No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 705: A man should be like this! [7k, please vote for me at the end of the month!]

Governor's Mansion, meeting hall.

County Magistrate Diao, who was sitting in the front row, looked radiant today.

From the nearby city of Xunyang, he met his colleagues who were also attending the meeting.

On the way to the Governor's Mansion with them, he felt secretly happy at the envious looks his colleagues cast at him from time to time.

As the current county magistrate of Longcheng County, he is the successor of the place where Lord Ouyang, the current governor of Jiangzhou and scholar of Xiuwenguan, made his fortune and worked.

No one needs to guess to know the relationship between him and Ouyang Lianghan.

According to the rules of officialdom, Longcheng County is Ouyang Lianghan's base for making a fortune, and the person who takes over must be someone he trusts and is close to.

Therefore, County Magistrate Diao was naturally labeled as a member of Ouyang Lianghan and the Xunyang Palace behind him.

Although Magistrate Diao knew in his heart that his old boss Ouyang Lianghan did not have the kind of gangster spirit to form cliques, he just treated him as a former acquaintance and colleague, and sometimes even patted his shoulder, teasingly called him "Master Diao", and asked "How many sets of four-season uniforms do you have now?" This made Magistrate Diao feel helpless and embarrassed.

Ouyang Lianghan did not transfer him from the county to the state for promotion, nor did he provide any direct personnel convenience. He let everything take its course. It still depended on his own ability to make any political achievements, not flattery.

It’s just that if he makes some achievements and has someone above him, he will definitely not be ignored and buried.

But just for this, we should be thankful.

After Ouyang Rong made achievements on Zheyiqu, he was nearly suppressed by Wang Lengran, then governor of Jiangzhou, in the evaluation of officials held every six months, thus burying his political achievements. If it were not for the then Longcheng Su family and now Xunyang Wang family who used their connections in Luoyang to recommend him, and if it were not for the strong recommendation and running around of his mentor Xie Xun, who delivered the report on Zheyiqu's political achievements to the desk of Mr. Di, the chief minister of the Political Affairs Hall, Ouyang Rong would probably still be doing trivial things in Longcheng County such as catching petty thieves and maintaining public safety, wasting his talents.

It’s a matter of time and fate. This is the difference between having a noble person or not.

Magistrate Diao was deeply moved.

Although the noble person may not care too much about discovering you, nor does he expect you to repay him, he is simply rewarding you based on your merits, discovering talents, and appreciating them...

But the division between factions cannot be changed by human will.

It is not something that everyone in the officialdom can decide freely and subjectively.

It’s about how others see you and how your enemies see you.

When they think you are, you'd better be, or have to be.

Because you can't afford the cost of being inspected by others even once.

Even the enemy doesn't bother to check.

Because the stick has already been hit, even if you are found to be in a neutral camp, what if you are smiling and welcoming but secretly holding a grudge? It would be easier to just hit you to death with a stick.

In any system, the simpler the rules of the game are, the better, as they can reduce the waste of resources. The more complex they are, the more difficult it is to operate.

This is even more true in the officialdom, where the labels that are put on people are difficult to tear off.

For example, isn't it the same with Li Congshan, who is currently on guard at Xunyang Palace? Although he has done nothing wrong and even performed his duties conscientiously, Princess Wei Mei feels uncomfortable and suspicious of him because he was born in the White Tiger Guard when Qiu Shenji was in power. She tries every means to replace him with her nephew Wei Mi, so that she can sleep peacefully.

In this regard, Li Xian, Li Guoer and Li Dalang all acquiesced and did not stop Wei Mei.

Because the 300 soldiers who guard the palace are very important, Xunyang Palace cannot afford the risk of testing them even once.

At certain special critical moments, its betrayal could bring the royal palace to an irretrievable end.

Therefore, your life and property must be in the hands of your own people, only then can you feel at ease.

Don't take risks if you can avoid them.

It has nothing to do with whether Li Congshan is good or bad, or whether he has done his job conscientiously.

anyway.

