Chapter 110 Gaining Fortune, Sending Off with Tears in His Eyes
The reason for this matter needs to be explained starting from yesterday.
It was just past noon yesterday.
Luo Fang, the head of the menial tasks, was sending his menial workers to sweep the mountain and clear the road, working hard under the scorching sun.
Suddenly, a sedan chair appeared on the mountain road in the distance.
He leaped onto a boulder, gazing into the distance, hoping to glean some clues. If it was a friend of the lady from the martial world, he would seize the opportunity to curry favor; perhaps it would bring him some benefit.
The sedan chair was vermilion, with red silk curtains hanging down.
The character "武" (martial arts) is embroidered on it.
This type of sedan chair originated from the imperial court's "land official." In the entire Qingning County, only the county magistrate, Lin Guolong, possessed this type of sedan chair.
"How strange! Could it be that the magistrate has business with his wife?"
Luo Fang thought to himself.
He had followed the lady for a long time and had seen the world. He immediately perked up and hurriedly ordered people to clear the road so that the gentleman could sit comfortably.
"Clear away all those pebbles and twigs for me."
"Let me tell you, the county magistrate's ass is more valuable than our heads."
The servants, heeding his commands, worked diligently. In truth, even if there were pebbles on the road, they wouldn't bump the magistrate's backside. The sedan chair bearer was highly skilled; no matter how steep the road, he could keep the sedan chair steady.
Luo Fang always seeks opportunities to show off, even if it's futile.
Before long, the sedan chair arrived outside the village.
"Your Excellency, what brings you here? Are you here to see your wife?" Luo Fang greeted him with a fawning smile.
The sedan curtain was lifted. Lin Guolong's name was upright and strong, but his face was fair and round, showing signs of wealth. He was short in stature and long in arms, which was quite strange.
He said, "You...you are what...what was it again?"
"I am Luo Fang, the head of the menial tasks. You can just call me Xiao Luo. I had the honor of meeting you several years ago." Luo Fang bowed and scraped.
The servants were dismissed a hundred feet away, their eyes barely visible. Each glance at the county magistrate seemed to add to their prestige.
"Tell the lady that Magistrate Lin Guolong requests an audience," Lin Guolong said.
"yes!"
Luo Fang dared not be negligent. He naturally reported it up the chain of command, and soon the news reached his wife's ears.
But I didn't actually see the lady until after dusk.
Inside the reception hall.
Lin Guolong had been waiting for a long time when his wife finally arrived. Lin Guolong cupped his hands and said, "Madam Wen, it's been a long time. How have you been?"
Madam Wen said calmly, "Very good. I wonder how the county magistrate is?" Lin Guolong smiled and said, "Very good."
Madam Wen said, "I don't usually have much contact with the county magistrate. I don't know why you have come here in person. Please speak frankly."
Lin Guolong sat back in his chair, his feet barely touching the ground. He pointed his toes, and only then could his thick boots barely touch the ground.
“If there is nothing else, I would not wish to disturb you, Madam,” Lin Guolong said. “But my master… has instructed me to make the trip in person. I cannot disobey my master’s orders, so please forgive me, Madam.”
"Your master?" Madam Wen raised an eyebrow, showing interest.
Lin Guolong said, "I am unworthy and have disgraced my master, Fu Haoran."
"That's really embarrassing," Wen Caishang said with a smile. Lin Guolong's face stiffened, and he didn't know what to say.
At his peak, Fu Haoran was a "Celestial Official". In the Great Wu Dynasty, those stationed in the capital were "Celestial Officials", while those stationed in other regions were "Earthly Officials".
"What brings you here? Speak frankly," Madam Wen said straightforwardly.
"Madam, is there a guard in the manor named Li Xian?" Lin Guolong asked.
"Li Xian?" Madam Wen asked, "You came for him?" This piqued her interest.
“That’s right,” Lin Guolong said. “This Li Xian is from Qingning County, under my jurisdiction. He has a father who was a hunter, but he has committed suicide. He has a younger brother named Li Xiaofan.”
