Great Qin Emperor

Chapter 12 The Magistrate's Visit
"Brother Zhou, this is Master Wei." Zeng Yao introduced Zhou Chong as soon as he entered the living room.

Zhou Chong saw that apart from Zeng Yao's father, Zeng Shufa, there was a middle-aged man of medium height in the living room.The middle-aged man was not wearing an official uniform, but was wearing casual clothes. He was drinking tea. He put down his teacup and raised his head. Zhou Chong could see clearly that he had a thin face and lively eyes. The impression is two words: capable.

County Magistrate Wei stood up, clasped his fists and saluted, "Wei Qing has seen Master Zhou."

The real establishment of the system of prefectures and counties was established after Qin Shihuang unified China and adopted Li Si's suggestion.But it appeared in the Spring and Autumn Period, and it appeared in large numbers during the Warring States Period. The people of Qin have gone further than the six kingdoms of Shandong in this respect.

What he said was very kind, without any annoying official airs or accents.Zhou Chong has never met the officials of the Qin State, so the officials he wants to come to the Qin State must be very fierce, otherwise Qin State would not be called the country of tigers and wolves. I didn't expect him to be so kind. I was a little surprised, and hurriedly replied: : "Caomin Zhou Chong has met Mr. Wei."

"Master Zhou is polite." Wei Qinglue said politely, pointing to the stool beside him, "Master Zhou, please sit down."

Zhou Chong said politely: "Master Xie Wei. My nephew has met my uncle."

Zeng Shu sent back the salutation: "Nephew, please excuse me. Nephew, sit down quickly." Handing a cup of tea in front of Zhou Chong, he said: "Nephew, you have been busy with work, it is very hard, drink some tea, Soothe your throat."

The origin of tealeaves cannot be explained by historians, and modern archaeology believes that it has existed for at least 7000 years.It should have been in the land of Bashu at the earliest. It was not until King Qin Huiwen annexed the land of Bashu that it gradually spread from Bashu.

Zhou Chong thanked him and took a sip of tea.Zeng Shufa stood up and said, "Nephew, Mr. Wei has something important to talk to you about. You talk first, and I'll deal with something." He was walking away with an excuse so that Zhou Chong and Wei Qing could talk.

County magistrate Wei couldn't understand the truth, he said with a smile: "Don't avoid suspicion, this matter must involve Mr. Zeng. Mr. Zeng, please sit down."

Zhou Chong asked very skillfully: "Your Excellency is busy with official duties and manages a lot of things every day. Your Excellency is a laborer. The crimes of grassroots people are beyond the reach. Dare I ask you what is important?"

Wei Qing smiled, and said: "Master Zhou is exaggerating. Although the small county has some affairs, it is not enough to manage a lot of things every day. If it is, how big is it?"

His words were quite joking, Zhou Chong and the others smiled slightly, and the atmosphere became much more lively.Zhou Chong smiled and said, "My lord is too modest."

"Xiaoxian came this time because he wanted to discuss something with Master Zhou." Wei Qing said straightforwardly.

Zhou Chong replied: "Master Wei, please tell me, as long as it can be done, Zhou Chong will definitely try his best."

This was just a polite remark, Wei Qing was very happy to hear that, nodded and said: "Master Zhou will definitely be able to do it. With Master Zhou's words, Xiaoxian can feel relieved."

The straight-hearted Zeng Yao went straight to the point and said, "Master Wei hasn't said what's going on yet."

"Yes, yes, Mr. Zeng speaks quickly." Wei Qing stroked his teacup, and said, "Xiaoxian has heard about your oil workshop for a long time, and has also tasted the oil and tofu you make. It is indeed the best. Zhou Master’s ingenuity is the only way to make such a good thing.”

Zhou Chong was very ashamed and thought to himself: "In the era when I came, who in the country could not make tofu? Isn't it easier to make oil? According to what you said, not all of them became smart people and could run for office. Are you a member of the Academy of Sciences?"

Wei Qing continued: "Xiaoxian wants to invite Master Zhou to participate in the annual slack agricultural skills conference. According to Xiaoxian, Master Zhou's method will definitely shine in the three-day conference. "

According to the laws of the State of Qin, the common people must do their best to farm mulberry and must not be lazy, otherwise they will be punished.However, during the slack season, they can rest for three days, similar to the market activities held in spring in the south of the Yangtze River.You can buy and sell things, you can also juggle, and you can show off any skill you have.

