The first county magistrate in history

"Junior greets the Prime Minister!" Qin Zheng clasped his fists and bowed ninety degrees.

If this happened in the court, he, as the princess's tutor, would have to kneel down.

When Qin Zheng said "junior", Xia Bitu laughed.

Not bad, smart, and aware of the times.

You understand what I mean.

thump!

thump!

Wu Xiaoyou and Su Xiaoman must kneel down.

"Hehehe, this is a family dinner, there's no need to be so formal. Three young friends, please take a seat!" Xia Bitu addressed the two servants, Wu Xiaoyou and Su Xiaoman, as "young friends" and invited them to have dinner together, which was equivalent to giving Qin Zheng a huge face.

Qin Zheng straightened up and smiled slightly: "Prime Minister, please take your seat!"

Xia Bitu took the main seat with a smile on his face.

"Xiaoyou and Xiaoman, get up!" Qin Zheng stepped forward and helped Wu Xiaoyou and Su Xiaoman up.

It was obvious that the two girls were so frightened by the pressure from Xiabitu's superior that they couldn't get up.

Seeing Qin Zheng personally supporting the servant, Xia Bitu's eyes narrowed. He had never seen such an approachable official.

Qin Zheng sat at the bottom.

Wu Xiaoyou and Su Xiaoman sat on Qin Zheng's left and right.

At this moment, Wu Xiaoyou and Su Xiaoman were still in shock.

It was the first time they had seen such an official. They had only heard of the official power before, but they did not expect that the official power would be so strong.

Looks like it could kill people!

At this moment, Xia Jinzhong's forehead was covered with sweat. These two servants were so brave.

Qin Zheng was fine, as he had already experienced it at the door.

What I didn’t expect was that these two women actually dared to dine at the same table with my adoptive father.

Especially the one called Su Xiaoman, how dare I, a servant, sit at the table?

How could he know that Wu Xiaoyou and Su Xiaoman's greatest reliance was Qin Zheng.

This reliance is not because of Qin Zheng’s martial arts skills, but because Qin Zheng does not know martial arts at all.

This reliance is based on the admiration and trust for Qin Zheng, as well as the united strength of the 500,000 people in Hongtong County and Lord Qin.

Even if they have to go through mountains of swords and seas of fire, they will stay with Qin Zheng without hesitation, sharing life and death with him.

They were not afraid just now, but their aura was not as strong as Xia Bitu's.

And it was my first time, so I wasn't prepared. But now that I've adapted to it, it's fine.

"Today is a family dinner, no need to be restrained!" Xia Bitu said, looking at Xia Jinzhong: "Zhong'er, come and keep me company."

"Yes!" Xia Jinzhong did not dare to sit down directly, but poured wine for several people personally before sitting next to Xia Bitu.

The positions where the two sides sat were like two camps.

Xia Bitu smiled kindly and raised his wine cup. "Master Qin has done a great job in disaster relief. I, the Prime Minister, should have come to court to congratulate you, but unfortunately, I have been in poor health these past few days. Congratulations to Master Qin on his triumphant return!"

After saying that, drink it all in one gulp.

At this moment, he no longer had any official authority and was like an old man staying at home.

But the words "Lord Qin" indicate that the conversation at this moment is very formal and the public and private aspects are clearly distinguished.

"Your Excellency, I am deeply grateful for your kindness!" Qin Zheng said politely.

Afterwards, he drank it all in one gulp.

After drinking, he said to Wu Xiaoyou and Su Xiaoman: "Drink it, this is my Hongtong County daughter red wine!"

Wu Xiaoyou and Su Xiaoman were shocked, because Nv'erhong is a rare treasure that is not sold to the public in Hongtong County.

How did you get the Chabite?

I quickly took a sip and it was true!

Xia Bitu laughed heartily: "Anything produced in Hongtong County must be of the highest quality!"

In addition to the praise, I also wanted to tell Qin Zheng that although I am far away in the imperial capital, I know Hongtong County very well.

Because this slogan is the promotional slogan of Hongtong County.

Qin Zheng also laughed: "Hongtong County is just a small-scale operation, how can it compare to the prosperity of the Divine Capital."

"Hongtong County is well-known throughout the country, so Lord Qin doesn't need to be too modest." Xia Bitu said with a smile.

Afterwards, I briefly asked about the disaster relief situation.

Qin Zheng knew it, how could Xia Bitu not know it?

Asking is just a formality.

It would be inappropriate not to mention disaster relief at a celebration banquet.

Sure enough, not long after, Xia Bitu suddenly changed the subject: "Three friends, don't just drink, eat some food."

The word "little friend" indicates that official business is over and the family dinner is officially about to begin.

