Chapter 69: Jiao Hu Si From Ninth Rank Patrol

  After Zhang Lei said this, the man completely relaxed.

  At this moment, the person who reported inside also came out. Zhang Lei quickly covered his sleeves and stood up straight.

  "Alright, the adults are working in the main hall inside, you go ahead and be careful what you say, otherwise we two brothers won't be able to protect you."

  Zhang Lei nodded and bowed, saying: "I understand, thank you two brothers." He made a bow as he walked inside.

  After entering the gate, there is a straight bluestone path leading directly to the main hall from the middle of the courtyard, with high walls on both sides. Zhang Lei walked in without looking around, his footsteps steady, and when he reached the outside of the house, he could see a man wearing official robes bowing down to work. At first glance, he looked about fifty years old, with a goat beard that had turned white, if there was no hope for promotion, he would probably have to retire in a few years.

  "A humble commoner Zhang Lei has seen Governor Zhang." Zhang Lei stood outside the main hall and bowed.

  Peng Zhizhou raised his head and saw Zhang Lei, saying: "You're the one who asked to see me just now?"

  Zhang Lei respectfully said: "That's right, I'm a humble commoner."

  "What brings you to see me?" Magistrate Peng asked Zhang Lei.

  Zhang Lei replied: "Cao Min is a businessman, this time he came to find adults, of course, it's for doing business."

  After hearing Zhang Lei's words, Peng Zhizhou suddenly stood up and said: "What do you mean? Are you trying to do business with me? It's hard for you to think of this."

  Zhang Lei smiled and said: "Sir, please calm down and listen to me finish speaking. In this chaotic world, I want to buy something from Lord Peng."

  Peng Zhizhou suddenly stood up and said to Zhang Lei: "Please go to the study room for a chat."

  "Thank you." Zhang Lei knew that Peng Zhizhou had already understood what he meant, so he felt much more at ease. Dealing with ancient officials was still much riskier than it would be several hundred years later.

  Two men entered the study room, Peng Zhizhou dismissed his attendants and asked Zhang Lei: "I don't know what you want to buy from this official?"

  Zhang Lei said bluntly: "I don't know if Fozhou Si has a ninth-grade inspector, sir, do you have anyone to choose from?"

  In the morning, the central government established the Jin Yiwei, and locally, the Xun Jian Si was established. In various places outside the capital, such as prefectures, counties, and border passes, Xun Jian Si were set up with inspectors and deputy inspectors, who were all ninth-rank officials, with attendants and a small number of soldiers under them, responsible for capturing thieves. The Xun Jian Si set up in important transportation routes were specifically responsible for checking for spies and private salt sellers. Zhu Yuanzhang also issued road permits, which served as a kind of passport and ID card. In the law, it was stipulated that all military personnel and civilians traveling must show their road permit if they exceeded 100 li. If they did not have a road permit, they would be arrested and sent to the authorities. People were allowed to report such cases, and after investigation, those who reported would be rewarded, while those who harbored or concealed them would be punished equally. Since Xun Jian Si was only set up in important transportation routes, it was far from enough to fully grasp the information of the people. Zhu Yuanzhang also established the Li Jia system to assist Xun Jian Si in carrying out inspection tasks. The main task of Li Jia was to inspect the activities of the people under its jurisdiction and to capture those who escaped privately. If they knew someone had escaped and did not pursue them, they would be punished equally with the escapee. Through this system, local detective agencies were also improved. As an inspector was a ninth-rank official responsible for investigating private salt sales, there was no special government office for him, so Zhang Lei could work from home, and this position was just another identity for him. However, he could command dozens of soldiers, which was his real purpose.

  Peng Zhizhou smiled and said, "You really know how to buy things."

  Zhang Lei bowed slightly and replied, "Lord Peng is too kind, I was just trying to protect myself." He pulled out a letter and a stack of silver notes from his sleeve and said, "Here are the identity documents of this humble commoner, please take a look, sir."

  Peng Zhizhou glanced at the silver tickets with a slanted eye, estimated them in his heart, and said while looking at the materials: "Are all the records here true?"

  "Every word is true, if you are still worried, you can send someone to verify." Zhang Lei said.

  Peng Zhizhou asked again: "Then why don't you personally ask the Admiral of the Navy or the Minister for this position?"

  Zhang Lei replied: "The common people just want to make a living in this Anhui province, the talents are the parents who provide for the common people's food and clothing."

  "Alright, you may go. I will send someone to verify this. If it is indeed beneficial to the people, I can approve this transaction." Peng Zhizhou said as he stood up.

  "That... I bid you farewell..." Zhang Lei said with a deep bow of ninety degrees.

  Peng Zhizhou did not deny Zhang Lei's words, nodded and said: "As an official, it is one's duty to serve the people, if it is beneficial to the people's livelihood, this official will cooperate, report to the emperor above, and comfort the people below."

  "Governor, you are fair and honest, wholeheartedly devoted to politics. I, your humble subordinate, admire you deeply and should take you as a model." Zhang Lei said.

  The one who flattered Peng Zhizhou the most was overjoyed and, without anyone noticing, put all the silver notes on the table into his sleeve. He smiled and said: "Go, in three days, I will issue a document."

