Chapter 14: The First Meeting with County Magistrate

  With the cleverness and wisdom of a courier, he would certainly not believe Xiao Fang's nonsense.

  However, Xiao Fan still successfully entered the government inn.

  There is one language in the world that is simple and effective, and that is - money.

  When Xiao Fan endured the heartache, his face twitched as he fished out five pieces of broken silver and stuffed them into the hands of the post officer. The post officer's weathered and cold face suddenly became gentle and warm like a spring breeze.

  In comparison, Xiao Fan's expression turned much more bitter.

  Unexpectedly, even a humble post house servant would be treated with respect. It is said that Zhu Yuanzhang hated corrupt officials the most, and those who embezzled more than 60 taels of silver would be skinned and stuffed with grass to be displayed publicly. Despite such severe punishment, it still couldn't stop the corrupt practices within the imperial court. It seems that Zhu Yuanzhang's anti-corruption efforts were indeed ineffective.

  I don't know if I can get reimbursement from Chen for this five-dollar silver. This should be considered entertainment expenses, right? In the past, many invoices were written as "office supplies", isn't that the same thing?

  Money can make a ghost grind a mill, and it's even more effortless to get a ghost to show you the way.

  After the courier received the silver, his attitude became much more enthusiastic. He warmly told Xiao Fan that Cao Xian Cheng lived in the left wing of the official post house. Due to his urgent appointment, his family was still on the road and had not yet bought a house, so they could only temporarily live in the official post house. Moreover, he had very little luggage and only brought an old servant who had been serving him for many years.

  Xiao Fan listened to the courier Luo Li's chatter and got a certain impression of the county magistrate, whom he had not yet met.

  Xiao Fan soon arrived at the second courtyard of the government hostel. The county magistrate's wing was on the left side of the courtyard.

  It is now high noon, and Cao Xian, the county magistrate, is having his meal in the courtyard outside the wing room.

  Xiao Fan stood far away, carefully sizing up this new county magistrate.

  He was seen wearing casual clothes, with a sturdy build and a full beard. He held a small wine jug in his robust hands, occasionally tilting his head to take a swig of wine, then carelessly wiping the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, before picking up his chopsticks to take another bite, his cold, hard face revealing a look of satisfaction.

  His eyes were as bright as stars, and when he drank, they narrowed slightly before suddenly opening wide. From a distance, it seemed like a majestic tiger crouched at the edge of the table, its aura powerful yet restrained.

  Beside him stood an old man with a slightly hunched back, the old man stood motionless with his hands hanging down, his expression was as respectful as an old but extremely loyal dog.

  Although he was standing far away, Xiao Fan could still feel the faint aura of murder emanating from Cao Xian Cheng's body, a rusty and corrosive smell that made him feel somewhat uncomfortable. It was said that this Cao Xian Cheng used to be a hundred-household general under the command of the King of Yan, following the king on numerous campaigns against the remnants of the Yuan dynasty, with many achievements to his name. This Cao Xian Cheng must have accumulated countless lives under his belt, and having killed so many people, it was only natural that he would exude an aura of murder.

  He took a deep breath, straightened his waist and walked to the front of Cao Xiancheng's desk, then looked at Cao Xiancheng without saying a word.

  As Xiao Fang approached, the old servant standing beside Cao Xian suddenly opened his eyes, and a sharp light burst out from them. Xiao Fang felt a chill run down his spine, as if he was being stared at by a hungry wolf.

  This master and servant relationship is not simple!

  Xiao Fangqiang suppressed the fear in his heart, making an effort to control his expression and pretending to be calm.

  Until Xiao Fan walked to the edge of the table, Cao Xian Cheng was still lowering his head to drink wine, as if he hadn't seen him at all. The courtyard was quiet, and only the sound of Cao Xian Cheng drinking wine could be heard.

