Chapter Twenty-Four: The New Magistrate

  Wiping away cold sweat, Qin Kan returned to his compartment, still in a state of shock.

  Just now... it seems like I've made a mistake?

  Whose unlucky child is in the toilet and won't come out?

  That bowl of boiling hot tea water somehow had an unexpected effect...

  It can be certain that it will not be too comfortable and the mood of the recipient will not be good. No one wants to have a smooth sailing situation suddenly turn into a disaster.

  Qin Kan quickly made a decision, treating the matter as if it had never happened. He believed that the victim would not dare to openly look for the culprit in the yamen either, and Magistrate Du would not permit his subordinates to be too presumptuous.

  Although he felt a little guilty, Qin Kan's mental quality was relatively high. He would rather die than surrender himself. After all, ignorance is bliss, and making the conflict public would be bad for the stability and unity of his colleagues in the county government.

  Qin Kan felt at ease and devoted himself to doing accounts.

  After half an hour, he had just understood the general situation of Qianliang's account book. Outside the door, Zheng Bo respectfully saluted him: "County Master invites Mr. Qin to enter the inner hall."

  Qin Kan's heart tightened, had the mastermind behind the murder arrived?

  Du Hong spoke up, and Qin Kan didn't dare slack off. Every time he nodded or shook his head, it was a knife to the throat. Whatever happens next is up to him.

  Then Qin Kan followed Zheng Bo to the inner hall, but found that there were already two middle-aged men wearing green robes sitting in the inner hall. One of them had a yellow swallow embroidery on his green robe, obviously an eighth-grade official. In the entire county government, except for Du Hong, only the eighth-grade county lieutenant had the qualifications to wear official uniforms and embroidered badges.

  Another one was wearing a plain green robe, with a kerchief on his head, sitting calmly and chatting with Du Zhongjun.

  As Qin Kan walked in, the eyes of the three people in the inner hall simultaneously focused on him.

  Du Hong stroked his beard and smiled, pointing at Qin Kan to the county magistrate beside him: "Bin Shou brother, this is Qin Kan, whom I've mentioned to you before. He's the new teacher hired by our county, but he's young and inexperienced, so I hope Bin Shou brother and Yu De brother can guide and instruct him."

  Du Hong's face turned serious as he looked at Qin Kan and said, "Qin Kan, haven't you come to pay respects to County Magistrate Li and Chief Clerk Cao?"

  Qin Kan hastily bowed deeply to the two of them, his manner extremely respectful.

  The two men stood up and returned the courtesy, their eyes somewhat astonished. They seemed to have not expected that the new teacher would be so young. The teacher was a staff member of the county magistrate, responsible for making plans and strategies for Dong Gong, participating in important matters; handling case files, liaising with official circles and other important tasks. He should have been a mature and steady, wise and good strategist, why did County Magistrate invite such a young man? He... was only just at the age of wearing a hat (i.e., an adult)?

  Despite their shock, the two people's expressions were still very calm, and they chatted with Qin Kan as if nothing had happened, their conversation showing a certain level of intimacy.

  After chatting for a few sentences, Qin Kan also learned that the eighth-grade county lieutenant was surnamed Li, named Gui, and his courtesy name was Binshou. The chief clerk was surnamed Cao, named Congzhou, and his courtesy name was Yude.

  Li Xian was a bit cold, only maintaining official courtesy with Qin Kan, asking a few questions about Xianxiang and Gaotang, and then seeming to have completed his social duties, he fell silent. On the other hand, Cao Zhubu was very enthusiastic, enthusiastically to the point of being overbearing.

  Qin Kan's expression was respectful as he chatted with the two of them for a few sentences, but his heart was uneasy and his eyes kept sizing them up.

  Who did that bowl of hot water just splash on? Looking at their calm and composed appearance, not a bit like being scalded by boiling water, are the minds of officials so deep?

  In my impression... only dead pigs are not afraid of being scalded by boiling water.

