Yan Shuping found this woman quite interesting. Although he was an official, ordinary people were terrified of him, as if they were afraid he would eat them up. The two people next to him were examples of that.
This woman was not only calm and composed, but she also performed the proper greetings with ease. Dressed in coarse cloth, she looked like an ordinary peasant woman.
But thinking about what he just said, it makes sense. Those words were truly inspiring; he couldn't wait to go back to the battlefield and fight a few more times!
Master Fan was also amazed by this woman.
Song Anxin could feel the magistrate and his advisor staring at her. She muttered to herself, "If you want to look at me, at least let me get up first, okay? My legs are sore from kneeling like this."
Yan Shuping, of course, couldn't sense Song Anxin's resentment. After looking her over, he said, "This woman, please get up. You two may also refrain from formalities."
Then, with a cold face, he said to the kneeling constable beside him, "You stay kneeling."
The constable immediately realized he was doomed and quickly begged for mercy, "Your Honor, I...I..."
"Shut up." A faint murderous aura emanated from Yan Shuping, causing the constables beside him to tremble in fear.
He turned to Song Anxin and said, "You speak to this woman."
Lin Fengshou had just helped the old man up when he was almost scared to his knees again. The magistrate was terrifying! What was wrong with his mother? Why was she so calm? Was he just too timid, not as brave as his mother?
He felt the old man next to him was shaking so badly he was about to collapse, and only then did he feel a little better.
Song Anxin didn't stand on ceremony and explained what had just happened in a few words, while also stating her purpose for coming.
Upon hearing this, Yan Shuping immediately clasped his hands and said, "So you are the widow of a soldier. It is precisely because of the support of families like yours that our Great Yin can fight on the front lines with peace of mind. Please accept my bow."
Song Anxin quickly stopped him, saying, "Your Excellency, you are an official and I am a commoner. How can you bow to me? This is unacceptable."
Song Anxin was also frightened by him. The class division in ancient times was quite severe, and officials felt superior to others. There was no concept of equality for all in modern times.
But this magistrate was very approachable and did not care about his status or position at all.
This is actually a good thing for Song Anxin. Since the county magistrate where he works is a good official, he will be able to do things more freely in the future.
Master Fan was used to it; it was precisely because he valued Young Master Yan's rare childlike innocence that he followed him here.
Yan Shuping didn't care at all and said casually, "What's wrong with that? I'm on the same level as the soldiers on the battlefield. I might even have met your husband. In that case, I'll call you sister-in-law."
He even laughed heartily after saying that. Yan Shuping revealed his true nature in just a few words.
Song Anxin smiled. She hadn't expected the magistrate to be so unconventional. Hearing this, she realized that the magistrate had previously been a soldier.
This county magistrate was tall and slender, but not at all thin; on the contrary, he was quite robust. His face had distinct features, and his skin was a healthy wheat color. His voice was deep and resonant, and he didn't look like a civil official at all.
I heard that he was demoted here, but I don't know what happened.
While Song Anxin was sizing him up, Yan Shuping continued, "This lady and uncle, I have just taken office. The matter of the pension is being reviewed and calculated, but it will take time. Would you please come back to collect it in three days?"
Upon hearing this, Song Anxin realized it was quite a coincidence that three days later was the day he would repay the Zhang family one tael of silver.
But the old man next to him looked troubled; his granddaughter was so ill that he really couldn't wait three days.
Seeing this, Song Anxin guessed that the old man probably couldn't wait any longer. Ordinary people wouldn't come to the government to ask for money unless they were desperate. They would probably take a detour. Oh, except for her.
So he said, "Your Honor, I can wait, but this old man's granddaughter is ill. She may urgently need money for her treatment."
Yan Shuping looked at the anxious old man and said, "In that case, let's get an advance of five taels of silver from the yamen for this old man."
"Someone, take this old man inside to collect the money and sign a receipt."
"Yes, yes, yes, I'll go right away," the kneeling constable replied hastily.
Then everyone remembered that there was still someone kneeling there. Yan Shuping saw him and his face immediately turned angry: "We haven't settled accounts with you yet! If it's the family of a martyr's request, why didn't you go in and report it? Instead, you drew your sword against me! How dare you!"
Yan Shuping's aura instantly became overwhelming, and Song Anxin could feel it too; this must be the official power of ancient times.
The constable immediately kowtowed and begged for mercy, saying, "Your Honor, I was wrong, I was wrong... Please spare my life."
Yan Shuping then looked at Song Anxin and the others: "What do you think, sister-in-law?"
Song Anxin never expected the county magistrate to ask her such a question. "This is your family matter! Why are you asking me?"
However, Song Anxin still spoke up, "Let him apologize to us. As for the punishment, I don't know the rules of the yamen. You, the magistrate, should decide for yourself."
Song Anxin kicked the ball back.
"Did you hear me? Go apologize right now," Yan Shuping said.
The constable scrambled and stumbled to the group, saying, "Madam, young man, and old man, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have treated you like this. I deserve to die, I really deserve to die."
"Alright, you may escape the death penalty, but you can't escape punishment. What should Master Fan do according to the law?"
Before Master Fan could speak, the kneeling constable suddenly raised his head, his eyes hardening, and said, "Your Excellency, I... I am willing to resign from my position as a constable. I want to go to the border. What that lady said was right. I want to stab the enemy with my sword. I want to fight on the battlefield."
Song Anxin never expected that her words would lead this young man to abandon his stable job as a government official and rush to the dangerous battlefield!
In fact, for a long time afterward, those present spread these words, which even caused a surge in people joining the army, something Song Anxin was unaware of.
Upon hearing this, Yan Shuping immediately became interested and helped the fallen yamen runner to his feet: "Good, good, a true man should don armor and go into battle. What's your name?"
"My name is Huo Liuzi." Huo Liuzi was flattered that the county magistrate had personally helped him up and asked his name.
Yan Shuping suddenly found the man in front of him much more pleasing to the eye: "Liu Zi, right? I'll arrange for you to go to the border in a couple of days. Go back and say goodbye to your family first."
Huo Liuzi was quick and decisive. He immediately said goodbye to everyone and went back to pack his luggage. He was a little excited when he left, little did he know that this was the beginning of a life-changing event.
As the farce was drawing to a close, Song Anxin and Old Man Zhang emerged together from the yamen gate.
Old Zhang received five taels of silver, and he looked much more relaxed. Song Anxin only learned later that the old man's surname was Zhang and that he was also from Dawu Village.
"Thank you so much, young lady. You really saved my granddaughter's life," said Mr. Zhang.
“Uncle Zhang, you can’t say that. I didn’t do anything. Besides, this money was earned by your son with his life,” Song Anxin said sincerely.
“Young lady, if it weren’t for you, I might not even have seen the magistrate today, let alone received this money. You’re capable of taking responsibility. Besides, you even called me…my son a hero. No one has ever said that to my son before…”
As Mr. Zhang spoke, his eyes became a little moist.
Song Anxin quickly said, "Uncle, you should hurry back and ask a doctor to treat your granddaughter. Didn't you say your granddaughter's illness was serious?"
Old Zhang then hurriedly rushed back.
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