Come on, Your Highness

Xiao Hong raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and then pressed the straw hat.

Suddenly a sword came out of its sheath, and the snow-white blade appeared in front of the little official, "His Royal Highness asks, speak!"

The little official kneeling on the ground suddenly trembled like a sieve, wishing he could faint.

There are hard bones in the world, but this one is not included.

He said with a trembling voice: "Your Highness, Your Highness, that is the territory of the Lu family, no one can get through it!"

Hey, Xiao Hong is curious, is there any place in this world that his Xiao family can't go to?

"What kind of Lu family's tone is so loud that even this king dares to stop it?"

The little official suddenly stopped talking like a gourd, but before he lowered his head, he gave Xiao Hong a bold look.

Xiao Hong had doubts in his heart, frowned and thought for a while, then suddenly said to Lu Feng: "Go and ask Xi Chao to come over."

When He Xichao came, Xiao Hongzheng was leaning on the horse with his hands folded on his chest, seeing that his figure was a little stiff, as if he was contradictory.

Lu Feng had already explained the reason on the way to invite him, so there was no need to repeat it, He Xichao asked: "Magistrate Huo County and County Magistrate Lu left you here to guide His Highness, did they ask you to avoid the Lu family on purpose? "

The little official hesitated for a moment, but nodded and said: "Yes."

"Who told you to do this? And how?"

The little official had a troubled expression on his face, and he hesitated a few words with great reluctance, but he missed the point.

Xiao Hong became impatient, but He Xichao shook his head at him, and said to the guard next to him, "Help him up, the weather is so hot, don't let him pass out."

One of the guards stepped forward, grabbed the little official's arm and exerted some strength, the latter stood up tremblingly, and looked up at He Xichao nervously.

On such a hot day, everyone was sweating profusely, and even the extravagant Xiao Hong was covered with dust, and he looked a little disgraced.

And the young man in front of him was holding an exquisite umbrella, dressed as a scholar, his light-colored clothes were spotless, and his clean shoes stepped on the dusty road, it was a pity.But when the umbrella cover moved slightly to reveal his face...

The little official who hadn't read many books suddenly had only one thought in his mind: This man is so good-looking!

"How long are you going to stare at!" A voice that was chilling even on a hot day came from the side.

Not only is his voice cold, but Xiao Hong's complexion is even worse, now he just wants to find a pit to bury this ignorant thing!

He Xi slightly bent his lips, handed over a water bag, and asked warmly, "What's your name, and where do you live?"

The little official licked his dry and chapped lips, but he didn't have the guts to take it. He just replied: "The villain, Wang Shizhu, is from Linjia Village, Luozi County."

"Is it far from here?"

"Not far, no, not too close, two villages away."

"Lin Family Village? Is Brother Wang a native of Luozi County?"

Looking at He Xichao's clear and bright eyes, Wang Shizhu wanted to shake his head, but subconsciously told the truth for some reason, "No, the young one only moved here eight years ago."

He Xichao hugged the water bag in his arms, and still spoke in a leisurely manner, as if he didn't understand the hot weather, "Then you should be familiar with this place, right?"

"Yes, right."

"Is this mountain high?"

"Actually, it's not too high."

"What's behind the mountain?"

"Yes……"

"Don't be nervous, drink some water." He Xichao handed over the water bag again, "Brother Wang, you are an honest person, you should understand that even if you don't tell, His Highness can find out, if that's the case, don't waste our time Don't worry, I won't reveal it because you told me."

"It's Tian."

"All the way to the Songjiang River?"

"Yes."

Wang Shizhu licked his lips again, looking at the water bag in He Xichao's hand with some longing.

"If you want to drink, take it quickly, I don't know if others keep raising their hands, it's sore!" Xiao Hong finally couldn't stand it anymore, took the water bag from He Xichao's hand and stuffed it into Wang Shizhu's hand, "Drink."

Wang Shizhu was taken aback by Xiao Hong's actions, only to hear He Xichao chuckle, "His Royal Highness personally gave you the water bag, why don't you take a sip to suppress your shock, what an honor."

He Xichao's voice was as pleasant as his own, like a stream of clear spring, soft-spoken and approachable, making people feel close for no reason.

This hot day doesn't seem to be hot anymore.

Wang Shizhu was holding the water bag, He Xichao raised his eyebrows and joked, "What, do you still need someone to open it for you?"

