The first county magistrate in history

Chapter 243: Lure the Tiger Away from the Mountain

Xia Mochu was inclined to agree with An Dehai's suggestion.

But last time, he didn't listen to Qin Zheng, which caught him off guard and Li Qiuhan almost died.

Seeing Xia Mochu's hesitation, An Dehai continued, "Your Majesty. During the last coup, Xia Bitu didn't dare to take action. Moreover, since he could be controlled, I guess his background is not very strong. Even if Xia Jinzhong was killed, what could he do?"

However, the mysterious force that can control him deserves special attention. We have strengthened our defenses in all aspects, and even without Qin Zheng's help, we can withstand attacks stronger than this one. Therefore, now is the time to kill Xia Jinzhong and also the opportunity to draw out that force.

This faction has suffered heavy losses this time, and its vitality must be greatly damaged. If we help Xia Bitu, we can further deplete his forces. If we do not help, it can also prove how much that faction values Xia Bitu.

This proof is crucial. If that faction doesn't help Xia Bittu, it proves two things: first, that faction, after this loss, is no longer able to fight. Second, Xia Bittu is insignificant to that faction. So, whether they help or not, we can draw conclusions about how to deal with this faction.

Xia Mochu was silent. Indeed, Andehai's suggestion was very good, and it was the result she wanted to know.

However, Xia Mochu was still worried and said, "Uncle An, don't underestimate Xia Bitu!"

An Dehai sneered, "Your Majesty, isn't the move against Xia Jinzhong also a test of Xia Bitu's trump card? Your Majesty knows how powerful the Righteous Men's Group is, right? If Xia Bitu engages in a fierce battle with the Righteous Men's Group, he will inevitably use his hidden trump card, or at least reveal part of it. This is much better than us blind men groping in the dark, never knowing his trump card."

Moreover, after this incident, we are now well prepared to deal with any eventuality. This move can not only force out Xia Jinzhong's hidden cards, but also reveal the true nature of that mysterious force. It's a win-win situation, and we must not miss this opportunity!"

"Uncle An, Qin Zheng said that Xia Bitu and that force are not of the same mind. If Xia Bitu is forced into a corner, he will really turn to that force and join forces. I'm worried that we are not prepared enough!" Xia Mo said with a frown.

An Dehai was confident: "Your Majesty, rest assured, we are absolutely well prepared! Your Majesty, we are doing this for the Four Border Kings to see. With the foreign vassal states watching covetously from outside and the Four Border Army with ulterior motives from within, how can Daqian be safe?"

This is the root of trouble. Sooner or later, we must eliminate it. We are preparing, and so are they. Now that faction is severely weakened, it's like they've lost an accomplice. If we wait for it to recover, we'll be at a disadvantage again.

Moreover, it seems that the Four Realms King has not been truly influenced by that force. Given the cunningness of the Four Realms King, they will not take action at first unless we are defeated!

Xia Mochu remained silent and weighed the pros and cons.

Indeed, this is a good opportunity!

At this moment, Xia Mo Ning looked at An Dehai, and suddenly remembered her master's words in her mind: eunuchs are a disaster for the country.

She believed that Uncle An was absolutely loyal, and this plan sounded reasonable.

However, An Dehai's mind is definitely not narrow, and his IQ is far lower than that of his master.

If Master says it’s not the right time, then it must be the wrong time.

Besides, how could Uncle An persuade his sister?

Shouldn't I help my sister analyze the pros and cons?

Why do you only think about good things?

At this moment, An Dehai smiled again and said, "Your Majesty, this time when Qin Zheng's Black Cavalry attacked, it was that mysterious force that suffered the greatest loss. The hatred between the two sides has already been forged. If the mysterious force appears, how can Qin Zheng sit idly by and watch?"

Xia Mo frowned.

You said that. Why does it sound like my master owes you this?

"Sister, my master has never been wrong, and he won't be wrong this time either!" Xia Mo Ning advised, "Besides, my master promised Xia Bitu that he wouldn't interfere in this matter!"

"What?" Xia Mochu was shocked.

An Dehai's expression also changed. He stared at Xia Mo Ning and asked, "Where did Qin Zheng get this information?"

Xia Mo Ning was speechless: "I just found out, okay? Do I have a chance to inform my master?"

