Chapter 174 Adorable Daughter, Feisty Husband…
There's a saying that goes, "To get rich, build roads first."
Zhangzhou Prefecture took the prefectural city as its center and radiated outwards to various counties, conscripting women to participate in the construction of basic roads throughout the prefecture.
Just as the country was facing a major disaster and its economy was in dire straits, the government specially dispatched Zheng Er to organize minor officials to spread the benefits of road construction and dispel the people's resistance.
Below the notice.
The onlookers were deflated and whispered among themselves: "No matter what, it's all because these corrupt officials want us to work so they can look good on their own record..."
"That's right. If some official embezzles the money in the end, they might frame us."
"We've just survived a natural disaster, and now they're making such a big fuss? Are they trying to force us to our deaths? In my opinion, those officials in the government office are just a bunch of bloodsuckers."
"If I go to repair the road, will I even come back alive? My family depends on me to make a living."
Zheng Er sensed something was wrong; sure enough, the adults' worst fears had come true. He banged on the gong and drum, "Silence—"
She earnestly advised, "Fellow citizens, the road construction in Zhangzhou Prefecture is for the future development of the entire prefecture. With convenient transportation, merchants from all over the country will be able to travel and make a living... Lord Zhang often says that to get rich, you must first build roads, and that is the reason."
However, Zheng Er rattled off a bunch of benefits, but everyone let it go in one ear and out the other; they only listened to the last sentence.
"Lord Zhang would never harm us! Help me sign up; it's our duty to build Zhangzhou Prefecture. I'll go as soon as I finish planting the rice seedlings!"
"This was originally Lord Zhang's idea. I was wondering which wise man could come up with such a brilliant idea. 'To get rich, build roads first' is a simple and easy-to-understand saying that perfectly captures the essence of simplicity. Lord Zhang truly has integrated the strengths of many schools of thought. We cannot even begin to compare. We are truly impressed."
"With Lord Zhang in Zhangzhou Prefecture, it's a blessing that only comes once in a hundred years. My poor parents and grandparents are too unlucky to witness this moment, sob sob sob..." The man wiped away his tears. "Help me register. I must obey Lord Zhang's decree!"
Zheng Erxi smiled broadly, "Alright, alright, one by one." These people were just moments ago vehemently insulting the government office. Sure enough, the boss is more capable; he didn't even show his face, just mentioned his name, and these people rushed to sign up.
That's incredible, absolutely incredible.
In the attic not far away, two windows were wide open.
The room was filled with the refreshing aroma of tea.
"It's been a year, and you've become even more amazing, sister," Luo Zijun said with a smile, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the person beside her.
"Zijun, stop being so glib. We specially prepared some pre-Qingming tea for you at home. Come and have a taste." Zhang Ting poured two cups of tea, pushing one to the opposite side.
"Then I shall gladly accept." She sat down and took a sip. "Hmm, slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste, indeed a fine tea. However..."
"Just what?"
Luo Zijun said shyly, "Since you don't like tea, there's no need for you to agree with me. What you don't like, I don't like either."
Zhang Ting paused, his hand holding the teacup still, then said in an exaggerated tone, "It's no wonder that Magistrate Luo discovered the truth! No wonder the court sent you to supervise this prefecture. With you working in Zhangzhou Prefecture, how many more wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice will be avoided? How fortunate!"
Luo Zijun was amused. "Prefect Zhang, you are mistaken. Your Zhangzhou Prefecture is known for its poverty and hardship. Even the imperial court has to carefully consider whether to send officials there, lest they make a deadly enemy."
"Oh? Did Magistrate Luo offend some superior?"
"No, no. I have heard that the new prefect of Zhangzhou is a man of exceptional talent and ability to recognize and appoint capable people. I greatly admire him. I have also heard that there is a vacancy in the local government, so I am requesting permission to fill the vacancy."
