The first county magistrate in history

Qin Zheng was still in Liangjin, and the news had already reached the imperial capital.

Imperial capital, Prime Minister's Mansion.

Xia Bitu sat on the armchair with his eyes closed, listening to the report from his adopted son Xia Jinzhong.

Until the report was finished, Xia Bitu did not open his eyes or speak, and seemed to have fallen asleep.

Xia Jinzhong looked at his adoptive father and knew that he was not asleep.

After a long moment, Xia Bitu's old face lit up with a smile. "Haha, this Qin Zheng is truly extraordinary. Not only is he resourceful, but he's also incredibly audacious. He's trying to have it both ways!"

Xia Jinzhong didn't understand: "Eat both?"

Xia Bitu said slowly, "This man is truly a clean official. This disaster relief effort shows that he truly cares for the people in the disaster-stricken areas. Such people won't last long in the power circles. However, if the world were ours, we would desperately need such people."

After a pause, he continued, "He really doesn't want to serve in the court. He's not being stupid by doing this; on the contrary, he's extremely calculating!"

Xia Jinzhong listened carefully.

Xia Bitu said, "He did this to create the illusion that he was a confused official. His purpose was to make the empress not dare to use such a lawless person as him and give up the idea of summoning him to the court.

He also knew that the ministers would not allow such a person to serve in the court, otherwise, the court would be in chaos. The resistance of the officials was his reason for not entering the court.

Xia Jinzhong was surprised: "Isn't he afraid that the empress will get angry and kill him?"

Xia Bitu sighed, "We miscalculated. Initially, we thought the Empress would find a reason to kill him to cover up the scandal, and we would have killed two birds with one stone. But man proposes, God disposes. I didn't expect the Empress to fall in love with him."

"He's really in love?" Xia Jinzhong was even more shocked. "Is it possible that Qin Zheng will become the emperor's husband one day?"

Xia Bitu frowned for a long time and said, "If we can subdue him, even if he becomes the emperor's husband, it wouldn't be a bad thing. Otherwise, this person is a great threat to the current dynasty and should be eliminated as soon as possible! But there is no rush, Hong Wu has successfully infiltrated the inner circle!"

Xia Jinzhong reminded him, "The post of Governor of Liangjin is vacant. The Empress has given Qin Zheng the opportunity to appoint one of her own to the prefecture of Yangping County. I'm afraid this vacancy will fall to Qin Zheng..."

Xia Bitu suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Xia Jinzhong.

Xia Jinzhong's words stopped abruptly, his face changed drastically, and he quickly said, "I have absolutely no intention of coveting you."

Xia Bitu smiled. "You are loyal to me, even more filial than my own son. Your adoptive father has seen it all. Although you haven't held a high position in recent years, your adoptive father has secured opportunities for you to gain experience in various ministries. You are now a third-rank official, a position that is honorary, but you are also a leader among your peers. However, you are not qualified to be a governor. However, you can be an inspector of Liangjin Province."

Xia Jinzhong was secretly delighted. Although he could not be in charge of an entire province, being in charge of the criminal law of a province also meant that he had great power.

Although he did hold positions in various ministries over the years, they were all honorary positions with no power.

He knew that his adoptive father was not incapable of supporting him, but he did not want the empress to be vigilant.

It seems that my godfather wants to take action now.

Xia Jinzhong pretended to be unmoved and said, "Foster father, I just want to be with you and don't want to leave you."

Although Xia Bitu knew that his adopted son was saying one thing and thinking another, he didn't think it was a big deal. Who doesn't want to be promoted? Who doesn't want to hold power?

As long as he is loyal to me, I can use him without any worries: "Okay, I will find a chance to recommend you to His Majesty, but success or failure depends on luck. I can't figure out the Empress's mind right now!"

At the same time, in the imperial study of the palace.

Xia Mochu held the poem that Qin Zheng had replied to last time and praised it, "Qiuhan, you know what, this guy's writing is really good. But why does this poem feel incomplete and unfinished?"

Li Qiuhan was also puzzled: "Yeah, why didn't he finish it?"

Xia Mochu thought for a long time, then suddenly laughed: "He's testing me, wants me to complete the test?"

Li Qiuhan was stunned: "He actually dared to ask His Majesty a question?"

"What is there that he dares not do?" Xia Mochu curled his lips and thought to himself, he even dares to sleep with this emperor.

After a while, Xia Mochu was discouraged. "A quatrain, this is a quatrain. I can't continue, I can't continue, I'm not as good as you!"

