Chapter 215: Pre-departure Conversation
Xu Zhenying took a quick glance, then rubbed his eyebrows tiredly.
The people below didn't say anything, they all looked at her quietly, as if waiting for her decision.
The Xu family was even more excited.
There are fifteen counties, so Xu Zhenying must have given the Xu family a few counties to serve as county magistrate, right?
Although the Xu family is in a period of transition among the younger generation, at least people like Xu Huijia and Xu Anping can still be used.
Besides, Xu Zhenying hired people regardless of gender, so this time even Zhao, the fourth wife, had some hope in her heart.
Xu Zhenying spread his hands and said helplessly, "Let's hold a civil service exam. Let Fang Ningmo, Xu Anping, and Dazhuang jointly prepare a set of examination papers. Then arrange an interview and a political review. Three steps. Admission will be based on scores. Oh, and where's Hu Wei—"
Hu Wei immediately stepped forward, "City Lord."
"I remember you seem to be a scholar, right? You should also be involved in setting the questions. Don't just copy the Great Zhou Dynasty's imperial examination system, and don't test on classics and famous essays. Make some policy essays that are practical, related to people's livelihood, and actionable. When the questions are ready, show them to me. Fourth Aunt, please go back and tell Anping that she and Fang Ningmo will be fully responsible for this recruitment. Make sure it is fair, just, and open."
The fourth room quickly and happily agreed.
Although I didn't get the position of county magistrate, being an examiner is also a very good job!
Huang Cui'e was jealous.
Hu Wei asked, "City Lord, may I ask what the recruitment conditions are?"
Xu Zhenying paused for a moment. "The applicant must be thirteen years of age or older and fifty years of age or younger, regardless of gender. The applicant must have a clean family background and no immediate family members have committed serious crimes."
Hu Wei continued, "During the Zhou Dynasty, those with deformed bodies or ugly faces were not allowed to take the imperial examinations. Could the city lord consider this?"
"No, as long as they are not deaf-mute, have obvious limb disabilities, or other diseases that affect their work, they are welcome to apply."
Hu Wei sighed, "The city lord is so kind!"
"Are there any other agenda items? If not, call Xu Anping back immediately to start the official assessment. The rest of you can disband. Dad, Mom, go back and pack your bags. We'll have a simple dinner together as a family tonight."
Everyone was speechless for a moment and all retreated.
After everyone had left, Qian Zhenniang came to report, "City Lord, we received a letter from the research institute saying that the cement you requested may have been produced. Dean Luo sent a bag of samples for your confirmation."
Xu Zhenying almost jumped for joy.
This is really the best news she has heard in recent days!
"Why are you telling me such an important thing now? Hurry up, bring the cement up so I can see it."
Qian Zhenniang immediately asked someone to carry up a sack of cement. This sack was delivered by Dean Luo in an express carriage, and it arrived at Jinzhou Prefecture smoothly without any delay.
The soldier untied the sack and dumped it on the ground. Xu Zhenying squatted down and rubbed it with his fingers. Then he was overjoyed. At least it looked similar from the outside!
Qian Zhenniang seemed to be infected by this excitement. She knew that the city lord was thinking about this cement. The city lord also mentioned the uses of cement, but Qian Zhenniang had never seen it before, so she had no idea what it was.
She could only ask over and over again: "City Lord, is this what it looks like? Is this cement?"
"Wait a moment."
Xu Zhenying led the soldiers to fetch a basin of water from the yard outside, but stopped the soldier when he was about to pour it out.
Qian Zhenniang immediately came over and asked, "City Lord, what else do you need?"
"I'm thinking this is the first thing made of cement in the Great Zhou Dynasty. I need to think of a shape that would make it commemorative."
Qian Zhenniang also pondered, "How about making a stone lion?"
"Do you think I have such good skills?"
Qian Zhenniang scratched her head.
Xu Zhenying said, "We can only make a simple one, a flower pot."
Xu Zhenying ordered someone to pour water and then took a stick and stirred it continuously.
Seeing Xu Zhenying's serious expression, even the five guards who were usually taciturn came over curiously, as if they wanted to witness what kind of magical thing the cement that the city lord kept talking about was.
"City Lord, what exactly can this cement do? Is it really as magical as you say?"
Xu Zhenying laughed, "This thing can change the world!"
Everyone was shocked and asked, "How do you change the world?"
