Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 142

Chapter 142 The New Officer Took Office
“Greetings, county magistrate!” Along with a respectful greeting, the officials in the main hall of Daxing County Yamen bowed towards Lu Zhen, who was sitting steadily in front of them.

After waiting for a few days, the Ministry of Officials finally finished all the procedures. Lu Zhen then rushed to the county government with the relevant documents. To be honest, this time, the Ministry of Officials was unprecedented. No matter what, the appointment of ordinary officials had to be delayed for more than half a month. As for rank six or seven county magistrates, they might not even be able to get a letter of appointment after a month.

But this time, Lu Zhen came to his post in just a few days. Not only did the officials of the Ministry of Officials look at him, but the officials in the Daxing County Government were also astonished. Only then did they know that there was a big backer behind this new county magistrate.

After sweeping his gaze over these subordinates, Lu Zhen revealed a smile, “Everyone, please don’t be too polite. From now on, we will work together in the county government. This official still needs to rely on you to help us.”

“Your Excellency, your words are too heavy. We will naturally follow your lead.” Lu Tu hurriedly spoke on behalf of everyone.

‘”Lu Xiancheng has been in Daxing County for a few years, right? I still have a lot of things to ask for your guidance and help in the future.” Lu Zhen smiled at him with satisfaction because he had already gotten his name and identity.

“I don’t dare. As long as your Excellency has orders, I will obey them. Not only your Excellency, but every county government colleague here will obey your Excellency’s orders.” Lu Tu hurriedly said again. Although he had already made up his mind, at least he didn’t dare to reveal his intentions. After all, he still had the patience to be a new official.

Lu Zhen smiled at him. After a few words with Zeng Guang and Dian Shi Yue Li Qiu, they seemed to have thought of something and said, “Oh right, this official has also brought a trustworthy subordinate from Shanxi. He used to be an old constable in the local county government. I wonder if you can accommodate Yue Dian Shi and make him into the county government register.”

He didn’t expect Lu Zhen to put his own people in the yamen as soon as he arrived, and he even said so bluntly. This made Yue Liqiu dumbfounded, and his gaze subconsciously glanced towards Lu Tu. They had been suppressed to death by this county magistrate for several years, and had long since developed the habit of obeying orders.

Lu Tu’s eyes lit up. This new county magistrate was really impolite. He immediately mixed sand into the yamen. It was just a person, and nothing could happen, so he gave Yue Dianshi a positive look. Only then did Yue Li Qiu say to Lu Zhen, “Since Sir has spoken, I will obey him!”

“Alright, then I’ll have to trouble you.” Of course, Lu Zhen saw the eye contact between the two of them, but he wasn’t in a hurry to break it. He just had a guess in his heart. In order to prove his conjecture, he looked at the main book, Zeng Guang, and said, “Zeng Zhubu, this official knows very little about everything in Daxing County, but since I have eaten the salaries of the Imperial Court, I should do my best, so I hope that you can help me share my worries.”

“Your Excellency, what do you mean?” Zeng Guang was stunned, but he still asked.

“This official has a habit of flipping through the various files and documents of the county government. You should be in charge of all of these, right?”

Lu Zhen’s meaning was clear, but Zeng Zhubu was a little nervous. He also looked at Lu Tu like Yue Liqiu just now to see what kind of attitude he had.

Lu Tu’s expression became somewhat ugly. This county magistrate was really not a peaceful master. He had just arrived and was stuffing people into the county yamen. He wanted to read the documents again. He really did not treat himself as an outsider. Although he had cleared all the documents in the county government and wouldn’t let him see any problems, he couldn’t get them so easily. After making up his mind, Lu Tu gently shook his head and gave the order.

Seeing this, Zeng Guang could only bravely say, “My lord, please forgive me. Recently, there have been some miscellaneous matters in the county yamen, so there is something wrong with those documents. I’ll have to wait for a while for them to be sorted out before sending them to you for a look.”

“Really? Then let’s get this done as soon as possible.” Lu Zhen smiled and nodded, as if he wasn’t unhappy about it. Actually, their actions just now were also seen by him. His previous speculation had also been confirmed. This Lu Xiancheng really had the monopoly of power in the county government.

This result was not good for Lu Zhen. He even felt that it was even more difficult than when he was in the Broad Spirit Realm. Although Dian Shi Zheng Fu was arrogant in Guang Ling, Hou Xiancheng and Shen Zhubu were still able to contend against him, so the pressure he faced when he attacked wasn’t too great.

However, the current situation in Daxing County was completely different. The remaining two officials followed Lu Tu’s lead. Although he did not have the name of county magistrate, he had the real power of a county magistrate. The difficulty he would encounter in seizing power from him would become very great.

