Hu Sizheng's face changed slightly, and then he replied: "Wang Tingshi, but there are dozens of officials in the hall today, I'm afraid it's not good to set up a banquet like last time." ”

Wang Shichong smiled and shook his head: "Hu Si Changshi, you misunderstood what I meant, if you want to talk to each other in private, it's not just a way to invite guests to dinner." I would like to go to the side hall first, and then Hu Si Changshi will introduce the officials to me one by one. ”

When Wang Shichong said this, he glanced at Chen Ling and said with a smile: "General Chen, I'm really sorry, today I want to get to know the civil officials in the state first, and tomorrow I will make a special trip to the Hussar General's Mansion to meet the military attachés." ”

A trace of disappointment flashed on Chen Ling's face, and then he smiled instead, and said, "Obey the orders of Lord Shi, and the last general will retire first." After he finished speaking, he walked to the hall and left with more than a dozen military attachés.

Wang Shichong stood up and said with a smile to Hu Sizheng: "Hu Si Changshi, today is a personal relationship, there is no need to be so formal in the court, the environment of the lakeside building where we ate last time is very good, let's go there today, how about it?" ”

Hu Sizheng's beard fluttered slightly with the wind, but there was no expression on his face, and he said, "Do what Lord Shi wants." ”

Wang Shichong made a gesture of invitation and smiled slightly: "Then please trouble Hu Si Changshi to lead the way." ”

Hu Sizheng turned his head to look at the officials and subordinates who were stammering their ears in the hall, all with suspicious faces, and said, "Cangcao joins the army Wang Yiping, come with us." ”

An officer with a medium head, fair complexion, about forty years old, wearing a light green official uniform from the seventh grade, came out of the voice. Eyes rolling. Said cautiously: "The next official is Cangcao joining the army Wang Yiping." I've seen Lord Thorn History, Lord Changshi. ”

An indescribable look flashed in Hu Sizheng's eyes, and he sighed softly and said, "The king joins the army, come with us." After speaking, he walked in front and bypassed the screen, and Wang Shichong looked at Wang Yiping and nodded. He also followed with his head held high.

Wang Yiping wiped the sweat that kept oozing from his face, and followed step by step, and soon the figure disappeared behind the screen, leaving only the dozens of officials in the hall still talking to each other there, guessing which one Lord Assassin was going to play.

When Wang Shichong walked all the way to the small building by the lake, Wei Zhenghe, who was dressed in cloth, and Shan Xiongxin, who was dressed as a scribe in Tsing Yi, were already guarding here, while Zhang Jincheng was sitting in a dress of a thousand cow guards, carrying a thousand cattle knife, standing majestically on the edge of a box. As soon as they saw Wang Shichong and the others entering, the three of them got up and saluted in unison.

Hu Sizheng entered the house. Seeing the three people, he smiled slightly: "The three of you have worked hard." ”

He turned his head to Wang Shichong. said with a smile: "Wang Tingshi, it seems that you have already made arrangements, you only had a meal here yesterday, and you are so familiar with this state government, it really makes the lower officials ashamed." ”

Wang Shichong smiled: "Anyway, a few of them have nothing to do in that lobby, so it's better to decorate this place as soon as possible to save time, right?" ”

Wang Shichong sat on a chair in the room by himself as he spoke, pointed to a chair on the side, and smiled at Hu Sizheng: "Hu Si Changshi, please take a seat." ”

Hu Si's political face did not change, and he lifted the front of his official robe and sat down. Only Wang Yiping was left standing in the hall with his head bowed.

Hu Sizheng said to Wang Shichong: "Wang Tingshi, this is Wang Yiping, the Cangcao of Benzhou, who is in charge of the management of the warehouse. ”

Wang Shichong nodded, a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth, his face suddenly sank, and he said sharply: "Wang Yiping, are you guilty?!"

