306 people face peach blossoms

  This dog official is reasoning the case like this, Liu Ziguo and others are so angry that they tremble all over, "I fuck your mother's Se Dongpi! Are you tired of living, you dog thing?" Liu Ziguo puts one hand on his waist and points at Su Zhizhou's nose with the other hand, scolding loudly.

  Roaring in the public hall, that's all just loud talk on the public platform, and it's unheard of to insult the county magistrate with profanity! The onlookers outside, including the common people and the government officials, were all stunned into silence.

  Liu Ziguang had long been eyeing the waist knife of the gatekeeper, and if he were to make a move, all the gatekeepers in the county wouldn't be enough for him to chop. However, that would be too lowly, so it's better to defeat them without fighting. Thinking of the intimidating treasure in his bosom, he quickly took it out and walked up to the county official who was as still as a wooden chicken, sneering as he said: "I also have some evidence here, County Magistrate Su take a look." As he spoke, he slapped the ivory plaque onto the table.

  Although County Magistrate Sai Dongpi knew few characters, the two terrifying words "East Factory" were still etched in his mind. He knew why this master was so arrogant - he had the capital to be arrogant! Not to mention castrating a Jin Yiwei dark investigator like Ban Tou, even if they castrated the County Magistrate himself, they probably wouldn't bat an eye.

  "In view of the new evidence, I have come to a new conclusion. Pan San is guilty of corruption and malfeasance while in office, his crime is upgraded one degree, take him away and throw him into prison immediately! Hua Lao Wu and Pan Er Hu deceived good people and cheated this county, their crimes are unforgivable, come and give each of them 20, no 50, no 100 heavy slaps!" Magistrate Su looked at Liu Zhi Guang's face as he pronounced the sentence.

  The yamen runners took Pan San away, and as the saying goes, "when the wall falls, everyone pushes it." Pan San was stupid, and no one would give him face anymore. Hua Lao Wu and Er Hu were stripped of their pants and pressed down on the hall floor, where they were brutally beaten with bamboo boards. Magistrate Su carefully handed over the waist card from the Eastern Depot with both hands, and Liu Ziguang took it and put it in his pocket, humming a sound through his nose as he stared at Magistrate Su's green bean eyes and said: "Listen up, Song Xueyue and Zeng's mother and daughter are all relatives of this official. If they have any mishaps in Hongze County, I won't look for anyone else, I'll just come after you, Sai Dongpi, to investigate. Did you hear that clearly?"

  Su Zhi County hastily replied: "Don't worry, don't worry, I certainly will, this official will definitely take good care of it."

  Liu Ziguang snorted, turned around and said: "Let's go." He left the county government office with a swagger, accompanied by Zeng's mother and daughter, as well as Song Yingxiong's nephew. County Magistrate Su hastily ran down from his seat to see them off. The onlookers outside applauded spontaneously when they saw them come out. The idlers didn't care who was right or wrong; they only admired the bold and daring. In an instant, the man who had openly insulted the county magistrate in court became everyone's idol.

  Liu Ziguang and others sent the Zeng mother and daughter back home, seeing the broken wooden door and simple courtyard, they took them back to Liguos idea flashed in their minds and was immediately vetoed. Now is the important moment to pursue the eldest sister, Peng Jingruan knows books and reason, but eating vinegar is a woman's nature, not yet married and starting to collect second wives, such a man is too unfaithful, no, can't take them away. The idea of three wives and four concubines in ancient people's minds was normal, unmarried men first having several concubines was not uncommon, but Liu Ziguang couldn't get around this bend. Moreover, the Zeng mother and daughter were so self-reliant, they might not be willing to follow him either.

  Under the blossoming peach tree at the humble courtyard gate, by the light of the neighbor's lamp, Zeng's mother and daughter curtsied: "Thank you for saving us from danger, but we haven't asked your noble name yet?"

  "My name is Liu Ziguang. When I see injustice on the road, I draw my sword to help, it's only natural. You don't have to be polite." Liu Ziguang bowed and returned the courtesy.

  "Liu Xiong, I don't know if I should say this or not, but my daughter is 17 years old now. She's been rough and untamed since childhood, without much family education, but she has a good appearance and is well-liked by everyone. Living in Hongze County, it's only a matter of time before those bad people take notice of her. I don't know if you've ever married or have a wife?"

  Ever since my daughter grew up, our home has been constantly harassed. If this continues, today's encounter will happen again. Since she'll be married off sooner or later, why not marry her to this Liu young master who is talented and well-mannered? He's wealthy, brave, and has saved us twice, which counts as some fate. The two girls who were with him last time looked like they hadn't been married yet either. More importantly, he's seen my daughter's body, so we must seize this opportunity to marry her off to him and have them leave this place far behind. This might be the best choice for now.

