Chapter 17: The County Magistrate Has an Audience

  Zi'er was the daughter of a maidservant in Chen Gui's household. Since childhood, she had grown into a beautiful young woman and was carefully nurtured by Chen Gui. At a young age, she learned to play the pipa exceptionally well and mastered elegant dance skills. She also dabbled in playing chess, painting, and writing poetry. Her beauty was unmatched, her figure slender and refined, especially her large, lively eyes that seemed to mesmerize all who saw her. Ordinary men would be left stunned and numb for a long time if she glanced at them, as if struck by lightning. Zhou Daxuan knew that Chen Gui, a lustful man, had been restraining himself from taking action, reserving Zi'er for greater things.

  Isn't it a bit unusual to use the bait that lured in the Golden Turtle Son-in-law to deal with a young and inexperienced county magistrate?

  Zhou Dàyuan suddenly had an epiphany: his old superior, cunning as a fox, didn't need to use such a powerful move to deal with this novice. It wasn't just about pulling him onto the boat; nine out of ten times, it was to let this inexperienced person fill in the "pit" dug earlier, making him a scapegoat. Just like when Chen Gui was in charge of Jiangyou County, he embezzled public funds for personal gain, deceiving his superiors and subordinates, creating a massive deficit that could be described as shocking. According to rumors, this had already raised suspicions among higher-ups, who might send someone to investigate. The deficit remained a huge hidden danger, and no one knew when it would erupt.

  This time Chen Gui has invested so much money, could it be that he is planning to shift all these things onto the new Magistrate of Lu County?

  Zhou Dàyuan's thoughts were racing, but his face remained unchanged. He continued to speak with a respectful expression: "Yes, sir, you are wise."

  It's none of my business, let it be. If you want to talk about those things, you also have a part in them. If they can be handled smoothly, that would be the best.

  But then he thought of her beauty, and Zhou Dayuan became jealous again. As Chen Gui's right-hand man, he had hinted many times that he hoped Chen Gui would marry her to him as a concubine, but Chen Gui never agreed. He didn't expect someone else to benefit so soon.

  Of course, Zhou Dàyuan wouldn't say these things out loud; some matters are understood without needing to be said.

  Chen Gui seemed to sense that Zhou Dàyuan's heart was not entirely at ease, so he patted him on the shoulder and said: "I know you have a thing for Ziyu, but everything must be put aside for the greater good. In these times, as long as you have silver, what kind of woman can't you get? Don't worry, you'll still have a chance to get close to her."

  Zhou Dayuan was taken aback for a moment, but quickly reacted and happily said: "Yes, sir, I am willing to follow your lead."

  This sentence is a hint and a small promise, with the opportunity to get Ziyu, that is, after the new county lord has finished, send Ziyu to his side, by then, Ziyu will already be "broken shoes", however, there is good or not, Zhou Dàyuan is not greedy, as long as he can kiss Fangze, he is satisfied, and he hurriedly expressed his loyalty.

  "Alright, let's see what Ziyue is capable of." Chen Gui nodded, a hint of sharpness flashing in his eyes.

  .......

  In the backyard of the county government office, Lu Haoshan was lying lazily on a recliner, sipping high-quality tea and eating delicate pastries. Meanwhile, Liu Jinchu was diligently fanning him. With someone to wait on him hand and foot, life was quite comfortable.

  Lu Haoshan placed a half-eaten rice cake on the plate, saying somewhat greasily: "Why doesn't this pastry taste as good as it did the other day? Is that cook slacking off?"

  "I reckon next time they send it, I'll try some first and then accept it. If it's not good, I won't even want it, just let them take it back." Liu Jinzhu said with a smile.

  If the villagers of Huatian Village heard this, they would probably scold the two for being ungrateful. Just over a month ago, Lu Haoshan couldn't bear to look away from Doufu Chen's tofu, while Liu Jinchu was staring at the wild vegetable porridge in Lu Haoshan's bowl, drooling like a mirror reflection. Now, after more than a month of pampering and indulgence, the two have become picky.

  "How's that? I didn't treat you unfairly, did I?"

  Liu Jinzhu immediately said: "It's worth it, these days can be said to be eating and drinking every day, these things are what I didn't dare to think about in the past, even if I'm called Liu Jinzhu now, this life is worth it."

  "Don't worry," Lu Haoshan said with a smile. "Follow me and this good life has just begun."