Wang Yiping trembled, then reluctantly squeezed out a smile, and said, "Wang Tingshi, are you joking with the lower officials?" ”

Wang Shichong grimaced and said coldly: "Wang Yiping, do you think I'm joking with you?" ”

Wang Yiping's face changed greatly, and large beads of sweat suddenly appeared on his forehead: "Wang Tingshi, Xia Guan has been serving as Cangcao in the army for six or seven years here, he has always been diligent in his work, and there has never been a problem in the assessment, what is the crime?" ”

Wang Shichong snorted heavily, turned his head to look at Wei Zheng beside him, Wei Zheng understood, took out an account book from the box behind Zhang Jincheng, and handed it to Wang Shichong, Wang Yiping saw the account book from a distance, and immediately turned pale, and his legs and stomach began to tremble constantly.

Wang Shichong glanced at Wang Yiping from the corner of his eyes, his expression changed all in his eyes, Wang Shichong turned his head to look at Hu Sizheng, and said: "Lord Hu Si, this Wang Yiping has always had his own private account book in the past four or five years, and the money and grain collected by the counties below are beyond the scope of the amount of collection stipulated by the imperial court, and he will use this account book to make accounts, and he will be greedy for some ink, and then distribute some to other colleagues, and the rest will be reported to the warehouse." ”

Wang Shichong handed the account book to Hu Sizheng and said: "This is the account book that Wang Yiping recorded privately, and he will get more than 200 stones from it every year in the past four or five years." Lord Husi, please take a look. ”

Hu Sizheng's face changed slightly, he took the account book, flipped it up, and after reading four or five pages, he closed the account book, threw it heavily at Wang Yiping's feet, and shouted: "Wang Yiping, you are so bold, you have actually kept me in the dark in the past few years!"

Since Wang Yiping stole the account book on his own bookcase a few days ago, he was so anxious that he didn't think about tea and dinner, and he was restless day and night.

When Wang Yiping saw Wang Shichong take out the account book just now, his mind was blank like five thunderbolts, and Hu Sizheng's shout suddenly pulled him back to reality.

Wang Yiping sweated like pulp, fell to his knees with a "plop", cried with a sad face, and said: "Wang Thorn Shi is above, and the lower officials are guilty." I also hope that Lord Assassin Shi will see that there is a high-ranking old mother and a three-year-old child in Xiaguan, and the family will rely on Xiaguan to eat. ”

Wang Shichong suddenly changed his smile and said, "Wang Yiping, I said that today is just a private chat, not a business, what are you so afraid of?" ”

Wang Yiping was stunned for a moment, with a confused face, and looked at Wang Shichong with a blank face. Said: "Wang Thorn History." Lower officials. Xia Guan really doesn't understand what you mean. ”

Wang Shichong sighed and said: "Wang joined the army, your family is also a famous family in this Yingzhou area, I know that your Wang family has a hundred hectares of fertile land here, in addition to this Yingzhou City, six of the following eight counties have your family's industry, silk shops, porcelain shops, and bronze shops add up to seven or eight, and your Gaotang old mother died three years ago." There were eight wives and concubines, and six sons, but none of them were three years old. Am I right? ”

When Wang Shichong said this, Wang Yiping was so shocked that his mouth couldn't close together, he now knew that Wang Shichong was powerful, not only this account book, but also the details of his own family, and he didn't dare to leave anything to chance in his heart, gritted his teeth, and said: "Since Wang Tingshi has already figured out the details of the lower officials. How are you going to send the officer? ”

Wang Shichong smiled and glanced at Wei Zheng. Wei Zheng comprehended, took out a brazier that had been prepared a long time ago, lit a fire, and when Wang Yiping and Hu Sizheng were still at a loss, they picked up the account book in front of Wang Yiping and threw it directly into the brazier.

