"My lord is here for the matter of Xu Ge Lao." Hai Rui looked at Zhang Fan with some puzzled eyes. Asked.

"Not bad." Zhang Fan also made no secret of it. directly said his intentions.

"So......" Harry pondered. Asked. "The elder was kidnapped a few days ago. It's also for adults. "When I said this. Hai Rui kept staring at Zhang Fan.

Zhang Fan had no intention of denying it. said bluntly: "It was the official who did it." It's just that this official is also forced to do so. The people sent by the sea lord are really difficult. The official was able to stop for a while. can't stop a lifetime. That's where the decision came in. Zhang Fan dares to say so now. also saw Hai Rui's personality. If you really cower and don't tell him the truth. Some of them will be difficult in the future.

"I heard that there is quite a gap between the Lord and Elder Xu Ge. Why is it so helpful? Hai Rui did not make any comment on Zhang Fan's words. Just asked.

"It's normal for political opinions to be inconsistent in the court." Zhang Fan said. "Besides, at that time, the official was just starting his career. and Xu Ge Lao is just a battle of will. There's really no gap that can't be opened. What's more, the elders of the pavilion are counted according to their generations. is also the mentor of the official's teacher. He has worked for the court all his life. Among them, Yan Song's party traitors were removed. It can be regarded as doing good deeds for the country and the people. Now that Zhishi has returned to his hometown, it is a good time to enjoy his old age in peace. Who knew that such a thing had happened. ”

Hai Rui listened to Zhang Fan's words. Think about it. He said, "I understand the thoughts of adults. It's just that the imperial decree was issued. The official should also handle it impartially. But there should be no surprises. "Finished. Hai Rui thought again.

Zhang Fan didn't bother him anymore. Instead, they waited for his reply. Drinking alone. Hai Rui is now willing to think about it, and said that there is still a turning point in this matter. If he really ignores Zhang Fan. I won't pretend to be like this. But I don't know if Hai Rui is looking at Zhang Fan's face this time. It's still for the sake of Xu Jie's efforts to save him.

Half a day. Hai Rui then raised his head again. said: "Hai Rui is the governor of Yingtian. He should do his best to follow the orders of the imperial court. But all this is for the benefit of the people. Moreover, this matter implicates the elders. Hai Rui opened the net this time. ”

"Great." Zhang Fan really didn't expect Hai Rui to agree to him so simply. Said with a smile.

"But don't be too happy, sir." Hai Rui said. Although Hai Rui can open up this matter. But I also need the cooperation of the elders. ”

"Lord Futai, please speak up." Zhang Fan said.

"It's easy to think about." Hai Rui said. "The official will issue an official document now. Let the matter of verifying the land in the name of the old family of the pavilion be postponed for a few days. However, please also ask the lord to let the elder Ge divide the fields in his family to those hired farmers. In this way. That's all it takes. ”

"This ......" Zhang Fan was a little embarrassed. Said. "Lord Futai. It's not Zhang Fan's hypocrisy. It's a bit of a tough thing to do. Zhang Fan also talked to Lord Futai before. It's not that the elder is unwilling. It's just that the hired farmers in his family won't want to. ”

"Alas. The official also saw that the elders of the cabinet were exempted from land rent for the hired peasants. That's when I agreed to open the net. Hai Rui said. Just one way or another. There are still a few things in the old house. None of the landed tycoons was not a great oppression of hired peasants. Moreover, although the personnel sent by the official have not begun to verify. Between the words, you can also know that the number of fields owned by the Ge family is not small. Besides, this time, the imperial court thoroughly investigated the powerful land, and the edict must have known what it was for. ”

Zhang Fan heard him say this. Isn't it? This time, the turmoil in Jiangnan to thoroughly investigate Haoqiang's occupation was caused by Gao Gong. And the high arch is mainly to deal with Xu Jie. If Hai Rui just let go of the Xu family this time. It was a small matter for him to be held accountable by Gao Gong. And the concern of those powerful people who have been robbed of their fields in Beijing will definitely make a fuss. At that time, it will be the common people who will be unlucky.

"This ...... I'll go back and talk to Ge Lao again. Zhang Fan said.

"Adults also keep in mind. This matter can't be suppressed for long. Hai Rui said. If it's been a long time. It will inevitably arouse the suspicion of the high arch. A few days ago, the imperial court's edict urging the official to handle the case was reversed. The official will give the adults a maximum of five days. ”

"That's the case. Zhang Fan is here to thank Lord Futai. Zhang Fan stood up. He bowed very respectfully to Hai Rui.

"Your lordship is high. How can you make such a big gift to the lower officials. Hai Rui hurriedly helped him up.

Zhang Fan sat down again. said: "Adults have been officials all their lives. For the benefit of the people. It's really admirable. ”

"We are people. The purpose of the court raising us is to make us the masters of the people. Hai Rui said as a matter of course. If it can't benefit the people. What kind of face do you have to wear that official uniform and black veil? ”

"That's what Lord Futai said." Zhang Fan said. "But the adults have not thought about it. Haida has been an official for decades. Every people in every place will benefit from you. But how many people have the adults benefited over the years? 10,000, 10,000, or 100,000. And my people are more than tens of millions. ”

"I don't understand what my lord means." Hai Rui sighed. Said. "I think about Taizu and Chengzu. The world is stable. The life of the people is also very good. But look at it now. Hai Rui is only afraid that once he is in a high position. Not only did it not make the world a better place. On the contrary, he let himself fall. ”

"Lord Futai's words are wrong." Zhang Fan said. "There are more good people than bad people in this world. It's the same even in officialdom. Adults must have also seen those "rites" between officials and officials. But how much helplessness and bitterness there is in this. ”

"These officials know everything." Hai Rui said. "But the official just can't get used to this."

