Take the farm down to earth

Chapter 151 Preparation
Qiu Liang followed Xue Biao to the inner hall and waited for another quarter of an hour, not understanding that Shi Zhongkui was deliberately dragging himself out of sight.

While feeling annoyed in my heart, I was so regretful that I wanted to slap myself a few times.

Ever since it was rumored that Shi Zhongkui blocked the gate of the Embroidery Guard and forced the Commander of the Embroidery Guard to kneel down to greet him, Qiu Liang already knew that he should not accept the gift.

Not to mention telling Jia Lian and Xue Pan that the Wucheng soldiers and horses will arrest people after Shuntian Mansion and Xiuyiwei do not object.

When the Embroidery Guards mobilized to arrest the group of green skins who lived on the river wharf and put them all in Zhao Prison, Qiu Liang knew that he had made a fool of himself.

Perhaps Shi Zhongkui didn't want to be so troublesome when he begged for Wucheng soldiers and horses at first.

He also politely gave him 40 catties of medicinal wine worth 4000 taels of silver, but when he said that he needed the consent of Shuntian Mansion and Xiu Yiwei, Shi Zhongkui should understand that he was perfunctory.

It's all right now, they turned around and forced the embroidered clothes guard to make such a big commotion.

And if Zhuangyuan Gongji hates himself and Wucheng Bingmasi, then he will be in big trouble.

A sentence of conniving at his subordinates to exploit the people is enough to make him dismissed from office.

If you even report it to the emperor, your title might be taken away.

So Qiu Liang came here this time to test Shi Zhongkui's attitude.

Second, I hope that Shi Zhongkui will help him to say a few good words to Xiuyiwei for the sake of Jia's family.

If you can help yourself to get rid of the relationship with that gang of green skins, let alone pay back 4 taels of silver, even if you send another 10,000 taels, it will be no problem to make up [-] taels.

And at this moment, Qiu Liang felt that the only thing he could pay was money.

"Haha, Commander Qiu, please forgive me. I am so busy that I actually forgot the time."

As soon as Shi Zhongkui entered the inner hall, he cupped his hands and saluted, so frightened that Qiu Liang hurriedly got up to return the salute.

And the attitude is unusually respectful.

"Shi Shi said that he was in charge of the imperial mission, and the matter of being a subordinate official is not as important as yours."

Shi Zhongkui waved his hands with a smile, "Commander Qiu is here this time, is there something urgent?"

Qiu Liang immediately rolled his eyes in his heart, and he couldn't believe that Shi Zhongkui was so clever that he wouldn't guess what he was worried about?
But if there is a need for others, I can only swallow my breath and say it.

The two talked for a long time, and when Qiu Liang couldn't stand it anymore, Shi Zhongkui smiled and began to talk about the topic.
-
After sending Qiu Liang away, Shi Zhongkui smiled and stroked the 10,000 taels silver note in his hand.

He handed it to Xue Biao and said, "Give this silver ticket to Brother Pan, and let him buy food and give it to the refugees around Gyeonggi anonymously."

Xue Biao was taken aback for a moment, but he wisely didn't ask any more questions.

Then I heard Shi Zhongkui continue to say, "I have already agreed with Qiu Liang that from tomorrow onwards, the Wucheng Bingma Division will be responsible for cleaning up both sides of the river in the capital."

Xue Biao's face brightened when he heard it.

Although the river in the capital only occupies one-tenth of the total length, there are a large number of famous residences and shops on both sides of the river.

It can be said that how to clean up the merchants and residential buildings that occupy the road is definitely the most difficult part of dredging the river.

And besides being cumbersome, if you get into trouble with a merchant who is behind a courtier, you might be robbed of it.

So these things were handed over to Wucheng soldiers and horses, which really saved Shi Zhongkui countless troubles.

Shi Zhongkui continued to say to Xue Biao, "You let Xue Pan and Jia Lian secretly spread the news that whoever wants to fill the vacant portage business at the river wharf will recruit 50 river cargo ships for the official.

Otherwise, although I can't guarantee who will occupy the river wharf, I still have the ability to ruin their affairs. "

Xue scorpion chuckled, after the embroidered clothes guards arrested people this time, no one would doubt his brother-in-law's ability to do bad things to others.

Sure enough, some people who were staring at the pier quickly died down.

It's not that they are not tempted, nor is it that 50 cargo ships with a load of ten thousand stones cannot be recruited.

Rather, he didn't want to get involved with Shi Zhongkui, a villain, just for the handling business of the river wharf.

In addition, if he encounters any troubles when dredging the river later, maybe he will come to the door again.

So many people thought in their hearts that it would only take two or three months to dredge the river anyway.

After Shi Zhongkui's errands are completed, he has no reason to intervene in the fight for the river wharf.

But some people are not willing to get involved with Shi Zhongkui, and there are also some people who are eager to join him.

More than a dozen nobles who bought the eight-treasure wine, this time it was not the nephews at home who were looking for Jia Lian and Xue Pan, but the masters in charge.

