"Hiding from debt?" Jiang Yushu was stunned.
Huang Yichun nodded awkwardly and revealed, "Two years ago, when Magistrate Sun was in office, several creditors took turns coming to collect their debts. At first, they were polite, but Tu Ning was broke and couldn't repay the debts quickly. The delays only made the creditors unhappy and pressed for payment, which was a real headache for Magistrate Sun. They even had a minor argument. So, Magistrate Sun simply avoided meeting them, going out of town for a few days. Since they couldn't see the Magistrate, they naturally left."
"It is only natural to pay back debts. The monk can run away but the temple cannot. It is not appropriate to hide like that." Jiang Yushu never expected that one day her creditors would come to her house to collect the debt!
"Well, you don't know, but the ancient magistrate of Lingpu was outspoken and had a rather quick temper. I heard that when he was anxious, he even dared to contradict the prefect."
Jiang Yushu understood and asked quietly, "It sounds like he had some unpleasantness with Lord Sun?"
"That's right. To be honest, I was there when the magistrates had a quarrel. It was an awkward scene and ended in a bad mood."
The county magistrate was kind and sincere in his words of comfort: "After all, it wasn't you who owed the debt, and we haven't said we won't pay it back. When we are able to, we can discuss it in detail."
The other clerks nodded and agreed, "That's right! Tu Ning is just a temporary financial strait."
"As fellow local officials, you should at least be understanding. Why are you pushing us so hard? Can the county government office be moved?"
"Yes, that's a bit too inhumane!"
…
Since it was an old debt, most officials believed that it was not their responsibility and felt justified in their hearts, and even showed resentment.
Jiang Yushu frowned, pondered for a moment, then decisively waved her hand and sighed, "Forget it. I can't avoid it even if I try. I have to discuss and settle the debt. Let's go back to the government office and meet the two creditors!"
"ah?"
"this……"
Jiang Yushu made up her mind and walked out decisively, "Let's go!"
"Yes." The subordinates had no choice but to follow, and the group hurried back to the county government office.
Noon County Yamen
Jiang Yushu's official robe was straight and straight, and she walked briskly with a smile on her face as she entered the living room. She looked closely.
The magistrates of Lingpu and Anshan sat upright, with several followers standing by. They had been waiting for a long time and had drunk several rounds of tea in vain, so they were naturally not in a happy mood.
Among them, the magistrate of Lingpu was over forty years old, tall, with a square face and thick eyebrows, a short beard around his mouth, and thick, hard and black hair. As soon as they met his face and made eye contact, one could tell that he was not a gentleman.
The magistrate of Anshan was over fifty years old, with gray hair on his temples, but he was smiling and looked very kind.
She calmed herself down, bowed with a smile, and explained apologetically, "Master Gu, Master Hu, it's a pleasure to meet you! I'm truly sorry, I happened to be out on business today and kept you waiting for so long. I hope you won't mind my impoliteness."
As the saying goes, "Don't strike a smiling face," and the woman in question was a young and polite one. The two magistrates, who had come to collect the debt, exchanged glances, rose simultaneously, and returned the greeting.
"Master Jiang, nice to meet you." The Anshan County Magistrate was affable, his smile hidden in his eyes. He asked slowly, "We should be the ones to say 'apologies'. I'm afraid we've disturbed you and disrupted your schedule."
"No problem."
The Lingpu County Magistrate looked at the female official with sweat on her temples and said, "Nice to meet you."
Jiang Yushu wiped the sweat off her face and said, "Sit down, both of you, please take a seat!"
The three magistrates sat down, and the clerk quickly served them freshly brewed hot tea. A short while later, Huang Yichun arrived, and after a simple greeting, he sat down next to his own magistrate.
"County Magistrate Huang, it's been a long time." The Lingpu County Magistrate asked with a half-smile, "A few years ago, when County Magistrate Sun was in office, he was a very busy man and made us make several wasted trips. Fortunately, County Magistrate Huang treated us to tea and quenched our thirst. How have you been lately?"
Huang Yichun suddenly felt awkward, not knowing how to respond. He gave a dry laugh and replied, "Thank you, Lord Gu, for your concern. Thanks to you, I am fine, fine."
This Lord Gu clearly had something else in his words… Jiang Yushu acted as if nothing had happened and took the opportunity to invite him, “So Lord Gu and County Magistrate Huang are old friends. It’s rare for you two to come to Tuning. If you don’t mind, feel free to stay a few days and catch up with friends!”
