Raising chickens and pigs and digging for wild vegetables, the county magistrate's promotion wa

Chapter 682 Bitter Resentment: Year after year, I embroider gold thread, only to make wedding gowns

Yang Shaofeng has been on guard against that old scoundrel Zhu Chongba lately.

The child case and the iron weapon case are considered two major cases.

Even now, the investigation has only scratched the surface; there are still a lot of issues to be addressed.

In particular, we will need to investigate Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hebei, Fujian, Guangdong and other places later.

In other words, I will be away from Ningyang County and Dengzhou Prefecture for a long time.

Judging from Zhu Chongba's consistent style, he might abduct people from Ningyang County and Dengzhou Prefecture at any time.

But to my utter surprise, despite all my precautions, I was unable to stop either Old Harden or Little Harden.

It's a bit easier with Old Deng; even if he kidnaps people, it's all done openly.

Xiao Deng, on the other hand, was cunning and treacherous. He first generously offered to send three hundred imperial examination graduates, and then he went on a tearful plea for help in his letter, saying that he was forced into a corner by Minister of Personnel Hong Yi. He claimed that if he didn't transfer some people from Dengzhou Prefecture and Ningyang County, Minister Hong might hang himself at the Meridian Gate.

Look, look, is this even human language?

The lack of officials and clerks was originally Hong Yi's responsibility. If he couldn't gather enough officials, he would deserve to hang himself in the Ministry of Personnel. What's the use of telling me?

Besides, you, a black sesame dumpling, have given me three hundred imperial examination graduates, but how many officials have you transferred from Dengzhou Prefecture and Ningyang County?

You don't even spare those young and strong men who can read!

Yang Shaofeng spat angrily and said, "He sent over three hundred Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), but he wants to draw nearly five hundred people from Ningyang and Dengzhou. I heard him making this plan clearly even in Ningyang County!"

As soon as Yang Shaofeng finished speaking, Jin'er and Yu'er burst out laughing.

Jin'er laughed as she said, "I just remembered something funny."

Yu'er chimed in, "I also thought of something funny."

Yang Shaofeng glared at Jin'er and Yu'er, then sighed and said, "I bitterly regret pressing gold thread year after year, only to make wedding gowns for others."

Jin'er and Yu'er laughed even harder.

My lord knows how to use poetry as a metaphor.

It wasn't until quite a while later that Jin'er managed to stop laughing and said, "Husband, don't be angry. It's alright that we were tricked by His Highness the Crown Prince this time. We can always find a way to get our revenge later."

Yang Shaofeng snorted coldly and said, "I would like to trick him back, but the key is that I have to go to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang area next, and even Fujian and Guangdong. It is uncertain whether I will be able to come back before the end of the year. Where would I have time to trick him?"

Eh?

Could it be that Zhu Biao dared to trick me with that black sesame glutinous rice ball because he knew exactly what was going on?

Just as Yang Shaofeng was pondering this in his mind, the head of the Imperial Son-in-Law's personal guards hurriedly came over, cupped his hands and bowed to Yang Shaofeng, saying, "Your Highness, several village heads and neighborhood chiefs from Ningyang request an audience."

Yang Shaofeng never expected that Liu Sanshier and several other village heads and wardens from Ningyang County would come to deliver something.

After bowing to Jin'er and Yu'er, Liu Thirty-Two, with a beaming smile, pointed to the wooden bucket he had brought and said, "Master, you're finally back! These are the cicada nymphs we caught tonight. You must try them."

Yang Shaofeng was slightly taken aback.

Cicada nymphs?

Yes.

I once went to catch cicada nymphs in the first year of the Hongwu reign.

As a result, in the second year of Hongwu, Liu Thirty-Two and his group sent many gifts.

Now, in the fifth year of the Hongwu reign, Liu Thirty-Two and his men actually sent it over again.

Seeing Yang Shaofeng's somewhat dazed appearance, Liu Thirty-Two immediately explained, "Last year and the year before, the magistrate was not in the county, and this thing is ugly, so we didn't know if the princess would like to eat it, so we didn't send it."

"We heard that the master is back, and we thought that he likes this kind of food, so we sent some over."

"Don't worry, sir. It was mostly those teenagers who went to touch it, so it didn't interfere with the work in the fields."

Yang Shaofeng's nose felt a little sore.

These troublemakers!

They may not remember the bad things done to them, but if they are treated well, they will remember it for a lifetime and then do everything in their power to repay them.

Yang Shaofeng gave a soft hum, first having someone bring stools and brew tea for Liu Sanshier and the others, then having someone take the wooden bucket containing cicada nymphs to the kitchen, before looking at Liu Sanshier and the others and asking, "Is everything alright at home?"

Liu Thirty-Two chuckled and replied, "Everything's fine, everything's fine."

"We have no shortage of food or drink now."

“Every household raises pigs, sheep, chickens and ducks.”

"The old master used to say that we could eat meat every few days and have a few new clothes made every year. Now our county is living that life."

“Even the young men and women in our county are more sought after than before, with matchmakers vying to propose marriage.”

"But..."

Liu Thirty-Two kept everyone in suspense, then said with a hint of pride, "The young men and women in our county are all literate, and they all like to be picky, which has infuriated several matchmakers."

Yang Shaofeng immediately became happy.

Although the data compiled by Chen Mo and his team shows that the lives of the people in Ningyang County have improved in the past two years, what is on paper is ultimately not as real as what one sees and hears with one's own eyes and ears.

As for Liu Sanshier saying that he angered several matchmakers?

Given Liu Thirty-Two's insatiable nature, he should just listen to this nonsense and not take it seriously.

Yang Shaofeng then looked at Liu Sanshier and asked, "What about the harvest from the fields?"

Liu Thirty-two said, "The harvest in the fields is alright. Although it has been relatively dry in the past two years, there are several lakes and reservoirs in the county, and it is adjacent to the Dawen River and Guang River, so there is not much water shortage. The crops in the fields have not been affected."

"Originally, some people thought that four lakes would be enough, but now it seems that the magistrate was right to have foresight."

After offering some compliments, Liu Thirty-Two smacked his lips and got down to business: "Sir, we heard that you're investigating a case, and a very troublesome one at that?"

Yang Shaofeng hummed in agreement, then looked at Liu Thirty-Two and asked, "Who told you that?"

Liu Thirty-Two chuckled.

"We heard it from the Emperor. He said that Your Excellency is investigating a very troublesome case, and you may have to go to the south to continue the investigation in a while."

"The men were thinking that since this case was so complicated, there might be some risks involved."

"Therefore, the younger ones called upon some of the young men from their own families."

"When the master goes to the south, take them with you. If you don't need them, that's fine. But if you do need them, at least you'll have someone to do things for you."