The Yangzhou Mansion Yahou Ya is the residence of the prefect Jiang Ping, and all the family members live here. The afternoon sun is warm, the willow breeze is light, and in the East Flower Hall, Yangzhou Governor Jiang Ping is receiving guests.

There are a number of guests, all of whom are gentry and wealthy families from Dongtai County, among which the Zheng family is the most, and the land under their names accounts for more than 20% of the county, and is called Zheng Bancheng by the local people. In addition, the Li family and the He family are also big landowners in Dongtai County, and they came to Fucheng together, the purpose of which is naturally to give benefits to Qinchasai, hoping that Qincha can raise his noble hand in the process of clearing the land.

Jiang Zhifu drank tea, his eyes swept over the two twin girls behind Zheng Bancheng, and asked with a smile: "A few of you must have already visited Qincha, right?" ”

Zheng Bancheng said cautiously: "Lord Qincha is estimated to be too busy, and only sent one of his generals to receive me and others, but I accepted the gift, but it was just ...... These two twin! ”

"Did you get kicked out?" Governor Jiang asked with a smile.

Zheng Bancheng nodded and said, "Exactly, let a pretty girl ring out, Lord Prefect, this won't be a problem, right?" ”

Jiang Zhifu laughed and said: "There is a pair of twin maids in the mansion of Lord Xu, which was given to Lord Xu by the Duke of Wei during the Shangyuan Festival. ”

Zheng Bancheng said abruptly: "I see, it's no wonder that the people trained by the Duke of Wei are incomparable, incomparable!" ”

In fact, the appearance of the twin girls standing behind Zheng Bancheng at this time is not bad, but compared with the early spring and early summer, it is indeed a grade worse.

Governor Jiang said with a smile: "Zheng Yuanwai doesn't have to worry, there were also beauties sent to Lord Qincha before, and they were all kicked out without exception." ”

Zheng Bancheng breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, and said with a smile: "In this way, Lord Xu really loves those beautiful maids. ”

"Hey, otherwise why would you even take the envoy with you!" The gentry surnamed Zhao said with an ambiguous expression: "With such a pair of twin beauties by your side, at that time at night, you are not happy like a fairy!" ”

Everyone immediately burst into laughter, and Jiang Zhifu pointed at the gentry surnamed Zhao and scolded with a smile: "Shameless old man, even if you give you a pair of twin maids, you won't be happy." ”

The crowd laughed again, apparently familiar with each other.

Governor Jiang took a sip of the teacup, and his gaze swept over the pair of twins behind Zheng Bancheng, intentionally or unintentionally. Zheng Bancheng was also clever, and said quietly: "This pair of twin maids was originally going to be sent to serve Lord Qincha, since Lord Qincha doesn't need it, it is better to stay and serve Lord Jiang, and save the old man from bringing it back to Dongtai County." ”

Governor Jiang pretended to excuse himself and said: "No, no, no, how can this be done." ”

Zheng Bancheng hurriedly said sincerely: "I made it, the Jiang Governor's Mansion is the shepherd guarding the house, and there are all kinds of opportunities, how can there be no hearty maids around to serve, Zheng asked himself that the twins are not well trained, Lord Jiang must not refuse!" ”

Jiang Ping stroked his beard and said politely: "Well, there are two envoys missing from Neiko's side, so the official is disrespectful." ”

At this time, a messenger hurriedly walked in, leaned next to the Jiang Governor's Mansion and whispered a few words, and the latter's face suddenly changed. Zheng Bancheng and the other three landlords and gentry couldn't help but glance at each other, and looked at each other with puzzled eyes.

Governor Jiang waved the official away, coughed lightly, and said, "Lord Qincha will leave for Dongtai County tomorrow to inspect the Xixi Inspection Division. ”

Zheng Bancheng and the others suddenly couldn't sit still, Dongtai County was their territory, so they hurriedly stood up and said, "Lord Jiang, since this is the case, we have to rush back immediately to prepare." ”

Jiang Ping said calmly: "Lord Qincha is just going to inspect the defense, go back carefully, don't let the people below do stupid things." ”

"Don't worry, Lord Jiang, we will pay attention!" Zheng Bancheng and the others bowed their manners, left the government in a hurry, and left Yangzhou by boat without even eating lunch and rushed back to Dongtai County.

……

Dongtai County, also known as Xixi County, is bordered by the sea in the east, and is the largest salt-producing area in Yangzhou Prefecture. Starting from Yangzhou Wharf by boat, you can directly reach Dongtai County Wharf through the canal, and the water transportation is very convenient.

On the fourth day of the first month of March, the spring rain continued, and the air was so humid that it seemed to be able to wring out water, although it was only about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the sky was gray. Zhu Kun, the county magistrate of Dongtai County, led the county officials to wait for the arrival of the Qin Messenger on the dock outside the city in the drizzle.

In addition to the officials of the Dongtai County Ya, the officials of the Salt Envoy Division, the main military attache of the Xixi Inspection Division, and the gentry with heads and faces in the local area all came, and dozens of people stood at the dock and waited.

Zhu Su has a pure character, a straight nose and a square mouth, tall and tall, and looks very majestic, and Xu Jinnai is a jinshi in the same year, and he also participated in the Spring Festival of Wei Guogong together, and was arranged by the Ministry of Officials to serve as a county magistrate in Dongtai County, Yangzhou Prefecture the year before last.

Since taking over as the commander of Dongtai County, he has vigorously and resolutely rectified the administration of officials, severely cracked down on the illegal acts of selling illicit salt and smuggling at sea, burned all civilian ships with more than two masts under his rule, forbade fishing operations along the common people, and strictly enforced the decree prohibiting the prohibition of the sea.

