Zhu Huaizhang had been examining the mountain of old account books in the second hall of the government office for three whole days.
Before Su Wenqian arrived, Qingzhou Prefecture was in a terrible state, with a weak tax base, empty treasury, and living beyond its means.
However, since he took office, the accounts have become more and more abundant and clear year by year. Not only have taxes been paid in full, but there has also been surplus funds to reduce or exempt taxes for the people several times.
Zhu Huaizhang closed the last ledger and let out a long sigh of relief.
I had initially thought that Su Wenqian's promotion was largely due to his connections in the capital. Now it seems that it was actually paved with solid political achievements.
A commotion could be faintly heard outside the government office. "What's going on outside?"
Li Xiao whispered outside the door, "My lord, Lord Su is departing today, and the people are seeing him off along the streets."
Zhu Huaizhang jumped up, hurriedly put on his official robes, and walked out, saying, "Why didn't you inform me?"
Li Xiao followed closely behind, "Sir, you've wronged me. I already told you that last night."
Zhu Huaizhang hurriedly stepped out of the government office, but the next moment he froze on the spot, only to see the people all over the street carrying food and continuously feeding it to Su Wenqian's carriage.
Su Wenqian refused while telling the driver to move away from the crowd so as not to bump into them.
Li Xiao secretly glanced at his master. When he left Jiangnan, there were also people seeing him off, but there was no scene like this in Qingzhou Prefecture.
Jin Shanyao stood outside the crowd with her two children, chuckling as she watched Su Wenqian's disheveled appearance.
Meng Anci caught a glimpse of the yamen runners and constables hiding inside the yamen. He tugged at Jin Shanyao's arm, signaling her to go and take a look.
"Auntie, they usually have such a good relationship with Lord Su, why didn't they come out to see him off?"
Jin Shanyao chuckled, "The government offices remain, but the officials come and go. With Lord Su gone, Lord Zhu is now the undisputed ruler of Qingzhou Prefecture. If they were to come and see Lord Su off now, what would the new prefect think?"
"We're all paid a salary, who wants to offend their boss for no reason?"
Meng Anzhi said calmly, "People leave and things cool down... right?"
"It was beyond my control," Jin Shanyao her close to protect her from being bumped into.
Meng Anci's eyes revealed no emotion, meaning that in officialdom... there is no real affection. The people below only respect the position you hold.
As he was thinking this, he saw the crowd automatically part to make way for Zhu Huaizhang, who had somehow walked down the steps and stood in front of Su Wenqian's carriage.
"Your journey is long; may you have a safe trip, Lord Su."
Su Wenqian, abandoning his cold and sarcastic tone of the past few days, said sincerely, " Lord Zhu... I entrust Qingzhou Prefecture to you. I hope you will consider the well-being of the people."
After speaking, the two bowed and took their leave, marking the official completion of the replacement of officials in Qingzhou Prefecture.
The Su Household carriage gradually drove away from Qingzhou Prefecture, and the people on the street dispersed in twos and threes.
Jin Shanyao led the two children toward the Anzhi Hall, when they heard shouts coming from behind them.
" Shopkeeper Jin... Shopkeeper Jin, please stand for a moment."
Jin Shanyao her head in confusion, only to see Old Medicine Zhou panting as he caught up. "Oh dear... my old bones are getting worse every year; even running a few steps is exhausting."
He gestured for Jin Shanyao to walk forward with him, saying, "I heard from some merchants that they want to treat the new prefect to a meal. You should come too, so you can become an acquaintance with the new prefect."
Jin Shanyao sullenly said, "I'm not going."
"Hey, why are you so stubborn... Lord Su is gone, and you're not going to live your life anymore? There's a change of leadership every three years, are you planning to cut all ties with the government from now on?"
Old Medicine Zhou, with his hands behind his back, muttered, "I know you and Lord Su are close, but he can't protect you now."
Jin Shanyao silent. She had planned to collude with the new prefect after Su Wenqian left, but now that the moment had come, she was unwilling to do so.
She looked at Old Medicine Zhou, " Su Wenqian's carriage had barely crossed the city threshold when you invited the new prefect to dinner... What will the new prefect think of you? He'll think you're an ungrateful sycophant."
"What did you say... I was just trying to give you some pointers, and you called me a sycophant..." Old Medicine Zhou stomped forward angrily, with Jin Shanyao chasing closely behind.
