Chapter 42 Minor Punishment
Chapter 42 Minor Punishment
It was not the first time that the county yamen runners had seen Xu Qing. In the past, they had been a little flattering to him out of appreciation for Li Dianshi and the county magistrate. Some of the runners even felt a little ashamed of the two brothers of the Guo family who served Xu Qing so faithfully.
Do you really think that after County Magistrate Wu leaves, Dianshi Li will be able to keep his position?
The mentality of the yamen runners is really different now. The third place winner of Zhili Prefecture is only fourteen years old. If nothing unexpected happens, he will definitely pass the imperial examination in the future.
So they only felt that whenever Xu Sanyuan raised his hands and feet, there was a faint layer of golden light covering him, exuding an inexplicable nobleness.
An old official who was said to be able to read the weather saw Xu Qing coming to the county government office from afar and could not help but ask, "This boy is so noble that it is beyond words. Who is he?"
The yamen guard next to him rolled his eyes.
Even they know that Xu Sanyuan was praised by the grand master as a "scholar of the world". How could you, an old fox in the yamen, not know and recognize it?
They are all the Ox-Headed and Horse-Faced Ghosts, Black and White Impermanence in the yamen. Why are they pretending to be gods?
When the old official saw that no one was flattering his physiognomy, he lamented that the world and people's hearts had changed and there was no one even willing to support him.
Fortunately, most of the neighbors were ignorant, so he went back to polish it and said that he had seen Xu Sanyuan in the government office and said at the time, "This boy is invaluable."
As expected, he was one of the top three in the examination for students of higher learning, and was even praised by the grand master as a "scholar in the world."
He is not afraid even if someone refutes him.
Just ask, which of his words is false?
These yamen servants are short-sighted and don't understand my profound meaning.
As long as you take advantage of the celebrity's popularity, you can still be satisfied!
...
...
After Xu Qing and others received the message, they went directly to the inner hall to meet Magistrate Wu.
Magistrate Wu laughed out loud: "Our Master Sanyuan is here, serve some good tea."
Xu Qing: "Old Master, you should call me by my name. These three first prizes were given to me by you, old master."
Magistrate Wu smiled and said, "We have a deep teacher-student relationship. There is no need to be so polite."
In the past, he regarded Xu Qing as a promising junior, but now it was different. First, as long as Xu Qing did not die young, he would be able to pass the imperial examination sooner or later.
With the title of Juren, one's status is almost equivalent to that of an official.
Second, Xu Qing can resist temptation.
Although it is said that people travel thousands of miles to become officials just for money, but if you can resist the temptation of money, you can often go further.
County Magistrate Wu was also greedy for money, but his goal was to make progress and to seek welfare for the people of the world on a broader stage.
Is he wrong?
He just wanted to better establish his mind for the world, to establish his destiny for life, to carry on the unique knowledge of the ancient sages, and to bring peace to the world.
What did he do wrong?
If anything is wrong, it is this world that is wrong!
In his opinion, Xu Qing also had great ambitions, which was why he was able to resist temptation.
In the past, he had seen Xu Qing's alertness, and now he saw that Xu Qing could withstand the test of money, and he would be a government official in the future. Even if such a person is not successful for a while, he will eventually realize his ambitions.
Only by getting to know heroes when you are in humble positions can you enjoy the fruits of their hard work.
Magistrate Wu's current attitude seems to imply that he regards Xu Qing as an accomplice.
This is also the reason why some common people, even though they have nothing, are still followed wholeheartedly by others.
Just to buy original shares!
Seeing County Magistrate Wu's attitude, Xu Qing tried to refuse, but then he agreed.
I drank tea first.
It is indeed a good tea.
Magistrate Wu said, "Master Qian told me about Xu Ruomu's matter. Fortunately, you reacted quickly, otherwise I would have been implicated this time."
At first, Magistrate Wu thought that Mr. Xu's request was just a normal relationship. When Mr. Qian came back and sorted out the matter, Magistrate Wu realized it belatedly. There was nothing he could do. He was originally a disciple of Mr. Xu. It was difficult to refuse such a seemingly reasonable request, and he didn't think too much about it.
In fact, it is a blind spot in thinking.
Even the most cunning person can make a wrong judgment.
After all, people cannot have a full perspective, and their vision is limited. Therefore, people with a broad vision see more angles and can often do what others cannot.
Xu Qing: "May I ask, old mentor, what should we do next?"
Magistrate Wu: "I am a disciple of the Xu family. Even if I know some things, I can't do anything about them."
Xu Qing immediately understood that County Magistrate Wu must be inclined to the reform faction. This was actually determined by County Magistrate Wu's natural position.
Because if a third-class Jinshi does not support the reformists, his life will end with him becoming a fourth-rank official.
After all, conservatives like to rank people based on seniority and pay attention to their background and origin.
You are a third-class Jinshi, but you are ranked among the first or second class. It is strange that they will pay attention to you.
There must be someone behind the Xu family. This time they are using County Magistrate Wu. If they succeed in seducing Xu Qing, the reformists will hate County Magistrate Wu as well.
How could County Magistrate Wu not be angry?
Blocking someone's career is like blocking a cultivator's path to revenge!
Due to his status, Magistrate Wu could not retaliate, so his words were naturally hints, asking Xu Qing to think of a solution.
Xu Qing smiled: "Master Xu and my old teacher are old friends. In my opinion, he is a guest from afar, and my old parents should stay and entertain him well."
Magistrate Wu's eyes lit up: "How should we entertain you?"
Xu Qing: "Students think that they can just give a normal and warm reception, but there are some concerns."
"What's the worry?"
"Master Xu has been away from home for a long time. Will there be any trouble at home? For example, I heard that the Grand Master is planning to check the student records in Songzhou Prefecture. If Master Xu is not here, I wonder if there will be any trouble at home."
County Magistrate Wu immediately understood what Xu Qing meant.
This move is called removing the fuel from under the cauldron.
If Mr. Xu does not go back for a long time, the Xu family will lose its backbone and there will definitely be chaos. It will then be much easier for the Grand Master to check the student records.
Moreover, as a disciple of the deceased old master of the Xu family, he warmly entertained his old friend, and no one could find fault with him.
But they are all old foxes, and if Zhou Tixue can successfully complete his task, he will definitely know the good of County Magistrate Wu.
Magistrate Wu said, "It is natural for us scholars to worry about the emperor and the people in the government, but when we are far away from the world, we should not care about worldly affairs, and cultivate our sentiments in the woods. If we are obsessed with worldly affairs, it will be too low. Besides, a big family has its own people in charge. Thanks to your reminder, otherwise I can't fulfill my friendship as a landlord, which is not good."
Xu Qing: "It's not been long now, Mr. Xu must not have left Qingshui County yet."
Magistrate Wu: "Then send someone to chase him. Who do you recommend?"
Xu Qing knew that County Magistrate Wu had asked him to find a reliable man. Xu Qing said, "Guo Zhuang, the squad leader of the patrol station, has always been loyal and brave. He should be able to complete the instructions of my old mentor."
Magistrate Wu: "He is only a squad leader. The position of captain is vacant. Since he is loyal and brave, let him take up the vacant position of captain."
County Magistrate Wu knew that this was nominally an invitation to invite Mr. Xu back, but in reality it was putting him under house arrest.
The other party is a juren.
Ordinary yamen runners might not dare to force you to do so.
So naturally you have to give some benefits before people are willing to work hard for you.
Then Magistrate Wu ordered Master Qian to find Guo Zhuang and ask him to retrieve Mr. Xu. Afterwards, he would complete the appointment document.
Xu Qing finished his business and left calmly.
(End of this chapter)