  Xiao Fan could only rub his nose and smile wryly, then stand quietly by the table, hanging his head in silence. The old servant looked him up and down a few times before closing his eyes again, not looking at him anymore.

  After standing for a long time, Magistrate Cao finally looked up at him, his two thick black eyebrows raised slightly, and in a deep, resonant voice asked: "Who are you?"

  Xiao Fan cupped his hands and said: "Humble commoner Xiao Fan has seen Second Master."

  The so-called "Second Master" is the folk name for the county lieutenant. In a county, the county magistrate is the big boss, and the people call him "Big Master". The county lieutenant is of the eighth rank, and is the second person in charge of the county, hence called "Second Master".

  Cao County's vice magistrate frowned and said in a deep voice: "Do you have any official titles or honors?"

  Xiao Fan was shocked and then shook his head.

  Cao County Magistrate coldly snorted: "Since you have no official rank or reputation, that makes you a commoner. Why didn't you kneel when you saw me?"

  If there is no honor above Xiucai in the morning, it will be a white identity, and when you see an official, you have to kneel down, even if this official is only an eighth-grade county lieutenant.

  However, Xiao Fan didn't have this habit. Having received modern education, he only kneeled to heaven, earth, ruler, parents and teachers, nothing else was worthy of his kneeling.

  Xiao Fan sighed and said, "I really don't want to kneel down. If you think I'm being disobedient, why not just order me to be thrown into prison? I've heard that they provide meals in prison, which is much better than starving to death outside."

  Cao County's bronze bell-like eyes suddenly shot out a sharp light, and the faint killing intent suddenly became thick and heavy. The sharp gaze was like a sharp steel knife, scraping back and forth on Xiao Fan's body, making Xiao Fan's heart tremble with fear.

  Xiao Fang suddenly wavered, this is ancient times, the lives of ordinary people are cheap as grass, when officials say kill, they will be killed, do you think there will be journalists and media to help you seek justice? Don't dream, he kills himself like killing a dog.

  Alright, I'll kneel if I have to; after all, I'm someone who has no principles and knows how to be flexible in all things.

  Just as Xiao Fan was about to kneel down in exhaustion, Cao Xian suddenly burst out laughing: "Damn it! I didn't expect this small Jiangpu County would have such a bold figure. As an old official, I've finally found some meaning in my job today..."

  Xiao Fang let out a sigh of relief and straightened his waist. Luckily! This county magistrate was a bold and straightforward person, if he had encountered a more reserved and cautious one today, this kneel would have been unavoidable.

  After laughing, Cao Xian suddenly sank his face and said: "You said you would starve to death outside, what do you mean by that?"

  Xiao Fan bitterly smiled and said: "If the Chen family falls, where can a humble commoner like me go? Won't I just end up starving to death on the streets?"

  Cao County's vice magistrate shot out a cold light from his eyes and said in a cold voice: "Are you from the Chen family?"

  Xiao Fan rubbed his nose: "I guess I'm half a member of the Chen family..."

  Cao County Magistrate sneered: "You're here to plead for the Chen family? Hmph! How much silver did Chen Si Liu bring to bribe me this time? Five thousand taels or ten thousand taels?"

  Xiao Fan looked at Cao Xian Cheng's expression, his heart sank, it seemed that this time Cao Xian Cheng had made up his mind to take down the Chen family, no matter how much silver was offered.

  Xiao Fan shook his head and sighed: "I've let you down, I only have ten taels of silver on me..."

  Cao County Magistrate widened his eyes: "Ten taels?"

  Xiao Fan subconsciously covered the purse at his waist and said, "Moreover, these ten taels of silver are the savings of a humble commoner. The commoner still hopes to use it to make a fortune, relying on it to lay eggs and hatch chickens, and to become rich. To be honest, the commoner didn't plan on giving it to you..."

  Cao County Magistrate's face turned increasingly dark: "Are you playing tricks on this official?"

  "How dare a humble person like me..."

