County Magistrate Lin broke out in a cold sweat and chuckled twice, saying, "I've been dealing with official business these past few days and have neglected the water conservancy work. Damn it! I'll take care of it right away."
As he slipped away, County Magistrate Lin glared at Qin Chong who had made the accusation, and left with a word to take care of himself.
Bai Shinian sneered and said, "Come with me."
Qin Chong then followed Bai Shinian into the inner hall.
Bai Shinian did not rush to take him to see Lord Jiang. Instead, he asked him to sit down and drink a cup of tea.
Qin Chong was calm and composed, not even mentioning taking over the job. Bai Shinian observed him for a long time and asked, "Are you from Jizhou?"
"yes."
"From your accent, you sound like you're from the capital. Tell me, why did you go to so much trouble to see the Master?"
Qin Chong was somewhat baffled. "Master Bai, perhaps you misunderstood me? I am indeed from Jizhou, and I am here to look for a job."
Bai Shinian held his forehead in his hands as he watched the poor acting.
If Qin Chong was really looking for a job, he would not have gone to such great lengths to attract the attention of the yamen runner, and he would not have refuted County Magistrate Lin's words in front of him.
Anyone who is smart knows that officials should not be offended. He went to such great lengths just to see the adults.
How could Bai Shinian allow an unidentified person to meet the adults? Isn't that like inviting a wolf into the house?
"Jizhou is close to the capital, but it's a great distance from Jianzhou. Why are you leaving your job in the capital and coming to the countryside?"
Qin Chong replied, "I migrated here with my family."
"Why come to a barren land when you can't go to a fertile land?"
"Not really." Qin Chong shook his head and said, "Jianzhou is now strong and powerful, and its strength is not inferior to the imperial capital at all. The people are simple and honest, and the country is thriving. It is much better than the extravagant imperial capital."
"Nonsense." Bai Shinian is not stupid, so how could he not hear that these were compliments.
Even if Jianzhou annexed the three northeastern provinces, it would still be impossible to surpass the imperial capital.
How can it attract talented people to settle here? Unless they are desperate criminals with several lives on their shoulders, no one will come to Jianzhou.
Furthermore, there are many checkpoints along the way from Jizhou to Jianzhou. Even if you carry a pass with you, you will still be subject to various inspections. How could the Qin family be allowed to migrate all the way here?
Qin Zhong was helpless. He cupped his hands and said, "Since Master Bai doesn't trust me, I can only take my leave."
"Wait, tell me your purpose for coming to Jianzhou? Are you an imperial envoy or a spy who has infiltrated Jianzhou?"
Qin Chong cried out in injustice. "I'm such a good person."
Good guy? Bad guys always say they are good.
Bai Shinian had his servants block Qin Zhong's way. "Tell me the truth, and I'll have someone give you a way out. Otherwise, expect to go to jail."
"Prison food is pretty good." Qin Zhong curled his lips, looking like a dead pig that is not afraid of boiling water. "At least I can have two meals to fill my stomach and not starve to death."
Qin Zhong was extremely anxious when he thought about his family's whereabouts. "Master Bai, can you give me a definite answer? I just want to have a good meal."
"Are you really here looking for a job?"
"It's absolutely true." Qin Chong was sweating profusely. "Otherwise, I would have come to chat with you, Master?"
"How many people are there in your family? Where do you live now?"
Qin Chong answered without hesitation. "There are five of us in my family. We live at No. 19, Willow Alley."
Bai Shinian called a yamen runner and immediately sent someone to investigate.
Half an hour later, the bailiff came back and reported that what Qin Zhong said was true.
Is he really suspicious?
Bai Shinian looked at Qin Zhong carefully several times, which gave him goose bumps all over his body. "Master Bai, what are you looking at?"
See if he is from the imperial court. Would the imperial court send such an unkempt person to conduct a secret investigation?
Bai Shinian expressed doubts about this.
The servant appeared in time to interrupt Bai Shinian's thoughts. "Master Bai, the master wants to see you."
Qin Zhong's eyes lit up. Could he see Jiang Xuqing?
After Bai Shinian left, Qin Zhong sighed.
What mission had the imperial court sent him on? He was forced to travel thousands of miles to monitor a corrupt official. And he had to attract the corrupt official's attention. Only that idiot Bai Yong could come up with such a thing as taking off his pants to fart. It was really a torture.
The people in Willow Alley are all actors. The Jinyiwei have always been very careful in doing things. If they want to conceal an identity, they naturally have to play their roles well.
He thought his acting was rubbish and hadn't expected anyone to expose his bluff. Unexpectedly, a few idiots actually believed it.
Never mind, I have to find a chance to stay with Jiang Xuqing first.
Be sure to record his every word and action in a small notebook and send it by carrier pigeon to the people in the capital.
Not long after, Qin Chong received a reply that Jiang Xuqing wanted to see him.
That made Qin Chong extremely excited. He finally met the real person. It was not easy.
Entering the study, I was surprised to see that this corrupt official had taken quite a bit of bribes. None of the four treasures of the study were cheap; even the screen in the study was worth a fortune. What a lavish expense!
It is really hateful that a governor of a barren land can become rich by relying on the people's money.
Qin Chong knelt down respectfully and saluted. "I greet the prefect."
Xu Jing had noticed Qin Chong's little trick since he came in, but he didn't care and let Qin Chong look at him. After seeing Qin Chong bow, he smiled and said, "Get up. I heard you want to find a job?"
"Yes, I want to find a job to support my family. I hope you can give me a way to make a living."
Xu Jing looked him over carefully and asked, "How's your strength?"
"It's OK. I can carry a jack."
"Really?" Xu Jing's eyes lit up. Here came a walking strongman. That was a benefit given by the court, he should make good use of it. "Shi Nian, arrange for him to start work today, and arrange for Qin Chong to carry wood in Tianshang Renjian tomorrow."
Qin Chong's mouth twitched as he thought, "Jiang Xuqing is completely different from Bai Shinian. He doesn't have any suspicion at all. Is he really stupid or is this intentional?"
This is different from the tip Bai Yong provided. Didn't Bai Yong say this guy was very smart? How could he not have any suspicion at all?
It's not that Xu Jing didn't have doubts. He knew from the moment he entered the door that this person must be a spy from the court.
Only people in the imperial court could walk without even the sound of their footsteps being heard, their legs as steady as an old dog, and they could stand up and salute without even stumbling.
Furthermore, Qin Chong acted like a clumsy liar in front of him, with the intention of reducing his trust, and then using other means to convince him.
The Willow Alley was his usual trick. Anyone who was a spy would definitely take care of their affairs after their death, just to dispel other people's doubts.
Xu Jing, in line with the idea of not wasting talent, thought that since the man was willing to act with him, he would accompany him to the end.
It would be a waste if we didn’t use such talents. We should make good use of them while they are still in Jianzhou.
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