Obtain the divine power at the beginning

Fucheng is shrouded in mist and rain, with flowers in full bloom, pink peach blossoms and green willows, just like a water town in the south of the Yangtze River, or like a brilliant painting, full of poetry.

Early the next morning.

Wang Chao led Chen Biao to Fang's house and asked Fang Shizhong, the director of the Fucheng Salt Tax Bureau, to help support the government office with some money and support Lord Shi in doing some practical things for the people's livelihood. Fang Shizhong enthusiastically served tea and water in person, and was very polite, but he also declined tactfully, saying: "Lord Wang, I have just taken over the Salt Tax Bureau for a short time, and the predecessor did not leave much money. Now, the Salt Tax Bureau's treasury is empty. Please tell Lord Shi that when the Salt Tax Bureau has some money in a while, I will bring some silver to the government office to visit Lord Shi. Lord Shi is a good official who is dedicated to serving the people. I have always admired Lord Shi and hope to listen to Lord Shi's teachings and guidance every day. However, I have just taken office in the Salt Tax Bureau. As the saying goes, a new official has three fires to start with, and I have been busy with official duties. I have not been able to visit Lord Shi in the government office. Please forgive me."

Wang Chao was furious, but he was also like a little sheep. He was rejected by Fang Shizhong. His face was red and he was very embarrassed. He lowered his head to drink tea. He didn't know whether to sit or walk. In addition to being embarrassed, he sighed secretly and regretted coming to Fang's house.

I thought to myself: Oh, that’s difficult!

Fang Shizhong neither gave money nor offended Wang. He was full of polite words, very warm and polite, and flawless. What should I do? Hey! Where can I put my face today?

~~

Chen Biao was tough. He knew that Fang Shizhong had always been holding a grudge against Shi Tianyu and would never give him the silver easily. Seeing Wang Chao being so angry at Fang Shizhong, he just wanted to kick Fang Shizhong to death.

However, now that he had something to ask of Fang Shizhong, he had no choice but to be patient and say nice things.

So, Chen Biao stood up and bowed and said, "Master Fang, although the Salt Tax Bureau is under vertical management, if the money of the Salt Tax Bureau cannot be paid, the final responsibility will still be our Master Shi. Therefore, Master Fang and Master Shi are still one. Now, the government office is temporarily in trouble, so please support the government office and support Master Shi in doing some practical things for the people's livelihood."

Fang Shizhong was an old bureaucrat who knew how to seize opportunities. It was difficult for him to express his opinion, so he kept silent.

This made Chen Biao very embarrassed, and he was in a dilemma as to whether to stand or sit.

Fang Shizhong looked at Chen Biao, who was embarrassed, and felt very proud. He thought to himself: Just because you are a small pawn, you want to fight with me? Humph! You are so ignorant! You are such a piece of shit! Why don't you get out of here quickly?

~~

Wang Chao saw that even one of Chen Biao's soldiers had become tough, so he also cheered up, put aside his pride, clasped his hands, and said, "Master Fang, our Master Shi has proposed 'Shi San Zheng' after 'One Correction, Two Grasps, and Three Repairs' last year. I believe that the area under the jurisdiction of Fucheng will become more and more prosperous, and the taxes collected by the Salt Tax Bureau will also increase. Moreover, the Salt Tax Bureau has always been a lucrative government office. I sincerely ask Master Fang to allocate some money to support the government office."

Fang Shizhong laughed proudly and said, "Haha! You two are joking. Of course, I am one with Master Shi and I respect him very much. But now the treasury of the Salt Administration is empty. Didn't the ancients say that March is the poorest month of April? Maybe in June, the Salt Administration will have some silver left. By then, if there is some silver left in the treasury of the Salt Administration, it will be sent to the treasury of the government office."

He didn't offend Wang Chao and Chen Biao by laughing twice like this, but he just refused to take out the silver.

~~

Chen Biao suppressed his anger, put on a smile, and brought up Shi Tianyu again, saying softly but firmly: "Master Fang, Master Shi must take care of all the government offices at all levels under the jurisdiction of the government office. This was the case when Master Shi was the magistrate of Guxiang County.

