The first county magistrate in history

Chapter 248 You seem to be tricking me

Keep going.

Xia Bitu was in a poor mental state. Besides being worried about his adopted son Xia Jinzhong, he was also worried about this mission.

The imperial court refused to give him money or relief food, and he knew very well what kind of situation he would be in once he arrived in Guanxi, which was ruled by the King of the Western Border.

The old fox Xia Bitu has now run out of tricks.

Even a good cook cannot cook without rice!

During the lean period, there will not be much food anywhere, and Daqian is not a rich country with a strong people. Where can we get so much food?

He could force the local officials along the way to raise food, but it was easy to imagine where the food would come from.

If things go wrong, even though he has collected food, the places he passes through will become places where people are living in poverty and cannot get enough food, and they will have to rely on the court for relief.

At that time, if the empress found an opportunity to charge him with another crime, the consequences would still be serious.

Qin Zheng said he would help him, but he never told him how to do it.

However, some of his men were taken away with a group of special agents and there was no news of them since then.

I don't know what he was doing.

Moreover, Qin Zheng was very high-profile. His group marched with gongs and banners, as if they were afraid that others would not know that they were imperial envoys.

Xia Bitu was very surprised. Qin Zheng was an imperial envoy investigating a case, so he should have kept a low profile and conducted a secret visit.

When asked about it, Qin Zheng just smiled and did not answer.

Soon, Xia Bitu understood the purpose behind Qin Zheng's high-profile behavior.

Before nightfall, the group arrived at Jinyu City, the first big city after leaving the imperial capital.

Before reaching the city gate, I saw many officials lined up there.

Qin Zheng's eyes lit up: "Uncle! Don't you want to know what my method is? Look, the money is coming in immediately!"

"..."

groove!

At this moment, Xia Bitu finally understood how Qin Zheng made his money. It turned out to be this...

The officials were extremely enthusiastic and invited Xia Bitu into a specially arranged mansion to rest, just like he was treating his ancestors.

Of course, Qin Zheng will not be left behind.

But, Qin Zheng was just an escort.

The residence and hospitality standards given to him were not as good as those of Xia Bitu.

Qin Zheng didn't mind either.

Nor do I join in the feasting of Shabitu.

Seeing this, Xia Bitu could only smile bitterly.

Although he didn't want Qin Zheng to know that he had accepted bribes, he had to solve the food problem in Guanxi.

Although he is very wealthy, he doesn't dare to pay out of his own pocket. Wouldn't that expose himself?

Moreover, the renovation of the central city was also funded by his money.

However, he still felt uneasy about accepting bribes in front of Qin Zheng.

Moreover, there was no wall without ventilation, and Xia Bitu was also afraid that the Empress would use this as an accusation to punish him.

Knowing that he was going to provide relief to Guanxi, these officials were very attentive, not only giving him money but also preparing dozens of carts of grain. They also assured him that these were all private goods and not temporary extortion of the people's wealth.

Despite his hesitation, Xia Bitu finally accepted the bribe from the local officials.

Can't accept it!

When Qin Zheng and his team set out the next day, the team was a full mile longer.

Qin Zheng pretended not to see it.

Along the way, passing through counties and states, there were many officials who came to give gifts.

There were dozens of cars full of gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings.

Over a hundred carts of grain.

At this moment, Xia Bitu had to admit that Qin Zheng's move was indeed good.

This is a good way to make money, and the money you get is all from the gold and silver in the pockets of these officials.

It would be a waste if you don’t take it. There is no psychological burden at all.

Although these are not enough compared to the food crisis in Kansai, it is better than nothing!

However, Xia Bitu always felt that this was a trap set for him by the monkey cub.

Finally, after leaving another big city, Xia Bitu couldn't bear it anymore.

If he didn't say anything more, it looked like Qin Zheng was planning to have him accept bribes all the way to Guanxi.

"Qin Zheng, do you want to kill me, your uncle? You let me accept bribes so blatantly, but you are clean-handed!" Xia Bitu said with a stern face.

Qin Zheng smiled bitterly: "Uncle, I do want it, but they won't give it to me. How about I investigate a few officials who don't give me gifts, confiscate their property and behead them? Anyway, many of them are your people or people who flatter you!"

Xia Bitu was speechless.

Those who gave gifts were indeed coming for him. Who would give gifts to Qin Zheng?

Moreover, their mission was to solve the food crisis in Guanxi, and the officials they were investigating were those in Guanxi, not those in other places along the way.

