At dusk, Linjiang Tower.

This is the most famous and largest restaurant in Huating County, with four floors. Of course, with the prices of the restaurant, it is impossible for ordinary people in the county to eat and drink here, and only some well-known figures or businessmen from other counties will visit.

The highest fourth floor is rarely available because the price here is higher, and a table of food is enough for ordinary people to spend half a year. But today, Linjiang Tower opened more than ten banquets on the fourth floor, all of which were single seats, and never received a deposit of one cent, because this is what the Xu family meant, and the host of the Xu family would hold a banquet here to entertain guests.

People from Huating County, regardless of gender, age, don’t know which county magistrate is in this county. But no one doesn’t know the name of Xu Ziyang, the head of the Xu family. The Xu family and the Fang family are the people of this county. How many people rely on them to have a meal? The owner of Linjiang Tower is actually the same.

A well-crafted and extremely spacious carriage slowly stopped in front of the restaurant door. The shopkeeper who had been waiting at the door quickly took two steps at three steps, and greeted him with a smile on his face: "I'm paying homage to Mr. Xu." This Xu Ziyang's car is well known in the county town. As long as he sees it appear, he will know who is sitting inside.

There were several capable men riding on horses beside the carriage. As soon as the car stopped, they quickly turned over and fell off the horse, and stood in front of the car door. The driver put a wooden bench on the carriage and helped Xu Ziyang walk down steadily. Seeing him coming down, the shopkeeper stepped forward again to see him. Seeing that humble appearance, he almost knelt down and kowtowed.

Xu Ziyang was no longer surprised by this, so he just waved his hand: "Go in and talk, are all the guests here?"

"Go back to Mr. Xu, you're here. Several old men from the Xu family have arrived one after another half an hour ago, waiting for you on the fourth floor."

"Well, where is the Fang family?"

"Master Fang San has arrived, but he is the only one."

"Hey, it seems that I didn't take my words seriously. I'm still young and ignorant." Xu Ziyang frowned and said, but the shopkeeper dared not accept it. The Xu family's Fang family was all things that little people like him dare not offend, and even if they dared not speak bad things behind their backs.

While they were talking, they had already entered the restaurant. Xu Ziyang and others didn't even glance at the people in the hall, and then quickly went up the stairs. The higher the Linjiang Tower, the smaller the floor space. When they reached the fourth floor, they were only enough to open these twenty tables of wine and food. At this time, most of the tables were already sitting behind them and chatting with each other. When they saw Xu Ziyang coming, they stood up and went up to see him.

The leaders were two middle-aged men, both of whom were extraordinary. They were at the age of 40. On the left was Xu Ziyang's eldest son Xu Mo, and on the right were the third master of the Fang family and Fang Changgeng. Both of them were influential figures in the county, and they were only more low-key in front of the two old men.

Faced with the respectful worship of these people, Xu Ziyang just waved his hand casually: "No need to be polite." As he said that, his eyes quickly swept from everyone's face, frowned slightly, "Where is the person?"

What he asked was naturally Li Ling, the guest of today, but the others shook their heads. Xu Mo replied: "I haven't seen him here yet. This airs are so big that I even asked my father to wait for him."

"Hmph, Xu Mao, can you explain the time clearly?" Xu Ziyang then looked at one of his clan nephews, and it was left to him to arrange this matter.

When Xu Mao was taken by him, his heart was terrified. He quickly bent down and said, "Uncle, my nephew made a clear statement with the county magistrate before noon, and he also promised to come to the appointment today."

"Is that right? Let's wait for him here. After all, he is a court official. To put it bluntly, it's still the parents of us. It's not wrong to ask us to wait for him." Xu Ziyang said as he walked forward and sat at the top of the main seat, then signaled everyone to sit down.

Only then did everyone sit according to their identities, and only empty the guest position on the left in front of them. However, the faces of these people were not very good-looking, because the guests who should come dared to be so arrogant, which really made people feel unhappy.

After a while, Fang Changgeng said again: "Old Xu, my nephew had a question before. Why do you attach so much importance to this new county magistrate and even hold a banquet here? I want me to say that we have not encountered such an official, and we have not encountered such an official again or twice. As long as he knows his situation at that time, he will soon come to our door to ask for a meeting."

"Haha, Changgeng, you are still as bold as ever, you dare to say it. No wonder your father likes you." Xu Ziyang smiled and looked at him, then looked solemn, "But if you know his origin, you wouldn't think about it. This Li Ling is not simple..." As he said that, he briefly talked about his resume.