  Zhang Lei bid farewell to Peng Zhizhou, excited and wanting to sing loudly, unable to bear the excitement in his heart, he mounted his precious horse and galloped freely on the official road.

  In the study, Peng Zhizhou was half-reclining on his own soft couch, one by one checking the silver notes sent over by Zhang Lei, a total of three thousand taels, he couldn't help but smile happily.

  "This young man, not only can he talk, but also knows how to behave. In the future when he becomes an official, he will surely have a good reputation and be worth cultivating." After muttering to himself for a few sentences, Magistrate Peng carefully hid the silver notes in a place where no one could find them and slept soundly.

  Back at Xu's camp, Zhang Lei hastily summoned Jiang Yuyang over.

  "Boss Zhang, you're in such a hurry to find me. Is there a new task?" Jiang Yuyang had just returned from delivering goods and hadn't even had time to take a shower or rest, but was immediately called over by Zhang Lei. He couldn't help but be very curious about what kind of task could make Zhang Lei so anxious.

  Zhang Lei said: "Go go go, find me twenty young and strong guys like you with exceptional skills."

  "...Jiang Yuyang was taken aback for a moment, what kind of strange task is this, twenty young and strong guys...After thinking for a while, he had to say: "I don't know what Boss Zhang wants these people for, what are they doing?"

  "Form an army." Zhang Lei said resolutely.

  "Form... form an army? ...Twenty people form an army? That, Boss Zhang, forgive my impertinence, can I ask another question, this army won't be used for... will it?" The four words from Zhang Lei contained too much information, and Jiang Yuyang suddenly felt that his brain was somewhat inadequate, and he even stuttered when speaking.

  Zhang Lei knew that Jiang Yuyang had misunderstood his meaning, and he quickly explained: "Haha, don't be so tense, this army of mine is not for fighting. In just a few days, I will become the ninth-rank patrol officer of Jiao Lake Prefecture, and when I ask you to find someone, it's precisely because I'm preparing to use them as my main force."

  "Congratulations to Director Zhang, congratulations to Director Zhang. I, Lao Qi, voluntarily signed up to join this team of twenty people, I don't know if it's possible?" As soon as he heard that Zhang Lei had become an official, Jiang Yuyang was also very happy and immediately recommended himself.

  "Can't find it, but it seems that Old White is just reusing you, and you're carelessly throwing away your responsibilities..." Zhang Lei said hesitantly, he was also thinking of finding Jiang Yuyang, but when he thought of Bai Yang's side, he dismissed the idea, unexpectedly he brought it up himself.

  Jiang Yuyang said, "After such a long time, our escort team has already grown to over a hundred people and has its own system. Even if I were to leave, it wouldn't be a big deal. My seventh brother was promoted by Boss Zhang, now that Boss Zhang needs someone, my seventh brother naturally cannot refuse."

  Since everyone has said so, Zhang Lei no longer had any worries and said: "Alright, since that's the case, I'll appoint you as the captain to find me all twenty... no, I've changed my mind, I want fifty, all of whom must be under 25 years old, have good martial arts skills or special talents. And especially that Xu Bo, he must join."

  "Alright, leave this matter to me, don't worry, I'll definitely help Boss Zhang find these people." Jiang Yuyang said confidently.

  Zhang Lei nodded and said, "Alright, you go find them. Once you've found the right people, bring them here to me and I'll assess them. What needs to be made clear is that once they're working for me, they'll receive a generous salary, but they must not engage in any other activities."

  "No problem," said Jiang Yuyang without hesitation.

  "Alright, that's all, you can go now." Zhang Lei said with a wave of his hand.

  Peng Zhizhou's side was considered to have loosened up, but the more crucial Nanchang County Magistrate Yan Jue had yet to be visited by Zhang Lei. After a few days passed, the appointment letter from the Provincial Governor arrived, and Zhang Lei prepared himself before going to visit Yan Jue.

  At this moment, Zhang Lei has become a public figure in Nuo County, and it is rare for anyone not to know about his deeds. As the county magistrate, Yan Jue paid even more attention to him. So when Zhang Lei arrived at the county government office, the gatekeeper did not come forward to ask questions, nor did he need to report, but simply said: "Mr. Zhang has arrived, the county magistrate is working in the main hall, go ahead."

  Zhang Lei walked into the county government office, where Yan Jue was diligently working as a newly appointed official.

  "A humble commoner Zhang Lei, has had the honor of meeting the Honorable Magistrate." Standing outside the door, Zhang Lei announced himself.

  Yan Jue stopped the work in his hands, raised his head and took a look, then smiled: "Boss Zhang has actually come, please come in. Thinking back to when this official just took office, you were still an unknown person, but in just one short year, you've accomplished so many things. The county's tax revenue compared to last year has increased by more than double, it's truly delightful."

  Zhang Lei clasped his fists and said, "That is also a testament to the good governance of Xian County under your leadership. As a humble commoner, I should be thanking you on behalf of the people instead. If all officials in the land were as diligent and loving towards the people as you are, then what need would there be to worry about the prosperity of the Great Ming?"

  Yan Jue was very pleased with his praise and stood up enthusiastically, saying: "I don't know what you're preparing for this time."