Chapter 2: Ups and downs, I don't know my fate, I meet King An in the north (Part 2)
Wei County was rich and had a strong foundation, which allowed Zhang Wence to carry out this matter. However, Wei County was just a county town after all, and no matter how big the foundation was, it was limited. It could not withstand his excessive troubles, and the treasury was empty in the end.
He had to raise funds from the gentry and local tyrants. In his initial imagination, the gentry and local tyrants were willing to give money, after all, their wealth was the deepest, and once the enemy entered the country, they would suffer the greatest absolute loss.
As a result, the gentry and tyrants refused and were reluctant to pay. When he was urging him to hurry, they even scolded him for being useless and wasting money, and wanted to go to the state to sue him.
On the contrary, when the civilians repaired fortifications, they spontaneously brought food to reduce the burden on the county government.
Later, the gentry and tyrants even began to quietly transfer their property to the city.
Zhang Wence was angry and forced to recruit money and food for the local gentry.
The rich family has complained.
Many of them had some contacts with the powerful and powerful people in the city, so they advised the governor through various relationships, saying that Zhang Wence was rampant in the countryside and made the people live a life worse than death. They were simply a borer in Wei County, and asked to replace Zhang Wence.
The governor was furious and immediately sent the chief to Wei County to reprimand Zhang Wence and asked him to stop rectifying the military defense immediately.
Zhang Wence knew that the governor would send someone to come.
For three consecutive months, he did not give the governor any of the items, and even the only monthly fixed gifts and cash tributes in Wei County were stopped. It was unreasonable for the governor not to send people.
But Zhang Wence had no choice.
He told himself that he had to hold on, and he had to hold on until the last moment.
This time, he chose to stick to his true intentions.
So he refused the Changshi.
The last moment came earlier than Zhang Wence imagined. The governor took him to Weizhou in the name of taking money from the fish and meat village, and reported to the governor of Weibo, who was preparing to start the trial on a date, convicted him, and completely knocked him out of dust.
Zhang Wence knew that he was finished. The Weizhou governor was very powerful and had close contacts with many high-ranking officials in the vassal states. Even the Jiedushi attached great importance to him. Zhang Wence had no chance to turn things around. Even if he was a county magistrate, he had no way to seek justice.
Fortunately, on the second day after Zhang Wence arrived in Weizhou, King An came from Qingzhou, requiring the governor of Weizhou and the main officials of various counties to go to Qingzhou to report their duties. Zhang Wence's name was pointed out in the official document, asking him to accompany him. Zhang Wence was able to escape from prison and put on his official robe again.
He did not see the official document, but heard that there were praises to him in the official document.
Although the governor had a great power, Zhang Wence had not been interrogated and had never been convicted. The governor could not have caused any accidents in such a hurry at this moment - so obviously disobeying King An was tantamount to seeking death.
So the governor could only take him with him.
Logically speaking, Zhang Wence had a turnaround and should have breathed a sigh of relief. But he did not feel happy. The reason was very simple: the governor of Weizhou was not an ordinary official.
Moreover, in order to rectify the military defense of Wei County, he indeed forced the money and food of the gentry and local tyrants, and the other party's accusations against him were true. With the governor working from it, even if he could go to Qingzhou City, he would inevitably be investigated and punished.
If the governor was willing, Zhang Wence would still be defeated.
But if the governor is willing to let him go, Zhang Wence is not without hope.
His destiny is in the hands of the governor.
A senior official crushed people to death.
The governor of Weizhou gave Zhang Wence the opportunity. On the day he was taken to the city of Zhou, the governor met him and said that if he was willing to "reform" and remove the excess military defense forces in Wei County, he could still help him continue to be the magistrate of Wei County.
Zhang Wence raised his head and saw that the sun had reached the west and was about to set soon.
In front of me is a museum with tall and dense buildings, called Qinglin Post. When you arrive at Qinglin Post, you are only thirty miles away from Qingzhou City. The team will rest here tonight and enter Qingzhou City again tomorrow.
......
At night, after dinner, Zhang Wence returned to the room to rest. He wanted to read the books he carried with him, but he was in a mess and couldn't read them, so he could only sigh and let go.
Not long after, someone knocked on the door and said that the governor asked him to go there.
A moment later, Zhang Wence sat in front of Liu Mingming, the governor of Weizhou.
Liu Mingming is nearly forty years old, with a strong and powerful temperament, and is not angry but powerful.
At his age, he was able to become the governor of a state and become a very rare thing. In fact, Zhang Wence also knew very well that Liu Mingming was very skilled. After only half a year of office, he had become a solid business in Weizhou, and even the governor was quite polite to him.
This is why Liu Ming is an extraordinary identity, but Zhang Wence doesn't know what the other party is.
However, Zhang Wence did not respect Liu Mingming. Liu Mingming spent all his energy on officialdom struggles and personal money and future. He really managed prefectures and counties and favored the people, and all kinds of political affairs were barely completed according to the script. Zhang Wence had no respect for him from the bottom of his heart.
