The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 628

Xu Tian realized that this guy was actually trying to make things difficult for him on purpose.

He smirked slightly, revealing a faint, cold smile.

"Quickly go down and arrange accommodations for Lord Xu," the magistrate hurriedly ordered his men.

Xu Tian saw it all.

"Your return is perfectly timed, sir. I heard you went to the disaster area. It seems you truly understand the people's sentiments and are a good official in their hearts!"

The magistrate listened to Xu Tian's words and detected a hint of sarcasm in them.

“What you say is true, sir. This is the essence of being an official. I am merely doing what a parent official should do.”

He spoke while bowing and scraping.

Xu Tian snorted coldly.

"Is that so? Then I wonder which disaster area Your Excellency visited?"

The county magistrate was choked by Xu Tianwen's question.

In fact, he just wanted to avoid Xu Tian. He didn't go to any disaster area at all; he just went to Xinghualou for a few drinks.

"Um, Your Excellency!"

"I think the magistrate just went to Xinghualou and had a couple of drinks!"

Upon hearing Xu Tian's words, the county magistrate's expression immediately darkened.

He never expected that Xu Tian knew even about his drinking and womanizing.

He suddenly felt somewhat embarrassed.

Xu Tian didn't want to get entangled with him any further.

“I will leave the matters at the county office to you in the future, sir. However, I have already arranged my accommodations, so there is no need for you to trouble yourself.”

After saying that, Xu Tian turned and left.

Xu Tian stayed at the best inn in the county.

It's quite close to the county government office.

It will be more convenient to conduct business there.

On the way, Songren said worriedly, "Sir, you've probably offended the magistrate."

Xu Tian naturally knew this as well.

However, he thought that offending someone was no big deal!

At least the county magistrate's official rank is not higher than his.

People should at least be somewhat wary of him.

The next day.

Xu Tian went to supervise the work early in the morning and found that the dam project was progressing very slowly.

It's not that we're lacking this material, it's that material.

This made it impossible for the workers to continue.

Why is your project taking so long?

Following Xu Tian's signal, Song Ren went forward to inquire about the reason.

The foreman, seeing the man's fine clothes and official hat, was undoubtedly a high-ranking official.

He immediately answered all questions.

"Sir, the problem is that the funds allocated by the higher authorities are too slow, which means we are always short of materials, and once we lack the materials, we can't proceed."

The foreman also seemed to be in a very difficult position.

Hearing what the foreman said...

Xu Tian frowned slightly.

Before he left, Li Er told him that the disaster relief fund would depart before him.

But when they arrived, these people said that the disaster relief funds had not arrived at all.

It seems there must be something fishy going on here.

He waved his hand, indicating that Songren didn't need to ask any more questions.

Then we arrived at another location where the dike was being repaired.

This side is the same as the front.

The work has been suspended because the materials haven't arrived yet.

These materials were all purchased by their superiors.

Xu Tian contacted their superiors, and the information they received was the same.

"It's not that we're not working hard! It's just that the funds from above haven't come through, so we can't buy anything. How are we supposed to start work?"

The foremen all said almost the same thing.

Without the funds allocated, they couldn't buy materials and therefore couldn't start construction.

After much deliberation, Xu Tian thought, surely the county magistrate knows about this matter!

However, he figured the county magistrate wouldn't dare to embezzle the disaster relief funds.

However, he must have known about this matter.

That evening, he decided to find the county magistrate and try to get information out of him.