The atmosphere was just right. Zhang Ting opened a jar of wine and filled her bowl. "Lord Luo is frank and sincere, and has an exceptional eye for talent. I admire you greatly. Drink this bowl, and we will be like sisters from different fathers and mothers."
Luo Zijun wasn't good at drinking, but she had to drink this wine. She immediately raised her bowl and clinked it against Zhang Ting's, spilling the wine onto the table. The two of them then gulped down the entire bowl of wine.
“Sister Zijun, what brings you to Zhangzhou Prefecture? Although the people here are simple and honest, it is much more inconvenient than the capital.” Zhang Ting said, blushing.
Luo Zijun hiccuped, "With my sister here, I'm not afraid of hardship."
Zhang Ting gave a wicked smile, walked over and put his arm around her shoulder, "It's good that you're not afraid. I was afraid you'd run away. Don't worry, there's a lot of work to do in Zhangzhou Prefecture, and you'll be needed. Tomorrow... oh no, this afternoon you'll come with me to inspect the countryside. There are a few things you should remember..."
"Sister, isn't this inappropriate? I only arrived in the prefectural city today, and my appointed date for taking up my post is still several days away."
What's good or bad? A mule that has walked into a trap must start working immediately.
Zhang Ting fed the newly appointed mule chicken soup and flatbread, saying, "Sister, you are a first-class scholar, a promising young prefect, a talent that is hard to surpass in the whole country, and a role model for students and officials at the grassroots level. Since you have come to such a difficult place, you must be determined to make something of yourself and make students and officials all over the country proud, right?"
"Sister is right, we need to show them what Ziju is capable of." Luo Ziju was a little tipsy. "But Ziju wants you to see what Ziju is capable of even more?"
"Then Ziju, come with me today and let your older sister see what you're capable of!" After saying that, she felt that wasn't enough and added, "Let your older sister see how that shy and timid girl has grown into such a majestic figure?"
"Okay!" Luo Zijun, who was completely swayed, readily agreed and even closed her eyes and smiled foolishly, as sweet as if she had eaten honey.
"But sister, Ziju's head is spinning. Am I drunk? Can I still go to work with you?" Luo Ziju's vision was blurry, and she was swaying from side to side.
"Drunk?" Zhang Ting narrowed his eyes, his shrewd mind slowly processing the words as he pondered them. Suddenly, he stood up abruptly. "Waiter, bring two large bowls of hangover tea!"
She staggered forward a couple of steps. "Zijun, let's drink some hangover tea and then go to work. This is official duty and can't be delayed. Today, your sister came out to welcome you back, do you know how much work she's neglected? You absolutely have to work hard, hard, hard, and even harder to get back to work, give it back to me..."
"Why is the wine at Zuiyang Tower so strong? My head is spinning. Oh no... I've actually gotten drunk. When I get back, won't Zong Suyi give me a hard time? Her authority as a wife is gone, and human relationships are all twisted."
"Why isn't the waiter here yet? Where's the hangover tea?" She staggered around and saw Luo Zijun fast asleep on the table, snoring.
Zhang Ting laughed heartily, "What a useless woman, you were knocked out by just one bowl of wine." She shook her head, turned her back to conceal her accomplishment, "As expected, I am the most awesome wherever I go." After saying that, she walked away dejectedly with a lonely expression of being at the top.
The world is vast, yet no one can rival her. Is her destiny to be a lonely, undefeated warrior?
The waiter, beaming with delight, brought over two bowls of hangover tea and pushed open the door. "Sir, your hangover tea—"
In the vast room, only one person remained, fast asleep.
The waiter placed the hangover tea on the table and glanced at it casually.
"Oh no! Who served the strongest Quyang liquor by mistake!"
...
Zhang Ting walked straight into the street without looking to the side, her face slightly flushed, but no one could tell that anything was wrong.
She was going to work her shift; the Zhangzhou government couldn't do without her.
But then I heard the sound of a rattle drum, boom boom boom, both muffled and crisp, full of childlike fun.
She suddenly remembered that she had a daughter, lively and active, with a lovely white complexion.
