Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 32

Chapter 32 Helper
Although all of this was just a speculation of Lu Zhen, and even the evidence was just that note and an unknown ledger, he did not dare to relax in the slightest, because he believed that his speculation was most likely correct.

Otherwise, there was no way to explain why a dignified grade seven county magistrate would suddenly die. Even though later generations would always refer to the county magistrate as a grade seven sesame official, it seemed to be very disdainful. But in fact, the current county magistrate’s status is still extremely lofty to the local people. Can you imagine that the people in the later generations despise the leadership of the county magistrate and the county party secretary?

County Magistrate Lu’s death must be related to this! Lu Zhen made such a judgment, but his gaze was still fixed on the snitch. This snitch should be his helper!

The content on the paper was very simple, but Lu Zhen could imagine that the other party must have been extremely indignant to expose the drawbacks in the army. Therefore, as long as he could find him, the other party would agree to cooperate with him.

Right now, the only problem was to find out the identity of this person. He quickly came up with some clues on this point. Firstly, since this person could expose the shortcomings of the army, he must have been or had been employed in the army; Secondly, the fact that he was able to send this note to County Magistrate Lu meant that he had a close connection with the county government.

After all, this matter was of great importance. This person should not dare to pretend to be someone else, nor would anyone else dare to do such a thing for him. Therefore, the conclusion was that the informant should now be from the county government, and he was once a member of the Guang Ling Garrison. Seeing this, it wasn’t that difficult to find out the identity of this person.

Since he was a general in the army, he naturally could not be a civil servant or a clerk. He would only be one of the three yamen attendants. Once Lu Zhen made his judgment, he did not delay any longer and immediately found the relevant files of the people in the county government, quickly searching through them.

In just half a day, Lu Zhen had found his target from these files. Looking at this somewhat familiar name, he couldn’t help but laugh, “What a coincidence, it’s actually you!” The figure of the somewhat lame man flashed through his mind very quickly.

@ @ @ @

“Greetings, Eldest Master. May I know what orders the Eldest Master has summoned the little one to come here today?” Lin Lie respectfully stood below and clasped his fists as he asked in a low voice.

Lu Zhen sat upright in his chair and carefully sized up this person’s appearance. He was in his thirties, and he was tall. His face was sharp like a knife, and his eyes were bright. He looked resolute. It could be said that apart from being crippled, it was also considered extraordinary. Such a figure had actually nest in such a small county government and become an inconspicuous little constable.

“Sit down and talk.” Lu Zhen smiled and pointed at a chair in front of him.

After thanking him, Lin Lie sat down, tall and low. He looked extraordinary. He was not a ruffian, but a truly courageous and disciplined man in the army.

A trace of approval flashed in Lu Zhen’s eyes before he continued, “This official hasn’t thanked you for saving me before. Today, I came here specifically to thank you.”

“The eldest master is right. The youngest is just doing his part. I can’t bear to thank you.” Lin Lie hurriedly waved his hand humbly.

Lu Zhen did not dwell on this matter. Instead, he suddenly asked, “Have you ever been in the army?”

After a moment of shock, Lin Lie nodded and answered truthfully, “Your Excellency, what you said is true.”

“The wounds on your feet were caused by fighting the enemy in the army, right?”

Lin Lie bitterly smiled and said, “That’s right. I was accidentally injured by their arrows while I was leading my men to fight Dazi. At that time, I didn’t think it was that serious, but in the end … I made Eldest Master laugh.”

“You are injured for your country. I will only respect you. How dare I laugh at you?” Lu Zhen hurriedly said solemnly. These words caused a trace of excitement to flash through the other party’s eyes. However, he quickly restrained them.

However, this reaction still fell into Lu Zhen’s eyes, but it didn’t break. He added, “According to what you mean, you were once a general in the army?”

“A general is not worthy. He is just a small captain with about fifty brothers.” Although his words were modest, Lin Lie’s eyes were still brightly lit up when he spoke of this matter. Obviously, he was still yearning for and nostalgic for the days back then.

