Looking at the acres of mulberry forests that stretch to the distant hills, the lakes and streams are dotted in the meantime, the fields are peach and willow green, and a spring scenery should make people feel refreshed and happy.

However, Zhao Xiao didn't bother to enjoy the landscape at all, just looked at the manor account books with an expressionless face.

"Hehehe, it's quite manageable. There are three or four hundred slaves alone, more than 1,000 tenants, in addition to tenant rent, tea, fruit, bamboo, wood, medicine, wine, sauce and vinegar, cattle, pigs, chickens, dogs, lakes and ponds and aquatic products are all available, not to mention self-sufficiency, but can also be sent to the capital to sell for profit...... Oh? In addition, there are dozens of silkworm concubines who specialize in silk weaving. ”

Zhao Xiao sat outside the gate of the warehouse like a fortress, his cheeks swollen and his back hunched and he didn't dare to look up, and hundreds of slaves and tenants stood in the open space in the distance, no one spoke.

"Such a big Zhuangzi, can you manage it alone?" Zhao Xiao tossed the thick account book aside.

"There are a few other people who are in charge of the grange for Hou Ye elsewhere." Zhuang Tou replied in fear: "I have already asked people to call them over." ”

"It's not a small area." Zhao Xiao responded casually, and picked up another book, which remembered all kinds of lending and leasing matters, and attached a thick stack of loan notes.

The more Zhao Xiao looked at it, the more annoyed he became, and said, "Let me ask you, who was the original owner of this grange?" ”

"Yes...... Hatoe Zheng. Zhuang Tou bowed and replied.

Zhao Xiao frowned at first, but then he figured it out again: "I see, you are taking the initiative to contribute?" Who told you to do this? Are you planning to frame me? ”

Zhuang Tou hurriedly knelt on the ground and bowed: "The villain doesn't dare!" ”

"Don't dare?" Zhao Xiao sneered and rummaged through the account books, and suddenly came up with a plan: "Since you said that this grange is my property, then I can dispose of it at will?" ”

"Master Hou has orders, and the villain doesn't dare to slack off." Zhuang replied.

"Bring a brazier." Zhao Xiao picked up the pile of loan notes: "Let him come forward if he calls his name." ”

"What is Master Hou going to do?" Zhuang Tou's tone was flustered, but he was glared at by Zhao Xiao, and immediately lowered his head: "Hou Ye is going to cultivate immortals and learn the Tao, and the villain is only afraid that the grange will pollute Hou Ye's immortal true qi." ”

"You know that?" Zhao Xiao sneered twice, and slapped his palm with the loan slip: "I don't think you plan to ask for this face." ”

After saying this, Zhao Xiao raised his eyes and motioned to He Dangguan. The other party stepped forward, grabbed the Zhuang head, slapped it back and forth, snapped and crisp, and stunned the Zhuang head in two strokes, spitting blood.

"Deacon, this guy passed out." He Dangguan held the collar of Zhuangtou and asked, "Do you want to pour some cold water on him?" ”

"Throw him away." Zhao Huang got up and came to the group of slaves and tenants, shook the IOU and said, "I just saw that many of you owe money and cloth to the grange. Since I am now the owner of the grange, then I will be the master again, and you will not have to repay the debts you have borrowed in the past. ”

After saying that, Zhao Xiao's hand shook, his fingertips caught fire, and the pile of IOUs was burned to ashes and scattered with the wind.

"Thank you for your great grace!" A group of slaves and tenants bowed down one after another, and many of them wept with gratitude.

At this time, there was the sound of horses' hooves, more than ten horses in the distance, all of them were high-headed horses, and the Marquis of Anyang saw Zhao Huang and hurriedly got off the horse.

"Nephew, why are you here?" Anyang Hou forced a smile.

