Old things in Nancheng

Wang Zimo was led by the yamen servants, and together with Chen Wangshu and others, they went to the sea pond together in a scooter. There was a lot of noise in the car. Seeing that Wang Zimo was extremely silent, Chen Wangshu couldn't help but asked with concern: "Xiao Er, why is Hu Gonghu looking for you?" ?”

"Nothing." Wang Zimo was not in the mood to chat with Chen Wangshu, not to mention the people in the car were noisy, so he dismissed Chen Wangshu indiscriminately.

Hu Delai's words made Wang Zimo confused. She said half and kept the other half, and the crucial half remained. She didn't know how a simple corvee could have so many ambiguities.

Wang Zimo learned from Hu Delai that the emperor has decided to "hunt south" and will go to Lin'an Mansion. This is great news for the people of Lin'an Mansion.Regardless of whether the emperor fled here, at least Lin'an Prefecture will be regarded as an imperial city in the future, and its politics, economy, and culture will be greatly developed, and even Yanguan County will be more prosperous.

However, Lin'an, the capital of the emperor's "Southern Hunting", is not only beneficial to the yamen of the two counties in Lin'an. This opportunity is accompanied by a crisis. Therefore, Hu Delai was ordered by the county magistrate to do a good job of repairing the seawall this year.

But, no money!

"Junior brother, it's hard to handle this job for brother! Our county magistrate is a master who doesn't care about everything. Now that the emperor is coming, he doesn't know what to worry about. But money, food, sand, and tools are not all. The pressure is on Brother Wei. Baoxian Cheng has asked Hufang to do his best to raise funds, but it is still a drop in the bucket. I heard from Hufang that this year's autumn grain has not been confiscated."

"Brother, this time it's a matter of time. You should be smarter in handling tasks on the seawall. Just keep accounts of incoming and outgoing income and expenses, and don't worry about other things."

What do you mean by this?

After working on the seawall for three days, Wang Zimo gradually understood.Looking at the rows of extremely simple tents by the sea pond, they were for the corvee workers, with wind leaking from all sides, and they couldn't stop the damp and fierce sea breeze. I don't know how to eat, the key is that I haven't had a dry meal yet.This treatment is far worse than last year!

These are not the worst. Although Wang Zimo has never built ponds and canals, many middle-aged men on the seawall are veterans. From their words, Wang Zimo can also understand five or six points.

"There is no sack for the sand and stones. When the tide comes, it won't all be washed away!"

"There are still sand and stones. You see a few stones, all of which are rice stalks!"

"Is it possible to repair the pond like this? If there is a gap in this seawall, people will die!"

"I think this matter is hanging on. It will be better if there is less rain next year. If it is like the year before, I'm afraid it won't last."

"Hey, you guys, don't say a few words, don't die!"

"Wang Xiaoer, the sand and gravel transporter is here, and the boss calls you to check and accept it." A yamen servant shouted at the top of his voice.

There are five people who work with Wang Zimo, three of them are workshop scribes, and the other two are folk accountants, who also entrusted their connections.The six people counted the amount of sand and stone separately, and the clerk of the workshop began to register and put it into the warehouse. Wang Zimo saw that after the people in the workshop inspected the inferior sand and gravel, they recorded high-quality sand and gravel in the account, so he couldn't help but look at the other side. Several people.

The people in the workshop didn't seem to notice the problem, but the other two looked bad, but due to their identities, or being beaten like Wang Zimo, although they were extremely reluctant, they still wrote down "superior" amount of sand.No one said it, no one dared to say it, the servants around him were still watching, Wang Zimo sighed in his heart, but he had to bow his head, and began to write.

This time, Chen Wangshu was transferred to carry sand and gravel into the warehouse. With his body, he could carry five bags at a time, and an average strong boy could carry three or four bags.Wang Zimo calculated that Chen Wangshu, who is generally of the highest quality sand and gravel, can carry two bags. Based on this calculation, the amount of cutting corners this time is extremely astonishing.

At night, Chen Wangshu wandered over to Wang Zimo's side. Seeing Chen Wangshu coming, Wang Zimo hurriedly brought him warm broth from the stove: "Brother Shu, get tired, eat while it's hot."

"Smells, really smells, your life is really comfortable these days." Chen Wangshu couldn't be satisfied with the rice on the sea pond, he took the soup bowl and started to eat and drink in a hurry.

Wang Zimo smiled wryly in his heart. She was worried every day and couldn't sleep at night. Where did she come from for a comfortable life? She felt that she might as well follow Chen Wangshu to the sea pond. Although it was more difficult and tiring, there was no need to worry.

