Chapter 490 Magistrate Fang's Crisis
"Lord Fang, Chen Guannian requests an audience." Master Cao bowed respectfully to Fang Ziming.
He kept his body bent over, as if waiting for the other person's reply, before continuing to speak.
"How many times has this happened?" Fang Ziming tapped his fingers lightly on the table, raised his eyelids, and stared at Master Cao with a dark look in his eyes, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
"Reporting to you, sir, this is the third time recently." Before Fang Ziming could speak, Master Cao stopped his stance and stood up straight, saying gently, "Sir, they say things shouldn't happen more than three times. Why don't you let him in and hear what he has to say?"
Fang Ziming narrowed his eyes, stared at Master Cao for a while, and then a smile appeared on his lips.
Anyone who saw it could sense that his smile was not very kind; it seemed to be both self-deprecating and mocking of others.
It was as if he was telling Master Cao that if he could see someone after they asked him three times, then where was his authority as a county magistrate?
Master Cao remained calm, as if it was unimportant whether Chen Yongnian entered or not. He simply said, “Lord Fang, from a public standpoint, as the head of the military affairs office, he has come to see you, so you should grant him an audience. From a private standpoint, you may refuse, because this is the county office, and we do not discuss private matters.”
Fang Ziming smiled upon hearing this, "Brother Cao, you have quite the silver tongue. I have no idea whether you are devising strategies for me or for someone else."
"You flatter me, sir. As your advisor, it is only right that I act in your best interest." Master Cao bowed respectfully, his manner frank and open.
Fang Ziming knew that Master Cao and Wan Ziyan were on good terms, and he also knew that Master Cao had followed him for many years and had come up with many strategies to help him secure his position.
In the current situation, we must not alienate people, but rather solidify the relationships with those who remain by our side.
He then relented and said, "Alright, let him in!"
Only then, led by others, did Chen Yongnian slowly walk into the county magistrate's study.
"Your subordinate greets Your Excellency." He knelt down and bowed respectfully.
Fang Ziming glanced up, put down the book in his hand, and said, "Yongnian, get up! What brings you here today? Are you not comfortable in the barracks?"
His words conveyed concern, but his tone was rather indifferent, making it difficult to discern his true attitude towards Chen Yongnian.
"Everything is fine." Chen Yongnian did not get up, and continued, "Lord Fang, I wonder if you would agree to the matter I raised a couple of days ago?"
"The other day?" Fang Ziming looked at Master Cao with a puzzled expression, as if asking about something.
Master Cao explained, "Two days ago, Manager Chen said he wanted to buy a house for his family in town. The house is under government control, so your approval and stamp are required."
"Oh, so that's what it is!" Fang Ziming looked enlightened, smiled as he stood up, walked to Chen Yongnian's side, and gently helped him up, saying, "I remember you have a house in town?"
"Yes," Chen Yongnian answered honestly.
“Since we have a house, there’s no rush here.” Fang Ziming patted Chen Yongnian on the shoulder from behind and said, “Although this house is small, the people who lived here before were not ordinary people. It will take some time to sell the house. You should go back and wait!”
Chen Yongnian knew that the decision-making power was in Fang Ziming's hands, but he was unwilling to approve it, so he used this excuse.
This was the most I had spoken to him in the past few days, and also the clearest explanation I had given him.
If he continues, then it will seem like there's something wrong with him!
As a result, Chen Yongnian had no choice but to step down again and leave in disappointment.
However, as soon as he stepped out of the magistrate's study, he met the eyes of a woman.
He was about to bow when he was stopped.
"Leave it to me. Sister Qi's affairs are my affairs." Fang Luxue grinned and carried the ginseng tea into the study.
Fang Ziming was about to reprimand the person who came in without announcing their arrival when he looked up and saw his beloved daughter enter. His anger vanished completely.
He smiled broadly and said, "What's wrong? Tired of staying with your grandmother?"
"Father, what are you saying?" Fang Luxue threw the ginseng tea on the table with a displeased look, crossed her arms, sat down in an empty seat, and said, "It may be fun there, but without Father and Mother, it doesn't feel like home."
Fang Ziming watched as the ginseng tea in the bowl swayed a few times, spilling some over, and sighed, "So you finally realize how good things are at home?"
“I’ve always known that Father is often at the county government office and can’t spend much time with us even a few times a month, so I have to come to see him myself!” Fang Luxue said with a smile, “Dad, please try this, I made it myself!”
Fang Ziming glanced at the ginseng tea on the table, then withdrew his hand halfway through its reach, saying, "Unsolicited kindness is always suspicious! Tell me! What do you want now?"
He didn't believe that his daughter, who was doing well in Hefeng Town, would suddenly return to Yunhe County and even personally brew ginseng tea for him.
How could he not know what kind of person his daughter was after raising her for fifteen years?
"Can't I just be worried about your health?" Fang Luxue pretended to be angry, cautiously glancing at Fang Ziming, and said, "Sigh, now Dad doesn't trust anyone, he even doubts his own daughter!"
Fang Ziming's face darkened upon hearing this, and he said, "What nonsense are you talking about? How could I not believe you?"
"Hmph, you just don't believe me. You even think I have ulterior motives for caring about you." Fang Luxue raised her head, looking unhappy, and continued, "Fine, if you think I have ulterior motives, I'll give you one! What did Chen Yongnian just say? Agree to what he said, is that alright?"
She seemed to be driven to desperation by her own father, so she made up a random excuse.
Fang Ziming, however, did not believe it and guessed that Fang Luxue had come for this very reason.
His eyes were cold as he said, "No, you know nothing, I will not agree to your request."
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