"I happened to be inspecting the watermill when I came across this group of grange tenants." Zhao Xiao smiled and said: "They said that the waterwheel robbed me of my livelihood of tamping talismans, I don't know why, but after questioning, I learned that there is such a big industry under my name." ”

An Yanghou was a little ashamed, and said with a wry smile: "This ...... Oops, it's all because Uncle Shi didn't tell you clearly. Originally, this grange was the foundation I prepared for you when you got married in the future. ”

"Marriage?" Zhao Xiao's cheeks twitched: "Uncle Shi said with a smile, I am a person who cultivates immortals, where do I want to get married?" ”

Anyang Hou obviously didn't want to talk about this matter in front of people, and hurriedly said: "Nephew, we'll talk about this later." These people are ignorant and don't know your intentions, and I think they are being bewitched by others and deliberately disturbing in order to keep their livelihoods. Rest assured, I'll send another reliable person to take care of the Grange. ”

"Uncle Shi, you took this grange from the Zheng clan of Hatojiang, right?" Zhao Xiao held his chin in his hand and made a reflection: "In my impression, the donation of land should be played to the imperial court, and it can only be transferred if it is approved." Uncle Shi thought about it and put a lot of thought into it. ”

Anyang Hou heard the displeasure in Zhao Xiao's words, his expression was slightly serious, he waved his hand to let his subordinates drive the tenants away, and said in a low voice: "Your nephew, you are honored as the Marquis of Zhenming, and you are exempted from taxes and forced labor. These grange tenants want to avoid forced labor, and several village leaders also have their own livelihood plans, and the Zheng family of Jiujiang is defeated, and they must find another refuge. ”

Zhao Xiao raised his eyebrows and laughed, he really admired Anyang Hou's random change of face kung fu more and more, this kind of means of seizing production and self-fattening, he could still say it so high-sounding, as if he was thinking about Zhao Huang wholeheartedly.

But after thinking about it, maybe Anyang Hou really sees himself like this. Since the uncle and nephew teamed up to bring down the Zheng family of Hatojiang and swallow all their land and family business, isn't it a matter of course?

Zhao Xiao really didn't have the strength to argue, because he couldn't find the "mistake". Obviously, people have good intentions for themselves, does Zhao Xiao really want to go his own way for that little bit of kindness?

What's more, in the watermill incident, Zhao Xiao found that his good thoughts were implemented, and the benefits and disadvantages were still unpredictable.

"Uncle Shi, please explain these things to me in advance in the future." Zhao Xiao had no choice but to suppress the displeasure in his heart: "Otherwise, I will be at a loss for my nephew, and it will be difficult to deal with any accidents." ”

"Yes, yes, this time Uncle Shi is confused." Anyang Hou was relieved.

"Also, these tenant slaves have not made mistakes, and Uncle Shi should not punish them." Zhao Xiao added: "Since this grange is under my name, it is up to me to decide what to do with it in the future. I'll arrange the manpower. ”

Anyang Hou said: "The nephew cultivates immortals and learns Taoism and alchemy on weekdays, so why should he care about these trivial affairs? ”

"If you have secular interests, you will take care of secular affairs. Don't seek vulgar profits, natural refinement. Zhao Xiao said solemnly.

As soon as these words came out, Zhao Xiao had an epiphany, and Zhao Mi was cheerful and relaxed, and all kinds of troubles were relieved.

"Since this grange is in my name, I will enjoy its benefits, and I have no reason to let it go?" Zhao Huang asked: "If the profits from the operation of this grange do not belong to me, then why should I dedicate it?" If Uncle Shi wants to take it for himself, I will offer it. ”

Anyang Hou was stunned for a while, so he had to say: "Uncle Shi, I just want to help you take care of it, so that you won't be able to gain a foothold in Dongsheng in the future." ”

"That's it, that's it." Zhao Xiao took a deep breath, and then left with his hands in his hands.

"Where is my nephew going?" An Yanghou asked.

"I'm going to breathe, you don't have to come along." Zhao Huang asked He Dangguan and the others to leave.

