The first county magistrate in history

Chapter 203 Cannon Fodder

In the past, Xia Jinzhong had no idea about money, but after taking over the renovation project and inspecting it, he realized how important money was.

He feels heartbroken now.

But he had no choice but to take out a thousand taels of silver from his sleeve and hand it to Qin Zheng...

When Qin Zheng left, Xia Bitu and Xia Jinzhong were reluctant to let him go because they had not talked enough.

Even Xia Bitu felt that he benefited a lot from communicating with Qin Zheng.

After Qin Zheng left, Xia Bitu sighed in his heart.

He really wanted to test whether the Black Knight was the black-clad man from the Tutang of the Five Elements Sect, but he didn't dare to test it!

Xia Bitu looked at Xia Jinzhong and asked, "How is it?"

Xia Jinzhong admired him and said, "Teacher is not only knowledgeable and talented, but also has a broad mind. I have benefited a lot from just chatting with him for a few minutes!"

Xia Bitu nodded with satisfaction: "Jinzhong, your adoptive father is old, and he has taught you everything he should have taught you, whether it is right or wrong. What your adoptive father taught you may not be suitable for you.

But Qin Zheng is different. He is young, intelligent, active in thought, and has a unique perspective. He can always see things further than others. Learn from him, remember his words, let go of hatred, and learn to be a good person first!

Xia Jinzhong nodded seriously: "I understand, godfather!"

"Oh!" Suddenly, Xia Bitu sighed.

"Godfather, I'm sorry for disappointing you because I have no talent!" Xia Jinzhong's old face turned red, thinking that his godfather was sighing because he was not talented.

Xia Bitu shook his head. "You've tried very hard. I don't blame you. It's my adoptive father who's worried about Qin Zheng's future."

Xia Jinzhong was puzzled: "Teacher is very talented and has a bright future."

Xia Bitu shook his head: "Because of this, he may not have a good end. Since ancient times, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. The end of those who are more powerful than their master is not good!"

Xia Jinzhong was shocked: "Foster father, are you worried that one day the teacher will turn against the empress?"

Xia Bitu nodded.

Xia Jinzhong said: "Teacher is so smart, he must have planned it long ago."

Xia Bitu: "I hope so!"

Suddenly, he looked at Xia Jinzhong with a deep gaze and said, "Ask whatever you want to ask!"

Xia Bitu felt helpless. How did my godfather know that I wanted to ask him questions? I didn’t show it!

"Godfather, regarding that person, were you and Qin Zheng telling the truth or a lie?" Xia Bitu said, "It's not important. What's important is that I need Qin Zheng's help!"

Xia Jinzhong was shocked. Did his adoptive father really need Qin Zheng to deal with that man?

Suddenly, an idea came to my mind. Since this person is so powerful, can I help him restore his country?

Xia Bitu suddenly looked at Xia Jinzhong fiercely, "Don't dream of him helping you restore your country. Maybe one day, they'll find you and try to bribe you. Remember, don't agree. With me here, they won't dare do anything to you. But if you agree, your Fuzhen Sect will be finished, and you'll all become his cannon fodder. Qu Zhengzhuo is a lesson for us!"

Xia Jinzhong's face turned pale and he broke out in a cold sweat: "Foster father, I remember this!"

"Go down!" Xia Bitu picked up the tea and was about to take a sip.

"Sir, the head of Tianjiazhuang is here to settle the bill." Suddenly, the voice of the housekeeper Xia Afu came from outside the door.

Xia Bitu's hand shook and the tea spilled.

"Please let him in!" Xia Bitu put down the tea bowl.

Xia Jinzhong hurried forward to wipe it, thinking that it was Ah Fu who suddenly spoke and startled his adoptive father.

But, it shouldn’t be that serious, right?

The ingredients used in the Prime Minister's Mansion are all transported from the countryside and are delivered almost every two or three days.

The village chief comes to settle the bill every month.

However, there was one thing that Xia Jinzhong found very strange, which was that every time the bill was settled, it was his adoptive father who paid it himself and never let anyone else interfere.

"Jinzhong, go down!" said Xia Bitu.

