Chapter 68 Chapter 68 Let's settle the account

The common people had no idea of ​​the impending chaos, they just felt that the county lady and the county magistrate had been acting a little strangely lately.

For example, the slag left over from iron smelting and the coal slag brought back from Enzhou were transported to Li County in truckloads.

Everyone was shocked. What was the point of pulling it back? There was no road to be paved in Li County now.

For example, at noon, you can often hear a loud bang.

The frightened people thought it was an earthquake, but when they ran out in a hurry, they found out it was not.

After going to school, Shitou studied for a year and a half and successfully entered the government system of Li County. He is now doing some grassroots work.

This first batch of graduates had many options for further studies. Some became clerks, some returned to school to be teachers, and some went directly to work as managers in workshops.

There is only one person studying medicine.

"Okay, you are working in the county government office now, and you don't tell mother anything! Tell me, what was that loud noise at noon? I always feel that something big is happening, and I feel very uneasy. Also, the weather this year is abnormally cold." Kang Zhuqing asked anxiously.

But Shitou really doesn’t know!

So Shitou put down his bowl and chopsticks and said, "Mother, I have to go to the county government office."

Kang Zhuqing's concerned voice came from behind, "Hey kid! Remember to wear your scarf and gloves properly."

This scarf is a new product produced in the workshop. Lin Si bought a batch of goats from outside and raised them to obtain the wool.

The weather is cold this year and the cotton harvest is poor, so we launched this scarf.

Kang Zhuqing likes this scarf very much. When she wears it around her neck, it is like wearing an extra piece of clothing. When paired with gloves of the same color, it is warm and looks good.

The weather this year is indeed abnormally cold. Even with the greenhouses, the winter wheat harvest is quite bleak. Fortunately, there are still potatoes and sweet potatoes.

Otherwise, even Shitou dare not imagine how hungry the people will be this winter.

The weather is too cold, so schools are closed and children are asked to stay at home as much as possible.

Shitou wrapped his thick cotton coat tightly and used the scarf to cover the lower half of his face.

There is a fire bed at home, so it’s okay inside the house, but when you go outside it’s freezing cold.

Yesterday, County Magistrate Liang asked the newly graduated Bai Zhi and the yamen runners to come to a meeting. Shi Tou didn't know the specific content of the meeting, but he felt it must be very important.

Lan Niang, Shitou, and several newly graduated students sat together with the yamen runners for a meeting.

Liang Nian briefly conveyed Lin Si's meaning.

"The county lord wants you to take the exam next month, but the content of the exam will not be disclosed for now."

Not only the county officials were surprised, but the newly graduated students were also shocked.

Why is the exam coming up all of a sudden? And the content of the exam is kept secret. Who knows what the test will be about?

The weather is cold, so everyone is working on their fire beds now.

Chen Tai is an old man in the county government. He was there when Lin Si first came to Li County, and he was involved in various affairs, big and small.

Thanks to Lin Si's arrival, the monthly salary from the county government increased, and the family's fields had a good harvest, so his wife was able to give birth to a daughter safely. In two years, the daughter would be old enough to go to school.

But it was his first time taking the exam.

He had never even seen what the test paper looked like!

Shen Tai was worried.

*

Yang Yido did not go on the business trip with him, but was called to the county lord's mansion by Lin Si alone.

Yang Yidong subconsciously thought that Lin Si had some special task to give her alone.

Lin Si looked at her intently.

Yang Yidong felt a little uncomfortable being looked at by Lin Si, "I wonder what the county lady wants to do?"

Lin Si pushed the map of Xihe Road drawn by Chunyi in front of Yang Yidian.

"After we take over Xihe Road next month, I want to redivide Xihe Road and merge the three prefectures and nine counties into one prefecture and four counties. Li County will be an independent county directly under the central government and will not be included."

As for the small area of ​​Xihe Road, Lin Si was too lazy to divide it according to the original prefectures and counties.

Yang Yidong's eyelashes trembled slightly, "I understand, the county lady wants me to measure the land, or... " Having said that, Yang Yidong paused, as if thinking.

Lin Si said directly, "I need four county magistrates, and I have reserved one spot for you."

