The first county magistrate in history

Chapter 227 Following the Wrong Person

Privy Council.

Ji Wenjian looked at Guo Pingxi in astonishment, whose face was full of anger.

Although he was extremely afraid, he had to say, "Sir, this is absolutely not allowed. We can't expand the scope of the renovation just because we're angry with Qin Zheng. We don't have enough money!"

He didn't expect that Guo Pingxi actually wanted to rebuild the entire South City and asked him to come up with a plan quickly.

Isn't this a joke?

Even children playing house wouldn't be so confused.

He guessed that Guo Pingxi was so angry at Qin Zheng that he went crazy.

Guo Pingxi glared at him and shouted angrily, "Ji Wenzhang, who do you think you are? How dare you give me orders?"

thump!

Ji Wenjian was so frightened that he knelt down and kowtowed: "Sir, I am speaking the truth. This is a huge project. Not to mention how much money it will cost to rebuild it. We won't even be able to relocate the residents!"

Guo Pingxi said nothing.

Although he didn't understand, he knew that it would cost a lot of money and that resettlement of residents was indeed a problem.

"In short, we have to do it with great fanfare. Not only must our momentum surpass Qin Zheng's, but the construction effectiveness and scale of South City must also surpass North City. This time, I must win!" Guo Pingxi said, waving his hand. "Get lost! Rewrite your plan! Look at Qin Zheng's master plan, and then look at yours. It's just a pile of shit!"

"Yes!" Ji Wenjian didn't dare to persuade him anymore. He walked out holding the overall plan.

Outside the Privy Council, Ji Wenjian was dejected and cursed in his heart, wondering why he had followed the wrong person.

Climbed up this big idiot!

It seems that both my future and my life are in danger.

It was obvious that if he didn't follow Guo Pingxi's orders, he would be dead.

Following Guo Pingxi's orders would be impossible to accomplish and would only lead to death in the end.

One dies first, the other dies later, they both die.

Ji Wenzhang of course chose the latter.

He has made his decision, so I better run!

If you leave too late, you won’t be able to escape!

"Lord Si Cheng!" At this moment, a dark-skinned old man came to his side and bowed with a smile.

Ji Wenjian knew Qianmu, the farmer from Tianjiazhuang, who delivered grains and vegetables to his house.

Tianjiazhuang supplied food to many officials in the imperial capital. He also had Tianjiazhuang deliver food to him in order to stay close to the circles of those powerful people. He was looking for something in common with them, and also for psychological balance.

"Get lost!" Ji Wenzhang was in a bad mood and had no mood to bother with this country bumpkin, so he kept walking.

However, Tian Qianmu was not angry. He caught up with Ji Wenjian, still smiling, and took out a few banknotes from his sleeve and handed them to Ji Wenjian:

"Master Guo and Master Ji have raised money to renovate South City. This is a great thing. Tianjiazhuang is grateful for your kindness. These five thousand taels are just a small token of our gratitude."

Five thousand taels?

Ji Wenzhang's eyes suddenly lit up.

Over the years, in order to get promoted, he almost lost everything.

Although he also made money, he was just a small street official after all. How much money could he make under the feet of the emperor who was full of high-ranking officials?

As for raising the money himself, he had no part in it. Guo Pingxi was the one who raised it, plundering all his students. However, he didn't have to pay for it.

No matter what, transforming South City is indeed a good thing, a kind deed, and Ji Wenjian certainly feels comfortable listening to it.

What's more, there is silver.

His expression also softened: "Tanari Masa, you really know how to handle things!"

Tian Qianmu smiled flatteringly and said, "After the imperial capital is built, Tianjiazhuang will still need Master Ji's care. Please introduce more business to us."

Ji Wenjian: "That's easy."

Tian Qianmu: "I saw you were in a bad mood just now. Is there something on your mind?"

Ji Wenzhang waved his hands: "You can't solve it!"

Tian Qianmu said, "Although I cannot share your worries, I can always help you relieve them. Please move to Chunfeng Tower. I will treat you to a drink!"

Ji Wenjian was feeling worried, so it was naturally a good idea for him to have a drink with someone to help him drown his sorrows.

