The shopkeeper of "Jufu Pavilion" is named Guo Pu. Like most innkeepers, he is rich in stature, shrewd and philistine, and has a friendly and prosperous smile on his face all year round.@
Therefore, when Zhao Junchen, Huo Zhengyuan, and Bao Wenjie led a group of followers into the "Jufu Pavilion", Guo Pu could tell at a glance that the three of them were extraordinary, so he hurriedly greeted them with a flattering smile on his face.
, kept saying: "Guests, do you want to eat or stay? The food in the restaurant is famous for its delicious food in Huai'an City, and there are also free first-class guest rooms, all of which are spacious and comfortable..."
Before Guo Pu finished speaking, Xu Qingyan behind Zhao Junchen had already waved his hand and said: "No further talk, my young master and others are all tired. Go and clean up the three best guest rooms and the four or five ordinary guest rooms. We
I'm going to stay here for a few days... In addition, prepare a table of good food, my young master and others are also a little hungry, and they need to eat now!"
Then, Xu Qingyan took out a large ingot of silver, threw it to Guo Pu, and added: "No, this is the deposit. If it's not enough, come back to me."
Zhao Junchen and others were ordered to handle the case this time, and all they spent were money from the treasury, so Xu Qingyan was particularly generous when he took action.
Three superior rooms, four or five ordinary rooms, plus the cost of three meals a day, this is a big deal for "Jufu Pavilion".
Moreover, Xu Qingyan's attitude was very heroic. When he gave the order, he didn't even ask about the price. This made Guo Pu confirm that the guests in front of him were all distinguished guests. Rich guests must not be neglected. If they are served well,
.Maybe the reward they gave me casually was enough to cover one month's salary.
Thinking of the reward, Guo Pu's smile became more flattering. He personally arranged food and accommodation for Zhao Junchen and others, working hard and being extremely attentive.
When everything was ready, Zhao Junchen, Huo Zhengyuan, and Bao Wenjie found a private room in the "Jufu Pavilion" and planned to have dinner and discuss at the same time.
However, Guo Pu did not leave because he was fully expecting the reward. He still stood by and waited on him, so Zhao Junchen, Huo Zhengyuan and Bao Wenjie were unable to talk freely.
Bao Wenjie turned his head and glanced at Guo Pu, then waved his hand and said, "You don't need to serve me here anymore. You go and do your own business first. I'll give you orders when something happens."
Seeing that he didn't get the reward, Guo Pu's smile froze, but he couldn't explain it clearly, so he had no choice but to nod in agreement and prepare to turn around and leave.
At this moment, Zhao Junchen suddenly said: "Mr. Bao, let him stay and serve you. We also want to inquire about some information from him... Every inn is a gathering place for popular information, and this shopkeeper must also
He is a well-informed person, it will be much more convenient for us to ask him for information."
After Bao Wenjie pondered for a moment, he nodded and said, "That's fine."
As for Huo Zhengyuan next to him, his attitude towards the investigation was still somewhat negative, as if he was dispensable. He did not express an opinion.
Seeing that things had turned around, Guo Pu quickly came to Zhao Junchen and others and asked politely: "I, Guo Pu, am the manager of this inn. I wonder what information the three distinguished guests want to find out? I must know everything.
I can’t say enough.”
"It turns out to be shopkeeper Guo." Zhao Junchen smiled and nodded: "That's right. The three of us run a business together, and now we want to do business in Huai'an. In doing business, the most important thing is to open up the door to the government, so we
I would like to ask Shopkeeper Guo about the official situation in Huai'an."
Guo Pu said with a smile: "I see, sir, you have asked the right person. My brother-in-law is now working in the Huai'an magistrate's office, and I know the situation of the officialdom in Huai'an best. The current Huai'an magistrate's name is He Hengze. This Mr. He is very talkative and likes famous people's calligraphy and paintings the most, so the three adults only need to buy a few expensive paintings and calligraphy by famous people to give to him. Even if the government's door is opened, Mr. He will naturally take care of the business of the three of them in the future. …”
After hearing what Guo Pu said, Zhao Junchen's smile did not change, Huo Zhengyuan still had a negative attitude, and Bao Wenjie snorted with an unhappy expression.
What Guo Pu said was "easy to talk to", in other words, "easy to bribe". Given Bao Wenjie's nature, he was naturally unhappy when he heard this.
However, although Zhao Junchen did not express anything, his thoughts were much deeper than Bao Wenjie's.
"He Hengze, I remember he is a disciple of Ge Lao Shen Changmao... Now that Shen Changmao and Huang Yourong have formed an alliance, it stands to reason that they should support each other. But after Huo Zhengyuan heard these comments about He Hengze, he didn't say anything. It seems that the matter has nothing to do with me. Obviously, the alliance between Shen Changmao and Huang Yourong is not as close as I imagined... However, this is a good thing for me."
While thinking secretly, Zhao Junchen asked again: "Oh? The current magistrate of Huai'an is Lord He Hengze? It seems that I am not well informed. I originally thought that the current magistrate of Huai'an is Lord Liu Xin."
Guo Pu said with a smile: "Hey, Liu Xin has now committed corruption and has already been thrown into jail. How can he be considered an adult!"
Seeing that Guo Pu seemed to be gloating when he commented on Liu Xin's dismissal from office and being imprisoned, Zhao Junchen asked: "Oh? I remember Liu Xin has a good official reputation, how could she be guilty of corruption? Also, I think shopkeeper Guo is right I am very happy, but why?”
Guo Pu shook his head and said: "I find it a bit unbelievable to say that Liu Xin has committed corruption, because Liu Xin is different from Mr. He today. He is notoriously difficult to talk to. He never accepts gifts on weekdays. It is difficult to believe him. This kind of person can also commit corruption, but this case was adjudicated by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince himself, so how can it be false? I can only say that this person hides too deeply and is good at dressing up, and he is a huge hypocrite!"
After a pause, Guo Pu continued: "As for why I am happy, it's because Liu Xin is too difficult to talk to. He won't accept any money from him, let alone expect him to provide convenience and special care...when something happens , this Liu Xin is even more merciless, with a selfless and hypocritical look. In the past few years, the shop just paid a little less tax money, but Liu Xin was fined three times the money. Naturally, I don't like this. He... In fact, not only me, but also all the businessmen in Huai'an City, no one has a good word to say about him! On the contrary, some poor people will talk about Liu Xin's benefits from time to time..."
Obviously, the profit-seeking nature of businessmen makes their values different from ordinary people.
In the eyes of businessmen, an honest official who refuses to accept bribes may not necessarily be a good official, and a corrupt official who digs deep into the ground may not necessarily be a bad official.
Because, for businessmen, bribery is an investment that can lead to huge profits - although corrupt officials accept bribes, they will also give businessmen some conveniences and privileges, and then businessmen will naturally recoup the cost of the bribe several times; Although honest officials never accept bribes, businessmen lose convenience and privileges, and naturally earn less money.
Corruption and bribery have always been banned in ancient and modern times, both at home and abroad. To some extent, this is not just the fault of the officials themselves.
Now, listening to these comments from Guo Pu, it can be seen.
These views of Guo Pu naturally aroused Bao Wenjie's dissatisfaction again.
However, while Bao Wenjie was dissatisfied, he was also slightly worried - listening to Guo Pu's evaluation, the former Huai'an prefect Liu Xin did not look like a corrupt official. Could it be that the prince Zhu Heyu really judged the wrong case?
…
...(To be continued, please search Piaotian Literature, the novels will be better and updated faster!