Bastard's Counterattack [Rebirth]

"Ms. Hua, you don't need to be polite." Rong Youtang held his breath, raised his hand to give her a vain support, and at the same time took a step back without missing a trace, standing at the entrance of the veranda, the cool spring breeze passed through the hall, dispelling the scent of makeup and powder.

"Grassman Tong Ziming, I pay my respects to the magistrate."

"Grassman Yueling, please greet your lord." Two thin middle-aged men saluted respectfully one after the other.

Rong Youtang said easy-goingly: "The two shopkeepers, please come."

"Thank you sir."

The beautiful woman was full of smiles. Apart from her relatively plump figure, her speech and demeanor did not reveal her age. She said softly, "Your Excellency loves the people like a child and works hard day and night. It is indeed a blessing for Xizhou. You have worked hard."

"Where, it's just my duty." Rong Youtang smiled, resisting the uncomfortable feeling of wet clothes sticking to his body, and asked straight to the point: "The three of you are here today, why are you here?"

Tong Ziming hurriedly cupped his hands, and explained respectfully: "Caomin and others donated money to build a Hanwen Academy, which is specially for poor students from Xizhou to enroll in the school. Tuition is free, and students only need to prepare three meals a day. If you pass the exam, there will be a lot of rewards! It is now scheduled to open on March [-]th, can you please take the time to preside over the opening ceremony?"

"Hanwen Academy?" Rong Youtang raised his eyebrows with great interest, but did not ask in detail, and praised: "Donating money to open a private school to help poor students in your hometown is a good deed to do good deeds. I believe that the students who have received favors will appreciate your kindness." It's a pity, it's a pity, I just came to take up the post, and there are so many things that need to be sorted out urgently, I really don't have time."

"I understand that my lord is busy with business. In fact, you only need to show your face at the opening ceremony, which is enough to motivate the students to study hard." The beautiful woman earnestly invited.

"Hey, it's nothing. I didn't donate money to build it, and I'm not the teacher of the academy. There is no reason to take credit. If the students are good seedlings who are diligent and motivated, they will definitely study hard. Tell them: If you pass the exam in the future Fame, the official and the state government will also reward you!" Rong Youtang exhorted.

"Yes." The beautiful woman knelt down and blessed again.

The three storekeepers looked at each other, and Yue Ling continued to persuade with a smile on his face: "There were a lot of guests on the opening ceremony, and everyone was looking forward to seeing your demeanor. Your Excellency is a talented champion on the gold list and a scholar of the Imperial Academy. Who are the scholars in the world?" Don’t you admire it? I beg you to do me a favor, so that the local common people, such as Caomin, can learn a lot.”

Rong Youtang's expression did not change, and he declined calmly: "The things shopkeeper Yue said are the titles I got in the past, but now I am the new magistrate, and I can't afford the word 'admiration' from the common people." After finishing speaking, He glanced at Wei Jie quietly.

Wei Jie understood, pretending to be surprised and said: "March [-]th? My lord's itinerary has already been set, and we are not free that day."

"Uh……"

The beautiful woman was stunned, but she was not discouraged, and asked instead: "Which day is your lord free? You and the others can reschedule the opening of the museum."

Rong Youtang laughed dumbfounded, shook his head and said: "You have already selected the auspicious day of the zodiac, and the invitations have probably been sent out, so why change the date? Open the museum as scheduled, and the people of Xizhou will remember your good deeds."

"Our adults have been out and busy all day, and we haven't had any tea or dinner, and you all saw it." Wei Jie's eviction order came to an end.

"Oh, that is, that is."

"Your Excellency is impartial and diligent, and the grassroots admire him so much." The three wealthy businessmen took advantage of the situation to compliment him, with smiles all over their faces.The beautiful woman's eyes were full of appreciation, and she took the opportunity to look directly at the handsome magistrate from time to time.

At this time, Zhuo Kai, who had woken up from sleep, was waiting anxiously in the back room, so he simply stepped out of the front hall to visit. When he saw Rong Youtang from a distance, he laughed, temporarily swallowed back a sentence of "Brother Rong", and shouted cheerfully:

"Master Rong!"

Rong Youtang turned around when he heard the sound, and immediately smiled, and hurriedly said to the three wealthy businessmen: "I have something to do, excuse me. You must remember the beginning and the end of the free school, and don't delay the children who are serious about studying."

"Yes."

"I obey." The beautiful woman bent her knees again, watching the magistrate's tall and straight figure disappear.