The banquet at Chunfenglou is very expensive...

Chunfeng Tower, inside the private room.

After three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.

The more Ji Wenjian drank, the more worried he became. He was already drunk and sighed.

Tian Qianmu looked very concerned: "Sir, if you have something bothering you, why not tell me? If you keep it in your heart, you will get sick."

Ji Wenzhang shook his head: "Drink!"

He picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

Tian Qianmu smiled and poured wine for Ji Wenjian: "Your Excellency, do you not trust me? I am only a small village head, but I know that words can cause disaster. If your Excellency does not want to talk about it, I will not ask. However, if your Excellency needs it, my Tian Family Manor will do its utmost to help you."

Ji Wenjian didn't say anything and drank another bowl of wine.

Tian Qianmu filled the glass again.

At this time, guests came to the next room and heard loud talking.

"Have you heard? The five cities of the imperial capital are going to be completely renovated!"

"You just found out? Haha, I knew it a long time ago!"

"You only know the basics. I also know that this renovation was carried out by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Works, the Minister of Rites, the Privy Council Censor, and the Princess's Junior Tutor, who each renovated the five cities."

"I heard that they raised the money themselves!"

"What? Raise money on your own?"

At this moment, Tian Qianmu saw that Ji Wenzhang's face became increasingly ugly.

I guessed that Ji Wenjian was worried because it was related to the reform!

At this moment, the people next door are still talking loudly:

"This has never happened before."

"Yes, since ancient times, when have officials ever paid out of their own pockets to do practical things for the people? If they don't extort money from the people, they are considered good officials!"

"Tsk, do you think they're really paying out of their own pockets this time? Isn't it the sheep that pays for the wool?"

"I was just saying. Just now, the Dongcheng government office posted a notice that all businesses in the city will have an additional 10% tax."

"What's that? We in Xicheng gathered all the big merchants last night, and the Minister of Rites came in person to mobilize us to donate."

"It's the same thing in our South City. They posted notices and asked us to donate. I was wondering at the time, wouldn't the national treasury allocate money for city renovations? Turns out they're paying out of their own pockets!"

"It turns out the wool comes from the sheep."

"I'm in Central City. How come we don't have this kind of thing?"

"We don't have any in North City either!"

"Alas, your Central City is under the charge of the current Prime Minister. Who doesn't know that he is as wealthy as a country?"

"Your Northern City is ruled by the most upright official of the dynasty, Lord Qin Zheng. How could he exploit the people's wealth?"

"Excuse me, everyone. I have to go."

"Manager Liu, why are you in such a hurry?"

"To be honest, I also have a house and a shop in North City. I'm moving there right now. If I stay in South City, I'll be bankrupt."

"Shopkeeper Liu reminded me. I also have a house and a shop in North City. I will move out immediately!"

"Excuse me, too. I'm moving to Canterlot."

"Central City is not as good as North City. Lord Qin is in North City!"

"Don't drink this wine, go back and move!"

"Do you have a house in North City? Are you going to move there?"

"Who are you looking down on?"

"No, you won't buy it? I'll pay a high price!"

"Go, go, go, the sooner the better. It's too late, they'll all run away, and the government should suppress them."

Rumble, in the blink of an eye, everyone in the next box left.

Tian Lizheng was stunned when he heard this.

"Haha!" Ji Wenjian laughed.

He drunkenly cursed, "A bunch of fools, do you really think Qin Zheng is a good person? He's just trying to gain fame."

Tian Qianmu's eyes narrowed: "Why do you say that, sir?"

Ji Wenjian snorted coldly: "I am from Hongtong County, don't I know him?"

Tian Qianmu was shocked. "Your Excellency is also from Hongtong County? Then why are you serving in the Imperial Capital? I heard that people from Hongtong County are reluctant to leave their hometown. It is said that Hongtong County is better than the Imperial Capital."

"Do you think I'm willing to leave Hongtong County?" Ji Wenjian angrily said, "Isn't it that damned Qin Zheng who kicked me out of Hongtong County just because I didn't give him enough silver?"

Tian Qianmu immediately became interested and took advantage of Ji Wenjian's drunkenness to ask him some questions...