Chapter Twenty: The Magistrate's Favor

  This chapter has been revised and increased by 1,000 words, so be sure to take another look!

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  "Ha! The Tiger of Xiajin? Oh, that's just Tai Gong's youngest son."

  The deputy commander quickly put down the hand that was pressing the knife, slowly nodded and exclaimed: "Ah! Old Master! It's really true that a tiger father has no inferior son! I congratulate you!" Facing the old veteran of the Imperial Guard, the old official, he didn't have any temper at all. Moreover, those two sons of his, well, let's just say, one word, awesome!

  Just then, Xu Sheng led several strong men to hurry over. Before they reached Taigong's presence, they had already knelt down and kowtowed, saying: "Your son is unfilial! Letting the old father be startled, please punish your humble servant!"

  Xu Taigong helped him up and wiped the dirt off his armor, saying with a smile: "You were commanding the defense of the city, it was your duty. How could you neglect your public duties for personal reasons? You fought well and didn't bring shame to me."

  Xu Sheng was somewhat excited: "If not for Ninth Brother's timely reinforcement, Xiajin would have been lost. Father, Ninth Brother has made a great contribution this time! The governor of Jining Prefecture, Zhang Gong, has specifically asked to see him!"

  Xu Taigong was shocked to hear this. After the emperor ascended to the throne, he promoted large counties to prefectures and dispatched imperial officials as administrative heads, also in charge of military affairs, known as "certain official governing certain prefecture". With high status and great power. That Jining Prefect Zhang Shuye, a trusted minister of the Son of Heaven, why did he specifically ask to see my family's Old Ninth? Moreover, how could Jining Prefecture send troops to aid Xiajin?

  After the war, the first task is to count the results of the battle, statistics casualties, rewards and punishments. This time in the war, if we talk about merits, I believe it is what everyone expects, without any suspense. The two brothers of the Xu family, one defended the city with strength, the other provided timely reinforcements, both are great meritorious officials. Therefore, Zhang Shuye, the governor of Jinan, and the county magistrate, sent someone to Xujiacun to invite Old Lady Xu Zang.

  Due to the arrival of the superior official, the Xiajin County government office was used as a commander's headquarters. At this time, in the flower hall of the inner government office, there was only one official sitting in the main seat, about sixty years old, with white hair and beard, but with a majestic appearance and an air of authority. Although he was leading the army, he wore the usual attire of a civil official, standing in the middle of the hall as if deep in thought. Hearing footsteps coming from outside, he turned his body towards the outside.

  Xu Taigong and Xu Sheng, father and son, entered the hall. As Xu Sheng was a military officer, they exchanged formal greetings. Zhang Shuye smiled and accepted their respects, then stretched out his hand to gesture for them to rise, saying: "No need for such formality."

  Xu Zhang Xu Taigong, being a fifth-grade official who had resigned, merely bowed his hands and said: "I have seen the Magistrate..."

  "Old brother, it's been over a decade since we last met, are you well?" Zhang Uncle Ye stepped forward, grasping Xu Taigong's hands in both of his, as if they were old friends reunited, with great enthusiasm. Back then, when Xu Taigong was commanding troops in the northwest, Zhang Zhifu was also serving in the northwest, and although they knew each other, their relationship wasn't particularly deep. Now that Xu Taigong had retired from office, while he was a high-ranking official governing a region on behalf of the emperor, such politeness made Xu Taigong feel somewhat uneasy.

  Coughing twice, Xu Taigong replied: "It's all over, just wait for death."

  Magistrate Zhang, regardless of the truth or falsehood, always showed enthusiasm. Upon hearing this, he could only force a smile: "Old brother, what are you saying? An old steed in the stable still has ambitions for a thousand miles; a heroic warrior's spirit remains unyielding even in old age. Now, your son is following in his father's footsteps, dedicating himself to the military, and will surely become a great talent sooner or later. Come, come, sit down and let's talk."

  The three men sat down, and Zhang Shuye said some polite words, recalling the "battlefield friendship" in the northwest years ago, and praising Xu Taigong as "a tiger father has no dog son".

