Who doesn't want to live an honest life? Who doesn't want to serve the people? Who doesn't want to be revered by the masses? But think about it carefully, how can my monthly salary of two taels of silver support these so-called unattainable ideals that I possess?
Not to mention my family to support, there are also the maids in the county government office who take care of my daily needs, the sedan chair carriers who carry me around, the cooks in the kitchen, and all sorts of servants.
Which one of them doesn't need me to support them? Which one of them doesn't need me to pay their wages? If I take two taels of silver and spread it among so many people, how could anyone be left out?
Magistrate Zhu, your official robes are so bright and shiny, they must cost at least two taels of silver, right? But go and look at the official robes in my room, they're the coarse linen I wore two years ago, worth only two hundred copper coins, a world apart from what you're wearing.
Why? Because they were poor. They couldn't afford a good official robe, so they could only use the worst materials to make the worst official robe. This was the fate of those who wanted to be honest officials.
Tell me, after thirty years of hard work, with my parents supporting my studies for thirty years, this is all I've achieved? How can I face them? How can I face myself?
Zhu Yunwen remained silent.
Although the county magistrate's words this week were somewhat verbose, and even had some issues with wording in certain places.
But these words spoken by an agitated person are indeed thought-provoking.
Indeed, Zhu Yunwen was used to being high above others. Although he would occasionally experience the hardships of ordinary people, he never stood in the shoes of officials to understand their situation.
During his reign, Zhu Yuanzhang was diligent and frugal, and he established rules that were extremely strict with the officials of the Ming Dynasty.
Therefore, during the Ming Dynasty, especially during the reign of Zhu Yuanzhang, officials were indeed very poor.
Zhu Yunwen had to admit this.
Furthermore, they strongly agree that cracking down on officials is definitely not a good thing.
Because if even officials themselves are not doing well, then they will definitely cross their own bottom line and do some underhanded things.
This is even more detrimental to regulation, and may even lead to overcorrection and serious problems.
So Zhu Yunwen took a deep breath and said:
"I understand the situation you described. I will try to handle this matter, but it may not be of any further help to you."
However, it is still useful for other officials and can prevent many officials from being forced astray like you.
Upon hearing Zhu Yunwen's words, Magistrate Zhou smiled sarcastically and said:
"You seem to understand what I mean, which is not easy, because many times, people think of us as officials, as high and mighty."
So they think, how could we live such a poor life? How could we have it so hard? No matter what, others may not believe it, but at least you will.
Perhaps your family is well-off and you have plenty of money, so you can stand in this humble government office and do your best to serve the people.
But if you can refrain from being greedy, corrupt, and accepting bribes, then you should only be grateful, because your family background is too privileged.
For those of us who have worked hard our whole lives and finally made it through, only to find ourselves trapped in another dark circle, we have no choice but to seek the light ourselves.
What you just said was rather laughable. Who do you think you are? What do you think you can change?
You are merely a newly appointed county magistrate; your ability to ensure you don't go astray is commendable.
And yet you still dare to presume to change all this? Do you even want to secure some benefits for other officials across the land? You truly overestimate yourself.
After Magistrate Zhou finished speaking, the Axe Gang leader opposite him sheathed his long sword and said to Magistrate Zhou:
"Why are you wasting your breath talking to him? As long as we kill this dog of a magistrate today, our secrets will not be leaked."
As for the officers and soldiers present, if any of them dare to leak this information, I'll slaughter their entire family.
Therefore, as long as this new magistrate dies, we can remain safe and sound and continue as before.
County Magistrate Zhou remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded in agreement. The Axe Gang leader, meanwhile, brandished his broadsword and looked at Zhu Yunwen, who was standing not far away, saying:
"You're so high and mighty, you have no idea how sad we are. So I'll help you, drag you down from the clouds, and send you to hell."
He rushed out, brandishing his broadsword, and charged towards Zhu Yunwen.
Some constables and yamen runners from the county government rushed up to protect Zhu Yunwen.
Now that the truth has come to light, they naturally feel a sense of justice. They also understand that if Zhu Yunwen dies, Black Cloud County will once again be plunged into darkness.
Furthermore, the officers and soldiers present who learned the truth would likely also be threatened by Magistrate Zhou and the Axe Gang leader.
They didn't want this to happen either, but the Axe Gang leader was quite skilled in martial arts. The soldiers couldn't stop him at all. After being kicked away a few times, he leaped up, wielded his broadsword, and slashed down at Zhu Yunwen from above.
If this strike had hit Zhu Yunwen, he would likely have been cut in two.
However, Zhu Yunwen remained calm, for no other reason than that Zhao Qingzhu was standing beside him.
With Zhao Qingzhu by his side, there was nothing to fear.
Moreover, he was carrying a pistol.
The leader of the Axe Gang, seeing that he was about to cut Zhu Yunwen in two, said with an excited smile:
"Kid, don't try to find the truth in your next life. Some truths are not for you to touch."
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