Chapter 17 The truth about Linghe County Magistrate cannot be hidden.

After settling Aunt Cai down and cleaning up, Gui Zhier finally had time to think about the secret recipe for concrete making that she had promised to give to Liu Shanyuan last night.

The repeating crossbow is just a small ingenuity and has no fatal impact on the battle situation.

Once hardened, cement is not only strong but also resistant to erosion. If used in civil construction or water conservancy projects, it would bring about a huge leap in the defense of the central capital and even the northern border.

“We need to reveal some key steps without opening a God’s perspective, and we also need to leave some opportunities for trial and error.”

Guizhier was having trouble holding the charcoal pencil.

On the one hand, Guizhi'er needed to stay here for a short time. And the rammed earth walls, which had been burned by fire, did not make people feel safe even after they were repaired.

On the other hand, if she were "omniscient and omnipotent", she would inevitably be targeted by those with ulterior motives.

A light snow fell all over the sky, and all was quiet.

The daytime was still long, so Guizhier brewed a pot of tea, watched the tea leaves curl and unroll in the boiling water, and gradually emptied his mind.

Take out a plate of peach cakes from the cupboard and enjoy this rare quiet time.

"The shallow limestone deposits need to be mined, excavated, and blasted in the open air... We need a new name, let's call it gray-white jade rock." Guizhier wrote on the paper in crooked handwriting.

Her handwriting was indeed rather ugly, and she had to scribble while looking up words in the dictionary.

The next day, the snow continued to fall.

Looking up, she saw her eyes covered with snow; looking down, her hair was covered with flying catkins. She took an oil-paper umbrella and went out.

The girl was still wearing a light-colored and elegant cotton robe, her delicate face was fair and rosy, like a classical lady with flowers in her hair, walking in the snow.

After just a few steps, he was greeted by Tofu Weng, the gatekeeper of the government office.

"You southerners are the only ones who value money. In our northern border, who would hold an umbrella even when it snows a little?"

As usual, the old man started to talk for a while, then hesitated and said, "We have guests in the mansion today..."

"Mr. Weng, Mr. Weng!"

The butler took two steps at a time and rushed out, his body agile.

He smiled and bowed, "Master Liu has instructed that if Miss Gui comes to visit, you must treat her well."

Then he bent down and led Guizhier in.

This was the first time Guizhier stepped into the renovated Zhenbei government office.

In the dead of winter, the gray building looks particularly desolate. After entering the ceremonial gate, there is a courtyard elongated from north to south.

On the east and west sides are arranged buildings such as the official, household, ritual and criminal departments under the jurisdiction of the prefect, directors and magistrates.

These small rooms, on the contrary, highlight the majesty of the lobby.

There is a platform in front of the hall, with blue bricks, gray tiles, and dark pillars. The plaque "A Bright Mirror Hangs High" hanging above has been wiped clean of dust.

Sitting on the armchair at the desk, Liu Shanyuan was wearing his official uniform and his expression showed no emotion.

But Guizhier only took a glance and suspected that this person was hiding something.

Immediately afterwards, her attention was attracted by the middle-aged man sitting opposite Liu Shanyuan, who was also wearing a black hat.

This man, with a long, beautiful beard and a majestic figure, faced the oppressive feeling brought by Liu Shanyuan with a calm and composed attitude and said, "Master, you are merciful! Poverty is not a concern as long as the people's hearts remain. With you in the north, we are relieved."

Although he was just flattering, his behavior was elegant and dashing, just like a celebrity.

According to the laws of Daliang, the head of a county with a thousand households can be a county magistrate. If the number of people under his jurisdiction does not exceed a thousand households, he will be a seventh-rank county magistrate.

Judging from the man’s clothing and social status, he must be from Linghe County.

The housekeeper confirmed Guizhier's guess.

"Linghe County Magistrate, Luo Songyan." The housekeeper introduced the visitor in a low voice. "Zhenbei Prefecture is vast and sparsely populated. Our master has just taken over, and the other magistrates haven't had time to come to the capital to pay their respects."

The magistrate of Linghe County was quick because he was geographically close.

Going around the courtyard, we came to the side courtyard of the second hall, which was the place where the prefect met friends and entertained guests.

The housekeeper arranged for Guizhier to sit down and rest in the house.

A mysterious smile played on his lips: "Young lady, do you want to know what interesting things this County Magistrate Luo has?"

Since the master has asked him to take extra care of this person, the butler doesn't mind revealing some jokes that are known to everyone.