Xu Zhenying thought for a moment and said, "It will change the world just like the first time humans discovered fire or seeds."
This metaphor left everyone stunned.
Humans discovered fire.
Man discovered the seed—
What a divine object from outer space this is!
And they were about to witness this miracle with their own eyes. Even the serious captain of the guard, An Peilin, held his breath and stared blankly at the pool of mud and water.
Just this thing can change the world?
"Okay." Xu Zhenying piled the mud-like cement into the shape of a flower pot, and then wrote a sentence very carefully with a branch. Everyone came over to take a look.
——Xu Zhenying visited here.
Qian Zhenniang asked, "City Lord, what does this mean?"
Xu Zhenying smiled inscrutablely, "Just writing something casually. It's like a trip to the human world."
Qian Zhenniang just felt that sometimes she really didn't understand Xu Zhenying's dry humor at all, but as a subordinate, she still cooperated and laughed dryly.
"City Lord, is this done?" An Peilin stared at the flowerpot motionlessly. "What next?"
"Just wait for it to dry. Judging from the weather, it will probably take two days. But I feel that Luo Qingzhou has made something this time. This thing should be similar to cement. Let's wait for the effect after it dries."
Without waiting for Xu Zhenying's instructions, An Peilin immediately waved his hands and had the soldiers surround the flower pot, instructing them, "Watch it carefully! This thing is very important!"
Xu Zhenying stood up, stretched, and said to An Peilin, "This is my first time in Jinzhou Prefecture. Let's go and see what our city looks like."
As soon as Xu Zhenying walked to the door, he met Hu Wei head-on.
He seemed to be waiting for her on purpose. He came forward from a distance and said respectfully, "City Lord, where are you going?"
Xu Zhenying didn't answer but asked, "Do you have something to ask me?"
Hu Wei nodded.
An Peilin and his men naturally formed an encirclement, each setting up camp in front, behind, left and right, and quietly trapped the two men inside.
The two of them walked towards the main street of Jinzhou Prefecture.
As expected, one shouldn't have too many illusions about ancient cities. Even Jinzhou Prefecture, to Xu Zhenying, felt strangely desolate. The common people here mostly built their houses out of wood, and the densely packed streets were dotted with emaciated civilians. Even in broad daylight, it was rare to see anyone out and about.
In Jinzhou Prefecture, business is not developed.
This was Xu Zhenying's first conclusion. Of course, she didn't forget Hu Wei beside her. "Secretary Hu, if you have anything to say, just tell me."
Hu Wei then bowed and said, "City Lord, I want to remind you that we now control both Jinzhou and Qianzhou, and we have killed the officials of the Transportation Bureau. This will inevitably attract the attention of the imperial court. Has the City Lord thought of a countermeasure?"
Xu Zhenying pretended to listen attentively.
Hu Wei felt relieved by Xu Zhenying's attitude and stroked his beard. "I have a suggestion for you, City Lord. These days, warlords are rising up everywhere, not just in the southwest, but also in the southeast and coastal areas. Many are claiming to be kings or emperors. As long as the City Lord submits a letter of homage to the court, promises to pay a certain amount of tribute, and bribes the court officials to manipulate the situation, the court will definitely recognize the City Lord's title as the Lord of Jinzhou. When the time comes, I will grant the City Lord the imperial seal and seal, and the City Lord will be the legitimate father and mother of Jinzhou."
Xu Zhenying smiled and said, "Secretary Hu, I don't believe you don't know I'm a woman. Will the Great Zhou court set a precedent by allowing a woman to serve as an official?"
Hu Wei smiled meaningfully, "There are cases where a city lord is mentioned in the application form, but no one has ever mentioned gender."
Xu Zhenying's eyes lit up. There were no women serving as officials in the Great Zhou Dynasty, so as long as he wrote a letter requesting a title, the court would naturally acknowledge his male identity.
Who would have thought that a woman would dare to bribe an official in the imperial court so openly?
This is a good way to take a different approach.
Xu Zhenying couldn't help but sigh at this time. The people under her were all young people, and there were few old foxes who had been in the officialdom of the Zhou Dynasty. Although these old foxes were cunning, if they could find loopholes for others to exploit, then the old foxes would naturally have their advantages.
"Then according to Secretary Hu's understanding, if I want the position of Lord of Jinzhou Prefecture, how much will it cost?"