Unless the veteran nobles of the Great Zhou occupy important positions like Wang Ziteng, they will be more or less short-lived.

After all, there are only grades but no positions, which means that there is no way to open source.

It is no problem to maintain the family's expenses by relying on land and shops alone, and they can save a lot of money every year.

But if you want to put on a show, or spend money to find a real job through connections, that's really not enough.

Even the more honorable the ancestors, after a few generations, most of the children and nephews are just as disappointing as the children of the Jia family.

This situation is getting worse.

So even if the income of the river terminal is only 50,000 taels a year, these people are not willing to give up.

In addition, many courtiers were unwilling to have entanglements with Shi Zhongkui at this time, and instead gave the nobles who had been suppressed a chance.

It took Shi Zhongkui a few days to go to the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of War in person, and got the document that [-] field soldiers could approach the capital without armor or crossbows.

Then he galloped back to Wanping, took [-] field soldiers and [-] stone grain and grass, and entered the temporary camp provided by the Ministry of War outside the capital.

Xue Biao brought Xue Pan, Jia Lian, Shi Guangzhu, Jia Quan, whom he hadn't seen for two years, and a young man about 20 years old into the big tent.

Needless to say, this person must be Jia Yun.

As for the 13-year-old Jia Quan, after seeing Shi Zhongkui, his expression was excited and hesitant.

Shi Zhongkui smiled and said to Xue Biao, "You take Brother Quan, Brother Yun, and your own soldiers to inspect the tools first, and we will talk about the rest in a few days."

As soon as Xue Biao heard it, he understood that Shi Zhongkui was taking the opportunity to test and test the abilities of Jia Quan and Jia Yun.

Busily clapping his hands and saluting, Jia Quan left with an excited and confused face.

When the three of them left, Shi Guangzhu murmured immediately, "Boqian, you and I both have the surname Shi, so why don't you dare not give the boy surnamed Shi a chance to enter your tent?"

Shi Zhongkui knew that the so-called entry into the big tent was nothing more than seeking a chance to serve as a small official by his side like Xue Biao for the side of the Duke's mansion or for the children of the same clan.

But Xue Biao only has a position, not an official.

And just waiting for the Chinese New Year to go back to his hometown in Jinling to take the county exam.

There is no need to explain these words to Shi Guangzhu, Shi Zhongkui smiled and said, "Don't worry, uncle, four of the twenty soldiers around me have already obtained the official status of the ninth-rank inspection.

Moreover, after the dredging of the river is completed, it will be difficult for the seventh-rank masters, but the eighth-rank masters are still fine. "

"really?"

Shi Zhongkui smiled and nodded, "How can such a thing deceive uncle?"

After Xue Pan and Jia Lian heard about it, they inevitably felt a little jealous.

Shi Guangzhu said with a joyful smile, "No wonder I was a little puzzled when I saw the four boys Xingguo, Xingtai, Xingmin and Xing'an wearing official uniforms before entering the big tent.

I didn't expect these guys to be so lucky. They have only been with you for two months, and they actually got official status.

After my father and the old soldiers of the Duke's Mansion know about it, they will definitely thank you. "

Shi Zhongkui waved his hands with a smile, "A petty official with no job is nothing.

And since my uncle said everyone had the same surname, there was no need to thank them. "

"That's right, that's right," Shi Guangzhu laughed loudly, "From now on, you and I will be one family, and you really don't need to pay attention to those common etiquettes."

When Shi Zhongkui heard this, his heart moved, and soon he understood what Shi Guangzhu was probably planning.

He rolled his eyes at Jia Lian and Xue Pan.

Xue Pan didn't understand what he meant, but Jia Lian really shook his head secretly.

So Shi Zhongkui didn't give Shi Guangzhu a chance to continue talking, and said with a smile, "Okay, this place is a military camp after all, so I won't gossip."

Shi Guangzhu was taken aback for a moment, and then saw Shi Zhongkui put away his smile and said with a serious expression, "Master Shi, I intend to order you to be the supervisor of all kinds of tools consumed for the moat project, what do you think?"

"Don't, don't", when Shi Guangzhu heard that he wanted to be the supervisor, how could he be willing to endure the hardship.

And there is no oil and water at all to make shovels, hoes, dustpans, carts, etc.

Even if he really wanted to save some money, the person sitting in the position of the chief general, although he was Yu Honggao's only disciple, had previously forced the eighth-rank official of the Ministry of Industry to death, and then forced the embroidered clothes guard to take over. The matter of a hundred green skins being arrested and sent to Zhao Prison.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the face is kind and the heart is black.

If he finds out that he is embezzled, he will be beaten to death.

Shi Zhongkui chuckled, and suddenly shouted to the outsider, "Come here."

"In", I saw two military officers with their hands on the handle of the knife, lifted the curtain and walked in.

Shi Zhongkui pointed to Shi Guangzhu, and said to Shi Xingguo and Shi Xingtai, the leaders of the soldiers, "Take your uncles back to the mansion, and tell your uncle and old lady to give your uncles more accountants, masters and servants.