Madam Wen usually didn't pay attention to matters concerning the guards. But she happened to know about Li Xian, "I know that."
"My trip here... is less about Li Xian and more about Li Xiaofan," Lin Guolong said. "Li Xian is quite lucky, benefiting from his brother's fame."
"A few months ago, his younger brother, Li Xiaofan, passed the winter examination and qualified to study at the academy. At the age of ten or so, he went to the academy to study on his own. He was favored by our master and was thus taken into the sect. In a way... he can be considered my fellow disciple."
Madam Wen nodded.
"Although Li Xiaofan is young, he is very intelligent, has a photographic memory, quick reflexes, and is eager to learn. He has already acquired a bit of luck, although it is very thin, but... he can still be considered a half-scholar with luck."
Lin Guolong clicked his tongue in amazement: "As the saying goes, when one attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. The first thing Li Xiaofan wanted to do was to return to the county and help his brother escape his slave status."
"According to the regulations of the court, this is indeed the proper way. However, my master has high hopes for Li Xiaofan. He left him here to continue his studies in the prefectural city. After all, scholars are bound to be influenced by worldly affairs when they are exposed to them."
"To put Li Xiaofan at ease, he wrote a letter a few days ago, entrusting me with handling this matter."
"Then let's go find Madam Wen."
Lin Guolong smiled and explained the origin of the story.
Madam Wen nodded. "I see." She slightly raised her beautiful eyes, gazing at the fish swimming outside the hall, as if pondering something.
"I hope Madam will grant your request." Lin Guolong said with a smile, "Releasing a mere guard will not harm your noble status, but will instead be a good match for my master. Moreover, Li Xiaofan has remarkable talent in literature and Taoism. At such a young age, he has already gained a wisp of fortune, and his future is limitless."
Madam Wen remained silent. She took a sip of tea and said, "I understand the magistrate's intentions. But I have my own difficulties."
Lin Guolong's expression changed, and he was greatly surprised. "Madam, could it be that you..." Madam Wen smiled and said, "Lord Lin, there is no need to be nervous. Please listen to my explanation."
She said, "I know more about Li Xiaofan's affairs than you do. Back when he was studying for the flower-picking exam, he was surrounded by Zheng Caiqi, one of the Seven Heroes of the Blackwater Gang. It was his brother Li Xian who risked his life to save him. If it weren't for that, how could he have achieved what he has today?"
Lin Guolong said, "This...this..."
Madam Wen tapped her finger lightly on the table. "Has Magistrate Lin ever considered how Li Xiaofan was saved?" Lin Guolong replied, "His brother? Or was it Madam's secret assistance?"
Madam Wen shook her head and said, "Because of Li Xian's martial arts. And this martial arts originated from me. So you understand now, right?"
Lin Guolong already understood Madam Wen's meaning. Martial arts were highly valued in the Great Wu Dynasty. Li Xian, as a bodyguard, had learned her martial arts. If they were to part ways, what would happen to the money he had spent on learning those martial arts?
Lin Guolong said, "Madam Wen, you are a smart woman. The money from martial arts training is neither a lot nor a little. But you certainly wouldn't want it. Why not use this opportunity to befriend my master?"
Madam Wen smiled faintly, thinking to herself, "If I send Li Xian away like this, your master will only say that you handled things properly. What does it have to do with me? Keeping this person in hand will actually bring me endless benefits."
She said, "Doesn't Magistrate Lin understand?"
Lin Guolong shook his head. Madam Wen said, "Li Xiaofan is worried about his brother, so he wants to help him get rid of his slave status. In the end, he is afraid that his brother will suffer and be bullied."
Lin Guolong nodded, secretly admiring his wife's keen insight into people's hearts and her thorough understanding of matters.
Madam Wen said, "I will promote him to the position of head guard and assist me in managing the estate. In this way, my son will not have to suffer. Moreover, with my protection, his safety will not be a problem. Isn't that much more comfortable than him wandering around alone?"
