On the second day of September, the newly appointed Zhejiang Inspector Shen Jian came to Chun'an County and was about to inspect various government affairs in Chun'an County.
This was a big event. The county magistrate Wang Gui led the county government officials, as well as local gentry and elderly representatives, to the Qingxi Ferry Pier outside the south gate of the county government to greet Shen Xun.
Originally, County Magistrate Wang planned to go to the county border to greet him, but Shen Xunjian sent his entourage over in advance and ordered not to greet him from far away, so everything should be kept simple.
As the representative of the scholars, Fang Yingwu, the great scholar Fang, also stood in the crowd and looked forward boredly. Not far in front, the officials of the county government, big and small, had already knelt together and bowed to the censor conscientiously. .
They are both in the seventh rank, but their power and status are very different, so Wang Gui still has to kneel down and worship when he meets the censor. Let alone Wang Zhixian, even the prefect may have to kneel down and worship when he meets the censor. This is Belonging to the illustrious reputation of the seventh-rank patrol minister.
This Shen Xun was fair-skinned and was only thirty-five or sixty-six years old. He seemed to be a few years younger than Magistrate Wang, but the contrast between the two people's fortunes was sad.
Fang Yingwu was bored. While watching Wang Zhixian visit the censor, he secretly pondered in his mind why Wang Zhixian wanted to bow before him, but he, a scholar, didn't have to kneel down. It seemed like this was the custom, and no one cared about it. What can I say if I am dissatisfied?
After thinking about it, Fang Yingwu realized a truth. That was because the county magistrate had entered the officialdom and was a formal official. Being in this system, he was naturally bound by its laws. But at the moment, he could only be regarded as a marginal person in the officialdom. My main identity is still a scholar, so I can naturally choose not to comply.
The country values intellectuals, and scholars can be relatively aloof. Even if they are disrespectful, it can be regarded as having moral integrity and not following the crowd. Of course, whether not being polite will make the other party unhappy is another matter.
Over there, Magistrate Wang was still talking to Shen Xunjing. He didn't know what to say. Fang Yingwu understood this very well. Magistrate Wang wanted to talk to Shen Xunjing, and this was probably the opportunity.
The patrol censor patrols hunting on behalf of the sky, and his manners are very strict, and the rules are also strict. According to the system, once entering the county, the patrol censor is not allowed to have any contact with the local officials, so as to avoid any disadvantages arising from personal abolition of official duties.
That is to say, in principle, the county magistrate can only talk to the patrol censor during greetings and farewells, so Wang Zhixian will seize the opportunity to say a few nice words.
After a while, Shen Xunjian finished talking to Magistrate Wang, and then nodded to the gentry and old people, then got on the sedan chair and headed to the county seat, where he stationed at the temporary procuratorate.
After the welcome ceremony was over, Fang Yingwu moved his legs and feet a few times and was about to leave. However, a government servant came running over and said it was the county magistrate who invited him over.
Fang Yingwu only said that Magistrate Wang wanted to inquire about the school's preparations. He reported: "The late student has already talked with the county students. I don't think there will be any surprises, but please don't worry."
Wang Zhixian looked a little confused, waved his hand and said: "I'm not asking you this. I just want to say. I just talked with the inspector, and most of the time they were talking about you. Could it be that you and Shen Xun are the same?" Old acquaintance?"
Huh? Fang Yingwu was slightly surprised. Magistrate Wang and Shen Xunjian had been talking about him just now? Isn't this impossible?
He quickly denied it and said: "Don't be ridiculous, old man. Wan Sheng and Shen Xun are strangers to each other. They have never been in contact with each other and have never even heard of it."
"That's strange. Then why would he ask about you?" Magistrate Wang was indeed very strange. When he was talking to the censor just now, he even had the illusion that Fang Yingwu was the local protagonist.
However, County Magistrate Wang really couldn't think of any reason, so he had to give up in the end. He even had a little selfishness. It was better for a patrol inspector with picket power to pay attention to Fang Yingwu than to find fault with Wang Gui. No. Seeking merit, but seeking no faults, this is not the right role to play.
Fang Yingwu watched Wang Zhixian leave and fell into deep thought and confusion.
The first stop of Shen's patrol was Chun'an. He should be here for Mr. Shang, otherwise Chun'an County would have no reason to attract him to come quickly. But on the dock, he asked Magistrate Wang what he was doing?
Fang Yingwu had long deduced that Shen Xunjian should be selected by Wan'an. Because of the business, Wan Shoufu attached great importance to Zhejiang's personnel, and it was difficult for ordinary people to get involved. Especially for the key position of Xunxun Censor, Wan'an An must use its own people whenever possible.
Judging from Shen Xunjian's performance, could it be said that he has attracted the attention of Wan Shoufu? Or is it that he annoyed Wan Shoufu by disrupting the situation in Hangzhou?
As soon as this idea came up, Fang Yingwu quickly suppressed it because this idea was too narcissistic! It was simply impossible!
Who is Wan'an? No matter how bad his reputation is, he is still the chief assistant who has stood at the top of the world; who is the other side? Potian is just a scholar, and it is hard to say what his future situation will be. What reason does the elephant have to pay special attention to an ant?
