Li Zhi, don't be a coward

Chapter 333
A day without a business trip is like heaven.

Every day, I chat with Cui Jie, tease Qiaoer, teach and educate people by the way, and more often sit lazily in the yard and let my mind go, like a philosopher thinking about human beings and the universe.

There is no pressure to go to work, no need to participate in the intrigue of the court, and no pressure to make money to support the family.

After returning from Bingzhou, Xu Yanbo, the eldest grandson of the Xu family, sent someone to report that the caravans selling ice to the countries in the Western Regions had opened up markets and established relationships with the dignitaries of the countries.

It won't be long before the summer in the Western Regions will be supplied with cold ice cubes, and the rich and powerful will not be able to go to the sky.

Of course, the price of ice cubes is also the price of heaven, Xu Yanbo said, just wait for the money.

To be precise, this transaction belonged to the Imperial Merchant, Li Zhi had the largest shareholding, followed by Li Qinzai, the Xu family had the least profit, but the busiest one was also the Xu family.

Li Qinzai and Li Zhi were basically hands-off shopkeepers. At least Li Zhi issued a secret decree to the Anxi Governor's Mansion to provide strong military support for this transaction. Apart from providing the secret recipe, Li Qinzai did not ask questions at all.

Obviously making the least amount of money, the Xu family is happy with it.

It can also be seen from the recent actions in the court that the cooperation between Xu Jingzong, the right minister, and Li Zhi has become more and more tacit.

After Li Qinzai resigned his post as governor of the Bingzhou grain case, the court did not let it go.

At the beginning, Li Qinzai not only questioned the aristocratic family members and officials in Bingzhou, but also sent troops to question officials from more than [-] cities in the north. Since they were involved in the case, there was no issue of jurisdiction, and all those involved in the case were captured by the soldiers. He was taken to Chang'an Ministry of punishment.

Not only that, but according to Mrs. Han's report, two ministers, four censors, and a temple minister were also taken down from the court. As for officials below the sixth rank, a large number of officials were arrested.

The case got bigger and bigger. This is no longer a simple case in Bingzhou. Taking advantage of the severe drought in the north to make profits, they have formed an airtight net. When Li Qinzai tore the net apart with his own hands, the dirty and smelly People and things are exposed to the sun.

Chaotang finally fried the pot.

Li Zhi listened to Li Qinzai's advice to get rid of the evil, and made up his mind to catch them all.

The drought in the north is severe. This year, the imperial court does not know how much food will be transferred from the south to help the people. There should be no more officials in the court coveting the food, and it will cause a catastrophe.

In addition to the monarch and his ministers, Xu Jingzong, who has a more partner relationship, seems to have been beaten with chicken blood. This time, he no longer responds vaguely and perfunctorily like an old fritter. Frequently asked about the process and results of the Ministry of Criminal Justice's trial.

With the joint efforts of the emperor and the right minister, the courtiers involved in the case finally despaired. In the short few days since Li Qinzai returned to Ganjingzhuang, most of the courtiers involved had pleaded guilty.

This is definitely another major case since Li Zhi ascended the throne to rectify Changsun Wuji.

There was nothing complicated about the case. Li Qinzai had clearly grasped the evidence and the criminals. What was left was for Li Zhi to consider.

Anyway, it has nothing to do with Li Qinzai, he has done what he should do.

…………

It was autumn, and there was a bit of chill along the Weihe River, but Qiao'er had a great time playing, sweating profusely from running along the river beach.

Li Qinzai and Cui Jie sat side by side. Cui Jie put her hands on her chin and watched Li Qinzai fishing quietly with a smile on her pretty face.

Li Qinzai held the fishing rod in his hand, but looked frustrated.

After sitting for an entire hour, he didn't catch a single fish fry, and his wife and son were still watching him, which made him feel very embarrassing.

"Father, do you really know how to fish? Let's use fishing nets." Qiao'er looked at him anxiously.

Li Qinzai's old face darkened: "Don't even you believe me?"

Qiao'er said innocently: "Of course Qiao'er believes in Dad, but Dad just didn't catch a single fish. The one who promised to grill the fish by the river, the stove was set up, but the fish still hasn't been caught..."

"Father, how about asking Fourth Uncle to shoot rabbits for us, roasted rabbits are delicious too."

"Tutu is so cute, why do you want to eat it..." Li Qinzai gritted his teeth and said, "Wait, I have to catch a fish today, otherwise I'll make a detonator to blow up the river, and no one will pass it!"

Qiao'er's eyes lit up: "Father, what is a detonator? Is it more powerful than a firecracker?"

Li Qinzai glanced at him. His son seemed to be very irritable recently. He played with firecrackers very well. He carried a firecracker in his arms all day long, like a little terrorist stalking through the village. This is not a good sign and must be strangled. .

When she was trying to figure out how to reform this little terrorist, Cui Jie smiled and hugged Qiao'er, and said softly, "Qiao'er, do you know what it means 'a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall'?"

Qiao'er was stunned for a moment, nodded and said: "I know, a gentleman should not do dangerous things, and don't get close to dangerous things."

Cui Jie laughed again: "Then Qiao'er carries so many firecrackers every day, so it's dangerous to light them if there is nothing to do?"

Qiao'er hesitated for a moment, then said, "Forget it."

Cui Jie put both hands in front of Qiao'er, winked at him: "So?"

Qiao'er pursed her mouth, and honestly took out all the firecrackers from her bosom, and put them in Cui Jie's palm: "So, Qiao'er can't play with firecrackers anymore."

Cui Jie put away the firecrackers, and said with a smile: "It's not that you can't play, but you can't play often. In the future, if Qiao'er improves in school, or does something very good, auntie will reward you for playing firecrackers. A gentleman will never Don't go back on your word, okay?"

Qiao'er looked at Li Qinzai, and Li Qinzai smiled: "Auntie is right, firecrackers are too dangerous to play often, so let's treat them as prizes in the future. Qiao'er must work hard in his studies."

Qiao'er nodded vigorously: "I will be better than my juniors."

Li Qinzai glanced at Cui Jie and said, "You are quite good at teaching children."

Cui Jie rubbed Qiao'er's head, and said softly: "He is my own, of course he must be taught well."

Looking back at the river surface, the river surface was sparkling, but the fishing rod hanging on the river surface was still motionless.

Li Qinzai felt that the warm scene of a family of three grilling fish by the river today was probably hopeless.

It’s not bad to eat rabbits either, they are so cute, of course you have to eat them in your stomach, the cute little animals are completely your own.

Just as he was about to ask Liu Ahsi to go up the mountain and shoot some hares, he suddenly heard the sound of horseshoes coming from the village.

The sound of horseshoes was very chaotic, accompanied by arrogant laughter and yelling, Li Qinzai turned his head in amazement, only to see dozens of horsemen rushing into Zhuangzi.

Zhuangzi is full of country lanes, not spacious, but these dozens of riders are unscrupulous, they don't slow down when they enter Zhuangzi, they even turn their horses' heads, and rush into the farmland next to the houses.

Li Qinzai frowned: "Who the hell is so courageous? Dare to step on the farmland in my village and seek death?"

(End of this chapter)