After a long while, they left the office listlessly and walked towards their respective frames. Yue Ling tightened the neckline of Jinfeng, and whispered: "Yes! We returned without success again."

"This Mr. Rong is different from the previous magistrates. He seems gentle and gentle, but he is so difficult to invite, and people can't figure out his temper." Tong Ziming curled his lips.

"He became a high-ranking official at a young age. I heard that his family is quite wealthy, and he has made good friends with some royal family and dignitaries. The place outside is just for training, and he will definitely stay for a long time. Alas, we people, in the eyes of Mr. Rong Come on, I guess it looks like a toad." The beautiful woman sighed faintly.

Yue Ling shook his shoulders and suppressed a smile, jokingly said: "I don't like to eat swan meat, I like to eat the meat of Hu Meizi in your Changyue Building."

"Hey hey~" Tong Ziming folded his hands and rolled up his sleeves, and laughed in agreement: "Sister Hua, that young and handsome swan is indeed a rare one, but at your age, can you eat it? Haha, he calls you 'Ms. Hua' '!"

"Hey, drunkards and gamblers who want to die, chewing their tongues." The beautiful woman was annoyed, and waved a fragrant handkerchief, flung it lightly on Tong Ziming's face, but was grabbed by the wrist and tugged, and fell into the other's arms In the middle of the night, he was touched hard on his chest, and he let out a coquettish "Ouch".

Yue Ling resentfully said: "At your age, you can still bite brother Tong. Although he is not as handsome as that swan, he is rich. He is an old fat sheep. You can give Changyue a knife if he kills you." Lou bought some beautiful foxes."

"Go! Go! Go!"

The three of them drifted away, boarded their respective carriages and headed home.

at the same time

In the state capital, the back office was quiet during the day, and it didn't become lively until the people who went out on business returned.

"Dongzi, hurry up and set up a table of reception wine, we are going to welcome Mr. Zhuo tonight!" Rong Youtang who hurried back to the house and changed into clean clothes happily ordered.

"Don't worry, my lord, the banquet is ready, where do you think it would be suitable?" Zhang Dong asked cheerfully.

"Put it in the small hall of the back office. It's warm and bright there. If you're drunk, you can go back to the house to rest."

"Okay!" Zhang Dong agreed briskly, and not long after, he went to the living room to say hello: "Everyone, please be seated."

Zhuo Kai deliberately waited for Rong Youtang, and asked curiously in a low voice: "What did those three people do just now?"

"They are wealthy businessmen who run restaurants, gambling houses, and brothels respectively. They are extremely enthusiastic. They look for reasons to invite me to eat, drink and have fun every day." Rong Youtang introduced with a wry smile.

"I've heard a few words, they invited you to attend the opening ceremony of the private school, and they know how to please others." Zhuo Kai commented bluntly.

If officials and businessmen have close contacts on a daily basis, it is easy to be accused of "collusion".

"Donating money to set up a school is an act of charity. I could go around, but I have too many things at hand, and I don't know their character for the time being, so I simply declined. I will talk about it when I have a chance in the future." Rong Youtang explained, pushing with his left hand Wei Jie pushed Zhuo Kai's shoulder with his right hand, and yelled: "Brothers, let's go and drink!" A group of men followed happily.

"Master Rong——" Zhuo Kai just started, Rong Youtang immediately interrupted: "Brother Kai, there is no need to be polite in private, Leizi Chen Ji and I are good brothers. When we were in Beiying, you always called your subordinates I always remember to help the kitchen carry vegetables."

Zhuo Kai was greatly moved, and was infected by the heroic and straightforward atmosphere with a smile on his brows and eyes, and changed his words politely: "It's just a trivial matter, what does Brother Rong do to remember those things? I'm here to trouble you."

"What's the trouble? You're clearly here to endure hardships with us!" Rong Youtang said cheerfully, and solemnly reminded: "Have a meal of wine tonight, and after two days you'll be busy without touching the ground. I hope you don't get scared." Pour Kai brother."

"Hahaha~" Wei Jie and the others laughed in unison.

The reception wine in the side hall has been drunk for more than an hour, the wine is full and the food is full, and the fun is over.

mid hour

Rong Youtang led his left and right men into the study room, and after the servant served the hangover tea, he took his leave and closed the door.

There was a sound of water splashing, Rong Youtang twisted the handkerchief and wiped his face, he was slightly smoky from the wine, his cheeks, neck and neck were flushed, and he was extremely handsome.

