The governor of the government office brought Zhao Xingzhi to the reception room.

Zhao Xingzhi made a special trip to visit the government office, which was somewhat beyond Wu Zongrui's expectations. It should be said that after Wu Zongrui came to Qingzhou, his relationship with the Zhao family was still good. Xinyi Escort escorted money for the Zhao family twice, and once to the capital.

, once to Dengzhou, and both times he successfully completed the escort task. As the patriarch of the Zhao family, Zhao Xingzhi was very satisfied.

Behind the Xinyi Security Bureau is Wu Zongrui, the prefect of Qingzhou Prefecture. Only a few people know about this matter, and Zhao Xingzhi is one of them. After all, if the Xinyi Security Bureau wants to establish a foothold in Qingzhou, it cannot do without the support of the government.

Wait, they are all issued directly by the government. As for other large and small bailiffs in Qingzhou, they are not so lucky. If you want to get the road guide, you have to think of many ways, and it is necessary to come up with some silver.

Xinyi Escorts has been open for almost five months, and it has almost completely annexed all the Essiers of all sizes in Qingzhou.

When going from the wing to the reception room of Yin Hotel, Wu Zongrui had been thinking about the purpose of Zhao Xingzhi's visit. He had too many things to do during this period, and his main focus was on Dalinghe City, Dengzhou, Laizhou and other places. Very soon

Think less about other things.

Seeing Wu Zongrui entering the reception room, Zhao Xingzhi quickly stood up and bowed his head.

"I've met the prefect."

"Clan Chief Zhao, you're welcome. Sit down and talk."

Zhao Xingzhi did not sit down immediately and waited until Wu Zongrui sat down before taking his seat.

"I came to see you today specifically to thank you. After you came to Qingzhou, the place was peaceful and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment. I admire you very much and respect you very much..."

"Chief Zhao's words are a bit exaggerated. I have only been in Qingzhou for half a year, and I still don't have that much ability. However, the Zhao family is a prominent family in Qingzhou. There are many capable people in the family, and my respected father Zhao Shaobao is even more respected by everyone. From now on, Qingzhou

For many matters, I have to rely on the help of the Zhao family and Patriarch Zhao."

"My lord, whenever you are given an order, I will do my best."

...

Wu Zongrui didn't like this kind of polite words at all, but he still had to show off. After all, the Zhao family was a family of scholar-bureaucrats with deep roots and was very particular about this. Moreover, such situations abounded in the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty.

But Zhao Xingzhi must have something to do when he came here today.

Sure enough, after the pleasantries, Zhao Xingzhi's words changed.

"Sir, Xinyi Escort has escorted money for my Zhao family twice, and one of them was extremely dangerous. I feel very sorry for you, so I came here today to express my gratitude. This is a little thought from my family and me, and I hope you will accept it."

There was a sandalwood box on the table next to Zhao Xingzhi. Wu Zongrui had noticed it a long time ago, but did not break it.

In the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty, greetings and send-offs were common, and gift-giving had become a rule. Anyone who went to visit superiors or elders without bringing gifts would become a laughing stock.

Zhao Xingzhi stood up, carefully picked up the sandalwood box, walked to Wu Zongrui's side, and placed it on the table.

It is also a rule to use people's money to eliminate disasters. Gifts are not given casually, nor can they be accepted casually, so Wu Zongrui did not reach out to open the box.

"Clan Chief Zhao, as the saying goes, no reward will be given for no merit. Xinyi Escort escorted the money for the Zhao family and received a reward. This is already a matter between the two parties. I accept the kindness of the Zhao family and Chief Zhao."

"My lord, please don't say that. This is the intention of the Zhao family and me. Please accept it and don't refuse. Our Zhao family sincerely admires you..."

Wu Zongrui had a smile on his face, but he was secretly vigilant in his heart. The so-called sincere admiration was all a lie. Wu Zongrui had only been in Qingzhou for half a year, and he had not had much contact with the Zhao family, let alone any entanglements in interests. People gave him gifts for no reason.

, I must be asking for something. If I accept the gift from Zhao Xingzhi, I'm afraid it won't be that easy to say later.

After all, the Zhao family is a prominent family in Qingzhou, with extraordinary influence. There is no need to grovel to please him, the prefect of Qingzhou. As the saying goes, there are great scholars in talking and laughing, but no white people in dealings. The Zhao family has enough background and confidence, let alone Wu Zongrui.

Yu Dacheng, the governor of Shandong, would not easily cause trouble for the Zhao family.

"Clan Chief Zhao, I completely understand the good intentions of you and the Zhao family, but this gift must not be accepted. Patriarch Zhao made a special trip to visit today. I am already very happy. The Zhao family is a prominent family in Qingzhou. As a Qingzhou

Magistrate, there are still many places where we need to rely on the Zhao family and Patriarch Zhao. I have already ordered the Yin Hotel to arrange a banquet. I will have a banquet with Patriarch Zhao later, and I will not mention other things."

Seeing Wu Zongrui's attitude, Zhao Xingzhi was slightly stunned and quickly spoke.

"My lord has misunderstood the meaning of the Zhao family and me. It would be false to say that the family and me have no thoughts at all. The Zhao family definitely wants to be cared for by your lord. In any case, the family is rooted in Qingzhou.

As for other aspects, my family and I don’t have any ideas. I’m here to visit you for the first time today to present my family and me some thoughts. If you refuse, I won’t be able to say anything after I go back.”

