Chapter 212: Small County Magistrate
The local county magistrate's surname was Li. He complained angrily to his advisor, "What does Lu Chenyang want to do? What does he want to do? If he wants to love the people like his own children, why not just go back to Quzhou and love them? Why is he tyrannizing over my territory? He's even taking them away! With so many people leaving their homes, what am I going to do next year?" Without people, there's no population, which directly impacts tax revenue. The imperial court wouldn't care. If the taxes paid didn't meet the standards, wouldn't he, the county magistrate, be held accountable?
The future of a bad person is like killing his parents. In other words, Lu Chenyang is equivalent to killing his parents.
Magistrate Li grew angrier as he cursed. "Lawless! Lawless! Do you even take me seriously? I'm going to sue him! I'm going to impeach him!"
The lawyer listened absentmindedly, thinking to himself, then go ahead, do you dare to go?
He knew that his master was just talking nonsense, but he was bullied like this and he didn't dare to fight back. Isn't he allowed to complain?
He even impeached Lu Chenyang. Even if his master dared to write such a memorial, Emperor Qianyuan might not even dare to read it. Impeaching Lu Chenyang? Isn't he afraid of being criticized by the people? Right now, the reputation of Quan Dagan and all the civil and military officials combined is not as good as Lu Chenyang's alone.
Why impeach Lu Chenyang? Saying that he loves the people like his own children, and that he loves them so much that he's ruling over someone else? Even the legal advisor could guess how Lu Chenyang would respond: If you do a good job and the people live well, why would you need Lu Chenyang to help you settle them?
So the legal advisor didn't try to persuade him. After Magistrate Li had finished venting his anger, he sighed softly, "I know you have many things you can't do, but sir, now that Lord Lu... Lord Lu has arrived in our county and made his position clear, you still have to go and pay your respects to him."
Magistrate Li became even angrier. He said bitterly, "Mr. Zhao, how can such a thing be justified? Lu Chenyang is arrogant and lawless, with no regard for camaraderie among his colleagues. I must go and see him!"
Master Zhao said, "Who says it's not true? The master has really suffered a great injustice. I know it's not easy for the master. But Lu Chenyang is currently in the limelight, so the master should stay away from his limelight."
Magistrate Li nodded with a tragic look on his face, "I know. Alas, who made him so powerful now?"
Mr. Zhao thought for a moment and continued, "Master, that Lu... Lord Lu has always loved the people like his own children. Seeing the situation in the city, I'm afraid he will be dissatisfied with you. However, although he holds a higher position than you, he has no right to accuse you. When you see him, remember to be respectful and polite. No matter what he says, just go along with him, but don't act impulsively and contradict Lord Lu."
County Magistrate Li was also filled with grievances. "The people are not living well, so how can I be blamed? It's the imperial court that keeps asking for taxes, so what can I do? Do I really want to force the people? The money collected doesn't go into my pocket, so what does it have to do with me? I'm just following orders."
Mr. Zhao immediately echoed his words, saying, "Indeed, the master is powerless. Who else can understand the difficulty the master faces?"
County Magistrate Li sighed deeply, "Alas, being an official is so difficult."
At this time, Tan Feng was reporting today's events to Lu Chenyang.
"Many people have come and are still queuing up. The specific number may not be available until tomorrow," said Tan Feng.
Lu Chenyang frowned: "It's so late, the night is deep and the wind is cold, let the people go back, and come back tomorrow."
Tan Feng said helplessly, "I've told them, but they refuse to leave. They even said they want to queue up overnight." He thought for a moment and said, "But I'll send someone to drive them away and let them go home in a while."
They were all afraid that they would not be able to leave with Lu Chenyang.
Lu Chenyang nodded without saying anything more, but Tan Feng knew what was going on.
Lu Chenyang said, "And those soldiers, don't forget to prepare meals for them. Also, we're escorting these civilians back to Ningzhou. They need to eat, so go buy some more food."
Tan Feng agreed.
Yan Xing came over and said, "I've already asked Tingshu to buy the food. Lord Lu is well-known. When they heard that it was Lord Lu who wanted to buy food, the merchants in the city were willing to sell it to him at cost price."
Lu Chenyang couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth, "Really? How can I feel embarrassed about that?" But he was willing to do it if it could save money.
Yan Xing was so considerate and thoughtful that Lu Chenyang couldn't help but turn his head and said to Zhao Xi, "Did you see? When looking for a husband, you should look for someone like the prince, who is not only good at both literature and martial arts, but also considerate and attentive. A man like this is the one you can rely on for a lifetime."
Zhao Xi blinked his eyes and wanted to say that he was better than Yan Xing. He had everything Yan Xing had. But then he thought that his master was a fake man and could not be counted.
Moreover, Lu Chenyang was clearly trying to coax Yan Xing. As the maid who understood adults' thoughts best, she certainly couldn't ruin things.
Zhao Xi nodded without hesitation: "Your Excellency is right. The prince is indeed a role model for men!"
The master and servant sang in unison, making Yan Xing smile so happily that the corners of his mouth could not help but rise.
Tan Feng: "..." Alas, his master is as good at coaxing people as ever. Little girls, young men, etc., are all coaxed into submission by him.
The next morning, just as Lu Chenyang finished his breakfast, County Magistrate Li came to the inn to meet him.
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