Fortunately, this was under Emperor’s feet. Unlike Guang Ling County, which was located far away from the emperor, his identity was the best way to turn the situation around. Thinking of this, he smiled again, “Forget it, let’s talk about other matters in the future. I hope that I can work together with everyone in the future and take care of Daxing County together. Let’s disperse …”

Seeing him speak like this, Zeng Guang finally loosened his grip and retreated with everyone else. Lu Zhen also walked out of the lobby. This was not the place where the county magistrate worked, so he had to rush to the Second Hall’s court. But just as he walked out of the second hall, Lu Zhen suddenly stopped Yue Liqiu and said, “Yue Dianshi, how is the situation in the county government prison now?”

Prison had always been an important matter in the county government, only slightly weaker than farming and taxation, so it was normal for him to suddenly ask. Yue Liqiu, who was in charge of this area, was obviously stunned for a moment, but he honestly replied, “There are only three prisoners in the county government prison now. They were all caught stealing or wounding people on the streets …”

“Oh? So my Daxing County is considered stable?” Lu Zhen interrupted him and asked with a faint smile. Before the other party could reply, he shook his head again, “This is not right. Two days ago, I heard that there were people who committed crimes on the streets here. Why didn’t our county government send anyone to take care of them?”

These few words were clearly directed at Yue Liqiu, but Lu Zhen’s gaze turned to Lu Tu, who had stopped because of his words, as if he was waiting for the other party to give him an explanation.

Lu Tu narrowed his eyes and was instantly annoyed. It was truly a new official who had taken up his post and interfered in the affairs of the county government on the day he took office. However, he was not a fool. He would not take the initiative to speak at this time, so he simply took a step forward and left without paying any attention.

Yue Liqiu’s face was a little nervous. He was still hoping that Lu Xiancheng could help him make a decision. Helplessly, he had no choice but to say with a bitter face, “Sir, the murderer on the street is a servant of the Marquis Manor. Our Daxing County really does not dare to take people.”

After pausing for a moment, he saw that Lu Zhen’s expression was a little gloomy, and added, “Moreover, I heard that Yan Guan has been impeached in the history of the Imperial Court, so the perpetrators will naturally be punished.”

“This official does not want their own punishment, but the impartial enforcement of the law by my Daxing County Government! If the slaves of those influential families are responsible, what else can I use to make the people believe us in the future? Remember in the future, as long as this happens again, no matter who he is, even royal relatives will be captured by this official first!” Lu Zhen ordered as he stared solemnly at the other party.

Hearing this, Yue Liqiu’s body trembled violently. This guy really dared to say it! How could the officials and nobles in the capital be provoked by such a small county government? Just as he was stunned, Lu Zhen glared at him again, “Have you heard this official’s words clearly?”

“Yes … Xiaoguan … Xiaoguan obeys!” Yue Li Qiu was shocked and quickly replied.

Only then did Lu Zhen leave with his hands behind in satisfaction, leaving Yue Dianshi on the spot in a daze.

Turning to the second hall, Lu Zhen saw Lin Lie. At this moment, a sincere smile appeared on his face. “How is it? Have they both been settled?”

“Your Excellency, don’t worry. Although this county government is much smaller than Guang Ling’s, the empress government is still enough to settle down.” Lin Lie hurriedly took a step forward and replied.

Since Lu Zhen became the county magistrate of Daxing County, the two women naturally couldn’t stay in the Hu Ying Prefecture anymore, so they moved to the county government. Previously, Lin Lie had been busy with these chores.

Lu Zhen nodded to him gratefully, “It’s a bit wronged for you to be busy with such trivial matters. By the way, I’ve already accepted you into the county government just now. However, you should only start with ordinary servants. Don’t feel wronged.”

“Sir, what are you talking about? I’ve already sold my life to you. There’s nothing to be wronged about.”

“I’ve told you a few times that your life will always be yours. We’re just working together to do something that no one else dares to do and that is good for my Great Ming. When do you think I refuse to believe you? Leave, I won’t force you.” Lu Zhen corrected him helplessly.

Lin Lie smiled and did not argue or insist. Seeing this, Lu Zhen stopped talking and changed the topic back to the county government, “The water in Daxing County is also a bit deep. I can see that county magistrate Lu Tu has already controlled everything, so I have to find a way to break the situation.”

“Your Excellency, what do you mean?” Lin Lie was refreshed. Lu Zhen’s words reminded him of the battle between Guang Ling and Zheng Fu.

‘”They must be watching this county magistrate very closely, and it’s not easy to investigate anything, so it’s up to you. You’ve just entered the county government, so you should try to get in touch with the servants below and drink, eat, and eat more with them, so as to dig out more things about the interior of the yamen from their mouths, especially about county magistrate Lu.” Since Lu Zhen had been asked by Hu Ying to change the atmosphere in the capital, he naturally had to grasp the power of the county government as soon as possible. He would no longer be as slow as Guang Ling did. This time, he had to make a move as soon as possible and kick away Lu Tu, who might be in the way!

Lin Lie hurriedly cupped his fists and agreed …