Magistrate Diao, who had a shiny label, stole the show when he entered Xunyang City this time.

After Wang Lengran, Lin Cheng and their group were eliminated, Ouyang Rong and Xunyang Palace had already taken control of all power in Jiangzhou. Naturally, the county officials in the territory took sides, but as they were sycophantic, they were definitely not as good as the old people of Longcheng who had come to their aid in times of need.

County Magistrate Diao was pleased to receive the enviable label of "old man of Longcheng", but he also felt a little sad in his heart.

It is said that one has to sit on the bench for ten years. Wow, he actually sat there for thirty years. Finally, he met a great benefactor before his retirement, and his career started to flourish again.

What, continue to retire and return home? Sue a fuck, he is not old, he can still shine for the Great Zhou and Her Majesty the Queen for another ten years!

Governor's Mansion, meeting hall.

All the influential provincial and county officials in Jiangzhou gathered together.

In the morning, it was already past two quarters past nine.

The tea in the cups in front of the participants had already gone cold. The atmosphere in the hall was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. There was still no sign of the governor outside the door.

Chen You, the Licao assistant general who was presiding over the meeting, walked out of the room with small steps.

After a while, a group of clerks led by Chen You came in and replaced the cups of steaming hot tea for the officials on the scene.

The originally quiet hall was suddenly filled with the crisp sounds of porcelain cups colliding.

Pairs of eyes drifted towards the figures in front of the hall.

The young governor had been in office for a year, and everyone was familiar with his style. He was definitely not someone who liked to be late. He had a strong sense of time and always arrived early. His self-discipline was shameful.

But this time he didn't come.

Some people in the hall were already quietly wondering whether something sudden had happened, and some even felt uneasy.

Magistrate Diao sat in the front row, his back straight, drinking tea calmly.

In fact, he learned it from Ouyang Rong in Longcheng County before. He still remembered the calm and composed demeanor of Lord Mingfu at that time.

Magistrate Diao looked straight ahead, sitting upright, without turning back to look outside the door.

There were already many people in the hall secretly glancing at Diao County Magistrate, the popular figure. After seeing his calm and steady attitude of waiting, they couldn't help but feel more at ease.

In addition to County Magistrate Diao, there were three other people in the front row who were equally as still as a mountain.

They were a middle-aged female official, a stern man in armor, and a kind, gentle, and noble-looking young man with a stubble.

The former was Rong Zhen’s trusted female official, whose surname was Li.

Next in line were the transport supervisor Qin Yi, and the prince of Xunyang and the deputy governor of Jiangzhou Li Fusu.

Came here on behalf of the Supervisory Council, the front-line central military camp, and Xunyang Palace.

The three of them drank tea quietly without rushing.

He didn't even make the small move to check the time and sky.

Just wait patiently as if nothing happened.

There was no intention of being dissatisfied or blaming the young governor for being late.

Even the prince turned his head from time to time when he was away from Fusu, and touched the food box held by the maid behind him with great concern.

The food box contained the nourishing ginseng soup that Xunyang Prince Li Xian specially gave to Governor Ouyang. It seemed that it was made by Princess Wei Mei herself.

Choosing such a meeting time and sending it in public not only shows daily intimacy, but also clearly declares something.

The officials in the audience were shocked.

At this moment, with these few people taking the lead, even they were not in a hurry and were waiting patiently. Naturally, there was no one on the scene with a bigger show or status than them, so they all calmed down and drank tea in silence.

Occasionally, some younger officials in the hall would raise their heads and couldn't help but look around at the entire audience who were waiting in silence.

This is a reflection of personal dignity and power.

They felt some sighs in their hearts, and couldn't hide their envy.

Although the young governor was no longer around, his remaining influence was enough to control the situation.

A man should be like this.

Just as everyone's minds were distracted, a steady pair of footsteps with their own rhythm sounded in the corridor outside, getting closer and closer to the hall.

It was like a shot of chicken blood, instantly activating the dull hall.

