In a moment, Li Xia turned back and said, "By the way, Old Lady went out for an afternoon and said she met a fellow townsman. Tell Zhao Da to check who it is. And, Fifth Brother knows, right? Old Lady is from Yangzhou."

  "Oh? Ah? Alright!" Li Wenshan hastily put down the book he had just picked up, stepped out of the door, and only then reacted, "Yangzhou people? Whats going on with Yangzhou people? Ah!"

  Li Dong also wanted to take a look at the famous Hangzhou city, Li County Magistrate and Xu Madam were both very fond of children, without Li Xias persuasion, they decided that Li Dong would go to Hangzhou tomorrow as well.

  The next morning, Li County Magistrate, Li Wenshan, Wu Tong, and Zhao Sheng, the husband of Hong Niangniang, rode horses. Li Dong took Li Wenlan and Li Xia in one cart, while Hong Niangniang took Su Ye and Xiao Jiuer in another cart, setting off towards Hangzhou City.

  From Hengshan County to Hangzhou City is only half a days journey. Before noon, the group had already entered Hangzhou City.

  Li Dong hugged Li Xia, separated by the window screen, shining eyes looking at the bustling streets of Hangzhou, Li Wenlan alone leaned against the car window on the other side, occasionally exclaiming and admiring a few words, but Li Xia was absent-minded, staring blankly out the window thinking about something.

  Yesterdays idea was a bit hasty, she still hasnt thought it through, and shes being a bit too careless.

  The Empress Dowager once said: Do not underestimate anyone, even a rabbit must be grasped with the strength of a tiger.

  To get Old Lady Zhong to fall into the trap, its probably not enough just relying on one or two casual remarks. Li Xia focused her gaze and looked at the tung tree that kept turning its head back and forth, looking around non-stop. It would be best if the tung tree could serve as a witness, but how can they get the tung tree to do this? As for that Wang Tongzhi, she couldnt reach or touch him, what was he doing now, she had no idea!

  Alas, this matter is too hasty, lets put it aside for now and wait until Father Luo sees the commander come out before talking about it... As the saying goes, planning is done by man, but success is determined by heaven...

  ………………

  Although its not late, its also not early, County Magistrate Li took Wu Tong directly to the Anfu Mansion, while Zhao Sheng and Hong Niang accompanied Li Wenshan and his sister on a stroll around the city.

  As expected, it was not early when County Magistrate Li arrived at the Anfu Mansion, and the gatehouse was already filled with waiting attendants.

  The wutong tree remained standing, waiting for him, while Magistrate Li hastily stepped into the main hall.

  There were already many officials seated in the main hall, and the attendants standing at the gate had met County Magistrate Li in Jiangning Prefecture before. They hastened to pay their respects: "Its been a while since weve seen County Magistrate Li; you seem thinner. Please come this way."

  Chang accompanied him on one side with polite words, while leading County Magistrate Li into the main hall and having him take a seat in the uppermost position. County Magistrate Li smiled as he took his seat, saying: "Here..."

  "His Excellency has ordered that the matter of the Zixi Salt Yard in Hengshan County be investigated, and he requests that County Magistrate Li and several other county magistrates from nearby Hangzhou City join him. Please all sit a bit closer, so it will be convenient to ask questions." The long attendant was extremely quick-witted, and before County Magistrate Li had even finished speaking, he was already busily explaining with a smile. County Magistrate Li let out a sigh of relief, thanked the long attendant, and bowed to everyone present, only then taking his seat in the position indicated by the long attendant.

  From the moment he was led in, the originally buzzing hall fell silent, until County Magistrate Li took his seat, when the buzzing sound started again, and all sorts of eyes from all directions turned to County Magistrate Li.

  Its said that the new Magistrate of Hengshan County is an abandoned son of the Bo Mansion, but it seems this rumor isnt quite right. If the rumor isnt true, then how to treat this new Magistrate of Hengshan County needs to be reevaluated, let me think about it carefully...

