Chapter 22: Learning Quickly

  "Adults, perhaps little people can lend you a helping hand." Chen Gui immediately expressed.

  Ambitious people, even without opportunities, must create their own. Now that there's such a good chance, how can it be easily let go? In the past, they suffered from not having a stepping stone, but now there's a way in. The officials of the Ministry of War, dare to guarantee that if they get 20,000 taels, this dullard will be promoted to the position of Prefect, and his power will definitely not be small. Chen Gui's heart was already somewhat excited.

  Chen Gui would never have dreamed that the county magistrate in front of him was actually an imposter, and this imposter was a second-generation scammer who had no limits to achieve his ideals and raise money. To put it bluntly, the county magistrate in front of him was a big scammer wrapped in a "county magistrate" shell. Lu Haoshan's previous life was a master of packaging, and now he was performing these skills in front of Chen Gui with great fanfare.

  First, a false retreat to lure the enemy in, then a foggy view of the flowers, making Chen Gui completely unclear about his own situation. Although Lu Haoshan never explains who his backer is, Chen Gui, under Lu's guidance, has pulled his backer into a relationship with those few formidable big shots, plus the county magistrate's layer of noble and mysterious outerwear, even the cunning Chen Gui was thoroughly bewildered by Lu Haoshan.

  This is Lu Haoshan introducing Liu Jinzhu to the "divine resemblance" in the threefold realm, which is hard to guard against.

  "Oh, Brother Ren Fang, is there a way?" Lu Haoshan said with a surprised face.

  "Chen is a native of Jiang County and has served as county lieutenant for nine years, so he can be said to know the place like the back of his hand. These 20,000 taels are a large sum, but it's not impossible to manage." Chen Gui hinted cautiously: "It's just that if Your Excellency is promoted, don't forget about your humble subordinate."

  Lu Haoshan said straightforwardly: "Alright, as long as I am promoted to the position of prefect smoothly, I will recommend Ren Fang as the magistrate of Jiangyou County. You have been the county lieutenant for nine years and are familiar with the operation of the county government. Moreover, you have also temporarily taken over as the county magistrate, which is a piece of cake. I believe you can handle it."

  As soon as he heard that he could take the position of Jiangyou County Magistrate, Chen Gui's breathing became rapid, as if he had encountered a beautiful woman alone, his face was slightly red with excitement. However, in his excitement, there were still a few points of rationality in his mind, and he said doubtfully: "Sir, isn't there a rule of avoidance in the officialdom? Can't return to their hometown to be an official, Chen is a Jiangyou native, reappointing him as Jiangyou County Magistrate might not be appropriate."

  "This guy is not easy to fool, but Lu Haoshan had already thought of a reason and said with an unchanged expression: 'This is one time, that is another time. Now the bandits are rampant everywhere, and the court has appointed provincial governors for convenience. In fact, there is another important reason, which is that the Later Jin in Liaodong is becoming more and more powerful, and the court has entrusted local people to take office in order to reduce pressure, so as to better increase cohesion, faster recruit local braves, and the county magistrate is also unable to retreat, and is loyal to his duties to defend his hometown, not daring to abandon the city easily.'"

  Lu Haoshan paused for a moment before continuing, "Before I took office, wasn't Brother Renfang temporarily acting as the county magistrate? This shows that the Ministry of Officials also holds you in high regard."

  Lu Haoshan's words were subtle yet practical, and Chen Gui listened intently. He suppressed the excitement in his heart and asked with some agitation: "Sir, you said that after your promotion, you would recommend me to be the magistrate of Jiangyou County, is this true?"

  Being a county lieutenant and being a county magistrate are two completely different things. If one can become the most respected person in the county, then they can swagger around Jiangyou County with dignity, showing off in front of their fellow villagers and elders. What prestige, what glory for the family! Moreover, it's convenient to make money when you're familiar with the territory. Chen Gui has had countless beautiful dreams about becoming the most respected person in the county.

  "I, Lu Wenhua, will always keep my word and never go back on it. If I do, may the five thunders of heaven strike me." Lu Haoshan said with a serious face.

