Corrupt County Magistrate (11)

If the news of what Ji Changze did for Chui Liu spread to the capital, the Wei family would be the happiest.

Especially Mrs. Wei, who raised her daughter like a pearl to a good age. She read books and practiced calligraphy, embroidered clothes, drank tea, managed accounts and took care of household affairs. She learned everything that a daughter of a noble family should learn, and she learned it very well.

In addition, Wei Juncan was beautiful and gentle, and she was always outstanding in the capital. Even though Mrs. Wei had never thought of letting her daughter marry into the royal family, in the heart of a mother, her eldest daughter was better than anyone else.

Before that incident, Madam Wei had already been looking for a husband for her daughter. She was very picky at the time. She didn't want a man with a high family background, as she was afraid that the man's family would bully her. She also didn't want a man with a low family background, as she was afraid that her daughter would suffer if she married him. She wanted him to be well-educated, well-behaved, and considerate. It would be best if he was the eldest son in the family, so that she wouldn't have to worry about having a hard time living in a separate house in the future, and he would be more stable than the younger brothers.

As a result, before the candidate was chosen, her daughter was promised to a scholar whom she had never heard of or seen before, and she didn't even know where he was from.

Although this scholar later passed the imperial examination and became an official in the court, at that time, there were many people who were jealous of the fact that Lord Wei did not take concubines and only Madam Wei was in the courtyard, and they secretly gloated over his misfortune.

Everyone could see how outstanding Wei Juncan was, and knew that if nothing unexpected happened, she would definitely marry a good family and live a peaceful life under the care of her parents.

It was also because of this that she looked even more miserable when she got married to a merchant boy after an accident.

Madam Wei didn't eat well or sleep well during that time, and she had to force herself to deal with people who wanted to laugh at her during the day, which was exhausting.

Even when Wei Juncan followed Ji Changze to leave the capital and go to Chui Liu, some people who didn't get along with her would still deliberately turn the topic around to stab her at parties.

Madam Wei was a gentle person. Even if she was upset in her heart, she still had to keep her image and smile on the surface.

Wasn't she upset?

It was upset!

But there was nothing she could do about it, because what others said was true.

A merchant boy, not ranked high, and being sent to a poor place like Chui Liu were all true.

Now it seems that the wind direction has changed overnight. Madam Wei, who originally thought that her son-in-law was just a Yuanhua pancreas, was suddenly refreshed when she heard the news from the capital.

At the banquet, although she didn't say anything big, she still showed off her wealth "unnoticeably".

"Yes, this child is very filial. When the Yuanhua pancreas was made, he rushed to send it to us. I am so old now, and I don't need much, so I shared some with my friends."

"Yes, the young couple has a good relationship. Didn't my second brother come back yesterday? He told me that my eldest daughter is pregnant. Oh my god, the son-in-law is considerate, and now he looks at his sister like an eyeball. He said that he didn't like the vegetables he bought were not fresh, so he bought land and planted them himself and took good care of them. The vegetables he planted were fresh and juicy. He gave them to My eldest daughter eats it. "

"Really? You heard that my brother-in-law came up with the idea of ​​Yuanhua Pancreas for my daughter? I don't know about this. How can I ask about the past affairs between the young couple? "

"Yes, although we are far away, my brother-in-law has sent all the gifts and messages. I feel relieved to know that he is considerate and good to my eldest daughter. "

After successfully making herself happy, and seeing those who used to laugh at her for raising a daughter in vain had stiff faces, Mrs. Wei was satisfied and stopped talking.

As soon as she returned to the mansion, she immediately asked someone to call Wei Junli, who was still sleeping, to her yard and asked him whether the words of his brother-in-law spread in the capital were true.

Wei Junli was originally sleeping. He was exhausted from the long journey. When he came back and saw his parents, he fell asleep on the bed and yawned when he was pulled up.

