Shao Tingcai, the new magistrate of Zhangde, is very young, only twenty-five years old this year. He has become a fifth-rank official at such a young age, so he naturally has a good background.
This man came from a famous family. His ancestors were from a prominent family in Yuyao County, Zhejiang. He studied under Huang Zongxi and was taught history and literature. Although Huang Zongxi is no longer an official in the court, he is still a scholar and his influence is still there.
They are both former ministers of the Lu Supervisory State, and they are also good friends with Wang Wan, a popular person next to the crown prince. Because of this relationship, it is not surprising that he is in the fifth rank of officialdom at a young age.
He came to the government office and met with the prefect.
Lin Shiyi, the prefect of Zhangde, is also a senior scholar and one of the "Nine Sons of Yitang". He is fifty-four years old, reserved and restrained. They are both famous scholars, so they naturally have a lot in common.
"Nian Lu (Shao Tingcai's name), you came from the south to the north, are you still used to your life?" Lin Shiyi asked with a smile.
"Isn't the old master also a southerner? You can get used to it, and even the lower officials can get used to it." Shao Tingcai's answer seemed plain, but in fact it was clever. He not only praised the other party as a master, but also deliberately created a common ground: everyone is from the south.
Subtly shortening the distance.
Well, this young man is so polite and has a bright future!
Lin Shiyi nodded with satisfaction. He is from Nanchang, Jiangxi, and indeed from the south.
"Nian Lu, I have coal mines in Changde Prefecture, and the mining tax income is higher than the land tax. You are also a scholar, so you can be in charge of mining affairs and education," he said lightly.
"Thank you, old master", Shao Tingcai bowed his hands and saluted.
With a strong background in the imperial court and the support of Shangguan, Shao Tingcai was very ambitious and planned to do something big. As a young talented man, he loved reading, especially novels. There were many plots of famous officials in the novel who paid private visits incognito. Others thought
Yes, of course I do too.
He summoned his trusted servant Shao Yi and said, "You go and get ready. Follow me and I will pay you a private visit incognito."
"What? A private visit incognito!" Shao Yi was a little confused, "Sir, you just arrived in Zhangde not long ago, and you need time to straighten out the relationship. How can you have time for a private visit incognito?"
"How can we govern without understanding the specific situation among the people? Since I am in charge of mining and education, I should go to the Hebi area in Tangyin County, which is the main production area of local coal mines," Shao Tingcai said.
"But sir, I estimate that your trip will take a month or two. What about the official business at hand?"
"It's okay. I'll write a letter and tell them that I can wait until I get back from Hebi to deal with official matters."
??
When it comes to Hebi, not many people know about it, but when it comes to Chaoge, the capital of the Yin and Shang Dynasties, everyone knows it. Chaoge City is located near Hebi. At that time, Wei Yigong, the 18th generation king of the Wei Kingdom, was fond of cranes.
Cranes are raised in the northwest of Chaoge and other places, so they are named after "cranes perching on the cliffs of Nanshan Mountain".
It is beautiful here, with clear mountains and blue sky, and the Qi River as clear and calm as jasper. However, the mining of coal mines has resulted in large pits, adding many flaws to this beautiful picture.
Shao Tingcai was dressed in a green shirt, and he looked like jade. He looked like a scholar out for fun; behind him, Shao Yi was dressed as a domestic slave.
The two of them walked to the mining area, and Shao Tingcai asked the local people about the local customs from time to time.
After walking for half a day, I felt hungry, so I found a restaurant at the intersection and had a big meal.
"Aren't you two locals?" A middle-aged man wearing a brown shirt and a goatee smiled and struck up a conversation with them.
"I am from Yuyao, Zhejiang Province, and I am here to visit. Are you a local?" Shao Tingcai replied politely. He was just trying to understand the sentiments of the people when he saw someone coming to chat, and he was happy to understand the sentiments of the people.
"I am not a local, but a person from Damingfu. I came here to do some coal business." Goat Beard rolled his eyes and said, "Yuyao is thousands of miles away from here, so your trip is quite far."<
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Shao Tingcai smiled and said, "It is better to travel thousands of miles than to read thousands of books. I want to walk more while I am young."
"That's right, since you want to play, there is a good place ahead."
"Oh, I would like to hear the details."
Goat Xu pointed to the path in front, "You can enter Nanshan from here, with green mountains and beautiful water. It is said that King Wen of Zhou once observed the Tai Chi diagram in the mountain. There are some villages dotted among them, like pieces of gold and jade, shining brightly, and there are
In many coal mines, the coal is not valuable in the mountains, but it is very expensive to transport it out."
Upon hearing that there were many coal mines inside, Shao Tingcai became interested, thanked Goat Beard, and took Shao Yi to the path.
Seeing them heading into the mountains, Goat Beard quickly ran into another shortcut.
??
Pointing out the scenery and singing ballads, Shao Tingcai and his servant walked into the mountain. They saw lofty mountains, lush forests and bamboos, and clear and rushing water, reflecting the surroundings. It was really beautiful!
While they were admiring the scenery in the mountains, seven or eight people holding swords and sticks suddenly surrounded the two of them.
"Who are you? What do you want to do?" Shao Tingcai asked, his voice trembling.
Mr. Wu laughed and said, "Someone sold you two to me for ten taels of silver. My mine is short of labor. Please follow me into the mine."
"Absurd! How dare you betray your loved ones? Aren't you afraid of the laws of the Ming Dynasty?"
"National law?"
Mr. Wu grinned and said, "Young master, you have read too much, right? In this place far away from the emperor, what kind of national laws are there?"
"Master, run!"
Shao Yi shouted violently, sacrificing his life to protect Shao Tingcai, but was knocked to the ground with a stick.
"I am the magistrate of Zhangde and I know Shao Tingcai. Could it be that you have taken advantage of others? How dare you rob the imperial official!" Shao Tingcai exclaimed.
"Pa!"
My face was burning with heat, and there was a whip mark.
Boss Wu held a leather whip and snorted coldly: "You are a co-intellect, and I am a co-knowledge of our ancestors!"
??
"My boss, I bought two dead men. They are both outsiders. They are a scholar and a servant who came here from Yuyao to play." After returning to the mine, Boss Wu reported to Zhao Bingyi, Li Xiang, and Chen Conghui.
"The person who wrote the book?"
Chen Conghui frowned, "How many times have I told you, just buy some hard laborers from other places with no foundation. How can a scholar touch it casually?"
"Brother, it doesn't matter who he is, it's the same when he goes down a well." Zhao Bingyi disagreed.
"My boss, there is another story about Zong Leshi: that man claims to be a fellow magistrate of Zhangde Prefecture," Boss Wu said cheerfully.
"We are both magistrates of Zhangde? What's your name?" Chen Conghui's heart froze.
"It seems to be called Shao Tingcai"
"Shao Tingcai!"
Chen Conghui was shocked when he heard this and cursed angrily: "What a disaster! You, the troublemaker, have brought great disaster to our mine. Recently, a new magistrate of Zhangde Prefecture in charge of mining affairs came to Fucheng. His name is Shao Tingcai!" ”
"Oh, dear brother, what should we do?" Li Xiang has no idea.
"What else can we do? We can only release him quickly, make amends to others, and ask for forgiveness from Shao Tongzhi." Chen Conghui sighed.
"No!"
Zhao Bingyi roared: "What we have done is a serious crime. If that person is really Tongzhi, once released, I will die without a burial place. It is better to just make the mistake and be imprisoned in the mine to work. No matter what, I, the King of Heaven, have nothing to do with me." In the mine, you will have to work like a cow for the rest of your life, until you die!"