Chapter 49 Returning Home
Lin Changsi and his companion rested for a week, but they couldn't stay any longer. They hadn't been home for too long and missed their families.
Lin Changning also went to the Bureau of Experience to change his waist badge, which can be considered as officially stepping into the official career. The position of centurion is a sixth-rank official, while the magistrate of Qingshui County is only a seventh-rank official, one rank higher than the magistrate. However, since ancient times, civil and military officials have looked down on each other, and this is even more so in this dynasty.
The county magistrate was in charge of important matters such as administration, justice, and taxation in the county and naturally had considerable influence in the local area. The centurion, on the other hand, was a low-level official in the garrison, mainly responsible for military affairs and managing a hundred or so soldiers. His duties were relatively simple. Although the centurion was ranked higher than the county magistrate, the county magistrate, who held real power in the county, had a higher status.
Besides seeing his family, Lin Changning also had to investigate the county government office during his return home. After all, it was still unknown who in the army had colluded with the remnants of the Yuan dynasty. Moreover, after thinking it over and confirming the details with his second brother, Lin Changning felt that Lin Erniu's family was inextricably linked to the Lin family's affairs.
The breakthrough should lie in the constables who changed their military service. The first constable died, but the second constable who changed his name to Lin Changping must be alive and well. Perhaps we can find out something from him.
The commander probably felt there was something wrong with the Qingshui County government office, which is why he issued the token.
As dawn broke, Lin Changning mounted Moyun and prepared to return home. Behind him, Shilang drove a rented carriage. His second brother and uncle were settled inside the carriage, which was covered with two thick quilts so that they wouldn't be jostled even on the bumpy road.
Lin Changning was not going back alone. When Zheng Baihu learned that he was going home, he specially arranged for four soldiers to go back to his hometown with him.
There's no other reason than that he's now a centurion, so naturally he wants to return to his hometown in a dignified and impressive manner.
A moment later, four guards rode up to meet them. Leading them was Wan Jin, who reined in his horse and grinned, showing his big teeth: "Commander, you look quite energetic today. Everyone's here, shall we set off?"
Lin Changning was dressed in the uniform of a centurion. The wings on his black gauze hat fluttered as he moved through the dark clouds. His blue round-necked robe was of crisp quality, and the fierce pheasant on his chest and back was embroidered on the rank badges. The embroidery was exquisite, with every hair lifelike.
The tall, handsome young military officer, wearing black boots, sat on horseback, gently pulled on the reins, and waved: "Let's go!"
Mo Yun exhaled a breath of hot air from his nostrils and took the lead, running ahead, with four guards running alongside the carriage on both sides.
It took them almost half a month to get there, but only five days to get back. This was after they had taken care of some things and searched for Lin's father's remains. It was just a pity that many people had died, and the remains might have been carried away by wolves. They dug around in the same spot for a whole day and only found some scattered bone fragments.
They arrived too late; Lin's father was left with no remains.
Qingshui County —
Two days earlier, Liu and her family had received a letter from Lin Changning and happily returned from Lin Changning's uncle's house.
After passing through the city gate, the group rode their horses towards their homes. When they arrived at the village entrance, the clan chief, Lin Changshi, and some villagers were already waiting to greet them.
Liu Lang was appointed as a centurion and a sixth-rank official. He was entitled to open an ancestral hall to worship his ancestors, which brought honor to the Lin clan members in the village. As soon as the news of the birth of the prodigy spread throughout the village, every household, regardless of whether they were within five degrees of kinship, rushed over to establish a connection.
Lin Erniu, on the other hand, was so angry that he smashed several bowls and chopsticks. The villagers who were somewhat sensible were happy to see this joke. Lin Erniu's family had tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing money instead. Who would have thought that Changping would not only be fine but would also become an official?
If Lin Erniu hadn't committed his evil deeds earlier, the Lin family would have had a bright future, with the third son pursuing a literary career and the sixth son a martial one. It's a pity that Lin Erniu not only tripped up Da Niu but also ruined Liu Lang's path to the imperial examinations. These two families will probably be at odds forever from now on.
It seems Sanlang will have a tough time in the imperial examination this time.
After dismounting and paying his respects to the clan elders, Lin Changning looked around. Sure enough, the Lin Erniu family had not shown up. They would not have done so if they were not guilty.
Lin Changning had made up his mind. After exchanging brief greetings with the clan elders, he prepared to leave first with his elderly mother and sister-in-law, who were sobbing uncontrollably and clinging to his second brother.
After giving Wan Jin a wink, Wan Jin nodded and drove the carriage towards the Lin family.
Lin Changning bowed deeply and said, "Elders, I have important matters to attend to and will take my leave now. I will come to your door to explain once everything is settled."
After saying that, he led his men on horseback to the door of Lin Erniu's house. Without saying a word, he kicked down the door, startling Lin Erniu and Liu Shi who were eating in the main room, and Lin Changqing who was practicing calligraphy.