"In that case, we won't be polite." After years of collecting debts but still failing to recover a single penny, the Lingpu County Magistrate was inevitably furious. If he faced Sun Jie, the creditor would have been in a difficult position to face—but Sun Jie had been transferred as he wished, and a woman took over! It wasn't that he was sympathetic to women, but rather that he lacked experience dealing with female colleagues. He forced a smile and said, "It's a long journey, Lord Hu and I have to disturb you for two days. As soon as we're done, we'll leave immediately and won't cause you any more trouble."
"Just showing my hospitality, no need to bother."
To do something? To collect a debt? It's impossible to pay the debt right now. The government has no money.
Jiang Yushu secretly felt a headache and smiled as she said, "Last year, when I first took office, I had planned to visit the neighbors and take the opportunity to learn from you seniors about how to govern the area. Unexpectedly, I was repeatedly tripped up by official duties. Now, it's actually you two seniors who came to visit first. It's really not right."
"No way? Lord Jiang is too modest. As a fellow county magistrate, I dare not act as a 'senior'." Unconsciously, the Lingpu County Magistrate rested his left arm on the armrest of the chair, leaning against the back, sitting in a very arrogant manner. Even though he knew that the other party was the daughter of a minister or the wife of a general, he felt impatient and could not put on a smile.
Magistrate Anshan took a sip of tea and, unhurriedly, praised, "From what I've seen and heard along the way, I've noticed a lot of changes in Tuning. The streets are already bustling. I'm sure it'll be prosperous and powerful in two years. Furthermore, during this year's assessment, Magistrate Ji personally praised you for your 'good governance,' which is sufficient proof of your exceptional ability, Lord Jiang."
Jiang Yushu was flattered, but she showed no sign of complacency. Instead, she felt anxious and said modestly, "Master Hu, you are too kind. You two are the ones who have been rated as 'competent' officials year after year. I am ashamed of myself."
"Weren't you also rated 'competent'?"
"It was just luck, just luck."
The next moment, the situation that made her anxious happened!
The Lingpu County Magistrate felt he had enough of the politeness and got straight to the point. "Actually, I've wanted to come 'visit' since the end of last year, but considering how busy a new official is, I didn't bother you. Now it's the end of the year again, Lord Jiang. What are your thoughts on Tu Ning's debt to Lingpu?"
What idea? I thought about it at first, but I got so busy that I forgot about it. I just started to think about it seriously today.
Jiang Yushu took a deep breath, feeling the situation was becoming increasingly difficult. She carefully chose her words and answered earnestly, "As Lord Gu said, I've been in office for over a year now, and I've only just begun to understand the situation. I've discovered that Tu Ning's foundation is very weak. The government is currently struggling financially. We have the desire to repay the debt, but we can't come up with the money." After a pause, she added, "There's nothing valuable either. I'm truly sorry, but I beg you two to give me some time."
Huang Yichun echoed, "Tuning has never been wealthy, and you two adults are well aware of this. Please rest assured that our county magistrate is a man of his word. As soon as he is able, he will repay the money!"
"Grace?"
The Lingpu County Magistrate's smile faded, and he couldn't help but question, "Give me a grace period, give me a grace period. You've been postponing it this year until next year, and then again next year. It's been over ten years! How long are you going to delay it until? You—" He controlled his temper and asked intently, "How about this, Lord Jiang, you set a date?"
Jiang Yushu couldn't help but feel embarrassed, and she adjusted her veil with embarrassment, "Well, now... it's hard to say, Master Gu, please be patient and wait."
"The frontier is impoverished, and few places are free from financial difficulties. Frankly speaking, it's precisely because of this financial hardship that we're forced to come and collect the debt." The Anshan County Magistrate spoke gently, but his eyes were firm. He slowly said, "Of course, the debt is only between officials. We have no intention of embarrassing Lord Jiang. We will handle this matter impartially. Please understand."
"I understand. We understand."
Taking over the position also meant taking on the debt. Jiang Yushu felt obliged to do her part and had to cheer herself up. She said sincerely, "But right now, Tuning is really struggling. I hate owing debts the most, but there's nothing I can do. I can only owe them for now. When I'm able, I'll definitely pay them back!"
Huang Yichun chimed in, "We won't shirk our obligations to the government, nor can we. Please forgive our financial constraints and helplessness, my Lords."
The two creditors sighed in unison and exchanged glances. The Lingpu County Magistrate asked, "I heard that a number of corrupt officials were executed in Tu Ning this year, and the government seized a large sum of stolen silver. Is that correct?"
Jiang Yushu was startled and answered seriously, "Yes, a few corrupt officials were eliminated, but the government didn't seize much stolen silver."
"Besides, it's already been mostly used," Huang Yichun added hesitantly. "Tuning borders Beiqie, and the imperial court stipulates that the city walls must be three feet thicker than those of other counties. The cost of this alone is a headache."
