This thunderstorm came with great force.
In just half a cup of tea, the water on the eaves opposite had formed a string.
The air was already filled with thick mist, but it also brought a cool breeze, which instantly dissipated the summer heat.
The window of this private room on the second floor of Pinyun Teahouse was still open, a pot of new tea had been brewed, and Zhang Qiyue was carefully filling the cup for the four people.
"My three brothers are new to Wofeng City. As the landlord here, I have to tell you about the fun things to do in Wofeng City."
Yu Xingjian put away the paper fan in his hand and said with a smile: "I am not afraid of being laughed at by Brother Zhang. Yesterday, when we arrived in Wofeng City, we were really like headless flies."
He pointed at Sima Tao with his paper fan and continued, "This guy said he was going to find a place to get some good food, but what happened? My brother Zhong and I followed him around and wandered around the streets for half an hour. We were so hungry, so we found a street restaurant and had a quick meal. Then we realized we didn't know the way back to the inn."
Yu Xingjian spread his hands and said, "Guess what happened in the end? We met someone we knew, and they took us back to the inn. Otherwise, we would have had to sleep on the streets last night."
Zhang Qiyue covered her mouth with her hands and chuckled. Wang Chaofeng quickly bowed and said, "This is all my fault. If I had returned earlier yesterday, you three wouldn't have suffered so much... In this Wofeng City, I still see acquaintances? I wonder which family's young master it is?"
Yu Xingjian waved his hand. "That boy's name is Shang Liang, the grandson of Shang Yushang, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Back then, Shang Yushang was the prefect of Jiannan East Road, and my brother Zhong and I were classmates with that boy for three years. To be honest, neither my brother Zhong nor I pursued official careers, but this boy has now risen to prominence."
Wang Chaofeng asked curiously, "Did Mr. Shang come to Wofeng City to serve as an official?"
"That's right, that kid has a lucky break! Last year, he went to the Wu Dynasty with Ding'an Bo to participate in a literary gathering. After Ding'an Bo returned to the Yu Dynasty, he established the Ministry of Commerce and conveniently promoted this kid from the Jixia Academy. He didn't even take the exam, but he became an official in the Ministry of Commerce."
"After Earl Ding'an took over Wofeng Road, he sent this guy here as a scout. I met him last night, and he's already an official in the Inspectorate Office here... Do you know what the Inspectorate Office is?"
Wang Chaofeng shook his head, and Yu Xing explained simply, "This Inspectorate is no simple matter. It has the power to monitor the entire Wofeng Road. It's not just about monitoring all officials, it's also about evaluating... He said it was an evaluation, an evaluation of the performance of all county and prefecture officials!"
"This political achievement is the people's livelihood. According to that kid, if the people in a certain county are not satisfied with their county magistrate... then the county magistrate must go!"
Wang Chaofeng and Zhang Qiyue were suddenly startled. "Get lost? Aren't they officials appointed by the imperial court?"
"Hey, the officials in Wofeng Road are different. They were hired by the Earl of Ding'an. Their salaries are double that of the other thirteen roads, but this initial hiring period is only one year. This means that if they don't achieve results that satisfy the people within that year, they'll have to pack up and leave."
Wang Chaofeng and Zhang Qiyue couldn't believe it. This completely overturned their understanding of officials.
The meaning of this statement is easy to understand. To satisfy the people, we should naturally follow the people's judgment.
The officials are in charge of the people, but now the situation seems to be reversed, and the future and fate of the officials are in the hands of the people... Do they still dare to be corrupt?
Do they still dare to boss the people around?
Do they still dare to just sit there and do nothing?
If this is true, it will be a blessing for the people and also a blessing for the businessman!
Wang Chaofeng was a little excited. He looked at Sima Tao, who laughed out loud, "I knew you wouldn't believe it! But I'm telling you, this is all true."
"My sister, Sima Che, ranked fourth in this year's imperial examination and is the first woman in history to be appointed an official. She was appointed by Earl Ding'an himself, overcoming all objections from the court officials. She is currently serving as the magistrate of Ningsang County in Qingzhou."
A woman became an official! She even became the magistrate of Ningsang County!
These words were spoken by Sima Tao himself, so they were certainly true. However, they still shocked Wang Chaofeng and Zhang Qiyue, and they were left speechless for a long time.
"This Earl of Ding'an... is truly a rare and outstanding person. If I could meet him once, I would have no regrets in my life!"
Wang Chaofeng said this with great emotion, but Sima Tao smiled and said, "At least you can't see Ding'an Bo now."
"No, hasn't he only been in Wofeng City for more than ten days?"
"This prefect is different! He left all the affairs of the prefecture to the secretariat and ran away with his fiancée. Of course, Earl Ding'an ran away on serious business. I heard from Master Shang that he went to Xiushui County."
"What on earth would a dignified Daotai like him do in that place?"
Sima Tao spread his hands and said, "I don't know much about this gentleman, but I heard that the rice planted in Xiushui County this year was cultivated by Ding'an Earl himself two years ago. I guess he wants to see how it's growing."
Zhong Jitang, who had been sitting quite quietly nearby, spoke up. "You don't know about this, but let me tell you, those aren't ordinary rice seeds. It's said that the rice seeds planted in Xiushui County can yield over 700 kilograms per mu. Do you believe it?"
When he said this, everyone was shocked.
"That's impossible!" Yu Xingjian was the first to deny. "The fields on the Chengdu Plain only yield 300 kg per mu at best, usually around 250 to 260 kg. This 700 catties is nearly three times as much. It's totally impossible!"
Zhong Jitang chuckled and said, "How about we make a bet?"
"You tell me, I'm ready to play any bet you make!"
"Alright! I'll bet that the rice fields in Xiushui County can yield 700 catties per mu. I'm betting 5,000 taels of silver. If the harvest is even a tael less, I lose..." Zhong Jitang looked at Sima Tao and Wang Chaofeng, "You can place your bets too. I'll take them all!"
"I don't believe it either. I can't buy more than 700 kilograms." Sima Tao immediately followed suit. Wang Chaofeng was even more unconvinced. He knew that the fields in Wofengyuan were excellent, but the yield per mu was only about 300 kilograms, so he immediately followed suit.
"My word is as good as gold. My sister-in-law is my witness. We won't need to sign any documents. If I, Zhongjitang, lose, I will compensate each of you with 5,000 taels of silver. If I win, hehe..."
"If you win, the three of us will naturally compensate you with five thousand taels of silver each!"
"It's a done deal... Sister-in-law, you have to remember this: after the autumn harvest, we'll settle this bet."
Zhang Qiyue's face turned red as she was called by each of her brothers and sisters, but her heart was very happy.
"Qiyue, remember this, no one is allowed to cheat when the time comes!"
"Hahaha……"
The laughter here drowned out the sound of heavy rain outside the window. They made a bet on the rice yield in Xiushui County, where Fu Xiaoguan was at the moment.
Still by the rice fields.
There was no heavy rain here, just a drizzle.
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