I embezzled 100,000 taels at the beginning, and the empress begged me to be more greedy

The first thing Jiang Zuo did before leaving Yecheng was to write a letter and ask someone to deliver it to Miss Chen Siyue in the capital.

They will be able to return to Anding County in two days. Jiang Zuo is already looking forward to meeting Miss Chen Siyue again.

Jiang Zuo rode his horse halfway up the mountain, overlooking the city of Ye below.

As the governor-general of Zhenbei, he has developed some feelings with the people of Yecheng these days, so it is natural that he feels a little reluctant at this moment.

Under the escort of other guards from the Qianqi Division, Jiang Zuo headed towards Anding County.

Although the mission had been completed, Chen Qingyun had been quite worried about Jiang Zuo's safety since Jiang Zuo was assassinated, and he dispatched more Thousand Cavalry Divisions to escort Jiang Zuo.

After three days of travel, Jiang Zuo finally returned to the outskirts of Anding County.

As soon as he walked down the mountain, Jiang Zuo felt something was wrong.

The vibrant Anding County in his memory now seemed a little dead.

"Sir, why is no one working on the project outside the city?"

Master Guo also noticed something unusual.

You have to know that the construction of the city wall outside the city was planned by Jiang Zuo, and it will take at least one to two years to complete.

Previously, the construction was carried out by relying on the disaster victims in the Daizhou area, using work as relief.

It has only been more than two months since Jiang Zuo left. Could it be that the project has been completed, or has the government been slack in other aspects?

Looking around, the newly added city wall on the periphery has not yet been completed and is obviously unfinished.

"Those guys in the government office are definitely lazy. They will definitely have their bonuses fined when they return."

Jiang Zuo disagreed.

The crowd continued to head towards the gate of Anding County.

When they were almost about to enter the city, Jiang Zuo deliberately had the Thousand Cavalry Division stationed outside the city to take care of things, and entered the city an hour later. He then entered the city first with his advisor and several other guards.

But when they were about to enter the city gate, several officials blocked Jiang Zuo's way and asked, "Wait, where are your household registration cards?"

Jiang Zuo frowned and asked, "What's the nameplate?"

The officer carefully looked at Jiang Zuo's attire and asked, "Are you from outside?"

Hearing this, Master Guo could no longer sit still and shouted, "You are such a blind man. Master Jiang has only been away from Anding County for two months, and you don't recognize him."

"What Lord Jiang? I don't know him." The officer said in an impatient tone.

"Fuck you." Master Guo couldn't help but swear, and said to Jiang Zuo: "Please calm down, sir. These may be newly recruited officials. When I return, I will definitely teach these guys a lesson."

Jiang Zuo frowned at this moment, feeling that things were not that simple.

"You can't enter the city without a household registration card." the officer said again.

"Call Lin Han over to me." Master Guo said again.

"Who is Lin Han?"

The official looked puzzled, and said with a hint of disdain, "Stop pretending, you guys. If you want to enter the city, pay the money. If you don't want to enter the city, get out."

"I have to pay to enter the city. What's the logic behind this?"

There was a hint of anger in Jiang Zuo's eyes.

The official said calmly, "Lord Xu has ordered that any outsider passing through Anding County must pay a toll of 100 coins."

"Who is Lord Xu?"

Jiang Zuo asked.

The official was immediately displeased and said, "Where did you country bumpkins come from? You don't even know Lord Xu? The famous Lord Xu is the magistrate of Anding County."

Anding County Magistrate?

Hearing this, Jiang Zuo and Master Guo were stunned?

Could it be that he, the magistrate of Anding County in Jiangzuo, has been dismissed by the emperor?

"What, what is this thing..."

Master Guo suddenly became angry and was ready to start scolding.

But Jiang Zuo waved his hand, then stepped forward and asked, "How long has your Lord Xu been in Anding County?"

"How long? What does this have to do with you? Pay the money and go into the city quickly. Don't block the way here."

The officer's tone was extremely impatient.

Seeing the other party being so rude, the captain of the Thousand Cavalry Division who was responsible for protecting Jiang Zuo stood in front of Jiang Zuo with a stern look on his face.

This man's name is Situ Hua, and he is Ma Hengwei's subordinate.

Ma Hengwei was transferred to the Northwest, and Szeto Wah took over Ma Hengwei's position.

Jiang Zuo patted Situ Hua on the shoulder and said softly, "Step back first, and tell the brothers not to act rashly."

Szeto Wah is a serious person. Even though he is much younger than Ma Hengwei, his face is more serious.

When he heard Jiang Zuo say this, he slowly took a few steps back.

Jiang Zuo stepped forward again and said, "I heard that the surname Xu is not in Anding County. Could it be that you are pretending to be officials and defrauding money here?"

No matter what, Jiang Zuo had to find out what was going on.

The official looked at Jiang Zuo and his group, and seemed to know that Jiang Zuo's identity was not simple. He immediately put on a face and explained: "It was indeed not before, but two months ago, Master Xu took office."

Two months ago?

Hearing this, Jiang Zuo was shocked.

Could it be that the empress really had sent someone else to replace him as the magistrate of Anding County...

Jiang Zuo was extremely confused.

"Okay, let's go into the city."

Jiang Zuo thought for a moment and decided to go into the city and then go to the government office to continue his investigation.

Mr. Guo reluctantly took out some silver from his pocket, counted the number of people entering the city, and handed it to the group of officials.

Jiang Zuo was accompanied by hundreds of cavalry officers on this trip. In order not to be conspicuous, Jiang Zuo specifically ordered them to wait outside the city and only left a few people to follow.

At this moment, Anding County seems to be caught in an inexplicably depressing atmosphere.

The people passing by seemed to be unaware of Jiang Zuo and just walked straight past them.

This situation was far different from what Jiang Zuo had imagined.

In his guess, he, the highly respected magistrate of Anding County, would be welcomed by the people when he returned to Anding County after two months. But now, these people looked dejected.

Jiang Zuo looked unhappy as he walked forward. He was really curious, so he stopped a middle-aged man in front of him and asked, "Excuse me, do you know me?"

The man looked a little depressed, and without thinking, he answered, "I don't know him. Please let me pass. I have something urgent to do."

Jiang Zuo had no choice but to move aside, and then stopped another person, only to get the same answer.

Jiang Zuo was extremely surprised that he, the former magistrate of Anding County, had become a stranger in the eyes of the people.

It's only been two months since I left, but it feels like twenty years.

I just got back and didn’t expect my house to be robbed.

"This is really weird, sir."

Master Guo was also extremely confused at this moment. He was afraid that when he returned home, his wife and children would not recognize him.

Jiang Zuo frowned and continued walking towards the government office.

He wanted to see who this Lord Xu, who occupied Anding County, was.

"Master Jiang, look, there's someone we know."

Master Guo suddenly called out.

Jiang Zuo looked in the direction of the sound and, sure enough, saw a ragged man squatting in the corner of the street.

"Lin Han!"

Lin Han was the chief constable of the government office and one of Jiang Zuo's right-hand men. Now he has become a beggar...