"A captain from the Tuning Guard?"
Jiang Yushu frowned, looked at her subordinates, and asked in surprise, "What's the name of that captain?"
The superior asked, and the county magistrate had to answer: "Captain Tong, it seems his name is Tong Jing."
"Oh?" Jiang Yushu was stunned, thinking: That arrogant captain who once competed with Hong Lei and lost three games in a row?
Li Qigong was wearing the uniform of a Dianshi (official historian), a black coat and a black hat, which made his thin lips and hooked nose look cold and hard. Yet, he asked politely, "Do you know him?"
"My husband is also in the Tuning Guard, a captain. I met Captain Tong once when I was visiting General Song." Jiang Yushu brushed it off, then asked in confusion, "Strange! How did the government's business become related to the military officer?"
Huang Yichun sighed and briefly explained, "It's a long story. For the past two years, to combat drought, the county government and the garrison have collaborated on digging a canal. At the end of October last year, General Song sent Captain Tong to the government office to discuss several areas of cooperation. The county government hosted a banquet, and during that time, he and Captain Tong discussed the matter in detail."
"Unexpectedly, that same day, Mr. Jing, accompanied by a student, returned to see Lord Sun. He stubbornly pressed for funding and the renovation of the school. The magistrate and the instructor were arguing again, and no one could mediate. Captain Tong, upon leaving his seat to change his clothes, encountered them and casually questioned them. This earned him the wrath of Mr. Jing. Furthermore, the student, young and impetuous, spoke rudely and recklessly, infuriating Captain Tong."
Li Qigong continued, "The banquet was disrupted, and Lord Liu was furious. According to the law, the magistrate could not punish the teacher with a cane, so he ordered his student to be beaten with forty boards."
"Ahem." Chief Clerk Wen Xi couldn't help but say, "In fact, Magistrate Liu had been very tolerant! Forty lashes isn't a lot, and the beatings weren't severe during the execution. Unexpectedly, the student was stubborn and frail. He fell ill after being injured and died a few days ago."
"Back then, during the war, Mr. Jing was injured in the leg and separated from his family. It was that student who desperately protected him as he journeyed south. The teacher-student bond was deep, like that of a father and son. As a result, Mr. Jing and Mr. Sun have had several major arguments in the past year and refuse to forgive each other." Huang Yichun was helpless. "Today is the seventh day after the death of that student. Mr. Jing must be grief-stricken and drowning his sorrows in alcohol, which resulted in his disrespectful behavior."
Jiang Yushu suddenly realized, "So that's what's going on!"
"Hearing that," she couldn't help but admire him, praising him, "The old gentleman insisted on asking the magistrate for his services. His original intention wasn't for himself, but for his students. It's rare, very rare."
"It's really rare. He could have kept his nose to the business, but he chose to get involved to the end, even at the cost of offending two county magistrates—" Huang Yichun paused hastily, feeling nervous, fearing that the female official would be angry.
Jiang Yushu understood and said sternly, "I'm punishing him today not just because he's openly disrespectful to the magistrate, but to uphold the law. If we let him go so easily after he's causing trouble in public, where will the law and order stand? Where will the authority of the government be?"
"Yes." Wen Xi nodded rapidly, his double chin trembling, and flattered: "Your Excellency is wise, calm and decisive in the face of danger. I admire you."
Huang Yichun hesitantly tried to remedy the situation: "Although Mr. Jing's original intention was good, his actions have become increasingly extreme and confused. He deserves to be punished, and he must be punished."
"I hope he can understand the good intentions of the county magistrate, reflect on himself during his suspension, and admit his mistakes and repent as soon as possible." Li Qigong sighed.
"We'll see."
Jiang Yushu warned, "During the period when the instructor is suspended, someone must be arranged to replace him. County Magistrate Huang, I leave this matter to you. Please quickly select someone to temporarily take over the instructor's duties."
"Understood." Huang Yichun nodded in acceptance.
Jiang Yushu thought for a moment and asked with concern, "I heard that the poor scholar is studying in a shabby little courtyard, is that right?"
"That's right."
"Who does that place belong to?"
The subordinates looked at each other and replied awkwardly, "That's the Jing Mansion's villa."
"At the beginning, the old man offered it on his own initiative."
"For now, only for now. When the government has enough money, we will definitely renovate the school!"
Jiang Yushu shook her head. "Official schools have almost become private schools. How can this be allowed? This is inappropriate. In the eyes of ordinary people, the government has been negligent."