"I made a special trip to visit you. Many families in Qingzhou City must know about it. If you don't accept the wishes of your family and me, if the matter spreads out, your family and me will lose face and you will not be able to face others."

...

Zhao Xingzhi's words made Wu Zongrui not know what to say. If he categorically refused the gift from Zhao Xingzhi, his future work in Qingzhou would not be so smooth, and he might encounter criticism from the Zhao family. But if he accepted the gift,

Who knows what the Zhao family and Zhao Xingzhi will think in the future.

After slightly weighing the pros and cons, Wu Zongrui smiled and spoke.

"The sincerity of the Zhao family and Patriarch Zhao makes me ashamed. Since Patriarch Zhao has said so, if I continue to refuse, I will not give face to the Zhao family and Patriarch Zhao. Anyway, I will accept this gift. Thank you Zhao

The good intentions of the family and Patriarch Zhao."

As soon as Wu Zongrui finished speaking, Zhao Xingzhi showed a comfortable smile on his face.

After dinner, Zhao Xingzhi said goodbye and left without making any requests.

Two days later.

"Sir, the situation has been basically investigated clearly."

"Let's talk about it, the Zhao family is too grand. I originally thought it was an ordinary jewelry gift, but I didn't expect it to be Mi Fu's "Yanshan Inscription". This gift is so expensive that I don't even know what to use it for."

Go and return the gift."

Zeng Yongzhong nodded vigorously.

"Zhao Bingzhong of the Zhao family used to have a good relationship with Zhou Yanru, the former chief minister of the cabinet. Both of them were the top candidates in the imperial examination. They had many contacts when they were officials in the court. In the seventh year of the Apocalypse, Zhao Bingzhong died of illness.

, the emperor decreed that he be the crown prince's Taibao, and it is said that Zhou Yanru was the one who specially reported and promoted this matter. After Zhou Yanru became the chief minister of the cabinet, he once recommended people from the Zhao family to the emperor, and most of them were accepted by the emperor."

"Zhou Yanru resigned from office and Lord Wen Tiren became the chief minister of the cabinet. It is said that Lord Wen was somewhat dissatisfied with the Zhao family. Some time ago, all the Zhao family officials in the capital were transferred to local posts. This may have made the Zhao family feel

So nervous."

"Master Sun Chengzong, Grand Tutor, Minister of the Ministry of War, and Governor of Jiliao, is a student of Zhao Bingzhong and has some care for the Zhao family. However, Master Sun is a true man and will not protect the Zhao family for no reason."

"Your Excellency also knows that the battle of Daling River City caused a lot of opinions in the court against Mr. Sun. Moreover, the army rushed to rescue Daling River City twice, but both failed. There were more discussions in the court. The Zhao family should also

Knowing these things, I’m afraid I might feel nervous again.”

"Speaking of which, your Excellency is also a student of Lord Wen Tiren. During the examination that year, Lord Wen was one of the examiners. Moreover, Your Excellency was once impeached, and it was Lord Wen who protected you."

"I think the Zhao family should also know these things. They think that because you are so young, you are the censor of Youqiandu of the Supervisory Yuan and the prefect of Qingzhou. You must be under the care of Lord Wen and have an unusual relationship with Lord Wen, so Zhao

The family tries every means to make friends with adults and handle relationships well, just to plan for the future of the family."

...

Wu Zongrui suddenly realized this and couldn't help but have a wry smile on his face.

Wu Zongrui has no relationship with Wen Tiren at all. As for getting help from Wen Tiren when he was impeached, that was an accident.

No wonder the Zhao family would send such an expensive gift. Zhao Xingzhi said on the surface that he had no requirements, but in fact the pressure on Wu Zongrui was huge.

Favors must always be repaid.

Of course, things may not be that bad. As the chief minister of the cabinet, Wen Tiren promotes his own cronies and suppresses Zhou Yanru's cronies. This is a normal situation, but the Zhao family is not necessarily Wen Tiren's main target. After all, nowadays

There are no such outstanding people in the Zhao family anymore, so they may not necessarily attract Wen Tiren's attention.

All Wu Zongrui can do is take care of the Zhao family within Qingzhou.

In fact, Wu Zongrui does not need to worry about this matter. After all, the Zhao family has extraordinary influence in Qingzhou, and no one has the courage to collide with the Zhao family.

"I see, sir, thank you for your hard work. I have found out so many situations. According to your suggestions, how should I deal with them?"

"I don't think you need to worry too much or do anything. Scholar-official families like the Zhao family take the family's interests and reputation very seriously, and are afraid of encountering the slightest disturbance, so everything they do is quite far-reaching.

Mr. Wen is the chief minister of the cabinet. If he had deliberately dealt with the Zhao family, the Zhao family would have been in trouble a long time ago. The Zhao family's friendship with Mr. Wen is actually to prepare for the future. There will not be any big demands at the moment. "

Wu Zongrui nodded.

"Sir, you are right. The family of scholar-bureaucrats is extraordinary. Take one step at a time and see ten steps at a time."

"By the way, the real decision-maker in the Zhao family is not Zhao Xingzhi, but Zhao Xingzhi's uncle Zhao Bingxu. Zhao Bingxu is Zhao Bingzhong's brother and the former patriarch of the Zhao family. Although this Zhao Bingxu only has the title of a member of the family, he is extremely flexible and thoughtful.
Chapter completed!