husband in another world

"Master, I'll take you there." Jiang Wei waited at the door early with the ox cart, saw Zhou Jing hurried up to meet him.

Coming out of the back door, the autumn wind has already blown down the maple leaves, and the fiery red maple leaves cover the long street, adding a touch of beauty.However, after turning around the long street and walking a few steps, there is only a dirt road full of scars and potholes, which seems to have come to the countryside impressively.

After passing through a few long streets, the majestic county government stands on it. It is obviously just a building, but it has an inexplicable majesty.

The bullock carts did not stop at the main gate of the county government office, but bypassed the government office and parked in the backyard.

"My lord, there are many cars parked in front of the county magistrate's back door, and they all seem to be merchants like us."

Zhou Jing opened the car curtain and took a look. Sure enough, there were more than a dozen cars parked one after the other on the long street in the county grandfather's backyard.The carriages of these cars are all decorated in a rich and extravagant manner, and it can be seen at a glance that they are popular among merchants.

Among these carriages, there can be five or six carriages.

Because of the wars in the early years, a large number of horses were pulled into the battlefield, resulting in countless casualties, and the supply was in short supply.In order to ensure that there were horses available on the battlefield and that the soldiers had horses to ride, the imperial court confiscated untrained folk horses and sent them to the battlefield. During that time, the folks seldom saw horses, let alone carriages.

Later, when the new emperor succeeded to the throne, the war was quelled, and a large number of horses were no longer needed on the battlefield, so the policy on the use of horses by the people was gradually relaxed, which made some rich and noble gentlemen of the people able to use horses again.

However, even if the policy is relaxed, horses are still very precious and rare. If wealthy private merchants want to buy horses, they can't buy them with money, and they need a guarantor.This kind of guarantor has never existed in any dynasty before the dynasty, and it is a unique new product of the dynasty's years of war.

Not everyone can be a guarantor, only scholars, and scholars with a reputation, or officials with official positions can become a guarantor, and merchants are allowed to buy horses under their guarantee.

This policy was promulgated at the beginning to prevent merchants from buying a large number of horses during the war, and then transporting the horses from the north of the dynasty to outside the dynasty, selling them to the opposing country of the dynasty or other small countries, and wantonly making war windfalls.

Since the beginning of the dynasty, scholars, farmers, businessmen, and merchants have been ranked at the bottom. It is believed that most merchants are opportunistic, treacherous and greedy.The dynasty is most worried about this kind of people, thinking that they can betray anything as long as they have interests.The scholars who have read the sage books are loyal to the emperor, loyal to the country, and knowledgeable. Only they can understand the true character of the merchant under the cunning appearance. With their burden, they can prove that the merchant bought horses for his own use, not for profit. Only then did the imperial court allow horse dealers to sell them, and even the horse transfer documents must have the name of the guarantor.

Therefore, being able to own a carriage among merchants is not only a symbol of wealth, but also a symbol of status.

Looking at the carriages parked at the entrance of the county government office, Zhou Jing guessed that the merchants invited by the county magistrate today were all leaders in various industries.He quickly skipped many guesses in his mind, but none of them felt the closest to him.

"Brother." A bullock cart approached behind him, Zhou Jing turned around and saw Wang Ren jumping out of the bullock cart.

Zhou Jing asked in surprise, "Why are you here?"

"The magistrate of the county sent a yamen servant to notify me. I didn't find out why. I thought I had committed something, but I didn't expect to meet my elder brother as soon as I arrived at the door. I think the elder brother must have been invited by the magistrate too." Bar?"

Zhou Jing nodded, but his heart was even more confused.

Wang Rendao: "It seems that the owners of these vehicles parked here should be merchants like you and me. I just don't know what happened to the county magistrate to call us all here?"

Zhou Jing shook his head, "I'll find out in a while."

"That's right." Wang Ren turned to the coachman and said, "These twenty copper coins are extra rewards for you. Please go to Zhouji Cooked Food and report a letter, saying that I met my eldest brother, and the county magistrate invited more than me and my eldest brother." Two, there are more than a dozen businessmen, tell my husband not to worry."

The coachman happily agreed with more than twenty copper coins.

"Let's go." Zhou Jing took the lead and Wang Ren followed a step behind. The two went up the steps and knocked on the back door of the county grandpa's house.

"This is our invitation card. The magistrate asked us to come here." Zhou Jing handed the invitation card given to him by the yamen servant to the concierge.

"Come with me over here."

Wang Ren of Zhou Jing frowned and lowered his eyes, followed behind the porter in a regular manner, not daring to look around, and went straight into the hall all the way.There were already more than a dozen people sitting or standing in the hall.

When they saw the two of Zhou Jing coming in, they all looked over at the same time, looking at Zhou Jing up and down.

