"Uncle Village Head, don't worry, we promise to keep our eyes wide open day and night, and beat the drums as soon as we see those bastards."
"Yes, village head! This time, we'll make sure they don't come back alive!"
...
Amidst the confident pronouncements of the crowd, Chen Sheng walked away with suspicion. These young calves, unafraid of tigers, probably didn't know how terrifying mountain bandits were.
Remembering what Da Wa's mother had said yesterday, Chen Sheng thought to himself that he couldn't worry about anything else now. He had to hurry to the county government office and inform the clerk in charge. If the news reached the county magistrate's ears, he might strengthen the defenses around the county and scare away the bandits! In addition, it would also allow the news to spread faster and let all the villages prepare, which would be a good thing for everyone.
This wasn't his first time entering the county government office; previously, it was always during the year-end performance review, when he would go with other village heads to listen to the county magistrate's address.
From the moment he entered until he left, he remained impeccably proper, hands clasped at his sides, head bowed to his chest, eyes downcast, never uttering a single unnecessary word. But this time was different. He might have to speak with the county magistrate, no easy task indeed. He was deeply worried about whether he could finish his sentence smoothly!
"Hey, aren't you the village head of Shiligou? You've come to the yamen on business?"
A greeting came from outside, startling Chen Sheng who wasn't prepared. He turned around and, lo and behold, his face lit up with joy. Wasn't that the young, handsome, and slightly eccentric Minister of Agriculture? They had even drunk together before.
Of course, Chen Sheng wasn't unaware of the situation. Although he had the privilege of dining and drinking at the same table with the official, it was only because of Da Wa's mother. Besides, that was the Minister of Agriculture, the third most powerful person in the county; how could he possibly have the right to claim kinship with him?
However, running into an acquaintance is definitely a good thing; at least Chen Sheng isn't worried about how he'll get in! Besides, this Minister of Agriculture seems to be a man of action, otherwise he wouldn't be inspecting the countryside. And he's certainly not a corrupt official. Da Wa's mother said that the Minister of Agriculture's lifestyle clearly indicates he's from a wealthy family and is definitely not short of money!
"Chen Sheng, the head of Shiligou, greets Lord Sinong." He quickly bowed and stepped forward, showing great respect.
Qi Yuchen was new to the area and didn't know many people, not to mention the people in the yamen! Besides, after collecting the tax grain and verifying its accuracy, it would be transported to the prefectural city, so he had some free time.
In the past few days, Qi Yuchen has returned to a state of idleness.
So, he was quite happy to see Chen Sheng now! He still missed the farmhouse food and wine.
It's really strange. Kyoto has so many big restaurants, offering specialties from both the north and south, but none of them could make him savor the memory of a dish for so long! Those bright red chilies, when they first tasted so spicy they made him sweat profusely and his mouth and throat feel like they were on fire, but the more he ate, the more he wanted to eat, and the longer it lingered, the more he remembered them…
"You've come to the county office on business? Or perhaps you're here to see me?"
Chen Sheng was speechless. Actually, he wanted to see the county magistrate or the registrar, but it didn't matter who he asked, since they were both officials anyway.
He simply cupped his hands and said, “Lord Minister of Agriculture, I have something important to report. I’ve heard that bandits have been appearing around our county town these days. The villagers are terrified, fearing that they will suffer from banditry again. I thought to myself, better safe than sorry. If there really are bandits, it would be a big problem if we in Shiligou didn’t report it.”
He had carefully considered these words all the way here! After all, the truth of the bandit incident was unknown, and even if it was true, the officials might blame him for disturbing public order if the bandits didn't attack. That's why Qin Sanniang told him not to make a fuss about it yet, and to find out what the yamen (government office) thought before speaking.
According to He Yingyuan's analysis, the county magistrate is scheduled to be transferred next year. If banditry breaks out in his jurisdiction at this critical juncture, not only will his promotion be ruined, but he might also face repercussions from higher authorities. Therefore, Magistrate Jia will definitely take this very seriously. Moreover, the registrar and the agricultural commissioner are both planning to use He County as a stepping stone; which of their families doesn't have powerful backers?
Sure enough, upon hearing the words "mountain bandits," Qi Yuchen's expression suddenly turned serious.
Even Cai Bo looked solemn. They came from the north and encountered bandits attacking villages along the way. Those bandits were ruthless and vicious. The villages were almost bloodbathed, and every household was waving white banners.
“Old village head, if what you say is true, this is no small matter.” For the first time, Cai Bo spoke up before his master. He was old but experienced. If the bandits were really wandering around the county town, they would not return empty-handed. “Young master, this is something that should be taken seriously.”
Qi Yuchen was well aware of this principle. Although the Tatars and Hu people were ruthless, they were still unable to penetrate deep into Jiangzhou due to the presence of the royal army. But these mountain bandits? They could only rely on themselves!
"Chen Lizheng, please come with me." Qi Yuchen said solemnly after making up his mind.
I wonder what Clerk Qi is doing right now? He should be discussing important matters with the magistrate!
When Qi, the registrar, and Jia, the county magistrate, saw him enter with an elderly man with hair in his fifties, they were both puzzled. They exchanged a glance and looked at him together.
Upon seeing the two of them, Qi Yuchen quickly stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting, "Your Excellency, Magistrate, Chief Clerk Qi, I have important matters to report."
"Tell me," Magistrate Jia said solemnly as he turned and sat down in the main seat.
"Sir, this old man is Chen, the village head of Shiligou. According to him, the villagers have discovered that there are bandits around the county town."
Upon hearing Qi Yuchen mention him, Chen Sheng quickly knelt down and kowtowed. However, since someone had spoken for him, he was less nervous.
Mountain bandits?
Magistrate Jia and Registrar Qi were both shocked! They thought to themselves, "Damn it, these bastards are back again!"
Two years ago, when he first took office, there was already a bandit problem here. But the people of Jiangzhou were not to be trifled with. Those mountain bandits even dared to target the powerful families. Which of the powerful families did not have its own guards? So, several powerful families joined forces, contributing money and manpower, and with the help of the government, they successfully wiped out the mountain bandits!
But now? The powerful families of Jiangzhou have been reduced to a pitiful state!
The Si and Wang families have already moved away and their whereabouts remain unknown. The Xie family, on the other hand, is merely a newly emerging aristocratic family that is all show and no substance. In terms of both character and strength, it is different from a true aristocratic family.
Qi Zhubu looked at the village head in front of him. The old man was dressed in coarse linen clothes. He vaguely remembered that they had met in Shiligou. He didn't seem like a person who talked nonsense!
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