Half a month passed in a flash.

Chen Ping honestly followed Ye Lao's side, compared the documents and cases one by one, and constantly improved the new account books.

However, Wang Xianling tried his best to cover up the results of the ink corruption case, and still got out of the mouths of several newly transferred officials.

What is surprising is that not only Huang Xiancheng was not implicated in the slightest, but even the main bookkeeper who voluntarily confessed his guilt only returned the stolen money as a warning.

In addition, there is no punishment, this turmoil is like a stone sinking into the sea, and there are no more waves.

Only the housekeeper who took the lead was beaten with 30 boards, and he was bedridden, and he was even removed from the county government and never hired.

It really has the effect of killing chickens and setting an example for monkeys.

As for the fact that the chief bookkeeper confessed on the spot, how he was suppressed by the county order and the county magistrate, it is not for these people to know.

Chen Ping listened to some gossip, and then looked back at Wang Xianling and Ye Lao, who had not had a moment of leisure except for eating and sleeping.

I suddenly realized that there was still a lot of room for improvement in my ability to know people and discuss things.

I almost misunderstood Wang County's order!

Wang Xianling did not do nothing, but deliberately covered up and covered up most of the truth, so that even Chen Ping knew almost nothing about how this turmoil was calmed down.

The news that can be detected outside is also deliberately released by Wang County, as for the core part, everyone can only see the flowers in the fog, without any evidence, even if there are rumors out, they can't set off the storm.

He is good at calculating numbers, but in terms of official means, Chen Ping feels that he is still too immature.

Ye Lao saw that Chen Ping was stunned again, so he casually rewarded a popping chestnut and made him come back to his senses.

"Wow~~"

Chen Ping covered his head with a sad face, and was a little uncomfortable with the teacher who had become more and more angry in the past two days.

Since yesterday evening, after thoroughly sorting out the general ledger and calculating the real amount of materials and money and food consumed for each mile of road renovation, Ye Lao has been a little angry.

More impatient than ever, pacing back and forth in the room without saying a word.

When Wang Xianling hurried over and saw the overall number on the account book with his own eyes, he jumped up on the spot.

In disbelief, he shouted: "How is it possible, how can it be more than half of the cost!" ”

"The figure I estimated is calculated compared to the cost of building the main official road near Fucheng."

"What we renovated is just the rural road around the county, and the road is not as pure and green brick as the main official road, and the cost should be lower!"

Wang Xianling's eyes were split, and he stared at Ye Lao with a complicated expression in his eyes.

If Ye Lao said at this time that he was just making fun of him, he would never complain.

But how could Ye Lao joke about official business!

Ye Laoqiang could only fight his spirits, glanced at Wang Xianling quite sympathetically, and then closed his eyes and was silent, obviously helpless.

It is difficult for a good woman to cook without rice.

Ye Lao has done his best, from post station scheduling, transportation equipment configuration, load mileage conversion, and even the foot cost accounting of migrant workers, almost every link has been done to the extreme.

But sometimes, it's always the devil's wish.

Fate is a ghost thing, and it digs bottomless pits for those who struggle to move forward at will, but it is unavoidable and cruelly drags people to the bottom.

Although he couldn't bear to stimulate Wang Xian Ling anymore, Ye Lao still felt that he had to fulfill his responsibility.

Immediately, on the general ledger, the anomaly was circled, and he said in a deep voice.

"The roadbed, all the problems are on the roadbed!"

"The new construction of the official road in Fucheng also started on the roadbed of the previous dynasty, so it will naturally save a lot of money in this regard."

"And the official road in Yongshun County, because of the lack of repair and maintenance all year round, has to continue to be used, and even the lowest roadbed has become sparse."

Speaking of which, Wang Xianling already understood the problem.

Frozen three feet, not a day's cold, after perennial trampling, the foundation of the official road is loose, only re-solid, can be started.

And now the balance of money is no longer able to buy some iron rammers of more than 100 catties.

Wang Xianling trembled and took two steps back, suddenly stumbled, and almost fell.

He touched the edge of his chair and sat down slowly, his head down.

It is precisely because he understands the crux of the problem that he becomes a lost soul in an instant.

No money!

This is the biggest headache since he took office as a county magistrate.