But Liu Mingming, who was such a person, received a Class A evaluation in the last mid-year performance assessment.
Liu Mingming pushed a cup of tea in front of Zhang Wence, looked at him with a smile, and said incredibly: "Zhang County Magistrate is a handsome man for a while. He has always managed Wei County well. I have always been very satisfied. I said with all my heart that it is not easy to find someone who can replace you."
"Before leaving, I told you that as long as you are willing to 'reform', you will still be the magistrate of Wei County. This is true. The magistrate of Zhang did not answer this last time, and I am about to enter Qingzhou City. I wonder if the magistrate Zhang has considered it clearly?"
Zhang Wence lowered his head and held the tea bowl, silently speaking.
Liu Mingming did not ask questions, but waited for a long time but did not see Zhang Wence's answer, his expression was still calm and impatient, but said lightly: "After I arrived in Weizhou, I was fortunate that the Jiedushi valued it and gave it convenience from many parties. My colleagues also understood the truth and knew to respect my orders. Therefore, Weizhou can now show a prosperous scene, and I can get a Class A evaluation in the performance appraisal. However, Zhang County Magistrate, do you know why the Jiedushi valued me, and why did the colleagues in each state sell me face like this?"
Zhang Wence smiled bitterly and said, "It's probably because the governor is extremely talented and has extraordinary wisdom."
Liu Mingming sneered and looked at Zhang Wence: "In front of the wise man, why should the magistrate Zhang say secret words? You are so reserved, but my heart-wrenching words seem too ridiculous."
Zhang Wence's face changed.
He noticed Liu Mingming's dissatisfaction.
Fortunately, Liu Mingming did not intend to make things difficult for him, so he paused and continued: "To be honest, when His Highness An was still in Chang'an, I followed the left and right saddles and horses."
Hearing this, Zhang Wence looked up in shock and stared at Liu Mingming with wide eyes. For a moment, he couldn't control his expression.
It turns out that Liu Mingming is actually from the An Prince's Mansion! And he has been following An Prince for so long, so he is undoubtedly King An's confidant! No wonder, even the governor of Wei Bo is polite to him!
Seeing Zhang Wence's reaction, Liu Mingming felt very satisfied and his smile became stronger. "Thank you to your Highness, our Weizhou officials will be fortunate to come to Qingzhou City this time. What a glory it is to summon him personally. Ordinary officials will never have such a blessing in their lifetime! Such an opportunity is once a lifetime, and County Magistrate Zhang should perform well."
Speaking of this, Liu Mingming's eyes became a little sharper, and the pressure suddenly increased. The mountains pressed against Zhang Wence, making him almost breathless.
Liu Mingming said solemnly: "So, I hope that when I see Your Highness, our Weizhou officials will be harmonious and let Your Highness see our sincere unity and work hard for the public. At that time, if Your Highness asks about the affairs of the prefectures and counties, what should we say and what should not be said, County Magistrate Zhang should have a clear idea of it, right?"
Zhang Wence instantly understood the other party's intention to call him over and talk.
He couldn't help but sweat.
Liu Mingming knew that what he did in Weizhou did not meet the evaluation of the A-level performance examination, and it was really impossible to be honest and honest as an official, and there were many places to be criticized. He was worried that when he was summoned by King An tomorrow, Zhang Wence, who was treated unfairly in Weizhou, would be resentful and suddenly said something unfavorable to him.
Liu Mingming now shows his identity to shock Zhang Wence and tell him not to seek death.
He is an old man from the An Palace, with a deep power and must have a close relationship with the officials of the royal palace. Even if Zhang Wence really said something bad, once the officials of the An Palace need to verify it, it will probably turn a big thing into a small matter in the end, and Zhang Wence will be in a bad way and will never be reborn.
It's not just about losing your official position.
Zhang Wence did not want to ruin his good impression in front of King An, so he had to let Zhang Wence cooperate obediently. His bargaining chip was to let Zhang Wence continue to be the magistrate of Wei County.
Both parties trade fairly, and they all took what they took, and they were all happy.
"Okay, County Magistrate Zhang, it's getting late, go and have a rest. I will pay my respects to His Highness An tomorrow. I don't want you to be in a bad spirit and look in a panic, so that King An will look down on our Weizhou officials." Liu Mingming waved his hand.
Zhang Wence stood up anxiously, bowed and took a small step back before turning around in front of the door.
At this time, Liu Mingming's voice sounded again: "Mr. Zhang, I hope that I can continue to call you, County Magistrate Zhang, and even... Governor Zhang!"
Zhang Wence's body shook again.
The three words of governor Zhang, falling into Zhang Wence's ears is like a morning bell and evening drum.
Liu Mingming means that if Zhang Wence follows him and works hard, his future career will be bright!
After Zhang Wence returned to the room, he sat on the small collapse with a pale face and was stunned for two hours without moving.
The ups and downs of officialdom are often the time when he can’t help himself. This time, can he still keep his true heart?
......
The next day, Liu Mingming and Zhang Wence and his party entered Qingzhou City.
Chapter completed!