Jiang Yushu sighed, "Yes, we scraped together some money here and there to barely repair the city wall that was damaged by the enemy. I'm sorry to have made you two go on such a wasted trip. I can't promise a specific date for repayment right now, but I can promise: when I'm able to in the future, I'll prioritize repaying Lingpu and Anshan!"
After all the talk, the bottom line is two words: no money.
After a long pause, the creditor sighed again. The Lingpu County Magistrate said in a deep voice, "Now that things have come to this, if we press the issue further, we'll probably appear aggressive. In that case, I hope Lord Jiang will honor his promise and repay Lingpu's debt on Tu Ning's behalf as soon as possible."
"Of course, it's what I should do!" Jiang Yushu said seriously.
The Anshan County Magistrate frowned. Seeing that the debt issue could not be discussed further, he changed the subject and asked with great interest, "I heard that you are trying to plant mulberry trees and raise silkworms. Is this true?"
Alas, I finally managed to get through it. Jiang Yushu breathed a sigh of relief and replied with a smile: "It is true."
"What was the result?"
"I don't know. We'll have to wait until next spring to find out."
The Lingpu County Magistrate subconsciously asked, "Why?"
She replied briefly, "I've planted some mulberry trees, but they're not doing so well. Winters are long in Tuning, and I'm worried the trees won't survive the winter."
"Oh." The two creditors nodded in understanding and asked in unison, "Can we take a look?"
Jiang Yushu answered readily, "Why not? If you two are interested, just let County Magistrate Huang know when you're free, and he'll make the arrangements."
Huang Yichun was delighted after solving the debt collection problem. "It's not far. A carriage can reach Sangshan in the suburbs in less than half a day."
"good!"
"Well, it's worth coming all this way to see something new."
Jiang Yushu ordered, "It's noon. Is lunch ready? We have distinguished guests today. Don't neglect them."
"Don't worry, I'll pass it on as soon as I get back to the government office."
"Yeah, very good."
So, within three days, the county magistrate and the county magistrate worked together to warmly entertain the creditor, not only postponing the debt but also buying a batch of mineral materials on credit.
The Lingpu County Magistrate, for some unknown reason, had agreed. After calming down, he felt too embarrassed to go back on his word and secretly blamed himself. He frowned, tapped his fingers on the table, and urged, "Master Jiang, please sign and stamp."
"Oh, okay!" Jiang Yushu was not worried about having too much debt, so she gritted her teeth and signed the IOU.
The Anshan County Magistrate smiled and said, "After hesitating for a while, I thought you all regretted it."
"A man of honor, once he speaks, he cannot take it back!" the magistrate of Lingpu said in a gruff voice.
"What are you regretting? We can't thank Master Gu enough." She said calmly, "The grain workshop needs alum, but Tuning doesn't have any. We can only buy it from other places... ahem, on credit."
"Wait, I'll ship a batch to you by the end of March next year at the latest for emergency use." The creditor carefully put away the IOU and reminded, "You, Tuning, owe us Lingpu another debt."
Jiang Yushu gritted her teeth and said, "Don't worry, I'll pay it back within a year and a half!"
In early November, light snow fell and the cold winter arrived at the border.
Nighttime Bedroom
With a creaky sound, Jiang Yushu pushed the door open and walked in. Then she closed the door with her backhand and yawned with her hand covering her mouth.
"Is the child asleep?"
"Yeah. Ye'er has been with me at night for the past two months. He's used to it. He wasn't very happy when he suddenly went back to his wet nurse."
Guo Honglei was studying a military book and said sternly, "Even if you're not happy, you're not allowed to stay. I rarely have free time. How can I play with him during the day and put him to sleep at night? We don't even have time to chat."
Jiang Yushu couldn't help laughing. "We promised the old lady that we would send the two children home before the New Year. Fourth brother is getting married next month. It's so rushed. Will you be free then?"
"Yes." My younger brother is getting married, so I have to make time to visit him even if I don't have time.
"But I don't have time. Oh, there are so many things to do at the end of the year that I can't get away."
"Official business is more important. I'll just go back. You sisters-in-law will have plenty of opportunities to spend time together."
Jiang Yushu took off her cloak and said, "Please explain a few more words for me."
"I know!" Guo Honglei closed the military book and pointed, "My third brother's wife wrote you a letter."
"Oh?" She was startled, picked up the letter from the table, and asked in surprise: "Why did Xiaoru write to me?"
Guo Honglei was also puzzled. "This is hard to guess. Take a look."
Jiang Yushu opened the letter, walked to the lampstand, read ten lines at a glance, suddenly opened her eyes wide, and blurted out "Ah" -
The author has something to say: Daily update check-in, tick~
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
