Little did he know that such fence-sitters were the most hated by others. Yang Riyan was furious at him for betraying his colleagues, and Zhao Jun was infuriated by his servility. It would have been better to be more direct from the beginning. If Zhao Jun had reported the situation as soon as he arrived, perhaps he could have earned merit.

In other words, Zhao Jun checked Lin Zhu's background and found that except for turning a deaf ear to problems with the powerful, this person did a pretty good job in general litigation cases and people's livelihood management.

Otherwise, even if Lin Zhu waited until the next morning, Zhao Jun would not be able to see him.

However, Lin Zhu smiled bitterly and said, "Yes, the magistrate is right. Back then, I was also full of passion. When I first took office as a local county magistrate, I refused the gifts sent by the local gentry. I also made lofty statements, saying that I would definitely serve the people."

"oh?"

Zhao Jun asked in surprise, "Then why did it become like this today?"

"It's ridiculous. The local tyrant is in collusion with the powerful and once offered auspicious signs on behalf of the late emperor. The tyrant broke the law, and I wanted to arrest him, but was scolded by the powerful man's servants."

Lin Zhu laughed at himself, "Does the Magistrate know what he said to me? He told me not to be ungrateful. I'm just a small seventh-rank county magistrate. His master wants to deal with me as easily as crushing a stinkbug."

"So you succumbed to the threat and fell into depravity?"

Zhao Jun frowned.

Lin Zhu sighed, "At the time, I remained unyielding, but a few days later, the higher-ranking prefect came to the county to hold me accountable. He told me that as an official, I should respect the elders and not be arrogant. Although I didn't go along with their corrupt practices, I never dared to say anything again. I muddled along for over a decade, and in the end, I was nothing more than a prefect who wasted his time and energy."

"hehe."

Zhao Jun scoffed, "Respecting the sages? That's quite interesting. Since they offered auspicious signs, the so-called superior must be Ding Wei."

"yes."

Lin Zhu nodded.

Back then, Ding Wei and the other five demons controlled the government, making the court a chaotic mess. Ultimately, it was the fault of Emperor Zhenzong of Song.

"People say it's easy to be a corrupt official, but hard to be an honest one. That's why most people who don't want to go along with corrupt officials end up becoming mediocre officials like you. Speaking of which, old man Wang Sui is also a mediocre official. To be an honest official, you have to be more treacherous and cunning than corrupt officials. Ultimately, it's all due to lack of ability."

Zhao Jun concluded, "Yang Gao is only a fellow scholar, and he's lived an honest life. He's reached his current position as a transport envoy because of his ability. Even though you're a Jinshi, you're still far behind Yang Gao."

"yes."

Lin Zhu still smiled bitterly.

How many people in the Song Dynasty can climb out like Yang Gao?

What's more, Yang Gao also risked his life. When he was young, he captured thieves alone. When he was in his prime, he went on a diplomatic mission to Western Xia alone. He remained calm in the face of Zhao Yuanhao's difficulties. An ordinary person would not have such courage.

"Alright, although you may be a mediocre official, at least you didn't dare to hide anything under this court's questioning. You told me everything you knew, and you didn't harm the people. I will temporarily spare your job and order you to thoroughly investigate the disaster relief situation in Shouzhou within ten days."

Zhao Jun finally said seriously, "Before, you could still use the excuse that you were threatened by those corrupt officials and didn't dare to report it. But now that the Benzhiyuan is here, if you still can't do it, it means you are a complete waste. The Song Dynasty does not need useless officials. It needs officials who can govern the people well. Do you hear me?"

"yes!"

Lin Zhu was overjoyed and bowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, Magistrate, for giving me this opportunity. I will definitely give it my all and will not slack off."

"Go ahead."

Zhao Jun waved his hand.

"Yes, yes, yes."

Lin Zhu left with many thanks.

Looking at his departing back, Zhao Jun thought for a while, then began to write again.

After all, Lin Zhu was a mediocre official, but at least he was not stupid and could see things clearly.

The fact that he was able to assess the situation immediately, tell what he knew first, and then come to him immediately to make amends shows that he is quite smart.

It was just that I was oppressed by my superiors in the past, and I was timid and didn't dare to tell the truth.

Moreover, under the pressure from his superiors, he has been able to stick to his original intentions for so many years and not go along with the crowd, which also proves that he is not a bad person.

Now that he has shown remorse, Zhao Jun may give him a chance to see if he is capable of completing the task assigned by Zhao Jun.

If he completes this task, it means that he has decent abilities. As long as he removes the shackles of oppression from his superiors, he may become a good official in the future.

The same thing.

You can be mediocre, but you must not be stupid.

As long as you are capable and do not commit corruption or harm the people, Zhao Jun may use you.

Now it depends on Lin Zhu’s own choice.

My left nose has been blocked and runny all day. I've used three rolls of tissues to wipe my nose. I'm completely delirious. This morning, I drank a cup of medicine made with two packets of Ganmao Ling and two Amoxil tablets. In the evening, I took a Gankang tablet and a cephalexin. I'm feeling a little better now, but not much. I hope I can still code the second chapter today. If not, there's really nothing I can do.

(End of this chapter)