……

Pei Shisan Niang came to the governor's mansion today, still wearing her favorite purple and gold shawl.

But the clothes she wore were much more simple.

Normally, on important occasions like this, she would wear the most expensive silks and satins in her home and the finest luxury jewelry to look radiant.

But not today.

She wore none of these, only a plain-colored women's long dress, which was white in color and made of inexpensive material. She was dressed simply and her jewelry was also simple. On her head she only had a mandarin duck jade hairpin that was popular in Xunyang City for some time at the beginning of the year.

Pei Shisanniang had previously sold hundreds of these mandarin duck jade hairpins through a jewelry business.

The one she is wearing on her head right now is special.

Because it was something the young master had thrown to her during the last Lantern Festival, and she has kept it ever since.

In addition, Pei Shisanniang had taken off the black gauze that she had worn on her face for more than half a month.

Thanks to the ointment that the young master silently sent to them, the red marks on their cheeks have mostly disappeared, leaving only a little redness, which outsiders cannot tell.

Pei Shisan Niang couldn't help but touch her cheek, a little absent-minded.

Pei Shisan Niang did not attend the meeting at the Governor's Mansion this time.

She came early today, and after entering, she went straight to a side hall next to the meeting hall, sat down inside, drank tea, and waited quietly.

This was not the first time Pei Shisanniang came to this governor's mansion.

In her previous words, she had been blinded by greed and was still a lost lamb. She had come to the governor's mansion several times when she was being used by Wang Lengran and Lin Cheng to cooperate with them.

There was even one time when Pei Shisanniang and Shen Bingqiang, who had “sacrificed heroically”, bumped into the young master’s carriage at the gate of the governor’s mansion…

All gone.

But this time, the feeling was completely different from her previous visits.

Or rather, everything turned upside down.

From the moment she got off the carriage at the gate of the governor's mansion to the moment she arrived at the side hall next to the meeting room.

The officials of all levels in Jiangzhou that she met along the way were all warm and kind to her, and even some low-ranking officials had a hint of respect in their smiles.

She is now addressed as President Pei instead of the previous "Mrs. Pei" which tends to refer to the wives of the weaker class.

Pei Shisanniang felt mixed emotions in her heart, and her back gradually straightened.

In fact, the reason for this status difference is very simple.

She belongs to Ouyang Rong.

All the smart people in Jiangzhou’s officialdom knew that she was working for the young governor.

Logically speaking, if a business woman like Pei Shisan Niang was close to a young official, there would definitely be a lot of gossip about sex. It was possible that the gossip would be made up in a teahouse in the market the next day and spread throughout the state.

But not this time.

She and Ouyang Rong did not.

Because he is Ouyang Lianghan.

He is a gentleman known throughout the world, a loyal minister of the dynasty who refused to obey the emperor's orders, and the youngest scholar of the Xiuwenguan.

Everyone knew that he was the one who was trying to reform her, and it wasn't any bribery.

Ouyang Rong's personality and reputation do not give any room for such romantic gossip to survive.

And this is indeed the case.

In the side hall, Pei Shisan Niang held the teacup in both hands with a dazed expression. Thinking of this, she freed one hand, stroked her right cheek where the palm print had disappeared, and kneaded it.

The beautiful lady in the purple gold shawl, whose status had undergone a drastic change, sighed softly for some reason.

The door to the side hall was open, and the morning sunlight falling on the floor at the entrance slowly shifted.

After drinking tea and waiting for a long time, Pei Shisanniang realized that her colleague Wang Caozhi seemed to be missing.

Logically, Wang Caozhi should also come from Xunyang Grottoes and wait with her in this side hall for the young master to finish the meeting.

Strange, where did the person go?

Moreover, there was no sound of a meeting in the conference room next door, and it seemed that it had not started yet.

Pei Shisan Niang hesitated whether to go out and take a look.

Just then, she heard footsteps coming from the corridor outside.

There was a familiar footstep, with a fast rhythm, and one could tell from it that the owner of the footsteps was swift and decisive. When Pei Shisanniang heard it, she immediately stood up and went out to greet him.

