Chapter Twelve: County Magistrate's Ascension Hall

  The county town of Jiangyou is not small, nor is it big. Whatever wind blows and grass moves, it quickly becomes known throughout the streets and alleys. On September 28th, the people of Jiangyou County were shocked to see Chen Gui, the county lieutenant, Zhang Qihui, the chief clerk, Cao Hu, the captain, Zhou Dayuan, the officer in charge of the household registration office, and other officials from various departments, as well as the three classes of runners, guides, instructors, historians, inspectors, and post officers, all standing respectfully at the gate of the county government office, bowing their waists and smiling on their faces, as if welcoming someone.

  It can be said that all the influential people in Jiangyou County have arrived, and those with experience know that such a grand procession is either for a high-ranking official to inspect or for the new county magistrate to take office.

  Taking a closer look, I saw a man in his early twenties, dressed as a scholar, who spoke a few words of courtesy and handed a brocade bag to Magistrate Chen. Chen Guizhi, who could shake the earth with one stomp in Jiangyou County, took it over with a serious face, opened the brocade bag lightly, and seemed to be examining something inside.

  County official, it's not just about saying yes or no, you have to show proof. At this moment, County Lieutenant Chen Gui is verifying the appointment documents and official seal of the new county magistrate according to the rules. As soon as he opened the appointment document, it clearly stated that the Ministry of Personnel had appointed a person named Lu Wenhua as the new county magistrate of Jiangyou County, with the personal signature of the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the ministry's seal. In fact, there was no need to look at the appointment document; Chen Gui knew that the official seal was genuine as soon as he picked it up.

  The county magistrate is appointed for a term of three years, but this county lieutenant has been reappointed for three terms, adding up to nine years. He hasn't had less contact with this familiar official seal and can be said to be very familiar with it.

  "Belonging to the lower ranks, I pay my respects to your lordship. This humble official has been waiting for you day and night, and now that you've finally arrived, the people of Jiangyou have been expecting you to take charge." Chen Gui immediately bowed and paid his respects as soon as he confirmed Lu Haoshan's "identity", saying this with a face full of excitement.

  It's as if the ordinary people who have fallen into a desperate situation see a savior, and it can be said that it is very touching in terms of the seven emotions.

  "The student visits his parents"

  "The little one has an audience with the county official, the great master."

  "I have seen the county magistrate."

  "Indeed, young parents are vigorous and promising, just like heroes emerging in their youth."

  At some point, the county magistrate came to be called "parent official", and many people used "old parents" or "old adults" to address them, adding a few more intimate connotations to their honorifics, with different identities having slightly different forms of address.

  As soon as Chen Gui confirmed Lu Haoshan's identity, the crowd who came to greet him hastily paid their respects, with humble expressions and flattering words. Although they had just held a meeting a few days ago, vowing to unite as one, these superficial acts still needed to be performed. After all, it was not yet clear what kind of background, personality, or temperament this new county magistrate possessed, and no one wanted to risk offending him unless absolutely necessary.

  Facing the enthusiasm of the crowd, Lu Haoshan naturally accepted it and didn't bother to return the courtesy to his subordinates, but simply said: "Hmm, no need for formalities, we are all fed by the king's salary, loyal to the king's affairs, these mundane rituals can be dispensed with, as long as we do our duty faithfully, that is more important than anything else."

  Chen Gui and Zhang Yunhui exchanged a glance, with a hint of joy in each other's eyes. The county magistrate before them was not only young but also had a youthful air about him, which made him the easiest to deal with - at least compared to those oily officials.

  Chen Gui's eyes rolled, and he said with a face of being taught: "Your Excellency's teachings are indeed correct, we have always remembered your teachings. Seeing that the sky is about to darken, I learned that my parents came, and I set up a banquet with my colleagues to welcome you and wash away the dust. I hope Your Excellency will grant us an audience."

  "It's all right," Lu Haoshan said with a wave of his hand, "This official has been favored by the emperor and should be diligent in his duties. As an official, he should bring benefits to the people. Having a big banquet as soon as he takes office might make the common people feel cold-hearted. Cancel this welcoming banquet for me. This official is going to ascend to the hall and take up his post."

  Chief Zhang Yunhui was taken aback for a moment, but quickly regained his composure and made a welcoming gesture: "Yes, sir, you are upright and honest, which is the good fortune of the people of Jiangyou. Please, sir, go to the rear courtyard to bathe and change your clothes first, and we will gather the people in the yamen for your inspection." After finishing speaking, he immediately ordered the yamen runner: "Come, quickly take the master to the rear courtyard to bathe and change his clothes, don't make any mistakes."

  Soon, the new county magistrate Lu Haoshan walked into the political center of Jiangyou County: the county government office, led by several bailiffs.

  "This County Magistrate Lu, what a big official aura." When Lu Haoshan went to the back hall to change into his official uniform, Cao Hu, the captain of the second hall, stood with an expressionless face and said: "This Lu fellow hasn't even given us a straight look in the eye."

  The housekeeper also said lightly: "Not only did he not attend the banquet, but now the sun is about to set, and he still wants to strike the hour, it's really a new official taking office with three fires, and his pretensions are very big."

  Many people on the hall were discussing and saying that this new county magistrate was somewhat inhumane, even Zhang Yunhui, the chief clerk, couldn't help but ask: "Brother Chen, what should we do about this?"