When he arrived at his mother's yard, he immediately became energetic when he heard that he was asking about his brother-in-law, and his face was full of "If you ask this, I won't be sleepy anymore."

"Yes, it's all true. My son saw it with his own eyes. The Yuanhua Forest is right below the inn. If you stand on the second floor, you can not only see the Yuanhua all over the ground, but also the appearance of Chui Liu County. In the early morning, you can even wait for the sunrise. It's as beautiful as a painting."

"The Lantern Festival is also true, but I think their description is not detailed enough. The Lantern Festival was much more lively than they said. There was everything. Everyone wore masks. There were jugglers, snack sellers, candy sellers, and all kinds of lantern riddles. The rewards for guessing the right answers were different. Not all of them were silver or lanterns. Some people were asked to write a poem for guessing the right lantern riddles. It was fun."

"There is an orphanage. My brother-in-law took my son to see it. My mother didn't know. Now my sister is very powerful. She often goes to the orphanage. The children there respect her very much. I also heard that my brother-in-law's money is with my sister. If he wants to buy something, he has to ask my sister for money."

As expected of a real mother and son, the way and tone of speaking are exactly the same.

This was a conversation with one's own mother, there was no need to be as formal as when communicating with people outside. Wei Junli talked about this and that, but fortunately this was a mother listening to the affairs of her own daughter and son-in-law, so even if what he said was disorganized, Mrs. Wei still listened with relish.

Hearing this, she interrupted him and asked worriedly: "Your sister is also a good-tempered person at home. Why is she like this to the son-in-law? No matter how good-tempered the son-in-law is, he is still a husband and an official. She can't hold all the money, right?"

"Hey, mother, you don't know, my brother-in-law did it on purpose. He is very popular in Chui Liu now. Many merchants come to Chui Liu to find my brother-in-law. He always tells them that the money at home is with my wife. He has no money on him and it is inconvenient to go out. In my opinion, this is all discussed by my sister and brother-in-law."

After listening to Wei Junli's explanation, Mrs. Wei was relieved and chanted Amitabha a few times.

"So, my son-in-law is really that capable, and his reputation has spread. I wonder if it can attract the attention of the higher-ups. It would be great if he could be transferred back to the capital."

Wei Junli disagreed: "What's the point of transferring him back? Isn't it because Chui Liu is remote and poor, and there are no powerful families living there? If he returns to the capital, a brick will fall and hit ten people, and eight of them may be royal relatives or dignitaries in the court. How can he show his talents?"

Mrs. Wei glared at her son: "What do you know? Chui Liu is remote, and my son-in-law is just a county magistrate. What's the use of being so capable? If he returns to the capital, with your father taking care of him, how can he be worse?"

Wei Junli pouted.

He didn't believe that his father, who was so upright and old-fashioned, would take care of his brother-in-law.

"Also, your sister is pregnant. When she gives birth to a child, if it is a boy, he will have to go to school. If he does not return to Beijing and keeps being sent out, when the child reaches school age, his son-in-law is in a remote place, how can the child learn anything? If he returns to Beijing, your father has a quota for the Imperial College. If it is really not possible, you can ask your father to teach him personally, which is better than finding a teacher at random."

This makes sense, and Wei Junli agreed with it this time.

But he always felt that his brother-in-law did not want to come back. When he left, he saw that his brother-in-law was planning to do a big job in Chui Liu. Now he has not done half of it, how could he be willing to return to Beijing.

Otherwise, why did Ji Changze admire his brother-in-law? Wei Junli did guess right. Ji Changze did not plan to leave Chui Liu.

Although he had the support of his father-in-law, in a place like Beijing, his father-in-law's name would definitely not be as effective as in Chui Liu.

The most important thing is that the people of Chui Liu are too easy to fool (crossed out) and too innocent and kind.

Because there are few educated people in the local area and the people are generally uneducated, they basically follow what Ji Changze says.

The adults said that the land should be planted in this way, as for why it should be planted in this way? The adults have a reputation, so what he said must be right, just do it.