  Madam Zeng was thinking about this as she walked on the road, and now she finally brought it up.

  What's wrong with this, Liu Ziguang's heart sank, and he couldn't help but look up at Zeng Cheng. The little girl was fiddling with her hem, her small face like a bright red apple, and she was also sneaking a peek at Liu Ziguang. Their eyes met, and suddenly they were startled, shrinking back their gaze like a frightened deer, hiding behind her mother's back. Look how scared the little girl is! A 15- or 16-year-old girl, just in junior high or high school, two meetings, barely exchanging a few words, and already hastily deciding on marriage, it seems too inconsiderate of the girl's feelings.

  Liu Ziguo secretly sighed, "I appreciate Mrs. Zeng's kindness, but I still have important matters to attend to, and my future is uncertain, so I'm afraid of implicating your daughter. The county magistrate and Song Xue are here to take care of you, and after this lesson, those rascals won't dare to bother you again. Here, I also have 500 taels of silver, you two can use it to do some small business in the county town and buy a bigger house to live in." As he spoke, he handed over the 500 taels of silver notes to Mrs. Zeng.

  Zeng's daughter was very surprised, she thought Liu Ziguang loved her daughter and came to Hongze County to help, but unexpectedly he was a true chivalrous hero who acted purely out of justice, and suddenly felt ashamed of her own thoughts.

  The little girl heard that Liu Xiong didn't want her, and her small face turned pale like a red apple. Tears were about to fall from her eyes as she said in a low voice: "I know my status is humble and I'm not worthy of the benefactor's love. I only wish to be a maid and serve by his side, so that I can repay the kindness he showed me for saving my life."

  "No, no, I didn't mean that. I really have something to do, it's a bit of a hassle, not convenient for you to come along." Liu Ziguang hastily explained, afraid of hurting someone's self-esteem, he also knew that it was difficult for a girl to say such things out loud, whether in ancient times or the 21st century. He was also a normal man, saying he didn't like Zeng Cheng, such a beautiful girl, was nonsense, but taking a beauty back home would be too unfair to Peng Jingrong.

  Forcing back sorrow, I once again thank Liu Ziguo for the gift of silver. Since I've already accepted the kindness of others' silver, accepting it again doesn't matter, anyway that little bit of pitiful self-respect has already been battered to pieces by scoundrels like Ma Wencan and Pan SanYe.

  The two parted ways, and Liu Ziguo and his companions continued on their way to the wine tower for dinner.

  Seeing the little girl's sad look, Liu Ziguang also felt a sour and numb feeling in his heart. He walked out for dozens of steps before he couldn't help but turn back to take a look. The sky had already darkened, and every household was lighting their lamps. There were no pedestrians on the road, except for Zeng Tanger, who was still standing under the blooming peach tree, seeing him off. Her slender figure was wrapped in her blue long shirt, with the lamp light flickering, the peach blossoms shining brightly, and she stood alone.

  The night wind blew, and the peach blossoms floated up. The girl saw that the ruthless thief at the other end of the street had stopped in his tracks and turned around to look back, and her heart began to thump again.

  "Wait till I've finished what I have to do and I'll definitely come back for you!" The ruthless thief shouted from a distance.

  Zeng Cheng, who had already given up hope, finally felt a warm current rising from the bottom of his heart when he heard these words. It turned out that he still had me in his heart. I'm sure there must be something important to do, and I will definitely wait for that day when you ride a white horse and bring a flower sedan chair to pick me up...

  On the upper floor of the restaurant, a sumptuous feast was served, and Liu Ziguo and his two companions began to drink and toast each other. After three rounds of drinks, Song Yingxing's words became more numerous. Having just witnessed Liu Ziguo's bravery, he had an increasingly good impression of this young man. He himself had also spent many years wandering the world in his youth, and had dealt with all sorts of people from various walks of life. He was familiar with every trade and profession, and had a deep understanding of the corrupt government officials and the miserable lives of the common people. As he drank several cups of old wine, he suddenly became angry and exclaimed: "Our county's Magistrate Su is also a scholar, but look at how he handled the case today! Alas, alas, the scholars of the Ming Dynasty are illiterate, and the magistrates of the Ming Dynasty treat trials as child's play!" With that, he drained his cup in one gulp.

  Addison also raised his glass and said, "Such a person must have obtained an official position through cheating in the imperial examination and bribery. He is also a scholar from a family of scholars, and his uncle is also a scholar. It's really a shame to be called a scholar! Poor me, I'm still just a Xiucai (a lower degree), such a scholar, it's better not to take the exam!"