"Hello, please give me all of these."
The vendor was baffled. She had a total of 136 rattles. "Do you want so many? Do you have so many children at home?"
She firmly replied, "Yes." As she spoke, she handed over a piece of silver.
The vendor's mouth was gagged as soon as he received the money, and he hurriedly bowed his head to give the customer change.
Each of the ten or one hundred, a total of nine hundred coins are needed from the customers.
As soon as I looked up, there was no one there. Even the large bed sheet I used to pack the goods was nowhere to be seen.
Zhang Ting carried a brightly colored bed sheet and threw it in front of her five-month-old baby. "Look, this is the empire your mother has built for you." She took out a rattle drum, stuffed it into the baby's hand, then took out another and stuffed it into his hand. When his hand was full, she stuffed it into his feet.
Zhang Ting was extremely distressed. She had bought more than a hundred rattles, but her son only had two hands and two feet, which wasn't enough for him to play with.
She had to make her love visible to the other person; she had to let her child see her touching maternal love.
Zhang Ting arranged the rattle drums around Zhang Shile, saying, "One rattle drum is one happiness, two rattle drums are double happiness, and more than a hundred rattle drums are more than a hundred happiness. My good son, tell your mother that you are very happy."
Zai Zai: "..."
The rattle drum, held between his toes, fell to the ground with a thud. The little boy stared helplessly to the left and right, seeing no one, and smacked his lips, looking even more helpless.
She struggled to turn over, sticking her bottom out as she crawled out of the encirclement.
She had only climbed two steps when she was pulled back and held captive in someone's arms.
Zhang Ting insisted that she comment on the rattle drum, "My dear child, tell your mother if you're happy or not? Your mother carried this rattle drum all the way here. Not only children, but also many adults envied you. The way they looked at your mother was like the sun was about to explode."
Shile struggled in every way, but couldn't escape her mother's clutches. Enraged, she slapped her mother's arm, her little chest trembling with anger, like an angry little puppy, and even howled twice, "Ahhh!"
Zhang Ting pinched her baby's sweet, milky cheeks and said in confusion, "Sweetie, why can't you speak human language? Speak human language." Isn't her child human?
Shile frowned, her sparse eyebrows furrowing. She sniffed, feeling utterly helpless. Her lips trembled, wanting to cry but afraid to open her mouth. She could only move her face away from her. It stank, it stank so badly, it was unbearably stinky…
Zhang Ting insisted on pressing her face against hers, taking a deep sniff to feel the baby's warm body temperature. "My baby, you smell so good, like a soft, fragrant piece of milk tofu."
Zong Suyi was carrying in the prepared baby food when he smelled a strong odor of alcohol. His sharp and violent gaze swept over the area before finally settling on someone, like a male beast fiercely protecting its cub.
"Zhang Ting!"
Zhang Ting instinctively shuddered, nearly dropping the child. She hurriedly caught the baby and turned to look at the source of the sound. She saw a beautiful married woman with flushed cheeks and star-like eyes. The corners of her eyes were slightly upturned, carrying a chilling coldness and a deep, fiery heat, like bone-chilling ice or scalding hot oil, giving people an unprecedented visual impact that made them feel invigorated.
She was stunned for a moment.
The baby cub, hanging upside down, seized the opportunity, scrambled off her, and fled to safety.
Zong Suyi puffed out her cheeks in anger and pinched her hand, "My little darling is still so young, how could you bear to let her smell your alcohol stench?"
"Then you can smell it." She blurted out instinctively.
"What?" Zong Suyi almost thought he had misheard. How could there be such a shameless person in the world?
Zhang Ting also felt that her words were impolite, and she automatically retracted them in her mind.
She sat up straight, composed herself, and tried her best to make the beautiful married man feel that she was reliable.
Her eyes were bright and piercing. She took the man's hand and held it firmly, saying sincerely, "May I ask, sir, is it possible for you to divorce your wife? I have a lovely daughter who needs a father."
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