The best way to get closer is to share gossip or secrets.

Guizhier put on a polite listening attitude.

"As you can see, County Magistrate Luo is a handsome and talented man. Little did you know that he once held the rank of fourth rank official!"

The bombshell dropped by the housekeeper immediately piqued Guizhier's interest.

There was a strong curiosity in her sparkling eyes.

But Luo Songyan was originally a wealthy man in Jiangnan.

The tea and private salt business passed down from ancestors is enough to make the family wealthy for generations, with white jade as the hall and gold as the horse.

But having money is not enough, you also need power.

The old man of the Luo family said that if his unworthy descendants had no hope of passing the imperial examination, he would donate an official position to them even if he had to pay!

"So Lord Luo got his fourth-rank official position by spending money?" Guizhier took a breath. How much real money would it take to get through those high and low?

"Not really." The butler shook his head.

Since the Tianyou period, the court of Daliang has been corrupt and plagued by malpractices for a long time, but fourth-rank officials are not cheap.

The housekeeper pretended to be mysterious: "We just had a glimpse of each other. What do you think of Lord Luo's appearance?"

I get it, it depends on the face.

Guizhier spoke frankly: "He seems to be very wise and talented."

"That's right!" The butler clapped his hands.

Although the Luo family is wealthy, they also know the capabilities of their children and grandchildren.

Only an ordinary director position was donated to Luo Songyan, but by chance, he was recommended to teach in the Hanlin Academy of the government because of his exceptionally handsome appearance when he was young.

"If you can't even pass the imperial examination, wouldn't teaching be misleading to the students?" Guizhier listened with great interest and couldn't help asking.

"The Luo family has its own tricks." The housekeeper winked slyly, "Scholars in Jiangnan either go to teahouses for quiet conversation or to brothels to recite poetry."

Flowers, moon, beauties, calligraphy, chess and wine.

The Luo family simply spent money to buy the scholar's calligraphy and poems, and let Luo Songyan "learn from them".

As a result, Luo Songyan not only got the teaching task, but also became famous.

Gui Zhi'er didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "So he got promoted just like that?"

Because of his great talent and reputation, Luo Songyan was even promoted directly to Nanyuan Prefecture and became the Secretary. He could also have his own subordinates do his work, and his future was bright.

Nanyuan Prefecture is the seat of Hangzhou, and its official rank is half a level higher than that of other prefectures.

Just like that, a fourth-rank official position was obtained!

“The world is just one giant makeshift team.”

Guizhier kept this in her heart and didn't dare to say it out loud.

Next, the butler changed the subject and told the story of how Luo Songyan was discovered to be a fool.

It is said that one day, Luo Songyan was on duty, and the prefect of Nanyuan needed to draft a memorial suddenly, so he asked him to write it.

When the memorial was presented, the prefect took a look and saw a sentence of praise in it, "The rivers are clear and the seas are peaceful, the times are peaceful and the harvests are plentiful."

Then he said, "The word 'Yan' is taboo, please change it."

Luo Songyan bowed and took the memorial and said, "I will go back and revise it right away!"

The prefect stopped him and said, "It's just a slight change. Just adjust it here."

Luo Songyan was sweating profusely at the time and hesitated for a long time, unable to write.

The prefect waited for a long time, thinking that Luo Songyan was thoughtful and wanted to polish it.

Unexpectedly, when I took it and looked at it...

"He didn't change a single word?" Guizhier sat up straight anxiously.

It’s a pity that the housekeeper doesn’t become a storyteller. She would rather eat melon seeds and drink tea.

"No." The butler waved his hand.

Luo Songyan hesitated for a long time and finally changed it to "the rivers are clear and the seas are pure", without changing any other words.

The prefect was furious and threw the memorial to the ground, saying angrily, "It's all for show."

If his direct superior has this view, his career will come to an end.

There is only one outcome: play it out loud!

Truth will come to light sooner or later.

Guizhier thought, I don’t know if everyone was peeping under the bed, or if it was just a rumor. In any case, the story itself can be described as lingering and full of twists and turns.

"The outrageous mother opened the door for the outrageous person - it's the most outrageous thing ever." She was very satisfied with what she heard, and her eyes curved with laughter.

The snow outside was getting heavier and heavier. The strong wind blew the snowflakes around, as if it was going to swallow everything. The air was filled with a cold breath.

At this time, a servant came in and saluted respectfully.

"Butler, Master Liu wants Miss Gui to come to the front hall. He says there's an unsolved case and he wants her help with it."