The old couple Xu Wei and Wu Chengen... were crossed out by mistake, and Zhao Shouzheng, the inspector, was not notified of his arrival.

In fact, it would be useless to notify them, because coincidentally, today is the day when Kunshan County Magistrate Zhao Erye and Wujiang County Magistrate Yi Kejiu have a meeting.

What we are talking about is still the historical legacy of harming neighbors.

Because Wujiang County carried out large-scale construction of the Linggang Wetland and built a stone embankment that was said to be 100 miles long, the South Taihu Lake existed in name only and completely lost its flood discharge function.

As a result, once water comes from Taihu Lake, it will immediately flow into the Wusong River and pour towards Kunshan.

Almost 70% of the river water and rainwater from all counties and cities along the Taihu Lake will flow into Kunshan. Who can withstand this?

In addition, the Songjiang River downstream is also a problem. The water from the upper reaches is fierce and the drainage in the lower reaches is not smooth, which leads to floods in Kunshan County every year.

After achieving a phased victory in the plum rain season, Mr. Zhao, with his confidence greatly increased, set his goal on making persistent efforts, defeating the summer flood and protecting the autumn harvest in northern Kunming.

Who would have thought that the gentry and common people, who were originally excited about keeping the summer harvest, would actually back out.

They told Mr. Zhao to give up, as it was an impossible task.

The master of water control Pan Jixun also told Zhao Shouzheng that it was impossible for the poor earthen embankment in Songjiang County to withstand the summer flood which was several times more fierce than the plum flood!

When the hurricane arrives, the surging river tide will destroy the earthen embankments that the people have worked so hard to build. There is no chance of luck...

Unless a stone embankment as tall and solid as the one in Wujiang County can be built.

In other words, the sluice gates of Wujiang upstream and Huating downstream could be opened to release floodwaters, so that the pressure on Kunshan County would be at least halved, and there would still be a chance to withstand the flood.

Mr. Zhao compared the two conditions and felt that it would be easier to try to persuade the neighboring county.

So a few days ago he wrote a letter to Wujiang County, asking County Magistrate Yi to discuss the issue of flood diversion.

County Magistrate Yi was a former Jinshi and a classmate of the famous Kunshan scholar Gui Youguang.

Zheng Ruoceng was Gui Youguang's brother-in-law. Because of this relationship, he volunteered to go to Wujiang County to deliver the letter, and finally persuaded County Magistrate Yi to agree to meet today.

Because the county magistrate was not allowed to leave his jurisdiction without permission, the two sides agreed to meet on the Wusong River at the junction of the two counties.

But should they meet at Gaotianshang, which belongs to Wujiang County, or at Gaotianxia, ​​which belongs to Kunshan County?

In the end, the party asking for help made concessions and went to Gaotian in Wujiang to meet.

In fact, whether it is Gaotianshang or Gaotianxia, ​​this location is disadvantageous for Mr. Zhao Erye, because from Nanshan Temple, one has to go upstream along the winding river for nearly eighty miles to reach the county.

Today, Zhao Shouzheng set out before dawn. Sixteen sailors rowed hard, but they did not arrive at the river near Gaotiankami until noon.

~~

On the other side, County Magistrate Yi had been waiting by the river for a long time.

Seeing the official ship with the flag of "Kunshan County Government" approaching, County Magistrate Yi walked out of the cabin and waved to Zhao Shouzheng on the deck.

Mr. Zhao also quickly clasped his fists in return, and when the two official ships stopped side by side, he came to the Wujiang County ship with the help of Fan Datong and Cai Ming.

"Mr. Zhao, I've heard so much about you!" County Magistrate Yi was very short and plain-looking. When he saw Mr. Zhao, who was handsome and had passed the imperial examination, he felt tired and unloved.

"Brother Fengpo, nice to meet you." Fortunately, Zhao Shouzheng was rough and still greeted County Magistrate Yi enthusiastically: "For the sake of my county's affairs, Brother Fengpo, I am sorry to trouble you to come here in your busy schedule."

"Haha, no, no, I've long wanted to meet this world-famous iron-willed champion. As for time, we can always find it if we squeeze in." County Magistrate Yi adjusted his smile and extended his hand to invite Master Zhao into the cabin.