"Old man, I'm doing this for your own good... Why did you have to treat us to a meal at this crucial moment? Do you even know the new prefect's temperament?"
Old Medicine Zhou paused slightly, staring at the Jin Shanyao, and after a long while uttered, "Don't follow me."
After saying that, he walked forward angrily. Oh ho... Jin Shanyao was not Qi Ingestion, so she quickly walked in front of him, turned around and glared fiercely at Old Medicine Zhou.
"Don't follow me..."
Old Medicine Zhou and wanted to surpass her.
Unfortunately, his legs couldn't Jin Shanyao's speed, so he angrily chased after her all the way to the Anzhi Hall.
Jin Shanyao leaned against the doorframe, looking down at Old Medicine Zhou. "Hey... I'm home. Why are you still following me?"
Old Medicine Zhou choked, staring at Jin Shanyao, "You... you girl are no good," and then stormed off in a huff.
*Pfft... Jin Shanyao couldn't help but laugh out loud, then turned and stared blankly at the empty wall, " Xiaosi... Xiaosi..."
"Hey... what's wrong, Master?" Zhou Xiaosi ran out of the house.
Jin Shanyao pointed at the wall, "Where's my notice???"
Zhou Xiaosi scratched his head, "I saw it this morning, how come it's gone again in the blink of an eye..."
Jin Shanyao's gaze darkened slightly, and she said in a sinister tone, "It seems we've encountered a competitor... Such despicable competitive tactics."
Just as she was about to drag the person out for a proper sparring match, a robust, honest voice rang out from behind her, " Shopkeeper Jin..."
Jin Shanyao around and saw Niu Dadan carrying a brand-new burlap sack, walking towards her with Niu Zhuangzhuang, their faces beaming with joy.
Jin Shanyao and said, " Zhuangzhuang is here..."
Niu Zhuangzhuang said shyly, " Aunt Yao... My dad and I came to bring you some sacks." As soon as he finished speaking, two stacks of sacks were put down on the ground with a thud.
Niu Dadan wiped the sweat from his brow and chuckled sheepishly, " Shopkeeper Jin, count... two hundred sacks. Hope that didn't delay your business."
Jin Shanyao for Zhou Xiaosi to count the quantity, then laughed, "How many times have I told you, just let me know when you're done weaving, and I'll have Qing He pick it up... It must be so tiring to carry all this way."
Niu Dadan, carrying his shoulder pole, replied, "Tired?... This is much better than carrying heavy loads. In previous years, over a dozen people would compete for one job every winter, and even then, there was no guarantee of making money."
He couldn't help but smile as he said, "I don't need to go anywhere this winter. I'll just stay home with my wife and weave burlap sacks. Once they're finished, I'll bring them over. I feel much more at ease."
He stretched his hand out in front of him, Jin Shanyao, "My hands... used to be able to knit three a day, now if I put in some effort I can knit four."
Niu Dadan and his wife worked tirelessly from dawn till dusk weaving burlap sacks, making at least two hundred a month. They delivered them once a month, and each time they settled accounts, they earned far more than he did carrying heavy loads.
Zhou Xiaosi Jin Shanyao, "The quantity is correct... I'll carry it to the backyard."
"No need, no need... I'll do it," Niu Dadan hurriedly stopped him, stuck the carrying pole on the sack, picked it up and headed to the backyard... Niu Zhuangzhuang was about to follow when Jin Shanyao pulled him back.
"Come inside, let Sister Anzhi take your pulse..."
Niu Zhuangzhuang nodded and obediently went into the shop, sitting down opposite Meng Anzhi.
Meng Anzhi smiled as she took his pulse. "You're recovering well. You won't need to take any more medicine... Eat more and grow taller."
Upon hearing this, Niu Zhuangzhuang exclaimed excitedly, "Sister Anzhi, do I really not need to take my medicine anymore?"
"No..."
"Wow... that's great, I'm finally all better!" Niu Zhuangzhuang's eyes lit up with excitement. "Sister Anzhi, can I run? Or even jump?"
Meng Anzhi warned, "Right now you can only walk, you can't do strenuous exercise... otherwise you'll have to drink bitter medicine and get injections."
Niu Zhuangzhuang grinned, then suddenly seemed to realize something and jumped in fright. He quickly assured her, "Don't worry, Sister Anzhi, I'll eat on time and won't jump or run around."