Hu Sizheng hurriedly said: "Wang Tingshi, this is the evidence of this person's crime, why did you destroy it like this?" If there is no evidence, how to report to the court and deal with this person? ”

Wang Shichong shook his head: "Did I say that I was going to deal with Wang Yiping?" ”

Wang Yiping smiled all of a sudden, and bowed to Wang Shichong and thanked him: "Wang Tingshi, you are Xiaguan's reborn parents, and Xiaguan will not dare to forget your kindness in this life." ”

Hu Sizheng said angrily: "Wang Yiping, don't think that this time Wang Tingshi let you go, you can escape this catastrophe, our business is not over, you have hidden it from me for so many years, I will report your guards to the Ministry of Self-theft." ”

Wang Shichong stood up and smiled at Hu Sizheng: "Lord Changshi, there is no need to be like this, I think Wang Yiping has done a good job, he has done a good job, he has not caused anything for so many years, and the imperial court's assessment of our Yingzhou is also very good, why bother to break this matter?" ”

Hu Sizheng's face changed, he also stood up, and said in a deep voice: "What does Wang Tingshi mean?" Are you going to shelter this guy who is a self-thief and greedy for the country's taxes? ”

Wang Shichong nodded: "Hu Si Changshi, under your rule over the years, the wind and rain in this Yingzhou have been smooth, and the people are also rich in food and clothing, and the taxes collected exceed the country's quota. In fact, we can keep some of it, or send it to state and county officials as subsidies, so that everyone can have motivation to do things, what do you say? ”

Hu Sizheng replied coldly: "The lower officials really dare not agree with the statement of the king's assassination, as an official of the imperial court, we should be diligent in the affairs of the king, the imperial court has already given us enough money, how can we be greedy for the taxes paid by Mo again?" ”

Wang Shichong shook his head and said: "We just take out a small part of the quota given by the imperial court, Lord Husi, whether it is an official or a people, all living beings, bustling, all for profit, bustling and bustling, all for profit, if they are all for others, there is no benefit to themselves, who will have the motivation to do things?" If you don't let people like Wang join the army to make a profit, they are afraid that they will turn to exploit the people. ”

When Wang Shichong said this, he turned his head to look at Wang Yiping, who was kneeling on the ground and was stunned for a moment, with a strange smile on his face: "Wang joins the army, you say yes." ”

Hu Sizheng snorted coldly, sat back in his chair, and said angrily: "Wang Thorn History, you are Thorn History, you have the final say!" However, the subordinate officials still retain their own opinions, if you want to distribute any benefits, please exclude the subordinate officials, and the subordinate officials should ignore this matter. ”

Wang Shichong smiled "hehe": "Just like Hu Si Changshi's ignorance of Wang joining the army in the past few years, don't you know this?" ”

Hu Sizheng suddenly changed color, and stood up suddenly, the long beard under his chin fluttered slightly with the lake breeze blowing in from the window, and there was a bit of anger in his voice: "Wang Tingshi, please speak with evidence!" Do you have any evidence to prove that the lower officials colluded with this Wang Yiping? ”

Wang Shichong smiled and waved his hand: "Hu Si Changshi, please don't get me wrong, I didn't say that you colluded with this king to join the army, but I just said that you actually know his every move, but you never break it." Isn't it? ”

Hu Sizheng sighed, and the light in his eyes became dim: "Wang Tingshi really came prepared, and he can't hide anything from you." ”

Wang Shichong glanced at Wang Yiping, who was still on the ground, and smiled: "You two are like this singing and harmonizing, white face and red face. You don't have to use it on Wang! Hu Si's long history is well-known for his diligence in Yingzhou. Even the taxes and rice grains paid by each of the following counties had to be verified on the spot. How could Wang not know about these operations over the years when he joined the army? ”

Wang Yiping hurriedly said: "Wang Tingshi, don't misunderstand Hu Si Changshi, he really didn't have the benefit of receiving a penny from us." ”

Wang Shichong said to Wang Yiping: "Wang joined the army, I didn't say that Hu Si Changshi accepted your money, I just said that he knew about your actions, but he turned a blind eye. Hu Si Changshi, do you want to deny it? ”

Hu Sizheng replied coldly: "Since Wang Tingshi already knows, why do you bother to ask again? Are you going to report to the police for a crime of dereliction of duty? ”

Wang Shichong laughed. helped Wang Yiping on the ground to his feet and said, "Hu Si Changshi, I don't even plan to embarrass Wang to join the army, how can I not get along with you?" In fact, you also know very well the way of being an official, if you don't let the people below have benefits, they can't work hard, and in the end, you can't talk about your political achievements here, right? ”

