Chapter 9: The language is not astonishing, and death is not rest.

People can't help but feel particularly eerie when they imagine hearing a rooster crowing in the middle of the night.

The so-called "white clothes win over snow" and "white clothes fluttering" may seem elegant and free-spirited, but in reality, they are nothing more than the coarse garments of lowly people.

Jia Ping'an felt that Lao Xu's expression was somewhat strange, as if he was hoping for something. "Although the students are in the countryside, they have also heard of people slandering the Prime Minister. Those people wish that the Prime Minister would stay in Huazhou for his entire life and never set foot in Chang'an."

Jia Ping'an instantly thought of the Leifeng Pagoda. Beneath the Leifeng Pagoda, it suppresses Bai Niangzi. So, does this pagoda also suppress me?

Is face really that valuable? At this moment, Xu Jingzong put away his stern expression and became a complete rascal. "I've met that old man Liang Bo once before. He's clearly incompetent and only managed to become the governor of Huazhou through flattery. Now he's created a mess and expects me to clean it up. Why should I?"

Yang Zhongshun had a constipated expression on his face, "In the middle is the Jia family, and the two neighboring households used to raise dogs, but they died. They now raise chickens, and those chickens fly onto the roof and crow loudly in the middle of the night..."

This statement is correct. Xu Jingzong did not expect a young person to have such insights, and he looked at Jia Pingan with admiration.

There is such a Shangguan, I'm afraid we have no hope for our future.

Those officials would occasionally glance at him, their eyes filled with helplessness.

Let the gossip be more intense!

My lord, this face... Liao Quan feels that face is still necessary.

This is a habit left by a certain governor in the past, saying that regardless of the official position, one must go and get their own food. It's a bit of a meaning of enjoying the company of the people, as well as lowering one's status, allowing everyone to speak freely during lunchtime.

Xu Jingzong returned to the state government office and first went to his own room to wait for a while.

The admiration of the minor official: "The governor has worked tirelessly for Huazhou, truly benefiting the people of Huazhou!"

Everyone has a gossiping heart, including Lao Xu, who even has some small expectations.

However, at this level, it is impossible to make Lao Xu stop. He said lightly, "The temple is preparing to build a tower for you to practice well."

Xu Jingzong's reputation was already in the gutter decades ago. He was a notorious corrupt official in the Tang Dynasty, a petty man who was greedy for power and afraid of death. When Liao Quan and many others learned that he was coming to take over as the governor of Huazhou, they all felt that disaster was imminent.

That is Liang Bo's deficit. By the way, why couldn't that money be recovered?

Xu Jingzong said with a stern face, "If they are worried about their own affairs, what does it have to do with me if they die? Stop babbling, I have my own reasons."

Aside from using a portion of the officials' salaries to pay for the interest on the loans given by the government office, they also have to take responsibility for the expenses of the canteen, which is also known as the public kitchen.

After a long while, he finally got up and put away the statue of the deity.

After finishing the meal, Liao Quan followed Xu Jingzong back. He looked at this famous treacherous minister and asked with suppressed dissatisfaction, "My lord, about the matter of the comet... There is someone from Chang'an who sent an envoy, saying..."

Xu Jingzong glanced at Liao Quanyi, but he was having doubts in his mind.

As he spoke, he looked at the several minor officials behind Xu Jingzong, thinking to himself, "If this plan doesn't work, how will I endure the suffering in the temple?"

Liao Quan was speechless. He thought to himself, "The grand Huazhou government office actually needs to borrow money to maintain the expenses of the public kitchen. If this news spreads, even the officials in Chang'an City will burst into laughter."

Liao Quan helplessly said, "Those two moneylenders lent money to a merchant who had two ships carrying goods that sank. The magistrate personally interrogated them, but it turned out to be a natural disaster. He then confiscated the two moneylenders' properties, only to find out that they had already borrowed money and pawned their properties. So the money was lost."

In Lao Xu's view, it would be great if the comet could specifically target and incapacitate those aristocratic families, turning all of their members into fools.

Xu Jingzong frowned slightly, but in fact, he was secretly delighted. Many people outside glared at him and called him a treacherous minister, but here, there was a young man who said that those were all slander.

