While serving him food, Madam Miao said, "Master, I have already prepared the gift money for the county magistrate. You can send it over in a few days."
This reminder suddenly made Physician Miao realize that this month was the time to deliver gifts to the county magistrate.
In previous years, I would set off for Anyang several days in advance, but this year I was so anxious and stressed that I forgot about such an important matter.
He looked up at Madam Miao and asked, "Madam, what gifts have you prepared?"
"Same as in previous years: desserts, calligraphy and paintings, ginseng, deer antler, cordyceps and lingzhi, plus one hundred taels of silver."
"No, no, there are too many things." Miao Lang was heartbroken. In previous years, he wouldn't have even blinked at these gifts, but not now. No one came all day long, and he couldn't earn any money at all.
Madam Miao was taken aback. "Master, what do you mean by this?"
“Business used to be good at our shop, and we had a lot of patients. If we met a wealthy customer, all the expenses would be covered.” Doctor Miao shook his head and sighed. “But this year, business at the pharmacy is not good, so let’s forget about giving gifts to the county magistrate.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Miao shook her head and waved her hands repeatedly, "No, sir. You should know that the county magistrate is not someone we can afford to offend. He keeps a special ledger. If he finds out that we haven't given him any money this year, it won't be long before he sends someone to cause trouble for our pharmacy."
Miao Lang's heart skipped a beat. Every shop in the entire Qingshui Town had to give gifts to the county magistrate. To put it nicely, it was called filial piety money; to put it bluntly, it was protection money. If you didn't give it, you couldn't do business.
Last year, He Laoba, who ran a steamed bun shop opposite Huichuntang, failed to deliver gifts to the county magistrate on time. A group of yamen runners used the pretext that his steamed bun shop had made people sick to throw him into jail, and he has not been released yet.
Thinking of this, he sighed helplessly, "Then I'll give him less. The gifts will remain the same, but the cash gift will be halved. Fifty taels of silver will do."
"Sir, the monetary gift must not be less than what is given."
"Why is that?" Doctor Miao was slightly taken aback, clearly not understanding the meaning of Miao's words.
Miao straightened her expression and voiced her concerns, “Jishetang’s business is booming. In my opinion, they must be giving gifts to the county magistrate. If we are outdone by them, the county magistrate will definitely have a problem with us and might even target us. So, we must spend the money we need to spend and not skimp on it.”
Doctor Miao frowned. "Your analysis is correct, but if we give 100 taels this year, what about next year? If you listen to me, it'll be 50 taels. I have my own plans."
"Okay, so when do you plan to go to Anyang?"
"Of course, the sooner the better. While there are fewer people now, we can take the opportunity to build a relationship with the county magistrate."
“You’re right, sending the gifts will put my mind at ease.” Madam Miao said, pouring a glass of water and handing it to Physician Miao. “Sir, when do you plan to set off?”
"There's no time like the present. I'll head to Anyang right after dinner to deliver gifts to the county magistrate."
"Is the clinic closed?"
"Why open the door? You're just bored out of your mind all day. There are no customers even if you keep it open." After saying that, Physician Miao picked up his bowl, slurped a few mouthfuls, closed the door, packed his gifts, got into his carriage, and headed towards Anyang County.
Qingshui Town is not far from Anyang County; it took less than an hour to reach the county government office.
Although Physician Miao comes here once a year, he is always nervous and feels uneasy about the place.
He took a deep breath, bowed and stepped forward, and cautiously said to the guard at the gate, "Sir, I wish to see Lord Qin. Please inform him."
The constable gave Doctor Miao a cold look, then said irritably, "My master is not here. Come back in a few days if you have something to do!"
It's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings.
Doctor Miao knew that the officials in the yamen were a bunch of money-grubbing vampires.
If you don't give them some benefits, they act all high and mighty, as if you owe them hundreds of strings of cash.
As long as they give even a token gesture, they'll act like they're seeing their own father, all smiles and bowing obsequiously.
He casually took out some loose silver coins that he had prepared beforehand and stuffed them into the yamen runner's hand.
"Sir, please go inside and inform them that Miao Hong from Huichuntang in Qingshui Town requests an audience."
The constable glanced at the silver in his hand and immediately changed his expression. "Oh, so it's Manager Miao from Huichuntang. You're too kind. But my master is indeed not at home right now."
"When will Lord Qin be able to return?"
"That's hard to say. It could be as short as three to five days, or as long as my master is happy during his inspection, it could be as long as ten days or eight days."
"What... what should we do?" Doctor Miao was at a loss, somewhat puzzled.
In previous years, the county magistrate would not go anywhere at this time and would just sit and wait for the money to be collected at home. This year, however, he actually went out to inspect the area.
Did they suddenly have a change of heart and stop accepting bribes and exploiting the people?
Impossible, the county magistrate is no pushover.
They're the kind of people who squeeze urine out of a toad and pluck feathers off a passing goose; how could they possibly miss such a golden opportunity to make a fortune?
What do we do now? We're already here, we can't just take the gifts back!
Just as he was frowning in worry, the yamen runner spoke up again, "Manager Miao, although my magistrate is not here, my wife is. If you have anything to say, you can talk to my wife."
"What? Your wife?" Doctor Miao was taken aback. He knew that the county magistrate's wife had died a few years ago. How could a county magistrate's wife suddenly appear? Did he remarry?
That's possible, after all, for an official, getting married is as easy as buying a new piece of clothing.
The constable noticed his concerns and explained with a smile, "To be honest, Manager Miao, this new lady is my master's second wife, whom he recently married. Seeing her is just like seeing my master; it will definitely work."
"Very well then, I'll trouble you, sir, to inform them."
"No need to announce your arrival, just come in with me."
Guided by the yamen runners, we passed through corridors and courtyards and entered the inner quarters.
Upon reaching the door of a room, the constable stopped. "Manager Miao, please wait here for a moment. I'll go in and ask for instructions."
Physician Miao clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and said, "Very well, thank you for your trouble, sir."
Before long, a constable hurried out and said, "My lady is talking with a guest. Please wait a moment. Someone will come to call you in shortly. I won't stay here with you any longer."
"Alright, sir, please proceed."
Seeing the constable turn and leave, Doctor Miao dared not move, and stood outside the door carrying the gift box.
He waited for a long time, but no one came out. He was getting a little anxious.
That county magistrate's wife is really slow and indecisive; she's been nagging for so long and still hasn't finished.
Just as he was about to curse in frustration, the door suddenly opened, and someone walked out...
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