  Xu Taigong was a hot-headed person, his emotions were written all over his face, and the impatient look on his face gradually appeared. Xu Sheng secretly worried that his old father's temper was strong and straightforward, easily offending people, and it was precisely because of this that he had been forced to retire last time. This time, the meeting with the prefecture governor was very important, but he must not make any mistakes.

  "Doesn't brother know how many sons are under his knees?" Zhang Zhifu suddenly changed the subject and asked this sentence.

  "A daughter and two sons." Xu Tai Gong replied stiffly.

  "Oh? Then this must be the eldest son who serves as the commanding officer in the Da Ming Fu army?" Zhang Shuye looked at Xu Sheng and asked.

  "Yes." Xu Taigong was indeed frugal with ink, and Xu Sheng, who stood beside him, tightened his skin, fearing that his father would lose his temper.

  Zhang Shuye nodded slightly and praised: "The son of the general's gate, the future is boundless. I don't know where the Summer River Tiger was last night when he rushed to rescue the county town?" Since Yang Yan shouted under the city wall that day, "Xu Family Village Tiger, Xiajin Little Overlord", Xu Wei's glorious deeds have been passed down in a somewhat distorted way today.

  Xu Jia's ninth elder's image also transformed from "dandy" and "rascal" to "ambitious young man" and "unconventional", even "reading Spring and Autumn at night" and "well-versed in both literature and martial arts".

  "What a Xiatian tiger, just a prodigal son." Xu Taigong actually felt very pleased in his heart, but his face still didn't have the slightest expression, and his tone was also stiff. Zhang Zhifu was enthusiastic, seeing that the other party was not moved, gradually changed his face as well.

  "Ah, heroes have always emerged from young men, why be too humble?" Zhang Know-fu chuckled and continued, "Old brother, your eldest son has become an official through imperial favor, I suppose the youngest one will stay by your side to serve and care for you in your old age?"

  Xu Taigong still didn't react, but Xu Sheng was delighted and couldn't help but smile. However, one side was a superior official, while the other was his father - what right did he have to interrupt? Yet, he worried that his father's straightforwardness would offend Zhang Zhifu and ruin everything. After some deliberation, he was about to speak up.

  "Muddy clay can't be used to build a wall, it's only good for staying by your side. After I'm gone in a hundred years, you'll be left to guard the meager family property and live out your days." Xu Taigong seemed not to have caught the implication of Zhang Zhifu's words and responded casually.

  Magistrate Zhang was clearly unwilling to agree with this, and smiled: "A man's ambition lies in the four directions, how can he waste his years in a rural area? Don't you ever think of a way out, also plan a future for him?" After saying this, he himself felt somewhat meddlesome. But thinking that it was a time when the country needed people to take care of things, and the court was using people, he couldn't help but do so anyway. This Xu Tianfu had been notorious in the army for his bad temper since his early years, no need to treat him with courtesy.

  Xu Sheng feared that his father would say something to humiliate him, so before he could respond, he forced himself to interject: "Please be more careful, sir. I'll take responsibility for my ninth brother Xu Wei..."

  "My son is of a stubborn temperament, not suitable for great things. If he were to enter officialdom, he would inevitably cause trouble sooner or later, so I've also given up on that idea. Besides, if one doesn't have the ability, even if they rely on their ancestors' influence to get an official position, they'll still be ridiculed and unable to hold their head high. It's better to just stay in the countryside and live a peaceful life." Xu Taigong thought that Zhang Zhifu's words had a hint of sarcasm, implying that he didn't have any connections to help his son advance, which is why he gave such a grandiose explanation. But as soon as these words left his mouth, not only was Xu Sheng shocked and uncomfortable, but also Zhang Shuye's face changed color in anger!

