readsfreenovel Chapter 71 A Show of Approachability
Chapter 71 A Show of Approachability
Chapter 71 A Show of Approachability
Wang Wenzhou, with his belly protruding and hands behind his back, said, "Xiao Yin, write this down again. We need to address the root cause as well as the symptoms. The person who built the house is also responsible for it becoming a dangerous building. From now on, anyone who wants to build a house in this county must have a building permit. We can't just build houses casually! We must prevent this from happening at the source, especially when it comes to matters concerning the basic livelihood of the people."
"Yes, sir!" Li Yinshui laughed inwardly. He felt that his godfather's main purpose in inspecting the area today wasn't to order the repair of the dilapidated houses, but rather to secure building permits. His godfather had long ago said that construction companies in Hanshan would definitely make a fortune!
"Grandma, I've come to bother you today, and I've brought some small gifts with me. Please accept them, don't be offended." Wang Wenzhou said, waving his hand at Zhang Jiao.
Zhang Jiao quickly took the items from the bailiff—a small bag of flour and a piece of pork—and placed them on the bed.
Zhang Jiao said, "Grandma, these are just some daily necessities, pork, and flour. It's just a small token of our appreciation. Please don't think it's too little."
"Thank you, sir!" the old lady said gratefully. She really didn't know what else to say besides "thank you." She had only ever heard of commoners giving gifts to high-ranking officials, never of a high-ranking official giving gifts to poor people.
"Grandma, I still have to go see other places, so I won't disturb you any longer! Please rest well and I wish you good health and longevity!" Wang Wenzhou bowed and took his leave.
Upon hearing this, the old lady quickly asked her son to help her out of bed and escorted Wang Qingtian to the door.
"Grandma, please go back inside! No need to see me off!" Wang Wenzhou waved with a smile.
On this day, Wang Qingtian led his men, tirelessly visiting many impoverished households while the rain was still pouring down.
This heavy rain has deeply etched the image of Wang Wenzhou, the upright official, into the hearts of the people of Hanshan.
The people being visited were so excited that they kowtowed to the upright and honest magistrate to express their gratitude. For the county magistrate to personally visit their homes was truly a legendary tale. Ordinary people would never have the chance to meet a county magistrate in their entire lives. Let alone that the county magistrate would not only provide financial assistance for house repairs but also deliver rice, flour, and pork.
Overall, Wang Wenzhou's populist act was very successful. His act of wiping away tears in front of the people, in particular, deeply touched their hearts. The kind and simple people never imagined that Wang Qingtian was actually a fraud.
"Brother, I don't understand why you did this?" Sheng Liang asked in a low voice on the way back.
"Haha..." Wang Wenzhou laughed loudly, "We swindlers, oh... no, we officials, also need a reputation. I've always fantasized about the day I leave office and the people line the streets with tears in their eyes to see me off. If the higher-ups see such a scene, how could they not promote me!"
"Hey!" Zhang Jiao rolled her eyes at Wang Wenzhou. That fatso, he doesn't look like an upright official at all, he's clearly a big liar!
"Achoo!" Wang Wenzhou sneezed.
"Young master, your sister-in-law told you to wear a raincoat, but you didn't. You'll catch a cold!" Wang Qiang laughed.
"Take it off!" Wang Wenzhou snatched Wang Qiang's raincoat and put it on himself.
Wang Wenzhou didn't not want to wear a raincoat; he simply wanted to project a more sophisticated image in the public eye. Moving people is a difficult thing. To move others, you must first move yourself. In reality, besides the people involved, who truly knows how much falsehood and disgust is mixed into those moving stories and events?
As a conman, Wang Wenzhou understood perfectly well that old tricks always win people's hearts. How could someone who wasn't in the know possibly realize that they were being deceived by falsehoods and moved to tears?
The simple, honest people were unaware of the inside story. In their minds, Wang Qingtian was a truly incorruptible official. So much so that when educating their children, they would say, "We should strive to be like Lord Wang, a good and incorruptible official!"
Of course, some people also cursed Wang Wenzhou: "Wang is a fool, shameless!"
For example, the Four Great Talents are now drinking and cursing each other.
"How is it? Has the complaint been delivered?" Yang Shan asked.
Ma Deyun nodded, took a sip of wine, and said, "Last night, I sent someone to deliver it to Hezhou overnight. I estimate that the outcome of my uncle's case will be out tomorrow. That fool Wang, he wants to buy his way into officialdom, doesn't he? We won't let him get away with it!"
“Actually, we don’t need to do this! My father said that officials only seek wealth, and we don’t need to provoke Wang the Fool,” Lin Qing said.
"Brother Lin, can you swallow this insult?" Yang Shan asked.
“When you’re under someone’s roof, you have to bow your head. That idiot Wang is obviously trying to extort money from you! It’s only right that we give him some money as a token of our respect in business!” Lin Qing said.
"That makes sense, but that fool Wang is so shameless! Are we supposed to keep begging him? What's so great about a mere county magistrate?" Ma Deyun said angrily.
"Slap!" Yang Sheng patted Ma Deyun on the back.
Ma Deyun turned around and asked in surprise, "Cousin, when did you return to Hanshan?"
"You... you haven't returned home for several days in a row. Now that I'm back, you won't even see me!" Yang Sheng said with a laugh and a scolding tone.
"And who is this?" Ma Deyun scratched his head awkwardly and pointed at Wang Wenhua as he asked.
“This is my good friend, Wang Boren,” Yang Sheng replied.
Ma Deyun quickly cupped his hands and said, "Hello, Brother Wang! We're all family here, please sit down! It's my treat today!"
"Let's go together then!" Wang Wenhua nodded and sat down.
"Who were you cursing about just now? Who is Wang the Fool?" Yang Sheng asked as he sat down.
"That idiot Wang is the newly appointed magistrate of Hanshan County, Wang Wenzhou. That idiot Wang is ruthless! We just opened a brothel, and he ruined it." Ma Deyun cursed.
"Haha..." Yang Sheng laughed loudly, "They're talking about your cousin!"
"Ah..." The four talented scholars were immediately embarrassed, scolding their younger brother in front of his elder brother.
"Brother Wang, don't be angry, we were just talking nonsense!" Ma Deyun quickly explained.
"Lord Wang is wholeheartedly devoted to the people; he is the upright and just official in the hearts of us common folk!" Yang Shan quickly flattered Wang Wenzhou.
"That's right! Since Wang Qingtian came to Hanshan, the lives of the people have gradually improved!" Lin Qing and Sun Feng continued to flatter Wang Wenzhou in front of Wang Wenhua.
"Pfft!" Wang Wenhua chuckled and said with a smile, "Wang Shazi is quite similar to the name of our Silly Xiao Wu. He is indeed a fool."
"..." The four scholars were dumbfounded. What was going on?
"Well... it's a long story..." Wang Wenhua gave a brief explanation of his relationship with Wang Wenzhou.
The four scholars breathed a sigh of relief; it turned out that the two brothers had become enemies over the fight for the title.
Ma Deyun then recounted the matter of filing a complaint.
"Bang!" Wang Wenhua slammed his hand on the table and laughed loudly, "I also think that the city entry tax is a form of extortion! I also want to submit a memorial on this matter."
"Brother Wang, once the memorial is written, please remember my name." Yang Sheng strongly supported his friend.
"Come on! Cheers!" Wang Wenhua raised his glass.
"Let's do it!" the four talented individuals echoed in unison.
These men enjoyed their drinks immensely and were eager to cause trouble for Wang Wenzhou.