In case the errand entrusted to him was not completed, the official could only beat him 40 boards reluctantly.

If he is found to be corrupt, the official can only report to His Majesty, first take away the official status of Xuan Delang on him, and then hand it over to You Si for punishment. "

"This,,,."

Shi Xingguo and Shi Xingtai glanced at Shi Zhongkui with some hesitation.

Afterwards, Shi Zhongkui's heart pounded in shock from Shi Zhongkui's cold gaze, and he didn't understand that this was a taboo.

Thinking about the inspector's body on his body, the two dared not hesitate.

Stepping up to the stunned Shi Guangzhu, he cupped his hands, "Master, don't make things difficult for me. Besides, this place is a military tent, so I don't need to remind you of what happens if you disobey the military order?"

Shi Guangzhu, who was just about to curse, quickly shut up.

After all, I was responsible for assisting Shi Zhongkui to act as an agent of the river channel, if I really didn't accept the task, I deserved the beating.

And just a beating is light.

After thinking about this, Shi Guangzhu could only sigh and follow Shi Xingguo and Shi Xingtai out of the big tent.

The corner of Shi Zhongkui's mouth smiled, and he said it clearly, asking Shi Huaiyong to provide Shi Guangzhu with more accountants, masters and servants, if this is not enough to complete the task.

It was Shi Huaiyong who should fight.

Even sending the old housekeeper over to assist Shi Guangzhu, Shi Guangzhu didn't have to stare at the making of the utensils every day.

When looking at Jia Lian and Xue Pan, they were really frightened.

Not only did he sit up straight and look serious, he didn't even dare to look at himself.

Shi Zhongkui smiled and ignored Xue Pan, and asked Jia Lian with a smile, "Second Brother Lian is here this time, is there something wrong?"

Jia Lian hurriedly got up and cupped his hands, "My lord,,."

"Stop," Shi Zhongkui interrupted, "Second Brother Lian doesn't serve in our army, so there's no need to be so cautious.

The little brother did that before, just to prevent it from happening.In case my uncle gets confused and is used as a gun without realizing it. "

That's what I said, but Jia Lian dared to be as casual as before.

Xue Pan breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this, and smiled.

But when he met Shangshi Zhongkui's malicious gaze, Xue Pan was taken aback again.

He couldn't help muttering in his heart, if Shi Guangzhu didn't get beaten, but he hit the muzzle of the gun himself, Shi Guangzhu would definitely laugh at him to death.

After Jia Lian thought about it, although his expression was not as serious as before, his demeanor was still very cautious and he said, "After the virtuous brother asked Xue Bian to pass on the message to Brother Pan and me, those old relatives and family friends who bought Babao wine came to find me. My brothers.

He said that he wanted to invite his virtuous brother to Xiuguo's mansion for a talk. "

Shi Zhongkui waved his hand noncommittally, "We'll talk about it later when we come to talk about the old days, but second brother Lian just said, do they want to control the river wharf?"

"This", Jia Lian couldn't stand Shi Zhongkui's straightforward words.

Because this kind of business requires everyone to cooperate, doesn't that mean that not only have the honors plummeted, but they are basically poor ghosts?

He could only bite the bullet and nod, "What do you mean, brother?"

Of course Shi Zhongkui had no objection, "As long as 50 Wanshi ships are recruited, the matter at the dock has nothing to do with me.

As for how they control the docks, how to distribute the benefits is also their own business.

But since they are old relatives and family friends, I would like to remind you that too many collaborators may not be a good thing. "

After hearing this, Jia Lian said indifferently, "I just need to do a good job of dredging the river, and let them solve the mess by themselves."

After finishing speaking, Jia Lian took a peek at Shi Zhongkui, thinking that with Shi Zhongkui around, the civil servants would be more or less scruples in their hearts if they wanted to suppress these nobles.

At this time, Shi Zhongkui only felt that Jia Lian's words were correct, and that running his own errands well was the primary goal.

Besides, regardless of the decline of Xungui, these people have been entrenched in the capital for generations, and the network of human relations they have made and operated for hundreds of years is not small.

People like Wang Ziteng, the first-class uncle Niu Jizong of the Zhenguo government, Liu Fang, the first-class son of the Liguo government, and Hou Xiaokang, the first-class son of the Xiuguo government, also held important positions.

If they are in a hurry, once they unite, big things cannot be done, but there are many ways to make trouble and make trouble.
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After the large sand washing boat was settled, the process of dredging the river was greatly accelerated.

Shi Zhongkui's method of dredging is actually very simple.

Basically, it completely copied the practices of many officials responsible for dredging the rivers in the capital during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

As for the 50 large boats, they are only used to drag large iron rakes to wash the sand and the sunken ships and boulders in the canal.

At the same time, he still knows the simple lifting principle.

Putting iron chains on the big ship and dropping the machine will definitely increase the cleaning speed by more than ten times.

And he has Liu Yu'er and Chang Baiyu around, so it's easier to clear it up.

(End of this chapter)