Hu Sizheng said lightly: "Hu Sizheng has nothing to ask for fame, and he never pays attention to his political achievements or not, which Wang Tingshi should understand." ”

Wang Shichong glanced at Wang Yiping. Said: "Wang joins the army, you can go." Ask Fa Cao to join the army and Lu Mingliang to come over. ”

Wang Yiping glanced at Hu Sizheng and said, "Hu Si Changshi, Wang Tingshi is for the good of all of us, so don't have a hard top with him." ”

Hu Sizheng said coldly: "Wang Yiping, you are you, I am me, don't put you and me together!" As an official of the imperial court, Hu Sizheng has his own sense of what to do, and he doesn't need you to remind him. You better go and call Lu Mingliang over. ”

Wang Yiping sighed, no longer persuaded more, bowed his head and exited the room, Wang Shichong glanced at Zhang Jincheng, Zhang Jin understood it, and followed Wang Yiping out of Xiaozhu's room together, guarding the entrance of the cloister on the shore dozens of steps away.

After Wang Shichong waited for Wang Yiping to walk away, he turned to Hu Sizheng and said, "Hu Si Changshi, there are no outsiders now, we can talk about it well." In fact, you should know very well that these officials in Yingzhou and the county commanders of the counties below, I have all the situation and handles here, you are right, I just came prepared. ”

Hu Sizheng's face was still expressionless: "Wang Tingshi wants to say that Xiaguan, as the boss of these people, has been derelict in his duties for many years and has turned a blind eye to these people's adulterous behavior, right?" ”

Wang Shichong shook his head: "Hu Si Changshi, you know that I didn't mean that, you actually know very well what they do, but you never try to break it." But if someone really goes too far, just like Fa Cao joined the army two years ago Wu Xuanji, who took black money and killed people in prison, you will still report such a traitor, right? ”

Hu Sizheng smiled slightly: "That's because his surname Wu went too far and killed people, if you don't deal with such a person, you will lose the support of the people, and even provoke a civil uprising." ”

Wang Shichong nodded thankfully: "So this is your style of doing things in the long history of Hu Si, as long as the following is not overly angry, you can turn a blind eye to some of their behaviors, but if you really go too far, cause people to kill or affect the right thing, you will not tolerate it, right?" ”

Hu Sizheng's eyes were shining, and his mind was spinning rapidly, thinking about what this smiling Wang Shichong wanted to do in front of him.

Seeing Hu Sizheng like this, Wang Shichong knew that he had not let go of the doubts in his heart, sighed, and said: "Hu Si Changshi, you don't need to doubt Wang's sincerity, I can even let Wang Yiping go, I just want to have a good relationship with the officials of Yingzhou, how can I harm you, the Dinghai Shenzhu of Yingzhou?" ”

Hu Sizheng shook his head: "Wang Tingshi is really a smart person, the lower officials can't figure out what you really think, what do you want the lower officials to do, please tell me." ”

Wang Shichong said with a smile: "Hu Si Changshi, in fact, Wang only wants you to be the same, but it is the same as before, that is, the officials below have made all the advantages hidden and secretly taken advantage of them public, and the benefits have been taken out and shared by everyone, what do you think?" ”

Hu Sizheng said in a deep voice: "Wang Tingshi, are you doing this too much, after all, these things are a violation of the law of the country, if the imperial court sends the imperial history to investigate the states and counties, you and I will lose our official positions at the lightest, and be imprisoned for the crime, this matter is too risky, please forgive the officials for not being able to obey their orders." ”

Wang Shichong waved his hand and said, "Hu Si Changshi, you can rest assured of this. From Wang's investigation of the officials in Yingzhou in advance. You should be able to see Wang's intelligence ability. In the future, Wang will stay in Yingzhou for several years, and he will also install his own eyes and ears here, as long as people outside enter this Yingzhou, I will be clear, so you don't have to worry about this matter being exposed to the court. ”

Hu Sizheng stared at Wang Shichong's eyes tightly, and said with a straight face: "Wang Tingshi, Xia Guan has never understood why this small Yingzhou can attract so many immortals. First Xiao Miao, then Chen Ling, then Li Jing, and now it's your turn to assassinate the king, isn't it because Brother Wang also has a crush on this territory? ”

