Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 283 Maozhou Administration
When Zhao Ping and others saw the county lieutenant being taken away, they also returned to the camp.

Zhao Ping found Lu Zheng and explained the situation. She was puzzled and asked, "Why didn't you let him write down the charges and then send them back?"

Lu Zheng smiled when he heard this. "He's just a county lieutenant. How much can he know? Sending him back directly will show sincerity. Let them fight each other, and we can just watch the show."

Zhao Ping thought about it, but still didn't quite understand. She just felt that scholars had sharp brains and thought a lot.

Lu Zheng turned around and said, "Girl, take a good rest. You've been busy these past few days..."

Zhao Ping shook her head, "I can't calm down."

Lu Zheng couldn't help but say, "Young lady, you are also a cultivator, so you still need to cultivate your mind... In that case, how about we have a sparring match? It's fine anyway."

Zhao Ping's eyes lit up when she heard this. She knew that Lu Zheng was very powerful, and if she could spar with him, it would definitely be beneficial to her own practice.

"Okay!" Zhao Ping nodded heavily.

Lu Zheng raised his hand and took out a sword, then practiced swordsmanship with Zhao Ping.

But after a moment, Lu Zheng discovered that Zhao Ping's swordsmanship was quite good. Although not as good as his own, it was much better than warriors of the same age.

Lu Zheng couldn't help but say: "It seems that the girl is very good at using a sword."

Zhao Ping smiled and said, "Master accepted me as his disciple because I had the aptitude to learn swordsmanship. But compared to Master Lu, I'm still far behind."

After just practicing with Lu Zheng for a while, she felt that Lu Zheng was much stronger than her master.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "You are already very good. I have a set of sword techniques that was taught by a senior. Are you willing to learn?"

Zhao Ping's eyes lit up, and she hesitated, "This isn't appropriate, is it?"

Lu Zhengdao said, "When that senior taught me before, he was also very casual and didn't have any requirements. This isn't some secret that can't be passed down. Miss, there's nothing to worry about."

Seeing that Zhao Ping had the aptitude to practice sword, Lu Zheng also wanted to teach her.

Zhao Ping quickly clasped her fists and said sincerely, "I'm willing to learn!"

Lu Zheng didn't say much and performed a set of Tai Chi sword techniques.

Zhao Ping stared intently and then followed suit.

It didn't take long for him to become familiar with this set of Tai Chi sword techniques.

Seeing this, Lu Zheng nodded with satisfaction and handed the long sword to Zhao Ping. "This sword was also a gift from a friend. Now that my cultivation has advanced, this sword is no longer suitable for me. It would be useless if I kept it, so I will give it to you. I hope you will also take up the sword to fight for injustice in the future."

Zhao Ping couldn't help but look serious when she heard this. She took the sword with both hands and said solemnly, "I will definitely not let Mr. Lu down!"

"Very good." Lu Zheng nodded. "Practice slowly, but don't overexert yourself."

"Okay." Zhao Ping replied.

Lu Zheng turned and went to a place to rest and waited quietly.

There is dust flying on the county road north of the city.

A group of people and horses came galloping, and all the people on the horses were wearing various official robes.

Soon, the group arrived outside the north city gate.

A guard reined in his horse and shouted, "Maozhou, Zhao Zhizhong has arrived! Open the city gates immediately!"

The position of Zhizhong is a subordinate official of the governor of a state. He is mainly responsible for selecting and evaluating officials in the state. He has a high status and is considered the right-hand man of the governor.

When the guards on the city wall saw the person coming, they realized that he was a high-ranking official from Maozhou. They did not dare to delay at all and quickly opened the city gate and sent someone to report to County Magistrate Song.

A group of people filed in and entered the county town with great momentum.

Soon, everyone arrived outside Song Ming's mansion.

Song Ming was already waiting at the door. Seeing the visitor, he hurried forward and said respectfully, "Zhao Zhizhong has arrived. I'm sorry for not coming to greet you..."

The middle-aged man in the lead had an indifferent expression. He dismounted and asked, "County Magistrate Song, where is Master Lu Zheng?"

When Song Ming saw Zhao Zhizhong asking about Lu Zheng as soon as he arrived, he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

He quickly said, "Master Lu is outside the city, with a group of people."

Zhao Zhizhong frowned, "Where is it? Take me there!"

Song Ming hurriedly led the way, "Lord Zhao, please follow me. That Lu Zheng is here to manipulate public opinion. I really can't do anything about it..."

Song Ming walked while pouring out his grievances.

Zhao Zhizhong had a serious expression and did not say anything, but just listened calmly.

After a while, Song Ming led Zhao Zhizhong and his party to the south city wall.

At a glance, you can see thousands of people stationed at the foot of the mountain.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhizhong couldn't help but frown slightly, thinking that the matter might not end well.

Zhao Zhizhong took a look and waved his hand to dismiss his attendants, leaving only Song Ming alone. "Tell me what happened in detail."

Song Ming whispered what had happened before, but omitted the private conversation between Lu Zheng and him.

"Lord Zhao, this Lu Zheng is not coming for me, but for the entire Maozhou..." Song Ming couldn't help but whispered.

At this point, Song Ming naturally wouldn't say it was just Qianshan County's problem. He didn't want to shoulder such a big issue alone; he wanted everyone to shoulder it together.

Zhao Zhizhong's face looked unhappy, and he was skeptical about Song Ming's words.

After all, it is hard to say that Lu Zheng had caused trouble in Hongzhou just to seek justice for the miners.