  On the surface, he was serious and solemn, but in his heart, he was coldly laughing: after all, the real Lu Wenhua had already died, even if it was Lei Hong, it didn't matter, he was Lu Haoshan, not Lu Wenhua, and he wasn't afraid of making a poisonous oath.

  Chen Gui was now completely convinced, and immediately smiled and said: "I don't dare, I don't dare. Your humble servant just casually asked, but you are a respected county official, young and promising, how could you be like those ignorant children who speak recklessly? From now on, my future will depend on your guidance."

  First he was a grown-up, then he called himself a little man. Now Chen Gui treats Lu Haoshan as if he were a savior.

  Hatred can blind one's eyes, greed can corrupt one's mind, and power is even more irresistible. Seeing this person who has the power to cover the sky in Jiangyou County, being extremely cautious and humble towards himself, Lu Haoshan couldn't help but feel a little proud of himself. He thought that if he just threw out some bait, Chen Gui would immediately take it, and it could be said that everything was going very smoothly. Lu Haoshan had planned to throw out even more substantial bait, but now it seemed unnecessary. This was also good, as being too exaggerated might arouse suspicion.

  It's easy to make promises but hard to keep them, anyway it's just talk and no action.

  "Hmm" Lu Haoshan said lightly: "Although it's not a big deal, we can still make it work. But if this matter is successful, both of us will be promoted. Ren Fang, when raising funds, you must also cherish your feathers."

  "Yes, yes, don't worry, even if it means sacrificing Chen Mou's reputation, we must preserve your honor." Now Chen Gui was already immersed in the beautiful dream of wearing that green official robe and sitting on the high platform, so he naturally obeyed Lu Haoshan's every command.

  Chen Gui finished speaking and then carefully asked: "Sir, when will this sum of money be prepared?"

  "Soldiers value speed, the faster the better." Lu Haoshan thought for a moment and said: "Now it's approaching the end of the year, no matter what, let others have a good New Year. After the New Year, we'll make arrangements. We can prepare before February, so I can deliver in March, before the summer harvest. This is like sending charcoal in snowy weather, Brother Renfang, is that okay?"

  Within two months, 20,000 silver coins were raised and placed in those wealthy county towns. It was only a matter of days, but Jiangyou County was just a remote and backward small county town with a population of only over 50,000, not so easy to raise funds. However, Chen Gui had already made up his mind to go further, and upon hearing this, he hastily said: "Sir Sheng Meng looks highly upon me, before the second month, I will hand over this sum of silver coins to Sir without a single penny missing."

  This sum of money must be raised by ourselves, even if it means selling all our property. The county magistrate has hinted that as long as he gets the silver, how we raise the funds is up to us, and as long as we don't expose him, he'll protect us. This is letting us take care of extorting money from the people on our own. Chen Guixin was confident, this 20,000 taels will definitely be easy pickings.

  "Good." Lu Haoshan raised his teacup and said: "Lu certain will use tea instead of wine, to wish us a bright future ahead."

  "Wishing you a bright future, with every step leading to higher positions."

  The two men clinked their glasses together and formed an alliance.

  With the interest relationship, the two people's relationship became more intimate. Chen Gui glanced around and suddenly lowered his voice to say: "Sir, there are several new beauties from Suzhou and Hangzhou in Cuigui Building, each one is as beautiful as a flower, with skin as white as snow, they are all top-notch beauties, making people can't help but want to get close to them. Several women admire you very much, would you like to take some time to guide them on the correct path of life?"

  "This isn't right, is it? The imperial court has rules that officials can't set foot in brothels. If word gets out, it won't look good." Lu Haoshan said with some concern.

  You just pretend, without a word of refusal, that's the thought moved, if you can't hear this meaning, then Chen Gui has really lived in dog all these years.

  Chen Gui said with a serious face: "As the master also said, in the county yamen they are officials, but when they are off duty, they are ordinary people. When the time comes for the lower officials to take them home, leaving the place of debauchery, they will no longer be considered prostitutes, even if someone tries to make trouble, there is nothing to talk about, right, master?"

  "This doesn't seem quite right." Chen Haoshan hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice, "Where did Ren Fang say they were from earlier?"

  "A Soochow-born girl, young and beautiful, a Jiangnan water town girl, the most spirited one. These are all new arrivals, each and every one of them is bright and charming. Brother Hsiao Shan, it's not good, I don't dare introduce you to her." said Chen Kuei with a smile.