But just as Fang Yingwu suppressed these distracting thoughts, new distracting thoughts appeared uncontrollably. Could it be that he had indeed attracted Wan An's attention and dissatisfaction, and was planning to use himself to kill the chicken and the monkey?
He Fang Yingwu has no identity, but he is still a student of Shang Ren and a cheap relative of Wang Shu. He happened to have recently provoked Wan Shoufu because of the Zhejiang Chief Envoy matter, so it seems that Wan Shoufu took action on himself. It works.
After all, neither Shang Xianggong nor Wang Shu could be easily touched, but Fang Yingwu was very easy to deal with. Thinking of this, Fang Yingwu broke into a cold sweat. This was not a fun thing. He didn't want to be the chicken who killed the chicken and the monkey. .
But no wonder others, everything in the world has pros and cons, rights and responsibilities are always indivisible.
He has enjoyed the benefits brought by his status as a student of Shang Xiang Gong and Wang Shu's grandson, so he can't run away when he has to shoulder responsibilities. And if there is a cause, there will be a result. If there is a cause for him to disrupt the situation in Hangzhou, there may be some things that are not based on him. The will is the result of the transfer.
When Shen Xun'an arrived in Chun'an County, he first checked the prison cases, and then checked the money and food. He was very busy for five or six days in a row, and all the county offices were carefully waiting on him. Only one day after that, the Xun Xun issued a ticket and said it was Shen The patrol officer is going to the school to watch the weather.
Everyone knows that public opinions come from schools, and rural opinions come from gentry. So if you want to watch the wind, going to school is a must.
At this time, the county student members gathered and lined up neatly outside Minglun Hall, waiting for the patrol censor to come to inspect and lecture and question.
This is the moment when criticism is most likely to arise, but Fang Yingwu, who has been entrusted by the county magistrate, is not too worried. There should be no mistakes in the county school today.
He had already communicated through Hong Song and Xiang Chengxian that the patrol officer was from Wan'an, so he was the enemy of Xianggong Shang; whoever cooperated with him was Wan'an's lackey, a criminal and a public enemy of Chun'an County. !
With such a big hat on their heads, it is estimated that the students will be more cautious when speaking, and will not easily embarrass Wang Zhixian by talking nonsense in front of the patrol censor. On the other hand, a few top students expressed their opinions, and other students You have to sell face.
Of course, it would be better for Magistrate Wang to have a few nice words, but this is something that comes by chance. Fang Yingwu’s character can help filter out bad remarks, but he is not so shameless as to make up flattery deliberately. the point.
In other words, Fang Yingwu is not good at flattering and flattering, not because he lacks skills, but because he lacks the heart.
Without mentioning gossip, I did say that when Shen Xunjian arrived at the county school, he did not say anything to the students lined up, but went directly into the Office of Education. After that, he selected some students and called them in one by one to talk.
Fang Yingwu was not called out, but his friend Xiang Chengxian, Mr. Xiang, was. When Mr. Xiang came out, his expression was very baffling. He frowned and said, "Brother Fang Xian! While we were inside, the patrol officer asked some questions. There is not much else to say, but there are a few words about you."
Another person next to him also said curiously: "Yes, the censor did ask a few questions about classmate Fang." Another classmate who had just come out from the patrol censor said the same thing.
Fang Yingwu smiled bitterly, was he really being targeted by the patrol censor? Looking at his posture, was he planning to slowly find his own flaws?
The students in the county school were talking incessantly, and they all lamented that Mr. Fang was really a man of great influence, and always played the leading role without hesitation. This time, the imperial censor came back, and he asked questions both internally and externally, so he was really in the limelight.
After Shen Xunjian left the county school, Fang Yingwu also left quickly and went to the county government office to see Wang Zhixian. Everything must have a beginning and an end. Since he was entrusted by others, he had to report the Xunxun censor to Wang Zhixian at this time. Things to watch in school.
"On the other side of the school, my father, National Taiwan University, can rest assured that there are no inappropriate slanderous words." Fang Yingwu said.
Of course, County Magistrate Wang would not just wait for Fang Yingwu to report. He had already learned from the yamen about Shen Xunjian's experience in the county school. He nodded with a smile on his face and said: "You have worked hard, I would like to express my gratitude."
Fang Yingwu said humbly: "My father's words are serious, why do you need to be like this?"
Magistrate Wang said very politely: "I really should thank you. I don't know what method you used to attract the censor to stare at you and distract Shen Xun's energy. I understand your thoughts!"
Fang Yingwu was speechless. How could he have such a sacrificial spirit? What was going on? He was still vaguely relying on guessing.
He returned home again, only to find Hong Song and Xiang Chengxian waiting.
When Mr. Hong met, he said anxiously: "Brother Fang Xian, after you left, there were rumors in the county school. It was said that you had offended some important people when you were outside, and the censor wanted to punish you deliberately. , so you are going to be out of luck."
Fang Yingwu sighed secretly, this rumor is quite accurate, it is rare.
Xiang Chengxian was not worried about this and comforted him: "Brother Fang Xian, please be at ease. This is nothing. The patrol censor is just a censor, not an academic official. He cannot directly control you.
What's more, you don't have any backing, so how can he take control of you at will? What you really need to guard against are the villains around you." (To be continued...)
