At the beginning, I became a county magistrate with greed of 500 million. The empress asked me to be

Afterwards, under the leadership of Zhang Chunlei, Xia Yun and his companions arrived at the most luxurious post station in Changshan and settled down.

Of course, this is only limited to the most luxurious one in Changshan City.

If compared with the guesthouse built by Xia Yun in Hangzhou, it is simply heaven and earth.

The wood used in the construction of the Hangzhou Guesthouse alone is all heavy mahogany, not to mention the various decorations and facilities inside.

The inn where Xia Yun and others are currently staying can only be described as clean and tidy.

"Sir Xia, the Governor has arranged a banquet at Xuanyi Tower. Sir Xia, please come to the banquet tonight."

Before leaving the post station, Zhang Chunlei spoke to Xia Yun again.

"I will definitely attend the banquet."

Xia Yun did not refuse.

After all, the other party was the powerful Governor-General of Zhili, whose status in the court was even higher than that of the Governor-General of Zhejiang, Lei Zhenlin.

Xia Yun would naturally not make enemies with him before figuring out the situation.

Two hours later.

Zhang Chunlei came to the post station again, and it was obvious that he had informed the Governor of Zhili of the news.

"I am here on the orders of the Governor General to welcome Lord Xia to the banquet."

After seeing Xia Yun, Zhang Chunlei knelt on one knee with an extremely respectful look.

"Let's go."

Xia Yun, who had already packed everything, nodded.

He had only brought Jiang Wenzhong and a dozen soldiers to the banquet, while Xu Wan'er and others stayed in the inn.

Walking through the streets in the city, Xia Yun kept looking to both sides.

However, what we saw was not quite satisfactory.

The economy in Changshan City is currently in a state of desolation, passers-by are all listless, many shops have been closed for a long time, and even the eaves are covered with dust.

These scenes seem to be completely out of place in Zhili.

"General Zhang, what exactly happened in Changshan City?"

On the way to the banquet, Xia Yun couldn't suppress his doubts and asked.

Hearing this, Zhang Chunlei's expression suddenly became a little complicated.

"Your Excellency may not know that in May this year, the imperial court issued an order requiring all provinces to pay the taxes owed over the years. Zhili, which protects the capital, owes the most taxes."

"The Governor's Office had no choice but to pass the tax on to merchants and ordinary people. As a result, ordinary people's lives were not easy."

Zhang Chunlei responded with a sigh.

"So that's how it is." Xia Yun was secretly surprised.

Obviously, this is another man-made disaster.

"How are the people doing?"

Xia Yun asked again.

"Don't worry, sir. Currently, in the entire Zhili region, the only place where taxes are increased is Changshan City. If the common people cannot afford to pay the taxes, they can choose to make a living elsewhere."

"Although many people have fled famine in recent days, there have been almost no deaths from starvation, and many areas in Zhili have set up disaster relief tents to absorb and accommodate refugees."

Zhang Chunlei responded quickly.

Listening to the other party's crisp and clear voice, Xia Yun couldn't help but feel a little doubtful.

Why did this guy tell him everything?

And from what the other party said, it seemed that the government had already anticipated the occurrence of this famine.

What is going on here?

Zhang Chunlei's one-sided statement was not enough to gain Xia Yun's complete trust.

Xia Yun just had a vague premonition that the strange situation in Changshan City was not as simple as it seemed on the surface.

A quarter of an hour later.

Xia Yun was brought by Zhang Chuanlei to the venue of the dinner, Xuanyilou, the most famous restaurant in Changshan.

"Master Xia Yun, Chu has been waiting for you for a long time!"

As soon as Xia Yun showed up, a man walked out of the restaurant. The man was wearing a bright red official robe and looked middle-aged, around forty or fifty years old.

"Master Xia, this is the Governor-General of Zhili, Zhao Gongming, Master Zhao."

Zhang Chunlei explained to Xia Yun in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Xia Yun smiled and walked forward: "The Governor has come out to greet you. I am overwhelmed with fear."

As they were talking, the two were only half a step away from each other and bowed to each other.

"I have long heard that Lord Xia is young and promising. Today I see that he is indeed the case. It is a blessing for the court and Your Majesty that our Daliang Dynasty has an official like Lord Xia."

Zhao Gongming's face was full of smiles, and he was full of praise.

"Lord Zhao, you are joking. Xia is ashamed. Lord Zhao is in charge of Zhili and protects the capital. He is like a white jade pillar supporting the sky and a purple gold beam bridging the sea. The court is lucky to have a minister like Lord Zhao."

Xia Yun waved his hands repeatedly.

When it comes to making polite remarks, he is just as good as others, and he can speak in eloquent words as soon as he opens his mouth.

"Haha, Lord Xia, there's no need to be so modest. Let's take our seats together."

Zhao Gongming laughed, and then did something that surprised Xia Yun.

Zhao Gongming actually grabbed Xia Yun's wrist with one hand and walked into the restaurant with Xia Yun.

Xia Yun was secretly surprised.

Zhao Gongming's generosity really surprised him.

Not long after, Zhao Gongming brought Xia Yun into the private room on the second floor of Xuanyi Building.

Apart from the two of them, there was no one else in the box.

Jiang Wenzhong and others were all waiting outside the box.

This arrangement also deepened Xia Yun's surprise.

He still remembers the first meal he had at Hongyanlou when he took office in Hangzhou, where nearly half of the officials in Hangzhou were present.

Now that we have arrived in Zhili, there is only the Governor-General of Zhili.

interesting!

"It's a long journey from Zhejiang to Zhili. Sir Xia, you are so exhausted. I would like to offer you a drink."

After the two sat down, there was a table full of delicious dishes already laid out on the table, and Zhao Gongming actually took the initiative to pour wine for Xia Yun.

Such a scene is probably unique in the entire Daliang Dynasty.

"Master Zhao is so polite."

Xia Yun nodded. Now that things had come to this point, he wanted to see what Zhao Gongming was up to.

"Master Xia, I already know about your deeds in Hangzhou. You single-handedly brought down a group of corrupt officials in Zhejiang. I admire you."

"But I heard that before Lord Xia came to Hangzhou, he served as the county magistrate in the remote Dai County for three years. Is this true?"

Zhao Gongming spoke again and again, and when he said the second sentence, a hint of suspicion appeared on his face.

"Yes, I have indeed served as an official in Dai County for three years."

"Sir Zhao is a first-rank governor of the imperial court. If you have anything to say, just speak frankly."

Xia Yun looked calm and composed while talking, and he went straight to the point and asked about Zhao Gongming's purpose of visit.

Hearing this, Zhao Gongming smiled awkwardly at first.

But what Zhao Gongming said next once again shocked Xia Yun.

"I heard that Lord Xia and His Majesty... have a good relationship. Is that true?"

Zhao Gongming carefully observed Xia Yun's every move and spoke in an extremely cautious and careful voice.

Judging from his expression alone, it seemed that he had already determined that Xia Yun and the current emperor had some close connection.

When Xia Yun heard this, he was stunned and almost spit out the wine in his mouth.

In fact, this was the first time in recent months that Xia Yun had lost his composure like this.

Xia Yun turned around and looked at Zhao Gongming's cautious appearance, feeling both amused and helpless.

He, Xia Yun, has never even seen the empress, how could he be related to her?