Many questions in the past were easily solved, and Wu Zongrui finally understood the reason.

Why was the crazy Wu Zongrui able to receive the care of Master Jueyuan, the abbot of Hanming Temple? Why did Master Jueyuan let Liao Wenru follow Wu Zongrui? Why was Wu Zongkun able to enter the Anyuan County government office to do things? And why did Zeng Yongzhong

Leave Xinlongli and wait.

As for the details, Wu Zongrui doesn’t need to think so much.

Zeng Yongzhong became his master, which Wu Zongrui did not expect and could not refuse. Deep down in his heart, he was reluctant. There was no doubt about Zeng Yongzhong's ability, but the relationship between him and Zeng Yongzhong was quite complicated.

Out of embarrassment, if Zeng Yongzhong acted like a teacher in many matters, Wu Zongrui would have nothing to do.

Besides, Wu Zongrui’s ideas and ambitions were completely different from those of people of this era.

But things have come to this point, and we can only take one step at a time.

The banquet was already set, and Wu Zongrui, who had finished his meal, picked up his wine glass.

"Sir, Ruichang would like to propose a glass of wine to you."

Zeng Yongzhong also picked up his wine glass and spoke with a serious face.

"Rui Chang, we are both teachers and friends in private, but you must not do this in public. I still understand the rules of officialdom. Since I choose to follow you, I will never make it difficult for you. I will act as agent on weekdays.

Government affairs, if you have any ideas or decisions, feel free to speak up. I can't make decisions for you, let alone exceed my authority, but I will try my best to make suggestions. Once you decide, I will do what you ask for.

You must understand."

"I understand, sir, you'd better drink this glass of wine."

After drinking the wine, Wu Zongrui felt quite bitter in his heart. How could he not understand this truth, but it was difficult to say it out loud.

"Since you, sir, have gone to the state government to do some work, you have to take care of the basic necessities of food, clothing, housing and transportation. I don't know what your thoughts are."

"It's all up to you. I don't have any objection to how you arrange it."

Wu Zongrui pondered for a moment.

"Rui Chang just arrived at Zhouya today, and he is not very familiar with the situation. Tonight, Mr. Rui will rest in the Yin Hotel, and tomorrow he will rent a mansion near Zhouya. Rui Chang will bear the rental costs. Mr. Rui's monthly salary is tentatively set at five taels of silver.

..”

A smile appeared on Zeng Yongzhong's face.

"It doesn't have to be like this. Master's remuneration does not require so much silver. Two taels of silver per month is enough. I work by your side and help plan many matters. I also have some rights, big and small. Are you worried about not having other sources?

Everyone understands the mystery behind this, and I bring it up publicly just to reassure you."

Wu Zongrui nodded.

"Rui Chang understands that this is the case everywhere, and Rui Chang cannot find another way."

As soon as he finished talking about food, clothing, housing and transportation, Zeng Yongzhong's face became serious again.

"Ruichang, Chuzhou is not a peaceful place. On the contrary, compared with Suzhou, Yangzhou, Changzhou and Zhenjiang, it is more complicated. It is also quite difficult to govern. Hezhou under the jurisdiction of Nanzhili

, Guangzhou and Xuzhou, compared with Chuzhou, the situation is slightly better."

Zeng Yongzhong's words greatly surprised Wu Zongrui. In his impression, Chuzhou was the closest to Yingtian Mansion and close to the capital, so it should not be much different.

"Sir, do you have any reason for saying this?"

"The atmosphere in Chuzhou is not very good. When Mr. Xiong executed Rui Yongjin with a cane, the student member Mei Zhenzuo and others he exposed were from Chuzhou. The case was finally investigated. Mei Zhenzuo and others were members of the student body and committed adultery regardless of their shame.

After being reported and exposed, the daughter-in-law of an official family not only showed no regrets, but also bribed officials from the DPRK and China, which made the investigation of the case more difficult. What is even more annoying is that the Mei family in Chuzhou confused right and wrong, and went to the Nanjing Ministry of Punishment to file a complaint.

, Yan Guanhuan’s daughter-in-law seduced Mei Zhenzuo, causing him to commit suicide in shame and anger, which also made the investigation of the case more difficult.”

"Mr. Rui Chang understands what Mr. Rui means. He thinks it would be biased to use this incident to conclude that Chuzhou's customs are bad."

"Of course, just such a thing is not enough to cover the entire Chuzhou. I think Chuzhou is not peaceful. It mainly depends on other aspects."

"Appreciate further details."

Wu Zongrui sat up straight and looked at Zeng Yongzhong.

"Chuzhou's location is very special. Among the prefectures under the jurisdiction of Nanzhili, it is the closest to Nanjing City and is close to the Zhongdu Fengyang Prefecture to the north. This makes people think that the public security situation here is very good.

Yes, unfortunately the actual situation is definitely not the case.”

"Compared with Suzhou, Yangzhou, Huai'an, Zhenjiang, Songjiang and Changzhou Prefecture, Chuzhou is far less famous and does not receive much attention. This has led to it becoming a neglected area and the imperial court has no time to interfere with Chuzhou's affairs.

, the six ministries in Nanjing do not care about the affairs of Chuzhou, and Governor Yingtian and Governor Fengyang also do not care about the affairs of Chuzhou."

“It’s self-evident what will happen if a place doesn’t get attention for a long time.”

