The first county magistrate in history

Chapter 161: Loyalty and Treachery

On the carriage.

Xia Jinzhong looked at his adoptive father with an ugly face, and was terrified and dared not speak.

After a long while, Xia Bitu let out a long sigh: "Have you met Qin Zheng?"

Xia Jinzhong didn't dare to hide it, his old face flushed: "I have seen it."

Xia Bitu thought to himself that it was just as he expected.

How can this be fixed?

Qin Zheng and I, a fox and a monkey, are unable to train you. What should we do?

Ugh!

I sighed inwardly. Forget it, I'll just take it one step at a time. After all, with this kind of thing hanging over my head, who can do anything about it?

"His Majesty will definitely summon you to the court tomorrow morning. Do you know what to say?" Xia Bitu asked.

Xia Jinzhong said respectfully: "I know, I will say that I asked my adoptive father to cooperate with me in secretly visiting Futianyuan. As for the assassination case, I will say that it was due to careless choice of friends."

After saying this, his face turned red, because it was clearly his adoptive father's credit!

Xia Bitu nodded, feeling a little relieved. It was okay, not that stupid.

North City.

Qin Zheng took Xia Mo Ning and Sun Tie Zhu with him, and the three of them secretly visited several private manufacturing industries in Beicheng District.

Most manufacturing industries belonged to the imperial court, but some manufacturing industries could also be done by private individuals.

Qin Zheng felt that these workshops were okay, but they were small in scale, the taxes were too high, the craftsmanship was too poor and outdated, and they didn't make much money!

Xia Mo Ning also saw the doorway and discussed with Qin Zheng how to reform...

It was a safe day today, and as night fell, the three of them returned home safely.

As soon as I returned to the Shao Shi Mansion, I received the empress's oral order to attend the court early tomorrow.

Qin Zheng knew why.

the next day.

Qin Zheng and Xia Mo Ning came to the palace.

Xia Mo Ning went to see her sister.

Qin Zheng came to the court room.

Qin Zheng greeted the court officials with a smile.

All these court officials greeted him with smiles.

Of course, you know whether it is sincere or not.

Xia Jinzhong was standing behind Xia Bitu. Seeing Qin Zheng coming, he quickly bowed and said, "Teacher!"

Qin Zheng nodded and found that the Taifu was not there.

The Grand Tutor doesn't have to attend the morning court. He can come when he wants to and not come when he doesn't want to. This is a privilege.

I don't need the tutor's help today.

"Sit down!" Xia Bitu would feel inexplicably better when he saw Qin Zheng.

At this moment, he suddenly decided to change his original plan.

"Uncle, are you okay? I heard that you were arrested again?" Qin Zheng looked concerned and spoke loudly.

Xia Bitu wanted to roll his eyes. He was pretending so well.

It’s as if you don’t know, if it weren’t for you, would I have been caught?

However, it was also fortunate for this kid that he didn't think this was an opportunity at the time.

Xia Bitu snorted coldly: "Thank you for your concern, Lord Qin. It's all right!"

Qin Zheng smiled and said, "I'm glad you're alright."

I glanced at the people in the room and found that many people were looking here.

Qin Zheng whispered, "Uncle, I guess these people will speculate that the Futian Temple case was secretly investigated by the two of us. They must be confused. How could we work together?"

Xia Bitu also glanced at the ministers and snorted coldly: "What do they know?"

Qin Zheng: “…”

"Uncle, what is Qiu?" Qin Zheng asked.

Xia Bitu: “…”

"Get lost! Don't make me angry, I'm in a bad mood!"

Qin Zheng chuckled: "Uncle, my left eyelid has been twitching since early morning. Are you plotting against me again?"

"Tsk!" Xia Bitu couldn't help but laugh out loud. It's true!

"Little monkey, guess how your uncle is going to plot against you?" Xia Bitu asked with a smile.

Behind him, Xia Jinzhong was looking at the intimacy between the old and the young, feeling both jealous and deeply moved.

Why can't he do it?

Qin Zheng seemed to be thinking seriously. After a moment, he said, "Forget it. I don't want to think about it anymore. Uncle won't hurt me!"