Half of the people present really didn't know these inside stories. When they heard Li Ling's past, they really showed vigilance. Especially after learning that this was a special arrangement by the court, they felt that the new county magistrate was not simple. Even Fang Changgeng nodded after pondering: "What Mr. Xu is considering is that the younger generation underestimated the enemy. It would be better if such a person does not have conflicts with him or not offend him."

"Yes, as long as he is a smart person and understands the principle of being with the light, our two families will do things well with him. Then everyone will be fine. What they are afraid of is a naughty man, who knows nothing and acts recklessly. That's why I'm rushing to meet him today and explain some of the principles to him."

As Xu Ziyang said, his eyes quickly swept over the accompanying guests present. Those who can accompany him today are all the leading figures in the county, of course, they are also from the Xu Fang family, such as the several clerks in the yamen, who are really the power of the county government. Without them, Li Ling, the county magistrate, would be fooled immediately and could not issue any decrees.

There are also several stores in the county that are related to people's livelihood, such as grain, rice, cloth, and other stores. The two teachers from the county school, except for the head of the Fang family who is not in the county town, all other important figures have gathered together. It can be said that in order to greet Li Ling today, he really gave him enough people. Of course, in addition to face, he also prepared pressure. As long as Li Ling is sober enough, he will know how much trouble it will be after falling out with his family. I am afraid that the entire Huating County will not have a foothold in his county magistrate Li.

The preparation was quite sufficient and sincerity was given. Xu Ziyang thought everything was arranged very well, so he just waited for Li Ling to come and felt the sincerity and pressure.

But as a result, I couldn't wait, and I still couldn't see County Magistrate Li. Until I entered the update, the restaurant prepared for them had been hot twice, but the main owner still had not arrived...

When Xu Mao came back from downstairs again, his forehead was sweating and he didn't dare to look at his uncle, everyone's faces became extremely ugly. They all knew a little. It was obvious that Li Ling had let their pigeons go and didn't plan to come to the banquet!

This understanding made everyone angry, and Fang Changgeng's face turned pale, but because Xu Ziyang was here, it was difficult to curse. The others were similar, and they looked at Mr. Xu, who was also gloomy from time to time to see how he would react.

Xu Ziyang has always claimed to be quite cunning and will not get angry at any time, and at this time she couldn't help it. Her hands holding the teacup were trembling slightly because of anger. Finally, after a silence, she slowly said: "Have you come yet?"

Xu Mao lowered his head and replied softly: "Why... your nephew will go to the county government office to take a look?"

"No need!" This time you go there, even if you really invite someone, you have to go through the second update. We are still waiting here, what are we like?

"Okay, I'm really worthy of being an official from the capital. It's different from ordinary officials. This is a good example." Xu Ziyang said with a cold face and hummed. After slapped the table, he quickly got up. "Since that's the case, let's break up. People don't look down on us ordinary people. Why should we continue to flatter us?"

"Let's go." Xu Mo and Fang Changgeng also stood up, followed the old man's back with a gloomy expression, and then the others also stood up and went out. In addition to being angry, many people were also full of doubts. Why did County Magistrate Li do this? If he didn't want to socialize, he would just refuse directly. If he agreed and ruined his promise, he would offend him even more harshly. Why bother?

Sure enough, when going downstairs, the people closest to Xu Ziyang heard the always steady Old Xu cursing: "I don't know how to lift up!" Obviously, he was really angry this time because Li Ling slapped him hard on the face.

What these people don’t know is that Li Ling, who is “unaware of esteem”, didn’t really fool them on purpose this time. He is also a passive “pigeon” person because Yue'er fell ill.

In the evening, when he turned from the front yamen to the back and planned to change his clothes, he went to the appointment with Wan Shenji, but learned that Yue'er suddenly vomited and had diarrhea at noon, and then lay on the bed, unable to even move.

This scared Li Ling very much. Because of his sister's death, he felt that he was the only relative of Yue'er. Now she suddenly got sick for no reason, which naturally made him feel uneasy. Not to mention going to the banquet, he couldn't even sit and stand.

Without caring about anything else, Li Ling immediately sent Li Moyun and Li Tong to the nearby area to find a doctor to treat Yue'er. He sat in front of Yue'er, took her hand and comforted her and herself, and asked Yang Qingxiao, who was also anxious and worried, "Why did Yue'er suddenly get sick?"

"I don't know either. It was fine at noon, but after dinner, she said she was feeling uncomfortable, and then vomited again and again... After a few times, Yue'er got out of strength..."
Chapter completed!