Chapter 79: Hugging the Thigh

  Since ancient times, there have been few people who are not afraid of officials. Sun Jianing has lived in the county seat of Sanshan County since childhood, and his fear of government officials is deeply rooted in his heart. Outside the gate, two men wearing official uniforms stood, one of whom Sun Jianing recognized as Jiang Yanfan, the chief clerk of Sanshan County. The other person Sun Jianing did not recognize, but he could also see that this person's official rank was higher than Jiang Yanfan's, and Jiang Yanfan stood behind him.

  Sun Jianing was about to salute the two officials, when the one who was more senior than Jiang Yanfan asked politely: "Young man, may I ask, is this the residence of Li Wenjun and Li Xianshi?"

  Sun Jianing didn't know what "Xian Shifu" was, but as for who "Li Wenjun" referred to, he was crystal clear. He nodded and said, "That's right, this is Brother Wenjun's home."

  That man happily said: "Please trouble the young gentleman to announce, saying that San Shan County's county magistrate Qin Yue, accompanied by San Shan County's master Bao Jiang Yanfan, together pay respects to the immortal teacher. Also please ask the immortal teacher to grant an audience."

  Sun Jianing returned to the yard in a daze and said, "Wen Jun brother, two officials have arrived outside the door. One is the county's chief official, Jiang Da Ren, and the other claims to be the county lieutenant. They say they want to see a Xian Shi named Li Wen Jun. Are they talking about you, Brother Wen Jun?"

  Li Wenjun nodded and smiled: "Jianing, would you mind calling them in?"

  Sun and his son stared at Li Wenjun in shock.

  Dazed for a moment, Sun Baicao hastily pulled Sun Jianing and scolded: "What are you still standing there for? Don't you hurry up and call someone?"

  Sun Jianing hastily ran to the gate of the courtyard and let in Qin Yue and Jiang Yanfan, who were waiting outside.

  Qin Yue and Jiang Yanfan ignored the mess in the courtyard, and walked up to Li Wenjun. Qin Yue directly knelt down, kneeling in front of Li Wenjun.

  Jiang Yanfan hadn't thought of kneeling down to Li Wenjun, but Qin Yue, who was higher in rank than him, had already knelt down. Standing there would be awkward, so Jiang Yanfan hesitated for a moment before reluctantly kneeling down as well.

  Qin Yue used a more reverent attitude than when he had met the Magistrate, and respectfully said: "Your humble subordinate is San Shan County's Assistant Magistrate, here to pay respects to Master Li Xian."

  Li Wenjun had once seen the village head of Junbao Town kneel down with his men in front of Lao Dao, so this time when Qin Yue knelt down to him, he was fully psychologically prepared. He didn't feel anxious or think it was anything special, and he remained very calm and composed, as if Qin Yue kneeling down to him was a matter of course.

  When Qin Yue finished bowing his head, Li Wenjun casually waved his hand and said: "Qin sir, Jiang sir, please get up."

  "Thank you, Master Xian." Qin Yue finished his routine and stood up, then stood respectfully below Li Wenjun with his hands hanging down. "Master Xian, now that our county is facing great changes, please instruct us on how to handle it."

  Li Wenjun said: "The matter of Sanshan County has nothing to do with me. You can handle it however you want."

  Qin Yue said: "The immortal master has entrusted the matter to me, and I will naturally do my best to complete the task assigned by the immortal master. I think that first, we should seize the time to draft a public document, exposing Wu Qi's crimes to the public, and also embellish the deaths of San Gongzi and Jiang Shan, giving an account to the county magistrate and the Broken Army Marquis. Second, we will post notices throughout the county, proclaiming the immortal master's killing of Wang Yonggui, letting all the people in the county know about the immortal master's compassionate heart."

  Li Wenjun nodded in satisfaction and said, "Let's do it this way."

  Qin Yue said: "Immortal Master, I have another impertinent request. Wang Yonggui has been harming the people of this county for several months, regardless of men and women, old and young, they all hate him so much that they cannot eat his flesh or drink his blood. Immortal Master will kill him, which can be said to bring blessings to the people, and the people will surely remember it in their hearts, thinking about being able to see the immortal master's heroic appearance with their own eyes. I dare to ask, please let the immortal master parade through the streets for a day, to satisfy the wishes of many people."

  Li Wenjun shook his head and said, "Boastful? Not interested."

  Qin Yue hastily said, "Immortal Master, don't be quick to refuse. If the people of our San Shan County were to know that they have an immortal master like you watching over them, they would certainly set up longevity plaques for you one by one and offer incense day and night."

  "What use are these empty titles to me? Can they increase my cultivation realm by even a bit?" Li Wenjun waved his hand, "Don't make trouble."

  Qin Yue was somewhat unwilling, he thought clearly, if he wanted to sit firmly on the throne of San Shan County Magistrate, he had to hold onto Li Wenjun's thigh tightly. As long as Li Wenjun was willing to shelter him, even if the Emperor himself came, no one could drive him off the throne of County Magistrate.

  In order to curry favor with Li Wenjun, he would kneel down as soon as he came over and persuade Li Wenjun to boast on the street. All of these were in the hope of pleasing Li Wenjun and making him his confidant. In case something happened to him, Li Wenjun could help him.

  Not reconciled to death, Qin Yue also did not dare to persuade him to die. What if he provoked Li Wenjun? The consequences were not something he could afford to bear. He already knew what had happened in the county yamen's second hall, and he still had a lot of wealth and glory that he had not yet enjoyed. He didn't want to become Li Wenjun's ghost under the knife.

  Qin Yue's eyes rolled, and he saw Sun Jianing standing aside, looking a bit dazed. His heart moved, and he said: "Immortal Master, if you don't want to brag about the streets, it doesn't matter. We can think of other ways to satisfy the people's desire to feel your benevolence. I dare to ask, can this young man replace you in boasting on the streets?"

  Li Wenjun thought for a moment and nodded quickly. He would still have Sun Jia'ning and his father help him purchase medicinal herbs in the future. If Sun Jia'ning's reputation spread, it would actually be better than if Li Wenjun's own reputation had spread. At least he wouldn't have to personally oversee the herbal medicine shop, purchasing herbs and handling matters himself; only the Sun father-son duo could do that.

  Qin Yue was overjoyed and bowed deeply to Li Wenjun, saying: "If the immortal master has no further instructions, I will take my leave."

  "You go and busy yourself. By the way, for beheading Wang Yonggui, didn't the government offer a reward? You give that reward money to Uncle Sun, let him use it as capital for his medicine shop." Li Wenjun said.

  "Yes." Qin Yue responded. He turned around and bowed to Sun's father and son, saying: "Please follow me, please help Master Xian brag about the streets."

  Sun Baicao looked at Li Wenjun, who was still confused. The latter nodded to him and said: "Uncle Sun, Jianing, you can go. The government will not dare to bully you."

  With Li Wenjun's guarantee, although Sun and his son were still a bit hesitant, they plucked up the courage to follow Qin Yue and Jiang Yanfan.

  As he watched them leave the yard, Li Wenjun let out a sigh. He didn't know whether Sun's father and son recognizing him would bring good fortune or disaster, but he only hoped that in the future they wouldn't stir up trouble for him. Otherwise, he would be uneasy his whole life.