Xia Bitu snorted again: "Don't trust me too much, you little monkey. Be careful of a disaster."

Qin Zheng looked at Xia Bitu in surprise: "Uncle, you actually admitted that you are a sewer?"

Xia Bitu: “…”

He raised his hand and hit her: "You little monkey, you scolded me?"

Qin Zheng didn't hide.

Xia Bitu's slap landed lightly on Qin Zheng's head.

Qin Zheng asked, "Uncle, are you feeling better?"

Xia Bitu grinned and said, "Forget it. Since you are so filial, I will forgive you this time!"

"Thank you, uncle!" Qin Zheng also smiled.

Only the two of them knew that while chatting and laughing, they had actually clashed several times, and in the end, each took a step back.

Xia Bitu suddenly grabbed Qin Zheng's arm, pulled him to his side, and whispered in his ear:

"Little monkey, I know you're fearless. But I'm warning you, be careful not to become too powerful and overshadow your master!"

Qin Zheng's expression changed, and he gave a bitter smile: "To be honest, uncle, I'm worried too. But there are some things that I have to do, right?"

Xia Bitu nodded slightly and sighed: "I know you are in a dilemma. Who isn't?"

The subject suddenly changed: "The day of the pilgrimage of all nations is approaching. You should keep an eye on Princess Nalan Lingzhi of the Dafeng Dynasty."

They are called ten thousand nations, but in fact they are just a few small countries conquered by the Daqian Dynasty. Every few years they have to send tribute to Daqian and discuss state affairs.

Qin Zheng's expression changed: "Where is my escape route?"

Xia Bitu said seriously, "It's also my way out. But I'm old, and seduction is not an option!"

Qin Zheng: “…”

Xia Bitu added, "The Phoenix Dynasty is not strong, its population is small, and it's a barren and desolate land. However, its territory is vast, surrounded by the sea on three sides, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. All you need is a few Sky Thunder Cannons, and you'll be worry-free forever!"

Qin Zheng's expression turned serious: "Thank you, uncle. I'll remember it!"

Xia Bitu also became serious: "I can't give you this information for free!"

Qin Zheng smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't abandon you when the time comes!"

Xia Bitu shook his head: "You still need to agree to one condition of mine."

Qin Zheng was speechless: "Uncle, you should have put forward the conditions first, and then told me these. What will you do if I don't accept the conditions?"

Xia Bitu laughed and said, "Are you that kind of person?"

Qin Zheng said with a bitter face: "Uncle, you win. Tell me, what are the conditions!"

Xia Bitu chuckled like an old fox: "I haven't thought about it yet. Anyway, you agree to this condition!"

Qin Zheng was helpless: "Uncle, I know this condition must be very high. This round, you win!"

Xia Bitu was very proud. He finally won. It wasn't easy!

At this moment, all the civil and military officials in the court were stunned.

The old fox Xia Bitu actually bowed his head and whispered with the plague god Qin Zheng?

Still smiling and beaming?

This completely overturned their understanding of Xia Bi Tu.

Minister of Punishment Zuo Zhongliang, Minister of Personnel Shen Zhongchen, Minister of Revenue Chen Pingzhang, Supreme Court Minister Zheng Huaizhi, new Censor of the Supervisory Office Wei Guozhong, and several other loyal ministers of the empress, looked at each other at this moment.

Wei Guozhong's expression was serious, and he asked worriedly, "Will Qin Zheng have second thoughts?"

Zheng Huaizhi retracted his gaze: "Since ancient times, human hearts are unpredictable!"

Zuo Zhongliang nodded: "If something is out of the ordinary, there must be something fishy going on!"

Shen Zhongchen said: "Perhaps, this is exactly what makes Qin Zheng so powerful."

Chen Pingzhang shook his head: "Birds of a feather flock together. How can a loyal minister and a good general not distinguish between loyalty and treachery?"

Wei Guozhong nodded. "If he were truly loyal, he should be very close to us. However, until today, I haven't seen him get close to us. Is he waiting for us to take the initiative?"

Several people looked grim and worried.

Chen Pingzhang suddenly said, "We should remind His Majesty!"

The others nodded!

"My Lords, please go to court!" Suddenly, the eunuch's voice came from outside the door.