Yang Yidong's expression changed instantly, and it was very interesting, even a little funny in Lin Si's opinion.

She was like a statue, and it took her a while to react. "The county lady said, give it to me?"

Lin Si blinked his bright deer eyes, "Yes, it's for you. This is the decision that County Magistrate Liang and I agreed on."

"Why me?" Yang Yidong asked.

"From childhood to adulthood, County Magistrate Liang and I have reviewed all the homework and essays you've submitted. Compared to working as a five-o'clock watchman, you're undoubtedly more suited to the government system. You don't have to mention that you rank behind Zhong Diyan in overall grades. County Magistrate Liang and I are discussing comprehensive abilities."

This happened too suddenly. Yang Yido didn't know how to react. Her cheeks were hot and she felt an unprecedented weight, which came from Lin Si's trust and expectation.

After a while, she finally responded.

"I will definitely live up to the expectations of the county lady."

*

The impact of this cold wave was quite far-reaching, not only Dachen, but also Nanzhao, Xiping, and the grassland were not spared.

At first people thought it was just a matter of cold weather, just like last year. It was not until the crops had only a small harvest that they realized the seriousness of the problem. Although it was not yet the New Year, refugees had already appeared everywhere, and the groups of refugees gradually absorbed and grew stronger.

At this time, the already chaotic situation became even more chaotic because of the emperor's sudden illness.

According to current terms, Lin Si thinks this disease should be called hemiplegia.

The prince hurriedly took over the regent under tremendous pressure, feeling extremely anxious.

The refugee leader needs to be suppressed, and sending troops requires money, but where does the money come from? The weather this year is like this, and we also have to guard against Nanzhao, Xiping and the Hu people.

The prince finally came up with a bad idea.

The people certainly cannot be taxed any more, so he will increase taxes on merchants!

None of this affected the mood of the Lingzhou magistrate when he was celebrating his 40th birthday. After all, the taxes increased were for merchants, not for the common people, so why should he care so much?

As for the merchants who wanted to see him, he replied with one sentence, "This is an order from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. If you want to blame someone, blame that Zhuo for embezzling disaster relief funds and narrowing the path for you merchants!"

Next, continue to prepare for the beautiful birthday banquet.

So what if it's freezing cold! This is my fortieth birthday, so of course I have to celebrate it in style.

Wu Gengtian had been lurking in the prefect's residence for a long time, and three days ago, his troops entered the city one after another with the passes given by Liang Nian.

The governor of Lingzhou was narrow-minded but fat. He was round and short, just like a ball.

Of course, what Wu Gengtian did was not as simple as sneaking into the mansion. They also had to spread rumors on the streets and guide public opinion.

The price of rice in the prefecture capital has skyrocketed, leaving many people without enough to eat. Yet, the prefect is hosting a lavish banquet with delicacies. Isn't that infuriating?! Isn't that arousing?

On the day of the birthday banquet, Liang Nian went to the prefectural government with Zhong Diyan and another Wugengtian named Qi Liang.

When Qi Liang made eye contact with Guo Zi, he put his hands behind his back and quickly made several gestures to Guo Zi.

This is Wugengtian's exclusive strategic gesture.

Guo Zi immediately understood.

The county magistrate and the prefect who came to the banquet were all huddled together. It was really cold that day, and even though there was a charcoal fire burning in the mansion, it didn't feel very warm.

There were many charcoal braziers, one at the door and another inside the house. The charcoal fire was burning vigorously. The officials in the house greeted each other politely, but all of them had bad expressions. They all talked about the poor harvest this year and the high price of rice.

Hundreds of soldiers were lying in ambush throughout Lingzhou City, waiting for any movement from the prefectural government so they could rush in.

The prefect held out a glass of aged rice wine, his plump face flushed with excitement. "Today, hiccups...is my fortieth birthday. Let's drink this glass of wine and warm ourselves up."

After drinking, everyone started talking again, saying some nonsense like wishing the governor a long life.

Guo Zi secretly counted the beats. According to the time given by Madam Zhu, it would take about ten seconds for these people to become completely exhausted.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6...2, 1.

The first person to notice that something was wrong was the prefect's son, who was also as fat as a ball.