But who gave Lu Zheng such a handle?
With so many people gathered outside, Zhao Zhizhong was in a difficult situation.

If Lu Zheng hadn't been there, they would have simply labeled these people as rebels and sent soldiers to suppress them.

But with Lu Zheng stepping forward, you can't accuse Lu Zheng of leading a rebellion, right?
Isn't it ridiculous to put such a label on a Confucian and Taoist scholar who cultivates righteousness and integrity?
If we continue to deduct money like this, it will be spread that An Guo is unpopular, which will be a slap in the face.

At that time, not only would other countries be made a laughing stock, but the imperial court would also have to punish the officials in Maozhou to appease the people.

Zhao Zhizhong had learned a general situation from the governor earlier, and when he accepted the task, he felt that it would be difficult to deal with.

Zhao Zhizhong felt a little headache. The situation was worse than he thought, which made him very embarrassed.

Fortunately, Lu Zheng did not take people directly to Maozhou City, otherwise the situation would be even more disastrous.

He couldn't help but look at Song Ming and asked, "Besides resettling these people, what other requests does he have?"

Song Ming shook his head. "No, but judging from his attitude, it won't be that simple."

Zhao Zhizhong thought for a moment and ordered, "Go back and gather the men and make arrangements to appease the people. I'll go talk to him."

"Okay, sir." Song Ming agreed quickly.

Seeing that Zhao Zhizhong did not hold him accountable immediately, Song Ming breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the previous relationship was not in vain.

Zhao Zhizhong looked solemn and asked two guards to go down the mountain with him.

At the foot of the mountain, Lu Zheng stood by the mountain path, waiting for them with a smile.

He had just received a message from Dou Bing, and learned that the officials from Maozhou were arriving, so he came here to wait.

Zhao Zhizhong led his men down the mountain and saw a man standing under a tree. His eyes flickered.

He walked closer and said with a smile, "But is this Lu Zheng, Mr. Lu? My surname is Zhao, and I am an official in the Maozhou government."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng bowed and said, "So it's Zhao Zhizhong. I am Lu Zheng."

Zhao Zhizhong smiled even more broadly upon hearing this. "I've heard of Mr. Lu's name for a long time. Seeing him today, I can see that he is indeed a handsome man with an extraordinary temperament..."

Lu Zheng smiled faintly and said, "Zhao Zhizhong is too kind. I wonder how Zhao Zhizhong has time to come here?"

A strange look flashed across Zhao Zhizhong's eyes, and he thought to himself, "Didn't you write a letter to the Maozhou government office, saying that there was a big problem in Qianshan County?"

Zhao Zhizhong couldn't help but say, "I received instructions from the governor to come here to investigate. I don't know who those people are down the mountain."

The necessary procedures must still be followed. He may know everything, but he cannot pretend to know everything.

Lu Zheng looked at the people at the foot of the mountain and said slowly, "Most of them are suffering people, and some are evil servants..."

Lu Zheng took his time and told the whole story in detail.

Zhao Zhizhong listened expressionlessly without saying a word.

After Lu Zheng finished speaking, he spoke again, "I never thought such a terrible thing would happen in Qianshan County! I am also responsible for my negligence! Mr. Lu, don't worry. I have already instructed County Magistrate Song to resettle these people in the city... In addition, I will send someone to conduct a thorough investigation."

Zhao Zhizhong added, "Please ask Master Lu to take them into the city. It's tough out here and not a place for people to live."

Lu Zheng smiled faintly, "I think they won't enter the city before there is a result, and I don't want to enter the city either."

Zhao Zhizhong pondered for a moment and asked tentatively, "What kind of result does Mr. Lu want?"

Lu Zheng said softly, "If they are satisfied, then I will naturally have no dissatisfaction."

Zhao Zhizhong thought for a moment and said, "I will give them some financial compensation and then relocate them to other counties, re-establishing their households and allocating their land. Qianshan County is too poor to accommodate so many people... What do you think, Master Lu?"

Lu Zheng looked at Zhao Zhizhong. "Is that all? Can the evildoers still get away with it? The compensation Zhao Zhizhong mentioned, other than some money, can't be realized for the time being, and they are not short of money right now."

After visiting so many mines, Lu Zheng took all the valuables. Now these people cannot be bought with money.

Lu Zheng paused, then continued, "Zhao Zhizhong hasn't rested for a moment since he came here. Go back and have a good rest. Think it over and then tell me. Or, let these people and I see Zhao Zhizhong's sincerity. It's getting late, so goodbye!"

Lu Zheng raised his hand to salute, turned around and floated down the mountain, without giving Zhao Zhizhong any chance to discuss further.

Seeing Lu Zheng's attitude, Zhao Zhizhong didn't dare to get angry. He just thought that Lu Zheng was not an easy person to talk to.

Zhao Zhizhong looked at Lu Zheng's departing back, his expression changing from gloomy to bright.

He stood there in silence for a moment, then turned around and went back to the city.

After Zhao Zhizhong returned to the city, he went directly to Song Ming's mansion.

Seeing Zhao Zhizhong coming back, Song Ming couldn't help but ask, "Master Zhao, what did Lu Zheng say?"

"What did he say?" Zhao Zhizhong raised his eyebrows. "He told me to come back and think it over before coming back to him."

So you came back? Song Ming raised his eyebrows, thinking that this person didn't have any temper in front of Lu Zheng.

He felt that if the governor of Maozhou came instead, he would probably be turned away as well.

(End of this chapter)