"Now the teacher is preparing for reform. If this is done. It is a great blessing to say that it is in the world. Zhang Fan said. Why don't you help? ”

"The second assistant-sama is ready to change the law, but it can't be done." Hai Rui asked, somewhat surprised. After all, people who have always done things to change the law have never ended well. Shang Ying is like this, Wang Anshi is like this.

"It's an exaggeration to say that the law has changed." Zhang Fan said. "The mentor is not trying to challenge the ancestral system. It's just that I want to make the world a better place. ”

"The heart of the second assistant is good for the country, and Hai Rui admires it." Hai Rui said very sincerely. "But Hai Jui's officials for decades sat down. I'm afraid it's not suitable for that. This official is not young now. Although the body is still very tough. But he didn't have that grand wish. Jifu-sama's idea, Hai Rui agreed. But Hai Jui was also powerless. Today, Hai Jui just wants to do something practical for the people. These are sufficient. ”

Zhang Fan saw that he had made up his mind. And he said no more. Finished this rather heavy meal. Hai Rui sent Zhang Fan out of the door. also repeatedly reminded him that Xu Jie's matter was only five days.

Zhang Fan felt that five days was enough. I planned to meet Yangzhou again tomorrow. Who knew that something happened suddenly. So he had to rush back to Yangzhou overnight.

At dawn. Zhang Fan's carriage entered Yangzhou City. Drive directly to the gate of Zhangfu. Zhang Fan hurriedly jumped out of the car and walked in.

in the lobby. Xu Jie was sitting there drinking tea. It's just that there seems to be a lot of uneasiness between his expressions. I don't know if it's because I haven't slept all night or because I'm upset. The whole person looks a little older.

"Elder Ge. What the hell is going on. Zhang Fan asked. He really didn't know what would have happened to make Xu Jie, an old and serious person, look like this. Last night, he had just returned to Yingtian's hotel when he received the news. said that Xu Jie asked his uncle to send someone to tell him that there was something in Songjiang Mansion. Let him hurry back.

"You're back." Xu Jie saw Zhang Fan. The previous panicked look has improved. But still a little flustered. "Yesterday at noon. Tell me about your factory guards. My home was attacked by a group of people. Although it didn't hurt anyone. But my daughters-in-law and grandchildren were frightened. Especially my grandson, who is only a few months old. I was even more frightened when I heard that. Howled and cried all night. ”

"Don't panic." Zhang Fan hurriedly comforted for a while. Then he called the king violently. Ask what happened.

It turned out to be the night before. More than a dozen black-clothed people broke into Xu's house. The brocade spies guarding there saw that they were numerous. But he didn't show up. I don't know who the gang is. But he also went to Xu Jie. It's just that Xu Jie's kidnapping by Zhang Fan is not a secret. It has not been made public. The gang couldn't find Xu Jie's person anywhere. Even the Xu family can't find a man who can call the shots. Angry, he couldn't help but make a big move. It's like a scoundrel smashing for a while. It didn't hurt anyone, though. But it frightened a female child of the Xu family.

"Have you sent someone?" Zhang Fan asked.

"As soon as he learned of this, he sent people to protect the old family. and told the Xu family about the whereabouts of Ge Lao and his son. It's all right now. Wang Meng said.

"That's fine." Zhang Fan sighed. Then he asked, "Do you know who did this?" ”

"According to the report of the lowly subordinates. The gang didn't act like thieves robbing homes. And when they entered the Xu family, they began to look for the elder of the pavilion. Apparently with a purpose. Wang Meng said. What's more, they are also quite unscrupulous in their words and deeds. It's not good. But it's not bad either. It's not like a charlatan. This kind of person is not a retreating ruffian. It's a nursing home that a big family keeps privately. ”

"Could it be that there are still people who can't stand up to the old age." Zhang Fan muttered to himself.

"Your Excellency. It doesn't matter who sent these people. must have something to do with the elder of the pavilion. It seems that he also has a deep hatred with Ge Lao. Wang Meng said. They didn't hurt the old family this time, not out of good intentions. It's because he hurt the old man's family and can't take revenge on the old man. ”

Zhang Fan, who returned to the living room, was still thinking about it. was interrupted by Xu Jie.

"What the hell is going on?" Xu Jie asked with some concern.

"Elder Ge. Have you offended anyone else? Zhang Fan asked.

"What do you say?" Xu Jie was a little overwhelmed. I don't know what Zhang Fan means by this sentence.

Zhang Fan then relayed Wang Meng's words. Xu Jie listened. It's also a big frown.

"This ......," Xu Jie was a little unsure. The old man has been an official for decades. It must have offended a lot of people. But there is no one who would kill the old man cleanly like this. Yan Song's party has long since disappeared. There is no threat anymore. If so......"

"Gao ......" Zhang Fan also thought of this.

"Could it be that he doesn't just want to hit the old man on the surface. Even the old man's family will not let it go. Xu Jie said tremblingly. I don't know if I'm angry or scared.

"If it was really that man's doing. I'm afraid this matter will be troublesome. Zhang Fan said with a frown.