Chapter Seventeen: Dissolving the Crisis

  Xiao Fan's words were reasonable and touching, Cao Yi stroked his chin thoughtfully for a long time, then occasionally raised his eyes to glance at Xiao Fan, the meaning in his eyes was very complicated. Xiao Fan felt his scalp numb and his eyelids twitching under his gaze, he didn't know what this County Magistrate had in mind, so he could only force out a smile and stand aside respectfully.

  What needed to be said has been said, and although the words may have been a bit forced, the reasoning is still correct. It's up to County Magistrate to decide what to do next. If he still insists on destroying the Chen family, Xiao Fan decided... to hurry back and pack his bags, it's better to escape.

  Everyone in the Chen family looks down on this good-for-nothing husband, and when disaster strikes, he has no intention of following the Chen family to their doom. As the saying goes, a great man has things he is willing to do and things he is not willing to do. Accompanying others in meaningless martyrdom is certainly not something a great man would do.

  Inside the courtyard of the second official residence, the cold winter wind whistled from time to time. Under the old locust tree in the courtyard, three people stood motionless and silent. A piece of withered yellow leaves fluttered down and fell gently on the stone table under the tree where wine and dishes were placed.

  Xiao Fan swallowed hard, he felt very nervous.

  Power is a good thing, no matter how garrulous he may be, but in the end he still has to stand honestly in front of County Magistrate Cao and wait for his final decision. His one sentence can decide life and death.

  This is just a low-ranking eighth-grade official...

  Xiao Fan suddenly had a hint of desire for power. If he also had this kind of power to decide life and death with just one word...

  After a long while, Cao County Magistrate Ruan looked at Xiao Fan with interest and suddenly burst out laughing: "What you said makes sense. If the Chen family were to fall, my reputation would likely be affected as well. I don't want to be known for stabbing people in the back, which is a stupid thing to do... Killing 800 enemies but losing 1,000 of our own men is not beneficial to either side..."

  Xiao Fan's heart was delighted, and this Cao County Magistrate was indeed a reasonable person.

  Cao County Magistrate smiled ambiguously, staring at Xiao Fan: "But... as you said, this official wants to establish prestige in the Jiangpu government circle. If we don't take Chen's family down, how can we establish prestige?"

  The county magistrate's eyes were a bit strange, as if he was probing something.

  Xiao Fan thought for a moment and smiled: "Your Excellency doesn't need to do anything, it's already the best way to establish prestige."

  "What does this mean?"

  "Sir, your background is already well-known to the officials in the county government. They know who you are and who's backing you. Those who should be afraid will be afraid, and those who should oppose you will still oppose you. Why bother trying to intimidate them? This move is actually counterproductive..."

  He raised his eyes and looked at County Magistrate Cao, saying slowly: "A fist is most intimidating when it has not been thrown. Once it's thrown, no matter how powerful the blow, others will no longer be afraid. Sir, you've shown your fist, but haven't struck yet. I believe no one in the county government would want to be the first to take a beating. Your dignity has been established without being explicitly stated. However, if you were to make an example of the Chen family, no matter how ruthless the method, in the hearts of the gentlemen in the county government, you would be nothing more than that. Others would lose their fear and this move would be considered inferior... This humble commoner's shallow opinion is laughable to sir."

  Cao County Magistrate listened quietly to Xiao Fan's words, and his eyes gradually revealed a strange color. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly burst out laughing: "Not bad, really not bad! I didn't expect this small Jiangpu County to be a place where dragons and tigers are hidden. This official has gained a new understanding! Are you really the son-in-law of the Chen family? With such insight, how could you...

  Cao County Magistrate stopped halfway and shook his head in sighs, as if he was sympathizing with Xiao Fan's misfortune.

  Xiao Fan rubbed his nose, feeling a bit unhappy. Why did everyone have this expression whenever he mentioned being the son-in-law of the Chen family? It was as if he had willingly fallen into depravity. What business was it of theirs that he was someone else's live-in son-in-law? He just liked being a pampered pretty boy who ate soft rice, what was wrong with that?

  "What was your name again?" Cao Xian suddenly asked.

  Xiao Fan cupped his hands and bowed: "Humble commoner Xiao Fan."

  Magistrate Cao nodded, and Xiao Fan knew that from this moment on, Magistrate Cao had a true impression of him. In Magistrate Cao's heart, he was Xiao Fan, with a name and a surname, no longer just the alias "Chen Family's Husband".

  Caoyuan Cheng stared at Xiao Fan for a long time, then said seriously: "Forget it, as you wish. The matter of that Chen family kid offending me will not be pursued. It's like shaking the dice cup - Chen family won one round from me, and I won another back from them. Two rounds cancel each other out. Next round, I'll be the banker, and we start fresh."