"During the Wanli period, there was a banditry in Chuzhou, and the Nanjing capital camp sent a large army to encircle and suppress it. This was the only place in South Zhili where banditry occurred."

"During Tianqi's reign, Chuzhou took the lead in establishing a living service for Wei Zhongxian, and the impact was very bad."

"Over the years, Chuzhou has still not received much attention. Almost none of the many magistrates here have been promoted or reused. I just learned a few days ago that your former magistrate was transferred to the Chief Envoy of Shaanxi Province and served as the right counselor. He was just a

From a fourth-grade official position with no actual power, such an adjustment is quite disappointing."

...

Before Zeng Yongzhong finished speaking, Wu Zongrui thought of Zhan Shilong's request and asked him to govern Chuzhou well. It seemed that there was indeed something mysterious in it.

There is no pie in the sky. Less than half a year after Wu Zongrui took office as the official of Yingtian Mansion, he was promoted to the prefect of Chuzhou and promoted from the sixth rank to the fifth rank. This is a huge good thing for anyone. Who knew there were so many things behind it?

s story.

Wu Zongrui doesn't particularly care. The reason is that he doesn't want to go to the north, let alone the capital.

But when you come to a place full of chaos, you won't be so comfortable just thinking about it.

After Zeng Yongzhong finished speaking, Wu Zongrui pondered for a moment and then spoke.

"Chang Rui really didn't know what Mr. Rui said. Now he understands that Chuzhou is not peaceful and difficult to govern. Mr. Rui just said that Chuzhou is a no-care zone and does not receive attention. It is naturally lacking in money and food. Rui Chang

I think the fact that Chuzhou has not been well governed for a long time has something to do with the local officials."

"You are right. If Chuzhou doesn't get attention, it will be difficult for its local officials to be promoted and reused. Under such circumstances, who is willing to take care of things? If the chief officials don't do things, the officials below can naturally do whatever they want...

"

"Sir, could you please elaborate on this?"

"I won't be able to tell you the details for a while. I just heard before that the official and gentry families in Chuzhou have an extraordinary status. Most of the officials in the yamen are recommended by them and take orders from them. The successive magistrates of the state have had some headaches about this matter.

, it is said that there was a magistrate who wanted to change this situation, but unfortunately he was sent to the Ministry of Industry in Nanjing soon. This shows how powerful the official and gentry families in Chuzhou were. After the magistrates learned about this, they did not

I am willing to intervene more in the affairs of local officials and gentry."

"Sir, if you say so, is the Mei family also a local official and gentry family?"

"Yes, more than ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. When I came to Chuzhou this time, I still heard about the Mei family. During the Wanli period, someone from the Mei family once served as the minister of the Ministry of Rites in the capital. Later, some members of the family also went out to serve as officials.

Although the incident involving Mei Zhenzuo and others has happened, the Mei family has not been affected too much."

"Chang Rui understands that the official and gentry families in Chuzhou have learned to stick together. When family interests are involved, they hug together tightly, leaving the government helpless. Moreover, the officials in the government are recommended by these official and gentry families.

Yes, no matter what the government does, they can know the news in advance and find ways to deal with it. In addition, the officials in Chuzhou are not taken seriously, and naturally they will not get support from above. How to fight with these official and gentry families, they have no choice.

I just have to ignore everything."

"You're right, that's the problem."

"In this way, it is normal for so many things to happen in Chuzhou. The official and gentry families have united and stabilized the relationship between the upper class. Naturally, they have to work hard to accumulate wealth. The people here will definitely suffer. No wonder there are banditry and there is no way out for those who are exploited by the official and gentry families.

, the people will naturally become bandits, otherwise they will not be able to survive."

Zeng Yongzhong looked at Wu Zongrui with bright eyes.

"Rui Chang, after knowing these matters, how do you plan to govern Chuzhou?"

"What advice would sir give to Mr. Rui?"

"The suggestions are nothing more than two points. One is to maintain the status quo, find ways to open up relationships with higher-ups, and strive to leave Chuzhou in the shortest possible time. The other is to work step by step, break the shackles of Chuzhou, manage this place well, and follow the first point.

Although it is a bit difficult, as long as you coordinate the relationship well, you can still get by. If you follow the second point, it will be difficult and you will need to take huge risks. After so many years, the official and gentry families in Chuzhou have already had many advantages.

With ordinary energy, you alone may not be able to do much."

"Didn't Mr. Rui have help?"

Zeng Yongzhong was stunned for a moment, with a wry smile on his face.

"It seems that I am digging a hole for myself. I know that you will try your best to govern Chuzhou. But to be honest, I haven't thought of a good way. There are many official and gentry families in Chuzhou. If you can't grasp their handle, there will be no way.

There is no way to start. Besides, many official and gentry families are united, and if you mobilize the whole body, no matter which family encounters the government's inspection, other families will come to their aid."

"It is better to cut off one of his ten fingers. Sir, Rui Chang feels that if you find an official and gentry family, seize its handle, and spare no effort to hit it hard, other official and gentry families will naturally understand."

"It's a good idea, but it's difficult to do."

"It doesn't matter, I think the Mei family will be the breakthrough point. As for the other official and gentry families, they should be moved with emotion and reason. If they obey the government's decision, everything will be easy. If they don't listen, they will be the next Mei family.
Chapter completed!