Coriander Zhi's sigh was like a wisp of smoke, slowly wafting in the air: "Uncle told me that he has been transferred to the capital and has taken on a heavy responsibility. Although this is another peak of his career, he has a deep affection for Wuqu City and the people there, and the pain of parting inevitably makes him feel a little sad in his heart. ”

Taihao's brows furrowed slightly, and a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes: "Transferred to the capital?" What is the position? ”

Qian Zhi shook her head gently: "Uncle didn't elaborate. ”

Tai Hao thought silently, and a trace of determination flashed in his eyes: "I want to go to Wuqu City again, personally say goodbye to the city lord of Dayuxian, and see him off." ”

Coriander Zhi planned to go with Taihao, but Taihao refused, and he decided to go alone.

At that moment, Taihao left the deputy general's mansion, turned over his horse, and galloped on the avenue, his heart was like an arrow, pointing directly at Wuqu City. Soon, the outline of the city came into view.

He hurried up and went straight to the city lord's mansion. Because the sky is getting dark, the city lord's mansion has been lit up, and as far as the eye can see, the mansion is busy, and the families are shuttling around, busy sorting out. When a family member saw Taihao coming, he hurriedly stepped forward and led him to the front hall.

In the hall, the city lord was discussing with several officials. Taihao's arrival seemed to break the solemn atmosphere. Da Yuxian looked up and saw that it was Taihao, his face showed a look of surprise, and then he got up to greet him. Seeing this, those officials retired one after another.

Da Yuxian personally poured a cup of fragrant tea for Tai Hao, and Tai Hao said: "I heard that the city lord is about to go to the capital to take office, so I am here to see you off." ”

Da Yuxian sighed lightly: "The emperor's order is difficult to disobey, I was transferred to the household department and served as the secretary, and I will take office within half a month." So I'm going to leave early tomorrow morning. ”

Tai Hao picked up the teacup and said, "Here, I wish the city lord of Da Yuxian to rise step by step." ”

A hint of complexity flashed in Da Yu's conspicuous eyes: "Recently, the imperial court has been turbulent, and the emperor's thunderous methods have set off a storm of punishment for corruption. The previous head of the household department was dismissed and investigated for embezzlement, so I was able to transfer to the capital. ”

A trace of shock flashed in Taihao's eyes: "The imperial court is actually punishing corruption? ”

Da Yuxian nodded: "Half a month ago, this matter has spread. Now that many officials have been punished by the law for embezzlement of ink, the storm is intensifying. ”

Tai Hao frowned: "Since the imperial court has begun to strictly investigate officials who bend the law for bribes, when will those corrupt elements in the local area be punished in the same way?" ”

Da Yuxian chuckled, as if he understood the doubts in Taihao's heart: "I understand your worries. It seems that you have learned about the corruption of officials in Jiutu City. However, it is not difficult to shake the status quo of the Nine Earth City and only overthrow the current city lord and the general who defends the city, but it is difficult to completely change its deep-seated problems. What you see is just the tip of the iceberg, and the abyss behind it is far deeper than you think. ”

When Taihao heard this, he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart. He is well aware that the evils of corruption are not a one-day problem, and if we want to cure them, we need to start from the roots. He looked at Da Yuxian, and his eyes flashed with determination: "What Da Yuxian City Lord said is extremely true, but I believe that as long as you have the heart, you can eventually see the sun." I am willing to work hard for this and return the innocence of Jiutu City. ”

Da Yuxian stared at Taihao, his eyes showing deep appreciation. He understood that although the young man in front of him was young, he had a strong will and fearless courage. He sighed lightly and said earnestly, "I am deeply gratified by your determination. However, you may not realize what kind of dilemmas and challenges you will face if you want to draw a line with those local tyrants and bad gentry in Jiutu City. Those difficulties are far beyond your imagination. But I firmly believe that you have enough wisdom and courage to overcome all obstacles and realize your ideals. ”

