Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 100

Chapter 100 Parting
The news that Lu Zhen was about to leave his post was spread all over the city in a short period of time, and the people were both happy and sad about it.

Of course, Lord Lu was happy that he had finally obtained a promotion. A good official like him naturally needed to be rewarded by the Imperial Court. As for their sadness, they were worried that they would never encounter a good official like County Magistrate Lu again. It was rare to see such an official who was not greedy for money but could do something practical for the people.

In addition, most people in the county government felt relieved. Lu Zhen’s existence was quite a pressure on them, because his might made the servants not dare to exploit the people at will. One had to know that even Xiao Mo and Zheng Fu were taken down by him one by one. If the people below were to hit him, wouldn’t there be only death?

What made people even more helpless was that county magistrate Lu was still very close to the barracks. They didn’t even have the courage to play tricks behind their backs, so they could only live a tight life, but didn’t dare to do anything unorthodox.

They thought that this kind of life would take two to three years, but unexpectedly, County Magistrate Lu was going to be promoted because of his merits. Everyone naturally felt relieved and relaxed. On the surface, they seemed to be happy about their boss’s promotion, but in fact, they wished that Lu Zhen could leave immediately and not stay any longer.

Of course, as a county magistrate, Lu Zhen could not leave just by saying that he could. He still needed to hand over a lot of things. In addition, there were some people who were not as they thought. This person was Lin Lie.

When Lu Zhen was busy dealing with the matters at hand in the signing room, the constable came to the door with a serious expression, “My lord …”

Lu Zhen raised his head to look at him and said somewhat puzzledly, “Lin Lie, why do you look like this? Is there something difficult about you?”

“Exactly.” Lin Lie walked in and carefully looked at Lu Zhen before saying, “I have something that I want to ask your Excellency.”

“Tell me. You’ve done a lot for me, and I haven’t properly repaid you. As long as I can do it, I won’t disappoint you.” Lu Zhen hurriedly nodded. He was still a little apologetic. Lin Lie was the first person in the county government to become his confidant. Without him, he would never have been able to get to where he was today. However, because there were so many things, he actually ignored him until he came to find him today.

“Sir, you will definitely be able to accomplish this!” Lin Lie hurriedly said. Then, he shyly asked, “What do you think of me, Lin Lie?”

“Huh?” Lu Zhen looked at the other party with some confusion. “You are upright, and your martial arts skills are quite good. Especially your courage and loyalty. You are a good person. Why, do you want me to protect my family background in the county government?”

“No, Your Excellency, you misunderstood.” Lin Lie hurriedly shook his head and said, “The little one knows that he has a disability, so it’s impossible for him to take this path. The little one also doesn’t have the ability and temperament to be an official. I still have this bit of self-knowledge.”

“Then what do you want me to help you with?” Lu Zhen asked.

After stuttering for a moment, Lin Lie said, “The little one only wants to follow Master. I hope Master doesn’t dislike him!” As he said that, he took a step forward and landed on one knee. Then, he looked up at Lu Zhen and said, “I want to leave this place with my lord. I will go wherever my lord goes!”

Lu Zhen didn’t expect the other party to have such an intention, so he was stunned for a moment before he started laughing. To be honest, he really needed someone who was loyal and reliable to protect him. Although Lin Lie had some problems with his legs and legs, his martial arts skills were extraordinary and he was loyal. He was the ideal candidate.

Moreover, Lu Zhen believed that he would definitely bring him a broader future than staying in Guang Ling, so he only thought for a moment before nodding his head and saying, “Actually, you don’t have to mention it. I also want to ask for your opinion. I really need someone who can be trusted to be around the capital. Now, we can meet again.”

“My lord, did you agree?” Hearing this, Lin Lie smiled.

“Why wouldn’t I agree to have someone like you join us?” Lu Zhen smiled and nodded, “It shouldn’t be difficult for me to transfer someone out of the county government. At that time, you should come with me. However … before I can decide on the future situation, your background … so you have to suffer some grievances.”

Lin Lie smiled indifferently, “Little one only wishes to follow you because you are a country and a people. This has nothing to do with your status and official position. You don’t have to worry about me, Little one.”

“Alright, Lin Lie, you really are a person with a temperament. I’ve fallen into the trap.” Lu Zhen laughed, walked over and patted his shoulder a few times, “But don’t worry, I definitely won’t treat you badly.”

Lin Lie only smiled gently and didn’t say anything else. He was a man of his own words. As long as he could follow Lu Zhen who he recognized, it would be enough to make him happy.

@ @ @ @

Time passed quickly. A few days later, it was time for Lu Zhen to leave Guang Ling and head to Datong.