"Yes!" Xia Jinzhong left.

Xia Jinzhong walked out of the study and saw Ah Fu leading a short old man in plain clothes towards him.

The old man was very strong, with dark skin, deep wrinkles on his face, and his eyes were always smiling.

Holding a straw hat in his hand, he fanned himself as he walked.

He is Tian Qianmu, the head of Tianjiazhuang Village.

A thousand acres of land does indeed include a thousand acres of fertile land.

"Your Excellency, Minister!" Tian Qianmu knelt down and kowtowed.

"No need to be so polite!" Xia Jinzhong nodded and left.

study.

"Greetings, Your Excellency the Prime Minister!" Tian Qianmu knelt down and kowtowed.

Xia Bitu smiled and said, "Tan Lizheng, no need to be so polite, sit down!"

"Thank you, sir!" Tian Qianmu then stood up and sat down properly on the armchair opposite the desk.

Xia Afu poured a bowl of tea for Tian Qianmu: "Tian Lizheng, have some tea."

"Thank you, thank you!" Tian Qianmu stood up flattered and humbly took it with both hands.

"Afu, go down!" Xiabitu ordered.

"Yes, sir!" Xia Afu walked out and closed the door.

Xia Bitu took out a silver note from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

No words were spoken.

At this moment, Tian Qianmu changed his previous humility and his smile disappeared.

He looked at Xia Bitu with a sinister look: "What happened? Why didn't you take action?"

Xia Bitu said helplessly: "After all my calculations, I was still tricked by that monkey."

"Qin Zheng?" Tian Qianmu frowned. "Didn't I tell you to stay away from him?"

Xia Bitu said: "Just because I didn't come home all night, he arrested me as soon as I came back in the morning."

Tian Qianmu was shocked: "He became suspicious? How is that possible?"

Xia Bitu said, "I told you that his reasoning ability is terrifying. I also suggested that it would be best for me to stay in this courtyard, but you disagreed!"

Tian Qianmu's face darkened: "Are you blaming me?"

Xia Bitu said calmly, "I'm just telling you why I didn't take action. He controlled me and couldn't get my orders. My men could only wait."

Tian Qianmu snorted coldly: "Why do I feel like you did this on purpose? Are your guards all useless? Don't you have a master by your side?"

Xia Bitu looked at Tian Qianmu and said, "You can try Qin Zheng's methods and the strength of the special forces!"

"You useless people, stop making excuses!" Tian Qianmu angrily said, "Do you know that it was because you didn't take action that Qu Zhengzhuo failed and failed to test the Empress's trump card? Do you know how many people we lost this time?"

Xia Bitu frowned slightly: "I have a reason for this. Aren't you guys ready too? Why didn't you take action?"

Tian Qianmu glared at Xia Bitu: "Is this your business?"

Xia Bitu suddenly seemed to understand and said, "I understand. You are just testing their cards this time? Are you using us as cannon fodder? Are you afraid of the Black Knights? Even if I take action, you won't make a move, right?"

Tian Qianmu's face changed and he let the cat out of the bag.

But he couldn't deny it, so he said with a stern face, "This is what Fifth Master meant. Do you have any objection?"

Xia Bitu's face was gloomy: "I dare not!"

Tian Qianmu snorted coldly: "Because you didn't make a move, you didn't test the empress's trump card. Fifth Master is very angry."

Xia Bitu said calmly, "Please report the truth and I will take full responsibility!"

"Hmph!" Tian Qianmu snorted again, "Can you afford it? Fortunately, I've tested Qin Zheng's trump card, so it wasn't all in vain. Although Fifth Master is very angry, considering your loyalty over the years, I'll let it go this time and won't do it again!"

Xia Bitu bowed and said, "Thank you, Fifth Master, for your tolerance."

Tian Qianmu said, "Fifth Master is very interested in Qin Zheng, even more than in the Empress. Please make preparations. Fifth Master will stay at your house for a while."

Xia Bitu was shocked: "Fifth Master is coming, aren't you afraid of being exposed?"

Tian Qianmu looked at Xia Bitu and narrowed his eyes: "Why, from the look of you, you don't welcome the Fifth Master?"