  Cao County's eyes narrowed: "Chen Si Liu sent you out with ten taels of silver to plead for leniency from the official?"

  Xiao Fan shook his head in horror, the conversation had reached this point, and pleading was hopeless. If he really opened his mouth, he feared that Cao Xian, a former soldier, would cut him down with one knife.

  But... we have to find a topic, otherwise what's the point of coming in here for no reason? If things don't get resolved, won't the five silver coins given to the gate guard be wasted? Chen Si Liu will definitely not reimburse himself.

  Xiao Fan Zhang glanced at him, then stared at the wine jug on the stone table, and suddenly a thought struck him. He smiled: "A humble commoner meeting with Your Excellency doesn't necessarily mean he's here to beg for mercy; perhaps... he simply wants to have a drink with Your Excellency."

  Xiao Fan vaguely felt that this topic might satisfy Cao Xiancheng, after all, how can one be unrestrained without wine? In the movie, Dongfang Bubai was very generous and drank with Linghu Chong, so Cao Xiancheng must be stronger than Dongfang Bubai.

  Cao County's lieutenant, Leng, was stunned, and even the old servant beside him suddenly opened his eyes wide. The two of them stared at Xiao Fan in a daze, speechless for a long time.

  Xiao Fan saw that County Magistrate Cao did not react and couldn't help but say: "Could it be that this wine is too expensive, sir can't bear to part with it?"

  Cao County Magistrate's eyes flashed with excitement as he burst out laughing: "Good, good, good!"

  He said three good words, then Cao County Magistrate stared at Xiao Fan and said: "You little boy's temper, if I don't invite you to drink this wine today, I'm afraid I won't have the face to be an official in Jiangpu County in the future, haha, not bad, you have guts!

  When he finished speaking, Cao Xian turned his head and said to the old servant: "He wants to drink wine, so let's invite him to drink wine!"

  The old servant bowed his head and responded with a "yes", then turned around and entered the room, bringing out two large ocean bowls.

  Bang!

  A heavy bowl was placed on the stone table.

  Xiao Fan's face changed color, and a thin layer of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

  With difficulty, Xiao Fan swallowed his saliva and looked at Cao Xiancheng with a hint of pleading in his eyes. He hadn't expected the unorthodox faction to be so unorthodox...

  "......Can I have a smaller wine cup?" Xiao Fang smiled at Cao Xiancheng with a hint of embarrassment, and made a small circle with his index finger and thumb. Cao Xiancheng pitifully gestured: "This humble commoner thinks the two-copper cup is quite good..."

  Magistrate Cao snorted, then looked at him with disdain and said in a rough voice, "A two-cash cup? That's something only eunuchs use. We're men! Use this!"

  Xiao Fan's eyes widened as he stared at the two large sea bowls on the stone table, each capable of holding two catties of wine, and felt an urge to flee.

  Chen's family must be protected, but the premise is... one's own life must be protected first!

  If Cao Xian didn't laugh at his words, Xiao Fan really wanted to slap himself in the face twice.

  There are many ways for people to communicate with each other, pulling relationships, even flattering and fawning can be used, as long as the goal is achieved, no method is shameful.

  Xiao Fan found himself doing something stupid. He chose the most foolish method - to have a drinking contest with a seasoned general from a military background.

  The eyes of the masses are sharp, am I really a madman?

  Xiao Fan had his first doubt about himself...

  Division line

  Got up early today, something came up tonight, so I'm posting this ahead of schedule.

  There's something I'm a bit embarrassed to say, but I have to say it anyway. Next week, the website has scheduled a recommendation, and this book will be strongly promoted for the first time in its category.

  Old readers know that I didn't accumulate many drafts, so for the next few days, I may only update once a day because I need to work hard on accumulating drafts, and when the website recommends it, I won't be caught off guard.

  Understand it, every time you open a new book is like starting a new business, entrepreneurship is not easy.