"There's nothing I can do. Even the best cook can't cook without rice. We're so poor right now that I really can't afford to build a school."
She pondered for a moment, then gave a serious instruction: "I've been taking a look around these past couple of days and found that the county government office is quite spacious, but there are two rows of empty wing rooms on the south side, which are completely wasted. Master Wen, please select a suitable place for the scholars to temporarily stay and study. Make sure it's done."
"Ah? Yes! I will do my best." Wen Xi appeared respectful on the surface, but was reluctant in his heart.
Huang Yichun asked respectfully, "What are your instructions for the next step? I can make arrangements in advance."
Jiang Yushu had already made plans. She stood up and said, "According to regulations, I have to inspect the entire county to understand the local customs and the general situation of the mountains, rivers and streams. I will deal with this matter later. The most urgent thing is to sort out the clues. I haven't finished reading the tax, grain and household registration files yet."
"No rush, take your time and check it out. You can finish the inspection before the New Year."
Jiang Yushu nodded, stood by the window, looked out at the sky, and said gently: "It's almost noon, you should go back and have lunch and rest for a while, so that you can have energy to work in the afternoon."
"good."
"Well, we won't disturb your rest." The subordinates stood up and said goodbye.
As Li Qigong walked out, the autumn wind blew and he suddenly smelled a faint fragrance, which seemed to be there and not there. It made his heart itch and he couldn't help but glance at it:
The autumn sun shone brightly by the wide-open window, illuminating the court lady's flawless, jade-white skin and rosy lips. She stood dignified, her expression calm and beautiful.
Women are often very sensitive to a man's prying eyes. Jiang Yushu suddenly turned her head, and when their eyes met, she suddenly felt uncomfortable, but her expression remained calm. "What's the matter?"
Li Qigong instantly regained his composure and replied calmly, "There are three important cases recently. I am currently assisting County Magistrate Huang in reviewing them. The case files have been placed on your desk. Please review them promptly."
According to her mother-in-law, Jiang Yushu had been in the spotlight for many years and was accustomed to all kinds of prying eyes. When she first took office, she was overwhelmed with thoughts and thought for a long time, but without thinking deeply, she nodded and said, "Every profession has its own expertise. You guys solve the case first, and I'll take a look as soon as possible."
"Yes." Li Qigong bowed slightly, not daring to linger, and quickly stepped out of the study, hurriedly chasing after his companions.
Three days later at night
In the study, the candlelight flickered, and shadows were cast on the wall, swaying randomly.
Jiang Yushu leaned back in her chair, holding a carved wooden paperweight in her right hand, tapping her left palm intermittently. She asked solemnly, "Jing Town? Lijiabao? The two major forces of Tuning?"
Zou Gui, a trusted servant, nodded vigorously. "That's right!" He stepped closer and reported in detail, "Over the past few days, we've quietly found out: 'Jing' and 'Li' have been the two major surnames in this area since ancient times. Anyone in the county with the surname 'Jing' or 'Li' is, if not a member of the same clan, then a member of the same ancestry."
"The two sides have been fighting endlessly and have never been at peace since ancient times. Jing Town values literature, while Lijiabao values martial arts. The former has produced many scholars and successful candidates, and even a prefect; the latter has produced many military officers, including a general of Xuanwu."
"There are quite a few people from the two major families in the government office, such as the Instructor Jing Yuanshan and the Dianshi Li Qigong. I heard they are quite close friends."
Cuimei was stunned, worried. "On her first day in office, our Madam suspended Instructor Jing. Will this, will this cause resentment from the people of Jing Town?"
Of course. The servant hesitated to speak.
Jiang Yushu remained calm. "Let them resent me, everyone can see it. I haven't abused my power and I have a clear conscience. No matter who you are, no one can please everyone. Not to mention people, even gold, silver, and jewelry are considered dirt by some people in this world."
"That's right!" Several confidants couldn't help laughing.
Jiang Yushu absentmindedly played with the paperweight and said with emotion, "I finally understand! It turns out that those Confucian scholars surnamed Jing are dissatisfied with my punishment of their teacher and refuse to move into the temporary school. However, the others surnamed Li and other surnames are willing to move."
"Alas, these scholars are full of arrogance, impulsiveness, and ignorance. They don't understand the magistrate's kindness." Cuimei comforted her, "Madam, don't take it personally."
Jiang Yushu was not angry at all. She said confidently, "It's okay. I have a plan. Within three days, the other scholars will definitely move into the official school!"