"Brother Shu, are you alright?" Wang Zimo asked with concern seeing Chen Wangshu's tired face.

"Working for the government, that's all." Chen Wangshu said nonchalantly.

"Have you heard any rumors?" Wang Zimo asked.

"Rumors?" Chen Wangshu was stunned, drank the broth in one gulp, wiped his mouth casually, and complained: "Isn't it just that the food and housing are worse than in previous years? I have been working for three years in a row, and it is really not as good as one year." Year. You also went last year. Although living by the canal was poor, at least you ate meat once every five or six days, and you had enough white rice. The official road is built along the way, and the folks along the road send food and clothing, which is very comfortable. Don’t mention it this year, in this place where the birds don’t shit, you can drink the northwest wind when you see the sky.”

"You are still lucky. You have a good master and a cheap brother. The wind can't blow, the water can't be flooded, and the food and lodging are the same as the official post. But the boy is so envious of the dog. Tell him to look down on scholars, this time , Catch you blind. Let me tell you, he originally planned to deal with you on the seawall."

Wang Zimo saw that Chen Wangshu was rambling and couldn't get to the point, so he had to give up.That's right, a farmer who has never seen the world, his mind is too simple, isn't he just staring at a few seeds, a few pieces of meat.

After eating and drinking, Chen Wangshu chatted with Wang Zimo for a while and then left.Wang Zimo continued to look through the accounts. This was the first time since she was a teacher. The three clerks in the workshop were just doing some copying work. Although the other two accountants were old accountants, their craftsmanship was average. With the instruction she got, most of the things here are on her shoulders.

It's just that the more the work went on, the more uncertain Wang Zimo was. On the seventh day, the county magistrate led a group of officials from the yamen to inspect the seawall.

Chang Renzhi didn't seem to be good at engineering construction, so he didn't see any problems, but he brought a master Qiangu who checked the accounts very carefully.

Wang Zimo looked at the master looking through the accounts, feeling very upset. The accounts were mainly done by her, and if something went wrong, she would be the first to suffer.Wang Zimo lowered his head and secretly glanced at Hu Delai, but did not get any feedback from Hu Delai.That Hu Delai stood beside Chang Renzhi in an even and stable manner, and bowed his head respectfully, his face showed the expression of a loyal minister wholeheartedly and selflessly dedicated to the public, no one would say a good word after seeing it.

"Master, there is no problem with the accounts." The master checked for a long time before getting up to report.

Hearing this, Wang Zimo breathed a sigh of relief.Because she discovered a huge problem, she naturally worked very hard on the accounts. Fortunately, her skills are good, at least she was not caught on the spot.

She has been worried about this matter, especially after Chang Renzhi's arrival, Wang Zimo has been hesitating whether to report the truth, but his identity is Hu Delai's junior, that is Hu Delai's person, and before he came After Hu Delai's beating, Wang Zimo finally stopped exposing the truth.Wang Zimo felt that even if he wanted to report it, he had to discuss it with Hu Delai first.

Chang Renzhi came in a mighty way, and after encouraging and condolences, he left again.In order to show his public loyalty to the country, Hu Delai stayed.Wang Zimo could also see that Hu Delai, who was the head of the workshop, didn't come with the county magistrate until the seventh day of corvee, which showed that he was not as caring about the job as he said.

Maybe it was because the accounts were done very well. In the evening, Hu Delai sent the yamen servant to ask Wang Zimo to have a drink with him.

"Junior brother, I'm busy with business and I don't have time to take care of you. How are you doing on the sea pond these few days?" In the usual intimacy, there is a hint of reliance. After all, they are from the same family, and they are capable, Hu De There is a great need for such a person who can do things without talking.

"Very good, Senior Brother Lao is thinking about it." Wang Zimo replied.

"This is out of the question, you and I are from the same school, you are young, not to mention the master told me, how can I take good care of you." Hu Delai smiled, poured wine for Wang Zimo himself, and said: " Come, let's have a drink, brother."

"Zimo is not good at drinking." Wang Zimo declined politely, she still had important matters in mind, and she really didn't want to chat with Hu Delai.

"Although we are from the south, we are also dignified men. It is impossible not to drink, and there will be more entertainment like this in the future." Hu Delai stuffed the sprinkle cup into Wang Zimo's hand, and drank it himself first.

Wang Zimo had no choice but to accompany him for a glass, and swallowed the slightly spicy wine, his throat was a little choked, looking at the table full of delicacies, he had no appetite.

