On the fifth day of the eleventh month of the tenth year of the Xuanli calendar, at noon, Fu Xiaoguan and his party arrived in Ningsang City.
When she saw Sima Che again, she had lost a lot of weight compared to when she was in Jinling. Her complexion was no longer as rosy as before, and even her spirit seemed a little weak, and she looked even more haggard.
"Thanks a lot."
"...No," Sima Che withdrew her gaze from Fu Xiaoguan's face and lowered her head slightly. Her heart couldn't help but beat wildly. She said very shyly, "It's just that something happened last night and I couldn't sleep all night."
Fu Xiaoguan already knew about the fire at the Red Leaf Factory last night. "If you feel tired... I actually suggest you resign from this position."
"No!" This word was very firm. Sima Che raised his head, his eyes also very determined. "I feel that this kind of life is very fulfilling. The accident was just the work of a scoundrel. The case will be solved soon."
The winter sun fell on her face, adding a touch of brightness and radiance.
Right in the backyard of the county government office, the two of them drank tea and talked about the affairs of Ningsang City. Sima Che was talking, and Fu Xiaoguan was listening attentively with a smile on his face.
I have to say that this woman is really trying hard to be a good official, and she has indeed become a good official.
At least among the thirteen counties and prefectures that Fu Xiaoguan has passed through so far, Sima Che is the most efficient county magistrate he has ever seen.
The funds introduced into Ningsang City far exceeded those in other counties and prefectures. Of course, this was due to the Sima family's heavy investment in Ningsang County.
But this is also her resource, so the credit naturally goes to her.
"Hongyeji hasn't implemented the household contract responsibility system, so the land there is mainly owned by the Zhang family. My father went there a while ago to negotiate and wanted to buy the land. After all, our family's textile workshops are planned to be built in Hongyeji for over ten years."
"Hongye Factory No. 1 had already started production and had already produced the first batch of silk, but it burned down before it could be shipped out. Hongye Factory No. 2 has been completed and the looms are being installed. Hongye Factory No. 3 has laid its foundation stone and is expected to be completed and put into production in March of next year, but the land for the remaining factories has not yet been found."
Sima Che said a lot in one breath, his tone showing a hint of pride, a hint of loss, and a hint of grievance.
"The Zhang family won't sell it?"
Sima Che took a sip of the teacup, nodded, and glanced at Fu Xiaoguan with a rather resentful look, "According to what you said... the government can't force people to buy or sell."
Fu Xiaoguan had some impression of this Zhang Pingju in his mind, as if he had seen him at the Banquet for a Hundred Elders.
He thought for a moment and said, "How about this? I'll arrange a banquet tonight and invite the Patriarch of the Zhang family in my name..."
Before he could finish his words, County Magistrate Li Chongzhi walked in. He bowed to Fu Xiaoguan and whispered, "Sir, the Zhang Mansion has sent an invitation to the Earl of Ding'an and the County Master. They say they are hosting a banquet at the Zhang Mansion to welcome the Earl of Ding'an."
Fu Xiaoguan was delighted. He took the invitation, looked at it, and said with a smile, "Tell him that I will be there on time."
"yes!"
Li Chongzhi retreated, but Sima Che frowned, "The fire last night was most likely caused by the Zhang family. I'm afraid this banquet won't be a good one!"
"Actually, I really hope it's a Hongmen Banquet!"
Sima Che was stunned. "What kind of banquet is the Hongmen Banquet?"
"Oh...that's it," Fu Xiaoguan scratched his head, "I deliberately held a banquet, but the purpose was not to feast, but to kill people."
Sima Che suddenly became nervous. "No, you absolutely cannot go! The Zhang clan has over 100,000 members in Hongye Village. Their compound alone has 300 guards. Ningsang City only has 20 or so constables. How can they guarantee your safety?"
"Don't worry, he's not that brave."
"What if he dares to risk the wrath of the world?"
Fu Xiaoguan was silent for a moment, "Then I'll invite you to watch a bloodbath at the Zhang family compound!"
Sima Che didn't know where Fu Xiaoguan got the courage from. Then she saw Fu Xiaoguan call Ning Siyan and Zhuo Donglai over. After whispering for a while, the two left the courtyard, while Xu Xinyan stayed.
"To catch a thief, we must first catch the leader... Of course, if he doesn't move, I won't touch him either. I'm just preparing a backup plan. The New Year is almost here, are you going back to Yingqiu?"
Sima Che was still worried about the banquet, but he didn't expect Fu Xiaoguan to ask about the New Year.
"I won't be going back this year. Father and brother are here, and grandpa and grandma are on their way here..." Sima Che paused, then continued, "My family bought a courtyard in Ningsang City, and my brother also bought one in Wofeng City. The climate here is much better than Yingqiu. Grandpa intends to make Wofeng City the new headquarters of the Sima family. From now on, I'm afraid we will mainly focus on managing Wofeng Road."
This is great. In the house auction in Wofeng City, the five major families of the Yu Dynasty all bid and bought properties in Wofeng City. Considering the money they invested in Wofeng City, they may have already used Wofeng Road as a production base.
"When will you return to Jinling?"
"We'll go back after a walk, and leave around the end of November."
"Oh...when will you be back?"
Fu Xiaoguan raised the corner of his mouth, "I'm afraid not so fast."
Sima Che's face looked a little bleak. He thought to himself that he was still the Minister of Commerce. His three wives had all given birth, so he should stay in Jinling longer.
Sima Che had never imagined that Fu Xiaoguan was going to take the Divine Sword Army to wander around the land of the barbarians, and of course Fu Xiaoguan didn't mention a word about it.
This is not to keep it secret. In fact, he, Fu Xiaoguan, is going to fight the barbarians, and he will deliberately spread this news.
"Father said a few days ago that you would most likely return to the Wu Dynasty, is that right?"
Fu Xiaoguan nodded. "If nothing unexpected happens, I'll probably stay in the Yu Dynasty for... a year or two. Wofeng Dao will be back on track soon. Don't worry about anything."
Sima Che pouted. She was not worried about Wo Fengdao's future.
"Then... I'll serve as an official for another year or two."
Fu Xiaoguan was stunned. The meaning of this sentence was very clear. "You must think it over carefully."
Sima Che was instantly delighted. She understood what he meant. "I've thought this through a long time ago. Actually..." Sima Che pinched her sleeves, looking very feminine. "Father is planning another investment, which will start next spring."
"What investment?"
"Building a factory in Wu Dynasty. Ruoxi Prefecture and Jinghua Prefecture, two of the seven southern prefectures of Wu Dynasty, are also famous sericulture production areas, but the weaving and embroidery technology of Wu Dynasty is not as advanced as that of Yu Dynasty. Father guessed your intention and thought you would welcome him to Wu Dynasty, right?"
Fu Xiaoguan laughed. The Sima family was able to become one of the five major business families in the Yu Dynasty because of their unique vision and thinking.
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