"Father, why do I feel dizzy and weak all over?"

"I think you've had too much to drink. Go down and rest first."

"This wine has such a strong aftereffect?" A county magistrate sitting next to Liang Nian frowned.

"I feel dizzy..."

The change happened in an instant. When the prefect saw his cook, maids, and servants trembling and following the young men with fear on their faces, he thought he was seeing things.

Guo Zi opened the gate of the prefectural government office. When his subordinates saw the secret signal, they immediately shouted slogans!

"The governor of Lingzhou is unworthy of his position. Today, natural disasters are rampant, and the people are as thin as bones, yet he indulges in luxury in his mansion! My mistress, the Anping County Lady, is kind-hearted and willing to help the people. How can I sit idly by?! Apprehend that bastard official, and the Anping County Lady will distribute food to everyone!"

These words, coupled with the rumors spread earlier at dawn, brought the people's anger to a peak.

Furthermore, the Princess of Anping County said she would distribute food! They would follow whoever gave them food!

The Lingzhou prefect and other officials were immediately taken into custody, and the gate of the prefectural government was closed.

Everything happened so suddenly that no one had time to react.

Everyone was tied up, but Liang Nian was safe and sound, without even a headache. How could everyone not understand?

The magistrate of Lingzhou was really scared now. His face was pale and cold sweat was oozing from his forehead. He had no idea where this group of people came from. They even controlled all the servants in his mansion.

This is well prepared!

The officials in the hall were exhausted, each one of them was shocked and terrified. One of them used up his last bit of strength to shout, "Liang Nian! What do you mean? Are you planning a rebellion?!"

Liang Nian sat there in a carefree manner, "It's just that my family's master wants Lingzhou."

"Master, who is your master?"

"This is a heinous crime punishable by the death of nine generations of the clan."

Liang Nian laughed when she heard this. In the past, she really wanted to kill all nine clans, but now, she had a new goal. She replied, "My patriarch, you all know him, is the Anping County Master who is recuperating in Li County."

These four words exploded like thunder, causing an uproar in the whole room.

Before Liang Nian gave his answer, everyone thought of countless possibilities, but no one thought of the four words "Princess of Anping County".

In shock and disbelief.

The door to the mansion was pushed open, and the young girl's clear and crisp voice, laced with a smile, came out, "Are you all satisfied with the birthday gift this county lady prepared for the prefect?"

Everyone looked up suddenly and saw a tall girl walking into the gate of the prefectural government office. Behind her were three or four young boys and girls, who stood with knives in their hands, with stern eyes. They seemed to be the same type of people who had just controlled the prefectural government office.

This is a death warrior! She actually has a death warrior!

At this moment, shock was greater than fear. Everyone realized that the long swords in the soldiers' hands were shining coldly and were made of high-quality fine iron.

How on earth did she get it?! Just with Liang Nian, a mere Li County Magistrate? That's impossible.

Lin Si raised his head, his eyes full of disdain and contempt of a superior, and walked straight to the center of the hall.

Zhong Diyan tied up the Lingzhou magistrate and his family, who were lying limp as mud, and kicked them away. Then he pulled out a snow-white cotton handkerchief from his arms, soaked it with wine, and wiped the area carefully.

As if wiping off something dirty.

After wiping it quickly, he slightly sideways pushed it open, "Please sit down, County Lady."

Lin Si sat down and then stretched out his hand. Zhong Diyan immediately handed over the information of these officials.

The Lingzhou prefect still refused to give up, as he still had the government troops. As soon as the government troops arrived, the Anping County magistrate's plot to rebel would be exposed!

But what he didn't know was that Lin Si had already distributed cooked potatoes and sweet potatoes in the city. The palace soldiers he was worried about heard about the chaos in the city and hurried over to find that the people were already lining up to get the potatoes and sweet potatoes.

The soldiers surrendered immediately, with a smooth process that even Lin Si hadn't expected. They were currently receiving food under the leadership of the troops.

Lin Si chuckled and casually turned to the first page. "I have no special intention today. This county lady has been in Xihe Road for six years and has never met you gentlemen. Today, I just want to settle accounts with you."

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The author has something to say: Lin Si baby, go for it!!