Tai Hao said angrily: "The collusion between officials and businessmen in Jiutu City has reached the point of unscrupulousness. Although I am the lieutenant general of the city, there is nothing I can do about it. Today, however, I discovered something even worse. They also reduced the imperial examination to a business, and if the candidates wanted to sign up for the 'city examination', they had to pay 100 taels of silver. Wouldn't such acts make people indignant, what is the reason of heaven? ”

Da Yuxian smiled slightly, and a hint of insight flashed in his eyes: "Wuqu City and Jiutu City live next to each other, how can I not know the situation of Jiutu City." I am about to take up my post in the capital, and the punishment of local officials will surely begin quickly. I'm afraid you're not just here to see me off, right? ”

Tai Hao sighed, his eyes showing helplessness and worry: "I can't hide it, I came here this time in the hope that the city lord of Dayuxian can report the affairs of the officialdom of Jiutu City to the emperor, and the imperial court will personally handle the affairs of Jiutu City." ”

Da Yuxian bowed slightly, and said in a deep voice: "I can write to the emperor, however, as I said just now, the roots of Jiutu City are not only in officialdom. The real problem has long been ingrained, and if you want to completely change the situation in Nine Earth City, you must find a way to deal with the local tyrants and gentry. ”

Tai Hao frowned: "I know you are talking about the 'Four Great Families', and now I have found out the backstage of the Yang family, his name is Yang Cong, and he is the city lord of a city in the southwest." ”

Da Yuxian shook his head slowly, and a hint of deep meaning flashed in his eyes: "The power behind them is far more than just a city lord. ”

Tai Hao couldn't help frowning: "Could it be that the official position is higher than the city lord?" ”

Da Yuxian sighed lightly: "Let the successive city lords and city guards of Jiutu City become their puppets, and their backstage and official positions may not be a problem." ”

Tai Hao was suspicious in his heart: "Could it be a high-ranking official of the imperial court?" ”

Da Yuxian shook his head: "I don't know. But all this will come to light one day. Taihao, are you really ready to be the enemy of the 'Four Great Families' of Jiutu City? You have to think about it, they are ruthless and do everything. ”

Tai Hao's eyes were firm and deep, he looked directly at Da Yuxian, and said resolutely: "No matter what difficulties lie ahead, I will definitely move forward." For the sake of the people of Jiutu City, for the righteousness in my heart, I am willing to be the enemy of these 'four great families'. I know this will not be easy, but I am willing to do my best to bring a ray of light to Nine Earth City. ”

Da Yuxian looked at Taihao, and a hint of appreciation flashed in his eyes. He sighed lightly and said, "I am deeply pleased with your courage and determination, it is really rare for the Eastern Empire to have an official like you." I will report your ideas to the emperor, and I believe that the court will give you support. However, you have to understand that this will not happen overnight, and you need to be prepared for a long fight. In addition, I advise you to be cautious and not to be blinded by hatred. ”

Tai Hao nodded solemnly and said, "Thank you for the reminder." I will keep it in mind and never forget my original intention. ”

At this time, the city lord's mansion was brightly lit. Da Yuxian looked at Taihao, and his eyes showed deep concern: "Taihao, tonight, you will stay in the house and drink wine with me, how about it?" On this cold winter night, walking on the road is extremely dangerous. ”

Tai Hao's eyes were firm, and he shook his head lightly: "Originally, I was going to give the city lord of Da Yuxian, but the words I talked to you just now made me suddenly have some thoughts." I'm going to the Yamen of Jiutu City early tomorrow morning to do a big thing, so I have to rush back to Jiutu City tonight. ”

After hearing this, Da Yuxian nodded slightly: "Since you have important things to do, it is inconvenient for me to stay longer." It's just that my niece Qian Zhi is quite fond of you, and I hope you can treat her well. ”

Tai Hao solemnly promised: "Da Yuxian City Lord, please rest assured, I will do my best to protect her and prevent her from being harmed in any way." ”

"I am very relieved to hear you say that." Da Yuxian smiled, "You also have to take care, and when you have a chance in the future, I hope you can take Coriander to the capital to visit me." ”

They shook hands and said goodbye, and Da Yuxian said affectionately: "There will be a period later, Taihao." ”

"There will be a period later, Da Yuxian City Lord." Taihao responded.