Those people have always tripped up Lao Xu in the past, so now knowing that they are in a panic because of the comet, Lao Xu can't help but feel secretly pleased.

Despicable dog slave! Xu Jingzong grumbled, "What does this matter have to do with me? Go borrow it and fix the public kitchen. I want to have lamb for lunch."

Later, Lao Xu went out and went straight to the temple.

There is not much research on Lao Xu in later generations, mostly following the attitude of Tang and Song historians, considering Lao Xu as a treacherous minister.

As a result, the two sides gradually became enemies instead of teammates, and as a loyal dog of the royal family, Lao Xu naturally became a thorn in their eyes.

Jia Pingan's previous words were just like those of the lobbyists who would say as soon as they met: "I have come to pay my respects to the Lord!"

For example, how he became an unlucky person, and how he managed to defeat two emperors.

In the Tang Dynasty, each level of government office had its own small canteen. People would eat together, chat, and smoothly handle matters in a harmonious atmosphere.

Everyone looked at each other in confusion. At this moment, footsteps were heard from inside, and everyone turned to look.

Xu Jingzong glanced at him and suddenly remembered the incidents where those big shots used Liao Quan to pressure him. He said involuntarily, "Avoid them all."

Such sarcasm and cynicism, it's really too much. You, Lao Xu, are the one who relies on flattery to climb up, right?

The Jia family's house is very eye-catching. In the middle is their own house, while the two neighboring houses are covered in climbing vines, giving off a somewhat ethereal vibe.

The money-grabbing household is extremely poor, yet they still pretend to be wealthy outside, which has deceived the Huazhou government office.

Jia Ping'an in later generations has heard too much about the so-called political achievements. As for the Tang Dynasty, it is bluntly referred to as an agricultural country. Officials who want political achievements have nothing except for education and promoting agriculture.

Jia PIng'an came out in a white robe.

Xu Jingzong did indeed pass away. Jia Pingan felt delighted and said, "As the saying goes, a new official will burn three fires upon taking office. I happen to know something that can help the new official solve his problems."

Later, Liao went to borrow money, and managed to get some lamb at noon.

Are there hermits on both sides?

Jia Ping'an slowly came out, bowed, and then looked at Xu Jingzong, saying, "May the honorable sir please dismiss the attendants? The student has something important to say."

In Lao Xu's opinion, although this janitor has studied for several years, he is still a country bumpkin with limited knowledge. What he has to say is probably just some inside information of a janitor.

During lunchtime, qualified individuals all appeared in the cafeteria, while others went to get their own food. Only Xu Jingzong sat there motionless.

The envoy, Liao Changshi, requests an audience. A minor official came to report.

Liao Quan was speechless and looked up at the sky. He felt that if those big shots from the aristocratic families heard Xu Jingzong's words, they would probably want to fly to Huazhou to strangle him.

Oh my god!

Xu Jingzong looked at him and suddenly laughed, saying, "You, a young man, know what political achievements are?"

In the temple, hearing such things, it is considered a great importance to one's own family, and there is no reason not to agree. It is said that we must use boundless Buddhist teachings to suppress that troublemaker, and if that doesn't work, we will build a pagoda to suppress it.

Later, those two households moved away. Yang Zhongshun sighed.

The so-called "big shots" are mostly people from influential families. These people are natural rivals of the royal family. During the early Sui Dynasty, it was these people who made Emperor Yang of Sui feel uneasy. Later, he made several big moves specifically targeting these influential families.

Since Xu Jingzong left yesterday, Yang Zhongshun has had someone keep an eye on Jia Pingan, fearing that he might run away.

Xu Jingzong felt a chill down his spine, coughed dryly, and then tightly gripped the Buddha statue in his hand, saying, "Tell him to come out."

Yang Zhongshun shouted, "Jia Ping'an, come out!"

Being an official can crush people to death. Liao Quan can only go out to borrow money. After leaving the government office, he couldn't help but spit and cursed, "Corrupt official!"

Xu Jingzong turned around, coughed, and his dignity returned, "Let him come." He squinted slightly, "I was originally contemplating the future of Huazhou, but he interrupted me with this."

Inside it was very quiet, and a follower whispered, "Could it be... that he has committed suicide?"