  This Zhang Zhi-fu, was a veteran minister of the true religion dynasty, Xu Guo Gong Zhang Qi's great-grandson, who entered officialdom by virtue of his family background and started as a recorder in Lanzhou. He rose to his current position step by step. As an official who relied on family connections rather than passing the imperial examination, he couldn't compare with those who had taken the regular route. After decades of ups and downs in his official career, because of his identity as a "yin guan" (official who obtained office through family connections), he didn't know how many white eyes he had seen or how much ridicule he had suffered. Xu Tai Gong's words hit him right on the sore spot, so how could he not be angry?

  Fortunately, Zhang Zhi-fu had some tolerance and knew Xu Zhang's temperament early on, so he endured it without getting angry. I got what I deserved for being too eager to please others. It's none of my business since he's someone else's son. Why should I bother? After a few more pleasantries, he cited his busy military duties and ordered me to leave.

  Out of the flower hall, Xu Sheng was scolding bitterly! Zhang Shu Ye is a trusted minister of the emperor, and he looks up to our Xu family. He took the initiative to ask about Jiu Di's future, but didn't explicitly say it. If we can get him to help us out, not to mention getting an official position for Jiu Di, even just assigning a good task would give us hope for the future. But Father insisted on being stubborn and wouldn't put down his pride. Moreover, Zhang Shu Ye was taking the initiative to ask, he didn't make you beg him with a low voice, did he? Even if you don't want to owe him a favor, you don't have to offend him with your words, making it hard for him to save face.

  Although full of complaints, there are no parents in the world who are not wrong, and as a son, he naturally cannot blame his father. He can only regret for his ninth brother, missing such a good opportunity.

  The father and son walked out of the county government office without saying a word. As they descended the steps, Xu Taigong suddenly stopped in his tracks and asked, "Was I just now...?"

  Xu Sheng sighed inwardly and didn't respond. Xu Taigong hesitated for a moment, then still lifted his foot to walk out. Although he also realized that he might have offended someone just now and missed an opportunity to let his son get ahead, the temperament he had cultivated over decades made it impossible for him to swallow his pride.

  As soon as he left the county government office, he ran into Yang Yan and Zhang Qing accompanying Xu Wei to come in big strides. After entering the city last night, County Lieutenant Liang Heng disappeared without a trace, and Xu Wei was temporarily ordered to command the militia of Xujiazhuang Township to maintain law and order, and has been busy until now. Hearing that Magistrate Zhang is receiving guests, he hurried over.

  Xu Taigong looked at his son, fully armored and majestic, and thought of the merits he had established. If only he had paid more attention to him earlier, his future would have been secured. Thinking of this, he felt even more regretful. Knowing his son's temperament, he wouldn't reveal half a word to anyone. Just as Xu Wei walked up with a smile on his face, without saying a word, he turned and left.

  Seeing his brother standing there in a daze, Xu Sheng knew that their father had already regretted it. He walked forward and patted his brother's shoulder, forcing a smile as he said, "It's fine, go see Magistrate Zheng now, remember to respond properly, absolutely do not be rude." Having said this, he quickly followed after Old Man Tai.

  Xu Wei Ke wasn't so easily fooled, what's with Old Master's attitude, does he think nothing of it?

  In the upper hall of the county yamen, Zhang Shu Ye was still fuming about what had just happened. I'm also a "Servant of the Imperial Court and Administrator of Jinan Prefecture", a proper fourth-rank official, while you're just a retired fifth-rank military officer. I've been considerate of our past relationship, shown you courtesy in every way, taken the initiative to be friendly, but you still give me this arrogant attitude. This stinky temper of yours isn't enough to harm yourself, but it also has to drag down your son?

  I thought that since we used to work together in the northwest, we could be considered old friends. Now that your son has achieved something, I wanted to help you out as a favor and find him a job, big or small, so he can have a proper career and a good future. Hmph, since you don't appreciate it, I'll just save myself the trouble!

  The anger had not dissipated when he saw his attendants shrinking outside the door, unable to advance or retreat. He shouted: "What are you doing hiding your heads and showing your tails?"

  The servant slipped in and asked cautiously: "Sir, Xu Wei has arrived. Will you see him or not?" He must have heard the dispute between Lord Xu and the Magistrate just now, which is why he was so hesitant.