As I reached the door, the team in the corridor had already passed the side hall.

Walking in front was a young man in a crimson official uniform, with an upright posture.

The morning sunlight lengthened his slender figure on the ground in the side hall.

The handsome profile was covered with a layer of golden edges by the sunlight, as if it was radiating light.

Pei Shisan Niang was a little distracted.

By the time she reacted and reached the door, Ouyang Rong had already passed the side hall entrance. He walked straight towards the conference room in front without even glancing at Pei Shisan Niang.

"Sir?"

Pei Shisan Niang subconsciously wanted to chase, but a palm appeared in front of her, signaling her to stop and retreat.

"Get out of the way." Someone shouted.

Pei Shisanniang turned around and saw that it was Yan Liulang and Wang Caozhi, plus a team of tall and straight, stern constables, who were clearing the way for the young master and following closely behind him, strictly forbidding anyone who blocked the way to approach.

"President Pei?"

Yan Liulang quickly glanced at Pei Shisan Niang and found that it was her. He withdrew his hand, said nothing more, and continued to lead his men to follow.

Wang Caozhi, who was standing next to him, slowed down his pace slightly, looked at Pei Shisanniang's face after she took off the black gauze, and said with a half-smile:

"President Pei looks much better now, but it's better to always have a black veil ready, just in case it is needed again someday."

Pei Shisan Niang withdrew her gaze from Ouyang Rong's back and glanced at the smiling short young man.

She hummed softly.

Although the two worked under Ouyang Rong, they did not get along well because they were both businessmen and came in an order of sequence. One considered himself an old employee and the other was a newcomer, so naturally they looked down on each other.

Wang Caozhi said teasing words, but he did not stop at all. Pei Shisanniang asked from behind him:

"Where is Shopkeeper Wang going? Why is he running around everywhere?"

Wang Caozhi had already stopped smiling, ignored the beautiful woman, and quickly caught up with the team in front.

Seeing this, Pei Shisan Niang also made a prompt decision and went out. Instead of staying in the side hall, she followed him.

In front of the door of the conference hall, General Chen was waiting eagerly.

Seeing Ouyang's group coming, he immediately went to greet them: "Mingfu, you are here!"

Ouyang Rong passed by him, tilted his head slightly and asked, "Is everyone here?"

Chen You followed closely behind Ouyang Rong. Being tall, he bowed slightly and said, "Everyone is here."

Ouyang Rong said without turning his head: "Give me a cup of tea."

Chen You was just about to say that the hot tea was ready, but he saw Yan Liulang turn around and leave from his seat in the conference room, taking a few constables with him, carrying a bag filled with tea leaves and tea sets, to get hot water to make tea. Their movements seemed very skilled.

Chen You shut his mouth immediately.

Wang Caozhi, Pei Shisan Niang and others looked at them sideways, and they immediately understood that this was a safety measure, especially at this critical juncture, such important figures had to bring their own tea utensils, which had to be checked by special personnel, and no carelessness was allowed.

They stopped at the door, waited there, and watched Ouyang Rong's back as he entered.

The two armored soldiers standing on the left and right of the door opened the door, and the young governor strode into the conference room.

The officials sitting on both sides of the hall, led by Magistrate Diao, stood up first, and stood up in unison to greet them.

Everyone in the audience looked at him one after another.

Ouyang Rong strode forward, lowering his head slightly, as if thinking about something. Halfway through the hall, he seemed to remember that everyone was still standing. He looked around and said softly:
"Everyone, please take a seat."

But no one sat down first.

Wang Caozhi, who was guarding outside the door, saw that all the officials sat down on the stools only after the young governor sat down.

After Li Dalang smiled and served the ginseng soup, today's meeting began.

After listening outside for a while, Wang Caozhi couldn't help but sigh:
"My brother-in-law's back and aura are so handsome. He is not an ordinary man. A real man should be like this, maneuvering freely and commandingly."