  In contrast to the anger of the crowd, Chen Gui was calm and composed, with a demeanor that seemed to be sitting on a fishing platform. He said lightly, "At a young age, one is full of vigor, and after years of hard study, one's thoughts are filled with longing for this day. Now that it has finally arrived, some excitement is unavoidable. People like him have no city walls, and are easier to deal with. Just watch, as long as we can grind away his sharp energy, it will be easy to handle."

  After finishing speaking, a brilliant smile still appeared on his face, and he said confidently: "Encountering such a county magistrate, Jiangyou County will not become the sky."

  Everyone heard this and felt much more at ease in their hearts.

  At this time, in the back hall, Liu Jinzhu helped Lu Haoshan change his clothes while whispering: "Brother Shan, didn't you say that a strong dragon can't suppress the local snake? Just now, wasn't it too much to not give them face? It's not good to get along like this. Besides, they set up a banquet, and we can't just not eat."

  This foodie, Lu Haoshan cautiously looked around and made sure no one was listening before lowering his voice to say: "Alright, from now on when you're eating, remember what I taught you and absolutely don't reveal your true nature."

  If Lu Haoshan just wanted to ask for a meal and a place to stay, he would naturally give them face, find an opportunity to swindle a large sum of money, and when necessary, find an opportunity to slip away and live a happy life as a rich man. However, Lu Haoshang, reborn, was unwilling to be a small citizen who couldn't grasp his own destiny in the chaotic world. This Jiangyou County is the starting point of the dream, so he must spend a little more energy on it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone undercover before taking office and then put on an innocent face as soon as he took office. On the one hand, it conforms to the appearance of being inexperienced as a newcomer, and on the other hand, it also takes advantage of stunning people like Chen Gui, only when these local snakes are slack can they be defeated one by one.

  To control Jiangyou County, first and foremost, one must control the county government. Lu Haoshan had already formulated a complete plan in his mind.

  It is now the second year of Chongzhen, and peasant uprisings are springing up like wildfire, with their strength constantly growing. At this time, Li Zicheng has already joined the righteous army, beginning his legendary life. Not long after, Zhang Xianzhong, also known as Yellow Tiger, will join the peasant uprising in his hometown of Yanzi Village. These two men will soon make a name for themselves and continue to grow in strength. Meanwhile, far away in Liaodong, the Later Jin is becoming increasingly powerful under the leadership of Huang Taiji, eyeing the fertile and prosperous Central Plains with covetous intent. To gain a share of power in this chaotic world, one must naturally quicken their pace and establish their own strength.

  Can't get along with these small rich and safe little characters, wasting time. Lu Haoshan clenched his fist: Must take control of Jiangyou County as soon as possible.

  Liu Jinzhu didn't understand these principles, and with his knowledge, it was also difficult to explain clearly. Lu Haoshan simply couldn't be bothered to explain, as long as he did what he was told, that was enough.

  Fortunately, this official uniform is not too much trouble. With Liu Jinzhu's help, Lu Haoshan put on the blue official uniform with mandarin ducks embroidered on it and wore a black hat. Suddenly, his whole person added a few points of majesty. Liu Jinzhu, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but say: "This official uniform is really extraordinary, Brother Shan, you seem like a different person."

  Lu Haoshan looked at himself in the mirror, feeling pretty good, nodded in satisfaction, pushed open the door, and let the yamen runner waiting outside lead him to the Sheng Tang. This Sheng Tang had two purposes: first, to announce his formal assumption of office and take charge of Jiangyou County's government affairs; second, also to get acquainted with his subordinates, a kind of meet-and-greet.

  The second drumbeat sounds, the hall drum strikes a loud note, and Liu Jinchu comes out with a loud shout: "The county magistrate is ascending to the hall!"

  As soon as the words fell, Lu Haoshan held up Fang Bu and came out from behind the screen of 'Hai Shui Chao Ri', sat down at the big case, and a group of officials bowed to him in unison, shouting: "Pay respects to the hall master!"

  As it was not a formal trial, nor was there an official inspection, the trial was held in the second hall. In fact, except for major cases, most county magistrates held court in the second hall. Lu Haoshan sat behind the big case, looking at the sign tube, pen and ink, paper and inkstone, and other objects on the case, and then saw that there were at least dozens of people bowing to him in the hall, for a moment his heart was filled with passion, that kind of high-and-mighty feeling was indeed wonderful, no wonder so many people wanted to be officials.

  Don't underestimate a county government office, although it only has four formal personnel, but the county official is the most basic official, directly managing the daily life of the people in the county, including marriage, taxes, education, birth, old age, sickness and death. Therefore, six houses need to be set up for management. In addition, three classes of fast government offices are also equipped. Those who pay homage in the hall include county lieutenants, accountants, six house officials, instructors, teachers, historians, inspectors, post lieutenants, tax supervisors, cooks, miscellaneous workers and so on. They all stand solemnly in two halls, divided into classes. At this moment, Lu Haoshan has a feeling of being the ruler of the world.

  Lu Haoshan suddenly remembered a joke he saw in his previous life, where a county official envied a capital official for having a jade tablet (officials would write down things to remember when meeting the emperor, called a "笏", often made of jade, ivory or bamboo), and the capital official envied the county official for being able to "排衙" every day. Now it seems that's indeed the case - although a county government is small, it has all the necessary organs, just like the imperial court has six ministries, while a county government has six departments, plus various personnel in charge of different fields, making it a miniature kingdom.

  "No need for formalities, let's get up." Lu Haoshan said with a heroic spirit.

  "Thank you, sir."

  PS: New book, seeking collection, recommendation and reward...