flstandardbreds Chapter 151 Knocking on the gates to plead for permission to begin bridge construction
Chapter 151 Knocking on the gates to plead for permission to begin bridge construction
We begged the government for permission to begin bridge construction.
"Husband, let's go to the government office." Su Yunlan pointed to the rickety wooden bridge in the distance, her tone firm.
Xiao Yuhan gripped her hand tightly, his deep gaze fixed on the bridge, and said in a deep voice, "Okay."
On the way to the county government office, sunlight streamed down the bluestone pavement, illuminating the vendors hawking their wares and the passersby, creating a bustling scene.
Su Yunlan and Xiao Yuhan walked side by side, each holding a meticulously drawn bridge-building plan. Sunlight shone on the paper, making it seem as if it were plated with a layer of gold.
Despite the bright sunshine, they still felt a little uneasy.
The bridge has been in disrepair for many years and has long been a source of anxiety for the people. Repairing the bridge would be a beneficial act for the people, but whether the government will approve it remains to be seen.
In the main hall of the county government office, Magistrate Sun sat upright, flipping through the bridge construction plan in his hands.
He would sometimes frown, sometimes shake his head, and tap his fingers on the table, making a dull sound.
Below the hall, Su Yunlan and Xiao Yuhan stood quietly, sunlight filtering through the window lattice and casting dappled shadows on the ground.
A faint sandalwood scent filled the air, but this fragrance could not mask the somber atmosphere inside the hall.
"This plan..." Magistrate Sun put down the papers in his hand and slowly began to speak, a hint of displeasure in his tone, "It seems incomplete." He looked up at Su Yunlan and his wife, his gaze scrutinizing them. "The specific structure of the bridge, the amount of materials used, and the construction plan are all not detailed enough. Also, will this bridge affect the feng shui of the river after it is completed? These all need to be carefully considered." His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Su Yunlan and Xiao Yuhan exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of seriousness in each other's eyes.
This Magistrate Sun is clearly making things difficult for us on purpose.
Just as Xiao Yuhan was about to speak, Su Yunlan gently tugged at his sleeve.
She stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said in a calm but firm tone, "Sir, this plan is only a preliminary proposal. We have already made detailed plans for the specific details, but they are not all reflected in writing. As for the feng shui issue, we have also consulted a feng shui master to ensure that the construction of the new bridge will not affect the feng shui of the river."
Magistrate Sun snorted, leaning back slightly in his chair, his gaze playfully sweeping over Su Yunlan. "Oh? Is that so? Then tell me, what is the specific structure of this bridge? How much material was used? What is the construction plan?" His tone was laced with sarcasm, as if he was certain Su Yunlan would be unable to answer.
Su Yunlan took a deep breath and was about to speak when a commotion suddenly broke out outside the hall.
A yamen runner rushed in and whispered a few words in Magistrate Sun's ear.
Magistrate Sun's expression changed slightly, and his gaze toward Su Yunlan became somewhat flickering.
"You may go back now," Magistrate Sun waved his hand, his tone somewhat impatient. "We'll discuss this matter later."
Su Yunlan was puzzled, but she didn't say anything more.
She and Xiao Yuhan exchanged a glance, and were about to turn and leave when Magistrate Sun suddenly called out to them, "Wait." He stood up, walked to Su Yunlan, and said in a low voice, "Madam Xiao, regarding this bridge construction matter, I'm afraid..."
Su Yunlan frowned, and without making a sound, took out a scroll from his sleeve and steadily handed it to Magistrate Sun: "Sir, this scroll contains a detailed river survey report, bridge structure diagrams, and an analysis of the benefits after completion. Please take a look." Magistrate Sun took the scroll with suspicion and slowly unrolled it.
The paper is fine and has a superior feel. The drawings on it are precise and detailed, the various data are clearly marked, the handwriting is neat and strong, and even the key areas are marked with different colors.
The more he read, the more alarmed he became. The report was far more professional than he had expected, and he himself had never understood the river channel in such detail.
His gaze swept over the analysis of the riverbed soil composition, the hydrological data records, the bridge pier design plan, and the predictions of the impact on trade and commerce on both sides of the river and the convenience of travel for the people after the bridge is completed. He even made detailed calculations on the possible increase in tax revenue.
He couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. Just who was this woman?
A barely perceptible hint of surprise flickered across Magistrate Sun's face as he met Su Yunlan's gaze. A faint smile played on his lips, but his eyes remained calm and composed.
She was secretly pleased with herself. This was the culmination of modern technology; how could ancient officials see through it so easily?
The contents of this scroll were partly a summary of her memories and experiences from her previous life, and partly slightly modified from information "borrowed" from her spatial dimension.
Standing to the side, Xiao Yuhan calmly grasped Su Yunlan's hand, a warm and firm strength emanating from his palm, silently offering her support.
Su Yunlan turned her head and returned a grateful look.
In this tense atmosphere, their eyes met, silently conveying their trust and love for each other.
Even in the midst of danger, they could feel each other's support, like two trees leaning against each other, weathering the storm together.
Magistrate Sun examined the contents of the scroll repeatedly, his fingers lightly stroking the paper, as if trying to find some flaw.
After a long silence, he slowly spoke, "Madam Xiao, this report... is quite unexpected. However..." He paused, rolled up the scroll again, his eyes flashing, "This bridge construction is no small matter..."
Magistrate Sun stroked his beard, his eyes darting around, and then posed another difficult question: "Madam Xiao, building this bridge is no child's play. If an accident occurs during construction and causes losses, who will bear the responsibility? Therefore, I need to collect a deposit as a precaution." He held up five fingers and slowly said, "Fifty taels of gold!"
Fifty taels of gold!
This is no small sum.
Even for a large family like the Xiao family, this is a considerable expense.
Moreover, the Xiao family is now in dire straits, and fifty taels of gold is an astronomical sum.
Standing to the side, Young Master Xiao Nineteen immediately jumped up and said angrily, "Sir, this is going too far! Fifty taels of gold is clearly extortion!" He was young and hot-blooded, and his words were not very polite.
Magistrate Sun's face darkened, and he slammed his gavel down: "How dare you! You dare to slander me!"
Su Yunlan quickly pulled Xiao Shijiu back, signaling him to calm down.
She took a deep breath, stepped forward, and calmly replied, "My lord, please calm your anger. My nineteenth brother is young and ignorant; please forgive him." She paused, her tone firm, "However, fifty taels of gold is indeed a huge sum, which we simply cannot afford. I wonder if my lord could make an exception?"
Magistrate Sun snorted coldly: "I am only acting according to the rules and have no personal motives. If Madam Xiao cannot produce this deposit, then this bridge may not be able to be built." His tone was firm, as if there was no room for negotiation.
Su Yunlan's eyes darted around, and an idea came to her.
She took out several letters from her sleeve and handed them to Magistrate Sun: "Your Honor, I have already visited several respected local gentry in the city, and they are all willing to vouch for us. What do you think, Your Honor?"
Magistrate Sun took the letters with suspicion and opened them one by one.
The letter did indeed bear the handwritten signatures and seals of several local gentry; the facts are undeniable.
He frowned, tapping his fingers lightly on the table as he fell into deep thought.
These local gentry were highly respected in the area, and offending them would not do him any good.
“Since the local gentry are acting as guarantors…” Magistrate Sun hesitated for a moment, his tone finally softening, “Then what about the security deposit…”
Su Yunlan was overjoyed and secretly breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed that this trick had indeed worked.
Magistrate Sun put down the letter, but his gaze remained uncertain: "This matter is of great importance, and I need to consider it further. You may return now and await further news tomorrow."
Su Yunlan and Xiao Yuhan exchanged a glance. Although they had doubts, they didn't say anything more.
They bowed to Magistrate Sun and then turned and left the county office.
Stepping out of the county government office, the bright sunshine shone on her, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in Su Yunlan's heart.
Although Magistrate Sun's attitude softened somewhat, he still did not explicitly approve the bridge construction permit.
It seems this matter is far from over.
“Lan’er,” Xiao Yuhan said, holding Su Yunlan’s hand tightly, his tone steady, “Don’t worry, there’s always a way out.”
Su Yunlan nodded gently, looked up into the distance, her gaze resolute.
She was determined to build this bridge!
"My husband, let's go find..."