An Dehai retracted his gaze: "Is that what Xia Bitu told him?"

Xia Mo Ning nodded: "Yes, it was Xia Bitu who told my master!"

An Dehai looked at Xia Mochu and said, "Your Majesty, why did Xia Bitu tell Qin Zheng such important news? Does he trust Qin Zheng so much? I think there must be a conspiracy."

Xia Mochu looked at her sister: "What else does Qin Zheng say?"

Xia Mo Ning thought for a moment: "My master said that Xia Bitu's original intention was not to fight, but to concentrate on leading Xia Jinzhong to build the central city, so as to train Xia Jinzhong to be a king!"

"Hahaha, as expected." An Dehai laughed. "Your Majesty, Xia Bitu is afraid to fight. Why is he so focused on building the central city? He's simply trying to gain fame and reputation and lay the foundation for rebellion.

He had seen our strength last time and was afraid we wouldn't let him go, so he took this opportunity to catch his breath and bide his time.

I was wondering why he took the initiative to undertake the renovation of Central City last time. He must be trying to cover up his mistake and secretly strengthen his power. I even doubt whether this mysterious force he mentioned even exists!

Xia Mochu couldn't make up his mind for a while, and An Dehai's analysis was not unreasonable.

"sister……"

Xia Mo Ning was about to speak when she was interrupted by Xia Mo Chu:

"Mo Ning, Qin Zheng has completed the imperial capital plan. I've reviewed it and it's excellent. You're the city construction inspector, do you understand everything?"

Xia Mo Ning was very proud: "My master taught me step by step, so of course I understand it. My master also said that as long as I strictly follow his plan, a rookie like me can do it."

Xia Mochu showed a look of surprise and glanced at Andehai.

Andehai was also full of joy.

Xia Mochu said, "Mo Ning, go back. I know what to do."

Seeing this, Xia Mo Ning had no choice but to leave.

She understood her sister's temper. Once she made up her mind, even ten bulls couldn't pull her back.

Xia Mo Ning was no longer in the mood to care about the transformation, so she left the palace and hurried to Beicheng Mansion.

Just entered the office.

Qin Zheng asked, "Does your sister still want to touch Xia Jinzhong?"

Xia Mo Ning said with a sad face: "Master, you guessed right, I can't persuade you!"

Qin Zheng said calmly: "It was An Dehai's idea, right?"

Xia Mo Ning nodded: "Master, when did Uncle An like to meddle in government affairs? He was not like this before."

Qin Zheng said: "Remember what Master told you? Some habits cannot be formed!"

Xia Mo Ning: "It's no use even if I remember it! My sister is possessed by a ghost."

Qin Zheng sighed: "The imperial edict is coming soon."

Xia Mo Ning was startled: "What imperial edict?"

Qin Zheng: "Send me to Guanxi to provide disaster relief!"

Xia Mo Ning was shocked: "Why?"

The voice just fell.

The special agents shouted in the yard: "The imperial edict has arrived..."

Outside the window, several eunuchs had already walked into the yard.

Xia Mo Ning was stunned: "Master, aren't you supposed to be here to oversee the reform? Why would you be asked to provide disaster relief?"

Qin Zheng smiled bitterly. "If your sister insists on moving Xia Jinzhong, she'll definitely transfer me temporarily. She's afraid I'll interfere. Right now, there are no natural disasters or major events happening across the country. Therefore, the food crisis in Guanxi is the perfect excuse for me to leave the imperial capital at this time of year."

Qin Zheng paused and said calmly: "Besides, the construction of the imperial capital is imminent, the plan has been completed, the funds have been in place, and the personnel have been arranged.

This is already a half-ripe peach. At least, North City is like this. Even a rookie like you can build North City well. I'm just planting trees for others; the peaches aren't mine. You won't get the credit for this while I'm here..."

Xia Mo Ning understood, and suddenly realized: "No wonder my sister asked me if I understood your plan!"

Qin Zheng: "This trick is also called luring the tiger away from the mountain! Since Master won't help your sister deal with Xia Bitu, how can she trust me to stay in the imperial capital?

She also wanted to see if my people could obey the court's arrangements without me in charge, and whether my people would only obey me!

