eurekapd Chapter 17: 3 county magistrates died in 6 years...the poorest place in Daxia!
Chapter 17: 3 county magistrates died in 6 years...the poorest place in Daxia!
Without going to war, we can simply use diplomatic means to force the other party to cede territory.
Even a 30% chance of success was not low. Daxia wouldn't even have to pay a price for it, so it was a good deal no matter how you looked at it.
Moreover, while the two countries are at war, Daxia can concentrate on building up its military, and if it gets a good opportunity in the future, it can send troops to recover its homeland!
It’s a good deal no matter how you look at it!
"Please plan this matter secretly. I will have someone help you deal with it!"
Emperor Xia only thought about it for a moment before making a decision: "Tianshu, you will hand over the files of the envoys from both countries to Gu Qing. Also, have the Internal Guard cooperate with him during this period. As long as it is related to the negotiations, there is no need to ask for instructions!"
Not to mention two states, even if there was only one state left, Emperor Xia would not let it go.
As soon as Emperor Xia finished speaking, a man suddenly walked out of the imperial study, and Gu Jingzhi was startled.
He had been walking in the imperial study for two months and had not noticed that someone had been hiding in the dark.
"This is Tianshu, the commander of the Inner Guard. If you have any problems during this period, go directly to him!" Emperor Xia introduced him to Gu Jingzhi with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingzhi hurriedly bowed and said, "Master Tianshu, I am honored to meet you!"
Tianshu just nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Emperor Xia said, "Alright, you should get back to your business! The envoys will arrive in the capital later, and the imperial edict will be issued!"
Tianshu bowed to Emperor Xia and then left the imperial study. Gu Jingzhi was stunned for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, then... I will take my leave first."
Emperor Xia glanced at him, then looked at the memorials piled on the small table and asked lightly, "Have you finished your work?"
Uh……
Gu Jingzhi returned to his seat honestly.
To work in the imperial study sounds like an infinite honor, but the emperor himself sat comfortably while he could only kneel on the cushion. After a long time, even with his current physique, he could not bear it.
Bear with it!
Gu Jingzhi shook his head and began to help the emperor handle government affairs.
……
It was the pleasant time to get off work again, and Gu Jingzhi was carrying some meat and a jar of wine as usual.
Although the wine of this era is not that strong, it does have a unique flavor. Once you get used to it, it is quite good. At least the taste is still very good.
He returned home happily singing a little song. As soon as he entered the door, he saw Old Huang greeting someone. Gu Jingzhi looked closely and said with a smile:
"Brother Baonian, how come you have time to come to my house today?"
"Jingzhi, I came here specially to say goodbye to you!"
Chen Baonian had a trace of sadness on his face, and he forced a smile and said, "The appointment from the Ministry of Personnel has come down, and I will be leaving tomorrow!"
tomorrow?
Gu Jingzhi looked at him with a sour expression, and he probably knew in his heart that the place he was assigned to was not very good, or even... very bad.
"Brother Baonian, where have you decided to go?"
"Ningzhou, Fufeng County!"
Chen Baonian smiled bitterly and said, "Jingzhi, although Ningzhou is only four counties, it is quite vast, but the population is sparse. As for Fufeng County... it only has 1,500 households, and six county magistrates have died in three years. I..."
"This……"
After hearing this, Gu Jingzhi didn't know what to say.
Ningzhou, it’s Ningzhou again.
Fufeng County is a county town in the western part of Ningzhou. It has a small population and although there is plenty of land, there is no good farmland. The most important thing is that the poor mountains and bad waters produce unruly people.
Chen Baonian has been waiting for his official position rotation in Beijing for the past two months, but he didn't expect to be sent to such a county town. What's the difference between this and exile?
However, given Gu Jingzhi's current status, it was not easy to speak directly, so he could only comfort him: "Brother Baonian, no matter whether this place is barren or rich, since we are officials of Daxia, we still have to serve the court and His Majesty and guard this place well."
"Yes!"
Chen Baonian sighed deeply and said, "As for my ranking in the palace examination, I'm not bad. How could I be thrown into such a place..."
"Be careful with your words, Brother Baonian. As the saying goes, Heaven bestows great responsibilities upon those who are capable. The more impoverished the prefectures and counties are, the more capable people are needed to govern them. Only in this way can we live up to the original aspirations of our officials!"
Although Gu Jingzhi's words were a bit easy to say, he was a person of little influence.
Although he now holds the position of secretary and seems to be in a very glorious position, he can't just go to the emperor, right?
If he did this, he estimated that neither he nor Chen Baonian would end up in a good situation. After thinking about it, he pulled Chen Baonian and said, "Brother Baonian, no matter what, this official position has been granted. It's better than running around in the capital all day long."
"As long as you make achievements in the future, you will be transferred to a better place sooner or later!"
"I bought some wine and food today, why not treat it as a practice for you..."
As he spoke, he raised the thing in his hand.
Chen Baonian looked at Gu Jingzhi's earnest face and didn't want to refuse his kindness, so he forced a smile and said, "Well, okay! After we say goodbye tomorrow, I don't know when I'll see Jingzhi again. You and I, brothers, won't go home until we're drunk today!"
As they spoke, the two of them walked into the house together.
Watching Gu Jingzhi set the table with wine, drinks and food, Chen Baonian sighed, "Ever since I was appointed as your brother, most people avoid me like the plague..."
"Only Jingzhi, who lent me a helping hand during the imperial examination and can now walk freely before the emperor, treats me the same as always. Chen..."
"Everyone knows that it's easy to add icing on the cake, but it's hard to help in times of need! Jingzhi, as an official in Beijing, must be extremely careful!"
As the saying goes, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger, especially for someone like Gu Jingzhi who often follows the "tiger". He never knows when the emperor will be unhappy and may be in trouble.
Gu Jingzhi said with a smile: "Brother Baonian, I am powerless to help you with this matter concerning your future, but since we are close friends, I still want to give you this little bit of wine as a token of my gratitude!"
"it is good!"
Chen Baonian picked up his wine glass and laughed, "To borrow Jingzhi's words, when a person dies, the birds fly up to the sky, and he will live forever!"
"It's just Fufeng County. I, Chen Baonian, have studied hard for more than ten years, all for the sake of being able to do something for the people of the world one day! What's there to be afraid of with such a small difficulty? Come on, cheers!"
"Dry!"
Gu Jingzhi smiled and clinked glasses with Chen Baonian. They both drank it in one gulp and then laughed in unison.
Soon, three rounds of wine and five kinds of dishes were served.
Chen Baonian was a little suffocated. He pulled Gu Jingzhi and said, "Jingzhi, you are my brother. I have something I want to say to you!"
Gu Jingzhi smiled and said, "Brother Baonian is a few years older than me. If you have any advice to give, I will listen attentively!"
"Hi!"
Chen Baonian waved his hand: "What teachings? It's just a few words."
"Uh-huh!"
Gu Jingzhi nodded, and Chen Baonian whispered, "Although I've been busy running for office these days, I've also heard some secrets of the court. I know you don't like to meddle in other people's business, but I have to tell you this to prevent you from going astray in the future!"
"Brother Baonian, please speak!"
Gu Jingzhi immediately became serious.