Chapter 19

Today, Shi Yanqing was providing free medical consultations in the pharmacy. When she was taking the pulse of an old woman in front of her, Dan Ye hurried in from outside.

But she didn't say anything. Instead, she waited until Shi Yanqing wrote the prescription and the old woman left before speaking.

"Madam, Qi Jin is back."

Shi Yanqing nodded: "I understand. Go and see how many patients are left outside."

Tan Ye had seen it when he came in, and now he had an idea in his mind, "There are probably four more."

"Then we'll go back home after we see these four people."

Qi Jin went to Shaoshan this time and returned six days later than expected.

During these six days, Zhou Hangui was extremely worried. He couldn't eat or sleep well. He almost went out alone to find Qi Jin.

Later, it was only after Zhou Hanzhang talked with him for an hour that he stayed in the mansion obediently and gave up the idea of ​​going out.

As soon as Qi Jin came back, Zhou Hangui hugged him with red eyes.

"Qi Jin, why did you come back just now?"

Qi Jin is 25 years old this year, a dozen years older than Zhou Hangui. They get along like brothers and have a very deep relationship.

When Shi Yanqing came back, Zhou Hangui was still chatting with Qi Jin in the front hall, with sake served beside them and tea added several times.

Seeing Qi Jin's exhausted appearance, Shi Yanqing said, "Han Gui, I received news that Qi Jin is back. He looks so tired now, why not let him go back to his room to wash up and chat with him after he's rested."

After hearing what Shi Yanqing said, Zhou Hangui realized that Qi Jin was exhausted. He couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed and apologetic. "Qi Jin, go back to your room and rest. When you've rested well, I'll ask you about Shaoshan."

Qi Jin smiled and said, "Thank you, Madam and Master."

After everyone left, Shi Yanqing sat on the wooden chair to the right of Zhou Hangui, and added sake and tea at the right time.

"Han Gui, did Qi Jin tell you what happened on the way back that made you come back so late?"

Zhou Hangui shook his head: "I haven't had time to ask, I just asked him about what happened in Shaoshan."

The great scholar lived in Shaoshan, and the first thing he wanted to know was about the great scholar. He even forgot to ask Qi Jin why it took him so long to come back.

Shi Yanqing also guessed it, and was just glad that Qi Jin had no wounds on his body. He came back late probably because he encountered something on the way.

She picked up the teacup, brought it to her lips and took a sip.

"Is the news that the great scholar is in Shaoshan true?"

Zhou Hangui nodded excitedly: "Yes! Qi Jin went to the mountains and met Yun An."

"He said Yun'an was a gentle man with ten disciples. He liked to fish in the mountain streams. He knew I wanted to become his disciple, so he didn't refuse."

"Mr. Yun'an? Do you know him?" Shi Yanqing was not very familiar with the names of these great scholars. She only knew the names and titles of those who had outstanding medical skills.

Zhou Hangui obviously respected Mr. Yun'an very much, and his tone was full of admiration and love when he spoke of him.

"Mr. Yun'an was the top scholar in the imperial examination thirty years ago. He served as prime minister and tutor to the crown prince. During his time in office, he did many things that benefited the country and the people."

"But he suddenly resigned from his post and disappeared from public view. This time I came to Nanhai County to look for the great scholar, but I never thought that person would be Yun'an Jushi."

Shi Yanqing smiled and said, "It seems this is an unexpected surprise. It's worth celebrating."

Zhou Hangui was in a very happy mood.

"We'll celebrate together when Big Brother comes back. Ask Lady Liu to make some delicious food tonight!"

......

In front of the county government office, a little boy wearing ragged clothes with many patches on his body ran to the gatekeeper.

"Sir, someone asked me to give this to the county magistrate."

The child had a pale and thin face, dry and yellow hair, and only his round eyes revealed a childish expression.

Menzi also had children at home. Although it was his turn on duty, he did not chase or scold the child.

On the one hand, it was because the county magistrate stipulated that people of all ages, both old and young, women and children should not be beaten or scolded at will; on the other hand, it was because County Magistrate Lu and Chief Secretary Bai were counting supplies in the adjacent ear room at that time.

He doesn't dare to do this.

Taking the item wrapped in oil paper from the child's hand, Menzi couldn't help but pinch it, but it was hard and couldn't be pinched.

He thought for a moment, then took out two copper coins from his sleeve and gave them to the boy. "Go back quickly. I'll give this to the county magistrate."

The county magistrate also stipulated that if anyone handed in items, they would be rewarded with two copper coins and he would reimburse them.

The little boy didn't expect to get coins after delivering the things, and his expression instantly became happy.

He took the copper coins, clenched one in each of his little hands, and ran away quickly, exuding a sense of happiness.

Inside the house, Zhou Hanzhang was calculating the measured land area. His fingers moved quickly on the abacus, making crackling sounds.

The paper in front of him was already filled with densely packed words written with a pen.

Lu Tong walked in from outside and placed the unopened item wrapped in oil paper on the table.

"I heard from the doorman that this was brought here by a child of four or five years old."

Zhou Hanzhang looked up, stopped moving his fingers on the abacus, picked up the brush and wrote down the latest number on the paper.

After he finished writing, he went to pick up the unknown object. After opening the oil paper, he found a layer of white paper inside, sealed with rice paste.

It is to prevent someone from opening it midway and looking at what is inside.

After Zhou Hanzhang figured it out, he continued to unravel the white paper.