Because of this, Zhu Kun has offended the local officials, gentry, landlords, and ordinary people, and his relationship with most of his colleagues is not harmonious. Therefore, Zhu Xianling, who was standing in front at this time, stood out from the crowd, because the surrounding officials and gentry were subconsciously three feet away from him, and the stern people were like a cold winter, and it was difficult for people to get close to him after all.

Zhu Kun didn't care, and stood solemnly at the front, his tall body straight. As the saying goes, he doesn't do bad things in his life, and he doesn't be surprised when he knocks on the door in the middle of the night.

A group of officials and gentry have been waiting at the dock for half an hour, because Zhu Xianling did not hold an umbrella, and others naturally did not hold an umbrella, so a layer of small droplets like white sugar fell on everyone's heads, and wet stains appeared on the surface of their clothes.

At this moment, a group of officials and gentry were slightly in a commotion, because a huge building boat finally appeared on the misty canal, and the Xuanhuang regimental dragon flag on the bow of the ship loomed, and it was obvious that Qin had arrived.

Zhu Kun took out a handkerchief to wipe the water droplets on the crown of his hair, solemnly arranged his official robes again, and then continued to stand solemnly, waiting for the Qincha ship to dock.

When he saw Xu Jinren, who was wearing a five-grade official robe, got off the boat surrounded by Jinyi Guard, Zhu Kun led a group of subordinate officials to greet him and salute: "Dongtai County Ling Zhu Juan has seen Lord Qincha. ”

Xu Jin smiled and said: "Brother Zichun doesn't have to be polite, he has been saying goodbye for two years, and his demeanor is still better than in the past." ”

Zhu Kun's heart is also a five-flavor complex at the moment, the Jinshi who was together back then, and now in less than two years, Xu Jin has become an official to the fifth grade, and he has also been named an earl, but he is a seven-grade small county order, and the gap is not a star and a half.

Of course, Zhu Kun is not jealous, he still admires Xu Jin's talent and learning, and Xu Jin's merits are indeed worthy of his current official position, not a villain who is promoted to a knighthood by virtue of the emperor's favor.

Zhu Kun is a person who does not smile, and after a few polite words, he introduced the officials around him to Xu Jin, there were many officials and gentry present, Xu Jin only remembered that the judge of the Salt Transportation Division was called Xu Zhen, and the inspector of the Xixi Inspection Division was called Zhao Datong, and the others were forgotten later, after all, they were all small roles.

After a few words of greeting with each other, they entered Dongtai County.

Dongtai County is only a small county along the coast, since there is no way to compare with a big city like Yangzhou, the city wall is low, the area is also very small, it is estimated that the circumference of the city is only two or three miles, but the main official office is enclosed, and most of the dwellings are outside the city.

Because of this, the 300 battalions brought by Xu Jin could only be stationed outside the city, and the temporary accommodation arranged by Zhu Kun for Xu Jin was also very "narrow", with only two advances in front and back, about 300 square left and back.

Xu Jin also didn't care, settled down and washed up, and went to the county government to participate in the reception banquet.

This reception banquet is much more shabby than the reception banquet in Yangzhou Mansion, only three tables are set, and the dishes are extremely simple, and the wine is also ordinary green ant wine.

Zhao Datong, the inspector of the Xixi Inspection Division, and Xu Zhen, the judge of the Salt Transportation Division, secretly observed Xu Jin's face, thinking that this Lord Qincha would be angry, but he was disappointed.

Although Zhu Kun and Xu Jin are Jinshi in the same year, they are not actually familiar with each other, let alone have a friendship, but at this time, seeing Xu Jin did not care about his "neglectful" reception, and the turbid wine of dozens of dollars in a jar was also a glass of wine, and he couldn't help but feel good, so the two chatted freely while drinking, like a pair of old friends who had not seen each other for many years.

"By the way, Brother Zichun, how is the security in Dongtai County? Will there be a raid in the near future? Xu Jin took a peanut and threw it into his mouth.

Zhu Kun shook his head and replied: "Although Dongtai County is near the sea, most of the seaside is tidal flats, lacking natural deep water areas, except for the high tide, sea ships have not docked at all, so the Japanese robbers generally do not come back to Dongtai County to loot, but there are many thieves in Yancheng." ”

Zhao Datong, the inspector next to him, interjected: "No, this year alone, Yancheng County has been robbed three times, and the losses are heavy." ”

Xu Jin couldn't help but frown and said, "The trouble in Yancheng is so serious? ”

Xu Zhen, the judge of the Salt Transportation Division, coughed lightly and said: "Since the imperial court ordered the strict implementation of the sea ban last year, the invasion and looting of the Japanese have become more and more frequent. ”

Zhu Su said lightly: "It's just a small trouble, if the local health centers are loyal to their duties and take strict precautions, they can naturally be safeguarded." I think that during the Taizu period, the forbidden sea was a hundred times stricter than now, why didn't the Japanese invade my sea realm lightly? ”

Xu Zhen lowered his head and drank, a slight mockery flashed across the corners of his mouth, the inspector Zhao Datong looked sneering, and the official gentry at the same table also remained silent, and the atmosphere became awkward and subtle.

Xu Jin saw the expressions of the officials and gentlemen present, and said quietly: "Trouble Brother Zichun to arrange, this official will inspect various salt farms tomorrow, well, and the inspection department is also ready to review the matter." ”

Zhao Datong said awe-inspiringly: "The lower officials obey the order." ”