  The people in the hall were getting more and more seated, except for a few positions right next to the front row which were still empty, all the others were already fully occupied.

  The side door curtain leading to the backyard was lifted, and Luo Shuai walked in front with his hands behind his back. Closely following him was a military officer in his 40s, with a sturdy build, looking like a farmer. Behind the military officer was a 30-year-old civil official of the fourth rank, dressed elegantly, with a charming smile and excellent demeanor.

  The military officer should be Vice Envoy Guan Tong, and the fourth-rank civil official is definitely Wang Tongzhi.

  Magistrate Li stood up with the crowd to welcome him while judging the identity of the newcomer.

  Luo Shuai and others took their seats, introduced Li County Magistrate and two other newly appointed county magistrates, said a few things, and then indicated that everyone could withdraw.

  "County Magistrate Li of Hengshan County and the four counties adjacent to Hangzhou City request that you stay a little longer."

  Magistrate Li was hesitating, wondering whether to go forward and speak with Luo Shuai now or follow the crowd out first, make a detour and then come back to ask for an audience, when he heard Luo Shuai give another order.

  Magistrate Li hastily stopped in his tracks and waited for everyone to leave before resuming his seat with the other four magistrates.

  "You all know that the Empress Dowager is currently residing in Hangzhou, so our entire Liangzhe Road must be extremely peaceful. You are all aware that each county is adjacent to Hangzhou, and we must be doubly cautious with governance and public security. If anything happens within the territory, regardless of whether its a big or small matter, as long as you think its not quite right, report to me immediately. We absolutely cannot be careless, because even a tiny hole can cause a dike to collapse, and small matters can easily lead to big problems..."

  Luo Shuai repeatedly instructed for half a day, and finally, he hinted to the crowd: "You all go back first, County Magistrate Li, you can take your time. Youve just taken office, and theres still the matter of the Zixi Salt Yard that needs to be explained."

  In the great hall, only four people were left: Li County Magistrate and Luo Shuai Si, Guan Deputy Envoy and Wang Tong Zhi. Luo Shuai Si pointed at Li County Magistrate and smiled at Guan Deputy Envoy, saying: "This is Li Hes younger brother, Yongning Bo Fu Sanlang Li Xue Ming. Guan Deputy Envoy is the legitimate branch of the Guan family in Shandong, I heard youve been appointed as the county magistrate of Hengshan, he asked me several times already."

  Magistrate Li was perplexed. Why did Deputy Magistrate Guan ask him? Where did this concern come from? He had heard of the Guan family in Shandong, but what did they have to do with him?

  "Hengshan County may be small, but its a place where dragons and tigers lie hidden. You must pay close attention to governance." Deputy Magistrate Guans voice was low and gentle, with a rustic simplicity that conveyed deep concern. County Magistrate Li heard the underlying message in his words and felt even more bewildered, but he couldnt ask further questions at this moment, so he hastily nodded and repeatedly expressed his agreement.

  "Governor, everything is fine, its just that youre too serious about everything! With the Empress Dowager residing in our Hangzhou city, even if there were a few small fish, they would have been scared away long ago!" Luo Shuai opened his fan and started joking.

  "Hengshan County, although with less than a thousand households, is close to Hangzhou City and has excellent scenery. Many wealthy families in Hangzhou love to build villas and gardens here. Although its a small county, governing it is more troublesome than a medium-sized county. Magistrate Li will have to work harder and be more diligent from now on." Wang Tongzhis words pointed out the difficulties of governing Hengshan County and encouraged Magistrate Li at the same time, also relieving him from the awkward situation of not knowing what to say.

  He watched Luo Shuai and Guan Deputy waiting for Li Countys attitude, those rumors of abandoning the illegitimate child were just a joke, this was also a master who needed to be taken care of. Wang Tongzhi quickly gave Li County a position.

  Born into a merchant family, he was able to squeeze into the fourth rank by his thirties. Wangs astuteness, sensitivity and versatility were beyond what ordinary people could aspire to.

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