The white paper was torn open, revealing a small booklet inside that was only the size of a palm but as thick as a thumb.

He raised his eyebrows slightly, "Lu Tong, do you want to guess what's in here?"

Lu Tong cupped his hands and said, "I am stupid, maybe it's the account book?"

Zhou Hanzhang didn't know what was inside. He opened the booklet, his eyes fell on the first page, and he carefully read the contents.

The more he looked, the calmer his eyes became. Lu Tong, standing beside him, didn't dare to breathe and just breathed quietly.

"You guessed it right. This booklet is the account book. Take a look."

After saying that, Zhou Hanzhang handed the small account book to Lu Tong. He placed his hands on the table and tapped his fingertips, making a "da da da" sound.

Lu Tong read very quickly. After he finished, a hint of joy appeared on his face: "Sir, this records the money that the previous county magistrates embezzled by falsely reporting tax amounts. We can follow this clue to investigate further!"

Zhou Hanzhang said, "Don't move for now."

"This bill was sent by a mysterious person. We don't know what his purpose is or whether he is good or evil. Let's wait a little longer until my master arrives, and then we can start investigating."

Lu Tong had no objection. He put the account book back on the table and was about to leave when he said, "Sir, I have been observing Bai Zhubo for some time. There seems to be something wrong with him."

Zhou Hanzhang said, "Tell me in detail."

When he arrived in Yunshui County, only Lu Tong showed goodwill and expressed his support from the beginning. However, Chief Secretary Bai, Dianshi Liu, and Inspector Wang did not express any opinion.

Liu Dianshi was from the wealthy Liu family. He was an upright man and was in charge of the prison and public security in the county government.

After observing for a while, Zhou Hanzhang figured out his thoughts, which were that he just wanted to concentrate on his work and not get involved in political struggles.

Inspector Wang was a seasoned veteran. At first, he was observing how the county magistrate performed, but later he realized that there was no benefit in being his enemy, so he decided to support him.

Only Bai Zhubo was left. He smiled at everyone he saw and was friendly to them, but it was hard to tell what he was thinking because he was very deep-minded.

"I discovered that Lord Bai would go to Xinglin Hall to lie down every seven days, staying for half an hour each time." Lu Tong truthfully reported his findings. "At first, I thought Lord Bai was ill, but later I discovered that he was in good health and didn't need any medical attention or medicine."

"Plus, Xinglintang also sells that kind of medicine, so I suspect that Lord Bai is also buying that kind of medicine, or is related to that kind of medicine."

Zhou Hanzhang thought for a moment and said, "Let's put this matter aside for now. For the time being, you continue to follow Lord Bai. Remember not to alert the enemy."

"Yes, I understand."

After Lu Tong left, Zhou Hanzhang put the small account book into his clothes on his chest. After he calculated the last bit of land area on the table, he prepared to get up and return home.

Shi'an was still guarding the door, no longer a servant, but a long-term attendant.

"Sir, I just received a message from Qingping saying that Qi Jin is back." Shi'an opened the umbrella and held it above Zhou Hanzhang's head.

The umbrella is big enough to protect him from the rain.

"Then let's go back quickly."

When the two returned home, the rain outside was getting heavier and heavier.

Shi Yanqing had asked the kitchen to boil some hot water, and when they came back they were urged to go to the bathroom to take a shower. When they came out of the shower they drank a bowl of hot ginger soup.

After drinking a bowl of ginger soup, Zhou Hanzhang felt clean and comfortable all over.

He sighed deeply, letting out all the frustration of the day.

After hearing this, Shi Yanqing asked, "You came back so early today, but you're in such a bad mood. Did you run into someone who's unruly again?"

Zhou Hanzhang shook his head. "Now, no one disobeys my supervision, but I'm still not doing my job wholeheartedly. Some places are just taking advantage of the situation. It's really infuriating and a headache to watch."

Shi Yanqing didn't know how to be an official. She only knew that if the clerk in her shop didn't do his job seriously and took advantage of the situation, she would just fire him and hire a new one to do the job.

But Zhou Hanzhang definitely understood these principles. Since he hasn't solved them yet, it's either because he hasn't started using them or because they are unusable.

No matter which possibility it was, she would not interfere.

After all, he didn't ask her how to solve it.

Shi Yanqing poured another cup of tea for Zhou Hanzhang and said, "Hangui will leave the day after tomorrow to go to Shaoshan to worship Yun'an as his teacher."

"It turned out to be Monk Yun'an." Zhou Hanzhang was a little surprised. "He is quite lucky."

"He said so himself," Shi Yanqing said with a smile. These two men are indeed brothers, as they say similar things.

"Then I'll take a day off tomorrow to celebrate his birthday."

"Han Gui's birthday is tomorrow? Why are you telling me now?"

Shi Yanqing stood up and wanted to ask Dan Ye to go out and buy things for the birthday.

Zhou Hanzhang quickly said, "No. Hangui's birthday is at the end of October. I was worried he might not be able to come back by then, so I wanted to celebrate his birthday early."

So that's it.

Shi Yanqing sat back down. "Although it's an early birthday, we still have to have everything we need. I'll ask Liu Niang to prepare birthday noodles. As for the gift, I don't have anything suitable at the moment. I can only send it to Han Gui when the time comes."

Zhou Hanzhang said the same thing: "It's best for him to bring less this time. It won't be too late to buy more after he successfully becomes my disciple."