Chapter 773 A Dream of Youth 305
Xie Ning sat by the window, watching the snow drift into the courtyard. The green bamboo outside the window turned into pure white branches. He recalled the judge sitting in the head seat, glancing at him frequently, and a sense of sadness rose up for no reason.
Luo Yueqian endured so many years of hardship, but in the end, it wasn't his evidence that led to the death of the Yangqu County Magistrate. Instead, someone else presented the Yangqu County Magistrate to her as a gift to curry favor.
That's why the case was decided so quickly.
Xie Ning was well aware that the magistrate of Yangqu County was just a nobody, but she couldn't investigate further; if she did, she would cross the line.
The Xu family and other officials in Bingzhou may not be completely unaware of the misdeeds of the Yangqu County magistrate and others, but they simply turn a blind eye. As long as things don't escalate, they will ignore it.
Because they also received benefits.
If things escalate, it will come down to who has the stronger background. Therefore, Luo Yueqian only has two options: either risk his life to bring down the magistrate of Yangqu County, or find an official with a higher position than the magistrate of Yangqu County to make those officials who have ties with the magistrate of Yangqu County wary.
Getting close to higher-ranking officials is not so easy; he was just a minor clerk.
Even after filing the lawsuit, Luo Yueqian couldn't be sure whether the official was honest or not, or whether he would choose him or the magistrate of Yangqu County. He had no chance to make a mistake.
Originally, Luo Yueqian intended to send his mother and young daughter away and then find an opportunity to approach the Xu family, but at that moment, he learned that Xie Ning had arrived in Bingzhou.
This was a female official in the capital.
In Bingzhou, Xie Ning had no connections with any officials other than the Xu family, and her official rank was high enough.
Luo Yueqian struggled with the decision for a long time, but ultimately chose Xie Ning after being persuaded by the army doctor, who was also the younger brother of the doctor recruited by the county pharmacy.
He said that Xie Ning is kind-hearted and would not turn a blind eye to their grievances.
Luo Yueqian remained noncommittal. He didn't believe that someone who could sit in this position could be a purely virtuous person, but he was moved after hearing some of Xie Ning's deeds.
He only had one chance, and Xie Ning's chances were much better. It was only when Xie Ning came to inspect the pharmacy that he finally made up his mind. He couldn't miss this opportunity.
Everything comes at a price. Luo Yueqian didn't understand why Xie Ning wanted him as a mere clerk, but he was always clever and knew that Xie Ning had opened another door for him.
Luo Yueqian dared not even dream of becoming the magistrate of Yangqu County, but it was indeed the case.
A month later, when the official document for going to the capital arrived, he would be able to sit in that seat. A cool breeze was blowing, but Luo Yueqian's heart was burning hot.
However, Xie Ning would never see Luo Yueqian take up the post of magistrate of Yangqu County, because she had to return to the capital. Before that, her conversation with General Xu was also very pleasant.
Xie Ning agreed to say a few good words for Bingzhou, and the Xu family helped her replace the county magistrate.
General Xu felt he had made a profit, after all, Luo Yueqian was just a county magistrate, and he was from Bingzhou and quite capable. Promoting him and doing Xie Ning a favor wasn't a loss, since Xie Ning would eventually leave.
But Luo Yueqian, who remained here, was still his person.
General Xu couldn't figure out Xie Ning's purpose in doing this, but he felt that Xie Ning was kind-hearted. He had heard that Xie Ning had initially studied medicine so that women in the world could have access to medical care.
He couldn't help but sigh to his advisor beside him, "Imperial Physician Xie is still too kind-hearted. He's easily taken advantage of by those with ulterior motives."
The advisor touched the medicine packet he had received a couple of days ago. He had heard that it was made by Xie Ning, the women of the Xu family, and the maids. Not only were family members and servants given a share, but also the elderly and children outside received it, saying it was for praying for blessings.
"Physician Xie is a doctor, and it is said that doctors are benevolent. Moreover, she is a woman, which makes her even more gentle and kind."
"Yes, you're right. I wonder when the weaving workshop will be completed. Bingzhou has many snowy winters, so it probably won't be completed this year. If it can be completed next year, the people of Bingzhou will be able to get through the winter better."
General Xu also wore a cotton-padded military uniform, and he knew best the warmth-retaining properties of cotton.
The advisor pondered for a moment, then said, “Why don’t you write a memorial requesting some cotton-padded clothes, and then sell them at the county government office? You can just charge the market price. This will let the people know the benefits of cotton-padded clothes and pave the way for the future of the government.”
And those merchants... presumably some of them have already learned about the cotton-padded clothes and will try to purchase them from the capital or other prefectures that have established cotton weaving workshops, and then transport them to Bingzhou to sell.
"In that case, it would be better to let more people buy the cotton, but the price needs to be controlled. After all, this cotton was originally promoted to help poor people better get through the winter; we can't put the cart before the horse."
"That's true, but prices are uncontrollable. Currently, the production capacity of weaving workshops cannot keep up with the demand, so prices will definitely be higher, which is difficult to control."
Moreover, those merchants who managed to buy the cotton-padded coats were probably selling them to wealthy households.
The advisor paused for a moment, then lowered his head to think about how to decide on a course of action. The two were walking under the corridor when they suddenly saw a soldier running towards them.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
