Chapter 2887: Alliance (Added for the invitation letter event of the update circle)
Bai Shan went as he said, and the next day he found an excuse to go to Qingzhou City to meet County Magistrate Lu.
Magistrate Lu just received an official document from the court yesterday stating that the previously designated Governor Wang was unable to take office due to illness, and that Governor Guo would now be taking office.
Before he could send anyone out to inquire about the background of Governor Guo, Bai Shan came to find him.
Not only did he have Guo Cheng's background, he even had Guo Cheng's resume. This was a bit terrifying. County Magistrate Lu was speechless for a long time.
When he realized what was happening, he laughed and said, "County Magistrate Bai is indeed from a prominent family. I just found out about the replacement of the governor, and County Magistrate Bai has already figured out the person's background."
Bai Shan smiled and said, "I just rely on a few friends in the court to inquire about the news."
County Magistrate Lu then remembered that this person was not only the prince's confidant, but his teacher was also the prince's current tutor, and his junior fellow apprentice was the prince's legitimate son-in-law. Not only would he be more informed than officials like them who came from humble backgrounds, he would also be more informed than other children from aristocratic families.
His eyes flickered as he asked, "Was County Magistrate Bai coming to Qingzhou City early to wait for the new governor?"
Bai Shan smiled and said, "It will take a few days for Governor Guo to take up his post. Although I would like to welcome him here, it is obviously not possible. I still have many things to deal with in Beihai County."
Bai Shan took the opportunity to talk about the salt works. He had arrested five people in total this time, which could be said to be all the upper and middle-level managers in the salt works. He even took out the stolen money. Because the evidence was solid and there was the accounts calculated by County Magistrate Fang and the accountant, even Song Zhubu didn't dare to plead for mercy this time.
Moreover, Bai Shan acted in an open and honest manner. He directly asked Song Zhubu to go back and rest on the grounds of personal relationship. He was not in the county government office at the moment.
Bai Shan hopes that the Qingzhou Governor's Office can accept the five people he arrested. He can give a verdict immediately and escort the criminals to Qingzhou City for review tomorrow.
County Magistrate Lu: "...You directly arrested the manager of the salt works, and the Song family didn't react at all?"
Bai Shan shook his head and said, "No."
County Magistrate Lu felt as if his heart had been hit hard. Why, why when he attacked the Song family, the other party bit everywhere like a mad dog, but did not react at all when they met Bai Shan?
County Magistrate Lu didn't think the Song family had compromised, so it could only be...
He frowned and said, "County Magistrate Bai, you should be more careful. The Song and Zhao families are very powerful in Beihai County. If they really want to sabotage you, it will be difficult for the county government to continue operating."
Bai Shan nodded, indicating that he understood, and then asked, "Can County Magistrate Lu accept these five prisoners on behalf of Qingzhou City?"
"That's not a problem for me. No matter how far the Song family reaches, they can't reach Qingzhou City. The most they can do is throw money at me, but with me here, even if they throw money, it's useless," County Magistrate Lu said. "But what about Beihai County..."
He was still very worried, "Did the Song family really do nothing? What happened to the salt fields?"
Bai Shan smiled faintly and said, "The salt works are almost shut down now. Once the managers were arrested, the workers became uneasy and no matter how hard the yamen runners urged them, they refused to go to work."
When County Magistrate Lu heard this, his eyes widened. "Don't you know that Beihai County sends five dan of salt to Qingzhou City every season?"
"I know," Bai Shan said, "Isn't there still more than a month until the next quarter?"
County Magistrate Lu: "...Without workers to cook salt, what will happen to Beihai County's finances?"
He said, "When the county yamen pay taxes, they always leave enough for their officials' salaries. When I left office, I only had enough salary for March. Salaries will also be paid after April. Without the salt fields, what money can Song Zhubu leave for you?"
Bai Shan said: "When I arrested those five people, I seized a lot of things."
County Magistrate Lu said, "Those things are stolen goods. You cannot use them before the Governor's Office has reviewed them."
"It's okay, I can borrow some money to support myself first."
County Magistrate Lu: "...Who are you borrowing from?"
"Me!" Bai Shan pointed at himself and said, "I'm not short of money. It's just a few months' salary. I can still afford it."
County Magistrate Lu: ...How hateful.
The entire county government's financial expenditure is not just salaries. No, that's not right. Even if it's just salaries, it's still a lot of money.
County Magistrate Lu didn't want to talk to Bai Shan anymore, but he also showed his strength, and County Magistrate Lu knew he had to make a choice.
He is not stupid. Bai Shan came to him before Governor Guo took office not just to discuss the matter of a few prisoners. If the talk goes well, they will cooperate in the future and share the benefits.
This is actually beneficial to both parties.
County Magistrate Lu has been doing business in Qingzhou for many years. Previously, several counties in Qingzhou were involved in the grain, grass and medical materials case. The only one who is still safe and sound is County Magistrate Lu.
It can be said that he is the person who knows the situation in Qingzhou best among all the counties in Qingzhou, and he is also the most prestigious one.
If he is willing to help Bai Shan, then Bai Shan and Zhou Man will have a much smoother time in Qingzhou.
County Magistrate Lu can also gain a lot of benefits.
The information about Bai Shan and Zhou Man's connections in the court was enough to make him salivate.
What County Magistrate Lu needs to weigh is whether to cooperate with Bai Shan or the new Governor Guo?
Bai Shan seemed to notice County Magistrate Lu's hesitation and smiled slightly, saying, "I forgot to tell you, sir, this Lord Guo and the wife of Minister Liu of the Ministry of Revenue are both from the Xuyang Guo family. He is the nephew of Minister Liu's wife."
County Magistrate Lu was still puzzled.
Bai Shan's smile deepened as he said, "Lord Zhou's niece married Minister Liu's young grandson. So Liu Huan is not only our classmate, but also our niece-in-law."
County Magistrate Lu reacted and finally couldn't help but raise his hand to cover his chest, feeling heartbroken. What else could he choose?
He asked, "Given this relationship, why didn't County Magistrate Bai wait for Governor Guo to arrive before sending someone up?"
Bai Shan said, "I don't like Governor Guo's character. Compared to Governor Guo, I trust Magistrate Lu more. However, I will not openly become an enemy of Governor Guo. When Governor Guo arrives, if I have offended you, please forgive me, Magistrate Lu."
He smiled faintly and said, "If we can form an alliance this time, no matter what we say publicly, I will support County Magistrate Lu privately. I just hope that when the time comes, County Magistrate Lu will judge by deeds rather than words."
County Magistrate Lu raised his eyebrows, vaguely understanding Bai Shan's plan.
He was silent for a long time, and finally nodded in agreement, and the two of them formally reached an alliance.
Bai Shan was satisfied and said to the County Magistrate Lu, "I will have the prisoner sent here tomorrow."
"good."
At this time, Manbao was taking Wen Tiandong to familiarize himself with the medical office and taking him for a walk in the county town. Of course, he was not wandering around randomly, but was walking from street to street with a banner for free medical treatment and a medicine box in hand, treating patients.
Wen Tiandong followed Zhou Man with a dazed look on his face, unable to understand how he, a former assistant physician in the Imperial Hospital and current chief pharmacist in the Medical Bureau, could become a traveling doctor?
See you tomorrow
(End of this chapter)
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