kingnovel Chapter 1339 Xiao Ba's Request
Chapter 1339 Xiao Ba's Request
"Old lady!"
"Lord Shen!"
"Lord!"
Outside the county government office, Ba Lezhan's appearance saved Shen Zheng's helpless soul.
"Lord Ba?" The Empress Dowager's eyes showed displeasure. "What are you doing in Tong'an County so early in the morning, instead of being on duty at Quanyang County?"
This is the main reason why she dislikes revealing her identity when traveling.
When these local officials saw her, they were like hungry wolves seeing fat sheep, fishermen seeing koi, and merchants seeing great profits. They only wanted to curry favor with her and didn't give her a moment's peace.
Balezhan was an extremely perceptive sycophant; upon seeing the Empress Dowager's expression, he immediately understood her meaning.
He did not deny that he came here hoping to make a good impression on the Empress Dowager, but besides that, he also wanted to do something worthwhile.
"Your humble servant... Your humble servant would not dare to deceive the old lady." He bowed and said, "My purpose in coming here is twofold: first, because the old lady is here, and I admire her greatly, wishing to pay my respects and serve her; second, because I have heard that Tong'an County is currently very busy, and I thought I would lend a hand to Lord Shen, and also discuss the matter of road repair with him..."
He spoke frankly and appeared open and honest.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's expression softened slightly: "He is indeed an honest person."
Ba Lezhan felt a sense of relief.
The Empress Dowager then suddenly asked Shen Zheng, "Has Lord Ba always been like this?"
Ba Lezhan's gaze secretly drifted towards Shen Zheng.
For some reason, at this moment he felt that how Lord Shen viewed him was more important than the Empress Dowager's judgment.
Shen Zheng was taken aback by the question, and then, under Ba Lezhan's expectant gaze, she said, "Lord Ba is quick-witted and insightful, and has always been diligent in local affairs."
This wasn't a high compliment, but it was still a respectful way of putting Balezhan.
Balezhan found it extremely beautiful.
The Empress Dowager glanced at him and then asked Shen Zheng, "Should we have him come along?"
Shen Zheng pondered in secret.
Today's trip to the public fields was to inspect the sweet potatoes and weigh the yield per mu. With Ba Lezhan, the "county magistrate from another county," present, it served as an additional certificate of inspection, which was beneficial to both her and Tong'an County.
Thinking of this, she nodded and said, "Madam, let Lord Ba come along."
The Empress Dowager nodded: "Then I will listen to you."
......
On the way to Gongtian, Shen Zheng and Yu Shizhang rode in the same car as Ba Lezhan.
Ba Lezhan was very curious about the destination of this trip: "Lord Shen, where are we... going?"
"Public fields, inspecting the new crops." Shen Zheng didn't keep him in suspense, and after answering, he asked, "Lord Ba, you just said you wanted to discuss the construction of the official road with me. What does that mean?"
Actually... she had already vaguely guessed what Balezhan wanted to do.
Balezhan smiled obsequiously: "Lord Shen, when you repair the official road this time, could you please include Quanyang County along...?"
Shen Zheng knew he wanted to say this, and deliberately looked hesitant: "This..."
Ba Lezhan understood the implied meaning and immediately declared, "Lord Shen, rest assured! As long as you are willing to give Quanyang County a chance, all the expenses for building the official road from Tong'an to Quanyang will be borne by the Quanyang County government. Tong'an County will not have to pay a single copper coin!"
He understood it perfectly.
This road connecting the two counties may seem like just an official road, but in reality, it is the main road to prosperity for Quanyang County!
Tongan County is becoming increasingly prosperous. If Quanyang County does not keep up with its pace, it will not be long before even Yonglu County leaves them far behind.
In that case, Quanyang County will only become poorer and more remote.
As a county magistrate, he not only had the worst political performance, but he also couldn't hold his head up in front of the people.
The thought of that scene sent shivers down Balezhan's spine.
"Lord Shen, as you know, what Quanyang County lacks is not silver, but an imperial decree..." He looked at Shen Zheng with pleading eyes, "I know you are very capable and can bypass the reporting process and start road construction directly, so I dared to ask you to help Quanyang County."
These words were very sincere, and Yu Shizhang, who was standing to the side, showed a bit more approval in his eyes.
Although this person is good at research, he is also practical. He is willing to spend money and effort on important matters and knows when to advance and retreat.
Shen Zheng pondered for a moment and said, "Lord Ba, I have a question for you."
Ba Lezhan's eyes lit up: "Please ask away!"
Shen Zheng asked, "Are you willing to pay the laborers eighty coins a day?"
"Eighty, eighty?" Balezhan was stunned.
Isn't this a bit too high?
Take the laborers in Quanyang County, for example; their daily wages were around forty or fifty coins.
That's double the original wage of eighty coins...
Shen Zheng nodded: "The price is the same in the prefectural government, Yonglu County, and Tongan County. If you are unwilling, I will not force you."
"Is this the price in Yonglu County?" Upon hearing this, Balezhan couldn't sit still.
A year ago, the lives of the people of Quanyang County were far better than those of the people of Yonglu County.
Now, Yonglu County actually wants to surpass them?
That won't do!
"No forcing! No forcing! Not forcing at all!" He gritted his teeth and readily agreed: "Eighty it is! Don't worry! As long as you agree, the laborers' wages... I will pay them daily!"
For the happiness of the people of Quanyang County!
For his promotion!
Today, he's going all out!
Shen Zheng suppressed the smile in her eyes: "In that case, after today's matter is settled, I will have Lord Xu speak with you in detail."
Ba Lezhan nodded hurriedly, "I'll do whatever you say!"
The wheels rumbled on, and before long they arrived at Guoziba.
The rice has all been dried, and the dam area is now quite empty.
The group got off the car one after another, and Shen Zheng came to the Empress Dowager's side.
The Empress Dowager kept examining the carriage she was riding in, and couldn't help but say to Shen Zheng, "Zheng'er, there's a hidden secret in this carriage."
“You really can see right through anything.” Shen Zheng pointed to the axle head and the bottom of the carriage: “Xiao Mu added some things to these two places, so the ride is not so bumpy.”
"Oh?" The Empress Dowager looked at Mu Ruojue behind her. "Was it this boy who came up with this plan?"
Shen Zheng said, "It was something I came up with with him, but that thing was indeed his doing. I only started talking about it."
The Empress Dowager understood and pointed at her, saying, "You... I've never seen you claim any credit."
After saying that, she took the lead and walked towards the gate of the public field: "Let's go, I want to see who you want to blame for the harvest later."
Shen Zheng smiled, pursing her lips.
This is really not a good idea...
As soon as the group stepped through the gate, Wang Youfu came to greet them: "Greetings, Lord Shen! Greetings, Earl!"
Shen Zheng walked beside the Empress Dowager and said, "This is the old lady. The sun is quite strong today, so please bring some more straw hats, preferably new ones."
Wang Youfu sensed the respect in her words, immediately bowed, and then strode over to the small storeroom next door, carrying a basket of new straw hats on his back.
On the way to the sweet potato field, the Empress Dowager touched the straw hat on her head, finding it novel: "This hat, this is the first time I've ever worn it..."
It's also because her hair was styled low today; if it had been styled higher, she probably wouldn't have been able to wear it.