  Xiao Fang let out a sigh of relief, and with a grateful smile to County Magistrate Cao, he bowed deeply and said: "I, a humble commoner, thank you on behalf of the Chen family for your wise and just decision."

  Cao County Magistrate waved his hand and smiled: "Bullshit righteousness! I just think it's not worth dealing with the Chen family now, go back and tell Chen Si Liu to be more careful, don't offend me again next time."

  Xiao Fan wiped his sweat and said, "I don't know how you managed to climb up the ranks, but this official is really lacking in skills..."

  Xiao Fan hastily replied, his tone and demeanor unusually respectful.

  Caoyuan Cheng had a thoughtful look at Xiao Fan, and after a while, he said slowly: "Although the Chen family has escaped this time, it's not certain that they will be able to escape next time. How long can you, as the husband of their daughter, continue to protect them? Don't you have any long-term plans for yourself? I don't think you're as incompetent as others say. You dare to come alone to my presence to plead for the Chen family, and this courage is already beyond what ordinary people can achieve. Why do you still want to be a humble merchant's son-in-law under someone else's roof?"

  Xiao Fan smiled calmly: "What's wrong with being a kept husband? The Chen family provides me with food and clothing, and gives me a monthly allowance. Before long, I'll even get a beautiful wife. This kind of comfortable life as a kept husband, not even a god would trade it..."

  Cao County Magistrate stared with his mouth agape for a long time before sighing: "I guess I now know what it means to have no great ambitions..."

  "Hmm? That's not right! You're pleading for the Chen family, you could have just said what you said earlier and that would be it. But why did you still drink with me and get drunk, lying on the table for half a day, what's the point of going around in such a big circle?"

  Xiao Fan was stunned. Why didn't I just tell him directly? Why did we have to drink with him? And he got drunk after just one drink...

  What's the point of this? Why did I go around in such a big circle?

  Xiao Fan was muddled for half a day, and only then did he stomp his foot and say indignantly: "Wasn't that just something I said casually? Who told you to insist on me drinking two catties of wine in one breath? I wanted to change to a two-cash cup, but you wouldn't let me..."

  Cao County Magistrate was stunned: "............"

  …………

  …………

  After bowing respectfully, Xiao Fan left the government inn.

  The old servant stared at Xiao Fan's back, leaned close to Cao Yi's ear and whispered: "Master, just because of these few words, you're going to let the Chen family off so easily?"

  Cao Yi narrowed his eyes and smiled lightly: "His words, of course, cannot change my mind, but they did give me a wake-up call. This is the land of Jiangnan, just as he said, I have no foundation here, no connections, if I were to destroy the Chen family as soon as I take office, it would be too loud, this place is close to the capital, if it reaches the ears of those with ulterior motives, it may cause trouble for Your Highness... Forget it, let's put it off for now, just a Chen family, whether or not to deal with them is of no great importance... But that young man surnamed Xiao, heh heh, has some potential... A fist only has the most deterrent power when it hasn't been thrown yet, hmm, these words are quite reasonable..."

  The crisis in the Chen family has been resolved.

  Xiao Fan returned to the Chen Mansion and casually mentioned the matter in front of Chen Si Liu, causing the entire Chen Mansion to erupt instantly.

  Xiao Fan received treatment like a triumphant hero.

  There's a saying that goes, "A county magistrate can destroy a family, and a governor can wipe out a whole clan." The news of the Chen family offending the newly appointed county lieutenant had already spread throughout the Chen estate, from the master to the lowest servant. For the past two days, everyone in the household has been on edge, fearing that at any moment, officials would arrive with iron chains and locks, arrest everyone in the estate, and throw them into prison. The Chen family would then disappear from Jiangpu County, ceasing to exist.

  The psychological fear is the most unbearable, just when the Chen family was almost desperate, unexpectedly, the usually timid and weak Crazy Lady's husband went alone to the government office to plead for the Chen family. Although it is unknown how he persuaded County Magistrate Cao to spare the Chen family, the result was obvious: the Chen family finally escaped unscathed.

  Breaking a deadlock is actually not as difficult as imagined, catering to their preferences and explaining the pros and cons will naturally break the deadlock.

  There are many things in this world that money can't solve, but a few words that hit the nail on the head can easily resolve them.

  Xiao Fan's luck was good, he said the right thing at the right time, and the Chen family was fine.

  Xiao Fan calmly told them the outcome of the matter in a light tone, ignoring Chen's father and daughter's shocked or grateful gaze, and turned to leave with a carefree attitude.