The adults said that they want to open a textile factory and only recruit women. What? Women can't show their faces? The daughters of the rich in the capital will not be locked up at home all their lives. The wife of the county magistrate goes to the orphanage every few days. Isn't it good for women to earn money to supplement the family expenses and relax a little at home?

The adults said that they want to set up a free academy? Let alone a free academy, we should support even a free rat house... Wait? Academy? ! ! !

The people of Chui Liu were boiling.

The people of Chui Liu generally can't read. Do they not want to learn to read, study, and get a reputation to get rid of their current poor life? No.

This is ancient times, not modern times. There is no nine-year compulsory education, no cheap paper and pens, and no student loans. It is not uncommon to be unable to study here, but the most common phenomenon.

It is too difficult for ordinary farmers to support a scholar.

Take the Ji family for example. Their family is a merchant. Although they are not very rich, they can afford maids, which is much better than farmers. The original owner is the only son in the family. The hopes of several generations are placed on him. The family gave him the best. Even so, he still can't buy any books he wants.

There are also pens and ink. The price of the cheapest pens and ink on the market is not something that ordinary families can afford for a long time. In addition to the bundle, daily food and drink are enough to crush the family.

And now, Lord Ji, their county magistrate of Chui Liu said that he would open a free academy.

As long as they are of appropriate age, they can enroll. Not only will they not collect bundles, but the academy will also provide pens and ink for free.

Even pie in the sky cannot describe the mood of these people who want their children to be successful. Even if the academy did not invite a great scholar, but just an ordinary gentleman, for them, it was like a ladder from heaven.

Whether they can climb up or not is another matter, at least they have the opportunity to climb up.

Ji Changze's reputation in Chui Liu has risen again, and there are even people with children of school age who kneel down and kowtow excitedly in the direction of the government to express their gratitude after hearing about this.

Everyone knows that studying is good, and everyone knows that passing the imperial examination is the right way, but they have no money, and now, Master Ji actually sends their children to school for free. Even if they fail to pass the imperial examination in the future, they can at least be an accountant or something.

There was a lot of praise outside, and the chief clerk in charge of recording expenses in the county government had a big head.

Didn't the master find another accountant? Why did he have to be responsible for the expense record of this academy?

He really couldn't help it, and he went to Ji Changze with indignation.

When I went there, I saw Lord Ji squatting in front of the vegetable patch, watering the vegetables with his own hands. The juicy vegetables looked even more beautiful in the sun after being watered.

The chief clerk became more and more indignant.

Before Mr. Ji took office, his daily routine consisted of drinking tea and playing with the birds, walking around the house and going shopping, sitting in his room waiting for get off work, and sometimes listening to a little tune at night. He didn't know how many days there were. Carefree.

Looking at now, he calculates expenses and records every day, his abacus ability has improved by leaps and bounds, his hair is getting thinner and thinner on the top of his head, and the first thing he thinks about when he opens his eyes every day is not what is going to be in the morning. I had to settle some accounts today. I found it too difficult last time, so I mustered up the courage to look for Master Ji. In the end, he actually gave me a more convenient calculation method and settled the matter.

At that time, he was also blinded by lard. Not only did he not realize that Master Ji did not solve his problem at all, but also increased his study burden. He was also very grateful for it, thinking that it was Master Ji who taught him without hiding his private talents.

I was very excited for a few days after that, and I felt that the new tasks assigned to me by adults were specially given to him to help me practice new calculation methods.

Thinking about it now, I really wish I could go back to that time and slap myself.

Why were you deceived by adults again?

It was clear that Wu Xian Cheng specifically told him last time that the adults were very scheming and liked to fool their subordinates, but he still did not believe in evil.

This time, I must explain it clearly to the adults, and I must not be deceived again!

After Ji Changze poured the water, he turned around and found that his chief clerk was mumbling to himself with a firm expression. He was amused and shouted: "What are you doing?"

