The first old man came to the table and bowed to Xu Ping: "The young man Dong Jiayi has lived for 83 years this year, the longest in the village, and I have seen a person who is waiting for the government."

Xu Ping quickly stood up and let the old man sit down. He was respectful to the old man and lived to a certain age in the countryside. He became a lucky person and had a status everywhere. This kind of occasion was even more indispensable.

Dong Jiayi sat down, and the man behind him came forward and bowed: "Xiaomin Tong Qilang, a native of Xiuwu County, Huaizhou, Hebei Road, was living here due to natural disasters six years ago. He has been practicing martial arts skills since he was a child and specialized in making first-class porcelain. Now there are several cellars in the county. Whenever the officials are in the county, they will be given instructions to the smaller ones. The small county is barren and poor, and only the craftsmen like Xiaomin are more abundant."

Xu Ping nodded and asked him to sit down.

The last black and thin old man walked up and looked a little timid, and bowed to Xu Ping: "Jiumin Jiang Dayou, the natives of the hometown. The ancestors accumulated virtue and saved over the years. The family had some idle fields at home, and their lives were just right. The first-class rice seeds were heard from Kaifeng Prefecture two years ago, called 'chicken rice', and only the small people could plant it in the fields. All the food that the officials in the county was handled by the small people."

Xu Ping smiled slightly: "Okay, sit down too."

Needless to ask, Jiang Dayou is what Sun Fengnian said about Jiang Yuanwai, the first-class landlord in this county. However, there are only a few thousand people in this county, and he is just a rural rich man. The reason why Xu Ping came to Heyin County was that he was good at getting to know him first at this dinner table, and he would inevitably find him in the future. At least Xu Ping must find out the matter of Sun Fengnian's family and would not give up halfway.

The so-called "chicken head rice" is an excellent variety selected near Kaifeng. It tastes excellent. The best rice in the capital is much more expensive than the rice from Jianghuai that is usually sold. It has grown a lot in Xuping Zhongmu farm, and even contributed to the improvement of the variety. The rice he usually eats at home.

There was not even a young lady singing music in this small county town, let alone singing and dancing. After a few polite words, the wine and food came up and everyone gave a cup of tea. Xu Ping was unintentional to drink, but just said that he was tired on the road, and then stopped after drinking three cups.

After a meal, Dong Jiayi presented local products to Xu Ping on behalf of the people of Heyin. After saying a few compliments, everyone left.

Yao Zeguang said to Xu Ping: "When the county government is in a state of despicable state, it is difficult to live with the people accompanying you. If you don't dislike it, the Sanhuang Temple, not far from the city, is vast. Although it is a little dilapidated, it is better than many palaces and pavilions. The officials often clean up every day, and they are neatly cleaned and can stay there, but I don't know--"

Xu Ping said: "It's still early, so we'll talk about accommodation later. You and Zhong Hui follow me, I have something to ask."

After saying that, when I first entered the living room of Houya, Yao Guangze and Zhong Hui looked at each other, and they didn't understand why, so they followed Xu Ping together. Sitting down in the living room, Xu Ping said to the two people standing in front of him: "This time I left the city, I originally intended to go to Gong County to see the Luo River water diversion outlet. I met people from your county in Bajiao Town and changed my mind."

Yao Zeguang felt nervous and asked hurriedly: "I don't know who he met when he was in charge?"

"A family of Heyin County, surnamed Sun, said that the county was suffering from severe drought this year and life was not easy, so my whole family fled to Kaifeng Prefecture. Only then did I realize that the Yellow River waterway was rolling north this year and I would not pass by the foot of Guangwu Mountain."

Yao Zeguang breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Yes, this year it's another severe drought, and it has been drought for three consecutive years. Most of the fields in the county were affected, and there was no harvest. Some people did have a hard life. As for the Yellow River, it passed by the foot of Guangwu Mountain last year. This year, the river at the foot of the mountain was at the bottom and retreated nearly ten miles northward in one go."

Xu Ping nodded. This is the most important thing. As long as this matter is good, he will not go to Heyin County in vain.

After pondering for a while, Xu Ping looked at the two of them and said slowly: "However, although the Sun family was fleeing, there was no relocation document written by the county. According to them, the land rent for this season has been paid, but the county has been delaying in applying for certificates. I ask you, is this happening?"

Yao Zeguang was surprised and said, "The officials have been busy with disaster relief recently, and have not been distracted by these things. I really don't know. - The matter is all handled by Master Zhong, Master Zhong-"

Zhong Hui was startled and said: "This year, the county has waived money and grain. How can I know about the villagers? The certificate documents were handwritten by the township clerk, and the public officials used seals. Perhaps it was delayed by the township clerk?"

"Hey, hey," Xu Ping chuckled twice, "It seems that you both are busy with official duties and are not very clear about these trivial matters. Why, no people came to the county government office?"

"No, absolutely not!" Yao Zeguang said firmly, "Heyin County is small, and there is no business in the yamen. If someone finds the county government, I will definitely do it for them!"

"That's what the village clerk does-" Xu Ping stood up, "Okay, your county government is too small, I think you can no longer live in apart from you two. The people I brought and I will go to the Sanhuang Temple to rest. County Magistrate Yao, today you can find two people who are familiar with local geography and serve as a guide for me tomorrow to explore Biankou and the river."

"Don't worry about the system, the subordinates will definitely send capable people."

Yao Zeguang said as he followed behind and sent Xu Ping out.

When he arrived at the door, Xu Ping stopped and turned to the two of them and said, "You two really didn't stop the people from relocating by not issuing documents?"

"Don't worry, there is absolutely nothing!" Yao Zeguang and Zhong Hui shook their heads together.

"Will anyone send someone to pursue the fleeing people?"

"When we are joking, our county has been delayed by the money and food of the public officials for several months, so how can we take out the money and let people go out for trouble! There is absolutely no such thing, and there is no extra man in the county to do these things!"

"This is the best, don't let me find you lies, otherwise-"

Xu Ping said, smiling and shook his head, raising his legs out of the county government gate.

If it weren't for the three public officials from Heyin County who had been in his hands, they would have almost believed these two people. Those three people were obviously used to being rampant and domineering, and they didn't seem to be pretending to be public people, then these two people must be lying.

Xu Ping's duty during this trip was to inspect the river. Although officials in the court had the responsibilities of inspecting local officials when they went to the local area, he did not go to Heyin in the name of inspection and appeasement, nor could he arrest the local officials for interrogation. What he could do now can only write Mengzhou and let the magistrates from the state come down to deal with it.
Chapter completed!