The purpose of Qin State to set up this conference is for common people to have a rest, mostly for entertainment, so there is no restriction on skills, as long as it is beyond the reach of others, you can show your hand, no matter it is good or bad.The notorious Lao Ai "brilliantly shined" at this kind of meeting, inserting his thing in the wheel made of paulownia wood, and the wheel turned and the thing was intact, and the spectators laughed.Qin Shihuang's mother knew about this and satirized Lu Buwei. After Lu Buwei's arrangement, Lai Ai entered the harem, had an affair with Qin Shihuang's mother, gave birth to two sons, and finally rebelled and was wiped out by Qin Shihuang's family.

"This is an upright matter for me, but it's not comparable to what Lai Ai's is." Zhou Chong laughed in his heart, and said, "My lord's kindness, Zhou Chong's heart, but this matter is full of twists and turns, and it's hard for a grassroots person to make a decision. I have to discuss with Uncle Zeng and Brother Zeng to make a decision, please forgive me."

Wei Qing was easy to talk, and said: "It should be so, it should be so. Xiaoxian will resign first, you have discussed it, and then give Xiaoxian an answer, and Xiaoxian can make arrangements."

The previous skills were just for entertainment. If Zhou Chong's skills such as oil from stone nests and boiling water to roll snowflakes were shown at the conference, would there be any reason not to cause a sensation?In that way, he, the county magistrate, will be rewarded, and it is not impossible to get a good governance and outstanding performance assessment, and it is not impossible to be promoted to a higher level, which is why he is so enthusiastic.

If there are officials who don't want to climb up, there must be such people, but only a genius knows how many there are.This is also human nature. Although Zhou Chong was a bit disdainful, he still understood, and said with a smile: "My lord is so enthusiastic about helping, Zhou Chong is very grateful. Please sit down for a while, my lord, and let us discuss it and give you an answer." In fact, it was very simple. After a short discussion, there would be a result. Wei Qing didn't need to go back and wait for news.

"Since that's the case, let's stay in the small county for a while." Wei Qing said with a smile: "The Zeng Mansion is built on the hillside, and the scenery is beautiful, which makes people nostalgic. Go to the small county to appreciate it." Without waiting for Zeng Shu to speak, he complained of offending , retreated first.Although this person is eager to get promoted, he is also a man of wit and wit, so he finds excuses to avoid him.

Zeng Shufa asked, "What do you think, my nephew?"

Zhou Chong replied: "My nephew is still undecided about this matter, so I ask uncle and brother Zeng to make up their minds."

"Yao'er, what do you think?" Zeng Shufa asked Zeng Yao for his opinion.

Zeng Yao thought for a while and said, "That's good. We can occupy a large space, send more people over there, produce more oil, and make more tofu. We can let people taste it for free. In this way, the sales of our products will increase." It will increase greatly. Dad, this is a very good opportunity."

"He really has a bit of business sense and wants to advertise." Zhou Chong laughed in his heart.

Zeng Shu nodded in agreement and said, "Yao'er's words are justified, what does my nephew think?"

Zhou Chong also agreed with Zeng Yao's idea, saying: "My nephew has no objection. But, how will Mr. Wei deal with this matter?" Zhou Chong knew an eternal truth: if the government participates, then the government will Get the benefits!This applies both in ancient times and in modern times.Since magistrate Wei has participated, if he does not benefit him, if he holds a grudge and embarrasses them, it will be difficult to deal with.

It's not that Zhou Chong is afraid of the powerful, but that businessmen don't fight with officials. This is a ten thousand gold rule for businessmen.

Zeng Shufa stroked his beard and said, "Xian is very considerate, so I have to think about this matter."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zeng Yao screamed happily and rushed out.Zhou Chong took a closer look and saw a very handsome young man striding in. Zeng Yao jumped into his arms like a bird entering the forest.

It was the first time Zhou Chong had seen Zeng Yao's outspokenness, jumping into someone's arms like a bird in a forest, and asked curiously, "Uncle, who is he?"

(End of this chapter)