County Magistrate's Office.
The yamen runners outside the door were muttering to themselves.
County Magistrate Lu was drinking tea and reading a book.
"Master, go and see who's talking outside. They're making so much noise I can't concentrate!"
"yes!"
Not long after, Master Jin returned with a complicated expression.
"Old Master!"
"explain……"
"The incident of Manager Ma humiliating the merchants has been exposed..."
"Uh-huh?"
"As luck would have it, a writer of storybooks named Rural Hermit happened to meet Manager Ma, who was forcibly collecting sanitation management fees from the vendors."
This person happened to see this and, filled with indignation, changed Daxing Town to Laomiao Town and Chenjiapuzi to Chengjiapuzi… infuriating countless young people who enjoyed reading storybooks!
"Originally, this was nothing serious; those young people's anger comes and goes quickly..."
"They get easily distracted by new events and have a short memory."
"But somehow."
"A person, using the pseudonym 'Old Man of the Street,' wrote a post titled 'A Declaration Against the Traitors' and posted it on the walled forum..."
What is a walled forum?
"Oh, it's a place for young people who like to read storybooks to exchange ideas."
Write down your comments, feelings, and thoughts on paper, and post them on the wall... Then use red hearts to represent the comments that received the most praise, and cracked red hearts to represent comments that were not very useful and that readers did not like...
County Magistrate Lu snorted coldly, "It's nothing more than some petty tricks to fool young people..."
Master Jin was speechless, but these were the little tricks you thought were going to pull off a huge one.
"Later, there was another story called 'The White-Browed Hero.' The storyteller seemed to have also witnessed this event. He combined his own experience with his new story, 'The White-Browed Hero,' and had the storyteller at Xuan Nan Book House perform it..."
This had all quieted down; everyone seemed to have forgotten the post by the reclusive countryman, the denunciation of the traitors… and now, with the White-Browed Hero at the helm, a three-way attack!
The county magistrate's previously dismissive gaze vanished, replaced by a solemn expression.
"Ma Jinping is a complete waste!"
He glanced at the scattered envelopes on the table and chuckled.
"Even I, who have taken his money, feel I might have been tainted by stupidity... My lord, do you think these three people are orchestrated by the same person?"
Master Jin pondered for a long time.
"This country bumpkin must be a victim. He has no literary skills, speaks plainly, but his words are full of emotion."
"As for the students who came after them, they couldn't figure it out either..."
He pretended to scratch his head, looking quite comical.
Mr. Lu had a cold and aloof expression, and his face showed arrogance.
"The old man in the neighborhood writes in a semi-classical style. His essay, 'Anti-Traitor Article,' is filled with flowery language. This person probably hasn't read many books and is just showing off his writing skills. He must be a fellow writer or friend of that country bumpkin..."
Moreover, you can tell from their pen names that these two people were probably born in rural areas or markets at the bottom of society. Even if they were literate, they were at most from wealthy families.
As for... the title of "Childhood Scholar"... it's unlikely he'll achieve it.
He spoke in a teasing tone.
"Otherwise, we wouldn't have chosen such rustic names."
Master Jin nodded; this official was quite something.
"The students thought that what the Master said was absolutely right."
County Magistrate Lu's lips curled slightly at the advisor's praise.
It's a sense of superiority that you ignorant masses are not even one ten-thousandth as wise as I am.
"As for the White-Browed Hero behind him, I have no knowledge of the content of the storytelling. Whether it is a storybook or the author who writes the story, they should be well-read."
As for academic achievements, he's most likely a student who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations (童生) or a scholar who passed the lowest level (秀才). For example, Qingyunlou from our Daxing Town was a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations.
County Magistrate Lu had a knowing look on his face.
Master Jin exclaimed, "Master Dong is farsighted. Although he did not participate in this matter at all, he guessed the schemes of the people behind it all."
It can be said that he can win battles from afar while sitting in the county government office. There is still much for me to learn from you, Master Dong... I am ashamed.
The students will certainly strive hard, persevere, and work diligently to approach the wisdom of Master Dong.
"Alright, alright, enough with the nonsense. I have never liked flattery."
He feigned anger, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips.
Master Jin lowered his head, pursed his lips, but showed no sign of stopping.
"The Master's humility makes me, his student, feel ashamed."
If the students had plans like Mr. Dong's, they would probably have already swelled to an unimaginable level.
His face was filled with piety, yet it also revealed a deep sense of despair.
County Magistrate Lu comforted him, saying, "A person's talent is determined by Heaven, and a person's wisdom is determined by fate. Don't worry, everyone has their own blessings."
Damn it, is this official trying to make himself look stupid?
A constable came over and whispered the news.
"My lord, Master Ma requests an audience."
County Magistrate Lu frowned. "Master, I'm a little tired. I'll just say that his matter is difficult to handle."
"yes."
He gave County Magistrate Lu a deep look.
Manager Ma was a little anxious, and every now and then he would crane his neck and look out the door.
When someone came over, he quickly ran to him in a few steps.
"Master Jin, where is the County Magistrate?"
Master Jin remained calm and glanced at him.
With a gentle smile, he said, "Steward Ma, the Lord was busy with official duties today and dealt with general affairs all night. He just went to bed. If you have anything urgent, you can tell me directly."
Manager Ma was dumbfounded.
You're treating me like a fool, you corrupt official.
What official business was he handling? He was busy all night. Is County Magistrate Lu such a diligent and dedicated person?
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