Two days later, early morning
Several scholars hired a car and busied themselves loading their luggage into it.
After a while, the middle-aged man in the lead told the driver, "Take the things to the south corner gate of the county government office. We will be there soon."
"Okay!" The driver cracked his whip, "Gee!" The wheels rumbled, and he slowly drove away.
Then, the scholar leader waved his hand and called out, "Let's go!"
His companions rubbed their hands in anticipation and said with high morale: "Since the government has invited us so many times, let's go for a walk."
"Hmph, I want to see what kind of good poetry those roughnecks in Lijiabao can write!"
"There's a poetry competition at the end of the month. I heard the magistrate has set up prizes. The top winner will receive a rare copy of calligraphy, and the top ten will receive a set of the Four Treasures of the Study."
The leader strode with his head held high. "Whether we receive a commendation or not is irrelevant. What matters is that Jing Town must not lose to Li Family Fort! Otherwise, wouldn't it be a disgrace to the gentlemen?"
In a blink of an eye, it’s mid-September.
Evening · Li Mansion
The husband and uncle sat opposite each other, drinking and chatting.
"Tsk, that woman is quite capable. She has been in office for half a month and has never made a fool of herself." Wen Xi drank one glass after another, getting drunk.
Li Qigong glanced sideways, "That woman? I advise you not to get used to calling her that. If you accidentally say it to her face, who knows how she'll punish you."
"Hehehe, okay, okay! Lord Jiang, County Magistrate Jiang, is that all right?"
Li Qigong sniffed the aroma of wine and said, "Better safe than sorry. Don't get into trouble at this critical moment when you're trying to bring down the old sour scholar."
"Three months' suspension, three months... That's enough!" Wen Xi slammed the table, gnashing his teeth and whispering viciously, "That old bastard Jing Yuanshan, he's taking advantage of his seniority and biting everyone he sees. He should have gone back to Jing Town and waited for death long ago. Humph, this time, he won't be able to get reinstated smoothly!"
The uncle and the man discussed the matter for a long time when the servant suddenly asked to see him and reported, "Fifth Master, the jailer reports that the suspect in the pawnshop robbery has committed suicide in prison!"
Li Qigong asked slowly, "Is he dead?"
"He didn't die. But he hit his head against the wall and it was bleeding. He's seriously injured."
Li Qigong waved his hand and said, "I understand. Tell the jailer to keep him alive. Tomorrow I will..." He stopped, his hand pausing in mid-air, and stood up and said, "Never mind. I'll go check it out now."
"Never mind him. It's not too late to check it out tomorrow. Come on, let's drink!" Wen Xi grabbed his brother-in-law.
Li Qigong left him and said, "Official business is more important. I'll treat my brother-in-law to a drink some other day." After saying that, he quickly returned to his room, changed into his official uniform, and rushed to the county jail.
Wen Xi lay on the table, watching the other party go away, sneered, and muttered: "Official business is important? Haha, how can I not understand what you are thinking?"
"Is it really that fun to seduce a married woman?"
"Tsk, stinky habit."
An hour later, night fell.
Li Qigong walked out of the prison with his hands behind his back. The jailer saw him off cordially, "It's so late at night, Fifth Master, you must have come here in person. It's really hard work."
"Be careful and keep a close eye on them. The prisoner can die of illness, but they can't be beaten to death. Before sentencing, we have to be on guard against suspects committing suicide out of fear of punishment."
"Yes, I will keep a close watch on him!" the jailer said respectfully.
The servants were waiting elsewhere, and Li Qigong walked away alone.
"Take care." The jailer bowed and watched him go.
On an autumn night, the wind was cool and the full moon on the fifteenth day of the lunar month hung high in the sky, its bright silver light covering the frontier.
Li Qigong was taking a leisurely walk, and gradually, his feet involuntarily walked towards the back court. He felt itchy and wondered: What is she doing at this moment?
She is a very interesting woman. If you can meet her by chance, it will be worth the trip.
At the same time, outside the Yamen
"Whoa!"
Guo Honglei led four personal soldiers and took a rare opportunity of free time to go into the city to visit his wife at night.
He reined in his horse and dismounted, striding forward like a flying arrow. The gatekeeper came over and asked a few questions. Suddenly, he was filled with enthusiasm, hurriedly informing those who needed to be informed, leading the way, and rushing to the back hall.
The author has something to say: Guo Honglei: (⊙o⊙)… [Shocked! ]
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