After leaving the city gate, he saw someone selling fish on the roadside. Xu Cai stepped forward, bought two breams, pierced them with wicker sticks, carried them in his hands, and walked towards the industrial area on the mountainside. The industrial area was very quiet, and the road was quiet.

There were very few pedestrians. Only occasionally a few large vehicles passed by, pulling goods.

When he arrived at his brother Xu Qi's workshop, Xu Cai quickly walked in. He saw that there were a lot less people in the workshop, and it was not as lively as the last time he came here. Some people who knew Xu Cai lazily said hello.

When he arrived at the place where his brother was doing business, he saw that the door was not closed, so Xu walked in.

Entering the house, he saw Xu Qi lying on the chair like a dead fish, looking at the sky, not knowing what he was thinking. Hearing the movement, Xu Qi took a look and said calmly: "I have free time today? Let's sit down for a while.

, I’ll go out to eat later.”

Xu Cai looked around and couldn't help but ask: "Brother, why are you so listless? I heard someone in Xiangyang City said that you were deceived into a gambling boat a few days ago and lost a lot of money. Fortunately, you

I was smart and reported it to the official in time and got all the money back."

After hearing this, Xu Qi straightened up, shook his head and sighed. "If I had known it was like this, I might as well have given the two thousand dollars. Even if the factory has difficulty with the turnover for a while, you can always make it back with a little hard work."

"How do you say this? Two thousand guan is not small money!" Xu Cai felt strange and walked forward quickly.

Xu Qi smiled bitterly: "How did I know that so many people would be implicated because I reported to the police? There are several officials in the Inspection Department, especially Inspector Zhang, who are very popular among people, but they lost their asylum because of gambling.

lives. There are also six inspectors who were imprisoned for their involvement in this matter. There are 18 inspectors who were kicked out of the government office because they did not report their knowledge. This is only the inspection department, as well as government offices and county offices.

Where are the yamen? Eight officials were beheaded. Nearly twenty were imprisoned. Forty or fifty were dismissed from their posts. Brothers, most of these officials are not extremely evil.

People, many people are complaining about them. Especially two days ago, I heard that Senator Chen was also suspended from his job because his family officials were involved in this matter. How many good things has Senator Chen done for the people since he came to Xiangyang? These days, everyone

Everyone said that I was greedy for my own small fortune and ruined the future of so many people. People from the inspection department often came to scold me, and ordinary people didn't have a good face. What's worse, the bank in Xiangyang Prefecture warned me that they would not give me money in the future.

I've got a loan. How do you think I can keep running this factory? These days, I'm thinking about transferring the factory to someone else, but this business really can't be done."

Xu Cai was shocked when he heard this: "How could this be? How could you become your brother's fault by supporting prostitutes and gambling, harming one party? There is no such truth in the world! Brother, don't worry, after some time, everyone will understand!"

Xu Qidao: "Brother, things in the world are not so black and white. Of course, these officials who were punished were greedy for money, otherwise they would not be involved in the boat gambling case. But although they are greedy for money, many of them are not bad people. People think

Their kindness is very natural. We can only blame the government for handling this matter too strictly, and the people are naturally aggrieved. Who would have thought that I would become a bad person in people's mouth."

After saying that, Xu Qi shook his head and stood up with a sad look on his face.

Xu Qi understood that the situation he faced was not only because people were complaining about the officials, but also because of the government's handling of the incident. After the incident, the government asked the gamblers that night to come forward and file a complaint. As long as they confirmed that they had boarded the boat that night, they could get

Of course, the gambling boat will not remember how many gamblers there were in one night, how many people lost money, and how much they lost. It is inevitable that some people will fish in troubled waters. But the gambling boat will remember how much money they earn in one night. The results will be calculated in the end.

, that night I lost one or two thousand dollars gambling on the boat.

When word of this incident spread, ordinary people thought that these gamblers had made a profit, and looked down upon Xu Qi even more.

Xu Cai stood and thought for a while and said: "Brother, I think it is not wrong for the government to arrest people for gambling, and what you have done is not wrong. The situation we are in today is very inappropriate. These days, I passed the official examination, and now I am also an official.

Yes. I will report this matter when I get back!"

Xu Qi turned around and looked at his younger brother. He said: "You are also an official. What kind of official are you? I heard from people that the officials you recruited do not care about any affairs and are basically idlers. Everyone said that I recruited you.

I don’t know what the use of this group of officials is. They are just for free food. Who do you report these idle officials to? Who in the yamen will sell your face?"

Xu Cai said: "You don't know about the affairs of the government. Idle officials have their uses, so they are naturally useful."

Xu Qi shook his head and was too lazy to talk anymore. Seeing that it was getting late, he said: "Let's find a tavern and have a few drinks. It's a pity that the factory can't be run. But this year, I did make some money. Back to Nan

Zhang, there is still a chance to start over."

The two of them left the factory, went to a nearby canteen, and found a tavern to sit down. Xu Cai bought two breams and asked the store to steam them and serve them to go with wine and food. After ordering wine and food, the two brothers drank together.

After drinking a few glasses of wine, Xu Cai said: "Brother, how much effort have you put into making the factory what it is today, how can you give up so easily? The people are just talking about it, just to feel happy for a while, and it will be fine after a while."

Xu Qidao: "Brother, it's not that simple. A few days ago, people from the bank said that I was unreliable and wanted to stop my loan——"

Xu Cai said: "My brother is rich now. Even if the bank does not lend money, the factory can continue to operate."

Xu Qi sighed: "It must be opened, and it can be opened. But if you don't have a loan, you can develop if you want. But what's more troublesome is the people from the supply and marketing cooperative. Although it is not stated clearly, the supply and marketing cooperative does not want to sell my goods.

Once the supply and marketing cooperative stops selling, who will sell the things made in this factory? This is the most terrible thing."

After saying that, Xu Qi poured all the wine in the glass into his mouth and said: "Who would have thought that I just didn't want to pay gambling debts, but I would cause such a big trouble? Not only the government wants to arrest those who open casinos, but also the common people

You will still hate me. How come you are here and become my fault?"

Xu Cai said: "Many things in the world are unreasonable. When my brother meets him, he can only blame himself for his bad fate."

Xu Qi nodded: "Yes, I can only blame my life. In the first few days, I gritted my teeth and must fight these people to the end. I didn't believe that my factory would not be able to continue. After a few days, it became worse day by day.

Every day I became more miserable, and then I gradually realized that this was my destiny. What else could I do? If you are destined to have this calamity, you must suffer it."

Xu Caidao said: "I don't think my brother should be so negative. There is always a solution. Although my brother is just trying not to pay off his gambling debts, it can't be considered as doing anything good to eliminate harm for the people. But the actual effect is that the people benefit."

Xu Qidao: "So what? If God has eyes, can he seal the mouths of the people?"

Xu Cai was speechless and didn't know what to say for a moment.

After a long time, he gradually became drunk. Xu Qi said: "If I really want to say it, I can only say that the government has done a great job in handling this matter. If it is just to arrest the mastermind of the gambling boat and not involve too much, how can anyone hate me?
Chapter completed!