Hu Delai showed his elder brother's demeanor, asking questions about his health and caring, and seeing that Wang Zimo was quite handsome, and his demeanor was well-regulated, so he couldn't help asking: "How old is Junior Brother, have you ever been engaged?"

"Sixteen years old, because there is no elder in the family, so I have never been engaged." Wang Zimo replied.

"It's not too small. Our master is idle now, ignoring ordinary things. It is said that your marriage, the master should pay more attention to it. In this case, my elder brother is shy, so I will find a good wife for you. When the time comes Husband and wife are deeply in love, don't forget senior brother, the great matchmaker."

"Cough cough cough..." Wang Zimo choked on Hu Delai's unyielding words.

"Junior brother, although you are a fair lady and a gentleman, don't be so excited." Seeing this, Hu Delai couldn't help laughing.

"No...don't bother senior brother, our third uncle in Zhuang said he would protect Zimo's matchmaker." Wang Zimo coughed until his face turned red.

"How can there be a good family in the countryside? With the character of a younger brother, you can't just find a village woman, or you will have no hope for a good relationship in this life." Hu Delai was very dissatisfied, and said patiently: "Brother, there is no hope." A close friend, who works in our yamen Dianshi, there is a young lady in his family, fourteen years old, beautiful, knowledgeable and courteous, Mr. Dianshi and his wife are very fond of her. This little lady is not like other women who climb dragons and phoenixes. At the beginning of the year, the Zhen family The second son's marriage proposal was rejected by her because Zhen Er was ignorant and incompetent."

"But the Zhen family in Hongcun?" Wang Zimo asked curiously, for a woman of such character, she admired her very much.

"Exactly, Zhen's family is one of the best in our Yanguan County. But the young lady said that she wants to marry a young man who is capable and motivated. It doesn't matter if the family is difficult, and she is very angry with Dian Shi." Hu Delai took a closer look. Wang Zimo was more and more satisfied and said: "A person like junior brother is expected to be favored by the young lady."

"Brother, don't say that, Zimo won't be able to climb high, don't hurt the little lady's reputation." Wang Zimo shook his head in fright. There is Lin Zhilan at home, so let her know how good he is. live.

"You don't care about this matter. You Tao is the order of your parents, and the words of the matchmaker. Since the younger brother has no elders to make decisions, he should plan for you. When the time comes, you and my brother will make contributions together. Wouldn't it be great?" Hu Delai said He made up his mind that if he wanted to get married with a classical historian, he would have more reliance in the yamen.

Wang Zimo regained his composure, thought about it carefully and then let go of his heart. Although the young lady of the Dian Shi family is not of the right family, her own identity and family background are extremely unsuitable for her. Although she wants to be low, she cannot be low. In the dust, this marriage will never come true.But when it comes to making meritorious deeds, Wang Zimo couldn't hold back the big things in his heart, hesitantly asked: "Brother, Zimo has something, I don't know if I should say it or not."

"Do more things and talk less, this is the rule in the yamen." Hu Delai is considered an old man, and he could see what Wang Zimo was thinking at a glance. He thought for a while and comforted: "The water in the yamen is muddy, and some Even if it is me, I can't be the master. You can see today that our county magistrate is not the master of affairs. Most of the county's affairs are handled by the county magistrate Bao. The Bao family is one of the largest families in our county. Cheng's words are more effective than those of the magistrate, so you can do your work with peace of mind."

"But the sea pond..." Wang Zimo was too young to stand up to the situation, no matter how he said it, it was clear.

"The whole county's fortifications are done for my brother, and the seawall will be fine."

In the end, Wang Zimo was still silenced by the wily and calculating Hu Delai.

On the second day, Wang Zimo got up with a confused head, and just went out to go to the accounting room, but saw a group of people rushing towards her aggressively, and everyone on the seawall stopped what they were doing to watch the excitement.

Wang Zimo squinted his eyes, and when the crowd got closer, he found that there were several familiar faces among those people, and they were obviously servants of the Wang family.

The group of people rushed in front of Wang Zimo and formed a surrounding spontaneously. The leader in charge waved his hand, and the two big men rushed forward, one on the left and the other on the right, thinking that Wang Zimo was caught in the middle.

"What are you trying to do!" Wang Zimo said angrily.

"What are you doing! Xiaoer, I watched you grow up. When you were young, you were responsible. I didn't expect you to be a master who ate the guts of a leopard. You have a son who has a mother. Come with us. The old lady is waiting for you in the ancestral hall!"

When Wang Zimo heard this, his face turned pale instantly, and when she wanted to argue, the steward ordered someone to directly seal her mouth, and the strong man carried her away.