The chief clerk suddenly came to his senses, coughed a few times, and kept brainwashing himself, "This is a normal appeal, this is a normal appeal." Then he walked up to Ji Changze with his head held high.

Let me bow first: "Well, sir."

"Well, you're okay too." Ji Changze glanced at the other party's nervously clenched hand, put down the bucket for watering the tree, stood up and asked proactively; "You came here specifically to see me, but do you have anything to say to me?" The officer said? "

Chief Secretary: "...Well, this official has indeed something to say."

He made it clear. The general meaning is that you can't just hold on to this sheep like me. It's not like you don't have money. Is it that difficult to hire a few accountants?

Working overtime every day, I really can't stand this kind of social life. The most important thing is, do you know what life I lived with the former county magistrate? That's called happiness, that's called carefree. I'm almost reaching retirement age, and I really don't want to be so tired.

Ji Changze agreed in agreement, and waited patiently for the chief clerk to finish speaking, before speaking slowly: "I told you before that there are not many people I can trust in this county government office, except for you. Who else can I trust?"

Chief Secretary, hehe, he believed what he said before, now.

The common people of Weeping Willow wish to put Ji Changze in the palm of their hands and worship him devoutly. All the accountants in Yuanhua Pancreas Factory admire and yearn for him so much. Isn't it easy for him to find an accountant he can trust?

Ji Changze saw that the chief secretary didn't believe him and felt that he was really helpless.

He is telling the truth. His foundation is not deep. There are not many people in the county government who can be trusted, only one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and so on. Of course, those outside the county government do not count.

The chief clerk didn't believe it, so he could only tell the chief clerk what he really thought.

Ji Changze has wanted to build an academy for a long time, but this place is too poor and lacks teachers.

Even if you find a teacher to teach, the level will not be much higher. This cannot be blamed on his poor knowledge. The place is really too poor. The teacher is willing to teach his disciples, but no one can teach him.

So Ji Changze focused on these people in his county government office.

The county magistrate, he is good at learning and can teach students to write essays.

He is good at catching heads. During this time, he has developed skills and can be a martial arts master for his students. Recently, he is working overtime to learn horse riding and shooting.

The chief clerk is good at calculating accounts, and he has learned the new and more useful accounting method that Ji Changze taught before, and can become a mathematics teacher. Ji Changze would not admit that he had already calculated in this way when he taught the chief clerk this accounting method.

Of course, he certainly couldn't directly say to the chief registrar, "There is a shortage of a gentleman in the academy and I think you are quite good. You should work hard and work overtime."

If you say this, the head clerk will definitely think, "Oh, I have to work overtime again, I'm so hard." If he feels that he has worked hard, he will feel uncomfortable. If he feels uncomfortable, he will be in a bad mood. If he is in a bad mood, he will not be able to eat or sleep well. good.

As a qualified boss, how could Ji Changze treat his subordinates so cruelly?

So he let out a long sigh and said to the chief clerk with pity in his eyes: "Since you insist, I won't hide it from you anymore. Do you know why I gave those new calculation methods to you instead of to me?" Someone else?”

The chief clerk rolled his eyes in his heart. What else could be the reason? Of course, it was because he had many seniority and experience and learned quickly, so he could quickly learn to continue being a social animal.

Ji Changze: "You have also been sitting in the position of chief registrar for many years. Now I have the opportunity to give you a hand. How can I not do it?"

Chief: "???"

Pull...what? ?

Ji Changze: "We are all our own people, so I won't hide it from you. You also know that I am planning to open an academy. I will not collect any writing bundles. All the writing and ink will be provided by the academy to the students."

The chief clerk nodded, still not quite understanding, yes, so what, wasn't this matter announced a long time ago? Wasn't the account book he looked at the academy's expenses?

