After punishing Xiao Yunyan, Qi Yu bowed his hands to the people and made his own apology.
"Dear neighbors, I am the new magistrate Qi Yu. Now, on behalf of the prefectural government, I would like to express my apologies for the chaos in Qiongzhou's official administration and the slander it has brought to you. Here, I promise you that we will strengthen the rectification of official administration in the future.
, I will give you a life of peace and contentment."
After saying that, he bowed sincerely.
Unexpectedly, most of the people looked confused, as if they didn't know what was being said.
Because there are really very few people who can understand Cantonese.
What can be done?
Although Qi Yu was aware of this problem, he didn't know how to speak Mandarin and didn't know what to do.
While hesitating, he saw Tan Junyan coming out and repeating what he had just said in the local language. After that, the people finally understood and let out cheers.
After a while, they all spontaneously knelt on the ground and thanked Mr. Qi, the great master of Qingtian.
Qi Yu hurriedly held up his hands and motioned for the people to get up quickly. After a few words of comfort, he let them disperse.
At this time, Peng Wenchang stepped forward and asked: "Sir, how should we deal with this Xiao Yunyan?"
"We'll take him into custody for the time being. I'll make a decision after I report it to Governor Lu." Qi Yu replied.
"That's fine!" Peng Wenchang first agreed, and then said worriedly: "Sir, you are blaming officials in public. This is against the law. I am worried that you will be caught by villains and take the opportunity to impeach you."
Yes, this is not alarmist.
As we all know, even scholars have the right to be exempted from the cane according to the law, let alone officials?
However, Xiao Yunyan broke the law first. He knew that Tan Junyan had the reputation of raising people, but he still ordered the government officials to beat him.
From this point of view, both parties are suspected of breaking the law.
Don't tell anyone.
Qi Yu thought for a while, then suddenly smiled and said: "It doesn't matter! Your Majesty has given me the right to act expediently. Generally speaking, this right can be big or small. Even if I do something outrageous, I can still blame it on His Majesty.
Is this the truth? Besides, there is Governor Lu on top, so what are you afraid of?"
Haha, let the emperor take the blame for offending people like this.
Peng Wenchang was shocked when he heard this, but he quickly understood the hidden meaning, and even prepared a manuscript for this purpose.
Poor Mr. Peng, whose moral character is as low as water, was assimilated by Mr. Qi into a scheming old man without even realizing it.
After finishing the business, Qi Yu came to Tan Junyan and said to him with a faint smile: "Brother Tan, when do you plan to pay back the ten taels of silver you owe me?"
Um?
Are you destined to come thousands of miles away to ask for an account?
Tan Junyan looked a little embarrassed, his face turned red and he said: "Sir, wait a moment, I will get the money right away."
Now, he no longer dares to talk to Qi Yu on equal terms, so he respects him as "sir." What's more, he has entered business and is even lower in status.
Do you still take it seriously?
Qi Yu quickly laughed and said: "Brother Tan, I'm just joking with you, don't take it seriously! How can a mere copper-smelling thing compare to the friendship between you and me?" After a pause, he said again: "
Either way, you can help me find some carriages and horses and take us to the government office. As for the ten taels of silver, just think of them as carriage fees."
"Uh...okay!" Tan Junyan was a real person. He believed Qi Yu as soon as he said it. After smiling awkwardly, he hurriedly went to buy things.
…
After he had gone far, Qi Yucai said to Peng Wenchang again: "Well, I want to recruit this person under my command, what do you think?"
To be honest, in a remote and remote place like Qiongzhou, it is a rare talent to recruit people. If it can be used for one's own use, it can be regarded as a good move.
Peng Wenchang nodded and said, "I wonder how you plan to use him?"
"Household inheritance!"
"this……"
Household housing, management of tax payment, summer tax and autumn grain, labor service, population and household registration, miscellaneous subjects, etc. In addition, it also assists in the daily expenses of the yamen, accounting and payment of salary, etc.
It can be said that among the six houses, the household house is the only department that has access to money, so its inheritance is often the official's confidant.
Peng Wenchang frowned and asked, "Do you trust him, sir?"
"This man has an upright character, can distinguish between good and evil, and has a reputation as a leader. Wouldn't it be a pity not to use it?" Qi Yu smiled and said, "When he was about to run out of resources when he went to Beijing to take the exam, I once helped him with ten taels of silver as a gift. The money for returning home, you tell me, how could he have any intention of betraying me when he was so kind to me in times of need?"
If you compare your heart to your heart, this is indeed the truth.
As he spoke, Tan Junyan returned. Behind him, three ounces of carriages had been hitched, which was enough.
Qi Yu stepped forward and extended an invitation: "Brother Tan, why don't you go to the Yamen with me so that we can catch up on old times. By the way, I also want to talk to you about other things."
"That's fine, but..."
"But what?"
Tan Junyan said with some embarrassment: "However, this will have to wait until tomorrow." After a pause, he explained: "To be honest with you, my father-in-law fainted out of anxiety after hearing the news that Xiao Yunyan came to grab food. .So, I’m going to stay and take care of the housework today. Well, I’ll visit you again early tomorrow morning.”
Haha, for a little food, you actually got so anxious that you fainted?
If the guess is correct, this sailor must not be a generous person. Otherwise, how could he be so petty?
Anyway, since I have something to do at home, I can only arrange it until tomorrow.
After saying goodbye to Tan Junyan, Qi Yu greeted the group of people to get on the carriage and went straight to the Qiongzhou government office.
This time, the government officials were very conscious and took the initiative to share the work. Except for the two who carried Xiao Yunyan, who was seriously injured and unconscious, the others all came to lead the horses and lead the way.
Finally, before sunset, the group successfully entered the capital city of Qiongzhou Prefecture.
This is a dilapidated old city, dirty everywhere, and has nothing to do with prosperity.
So, how bad is it?
From a visual point of view, it is on par with the small towns around my hometown of Taohua Village. But if compared with the county seat of Lanshan County, it is completely different.
Qi Yu held his pocket watch all the way, and at 6:30 in the evening, he officially arrived at the government office.
The yamen and Peng Wenchang were responsible for arranging the luggage and the shipwright who came with them, so Mr. Qi didn't need to worry about it at all.
Worried about their lack of communication?
Worry too much!
Body language is universal across the country, it just takes a lot of effort.
Then, Qi Yu held a lantern and entered the government office at a leisurely pace, watching as he walked.
Haha, luckily, there are people living there.
Generally speaking, this yamen mansion is built quite regularly, with many of the necessary structures. Although the sparrow is small, it has all the internal organs.
After passing through the lobby, the second hall, and the reception hall, Qi Yu entered the third hall, and then passed through the arched door between the east and west accounting rooms and entered the backyard, which is the so-called official residence of the prefect.
Judging by the standards of the prefect level, the size of this house is not large. It is similar to my own house in Yongchuan Prefecture, but it is more dilapidated.
The only thing that satisfied Qi Yu was that the furniture here was pretty good, and there was even rare wood like golden nan.
But when I think about it carefully, it suddenly makes sense.
You should know that many precious woods are produced in the south, and are not so scarce here.
Qi Yu lit the candle, then sat on the chair and closed his eyes to meditate.
Tired!
On this trip south, I traveled far and wide, went through all kinds of hardships, and now I finally have a place to stay...
Just as he was about to have a rest for a while, Leng Qing's voice suddenly came to his ears.
"Master Qi, take a look at it, do you recognize this thing?"
Ahem, it’s really annoying. Why don’t you let me rest?
Qi Yu opened his sleepy eyes unhappily, but the next second, he was shocked by what he saw in front of him!