After several years of continuous performance to the imperial court, this year finally got the allocated money for road repair.

Although theoretically, when the money for road construction was insufficient, the magistrate could continue to apply for funding from the imperial court as long as he could come up with a reasonable explanation.

But this is only theoretical, and it is almost impossible to achieve in reality!

Although Wang Xianling was born on the right path of the imperial examination, he did not have a family background like Huang Xiancheng after all, and he did not have cronies in the court, otherwise he would not have stayed in Yongshun County for seven years.

Without a background, there would be no one to admonish in the court.

In this case, once the request for continued appropriation is handed over, the Ministry of Households, the Department of Finance, and the Department of Archives have shirked it layer by layer, and it has not been a year and a half, so don't think of a response.

Even if there is a response, you can roughly guess what kind of response it is.

Maybe someone will take this opportunity to ask him why he is so extravagant about money and food, and whether he is greedy for ink.

Looking at the muddy roads in Yongshun County, Wang Xianling couldn't help but burst into tears.

I just want to do something for the benefit of the people in office, how can it be so difficult.

Just when Ye Lao tried to step forward to comfort him, Wang Xianling had already wiped away his tears.

Suddenly he looked up, and the color of confusion and fear in his eyes was clear, and in his place was the color of perseverance as hot as fire.

Even if you jump into the abyss, you will have a long future.

Wang Xianling's eyes were red, and he said sadly: "I know that I can't do it!" ”

"When I used to read books, I always thought this sentence was very heroic and inspiring."

"But when I really got to this point, when I really wanted to do something unacceptable, there was only a cold feeling left in my heart!"

The corners of Ye Lao's eyes gradually moistened, and he knew what Wang Xianling was going to do.

Even if he knew that he would not get any money and food if he continued to play the fold, Wang County Ling still decided to write this fold.

Even if he was attacked by the imperial historian and slandered by the world, even if he was dismissed and imprisoned and stripped of his official body, he still had to fulfill his duties.

Knowing that you can't do it, it's very simple to say.

But if it really makes people practice it, there are a few people who can persist to this point.

Just when Wang Xianling was resolutely ready to turn around and leave with a tragic heart, a children's voice suddenly sounded.

"Perhaps...... I mean, perhaps, we can find other ways to raise money for the road! ”

Wang Xianling's figure froze instantly, turned back mechanically, and looked at Chen Ping with his eyes staring.

If you have an idea, you should have said it earlier, but the tragic scene just now was blind.

In fact, after Ye Lao's advice last time, Chen Ping did not plan to get involved in this matter again.

Besides, he's only a seven-year-old kid now.

If you do too many things that are not in line with your age, you will be treated as an outlier.

But when Wang Xianling said the sentence "I know I can't do it" sadly, I was still touched.

It is a blessing for the people to have a parent official who loves the people and cares for the people, and as a common person, he can be regarded as a beneficiary.

Whoever holds a salary for the people, do not let him freeze to death in the wind and snow.

Ye Lao also looked at this closed disciple who had repeatedly come up with strange strategies in shock.

Chen Ping touched his head awkwardly and smiled, and said slowly: "The road is mainly for whom, then let whoever pay for it." ”

"Since after the road is built, it is mainly to facilitate the merchants to sell goods, so they can donate money to build the road."

After listening to Chen Ping's suggestion, Ye Lao and Wang Xianling all subconsciously chose to shake their heads and refuse.

In the past, the government also asked businessmen to donate money, but no one took the word "donation" seriously.

It's just a tough apportionment, coercion.

Besides, the affairs of the government and the government affairs related to the people's livelihood, how can lowly businessmen be involved.

Turning over the annals of glorious history, there is no precedent for this at all.

It's not that this kind of thing hasn't happened, but historians don't bother to record the exploits of businessmen at all, and if you're not careful, you'll be easily branded as an official and businessman collusion.

Sure enough, Ye Lao shouted categorically.

"Nonsense!"

"How can the affairs of the government be involved with businessmen?"

"Moreover, once the apportionment is increased, I don't know how many small traders will go bankrupt, and then the contradictions between the government and business will intensify, and there will be endless troubles in the future.

Ye Lao will never allow this kind of thing to happen!

At least, this suggestion can't be made by Chen Ping!