"Given this difference, if you were Li Xian, what would you choose?"
The lady's soft, gentle voice captivated my thoughts.
Upon hearing this question, Lin Guolong thought to himself, "That makes sense. If I were Li Xian, even if I were freed from my slave status, I would always seek another power to rely on. Rather than that, I might as well stay in the manor."
He nodded subconsciously.
Madam Wen said confidently, "Go back and draft a letter to inform your teacher of the situation and listen to his opinion. He will surely agree."
"Oh, oh." Lin Guolong nodded blankly.
Madam Wen said, "In that case, we will not keep the magistrate for the night." With a flick of her sleeve, she saw him off. Lin Guolong, in a daze, had already arrived outside the manor.
It was getting late.
The sedan chair carrier was already fast asleep, leaning against the sedan chair.
"This...this...sigh." Lin Guolong slapped his thigh, greatly displeased, and muttered, "Without the support of good fortune, even if one has an official position and is the most powerful person in this county, one will still be looked down upon by these lowly martial artists. Sigh!"
"Lift the sedan chair! Lift the sedan chair!" Lin Guolong cursed twice.
On the way back to the county, the road was pitch black.
After walking for more than half the distance, Lin Guolong slowly came to his senses and exclaimed in surprise, "This lady has such a deep scheme! I've been completely tricked!"
"She seems unwilling to reveal her martial arts skills, but in reality... she is extremely calculating, achieving multiple goals at once!"
"Those who seize the fortune can enhance the foundation of certain forces if they join them. The benefits are endless. She promoted Li Xian to a commander for several reasons: first, to curry favor with her master and give him face; second, to resolve disputes, which would be a win-win situation; and third... to bestow a favor upon Li Xiaofan. Perhaps in the future, when Li Xiaofan joins her manor, it will bring her manor a wisp of fortune!"
"This calculation of interests is truly... truly... leaving one speechless."
Lin Guolong suddenly understood. But he could only smile helplessly and do as instructed. That night, he drafted a letter to inform his teacher of the situation.
The next day.
The teacher replied with just one word: "Okay."
"well."
Lin Guolong sighed deeply, feeling like crying but having no tears. The lady didn't like him, and neither did his teacher.
Without good fortune, one is unlikely to be given important responsibilities. But with good fortune, even a carp can transform into a dragon.
...
...
Heihe Village.
Ding Hu knelt on one knee, his expression respectful. Last night, he received an order from his wife to promote the guard Li Xian to commander.
They were invited back to the estate overnight.
Li Xian frowned and said, "Uncle Ding, are you joking with me?"
Ding Hu replied fearfully, "I wouldn't dare." Li Xian asked, "Could it be that another commander has been appointed in the manor? What about Commander Pang or Commander Hua?"
Ding Hu said, "No, there is only one commander in the village, and that is Commander Li."
"Where is Commander Pang?" Li Xian asked in surprise.
“Commander Pang has long... long ago…” Ding Hu hesitated for a moment before saying, “Commander Pang passed away several months ago.”
"Gone?" Li Xian was taken aback.
Ding Hu said, "After Commander Pang recovered from his injuries, he went missing on a mission. For the past few months, Hua Hanying has been the commander, but now... the position of commander belongs to you, Uncle Li."
"Commander Pang has disappeared?" Li Xian asked, thinking to himself, "I live in a remote area and am unaware of the changes in the village. I don't know if Commander Pang was framed by villains or if he has really disappeared."
"I am also unaware of this," Ding Hu said, cupping his hands in greeting. "In any case, Commander Li, if you are ready, please come back to the manor with me!"
"After you return to the manor, Madam tells you to wait in front of the Tranquil Heart Tower. She will speak to you personally after she comes out of seclusion and tell you about the situation."
Li Xian said, "Alright, I'll head back now."
He returned to his room, packed his belongings, and prepared to leave. Men, women, and children of Heihe Village, upon hearing of Li Xian's departure, all wept as they saw him off.
(End of this chapter)
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