I also want to see if the people I trained, including you, can build the imperial capital without me. If the people I trained have this ability, the cadre academy will be meaningful!"

After saying that, he stood up and walked out.

Xia Mo Ning stamped her feet anxiously: "Why doesn't my sister trust my master? Isn't this just killing the donkey after it has done its work?"

"Lord Qin, how are you?" The person who came to issue the imperial edict was Zhu Shigui.

At this moment he was looking at Qin Zheng with a smile.

Qin Zheng smiled and said, "Old Zhu, you've gained weight. It seems like you're living a comfortable life!"

Old Zhu?

Zhu Shigui smiled bitterly.

I thought to myself, I have been promoted now and am now the eunuch Shangbao, who is responsible for delivering imperial edicts to high-ranking officials. Only you dare to call me Lao Zhu.

However, knowing that Qin Zheng was just that casual, the more so, the more he didn't treat him as an outsider.

He immediately smiled and said, "Master Qin is also beaming with joy. His career is flourishing!"

Qin Zheng waved his hand: "Stop talking nonsense and announce the decree!"

Zhu Shigui: “…”

I am speechless. Was it you who started joking with me first?

He had no choice but to say, "Master Qin Zheng, accept the order!"

Qin Zheng knelt down: "Long live the emperor!"

Zhu Shigui: "The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims that a famine has struck Guanxi Province. Food is in short supply, prices remain high, and the people are starving and complaining. Resolving this famine is urgent.

"I hereby appoint Qin Aiqing as the Imperial Commissioner for the Guanxi Investigation. Carrying the Imperial Sword, you are to depart within seven days for Guanxi to thoroughly investigate the root cause of the famine. We must seize this opportunity and thoroughly resolve the famine in Guanxi. Guanxi is a vital area of our dynasty, and this investigation is of grave importance. Qin Aiqing must devote all his energy and do not let me down. I decree this!"

Zhu Shigui continued, "Your Majesty has issued an oral order that the court will not send the Imperial Guards to Lord Qin this time. Lord Qin can use his own men or dispatch the Guanxi garrison as needed."

Qin Zheng frowned.

Just let him go empty-handed?

The biggest problem in Kansai is food shortage.

He had also heard that the imperial court had sent imperial envoys to investigate before, but they all brought relief food and silver.

No relief food or money, just investigating the case?

Could it be that the imperial court is not planning to allocate grain and funds this year?

Moreover, if he were to use his own troops, all his troops were in Hongtong County, and there were not many of them. If they were transferred, Hongtong County would be in danger.

The empress obviously meant that she was afraid that he would leave, but she arranged for the special forces or the troops from Hongtong County to thwart her plan.

Let him transfer troops from Guanxi?

Guanxi is under the jurisdiction of Liang Heng, the King of the Western Territory. Can Liang Heng listen to the empress?

This means there are no troops available!

This means he has to solve the problem with nothing and nothing at hand!

Test his abilities?

Test how dangerous he is to the Daqian court?

Qin Zheng was helpless. The empress still didn't trust me!

This is understandable. Qin Zheng does not need the trust of the empress. Who have kings trusted since ancient times?

He was just worried that the empress's plan would be severely thwarted and her vitality would be severely damaged.

But some people won’t know pain unless they suffer a little!

Zhu Shigui saw that Qin Zheng didn't say anything and didn't accept the order, but he didn't urge him either.

He is from Kansai and knows the situation there very well.

As a senior official who announced the imperial edict, he could tell the meaning of it at a glance.

But he also couldn't understand, wasn't Lord Qin a favorite of His Majesty?

Why did the suppression begin?

If this isn’t suppression, what is?

How could one ask a favored minister to do such an impossible task?

Favored ministers should be gilded, not skinned!

Although Qin Zheng had cheated him, Zhu Shigui still admired Qin Zheng's actions very much.

"Thank you for your grace!" Qin Zheng finally took the imperial edict.

He figured it out.

He had to accept this task not for anyone else but for the people of Guanxi.

No matter how great the injustice he suffered, he still wouldn't trust someone else to be the imperial envoy, and he knew the outcome would be unresolved. If this continued, Guanxi would be doomed.

But at the same time, Qin Zheng had a new understanding of Xia Mochu.

This woman is only suitable for admiration, not for being his woman.