This official ship of Wujiang County was actually a converted pleasure boat. Although the exterior of the ship was painted black and had no decorations, it looked solemn and official. However, the interior was decorated with carved beams and painted buildings, just like a palace.

Under the half-closed curtains decorated with scarlet silk ribbons, there were lattice windows covered with white silk. Under the windows, the floor was covered with a luxurious scarlet Persian carpet, on which stood a round table with eight immortals, and the cups and plates on the table were all made of fine blue and white porcelain. Fresh fruits and exquisite snacks were also neatly arranged.

If it weren't for the singing and dancing girls, Mr. Zhao would have thought he was on a flower boat on the Qinhuai River.

He always felt that an official must act like an official. Would ordinary people feel comfortable seeing this kind of extravagant and luxurious way of doing things?

This is why Mr. Zhao Erye is like a full man who doesn't know the hunger of a hungry man. He becomes an official with the mentality of enduring hardships, while others come here to enjoy life.

Seeing the surprise in Zhao Shouzheng's eyes, County Magistrate Yi smiled and explained: "Brother, I am an official in Wujiang, Tofu. I am not corrupt and I am clean. I am just a little bit particular about food, drink, housing and transportation. Is that reasonable?"

"Very reasonable." The greatest advantage of Mr. Zhao is that he never forces others to be the same as himself.

"please."

"please."

The two of them sat down to their seats with a smile on their faces, and the maid poured the guests Wujiang three-course tea.

"The first cup of tea is called Taidi Tea, the second cup is smoked bean tea, and the third cup is clear tea. It tastes sweet first, then salty, and then light." Yi Kejiu explained to Mr. Zhao Er, "This is our way of entertaining guests in Wujiang."

Zhao Shouzheng tasted them one by one and praised them highly: "It's just like the various aspects of life. After one drink, the aftertaste is long-lasting."

"Haha, yes, isn't this what it feels like for you and me to serve as local officials?" Yi Kejiu said with a faint smile:

"It's like you, my dear brother. When you are a new official, all the officials and gentry under your rule are flattering you, so naturally it's as sweet as honey. But as time goes on, no one can pretend anymore, and when their true colors are revealed, they start to get tired of each other and despise each other. When you are about to leave office, no one wants to make trouble anymore, so they just accommodate each other and get through the day, and naturally life becomes as dull as water."

"Brother Fengpo, what you said is really worth pondering." Zhao Shouzheng nodded in admiration, thinking that the old seniors all spoke well, and I must learn from them.

"Nothing. This is just my personal experience as an official in Wujiang." Yi Kejiu waved his hand and smiled, "From the initial sweetness of honey, to the later mutual dislike, to the current stage of 'blandness of water', I just expressed my feelings casually."

"Oh, Brother Fengpo is going to be promoted?" Zhao Shouzheng said happily for him when he heard it.

"Almost. I will complete my term at the end of the year. It is very difficult for us to be re-elected as officials in Suzhou Prefecture." Yi Kejiu sighed and said, "Everyone is waiting to come to this paradise on earth to enjoy a few years of happiness."

As he said this, he looked at Zhao Shouzheng and said with an apologetic smile: "Of course, the situation in Kunshan is special. But considering your background, you will be out of this misery in less than two years."

"Thank you for your kind words, brother. However, I have made up my mind that I will not leave until I get rid of the shabby hat of 'Beggar Kunshan'!" Zhao Shouzheng was moved by himself after he finished speaking.

I thought, I haven’t even realized that I have the potential to be a good official…

"Haha, it's a blessing for the people of Kunshan to have a parent official like you who is willing to work hard." County Magistrate Yi picked up a cup of Sanbai wine and clinked it with Zhao Shouzheng. "I can't do it, my foolish brother. No one will listen to me now. People are counting their fingers and waiting for me to leave."

From the moment he sat down, County Magistrate Yi tried to interrupt Zhao Shouzheng's words.

Unfortunately, he didn't know that Mr. Zhao didn't know how to read the atmosphere at all, and his lines were even thicker than usual.

Even though Old Yi had said so much, he was still talking to himself: "Before you leave office, please help this county no matter what. We, the people of Kunshan, will remember your kindness..."

"Uh..." County Magistrate Yi picked up his chopsticks and forced a smile, "You must be starving. Let's eat first."