  "Isn't this kind of life good enough? Shan Ge, now we eat well and live well, it's already a heavenly life. And in the past few days, there have been many secret tributes, not to mention other things, just the "brush money" alone is over 200 taels, and that's just one month! With this silver, you can buy a house in Huatian Village, marry a wife, buy an ox, and purchase several mu of paddy fields. You'll be even more prosperous than Chen Shu who sells tofu."

  This is the vision and insight, for Liu Jinzhu, more than a month has passed, and he has earned over 200 taels of silver, which was given to him by others, it's like a dream come true. For someone who is content with being slightly wealthy, this is already an astronomical sum, just looking at the shiny silver makes him want to retreat and leave as a rich man. But for Lu Haoshan, this amount of silver, if converted to modern currency, isn't even worth more than selling one fake antique successfully, to be honest, it's really not impressive.

  However, he was also secretly shocked. The annual salary of a county official was 90 stones, which is equivalent to about 40 taels of silver, because the grain price was not fixed. On the other hand, the annual salary of a cart driver's groom was only a few taels less than that of the high-ranking county official. It would be strange if the psychology of being an official could balance this. With family members to feed and friends to take care of, one had to maintain a dignified appearance in front of the people and colleagues, and it was impossible to get by without making some extra money. Lu Haoshan, who knew something about Ming history, understood that lower officials embezzled to alleviate poverty, while higher officials became rich through corruption. After the mid-Ming period, official corruption had become a habitual political climate.

  In less than a month, not counting the fruits and pastries that were sent over, just the tips alone added up to more than 200 taels. It's truly "two sleeves of clean wind" - it would take four or five years of not eating or drinking to save up enough. By the bedside of a long illness, how many filial sons are there? With a beauty in one's arms, how many can sit calmly like Liu Xiahui?

  "How can this kind of day, with just this little bit of money, satisfy you?"

  "Isn't this bad?" Liu Jinzhu said in surprise.

  Lu Haoshan knocked his head and said, "Alright, that's all you're capable of. I don't want to talk to you anymore, or I'll become petty too. Just eat when there's food, drink when there's drink, and do more with less talk."

  "Yes, Brother Shan, I'll listen to you."

  Liu Jinzhu finished speaking, paused for a moment, and then said carefully: "Shan Ge, what do you think makes a good day?"

  "Nature is vast and wide, you can do whatever you want." Lu Haoshan smiled and said: "At least, there should be a beauty waiting by your side first."

  "With a 'pa' sound, Liu Jinzhu suddenly slapped his thigh and said: "Right! I always feel that life is missing something, it's because there's no beauty around. Without a girl, it's not lively at all! Shan Ge, where can we find beauties? Ah, the county government has a few small officials who often urge me to go out and have fun, but..."

  "Go ahead," Lu Haoshan said slowly, "Remember what I told you, you can eat, play and take things, but remember one thing, don't bully others with your power, and don't do anything that would damage my reputation as an official. Do you understand?"

  Lu Haoshan's face turned solemn as he spoke further.

  Everything done here is to make this small Jiangyou County a foundation for self-strengthening, whoever wins the hearts of the people will win the world. As an outsider, there was originally low identification, if the influence is not good and the hearts of the people are lost, even if the county government is controlled, this land will not be surnamed with oneself.

  Lu Hao Shan's serious expression made Liu Jin Zhu also put away his joking face, patted his chest to guarantee that he wouldn't mess around, and only then did Lu Hao Shan feel at ease.

  "Shan Ge, you're always eating, drinking and having fun, leaving all the official business to that Chen guy. Isn't this not quite right? Won't he be taking advantage of us?" Liu Jinzhu asked with some concern.

  "It doesn't matter, the official seal is in my hands, and all important matters have to go through me. Moreover, the name on the list of officials in the Ministry of Personnel is also mine... as well as Lu Wenhua's. They can't turn things around, if they had the ability, they wouldn't be trying so hard to curry favor with us. Now, being local and having a united front, it would be easy for them to sideline an outsider like me. So, for now, we have to wait for the right moment."

  "When is the right time?"

  Lu Haoshan was just about to speak when a yamen runner walked up to the front of the hall and reported: "Master, this is an invitation from County Magistrate for you."

  "Alright, it's none of your business, you can leave now." Lu Haoshan took the invitation and casually waved his hand to dismiss him. After opening it, a hint of joy appeared on his face, and he waved the invitation at Liu Jinchu, saying: "Jinchu, didn't you ask about timing earlier? Now I'm telling you, the time has come."