The moonlight sprinkled the road, and Taihao turned over his horse and galloped away. Da Yu sent him away in a conspicuous manner, and silently prayed in his heart: May this little brother be able to do well.

The night was deep, and in the palace of the deputy general of Jiutu City, a light was flickering. Tai Hao stepped into the door and personally delivered the horses to the stable. Then, he walked calmly into the room. He saw that Coriander was still waiting, and said softly, "Coriander Zhi, why haven't you slept yet?" ”

Qian Zhi raised her head with a hint of sleepiness in her eyes: "Brother Taihao, you are finally back." It was cold tonight, and I was already asleep, but I woke up again for some reason. ”

Tai Hao approached the bedside, hugged Cilantro gently, and asked with concern, "Is it the cold that invades and makes you wake up from your dream?" ”

Coriander shook her head slightly: "It's okay now." You went to Wuqu City to meet my uncle, what did he talk to you about? ”

Tai Hao took a deep breath: "The city lord of Da Yuxian has been promoted to the head of the household department, and he will go to the capital early tomorrow morning to take up his post. We just briefly reminisced and gave some words to take care. ”

Qian Zhi asked with concern: "Brother Taihao, I see that there is some depression between your eyebrows, what is the matter?" ”

Tai Hao sighed lightly: "It's just the government affairs of Jiutu City, which makes me a little annoyed." ”

Coriander gently held Tai Hao's hand: "Brother Tai Hao, remember that the body is the capital of the revolution, and don't overwork it because of government affairs." ”

She changed her words and continued: "By the way, this evening, a man named Tang Ming came to visit, and he also had a gift in his hand. I invited him to sit in the antechamber and ordered the maid to prepare refreshments for him. He said that he would give you the gift, and I sensed that something was wrong, so I ordered the maid to take him away, and I did not dare to accept the gift. ”

Tai Hao listened to Coriander Zhi's words, and secretly wondered in his heart: This Tang Ming, doesn't he want to use bribery to find out something? Did he know that the shopkeeper of Dongdian had selected himself to take the exam for the Locke family, and he came to thank him?

He said in a deep voice: "Coriander Zhi, you did an excellent job today. In the future, regardless of the government and the people, if the people of Jiutu City come to visit with courtesy, they will all be refused to leave the house. ”

Qian Zhi said softly: "Brother Taihao, I understand. It's just that who is Tang Ming, and why does he act like this? ”

Tai Hao said slowly: "He is the son-in-law of Luo Gu, the head of the Luo family, and he is actually the real ruler of the Luo family. ”

Coriander suddenly realized: "I see, no wonder he frequently mentions the Luo family today." He said that his name was Tang Ming, but he kept emphasizing the Locke family, and I thought it was very strange. ”

Tai Hao's tone was serious: "Coriander Zhi, remember to never accept gifts in Jiutu City, especially in my name. Otherwise, it is touching the red line of the law of our Eastern Empire. It's getting late, so let's get some rest. ”

This night, the moonlight gently sprinkled on the window lattice of the deputy general's mansion in Jiutu City. Taihao and Coriander slept together, whispering softly, pouring out their hearts. The faint moonlight casts a soft veil on this quiet night, and everything seems so quiet and peaceful.

The next day dawned, the morning light was slightly dewed, and Taihao got up early. He washed and tidied up, then sat down at the table and enjoyed his breakfast. His eyes were firm and deep, as if he had seen the challenges and opportunities ahead.

After finishing the meal, Tai Hao hurriedly left the mansion and walked in the direction of the yamen. He knew in his heart that in order to completely solve the problem of substitute examinations, he had to first convince Yu Hong, the city lord of Jiutu City. If Yuhong is stubborn, Taihao is not afraid of threats. He intends to use the court's recent vigorous corruption storm to exert pressure, so that Yu Hong understands that anything that goes against the court's wishes will be priced.