  I'd like to vomit, this County Magistrate Lu is obviously a **'s follower, yet he pretends to be a righteous and dignified person. He's so good at pretending that he's almost convinced himself, Chen Gui feels his own face has been thrown into the gutter, but in his heart, he secretly encourages himself: flattering him is equivalent to flattering that big shot in the Ministry of Officials, it's all worth it for the sake of his dream job as County Magistrate.

  Lu Haoshan nodded in satisfaction and said: "Alright, I'm free tonight, so please arrange everything, Ren Fang."

  There are benefits, don't take them for nothing. In this chaotic world, if you can enjoy it, then just enjoy it well. Lu Haoshan will naturally not be polite.

  "I dare not, the lower official will definitely arrange it properly" Chen Gui immediately responded and said: This is really impatient, as soon as he hears a beauty, he can't hold back, like him, either dull or impulsive, now saying that tonight is already done.

  So young.

  That night, Chen Gui played the role of a procurer and sent a carriage to bring over two of the most popular courtesans from Cuiliu Tower. He cleared out a room in the backyard, set up a banquet, and accompanied the new county magistrate as he ate, drank, and had fun. However, in the end, Lu Haoshan took both courtesans into his room, leaving Chen Gui to drink alone, feeling somewhat depressed. He ended up drinking a lot of wine and eventually got drunk, unable to remember how he even made it to bed.

  In front of others, he is the majestic County Magistrate, but in front of Lu Haoshan, he becomes a complete and utter coward. Can his mood be comfortable?

  The next day, Chen Gui slept until the sun was high in the sky before getting out of bed. As soon as he got up, he rubbed his head and said, "Oh no, my head..."

  The personal attendants and the third concubine hastily came forward to serve him, offering him strong tea and massaging his back and washing his face. Only after great effort did he come to, and Chen Gu's heart skipped a beat: "This is bad! Quickly bring me my clothes - County Magistrate is still in the mansion!"

  "Master, don't worry, you don't have to get up today. The county official left early this morning and those women servants were also sent away. You drank too much last night, rest for a while longer." The third wife hastily comforted him.

  He finished speaking and ran away, this county magistrate is really easy-going. Chen Gui sighed, previously he was thinking of ways to deal with him, now he had to try his best to please him, it's just as the saying goes: "This is one thing, that is another", what he fears most is that when he helps himself run for office, he won't put in effort.

  At the thought of running for office, Chen Gui's heart was excited, and he immediately shouted loudly: "Housekeeper."

  "Old master, I'm here." The butler who had been waiting outside immediately came in to take orders.

  "Harness the horse carriage, Master is going to make an inspection tour of the countryside."

  Recently busy with this and that, almost forgot the main thing. Every year before the Spring Festival, Chen Gui would go to various towns and villages for inspection, nominally to comfort those respected village elders and centenarians, but in fact to take advantage of the opportunity to collect money. Jiangyou County has more than a hundred villages, and every time he arrives at a place, the local officials, village heads, and village officers all have to give him a warm welcome and offer gifts. Just before the Spring Festival, he would make a few rounds and earn a full pot of money. This is a lucrative job that cannot be forgotten.

  "Master, I'm afraid this trip is off," said the steward with some hesitation.

  "What? Not going?" Chen Gui couldn't help but scold: "How come, are you full from eating, and now you think the money is too much?"

  Seeing the old master getting angry, Chen Guan hastily explained: "No, no, sir, it's not that the little ones are lazy, but... I heard that County Magistrate went to the countryside early in the morning to offer condolences and said that the new official is taking office, he needs to get along well with the people below. If you go again, I'm afraid... it might be a bit inconvenient."

  What?

  "This county magistrate has gone ahead and done it? Chen Gui was shocked, turned around with a gloomy face, and indignantly said: "So quickly he's making money and snatching food bowls, this guy really learns fast."

  Where there's benefit, take it; where there's a beauty, go for it. Now seeing the benefits, without saying another word, he ran off to inspect the countryside. Chen Gui thought with a mix of laughter and tears: Less than two months, this...this is falling too quickly.