"Your Majesty!" An Dehai's voice suddenly rang out from outside the door: "News about Captain Zhang and the little princess arrived at the same time."

Xia Mochu hurriedly said, "Uncle An, please come in!"

After An Dehai came in, he began to report.

The report is completed.

Xia Mochu was already terrified.

"Did Qin Zheng make Wu Guanggui so angry that he developed Alzheimer's disease?" She couldn't believe it.

"Oh no, the King of the Northern Territory is about to make a move." Li Qiuhan said worriedly.

Andehai said: "The King of the North did move, but was stabilized by Xia Bitu."

"Xia Bitu?" Xia Mochu frowned.

Li Qiuhan couldn't believe it: "Will he stop Cheng Kun?"

Xia Mochu suddenly said, "Xia Bitu, has he also taken a liking to Qin Zheng?"

An Dehai smiled bitterly: "It should be!"

"He's become quite the hot commodity!" Xia Mochu said. "The position of Governor of Liangjin Province is vacant, and the King of the Northern Territory will certainly strive for it. Xia Bitu should also want such a good opportunity, but he may not necessarily compete with the King of the Northern Territory."

An Dehai nodded: "It must be so!"

Xia Mochu asked, "What's the news about Mo Ning?"

An Dehai reported, "Qin Zheng discovered a plastic mine in Yangping County. While its specific use is unclear, Tian Fuan, whom he recommended, is actively mining it. He's also investing heavily in building a factory in Yangping County, which should benefit Liangjin Province."

"Oh? This guy is thinking this way?" Xia Mochu was a little surprised, but very satisfied.

"At this moment, the governor of Liangjin Province must be our man to ensure the success of Qin Zheng's plan." Xia Mochu said.

An Dehai nodded: "That's right"

Xia Mochu was a little excited: "If that's true, Liangjin Province will be the next Hongtong County! Uncle An, there is a plan in Qin Zheng's Hongtong County governance plan that I think is very good."

An Dehai was stunned: "What plan?"

Xia Mochu said: "Pilot!"

"Pilot?" An Dehai had never heard of this term.

Li Qiuhan also looked confused.

Wait until Xia Mochu finishes explaining.

An Dehai clapped his hands and said, "Great! First, build a pilot special zone, let some people get rich first, then drive the prosperity of another region. With mutual support, starting from a small point, the whole area will become prosperous. It's only a matter of time before the whole province can become prosperous. What a brilliant idea, what a brilliant strategy!"

Li Qiuhan was also excited: "Your Majesty, what's wrong with his brain? How come he has so many strange, yet quite wonderful strategies?"

Xia Mochu showed a proud look and thought to herself, can the man of my empress be an ordinary person?

Li Qiuhan looked at his master, wondering what his master was so proud of.

"Uncle An, the King of the Northern Territory will definitely strive for the position of Governor of Liangjin for his disciple Ji Chengzhi, the Censor of Liangjin Province. Presumably, the cunning Xia Bitu will not compete with the King of the Northern Territory, and his target will be the vacant position of Censor Ji Chengzhi." Xia Mochu thought.

An Dehai nodded: "That should be the case!"

"Xia Bitu, who will he recommend?" Li Qiuhan pondered.

An Dehai said: "Xia Bitu has been secretly cultivating his adopted son Xia Jinzhong over the years, and he must be waiting for the right opportunity to act."

"Xia Jinzhong?" Xia Mochu frowned. "This guy is very low-key. I almost forgot about him."

"It seems Liangjin Province is very important to them!" Li Qiuhan sighed. "Liangjin Province has the world's granary. Although it is directly under the Ministry of Revenue, controlling Liangjin will undoubtedly indirectly control the world's granary. They have big plans!"

An Dehai narrowed his eyes slightly. "The Liangjin Governorship is vacant, and we absolutely cannot give it up. Your Majesty is already so powerful, and we cannot weaken his momentum any further. Otherwise, all our efforts will be wasted. They haven't fully understood the situation yet. If Your Majesty doesn't give in, even Xia Bitu and the King of the Northern Territory will be powerless."

Xia Mochu's expression was stern: "Then we'll use their tactics against them and not give in an inch!"

An Dehai and Li Qiuhan both looked at Xia Mochu, not understanding.

Xia Mochu said, "Qiuhan, pass on my secret order to Qin Zheng to secretly investigate and prosecute Ji Chengzhi, the censor of Liangjin Province. He must be dealt with strictly and swiftly, and brought to justice on the spot!"