Hu Wei held up two fingers.
Xu Zhenying asked directly: "Two hundred thousand?"
Hu Wei nodded. "This fee also includes the cost of bribing officials. After all, we're different from other officials who buy official positions. We previously occupied Jinzhou Prefecture as bandits. If we want to erase this layer, we have to find someone to help us."
Xu Zhenying was shocked. "Two hundred thousand taels, this is as much as Lan County's annual tax revenue."
Hu Wei smiled, "But this money is well spent. It can at least give us two or three years of peace. Two or three years is enough time for us to grow and develop. I think with the wisdom of the city lord, in two or three years, Jinzhou Prefecture will undergo earth-shaking changes."
Xu Zhenying seemed to be thinking about it. "Thank you, Secretary Hu, for reminding me. I will consider it."
Xu Zhenying laughed in her heart. Hu Wei's words were probably a way of showing his sincerity to her.
I wonder what this old man who is eager to create chaos in the world is thinking. Will he really stand on her side?
After walking around several streets in Jinzhou Prefecture, Xu Zhenying had no choice but to go home.
She didn't want to face her parents, as it always made her feel guilty.
But Miao and Mei Xiao are leaving tomorrow, and she must go to see them for the last time. From now on, she doesn't know when she will see them again.
The courtyard where Xu Zhenying lived was previously the house of a wealthy family in Jinzhou. It was a courtyard with four entrances and even had a servant to guard the door.
The boy didn't recognize Xu Zhenying, but he saw that she was quite impressive, with a dignified demeanor and awe-inspiring presence without even getting angry.
Even so, the servant dared to step forward and ask, "Excuse me, who are you? This is the residence of the new Lord of Jinzhou Prefecture. Anyone who comes here, please leave immediately!"
Xu Zhenying admired the servant's composure, but An Peilin beside him was visibly furious: "This is our city lord! Get out of the way!"
The boy immediately turned pale with fright!
Xu Zhenying said, "You did a great job! Since you're a doorman, you should fulfill your duties diligently! I'll talk to my fourth aunt and ask her to raise your monthly salary!"
The servant burst into tears of gratitude and immediately knelt down to express his gratitude, "Thank you, City Lord! Thank you, City Lord! I will open the door for you!"
As soon as Xu Zhenying entered the house, he found that people from the first and fourth houses had come to see him off. The whole family was standing in the main hall, all with red eyes. Miao's luggage had been packed, but as soon as Xu Zhenying entered the house, Xu Meixiao, the little bomb, rushed over and hugged him tightly!
"Sister! Sister! You're finally back!"
Xu Meixiao hugged Xu Zhenying and refused to let go. Xu Zhenying touched her head with a guilty look on his face. "Have you packed everything?"
Xu Meixiao looked up at her and said, "Sister, everything is ready. Mother said we are going to Qianzhou. Don't you want to come with us?"
Xu Zhenying sighed, as if he didn't know how to explain it to Xu Meixiao. Zhao immediately waved to Xu Meixiao, "Xiao Meizi, come and see which of your toys you want to take away. Auntie Four will pack them for you."
Xu Meixiao's attention was immediately drawn away.
As soon as Xu Zhenying entered the room, the room seemed to fall silent.
It was Zhao who had the foresight to speak first, "Let's not stand here any longer. The city lord has finally returned, let's have a good family reunion."
Huang Cui'e also nodded in agreement. She had originally wanted to talk to Xu Zhenying about Xu Huijia's matter, but now she had no chance and could only be pushed out by Zhao.
Miao's eyes were slightly red as she said to Xu Zhenying, "I asked the kitchen to make a few of your favorite dishes. You've lost a lot of weight during this trip. Now that I'm not around, you have to take good care of yourself."
Xu Zhenying squeezed Miao's hand and asked, "Will Mother blame me?"
Miao wiped her eyes and said, "What's so strange about this? There's nothing we can do about it. Besides, didn't you say that the chieftain of Qianzhou will also send hostages? We both have leverage over each other, so neither of us will act rashly."
"Mother, I will give Mo Jinchun to you——"
Miao immediately refused: "Mo Jinchun is a man of both literary and martial abilities. He's your right-hand man. He's already the deputy chief instructor in the barracks. Wouldn't it be a burden for him if he follows us?"