  After chatting for a few sentences, Du Hong glanced outside the hall and said: "Where are Mo Dianshi and Gao Buto? Why aren't they here?"

  Li Xian bowed his hands and said: "High-ranking officer Gao has gone on patrol, Mo Dianshi is..."

  County Magistrate Li's face showed a hint of surprise: "...Mo Dianshi was just injured and has been sent back home by the family servants."

  "Cough...cough...cough..." Qin Kan started coughing again, feeling very guilty.

  As expected, someone took the bait.

  Three people in the hall looked at Qin Kan, and Qin Kan had no choice but to blush and bow his head in apology.

  Du Hong asked with a concerned expression: "What injury did Mo Dianshi suffer?"

  Magistrate Li shook his head and sighed, "I don't know which good-for-nothing scoundrel did this evil deed, pouring a bowl of boiling water over Mo Dianshi's head. Mo Dianshi was in the middle of...in the middle of taking a bow, and had nowhere to run, getting drenched right on target, scalding his face into a mass of blisters."

  Du Hong's mouth was agape in shock: "…………"

  County Magistrate Li bowed to Du Hong and sighed sympathetically: "I hope you will order an investigation, such a terrible case has occurred in our county government office, it's really a loss of all conscience. You didn't see it, but Mo Dianshi was so miserable... the walls inside the mansion were scratched by his fingers, he didn't even wear pants and rushed out with a loud crash, it's really damaging to your prestige..."

  Du Hong angrily said: "Didn't the servants present at the time see what the murderer looked like?"

  "Zajue said it was a young man, unfamiliar and had never seen him before..."

  Du Hong stroked his beard and said in a low voice, "Young man, unfamiliar face? Could it be that you're an outsider who sneaked in, not one of our yamen's people? That would make things difficult to find..."

  Qin Kan was sweating profusely and didn't even dare to breathe heavily.

  "The darkness under the lamp" is indeed very reasonable, and the three adults coincidentally skipped over him, completely unaware that a young stranger was sitting in front of them.

  Du Hong looked at Qin Kan and said slowly, "You must carefully sort out the account book I gave you. Those are the records of last year's taxes and grain contributions in our county, not a single error is allowed. If the inspector comes to review them next year and finds any discrepancies, everyone in the county government will be held accountable."

  "Late-born must be careful, no mistakes are allowed." Qin Kan quickly stood up and saluted.

  At this moment, however, he inadvertently caught a glimpse of a flash of panic in Cao's eyes.

  Three people bid farewell to Du Hong and returned to their respective offices. Li Xiancheng seemed to be somewhat dismissive of Qin Kan, passing by him without a change in expression. However, Cao Zhushi smiled and bowed to Qin Kan: "Young Master Qin, you have entered the eyes of County Magistrate Du, your talent and abilities must be extraordinary. If you don't mind, after we finish our tasks, let's go to Xicheng Yuchun Building together for a few drinks. In the future, we can also take care of each other in the yamen. Are you willing to grant me this favor, Master Qin?"

  Qin Kan smiled politely and was about to respond when Zheng Bo reported from behind him, saying that County Magistrate has invited Master Qin again, as there is a matter to discuss in the inner court.

  Apologizing, he smiled at Cao Zhongbo and followed Zheng Bo to the Moon Gate in the inner courtyard, where Du Hong's family lived. He was hesitating whether to go in or not when he heard a silvery laughter coming from beside his ear.

  Du Yan wore a light green skirt, her lotus feet stepped on the swing in the courtyard, the swing swung high, Du Yan laughed and swung, looking very happy.

  Qin Kan sighed softly: "A young lady who has not yet married, playing on a swing, and still having so much fun, isn't she afraid that others will say she is promiscuous?"

  PS: This week is about to pass, after 0 o'clock, it will be a new week. The old thief here has reserved everyone's recommendation votes. After 0 o'clock, vote for me! In the new week, let's occupy our place on the recommendation list!!