Among these people, Zhou Jing didn't know most of them, and the only two he knew were just acquaintances and nodding acquaintances.He nodded slightly with those two people, and after saying hello, Zhou Jing found an inconspicuous place to sit down.

As Zhou Jing took his seat, the eyes gathered around him shifted, and he had time to observe the other businessmen in the hall.Most of them know about Zhou Jing, and they almost occupy the heads of all walks of life. Each of them is a wealthy man with at least a few decades of background in Liuzhen, and he is just doing business in Liuzhen. It was just business for more than half a year, but the county magistrate invited him to be with these people. Zhou Jing was not only secretly startled, but whether he had risen too fast, and whether he would attract others' attention.

However, these Zhou scenes cannot be discerned from the faces of these well-established merchants. At this moment, they all seem to be wearing human skin masks, sitting quietly in their seats, not whispering a word to each other. At most, one or two people who are familiar with each other silently exchange one or two glances that others cannot understand.

Wang Ren, a country guy, had never experienced this before, and was a little uneasy. He wanted to open his mouth to say something to relieve the tension in his heart, but Zhou Jingwei shook his head and held back.Only then did he realize that the hall was so quiet that he could hear the drop of a needle, but the air was like a taut string, only lively in his heart.

Afterwards, several merchants came one after another, and the Grand Master of Kung Fu County, who made an appointment for a cup of tea, walked out slowly accompanied by the master.

The county grandpa is 50 years old, with outstanding appearance, medium height, slender figure, and a romantic figure.Today, I am wearing a long gown in plain clothes, embroidered with proud and clear plums, and I am arrogant.

The first man got up first, bowed and said: "My lord." The others followed suit, and Zhou Jing and Wang Ren mixed in, trying to reduce their presence as much as possible.

The magistrate smiled benevolently and said, "Get up, everyone, there is no need to be too polite. Today, I would like to invite you all to visit the mansion for a private chat, so don't be too polite."

Everyone got up one after another, the county magistrate sat down and drank a few sips of tea, he was surprised to find that everyone was still standing, so he didn't know whether it was true or not, and asked everyone to sit down again. But they all sat down with great sincerity and respect.

One of them, surnamed Qian Jia, is in the restaurant business at home, and the restaurant business is very large, not only in Liuzhen, but also in several nearby towns. His restaurant has deep roots, and he started the business when the former county magistrate took office Since he was born in water, he is now sixty years old, but he is full of energy, and he is considered an old man.

He stood up first and said, "I don't know why the lord asked the villain to come here? If the lord has any request, the villain will definitely do it wholeheartedly."

The county magistrate said gently: "Although calling you here this time is a private matter, it is actually an official matter. Generally speaking, it is for the people and the court."

With such a big top hat buckled down, everyone knew it by heart.Zhou Jing touched the banknotes in his sleeve without any trace, and he had the bottom line in his heart.He didn't move his head, his eyes turned to Wang Ren, and looked at him out of the corner of his eye. Seeing that Wang Ren nodded almost invisible, he knew that he was also prepared and had a bank note on him, so he didn't worry about it.

On the county magistrate's right hand, Zhu Jianye got up, with a flattering face, smiling as if he wanted to lick the county magistrate's ass, that kind of flattery was so heavy that it made people feel disgusted for no reason at first glance.

"My lord, thank you, my lord, for thinking of the little people in such matters of worrying about the country and the people, so that the little people can also contribute to the people and the court. Please tell the good things like this, my lord You must be completely devastated, do your best, and never hesitate to die." Zhu Jianye said a lot, except for the county magistrate who nodded with a smile, the expressions of the others remained the same, including Zhou Jing and Wang Ren, who even managed to connect their eyelids. Without even blinking, Wang Ren secretly admired himself for such skill.

The magistrate waved his hand in satisfaction and motioned Zhu Jianye to sit down, "It's really rare for you to have such a heart. It can be seen that you are all benevolent merchants. Since you are all for the people and the court, I also know that you are all rough people. Don't listen to me?" If you understand classical Chinese, you don't have to go around the bush, just explain it clearly."

"I heard the news that the imperial court has sent imperial envoys to visit privately. Although we don't have a specific route, [-]% of our Liu province is going to come. Although there are no less than a dozen cities and towns in Liu province, it doesn't rule out that we won't come. Liu Zhen, so I hope you all get ready, be strict with yourself and treat others generously, don't discredit Liu Zhen, and don't discredit me either. Otherwise, once the imperial envoy finds out something, don't say I won't protect you."

Master Qian said: "My lord, don't worry, the villain will stay safe during this period of time, and will never make trouble for you."

The county magistrate nodded, and slowly sipped his tea, "Of course, this is just one of them, and there are two that need to be discussed with you."