……

The pace was light, Zhao Xiao walked along the fields, all the way to the mountains and forests, soothing his body and mind, and spitting and accepting attracted the surrounding qi to ripple.

"Looks like you've finally figured it out?" Lingxiao asked.

Zhao Xiao let his steps go freely: "I vaguely know why the immortal family finally chose to donate to the world. The world is complicated, the interests are mixed, and it is difficult to solve the blessings and misfortunes involved, and it is difficult to solve the burden. ”

"You do understand a lot when you say that." Lingxiao said again: "Chitose is disgusted with the world, go to the immortals." This kind of mediocrity is not enough to be nostalgic, and it has soared into the avenue of immortal evidence. ”

"Lingxiao Shangxian, I know what the immortal family wants, but it doesn't mean that I agree with this principle." Zhao Xiao sighed: "If we talk about blessings and misfortunes, what did those men and women who became slaves and tenants do wrong? Not only do they get little for their hard work, but they are even subjected to all kinds of abuses and deprivations.

After this experience, I can understand that in the past, I was always greedy for the fulfillment of merit and deeds, and I always wanted to achieve it overnight. As everyone knows, because of the chaos of the world and the mixed interests and interests, we should be down-to-earth and brave the wind and rain. Since I am not enough to save the world, then save the people in front of me and solve the difficulties in front of me. ”

This is also why Zhao Xiao chose to burn the Grange IOU, he knows that he alone cannot reverse the current situation of Huaxu State's continuous annexation. But he didn't need to be world-weary, and he shouldn't be delusional that a single plan could turn the tide of the day.

Instead of indulging in the beautiful fantasy of grand vision, it is better to focus on the hardships and difficulties in front of you, to be able to do a little is a little, and to save a person is a person.

For Zhao Xiao, burning the Grange IOU was just a gesture, but for those tenants and slaves, it was an urgent relief.

Ling Xiao was silent for a long time before finally speaking: "Mortal life and death are like a passing cloud, so there is nothing to worry about. You are obsessed with vulgarity, and you are really stupid! ”

Hearing Lingxiao's anger, Zhao Xiao asked a few words in his mind, but the other party did not respond, obviously very dissatisfied with his attitude.

Zhao Xiao knew that his thoughts might be because of the deep influence of Zanli's official family studies, or because of the words and deeds of his teacher Zhang Duanjing, in short, it was very different from Lingxiao's kind of single-minded abandonment of the world and seeking to become an immortal.

Zhao Xiao didn't despise the Immortal Family Avenue, but he vaguely felt that what Ling Xiao was pursuing was probably not what he was happy to see.

Walking in the mountains and forests, Zhao Xiao felt that his soul was gradually clearing, and his true qi was meticulously discerning, and he could shuttle through the mountains and forests without roads when he closed his eyes......

"Ouch! Who kicked Lao Tzu?! ”

Zhao Huang blocked his toes, and when he opened his eyes, he saw that he raised his foot and kicked a man lying on the ground, this person was dressed in sackcloth and shoes, and his beard was sloppy, and he was actually the person who had been talking and provoking on the official road before.

Zhao Xiao took a few steps back and became cautious. He was a little puzzled, he had just done his true qi, and the ants on the ground could also be reflected in his mind and clearly, but he didn't notice this sloppy man at all.

What's more, this place is not an official road for pedestrians, and this sloppy man has reappeared, no matter how stupid he is, he should know that this person is not an ordinary person.

Considering the warning of the Arrest Division, and Zhao Xiao happened to be alone at the moment, it was really a suitable assassination opportunity.

"Zhao is rude." Zhao Huang silently moved Xuanzhu and arched his hand: "But I don't know why I am here?" ”

"What? Lao Tzu sleeps in the wilderness, do you have to take care of the Marquis of Zhenming? The scruffy man rolled over and sat down on a tree stump.