The guards rushed forward, grabbed Lin Erniu, and were about to lead him out when Lin Changqing's expression changed. He blocked the doorway, feigning composure: "Sixth Brother, what's going on? Why are you arresting family members?"
Lin Changning snorted coldly and glanced at the wailing Liu Shi: "It's official business, Third Cousin, you'd better not block the way!"
Lin Changqing, dressed in a blue robe with his hair tied up, had a cold and stern face, but still bowed and said solemnly, "If it is official business, please explain the reason and show the evidence! If not, then it is because you, Liu Lang, have a personal grudge. I am already a student of the Imperial Academy. If you, Liu Lang, are seeking revenge for a personal grievance, then let's go to the county government office and confront each other in court!"
Lin Changning glanced at his righteous and eloquent third cousin and sneered without saying a word.
Lin Changqing thought Lin Changning was truly intimidated, so he softened his tone: "Sixth Brother, we are all family, why be so embarrassed? From now on, I will pursue literature and you will pursue martial arts, so that our family can prosper."
A flash of silver light appeared, and Lin Changning pointed his knife at Lin Changqing, pulling out a document with his left hand: "It's a pity that Third Brother doesn't go into opera, wasting his talent for face-changing. This is the testimony of the constable who accepted money from Lin Erniu to fill in my name on the conscription list. It can be used for official business! I knew before I came back that Second Uncle would not confess, so I interrogated him early and wrote his testimony!"
Thanks to my second uncle! My father's remains are nowhere to be found! My eldest brother is missing! My second brother is crippled! Our two families are destined to be at odds forever! Third cousin, do you really think that just because you've passed the imperial examinations I won't dare to touch you? A mere student, do you think you can stop me?!
Lin Changqing's face was a little pale, but he still argued, "It's just that we've filled you in on the roster. The matter of my eldest uncle and my eldest and second sons may not have anything to do with my father."
Lin Erniu, who was being held down, struggled incessantly: "You little beast!! Why didn't you die at the border!! You should be like your father, eaten by wild dogs, and thrown into a mass grave, never to be reincarnated!!"
Lin Changning sneered, his phoenix eyes darkening, and a murderous aura emanating from him as he said, enunciating each word clearly: "Pan Sheng!! What is the crime of insulting military guards?!"
The man who had grabbed Lin Erniu forcefully pressed him to the ground and shouted, "Reporting to the centurion, a commoner insulting an official is an act of insubordination! He shall be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane!!!"
Lin Changning held a knife to Lin Changqing's neck, who was trying to pounce on him, and threatened with narrowed eyes: "Third cousin, swords have no eyes, please don't come forward!"
After saying that, he looked at Fu Bao, who rushed in from outside the door, wanting to save the person: "If you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place. Your fifth sister fell into the water at the beginning of the year. Fu Bao, don't you have anything to say? Harming others will get you into jail, just like your father!"
Fu Bao, being young, turned pale instantly from the fright and dared not move. Liu Shi, on the other hand, fainted from the shock.
Lin Changning sheathed his sword, turned around, pulled up a chair, and sat down in the courtyard: "I think the carrying pole is just right. Pan Sheng, carry out the execution. It'll teach my good second uncle a lesson. We fight for the people on the border, not to be insulted to our faces by these ingrates..."
Pan Sheng tied the man up, pressed him to the ground, and slammed the carrying pole hard against Lin Erniu's back.
"Bang~ bang~ bang~", the sticks were used with deadly force.
After only a dozen or so blows, the man passed out. Lin Changning fiddled with the waist token and watched as Liu Zhuang checked the man's breathing.
"Baihu, the man has fainted."
Lin Changning nodded: "Let's go, take him back to the county office and let the magistrate interrogate him."
Lin Changqing held onto Fu Bao tightly, his fists clenched, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Lin Changning: "It seems that Liu Lang is determined to be my enemy."
Having vented his anger after beating the man, Lin Changning mounted his horse in high spirits. Hearing Lin Changqing's words, he raised his handsome face and arrogantly declared:
"Third cousin, that's an interesting remark. Those who know you understand you're just a student, but those who don't might think you're a prime minister, hahaha!"
I also have a poem for my third cousin: "Reeds on the wall, top-heavy, light-footed, shallow-rooted; bamboo shoots in the mountains, sharp-mouthed, thick-skinned, hollow inside."
Cousin, please watch your words in the future; don't let your tongue slip out!
Lin Changqing closed his eyes and gritted his teeth: "I will remember this humiliation!"
Lin Changning, preparing to ride away, tugged at the reins upon hearing this and said, "Every cause has its effect. Being clever is a good thing, but using cleverness to harm others is like weaving your own cocoon. Third brother, don't be like second uncle and go astray!"
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