  Outside the hall, Chen Guan's cheek was still swollen high, but his gaze towards Xiao Fan had a few more points of reverence. When Xiao Fan walked past him, Chen Guan, who usually didn't have a good face for Xiao Fan, actually bowed to Xiao Fan and squeezed out a flattering smile, respectfully seeing Xiao Fan back to the bedroom.

  Xiao Fan's face was calm, but he was actually still very pleased with himself.

  "The golden unicorn is not a creature of the pool, transformed into spring mud to protect the flowers..."

  This is Xiao Fan's self-evaluation, quite objective, but the two sentences of poetry seem a bit inconsistent...

  Xiao Fan returned to his bedroom, and the Chen family immediately set off a string of long and loud firecrackers at the gate. The implication was clear without saying a word. It was naturally a celebration that the Chen family had narrowly escaped death and avoided disaster.

  And that spoiled young master of the Chen family...

  No one dared to use the word "coward" to describe him anymore. He went alone into the government office, and in front of the county magistrate, he pleaded for Chen's family, finally changing the county magistrate's mind and letting Chen off the hook. It can be said that he was a heroic figure who "turned the tide at the critical moment". Could such a brave and wise thing be done by a coward?

  So, Chen's maternal uncle was a capable maternal uncle, and there were facts to prove it.

  In the following days, Xiao Fan suddenly found himself inexplicably rising in status within the Chen family.

  People are utilitarian animals, and those with abilities can gain respect and admiration from others wherever they go.

  Xiao Fan's life changed quietly and imperceptibly.

  The contemptuous glances I saw became fewer and fewer, the admiring smiles more and more. The daily dishes had more meat, and the monthly allowance increased from five coins to one or two taels. Even the maids who usually didn't look at him with a straight eye were surprised to discover that their young master was actually so handsome and elegant. As a result, when they saw Xiao Fang, they became more and more bashful, with spring-like emotions in their eyes...

  If eating white rice can be considered a career, then Xiao Fan has undoubtedly entered his career's rising period.

  Xiao Fan accepted this change with an unrepentant expression, thinking that he was a capable person and it was only natural for capable people to enjoy preferential treatment.

  As for how Xiao Fan persuaded Cao Xiancheng to let off the Chen family, the servants of the Chen household were talking about it in a flurry, with no one knowing the truth.

  The more discussion, the more rumors of all kinds.

  Some say that Xiao Fan is actually a relative of Cao Xian's family, who has exceeded the five degrees of mourning, so he has a lot of face in front of Cao Xian, and letting Chen's family go is naturally a matter of course.

  Some also say that Xiao Fan suddenly went mad after seeing Cao Xiancheng, holding a knife to his throat. Cao Xiancheng was so frightened that he had no choice but to let the Chen family go.

  …………

  …………

  Upon hearing these rumors, Xiao Fan could only bitterly smile, while also expressing a certain degree of admiration for the crazy imagination of the people in the Chen household.

  However, Xiao Fan knew that he had to come out and clarify the rumors. Otherwise, if he let others speculate wildly, the rumors would only spread more crazily. If they reached County Magistrate Cao's ears, that seemingly magnanimous county magistrate might not be able to resist coming to his door with a knife to kill him.

  So Chen Jia's maternal uncle started storytelling, he compiled the process of persuading Cao County Magistrate into a story, divided it into chapters and began to set up a stall in the front yard of Chen Fu's side flower garden to make some extra money. Those who wanted to listen to Chen Jia's maternal uncle tell stories only needed to spend five cents to occupy a seat in the garden and listen to the thrilling process of persuading Cao County Magistrate.

  This business is really a win-win good idea.

  Everyone's curiosity was satisfied, Xiao Fan made money, and all were delighted.

  "Bang!" The wooden clapper slammed loudly, and today's storytelling session began.

  "...Last time, Xiao Gu Yei cleverly broke into the government inn, and Cao Xian Cheng had to compromise."

  "...What a fine county magistrate Cao is! He stands eight feet tall and his waist measures eight feet around..."

  "It is said that 'knowing all the county magistrates in the world, one's mind will naturally be free from worries'..."

  The two men met and were immediately fond of each other. In the excitement, they hastily slaughtered a chicken and burned yellow paper to swear an oath as brothers of different surnames...

  "Wow——" The crowd below was in an uproar, yearning with a distant and carefree spirit.

  After finishing the most nonsense talk, Xiao Fan wiped the saliva from the corner of his mouth and looked at the people around him with their mouths wide open, smiling elegantly: "Sounds good?"

  The people below nodded vigorously.

  "Isn't it though?"

  The people below continued to nod vigorously.

  Xiao Fang laughed happily, with a slightly mischievous smile: "The above content is purely fictional, the story is over, do what you need to do, dismissed!"