What's more, with him as the prime minister, no one would pay attention to Qin Zheng, who has already become notorious.

Qin Zheng chuckled, "Uncle, the brave will die of overeating, while the timid will die of starvation. If you don't want them, will they stop being greedy? We let them exploit the people, and we use them for the people."

"That's true, but if the empress knew about this, she would definitely punish me, right?" Xia Bitu asked tentatively.

He firmly believed that Qin Zheng wanted to trick him.

When has that little monkey ever stopped trying to cheat people?

Qin Zheng laughed and said, "You saved money and food for the court. Why would the empress punish you? If she did, that would be a good thing!"

Xia Bitu was stunned: "Where does it come from?"

Qin Zheng: "Pulling out the radish brings out the mud, what's the good thing about it?"

Xia Bitu's expression changed.

Not really.

If we punish him for accepting bribes, those who offer bribes will definitely be held accountable as well!

The "good" Qin Zheng said was good for the empress.

Of course, the benefit to him was that it solved part of the relief needs.

Suddenly, Xia Bitu had an idea and came to his senses.

How could the empress not know that he was a corrupt official?

This time, no grain or relief money was allocated. Could it be that he was being allowed to solve the food crisis in Guanxi in this way? After all, the bribes he received were all illegally obtained by those corrupt officials.

It is indeed as Qin Zheng said, take from the people and use it for the people.

After figuring it out, Xia Bitu felt much more relaxed and happy: "In this way, I will feel at ease when I reach Guanxi."

Qin Zheng laughed: "Of course not!"

When Xia Bitu saw Qin Zheng's smile, he suddenly couldn't smile anymore.

He asked cautiously, "Monkey boy, although I don't know where the pit is, you must have dug it, right?"

Qin Zheng became serious. "How is that possible? You're short of money and food. Local officials have had no way to curry favor with you, the Prime Minister. Now that you've arrived, it's a rare opportunity for them. They're all eager to bribe you. Who would dare to plot against you?"

As for me, I'm helping you, how could I cheat you? If I don't do this, how will you provide relief? How many cities have we passed by now? Are we one step closer to providing relief? Do you have any other ideas?"

Xia Bitu thought about it and it made sense.

But, I still feel a little uneasy.

Suddenly, Xia Bitu glared at Qin Zheng with a bad look: "You little monkey, are you trying to trick me again?"

Qin Zheng looked confused and innocent: "What's wrong, uncle?"

Xia Bitu angrily said, "They bribed me, so you can use this as leverage to blackmail and control them. Right?"

Qin Zheng sneered: "Uncle, don't use your cruelty to measure my generosity."

Xia Bitu: “…”

Qin Zheng: "If I wanted to threaten them, I wouldn't have gone through so much trouble. Do you think they're worthy of being threatened? Besides, some of them, after giving you, secretly gave me some benefits. Although it's not much, we are now two grasshoppers on the same rope. You can't escape, and neither can I."

Xia Bitu scratched his head: "Yeah! But, if you don't trick me, how can I not believe it?"

Qin Zheng was speechless: "Do you like being tricked by me? I'm not going to trick you, but you don't believe it!"

Xia Bitu stared at Qin Zheng, still not believing it.

Qin Zheng was helpless: "How about we stop accepting bribes immediately?"

Xia Bitu shook his head vigorously: "That won't work. If we don't accept bribes, how can we solve the food crisis in Guanxi?"

Qin Zheng was at a loss for words: "You've already explained everything, what do you think we should do?"

Xia Bitu's eyes rolled. "Before, I was the one who took the lead. From now on, you will take the lead and I will be your deputy. I will deal with anyone who dares not bribe you. If there are any sanctions, you will be the first to bear the brunt! Hehehe... This will make me feel at ease!"

"You old fox, whatever you want!" Qin Zheng was speechless, with a look of helplessness on his face.

Xia Bitu was completely relieved when he saw that Qin Zheng agreed.

I must have guessed it right.

This guy finally wanted to trick him.

Because, no matter what his purpose was, it is a fact that those officials bribed him and he accepted bribes.

The empress can choose not to care, but she can also settle the score later.

However, Qin Zheng also participated, and this guy must have a way to protect himself, so he will be fine.

Both of them accepted bribes. It is impossible for the empress to deal with only him and not Qin Zheng, right?

It doesn’t make sense!

Xia Bitu was happy and finally dragged Qin Zheng into the water.