Re-embroidering life

Chapter 125 Man-made Disaster

Who wouldn’t like or be moved by such high-quality materials and beautiful quality?

"Little Gourd, Furong Garden Embroidery School has accepted you."

"Really?!" Xiao Hulu couldn't believe it, his eyes radiating ecstasy. He immediately knelt down and wanted to kowtow to Shui Qinghua, but Shui Qinghua grabbed him.

"Okay, now go find a place to take a shower, change clothes, clean up and come back."

"Yes!" Little Gourd answered loudly, then spread his feet and disappeared in a flash.

Seeing this scene, Ji Fei came over, wondering why her mother wanted to take in a little beggar.

Shui Qinghua didn't explain, but just told Ji Fei: "Transfer Ah Xiao to the Embroidery School, and let him live with Xiao Hulu in the future, so that he won't stand out by himself."

After opening an embroidery workshop in Furong Garden, Ji Fei entrusted the original Yaoxiang Jinxiu shop to Axiao, and concentrated on learning business from Ye Jincheng and managing Furong Garden.

Ji Fei was a little unhappy after hearing this: "If Xiao is transferred here, what will happen to my shop?"

Shui Qinghua didn't indulge her: "Just promote a shopkeeper, figure it out yourself!"

Ji Fei thought that as a boss, he had to learn to deal with all kinds of emergencies, so he hurried to do it.

Unexpectedly, when Xiao met Xiao Hulu, they felt like they had met too late and immediately became a pair of inseparable good brothers. They were of similar age and both came from poor backgrounds.

After repeated persuasion from Jin Lan, the embroiderers finally agreed to become teachers. Now they had someone to teach them how to read, draw, and use basic needlework. Seeing the childish faces in the classroom, the embroiderers treated the students as their own children and taught them wholeheartedly.

As for the problem that had stumped Ji Fei before, Ji Fei did not give up looking for a solution.

"Mom, just like Dad and his colleagues are evaluated every three years, we can also set up an examination once a year. Those who pass the examination will be promoted to a higher class, and those who fail will stay in the class or find their own way out. Only after being promoted three times can you learn our family's unique skills. At this time, you have to sign a written contract to promise that you can work in the water embroidery workshop after you learn it."

Shui Qinghua nodded. She had also thought of this. "Mrs. Meng had signed a written contract with the embroidery workshop before, but the embroidery pattern was eventually leaked, which shows that the contract is not foolproof."

"This..." Ji Fei frowned, and suddenly his eyes lit up, "We divide the techniques into several steps. One person can't learn all the steps!"

Shui Qinghua stroked her head with a smile and shook his head: "No need. In fact, no matter how you defend, the skills will be passed on, it's just a matter of time. What we have to do is not to defend ourselves, but to keep running forward. As long as we run fast enough, others will never catch up."

Ji Fei looked at his mother's confident and powerful eyes, his heart filled with pride and even admiration.

The embroidery school was running smoothly, and everyone was devoted to the operation of the workshop and the school. Few people noticed that Ji Zimo came home less and less often, and smiled less and less on his face.

As the person sleeping next to her, Shui Qinghua was naturally the first one to sense that something was wrong.

"Zimo, what happened?"

Ji Zimo was full of worries and looked haggard. He did not speak for a long time.

Shui Qinghua did not rush him but waited patiently. She knew that he must have encountered a huge difficulty.

"Qinghua, if I find out that the Oujiang flood two years ago was half a natural disaster but more of a man-made disaster, would you believe it?" Ji Zimo finally spoke in a low voice.

Shui Qinghua was surprised and asked for details.

Ji Zimo continued, "As we all know, the most dangerous part of Oujiang River is the Qianzhou and Jiangxia sections. Recently, I have looked up a lot of information from previous dynasties in the Ministry of Industry and found that there is an island in the middle of the river in this section, named Jiaojin Island. This piece of land was actually bought by the Xiao family, a prominent family in Jiangxia. Since the reign of the previous emperor, the Xiao family has begun to reclaim this land and make huge profits by planting reeds. As a result, Jiaojin Island has been expanding over the past few decades, seriously obstructing the flow of the river, and the water level has gradually risen. Finally, under the urging of heavy rain, the water is like a beast and cannot be stopped."

At this point, Ji Zimo frowned, his eyes full of resentment. "Jiaojinzhou, what a good name! Is it the Jiaojinzhou for the people of the world, or is it the private gold cellar of the Xiao family?"

Shui Qinghua was shocked when she heard this, and asked again: "What is the background of the Xiao family, and why were they able to buy Jiangxinzhou?"

Ji Zimo took a deep breath and said, "This Xiao family is the maternal family of Jiangxia Huang Zhifu. The two families are old friends, intermarried for generations, and have a complicated relationship. Their purchase of Jiaojinzhou is naturally related to the Huang family."

"Then what are you going to do?" Shui Qinghua asked worriedly.

"I want to report this to the emperor, but I have reservations. First, the Huang family has a huge influence in Jiangxia. If I act rashly, the dozens of people in the Ji family might be retaliated against. I am even more worried that the emperor will mistakenly think that I am dissatisfied with Prefect Huang because of the Ji family's dismissal from office, and I am taking revenge on him. Not only will it be difficult to uphold justice, but it will also bring disaster to myself." Ji Zimo sighed. It was because of these things that he had been restless and worried day and night these days.

Shui Qinghua pondered for a moment, then looked at Ji Zimo firmly and encouraged him, "Zimo, don't worry too much. As long as you are wholeheartedly for the people and do what you think is right, you will have a clear conscience. If the emperor is a wise ruler, he will naturally see your public spirit. If the emperor is not a wise ruler, you have tried your best and have no regrets. The welfare of the people is the most important thing, don't give up because of temporary concerns."

In fact, before Ji Zimo confided his feelings, he had already made up his mind to expose the matter, but he hesitated because of his family. His wife's support dispelled the last trace of cowardice and hesitation in his heart. Even if he had to sacrifice his life for justice, he would find out the parasites that harmed the people!

He hugged his wife tightly and said, "What more could a husband ask for if he had a wife like this?"

Shui Qinghua also hugged his waist: "This is dangerous, you must be extremely careful!"

Ji Zimo nodded: "I know, I have you and the child, as well as my mother, behind me, so how could I act rashly?"

The two of them snuggled together and did not separate for a long time.

On the second day, Ji Zimo came to the Imperial Study with a memorial to the emperor. Normally, Ji Zimo was not qualified to meet the emperor alone due to his official rank, but the eunuchs in the Imperial Study were all shrewd people, knowing that the emperor always looked at him differently, and with the idea of ​​establishing a good relationship with him, they helped him to pass on the report.

Before Ji Zimo stepped into the imperial study, he was extremely nervous, as if he was walking on the edge of a knife. The flood was related to the lifeblood of the dynasty, and it was unknown whether Huang Xiao and the others had a bigger backer behind them. If today's matter failed, it would be a small matter for him to anger the emperor and be dismissed from his post. It would be a big deal to implicate the Ji family and even cause unrest in the court and the country.

But if he turned a deaf and dumb and allowed the people of Qianzhou Jiangxia to suffer, he would never forgive himself.

He calmed down and no longer felt any fear.