"Our Liu Town used to suffer from natural disasters and man-made disasters, and we failed to harvest year after year. But since I took office, the weather has been smooth and the crops have been plentiful. Although there are occasional natural disasters, I have also ordered tax reductions. The people have been living and working in peace and contentment. It is also my credit. It's just that these credits are hidden in the Inside, when the imperial envoy comes, you can’t see it at a glance, and maybe you will think that I have done nothing and made no achievements. I invite you to come today, just to ask you to discuss a way to see how to build a new Liu Town, which can help us Liu The people in the town do practical things, and the imperial envoys can tell at a glance that we have done it."

As soon as the county magistrate Huayin fell, Zhu Jianye didn't think about it. He took the lead and said: "Adults, villains and other rough people may not have an idea, but villains are willing to contribute money and effort. The villain is willing to make a watch and be the first to give 100 taels of gold , whatever the adults want to do, feel free to do it, such a good thing, the villain will do his best when he spends all his wealth."

After Zhu Jianye finished speaking, several people stood up and expressed their willingness to take money.The magistrate put down his teacup, and said in a serious manner: "If you are like this, don't you become an adult and I will stretch out my hand to ask you for money."

Everyone stood up one after another, and said in harmony: "Don't dare to doubt, knowing that you are dedicated to the people, I am willing to help you."

Then the magistrate smiled again, "I know you are rough people and can't speak, well, I don't blame you. But I still have to say, this time I don't want your money, I only want your money." Idea. The imperial envoy is coming soon, please come up with a way to see what our Liu Town can do to let the imperial envoy know at a glance that the people of Liu Town live and work in peace and prosperity. I only need a method without money, and I will give you ten days. Ten days later, it is still here at this time, everyone must give me a solution. Alright, let’s break up, and no one is allowed to stay. To avoid suspicion, no one is allowed to come to me in private during these ten days, otherwise The county magistrate will put that person in prison in accordance with the court's law on bribery."

After the county magistrate finished speaking, he left with the master, leaving everyone looking at each other in blank dismay, wondering whether the magistrate's words were just being polite, or if they were really not allowed to give gifts.

The master followed closely behind the magistrate, and asked, "My lord, I still don't understand your intention of doing this. Why do you ask these merchants to find their own way, instead of us thinking of a way and they just take the money?"

"It's not that I really have no choice. I'm afraid that if I become too small, the imperial envoy won't be able to see it. If I become bigger and spend more money, the imperial envoy will come and blame me for wasting money, and ask me if there is no appropriation for such a large sum of money. Where did it come from? Wouldn’t it be a hat for corruption and bribery? It’s the safest thing to ask these businessmen to do it. In the worst case, I mean no more, no less. But I will go. And if the imperial envoy is not satisfied, Wanquan can blame those merchants, saying that their own behavior has nothing to do with me. Merchants are mostly rough people, even if they want to do things for the people, they can’t do well. It's really normal, and the imperial envoy wouldn't say anything, let alone blame you, my lord."

Only then did the master suddenly realize, "My lord, you are wise."

The county magistrate said: "That's where you are. You still have a lot to learn. By the way, the imperial envoy is coming. Be careful yourself. Let's ask these merchants to find ways to do things for the people. It's okay because they are benevolent. It’s nothing if a penny of money goes into our pockets. Remember, during this period of time, you must never accept money from any merchants, so as not to cause trouble.”

"The little man understands."

The servants from the county grandpa's mansion in the hall then came out to see off the guests, and everyone left.

Even on the way out of the mansion, no one said a word of extraneous words, just walked quietly with their heads down.Leaving the mansion in one breath, no one dared to stay at the back door of the county grandpa's house, so they all boarded the cars and left as soon as possible.

Wang Ren sent the coachman away, and followed Zhou Jing into the ox cart.Bullock carts and carriages lined up on the long street, waiting to go one by one. Zhou Jing raised a corner of the curtain and looked out, and saw a carriage rushing up.

The driver on the shaft of the carriage asked: "Master, why did you come out with them? Why didn't you go to see your sister this time? Didn't the last one get a beautiful gold hairpin, and you want to give it to me?"

As soon as the man in the carriage spoke, Zhou Jing recognized Zhu Jianye's voice. Although they hadn't met each other before, his flattery in the hall just now was really impressive.

"My brother-in-law won't let me stay, and I don't know what he thinks. Everyone in Liu Town doesn't know that I'm the county magistrate's brother-in-law, and there's nothing for the whole family to avoid."

Zhou Jing lowered the curtain, Wang Ren pointed to the direction of Zhu Jianye's voice, and said silently, "The magistrate is his brother-in-law?"