Wang Shichong's heart moved, but there was still a smile on his face: "Hu Si Changshi, it seems that you really know everything, can you point out Wang Mou or two?" ”

Hu Sizheng's eyes were blazing: "Wang Tingshi, although the lower officials have always turned a blind eye in Yingzhou, after all, there is still one eye that has always been open!" You're right. In fact, the lower officials know every move here, and you must know what Xiao Miao, Chen Ling, and Li Jing are here to do. Could it be that Wang Tingshi also wants to do the same thing as Xiao Miao? ”

Wang Shichong knew that Hu Sizheng had begun to talk to him about the substantive issues, and he was secretly happy in his heart, his face was still impassive, and he said: "Hu Si Changshi, why can you go to report a law cao who cares about people's lives to join the army, but ignore Xiao Miao's rebellious move?" Does that fit your style? ”

Hu Sizheng's tone was gentle, but there was a hint of neither humility nor arrogance: "Wang Tingshi, there is a lot of power behind Xiao Miao, you must also know." I am a small governor Shi, I have no soldiers and no power, and it is impossible to catch the real evidence of Xiao Miao's plot, how can I bring him to justice? ”

Wang Shichong laughed, and after laughing, he looked directly at Hu Sizheng, his eyes were like torches: "Hu Si Changshi, can you make excuses like this in front of Wang?" Since you can transfer manpower to Li Jing and let him crack Xiao Miao's stronghold as a foreigner, how can you say that you can't do this? Not wanting to offend Queen Xiao is the main reason why you pretend to be deaf and dumb. ”

Hu Sizheng smiled slightly: "Wang Tingshi, this Queen Xiao is what you said, but I didn't say it, just now, I didn't hear anything." ”

Wang Shichong shook his head: "Brother Husi, why do you want to play dumb riddles with me here?" It's all said that Cheng dù, and it's no fun to think about protecting oneself again! Wang wanted to make friends with you sincerely, so he opened up so many secrets and said, why did Brother Hu Si refuse me thousands of miles away. ”

Hu Sizheng said: "Wang Tingshi, you are all people who do great things, and Hu Si just wants to spend time here in peace." I won't get in the way of your big business, as long as you don't go too far and don't get me involved. It's just that Hu Sizheng reminded Wang Tingshi that this is Xiao Liang's sphere of influence, and it is difficult for outsiders to get involved here, and the difficulty of operating here may exceed Wang Tingshi's imagination, so it's better for you to stop as soon as possible. ”

Wang Shichong smiled: "Where does Brother Hu Si want to go, I'm not Xiao Miao, I'm not interested in restoring his Xiao Liang's homeland, I just want to be this assassin here in peace, but I don't want some remnants of the previous dynasty or people with bad intentions here in Yingzhou to gain a foothold here, and when the time comes, Brother Hu Si and I will be involved." ”

A trace of confusion flashed on Hu Sizheng's face: "Didn't Wang Tingshi really come here to establish his own power?" In that case, what are you going to do here to buy people's hearts and ears all over the world? ”

Wang Shichong smiled and shook his head: "Brother Hu Si just said, this is Xiao Liang's sphere of influence, people have been operating here for dozens or hundreds of years, how can I, an outsider, take over people's inheritance?" It's been 20 years since the Great Sui destroyed the Liang, and Xiao Milling has come, and it won't take three or four years to make a splash here? This is the influence of others here, and it is not something that I, Wang Shichong, can control in the short term. ”

"Chen Ling wants to recruit those tenants in Lujiang to make them his own personal soldiers and take root here, although Brother Hu Si has opened the door for him, but after all, the number of people is limited, and it also costs a lot of money to settle down."

"Although Chen Ling can squeeze out some money by eating empty salaries and embezzling military salaries, after all, it is a drop in the bucket, and after two years, he has only recruited more than 100 people, which is far from being comparable to Xiao Mo's forces, Brother Husi, I'm right." (To be continued......)