Su Xiaoman and Wu Xiaoyou now feel that officialdom is too tiring.

Hongtong County is still better, and adults are still better.

Sometimes, adults and common people eat and sleep together.

Next comes small talk.

Xia Jinzhong was responsible for pouring the wine.

The banquet ended, the wine was cleared away, and tea cups were served.

Xia Bitu said to Qin Zheng, "I've heard for a long time that you are an excellent poet. You've impressed scholars with just half a poem. I also enjoy writing. Why don't you come to my study and help me appreciate it?"

This is a private conversation.

Qin Zheng stood up and said, "Well, the Prime Minister's collection of books must be rare treasures in the world, rarely seen."

Xia Bitu also stood up and said with a smile, "You and Jinzhong are not much different in age, so we can just call each other uncle and nephew in private from now on!"

Qin Zheng saluted: "Uncle, I obey your command!"

"Hahaha..." Xia Bitu laughed, seeming to enjoy it very much.

But Xia Jinzhong knew that his adoptive father would not really believe Qin Zheng's righteousness.

Xia Bitu said to Xia Jinzhong, "Jinzhong, accompany the two girls well."

Qin Zheng said to Wu Xiaoyou and Su Xiaoman, "Wait here for a moment."

He gave the two women a meaningful smile.

Xia Jinzhong and Xia Bitu didn't understand, but Wu Xiaoyou and Su Xiaoman, who were with Qin Zheng day and night, understood. If Xia Bitu did anything to harm him, Xia Jinzhong would be a hostage.

In fact, Qin Zheng knew very well that there was basically no danger, he just wanted to reassure the two women.

study.

Qin Zheng looked at the authentic ancient paintings on the wall and praised: "Uncle, you actually collected so many rare authentic works!"

"Uncle! These four treasures of your study are actually treasures from three thousand years ago?"

"Uncle, I just realized that your desk and bookcase are actually antiques!"

Qin Zheng was like a frog in a well who had never seen the world.

Suddenly, he looked excited: "This, this, this is actually the Qiankun Ancient Sword?"

Qin Zheng never touched it, but just watched with his hands behind his back.

Suddenly he lamented, "It's actually a fake? What a pity! I thought it was the real thing. If it were, it would be priceless. But it's not bad at all. This fake has a history of over 2,000 years. It's probably the best sword in the Daqian Dynasty."

Xia Bitu, who was still feeling complacent, suddenly felt nervous.

Being able to tell the authenticity of antiques at a glance is not a level that can be achieved by just a few years of practice. Without thirty or fifty years of experience, it is normal to make mistakes.

How old is Qin Zhengcai?

Even if you start learning from the womb, it's only about twenty years.

I can actually see through it at a glance.

Except for the Qiankun sword, everything else in his study is genuine.

"I didn't expect that my nephew is also well-versed in antique appraisal. He can tell that my ancient sword is a fake. He is truly an expert!" Xia Bitu's praise came from the heart.

Qin Zheng smiled and said, "It's not that we can talk about it. I just have been in contact with the ancients for a few years."

How many years have you been in contact?

Xia Bitu was shocked. How many years could it take to reach this level?

Sure enough!

"It's rare to meet a soulmate, my dear nephew. Whatever you like, I'll give it to you!" Xia Bitu was very generous.

He already knew that Qin Zheng had embezzled three thousand taels of silver from Xia Bitu.

He has plenty of money!

However, he also didn't believe that Qin Zheng was really so greedy.

Everyone is just acting.

Qin Zheng smiled broadly: "Then I won't be polite, nephew."

He waved his fingers: "This is the original calligraphy of Gui Shuai, and this is the painting of bamboo and rocks by Zheng Qiao..."

Qin Zheng pointed to more than a dozen pieces of calligraphy and paintings, all of which were the oldest and most precious treasures in the study.

At first, Xia Bitu just had a look of pain on his face, but now his face was flushed and sweating profusely.

I said I was giving it to you, I didn’t ask you to take it all away!

Are you going to confiscate the house?

He already regretted saying that he wanted to give it as a gift.

He didn't expect Qin Zheng to be so greedy and honest. I was just being polite. Do you really want it?

You want so much more.

"My dear nephew...I can't hold my liquor and feel a little sleepy!" Xia Bitu had a high status and couldn't refuse, so he quickly found an excuse to stop Qin Zheng from continuing.

Qin Zheng smiled: "Uncle, these few paintings I like can buy a few Lanxiang Towers!"

When Xia Bitu heard the words "Lanxiang Tower", his expression changed drastically.

The smile disappeared and he stared at Qin Zheng with a hint of murderous intent.