Zhou Jing shook his head, didn't speak, but wrote two words on the palm of Wang Ren's hand - concubine.

Since he is a concubine, the younger brother of the concubine's family is not considered a serious relative, nor can he be called a brother-in-law.My brother-in-law Zhu Jianye dared to talk about it in private, he was complimented by others, and when he was in front of the magistrate, he still had to politely call his lord.If my brother-in-law is not my brother-in-law, I dare not mention it at all.

Wang Ren didn't say a word after that, until he jumped out of the car in front of the shop, and said: "Tomorrow, Xiaolin and I will go to see you and eldest brother."

Zhou Jingdao: "There are embroiderers working in my house now, so it's inconvenient to have too many people. After I think about it, I have a way to get someone to send you a message. Let's go to your house in the countryside to discuss it."

"Okay, I'll wait for news from my brother-in-law."

Zhou Jing returned to Zhou's house, pondering over the meaning of the county magistrate. After much deliberation, he still felt that the county magistrate really wanted merit. An opportunity to be promoted to a noble position, and this kind of opportunity is often the most difficult to come by.

Both Shen Mo and Zhou Yu sat in the room and waited for Zhou Jing to come back. As soon as they entered the study, Zhou Jing directly told the two of them what the county magistrate meant.Although Zhou Yu is only eight years old, he knows what to say and can't be beaten to death. In addition to the hardships he has suffered before, he has developed a sullen and reticent temperament like a saw-mouthed gourd.Zhou Jing was not worried that he would speak out, and he intended to tell him that he would have to take the imperial examination in the future, and his official career was the most unfathomable path, so getting in touch early would not hurt.

Zhou Jing thought about it all the way and couldn't figure it out, but Shen Mo seemed to have an idea after hearing it and asked: "As long as it is something that benefits the people, it doesn't matter whether it is big or small?"

"It doesn't matter how big or small it is, but it must be visible at a glance, and it must be placed there brightly."

Shen Mo said: "My idea is that it's clearly there, it's so obvious, as long as he comes, he can see it."

Now it was Zhou Jing's turn to be surprised, "Xiao Mo, what you said is..."

"Building roads." Shen Mo said lightly: "The streets in our town are okay, even if it's rainy and muddy, we won't be unable to go out, but in the countryside, our Wangjia Village is separated from the village in summer or when it rains and snows heavily in winter. It's common to be unable to come out for ten days and a half months."

Zhou Jing's eyes lit up, he stood up excitedly, squatted down and hugged Shen Mo's waist and turned around.

"Little Mo, how did I think of it? I didn't even think of a future life, but I asked you to think of it. If you want to get rich, you must first build roads. Why did I forget it?"

"Put me down quickly, I'm so dizzy." Shen Mo patted Zhou Jing's shoulder, Zhou Jing just didn't let him go, insisted on hugging his waist, the child seemed to be spinning around, and after a long time, he finally planned to let him down , I didn't expect that before I could stand still, I turned dizzy for a while and fell on the collapse while hugging someone.

Shen Mo was also dizzy, and after a while, he recovered, met Zhou Jing's eyes, saw that his eyes were still straight and dazed, and smiled.

After Zhou Jing woke up, he didn't care about Shen Mo making fun of him, and said happily: "Xiao Mo, tell me how you came up with this idea, you are really my lucky star!"

"I'm just pushing others by myself." Shen Mo said: "Take the fact that our family couldn't get out of the village when it rained in summer, which caused the sausage to lose such a large sum of money. I was so distressed that I couldn't sleep for several days. In fact, isn’t it because the road is bad, so we can’t get out? Or I’m going to sell it door-to-door in the town, and I’m reluctant to throw it away. Earlier, many villagers in Wangjia Village said that if the road can It would be nice to build it like that in the town, and it will be convenient for us to travel. Besides, I want to tell you about this in the past few days. If the road is not built, we will be in the sausage shop and cloth dyeing workshop in Wangjia Village when the snow is heavy in winter. I'm afraid the cloth will not be easy to ship."

Shen Mo said it lightly and naturally, but Zhou Yu was shocked when he heard it.Since he came to the Zhou family, Zhou Jing has always been very capable, a man who can make money and support his family upright, while Shen Mo, like an ordinary husband, only takes care of the trivial things at home and does what everyone can do. Things seem to be insignificant and have no extraordinary strengths.This time, Zhou Yu overturned all his previous impressions and got to know him again.

Zhou Jingdao: "Little Mo, this time you're doing well. If the county magistrate knows about his staff, the master's mind-boggling way can be easily resolved by a pair of children. I'm afraid I'll die of shame."

"Let's do it this way. Anyway, we can't run away to get the money. It just happens to be convenient for us, and it can be regarded as a good deed for the villagers of Wangjia Village."