Later, Changshi Liao Quan came in and after bowing, said, "Master, the treasury is severely depleted. Now, even the kitchen can't afford to buy vegetables. Today at noon... everyone might have to settle for porridge."

The "money catchers" are all wealthy people, at least able to afford the money they lend out. In other words, if they suffer losses from lending, the government will force them to compensate fully, and if they refuse, their property will be confiscated.

He looked around, which implied that the people who sent messengers were all big shots.

A junior official served the meal he had prepared with great respect, and Old Xu nodded before starting to eat.

Liao Quan has never seen such a sarcastic and harsh official before, who even directly said that he was pleased. He helplessly said, "Yes, some of those people are worried."

The master of the house must have been furious when he heard this. What? Are you treating someone as if they were dead and mourning them?

In the state of Huazhou, there are six mountains, three fields, and one river. To achieve some political achievements, it is difficult in the eyes of the students...

The crowd couldn't help but be astonished.

He endured the absurdity and said, "If the lord wants to return to Chang'an, he must make some achievements in Huazhou, otherwise... those people will have reasons to suppress the lord."

Why did that jinx make them panic? Why do I feel so pleased? Xu Jingzong felt completely relaxed, just like... just like he had just taken a bath.

Xu Jingzong once again came to Yangjiawu, and the village head Yang Zhongshun came out to greet him, saying, "Jia Ping'an stayed at home all night and did not go out."

This is a case of "speak not astonishingly, die not ceaselessly".

Now even the small cafeteria can't continue operating, which shows how severe the deficit is.

He came to Huazhou for demotion, and by the way, to take a look at that troublemaker. But who would have thought that his predecessor left such a big mess behind. To think that his trusted confidant, the dignified Crown Prince, can only drink porridge, this is truly unbearable!

So he tried this out, if Lao Xu still doesn't change his mind, then he can only go to the tower and wait, transforming into a male version of the White Snake.

You are very kind. Old Xu nodded and went straight to the Jia's house.

So even if they pass on the message, they only let Liao Quan convey it, instead of going to find Xu Jingzong themselves.

After everyone avoided him, Xu Jingzong said coldly, "What do you have to say?"

He appears calm, but in his heart, he has already recited the names of various deities.

As for understanding of political achievements, the officials of the Tang Dynasty are really far behind.

Thinking about the vegetarian meals and tranquility in the dark and desolate tower with ancient Buddha statues, Jia Pingwa wished to travel back in time directly.

Jia Pingan felt that Lao Xu was insightful, completely aligned with a certain faction, and helped to weaken the influence of the aristocratic families on the emperor, which offended many powerful people. These people were all big shots who naturally wanted to make him infamous in various records.

Where is the envoy? The Chief Clerk Liao Quan came to request an audience, but he was stopped by the attendants of Minister Jingzong, who said, "The envoy is writing a memorial."

In the room, there is currently a statue placed on the table. Xu Jingzong is kneeling on a cushion, with his hands clasped together, praying softly: "… earnestly asking the gods to bless the believers, so that they will not be affected by any misfortunes. In return, the believers will surely offer generous offerings…".

Liáng Bō, who was once a renowned loyal minister, has been labeled as a treacherous official by Xu Jingzong. The crucial point lies in Xu Jingzong's claim that Liáng Bō achieved his position through flattery, which is undeniably absurd.

They think Lao Xu should be capable, but they don't know that he is a person who distinguishes between gratitude and grudges.

Each subsequent governor followed this tradition, but Lao Xu disdainfully ignored it. He believed that since he was an official of the Shangguan family, why shouldn't he enjoy the dignity he deserved?

As a result of Yang Guang's major move against the aristocratic families, it led to widespread unrest. Subsequently, those aristocratic families ousted the Li family and staged a rebellion, ultimately succeeding in a dynastic change.

Such treacherous officials and villains are in charge of Huazhou. The days of the Huazhou officials are probably no better than Wang Xiaoer's New Year's Day, getting worse year by year!

Oh my god!

The Li family's successful rebellion, with significant contributions from the influential families in Guanlong. However, after becoming part of the royal family, the Li family's position became compromised, causing them to have doubts and concerns. They felt that the power of these influential families was too immense and dangerous, and it needed to be weakened.