20demayo Chapter 29 Conditions
Chapter 29 Conditions
Li Chong engaged in perfunctory conversation with the group in the waiting room, waiting to hear their demands before considering how to respond.
But as they waited and waited, the group talked about everything from Yanggu to Xucheng, from the local areas to Bianjing, and they couldn't get to the point.
Now Li Chong couldn't help but wonder, "Could it be that he really came all this way just to curry favor with me?"
Just then, Yang Chengde, sensing that the time was almost right, gave Zhu Binghe a wink, and Zhu Binghe immediately understood and stood up.
"Father," he said, approaching Zhu Zhicheng, "The magistrate still has official business to finish today, and we shouldn't disturb him too much. How about I ask for leave and take you home first?"
Yang Chengde immediately replied, "Oh dear, if Binghe hadn't reminded me, I would have almost forgotten. I still have to issue tax notices today, so I can't let important matters be delayed."
As he spoke, Yang Chengde rose to bid farewell to Li Chong.
Li Chong wanted to see what they were really up to, so he nodded and agreed: "That's perfect. I've approved Zhu Lushi's leave, and Yang Zhubu can go about his business. I'll be holding court soon. Yang Zhubu has left quite a few cases for the county, so I won't have much free time."
Yang Chengde gave an awkward smile and did not respond to Li Chong's question.
He turned to Zhu Binghe: "These days, county affairs are quite complicated, and you, as the registrar, can't be left behind. If the county magistrate asks any questions, you'll need to help check some documents. Old Master Zhu, I happen to be taking people to distribute tax notices in various villages, so I'll escort you back along the way."
"This..." Zhu Binghe hesitated for a moment.
Zhu Zhicheng stood up, supporting himself on the chair: "You child, don't you even trust Registrar Yang? Besides, your father isn't that weak."
Zhu Binghe then bowed to Yang Chengde in gratitude and entrusted him with escorting his father back to his hometown.
When the three of them finished their performance and looked at Li Chong, Li Chong just found it funny.
It seems they do indeed have something to ask of them.
However, judging from this, Yang Chengde was just an intermediary, and the matter he was handling was probably still related to the Zhu family.
Li Chong had already guessed what it might be about.
Judging from their expressions, it seemed that Zhu Binghe was the one who needed to discuss this matter with them.
Li Chong readily agreed and saw the two off from the county government office. On the way back, as expected, Zhu Binghe spoke up.
"In recent days, I have heard that the magistrate has raised a considerable amount of silver and copper coins, so much so that two large carts cannot carry them all."
"Oh?" Li Chong's lips curled slightly. "I wonder who Zhu Lushi heard this from? Did he really try hauling it with two large carts? And he couldn't finish?"
"Who told you that...?"
Zhu Binghe nearly choked.
In his mind, if he asked this question, Li Chong would either go along with it and give a helpful answer, which would then lead to the next topic.
Either be wary of your identity and avoid discussing it.
Who would have thought that Li Chong would act unpredictably?
But Li Chong was, after all, the leader, so even if Zhu Binghe was resentful, he had to endure it.
He forced a laugh: "Your Excellency is joking. I only heard it secondhand, and it's somewhat exaggerated."
"Haha." Li Chong patted his shoulder. "I won't tease you anymore. Zhu Lushi, just say what you want to say. There's no need to beat around the bush. There's no one else around, so please speak freely."
"Hehe, hehe."
Zhu Binghe smiled awkwardly, but in his heart he was already cursing Li Chong.
He patiently said, "The county magistrate's large-scale campaign to suppress the bandits and his extensive fundraising efforts may be fine if the bandits are successfully suppressed, but if they return empty-handed, then the trouble will be much greater."
"At best, people from the prefecture might come to investigate; at worst, if the bandit suppression suffers too many losses, and someone reports it to the authorities, the county magistrate might be punished."
Li Chong nodded slowly: "And what's your opinion?"
Zhu Binghe offered a suggestion: "In my opinion, the bandits must be suppressed, but the county magistrate needn't rush it. It's currently summer tax season, and the county is very busy. The magistrate can use the excuse of not having enough manpower to delay it. By August, it will be time to harvest the autumn grain, and after that, there will be assessments. This way, time will be bought."
"As long as we don't go to Zhenge to suppress bandits, there won't be any losses. As for the copper coins collected by the magistrate, they can be used to reclaim wasteland or build water conservancy projects, which will also earn the magistrate a reputation for loving the people. This is a win-win situation."
Zhu Binghe meant that it wasn't that they wouldn't suppress the bandits, but rather that they should suppress them slowly, in an orderly manner, and according to local conditions.
Li Chong was perfectly aware of his thoughts.
"A win-win situation..." Li Chong nodded slowly. "Then why did you and your father make this trip? Was it just for this county's solution to achieve the best of both worlds?"
Zhu Binghe glanced around cautiously, then bowed his head and said with a forced smile, "Your Excellency is wise; my family naturally has its own selfish motives. Dafeng Mountain is not far from my Zhu family. If the bandit suppression is unsuccessful and the thieves retaliate, my Zhu family will be the first to suffer. That's what we're worried about."
"My father said," Zhu Binghe added, "that the county magistrate will be serving in Yanggu for another three years. There's no harm in having the Zhu family as a friend. If the magistrate agrees, my family can donate another three hundred strings of cash!"
Looking at Zhu Binghe's confident declaration, Li Chong knew that the three hundred strings of cash he mentioned were not meant to be donated to the government.
As long as Li Chong agrees, the money will definitely end up in his own pocket.
"How audacious! Truly audacious," Li Chong thought to himself. "These bribe-givers are now openly offering bribes in the government offices. The foundation of the Northern Song Dynasty is completely rotten."
With his hands behind his back, Li Chong quickened his pace and walked forward in silence.
Seeing that Li Chong remained silent, Zhu Binghe's heart tightened, and he followed closely, cautiously asking, "What is the magistrate's opinion?"
"I've already made that boast, it's probably too late to back down now, isn't it?" Li Chong said in a deep voice. "Besides, why do you think this county can't wipe out those bandits? You're also a member of the government, yet you're worried about the bandits' retaliation. How can you take this matter seriously?"
Zhu Binghe subconsciously pursed his lips. Suppressing bandits? That's quite an boast.
He quickly said, "Your Honor, the County Lieutenant Fu also tried to suppress that gang of bandits, but they were truly..."
"No need for further words!" Li Chong waved his hand firmly. "Just because he can't be eliminated doesn't mean this county can't be. I'm determined to eliminate this bandit; there's no changing that!"
Having said that, Li Chong turned and left, heading straight for the main hall.
This matter can no longer be dealt with superficially. Judging from the Zhu family's methods, Li Chong was certain that if he dared to give in and make excuses, the rumors would spread like wildfire.
By then, he will truly be beyond redemption.
Since we are destined to stand on the opposite side of the Zhu family, we cannot be indecisive and must take a clear stance.
Through this incident, Li Chong has determined that the Zhu family is most likely connected with that gang of thieves, and he has already formed a rough idea of how to defeat them.
However, Li Chong still needs to find a helper to defeat the enemy.
"Where can I find a helper? Fu Shun is unreliable. Maybe I should ask Xue Tao." Li Chong thought as he walked.
Behind him, Zhu Binghe watched Li Chong's retreating figure with a gloomy expression.
"You won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences. Do you really think that being a county magistrate makes you some kind of powerful figure? Li Chong, County Magistrate Li, just you wait and see."