Zhao Xiao smiled and said: "If it is a wilderness, Zhao naturally has nothing to say. It's just that this piece of mountains and forests is a private manor, and the place where you sleep is considered Zhao's industry. ”

"Phew! Mountains, forests, rivers and rivers are created by heaven and earth, why do they belong to you? The sloppy man scolded unceremoniously: "You heroes have occupied all the land, and Lao Tzu doesn't even have a foothold!" ”

Zhao Xiao heard that there was something in the other party's words, and he was not annoyed: "Down-to-earth, how can you say that there is no place to stand?" Zhao is not chasing customers, but just a reminder. ”

The sloppy manly snorted and said, "Wow! said that he wanted to count the land of the mouth, but what he did turned out to be the act of encircling the mountains and the fertile fields and occupying the women of the good family, and the Marquis of Zhenming was really hypocritical! ”

Zhao Xiao frowned slightly, and then said: "The manor here is an inexplicable contribution by others, and it is not legal. Later, I wrote to the lord of the country, asking for the grant of land to the people and the re-establishment of the household register. As for the occupation of women from good families, it is purely false, please be cautious. ”

"If you are in such a hurry to deny it, it means that there is such a thing!" The sloppy man said loudly.

Zhao Xiao secretly clasped the Yinhu order in his sleeve and said coldly: "Zhao believes that virtue still needs to be lean, but it does not mean that he can be slandered at will. ”

"What? Not convinced? The scruffy man shouted.

"I appeared twice, and now I'm messing around again, obviously coming prepared, why bother with the rumors in the market?" Zhao Huang Zhengse said: "Zhao knows that he should be invited by others to take Zhao's life." ”

"Oh?" The sloppy man sat up straight, his momentum implicitly fierce, but Zhao Huang used the Ying Xuan Zhaojing technique, no matter how he looked at it, he couldn't judge the other party's cultivation realm.

When a person who cultivates immortals exhales qi refining and casts spells, the qi flow is spread outside, and there are always traces to follow, and they can roughly judge one or two. But if he deliberately reined in and hid the ambush, even the Ying Xuan Illumination Technique would not be able to see through, at least Zhao Xiao would not be able to see the flesh and bones of others now.

Therefore, Zhao Xiao raised the twelve-point guard, and at the same time said: "The body is responsible for cultivation, and there is a merit of detachment, why bother getting involved?" ”

"It doesn't seem like it's your turn to talk about Lao Tzu, right?" The sloppy man said: "You Zhenming Marquis is keen on power, don't you just want to use the power of the court to collect heavenly treasures and let you take advantage of the blessings of the immortal family?" ”

"Jinding Division is not set up for personal gain." Zhao Xiao is really unhappy, he can endure the ridicule of the market nursery rhymes to himself, but the affairs he has put into his heart and soul cannot tolerate such slander by others.

Zhao Xiao's five-colored brilliance flowed around him, and when the sloppy man saw this, he supported his knees with both hands: "You want to do it?" ”

"You and I are both people who cultivate immortals and learn the Tao, it is not easy to achieve what we have today, and it is really unnecessary to shout and kill for a few words from others." Zhao Huang said with a straight face: "If you retreat here, Zhao can treat it as if nothing happened today." The last time he tried to assassinate Zhao's demon, the end was not good. ”

"If you let me go, I'll go, won't Lao Tzu become a puppy?" The sloppy man raised his hand and said: "If you want me to go, you can give me 10,000 taels of gold, and Lao Tzu will leave immediately." ”

Zhao Xiao didn't have a smile on his face: "I don't have the intention to make good friends, why bother to say more?" ”

"It seems that a war is inevitable." The sloppy man stood up, stretched a big lazy waist, and between the messy hair that covered his head and face, a pair of shining eyes were faintly visible, staring directly at Zhao Xiao:

"Don't blame me for looking down on you, Lao Tzu only made one sword today. If you can catch this sword, you will be spared! ”