He also did not forget to tease Pei Shisan Niang behind him:

"President Pei, how can you ladies not be fascinated by a man like this? If I were a lady, I would have thrown myself into his arms long ago..."

After waiting for a while and not hearing any response from the merchant woman, Wang Caozhi turned around curiously and found that Pei Shisan Niang had disappeared.

Before he could think about it, he caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head and saw Pei Shisan Niang's graceful back on the corridor in front of him, as if she was waiting for something.

At this moment, Yan Liulang returned, holding a bowl of hot tea and passing by the corridor. He was stopped by Pei Shisan Niang. She seemed to say a few words to him. Yan Liulang was stunned for a moment and nodded. Pei Shisan Niang carefully held the teacup and turned back.

Pei Shisan Niang didn't even glance at Wang Caozhi, whose eyes were twitching slightly, and walked past him and the two soldiers with tea in her hand and entered the conference room.

A meeting was going on in the hall, and everyone listened attentively to what the young governor said with bated breath.

Pei Shisan Niang held the rim of the cup with both hands, slightly bent her back, and was very low-key, like a maid serving tea.

She walked past two rows of officials with her head lowered and came to the seat at the top of the hall. She bent down and gently placed the teacup next to the young man's hand.

The woman's round and graceful figure attracted some attention.

But Pei Shisanniang didn't care. At that moment, all her attention was attracted by the young man in crimson official uniform next to her:

He was standing there, talking to the whole audience. His originally frail back looked exceptionally tall and majestic.

Everyone in the audience was listening carefully to what the young governor said.

Pei Shisan Niang bent down with her head down, and saw out of the corner of her eye that the young master's handsome face was full of calmness. After speaking for a while, as if ordering everyone to discuss, he sat down again, picked up the teacup and took a sip. At some point, the young master suddenly put down the teacup.

The porcelain teacup hit the wooden tabletop heavily, making a dull "clang" sound. The hall, which was originally filled with whispers, suddenly became silent.

Pei Shisanniang, who was about to retreat, trembled slightly at the loud noise.

Soon, she heard him speak loudly, his tone brooking no disobedience:
"It has been decided on the fifteenth of this month. Seven days later at noon, the Donglin Buddha will be officially completed. A celebration ceremony will be held and the Xunyang Grottoes will be open to the public for officials and citizens to enjoy together. There will also be painters to record the grand scene of the day and present the scroll to Luoyang... You all should go back and prepare well."

……

Although big shots all like to hold meetings and like to speak a few words.

They even have the right to be late for meetings and cross their legs.

But Ouyang Rong doesn't like attending meetings very much.

Because I know clearly that the people below me will be very uncomfortable and under great pressure.

Except for leaders, no serious person likes to hold meetings.

When scolding people in a meeting, one can emphasize authority, but Ouyang Rong does not need to rely on this to establish prestige, nor is he interested in it.

Because this meeting had to be held today, Ouyang Rong adopted a quick and decisive approach.

After temporarily putting aside the matter with Princess Anhui, he arrived at the meeting room of the Governor's Mansion a little late, and quickly spoke about the Donglin Buddha and the celebration ceremony.

As for this celebration ceremony, just as Ouyang Rong and Li Guoer had analyzed before, most officials expressed their support. After all, it was a celebration for everyone, and the bigger the ceremony, the more His Majesty would like it, and the more rewards would be given by the people, so they naturally agreed with both hands.

However, there are also some officials who advocate frugality and oppose extravagant spending.

Ouyang Rong combined the proposals from all parties and found a relatively moderate one. He let everyone discuss and improve it freely.

Sitting on the main seat, Ouyang Rong lowered his head and took a sip of tea to moisten his almost dry throat.

After listening to their discussion in silence for a while, he put down his teacup and loudly confirmed the date.

In the silent hall, everyone was stunned for a moment, and then they all responded.

No objection to the date.

Ouyang Rong nodded slightly and talked about the arrangements in detail.

The meeting soon came to an end.

This was the shortest state-level meeting held by all the officials present.