Ji Changze half-seriously sighed: "We, Weeping Willow, have outstanding people. It's not that we don't have talents. It's just that in the past, most of the locals couldn't afford to study. Now I have opened an academy to provide students with free education. Think about it, these hundreds of students are studying hard in cold weather. Is it possible that there is still no one with a good reputation?"

The chief clerk still didn't quite understand what Shangguan was talking about.

Ji Changze continued to be tempting: "If I arrange for you to get a position as a teacher in the academy to teach these hundreds of students, in the future, some of them will be selected as a scholar, a scholar, a Jinshi, or even a first-class scholar, and even the top scholar. It's possible."

The chief clerk's eyes lit up and he fell into deep thought.

"Your salary is not too much, but if you go to an academy and become a teacher, you will definitely have monthly money. Of course, I know your character. You have never valued money. You definitely don't care about the monthly money you get from teaching in the academy. , but if you can personally teach a champion, you will be the teacher of the champion. "

The chief clerk perked up and his breathing became quickened.

The master of the number one scholar.

What a great temptation this is for a literati.

Especially next to him, Ji Changze was still whispering devilishly: "Even if you can't get the number one scholar for a while, as a teacher of hundreds of students, as soon as you go out, someone will call you sir and give you discipleship. A hundred years later, there will still be disciples to you." The family members praised you and said: There was once a Mr. Liang who was extremely knowledgeable..."

The chief bookkeeper was already excited.

Being a teacher for hundreds of people was something he never dared to think about before. He never expected that Master Ji would be willing to stuff him into the academy and give him such an opportunity.

He was extremely grateful and bowed deeply to Ji Changze: "Thank you, sir, thank you so much. I really don't know how to thank you..."

"You and I are my colleagues, and you have done so much for me. How can I not reciprocate the favor?"

Ji Changze helped him up and sighed again: "I taught you that calculation method specifically so that you can teach the students in the academy. You have also used this method and know how useful it is. With it, you can You can also live in the academy, Mr. Liang said, right?"

The head clerk nodded gratefully: "Yes, I'm ashamed of myself. I didn't expect that your Excellency was planning for me wholeheartedly. It's my fault."

"It doesn't matter. We are all our own people. No need to be polite. I will only reveal this to you. Don't mention it to others first. During this period, you can quietly practice with the account book I gave you. This way, you won't show any timidity when you teach students. ”

The chief bookkeeper was even more ashamed. It turned out that Master Ji gave him the college's account books for his own benefit, but he actually judged a gentleman with a villain's heart, thinking that Master Ji gave it to him because he didn't want to work on his own.

How could he think like this? If adults are really so lazy, why would they still open an academy, return Yuanhua Pancreas Factory, and hold a lantern festival?

The chief clerk who thought this way naturally ignored that all these things were opened by Mr. Ji's words. Apart from giving plans to Fang Zi, the rest was done by their three subordinates.

Thinking about it, the adults have always treated him very well. Since the adults took office, the family has never lacked any kind of fish, meat, melons and fruits. Last month, he even got a bonus that was higher than his annual salary.

But now, the master is still planning for him to enter the academy. In order for him to teach students, he did not hesitate to teach him such precious calculation methods.

But he suspected that the adults were lazy and didn't want to work, and it was really repaying kindness with hatred.

The chief clerk left in shame, his heart filled with apologies to his superiors.

Ji Changze watched him go before washing his hands and reading a storybook while eating melon seeds.

After he finished cracking the melon seeds, he stood up, stretched out, and said to the people who came up to him for instructions: "It's getting late, go back to the inner office."

He had to tell his wife that there was no need to worry about the lack of talent at Weeping Willow and that she could not find a master who could teach the students how to count.

Chief Secretary Liang is very progressive. In order to solve this problem, he took the initiative to enroll in school and do both work and study. Once he finishes calculating the academy's account books, he will probably be able to practice it.

Under the setting sun, Ji Changze looked at the red sky hanging and sighed, how could he be so lucky? Every time he met his subordinates, they were so progressive.

Good luck may also be a kind of ability.