"No, no need."

Wang Shizhu quickly unscrewed the plug, thought for a while, and finally raised his neck, gulped, drank all the water in the water bag in one go.

Then he raised his sleeve, wiped his mouth boldly, looked at He Xichao and said, "Young master, to tell you the truth, Mr. Huo ordered the younger one not to disturb the Lu family, but to take His Highness to the official road." He paused After a pause, he said again, "Master Lu of Kuiliang County is also nearby."

"Do you know why?"

Wang Shizhu shook his head but nodded again, with a conflicted face on his face, he looked at He Xichao, then at Xiao Hong, and finally his eyes fell back on He Xichao's face, as if wondering whether to tell the truth.

Xiao Hong frowned and raised his head. Sweat had flowed from his forehead and temples to his chin, dripping.

He turned around, in this damn weather, even with an umbrella, it was unbearably hot, and He Xi was sweating shoulder to shoulder with those who came here who were afraid of the cold but not the heat.

He thought about going on his way first and talking in the shade.

"Brother Wang, do you have any relatives in Kuiliang County?"

"……Have."

"How are they now?"

"They..." Wang Shizhu lowered his head, his expression darkened suddenly, but he was suddenly startled. He didn't say that he came from Kuiliang County.

However, He Xichao didn't seem to care. He said earnestly: "Kuiliang County should be considered a rich county more than ten years ago. Floods were not serious. There was only one storm every few years. But I don't know why. , this year is getting worse every year, and the floods are becoming more frequent and more severe. Even if we haven't been there, we can imagine how desolate the place is. The Songjiang River feeds Luozi County, and it also nurtures Kuiliang County, Brother Wang, you are not very old, but you should have remembered more than ten years ago, what was the situation at that time, don’t you find it embarrassing if you compare it twice?”

He Xichao's tone of voice has not changed, until now there is a hint of sincerity and regret, as if he feels the same.

Wang Shizhu was a little stunned, and unconsciously clenched the hand holding the water bag tightly.

He Xichao glanced at his hand, couldn't help but deepen his smile, and continued: "His Royal Highness has been concerned about the floods in Kuiliang County since three years ago, and this time he asked the emperor for orders and made up his mind to cure Songjiang. I came to Jiangdong before the flood in the rainy season, just to see what is going on? Brother Wang, everything happens for a reason. You have stayed in Kuiliang County and Luozi County for so long, so it’s impossible that you don’t know the tricks. ?”

"small……"

He Xichao finally raised his sleeve and wiped the sweat from his forehead, and immediately handed a wet handkerchief to him, but Xiao Hong turned to Wang Shizhu and said with a sneer, "This king doesn't live here. , it won't hinder me if it doesn't get cured. However, I can assure you that no one will dare to touch the Lu family except me."

"This king came here for the people of the two counties. If the people don't cooperate, don't blame the court for not taking it seriously. There are many poor people in the world. It is not difficult to find a county that earnestly hopes that this king will come."

As soon as Xiao Hong finished speaking, Wang Shizhu knelt down again, kowtowed and said, "Your Highness, I dare not hide anything about the fields behind the mountain. Outsiders can't find out. I only know that the Lu family claimed to have bought all the land. The fields were all merged into the Lu family's sacrificial fields. As for the original village, whether they wanted it or not, they were all moved to another place. Now that land can be cultivated by Lu family tenants, and outsiders are not allowed to lease it. The original road leading to Songjiang It was also sealed to prevent people from passing by. Not only Luozi County, but also Kuiliang County, and even counties farther away know that the Lu family is not easy to mess with. Not to mention the county magistrate, even the magistrate must give the Lu family face .”

"When will the village be completely moved out?"

"It's... it's been ten years."

He Xichao laughed when he heard it, "It seems that the floods started to be frequent at that time."

Wang Shizhu didn't answer the words, but this time he didn't bow his head, and that was what was hidden in the end of his eyes.

In fact, when asked here, He Xichao, who should know, already had a bottom line in his heart.

The weather was hot, and he really couldn't stay under the sun for long, so he looked at Xiao Hong and said, "Your Highness."

"Xi Chao, should I break into Lu's house, or..."

"I went to Lu's house. Didn't you know that Brother Wang told us?" Seeing Wang Shizhu's face turned pale, He Xichao said, "According to the wishes of the two magistrates, let's go to the dam first." Let’s take a look, and then find a place to settle down, it’s best to find a local person to ask. You have to understand clearly before you can play the emperor.”

