Traveling to an ancient peasant family: I got rich by doing business

Leaving 30% of the guards and soldiers here to watch over the food, Han Zheng and Master Jiang returned to Jiangfu County after dark.

A few days ago, as soon as it got dark, there were few people walking around in the county. But today was different. Many people gathered at the gate of the county government office. When Han Zheng and Tutor Jiang's carriage appeared, the people rushed forward.

They stared at Han Zheng and his team eagerly, hoping to hear news about food.

Han Zheng knew that it was not easy for these people, so he did not beat around the bush and directly said that for a period of time in the future, they would continue to serve porridge every day just like today.

The people felt relieved, but the next moment, they became worried again.

It’s not that he was worried about Han Zheng, but he was worried that after County Magistrate Wei was arrested, the new county magistrate would steal the grain like County Magistrate Wei did.

Several people murmured a few words, and finally an old lady shouted, "My two lords, you will stay in Jiangfu County for a while."

Han Zheng told the truth: "There are other places in Nanzhou Prefecture that have suffered disasters. This official and Lord Jiang cannot stay in Jiangfu County for too long."

The old lady's dry face showed sadness: "To be honest with you, my Lords, our life has been very difficult since the flood. Although we have food now, we are still worried. So, can you stay for a few more days?"

Han Zheng looked at Master Jiang.

On the way back, Master Jiang discussed with Han Zheng the future disaster relief regulations for Jiangfu County, and said, "Everyone can rest assured. Before Master Han and I leave, we will find an honest and good official for Jiangfu County, and the grain will never be sold privately again."

The people looked at each other, half believing and half doubting what was said.

But knowing they have food, they won't be so panicked tonight.

*

After the people dispersed, Han Zheng and Master Jiang had a simple dinner, and then interrogated the magistrate of Jiang Fu and his men that night.

First, the bailiffs in the government office were all lackeys and the easiest to interrogate.

Han Zheng ordered his men to display the torture instruments in the prison and light the fire tongs. Before he even said they would be used, several yamen runners were so frightened that they immediately told everyone about the dirty deeds that County Magistrate Wei had done after he became the County Magistrate of Jiangfu.

Including but not limited to increasing taxes privately, opening casinos, disregarding human life, accepting bribes, adding sand to porridge after floods, etc.

"He has done so many bad things, and the people should be very dissatisfied. But why is it that in the past few days since we came here, few people have come to us to complain?" Han Zheng asked a key question.

For example, before, there were one or two hundred patients locked up in the woods, but only one old man complained to them, and the families of the other patients never showed up in front of them.

And today, they arrested Magistrate Wei and Master Li. Some people were surprised at first and did not show much anger on their faces until he said that Magistrate Wei was selling government grain, which affected their vital interests. Then they became angry.

Ordinarily, Magistrate Wei should be hated by all the people in the city, but the fact is that before today, some people did not seem to hate Magistrate Wei that much.

Han Zheng had a guess that needed to be verified by the yamen runners.

None of the yamen runners thought he would ask this question, and in order to avoid being punished, they all said, "Because we did it."

"We did bad things, and County Magistrate Wei pretended to punish us in front of the people."

"Some people are stupid. If County Magistrate Wei is a little bit kinder, they will think he is a good official."

"But not all people believe in County Magistrate Wei. Some don't believe it, but no one dares to say it out loud."

*

Things turned out to be just as he thought. Han Zheng was silent for a moment and asked about Master Li.

He found out some information about this man's background. He was a scholar. A few years ago, when the county magistrate of Jiangfu County was not yet Wei County Magistrate, he had never appeared in Jiangfu County. He only started to move around in Jiangfu County after Wei County Magistrate came.

This person is very strange, I must ask him clearly.

The yamen runners actually didn't know much about Master Li. They only knew how many people were in his family and where they lived.

"Master Li doesn't like to talk about family matters, and we don't dare to ask."

"The county magistrate thinks highly of him. No matter whether it is a big matter or a small matter, he always seeks the advice of Master Li."

"He's usually quite kind."

"Nice ass, I saw him throw a cat to death with my own eyes, don't let him fool you, right?"

Han Zheng immediately stopped the unpleasant remark and looked at the yamen runner who was speaking sarcastically, "What's the matter with throwing the cat?"

Yamen runner: "It was a few months ago. I was on my way home after patrolling at night. I passed by the alley next to Master Li's house and saw him catching a cat and smashing it to death. I was scared at the time and didn't dare to call him..."

*

After the bailiffs finished the interrogation, the next person to be interrogated was the magistrate of Jiangfu County.

His clothes had been changed, but when you got closer to him, you could still smell a foul odor of excrement.

Han Zheng didn't care about this and put the paper he had written down during the interrogation of the yamen runners in front of Jiang Fu County Magistrate.

"Do you agree with what's said above?"

Magistrate Jiangfu did not want to admit it, so he said that he was wronged and those yamen runners were talking nonsense.

Han Zheng didn't say whether he believed it or not, and instead asked him about Master Li.

"How can I survive if I talk about his affairs?" Magistrate Jiang Fu asked, sticking his head out.

"It's already this time, and you're still bargaining. Believe it or not, I'll kill you right now!" Master Jiang couldn't stand it anymore and slammed the table.

Magistrate Jiangfu shrank his neck, and after a while, he spoke resignedly.

He knew more about Master Li. He knew that he came from Beizhou Prefecture, how many people were in his family, how old his children and grandchildren were, and he also knew that he had other purposes in coming to Jiangfu County.

"He had correspondence with people in the capital." Jiangfu County Magistrate said, "I discovered it a long time ago, but he is a talented person and is wholeheartedly trying to make money for me, so I pretended I knew nothing."

Han Zheng: “…” Magistrate Jiangfu was not as stupid as he imagined.

"Do you know who he is associated with in Jingcheng?"

Jiangfu County Magistrate: "I don't know about that."

*

Magistrate Jiangfu was quickly taken away, followed by Master Li.

As both his legs and one arm were broken, Master Li was awake but listless.

Han Zheng did not come up to him, but sat with Master Jiang.

This time, Master Jiang will judge the case.

They had already discussed the issues, the first of which was what his purpose was in coming to Jiangfu County.

Master Li: "Of course, to help County Magistrate Wei."

Master Jiang: "Helping Magistrate Wei to mistreat the people? I don't believe that you only did this. You must have other purposes."

Master Li snorted and shut his mouth without saying anything else.

Next, no matter how Master Jiang asked or threatened him, even if he was tortured, he gritted his teeth and refused to answer.

Master Jiang was very angry.

Han Zheng was not so anxious. He had him dragged away and gagged and would continue the interrogation tomorrow.

"It's really late today, Lord Jiang, we have other things to discuss and we can't waste our time on him alone."

Master Jiang recovered in an instant, "Yes, we still need to choose someone to be the temporary magistrate of Jiangfu County. Lord Han, you are from Nanzhou Prefecture, do you have anyone to recommend?"

Han Zheng: "To be honest with you, Lord Jiang, I really have a suitable candidate in mind."