This money is not for Lord Shi to spend, but is to be used for Shi Sanzheng and to handle people's livelihood issues. Lord Fang, please think twice!" These words were already threatening.

Fang Shizhong still smiled calmly and said, "Haha! Brother Chen, you are joking. Didn't Brother Chen just say that the Salt Tax Bureau is managed vertically? My official hat is in the hands of my superiors, so of course I have to raise enough money to hand it over to the Ministry of Revenue first."

He laughed dryly twice and spoke in a very friendly manner, but he still dealt with Chen Biao in a reasonable and polite manner and just refused to hand over the silver.

~~

Wang Chao saw this and cursed inwardly in embarrassment: Damn it, how could Shi Tianyu, that bastard, come up with such a crooked idea? Where can I put my face? I am a dignified Tongzhi of Fucheng Prefecture, and my official rank is higher than Fang Shizhong. I came to Fang Mansion in person to pay a visit to Fang Shizhong, but he didn't give me face, which made me very embarrassed! Shi Tianyu, you bastard, why don't you come to Fang Mansion to ask to see Fang Shizhong? Damn it, eh! Today, I really lost all my face.

Seeing that Fang Shizhong refused to give him the money, he felt very embarrassed and cursed Shi Tianyu in his heart for giving him bad advice.

~~

Seeing that neither soft nor hard tactics worked, Chen Biao also started to play dirty, saying, "Master Fang, I can't raise the money, and it's hard to report to Master Shi! Alas! It seems that I dare not go back to the government office to do my job, so I have to stay at Master Fang's house from now on and eat and drink for free."

What this means is that if Fang Shizhong doesn't give him money, Chen Biao will not leave.

~~

Fang Shizhong was not afraid, and laughed again: "Haha! Brother Chen, you are joking. Who doesn't know that Brother Chen is Lord Shi's close confidant? However, the Fang Mansion is quite spacious. Brother Chen, you can stay in my humble abode. I will definitely let the servants accompany Brother Chen to drink, eat and have fun. Oh, by the way, my waist has been hurting badly recently, so I have to go and rest first. Brother Chen, please do as you please."

He was still laughing and did not offend Chen Biao. He ordered his servants to serve Chen Biao and Wang Chao well.

After saying that, he stood up and was about to leave.

~~

At this time, the servant of Fang Mansion came to report in a hurry, and said to Fang Shizhong: "Master, for some reason, Jia Weifu, the Supervisor of the Tea and Horse Department, is dancing naked in front of the gate of the Sichuan Inn. He smells of alcohol and seems to be crazy. It may be due to excessive drinking. Now thousands of people are gathered in front of the gate of the Sichuan Inn. Jia Weifu is now in a very ugly state. His family members came to carry him away, but they were scratched and bitten by him. Jia Weifu is now like a mad dog, biting whoever he catches. It is said that even if his illness can be cured, it is estimated that he will lose his position as Supervisor of the Tea and Horse Department."

~~

Fang Shizhong was feeling proud of himself, but he was shocked when he heard that. He trembled all over and the cup in his hand fell to the ground and broke into pieces.

He screamed again in a trembling voice: "What? What what?"

But I can no longer be proud of myself.

~~

Wang Chao trembled and almost screamed: Lord Shi is so cruel? Great!

No wonder Lord Shi was hiding behind us. That's why.

Wang Chao stood up, danced again, and almost clapped his hands: Lord Shi is still the awesome one!

Chen Biao was shocked when he heard the voice, and thought to himself: Jia Weifu is strong and healthy! Lord Shi disappeared as soon as he left the government office last night. Could it be that Lord Shi personally handled this matter?

~~

Upon hearing the noise, the maids and servants of the Fang residence came in and hurriedly cleaned up the broken pieces of cup on the ground.

Fang Shizhong's nephew, Fang Zhiqiang, who had his legs broken by Hong Liansu at Guxiang County, walked in with difficulty on crutches and asked Fang Shizhong with concern: "Uncle, you? Are you okay?"