Especially for such a big event, it has always been a long speech.

In other states, the governor would at least gather everyone together and hold a meeting of at least two days.

"Let's all go."

Ouyang Rong waved his hands while drinking tea.

Everyone looked at each other, and some of them glanced at the sky outside.

It wasn't even noon yet, and the governor felt like he didn't want to take care of their lunch.

But deep down, everyone still likes this relaxed atmosphere.

Work when you should work, and rest when you should rest.

Perhaps he had adapted to Ouyang Rong's moderate style, so an old county magistrate boldly asked with a smile:
"Sir Governor, we have come from far away, won't you provide us with a meal?"

Ouyang Rong shrugged his shoulders:

"I also have to go home on time to eat. My aunt is here. I have hardly lived in this governor's mansion and I don't even know where the kitchen is. How can I prepare meals for you? If you are willing, you can go home with me to eat. Just don't be afraid of my aunt's nagging. You can ask Yuan Changshi about this. He has experience."

Everyone burst into laughter, Yuan Huaimin blushed a little, and the atmosphere after the meeting became a little more lively.

An official asked, "By the way, I heard that the governor's aunt is going to have a birthday ceremony soon. When is it?"

Ouyang Rong shook his head:

"Don't worry about the date. This is a family dinner. Just a few people will eat. Yuan Changshi will treat you. Auntie said so. Well, anyway, let me put it here. You are not allowed to give gifts. Those who violate the rules will be punished."

After saying that, Ouyang Rong stood up, put his hands behind his back and walked towards the door. Before leaving, he said:
"Mr. Meng from Hukou County can stay, and the others can go."

Among the crowd preparing to leave the hall, a middle-aged county magistrate who had just stood up was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but point his finger at his face:

"Ah, the governor is calling me your humble servant?"

Everyone looked sideways and nodded.

Ouyang Rong had already left. Yan Liulang stayed at the door, glanced at County Magistrate Meng in the hall, and waited with a knife in his arms.

Under the sidelong glances of his colleagues, County Magistrate Meng went out in confusion and followed.

……

An hour later.

A side hall not far from the meeting room of the Governor's Mansion.

The tightly closed door was opened from the inside, and two figures hurriedly walked out.

They were County Magistrate Meng with a serious face, and Wang Caozhi who had put away his cynical smile.

The two of them went out together, whispering to each other from time to time as they left, and it was unknown what important matter they were discussing.

In the side hall that had been closed again, Ouyang Rong sat in the main seat, resting with his eyes closed, and the teacup beside him was empty.

Yan Liulang and Pei Shisanniang were both sitting aside.

Pei Shisan Niang lowered her eyes, brought out a teapot, and silently poured Ouyang Rong a cup of hot tea.

Yan Liulang sighed, "Your Excellency is still cautious. Just having Brother Wang there is not enough to be safe. Now with the addition of Magistrate Meng, and with the help of the Hukou County Office, we can find the customs documents at various checkpoints within the country. That man named Qian Chen will definitely have nowhere to hide."

Pei Shisan Niang asked curiously, "Sir, I don't quite understand who this person is. Please bother me. Also, is there any important place in Hukou County? Is there someone there that you attach so much importance to?"

Yan Liulang said calmly, "Recently, a general named Duan from the White Tiger Guard has been suppressing bandits there."

Pei Shisan Niang fell silent immediately.

At this moment, Ouyang Rong opened his eyes and said calmly:
"Don't alert the enemy yet. Don't arrest him, but keep an eye on him to see who he is going to meet."

Wang Caozhi raised his head: "Mingfu means that he may not be meeting Duan Quanwu."

Ouyang Rong has closed his eyes and is silent.

Wang Caozhi and Pei Shisan Niang looked at each other, bowed, and retreated.

------

(PS: 7k two-in-one, not extra update, but compensation for late update.

It's the end of the month, I'm asking for a monthly ticket, the ticket is about to expire, good brothers who like books, can vote or2)

(End of this chapter)