"Okay, don't worry too much about us." Miao's face was filled with worry. She held Xu Zhenying's hand and wanted to say something, but then sighed, "Son, I didn't expect that a girl like you... would have such great ambitions. Although it's too late to say this now, why did you rebel back then? If the imperial court attacked, we wouldn't have enough heads to chop off!"
Xu Degui scolded him, "You are a woman with long hair and short knowledge. Your daughter is now a hero. We have already occupied Jinzhou and Qianzhou. Why are you still saying these words that will shake the morale of the army?!"
Miao was already angry now, and retorted coldly: "You say I have long hair but little knowledge, but isn't your daughter the same? You even scold your daughter?"
Xu Meixiao clapped her hands and said, "Mom, you're wrong. My sister's hair is all tangled and very short—"
Mei Xiao's childish words instantly eased the somewhat tense atmosphere in the room.
"Xiao Meizi, take your toys and go play outside. Daddy and Mommy will talk to your sister for a few words."
"Oh!" Xu Meixiao responded happily. She didn't seem to know what the hostages were. She just thought she was going to play in another place, so she happily prepared her toys and luggage.
Xu Degui later realized that he had said the wrong thing. For some reason, he always felt a little uncomfortable when he saw his daughter again.
Is it because Xu Zhenying has been deliberately planning to rebel without telling him?
Now that I think about it, she sent Xu Huiming and Feng'er away to open up trade routes at the beginning of spring. Perhaps she had already made up her mind at that time.
But during the past six months, Xu Zhenying remained silent and kept his entire family in the dark, waiting only for the people of Lan County to beat the people from the Transportation Bureau to death. Only then did his close relatives realize that Xu Zhenying had actually been planning a rebellion!
Does this also mean that Xu Zhenying never believed them from the beginning to the end?
Xu Deyuan always knew that Xu Zhenying was hiding something in her heart. From the time they killed Liu Jieshi, he vaguely felt that Xu Zhenying was different from other girls!
But no one expected that she would actually rebel!
This made Xu Degui feel terrified every time he thought about it.
He seemed... to have never understood this daughter.
But at this point, there is no other way. He and Miao can only accept having a rebellious daughter!
Xu Degui coughed twice, "Zhenying, did your second uncle really help Sun Qingchen deliver a letter to the general of the Zhou Dynasty?"
"It's not a letter, it's a letter written in blood by Magistrate Sun. It's very touching. Would you like to read it, father?"
Facing the smiling Xu Zhenying, Xu Degui always felt a little scared unconsciously. He waved his hand and said, "I won't watch it. I just didn't expect... that he could do such a thing."
"Father, what's so surprising? Second Uncle has always been like this. You should have known what kind of person he was the night he left you to face Liu Jieshi alone and escape. Father, you shouldn't have been soft-hearted. We should have killed him then, and we wouldn't have caused so much trouble today."
Xu Zhenying's tone was not harsh, and there was not even any accusation in her tone, but somehow, Xu Degui felt like he was being scolded by her.
Miao looked at the father and daughter, her face full of confusion: "What are you talking about?"
The father and daughter then remembered that they had not told Miao what had happened.
Miao looked at Xu Degui and kept asking, "Second Uncle, what else did he do?! What do you mean he left you to escape alone?"
Xu Degui hesitated, still refusing to speak out against his brother even now. Xu Zhenying then said simply, "When we fled to the small village, it was raining that day, and Second Uncle got his hand injured by a rock. Do you remember?"
Miao nodded blankly, then seemed to think of something and her expression changed slightly!
She remembered!
That night, Xu Degui and Xu Deyuan came back very late, and both of them looked strange!
The strangest thing is that Liu Jieshi disappeared that night!
"That night, Liu Jieshi fell behind and was about to kill my second uncle. My second uncle actually asked Liu Jieshi to kill my father and then abandoned him and ran away. If I hadn't shown up, my father would have been killed by Liu Jieshi that night!"
Miao's face instantly turned pale, her eyes were filled with tears of fear, and she almost couldn't breathe!
No wonder, since that night, Xu Degui's attitude towards Xu Deyuan was no longer as close as before, and the two brothers actually seemed like enemies!
Even the good-tempered Miao was furious at this moment, her chest heaving as she cursed in a shrill voice, "That damn Xu Deyuan! We treated him like a close relative, but he had no regard for family ties and tried to get us killed time and time again! How could such a heartless person exist in this world!"
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