Cui Fuzun has recommended Liu Xie and the two, this official has no objection. If you have no other candidates, This matter is settled." Xia Xiang looked around the three of them, Xu Heguang's face was not good, but he still tried to keep normal, Ma Zhanguo and Ding Ke were happy, and they only almost gave each other a high five.

Compared with Xu Heguang, Ma Zhanguo and Ding Kewan were still a little bit worse off. Xia Xiang nodded secretly, but it was okay, the two were outspoken and easy to deal with, and they were usable people.

Xu Heguang naturally had no objection to this matter, and Ma Zhanguo and Ding Keke also agreed.

(End of this chapter)