"Okay, let's do that."

He Xichao pulled Xiao Hong, and said in a low voice, "Come here, I have something to tell you."

Xiao Hong then followed He Xichao to the carriage at the back, and the whole team continued to move forward after stopping for a while.

Wang Shizhu looked at the two men, his eyes could not help showing worry.

Someone patted on the shoulder, but it was Lu Feng who threatened him with a knife before. He shivered, "My lord?"

"Are you afraid? What are you afraid of?"

"Master Lu... Do you think His Highness will be the same as other adults from the capital, and in the end just reinforce and raise the embankment, and that's it?"

Hearing this, Lu Feng laughed, "Even if the Lu family has the ability to climb to the sky, they are just courtiers. Your Highness is a person who wants to do great things. What is this? Relax, get on the horse quickly, and leave."

In the carriage, Xiao Xuanzi twisted the handkerchief and handed it to Xiao Hong, then bowed out of the carriage.

"Hurry up, how can you be so patient under the sun, this kid is dishonest, just beat him up."

Xiao Hong originally wanted to do it himself, but he felt that he was covered in sweat and was too embarrassed to approach He Xichao, so he handed it over regretfully, found a water bag, found a bowl from the small cabinet in the car, and poured water into it .

He Xichao wiped his face, took the glass of water, moistened his throat after drinking, and felt better.

He said: "When we get to Kuiliang County, believe it or not, the weather will be the same as yesterday, and there will be thunder and heavy rain. We may have just touched the dam, and we may have to go back home."

"What's the weather like?" Xiao Hong asked in surprise.

"Yesterday, I asked the old head of the post station. This season is like this, and the weather is getting boring again."

"It seems to be like this, I am so careful with you."

He Xichao pondered and said: "This Wang Shizhu is not very old, and he didn't talk nonsense in the face of your accusation, which shows that he is not only afraid of you, but also has a relatively honest heart. Come on, it’s more convenient than asking people under the eyes of others, maybe the people left in Kuiliang County are afraid to tell you the truth, after all, you have disappointed them too many times.”

It's not that Emperor Tiangan didn't pay attention to floods, as far as He Xichao knew, there were two times.

But it was still just strengthening and raising the embankment, which gave the emperor an illusion that it was not easy to control the water in Songjiang.

"But it's too easy, isn't it?"

He Xichao asked back: "Do you think it's fake?"

Xiao Hong nodded.

"Regardless of whether it is true or not, this is a direction. We cannot assume that there is something wrong with the Lu family just because of Wang Shizhu's words. The Lu family just bought the land, which may have violated the regulations, but it is not a big deal. The important thing is to find out. He bought whether Tian did something to Songjiang."

"Fill the river?"

"Do you think that's possible?"

Xiao Hong said: "In fact, I really don't want this. I have never seen the emperor's grandmother, but I heard that the late emperor was a bastard, and he did not let her go when he died. She was asked to make a choice between life and the throne of the emperor, so Father won the throne and lost his mother, so naturally he gave the Lu family preferential treatment. Over the years, I have not heard any memorial to impeach the Lu family..."

When Xiao Hong said this, he paused, and then smiled wryly: "Xi Chao, there is a problem without impeachment, right, so I think you believe in this Wang Shizhu."

He Xichao couldn't help laughing at Xiao Hong's casual "The Emperor was a bastard", "Your ability to speak freely is at its peak."

"Just talk about it in front of you." Xiao Hong sighed after finishing speaking, "Oh, it's a little troublesome."

He Xichao leaned closer to him, and wiped the veil that had wiped his face for Xiao Hong, then patted Xiao Hong's face and said: "I always thought that as long as someone has money, there is nothing they can't do. The emperor even dug such a long canal. Although it was a waste of time and money, it was still done. There is no reason why there is no solution to the small Songjiang River, unless someone obstructs it. So this time you come, rather than to control the water, you should It’s better to say it’s governing people.”

Xiao Hong stretched his limbs, spread out in the carriage, covered his face with the veil and said, "Xi Chao, what do you think I should do?"

"It's time for me to ask you this. If the Lu family is really behind it, causing the people of a county to suffer, some die, some are injured, some run away, some even sell their children and sell their daughters, their families are ruined... What are you going to do?" what to do?"