"Brother Rong is not drunk, right?" Zhuo Kai asked with concern.The more men in the army, the more they practiced, the more they drank the rice wine, a local specialty of Xizhou, they would not be drunk even after a jar of rice wine.

"Come and drink a cup of hangover tea." Wei Jie urged.

Rong Youtang hung the handkerchief back on the washstand, and said with a smile: "I'm not drunk, but my face is hot and sweaty from drinking, so I wipe it off." He sat down behind the half-worn desk, smiled and said, "It's great to have you here Yes! When I first received the imperial decree, I was always worried that I would have more energy than I wanted to come to Xizhou, but thanks to His Highness’s generosity, I was exempted from fighting alone here.”

"I, I can only run errands, I can't help you much." Wei Jie said humbly.

Zhuo Kaijun blushed slightly, embarrassed and said: "I don't even know anything, I can't even tell the difference between east, west, and north while running errands."

"Hey, in fact, we have only been here for two months, and we are still exploring the local customs and customs of Xizhou." Rong Youtang said with a smile, and said: "The journey is exhausting, brother Kai, rest for two days, my name is the servant leader. Let you go around the city and get familiar with familiar places."

Zhuo Kai straightened his chest, leaned slightly, and sincerely said: "I slept all afternoon today, and I've already rested. If there's anything I can do to help, I'll do it tomorrow morning!"

"There are many things to do, don't be in a hurry." Rong Youtang comforted him, he understood the other party's eagerness to gain a foothold based on strength.

"You are all busy, how can I be free? Besides, I have nothing to do during the boat trip south, and my back hurts from sleeping. I have long wanted to relax my muscles and bones." Zhuo Kai worked hard to get an errand.

Rong Youtang smiled, nodded, and said bluntly, "Since that's the case, we do have an urgent matter to do right now."

"What's the matter?" Zhuo Kai held his breath.

"An old theft case in Shun County has already filled in two lives, and the case has not been closed for almost three years." Rong Youtang told succinctly.

"Isn't Shun County once plagued by bandits? Just as the county magistrate imprisoned Niu Yiliang and his son, the county government office was looted and burned by the bandits. Fortunately, the cell was not burned down, but the county government officials were frequently transferred, and the case was delayed. Niu Yiliang's two sons died of illness in prison, and he only has half his life left." Wei Jie added.

"Theft? What did they steal? If it was an ordinary theft, there shouldn't be any labor involved." Zhuo Kai asked sharply.

Rong Youtang smiled appreciatively, with excitement in his eyes, and said softly:

"iron."

"Stealing iron?"

"Iron mine!" Rong Youtang reminded in a low voice: "There is no conclusive evidence at present, and the case is very unclear. It can only be said that it is suspected of theft."

"Iron mines must be government-run, and the imperial court strictly prohibits private ownership." Wei Jie took a sip of tea and sighed: "Niu Yiliang has been hit by bereavement one after another. , without saying a word."

Rong Youtang couldn't hide his excitement, and he said with great anticipation: "There are several small iron smelting workshops in other prefectures in Hejian, but there is none in Xizhou. If we can build a large workshop, it will be beneficial and harmless!"

"I see." Zhuo Kai nodded clearly, and immediately promised: "If you don't dislike the ignorance of laymen, I will help investigate tomorrow morning."

"it is good!"

Rong Youtang acted resolutely, and immediately arranged: "I have other important tasks at hand. The case will be handed over to the Tongzhi Zhang Baohe and the judge Qiu Xiaohuai. The wronged two will participate in the trial as the prefect's staff."

"It's an honor, what's wrong with you?" Wei Jie accepted the order happily.

"I will try my best!" Zhuo Kai said solemnly.He and Wei Jie knew each other well, took a long-term view, and were willing to work for Rong Youtang.

Right now

Capital Qianming Palace

With a sound of "dang", Emperor Chengtian gave a heavy meal, and the teacup shattered in response, and the fox asked: "Your second brother suddenly fell ill?"

"The imperial doctor is treating him, but he hasn't diagnosed the condition yet." King Qing replied quickly.

"I asked him to set off for the feudal Guangnan Prefecture in the future. It's not too early or too late, but why is he sick at this time?" Cheng Tiandi was expressionless.

Unable to respond to these words, King Qing remained silent.

"The imperial decree has been issued, and it is impossible for me to take it back." Chengtian Emperor asked solemnly with a cold face, thoughtful, "Yong'er, what do you think should be done?"