Because she knew that she would not return after leaving this time, she brought a lot of luggage. Of course, most of the luggage belonged to Chu Yunrong and the other two women. After all, women had more things than men since ancient times. As for his, he only had some official credentials, books, and changed clothes. However, just like that, the three of them, Jia Lin Lie, also loaded up two carriages.

When the gate of the county government was opened and the high threshold was lifted to the side by the yamen servants, the carriage of Lu Zhen and the others was slowly driven out by the two coachmen.

When the people outside saw this, they all knelt on the ground. The old man even stepped forward and cried, “Lord Lu, please take your time!”

Raising the curtain and seeing such a scene, Lu Zhen was really shocked. On the road from Yaqian Street to the city gate, there were actually people standing in the city. With a rough sweep, there were no less than a thousand people kneeling on the ground with tears in their eyes.

Lu Zhen hurriedly jumped out of the car and helped the old man in front of him up. “Please get up, old man. This official can’t treat you as such a big gift. Also, fellow villagers, please get up quickly …” Lu Zhen hurriedly jumped out of the car and helped the old man in front of him up.

“My lord, you are leaving our Guangling County, but everything you have done for our people is in our hearts. We, the vulgar ones, have nothing to thank you for. We can only send you on this journey.” As the old man spoke, he knelt down again and kowtowed three times to Lu Zhen.

Immediately after, the surrounding people also knelt down in unison and knelt down to Lu Zhen. This made Lu Zhen somewhat at a loss what to do. With great difficulty, he helped the old man in front of him up again. He said modestly, “Everyone, don’t be like this. Since this official is a county magistrate, he should protect the people in the territory. Everything he did is just a duty. I really don’t deserve such a big gift from you!”

Lu Zhen was really touched. Only then did he know how simple and honest the people were. He had only been here for a few months, and he hadn’t done much. They had actually worshipped him. In the past, the description of an official leaving office when the people gifted him was somewhat exaggerated. Now, it seemed that this was the etiquette of this era. Of course, this is also because the officials have indeed done many good deeds for the people, so that the people can do this on their own initiative. Otherwise, when you leave office, don’t say that you were given such a gift by the people, it would be considered polite if they didn’t coax you.

After hearing Lu Zhen’s words, the people were also filled with emotion. They cried and bowed down again. There were also many people shouting, hoping that Lord Lu would not abandon them. Regarding this, Lu Zhen naturally refused. He was also an ambitious person, so he naturally could not be willing to be trapped in such a small Guang Ling County.

After a while of good talk and bad talk, Lu Zhen persuaded the people to get up and said a set of grand and comforting words before Lu Zhen prepared to board the car and continue on his journey. At this time, the old man turned around and ordered someone to take out a colorful umbrella. With a solemn expression, he held it in both hands and presented it to Lu Zhen. “Since Sir must leave, please accept our greeting. This umbrella is made by the people of our county together!”

The Myriad Peoples Umbrella was the highest reward that the local officials had spontaneously produced when they left the country in recognition of their contributions. It was also a hard indicator and symbol to consider an official’s voice in the local government. Previously, Lu Zhen had seen a joke in a book about officials making umbrellas for themselves to give him in order to save face. However, this one in front of him was actually created by the citizens of the Broad Spirit Realm on their own initiative.

This gift was very precious, so Lu Zhen naturally wouldn’t refuse. He hurriedly walked forward with a serious expression and gently accepted it. Then, he held the umbrella and bowed to the people around him, “I, Lu Zhen, will definitely remember your love of fist and fist. This official will definitely not let down this umbrella of the people. In the future, I will definitely continue to be a good official and do more practical things for the court and the people!”

When Lu Zhen returned to the car and slowly moved forward, there were cries from the people, and many people chased after the car all the way.

When this scene landed in the eyes of Chu Yunrong and the other two women, their eyes were filled with tears. They were both touched and proud. After all, Lu Zhen was their master.

When Liu Yong saw all of this, he was filled with admiration and astonishment, “County Magistrate Lu really has won the hearts of the people. It’s truly admirable.” As he spoke, he walked forward again and registered for an interview.

Although Lu Zhen felt strange, he got off the car again and greeted the new handler, “May I know what Handler Liu has to say?”

“Liu Yong knows that County Magistrate Lu is going to Datong. Although this journey is not too far, this place is not far from the grasslands. I’m afraid there will be some danger. Therefore, I ordered my subordinates Li Xian and the other ten subordinates to escort you to Datong. I hope County Magistrate Lu doesn’t refuse.” Liu Yong explained with a smile.

This was obviously because he knew that he had some relationship with Hu Sui, so he came to please him. Lu Zhen wasn’t too resistant to this, so he smiled and replied.

As a result, the two carriages that were originally considered weak had already become a convoy when they left Guang Ling. There were more than ten people accompanying them, and behind them were the thousands of Guang Ling civilians who were reluctant to part ways …

(End of the volume)