  These two talented but unfortunate scholars are venting their frustrations. One is an old juren who has taken the imperial examination five times without passing, and the other is a young xiucai who has fallen on hard times. They both have strong opinions about the country's education system and political landscape.

  "Scholars, humph! Even if they are genuine scholars who have spent years studying for the imperial examination, what do they know about how the grains and crops that they eat every day are planted, irrigated, and harvested? Do they know how the silk fabrics on their bodies are made from silkworms, spinning, and weaving? They don't work hard with their four limbs, they can't tell the five grains apart, and they don't know about the hardships of the common people. How can such scholars who have become officials manage the scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants under their rule?" Song Yingxing's words suddenly turned to scold all the scholars in the world.

  He was originally a world-weary and cynical old radical, daring to criticize the imperial examination system, what a thoughtful person! Liu Ziguang raised his wine cup and said: "Well said, if there were no farmers, workers and merchants, but only these scholars messing around, this world would have collapsed long ago. Come on, let's toast to Mr. Song's brilliant remarks!"

  The three men finished their cups, and Song Yingxing, who had Liu Ziguang's support, spoke even more recklessly: "So I have established a family rule, forbidding my children and grandchildren from participating in the imperial examination or becoming officials. What is the point of these people studying hard for ten years and then becoming officials thousands of miles away? It's not to bring benefits to the common people, but to sit in the hall, issue orders, beat people, show off their official power, and collect silver. My Song family descendants are not willing to be such officials!"

  "Yes, scholars read the books of sages, but can they find rice, firewood, oil and salt in those books? Farmers who till the land, blacksmiths who forge iron, and peddlers who carry goods on their shoulders may not have read any books, but with their hands, they create grain, cloth, tools, and silver. Without them, scholars would starve to death. Take my ingenious night lamp, for example. It was carelessly discarded by a useless official from the Ministry of Works as if it were trash! What is the use of such officials in the imperial court?" Edison said with indignation, recalling his own unfair treatment.

  Song Yingxing stared with a somewhat dazed pair of eyes and said: "The imperial court, the current imperial court is no longer the imperial court of the great Ming dynasty, it's an imperial court controlled by eunuchs and royal relatives. I, this small official, don't want to continue serving either..."

  Liu Ziguang took the opportunity to ask Song Yingxing to go to the iron factory to help him preside over research and development and production work, with a monthly salary of 2,000 taels of silver. Faced with the temptation of a treatment that was 200 times higher than before, Song Yingxing was a little drunk but not confused, thought for a moment and politely declined. The main task at present is not to make money, but to finish writing "The Exploitation of the Works of Nature". The compilation of the book has now reached its final stage. If he were to move house and resign, it would be a pity if it affected the final completion of the work. However, he promised that as soon as he finished compiling the book, he would immediately resign and go to the iron factory to fulfill his ambitions.

  Alas, those who engage in academic research view money as dirt, but Liu Ziguang sincerely admired this precious spirit. He left 1,000 taels of silver for Song Yingxing to support his family and also entrusted him to take care of the mother and daughter of the Zeng family. Song Xue did not decline and accepted the silver, promising to help with a full mouth.

  The three of them started talking about the tragic end of Pan San and the shameless face of County Magistrate, bursting into loud laughter. After drinking several jars of wine in a row, both of them finally fell drunk, Liu Ziguang paid the bill, called two shop assistants to carry Song Yingxing back home, and carried Edison back to the boat himself.

  He crept up onto the bright moonlit deck, handed Edison over to the sailors to take care of, and then tiptoed back to his own cabin. When he opened the door, he found Peng Jingrong sitting inside waiting for him.

  "It's just waiting for you to return and set sail, today the moon is still good, the lake surface is also calm, hurry up and take a night boat back home early." Peng Jingrong wrinkled her small nose and sniffed, "You've been drinking again, look, you've even lost your clothes." The eldest sister had guessed that he was so late coming back because either he got into a fight or went drinking, "I've prepared some hangover soup for you, drink it and go to sleep." She yawned and left.

  Although not drunk at all, Liu Ziguang still drank the sobering soup in one gulp for Peng Jingrong's sake, thinking that his long shirt was still left at Zeng Cheng's place, forget it, just consider leaving it as a keepsake for the girl.

  The paddle steamer started slowly, the sound of the paddles splashing water was exceptionally clear in the quiet night, and the moonlight shone through the porthole onto Liu Ziguang's sleepless face.

  "How should two wives get along in a family?"

  For him who had never even had a girlfriend before, this was indeed a problem worth losing sleep over.