Lu Zhen nodded, confirming his judgement even more. Although the captain’s status in the army wasn’t very high, he was still considered a low-ranking military officer and could roughly understand some things. However, he wasn’t in a hurry to ask the question. Instead, he casually asked, “Then why did you leave the barracks again and take up a post in my county government? With your contribution to the country, there should be a better way out. In the worst case scenario, there should still be your position in the army. It wouldn’t be too difficult for you to become a sentinel, right? Could it be because of the injury on your foot?”

“This” Lin Lie revealed an embarrassed expression. He couldn’t understand why the county magistrate was asking him this. Could it be … but he was still on the battlefield. After going through life and death several times, his temperament was unparalleled. Thus, he quickly calmed down and calmly replied, “It was the small army that thought that this injury might be a burden to others so they left.” Moreover, there are no relatives in the small family. At that time, there was a vacancy in the county government, so I was recruited. ”

Lu Zhen nodded slightly, and then his eyes stared at the other party’s face. “Is it just because of this? I think there should be another reason!” Since the other party was unwilling to say anything, he decided to take the initiative.

“Your Excellency, I don’t really understand …”

“Since you are an officer of the Broad Spirit Garrison, there are some things you should know, such as the access to grain and supplies.” Lu Zhen spoke slowly, but his mind was extremely focused on the other party’s face and eyes.

Sure enough, Lin Lie’s pupils shrank and his body stiffened when he heard this. Although he tried his best to conceal these expressions and actions, he was still unable to escape Lu Zhen’s gaze. “What does Sir mean by this?”

Seeing his reaction, Lu Zhen was sure that this person was the informant. He stood up, walked to the other party, and put the note in his hand on the coffee table.

He didn’t say anything, but this action was much more useful than anything else. Upon seeing this, Lin Lie’s expression changed even more. He straightened up and almost bounced up from his chair. He subconsciously opened his mouth to deny it, but the words came to the edge of his mouth, but he was somewhat unable to say it.

Lu Zhen looked at him for a while before he said softly, “Do you know that I almost lost my life because of you?”

“Ah … Could it be that Lord’s disappearance a few days ago was due to this matter?” Lu Zhen’s words were too shocking. After all, Lin Lie was not a person with deep thoughts. He had cheated him into telling the truth in a flash.

Lu Zhen nodded, “That’s right. That’s why I’ve been keeping a low profile since I came back. I’m afraid that the other party will attack me again. You know the current situation in the county government and county, but I’m not in a good position as a county magistrate.”

After saying those words, Lin Lie regretted it. However, seeing that Lu Zhen had said so, his heart calmed down a little. He lowered his head and said, “It’s because this little one is careless. I didn’t expect that this would bring trouble to you, Master.”

“I don’t really care about troubles. I only care about one thing. Whether or not this matter can be accomplished or not. Since I have received the salary of the Imperial Court, as the magistrate of Guangling County, I have the responsibility to cut off bark insects for the Imperial Court.” Lu Zhen said solemnly.

These words lifted Lin Lie’s spirits, and a trace of admiration flashed through his eyes. In the past, he really didn’t think that highly of this young county magistrate and felt that the other party was too cowardly. But now, he realized how blind he was. This made him feel a little ashamed, “My lord …”

When Lu Zhen saw how he looked, he knew that he had already made up his mind. “But as you can see, I am powerless now. Even if I want to interfere in this matter, there is nothing I can do. Let alone the military affairs, even this county government is not a Seventh Grade main hall like me,” he said with a solemn expression.

“Sir, I know a little about your difficulties.” Lin Lie nodded and then gritted his teeth. “My lord, what instructions do you have? Please speak clearly.” Although this sentence was similar to what they had said when they met earlier, its nature was completely different. Previously, he was only perfunctory, but now he really wanted to help Lu Zhen.

Lu Zhen did not hurry to talk about his own affairs, but continued to look at the other party, “Looks like you have a lot of opinions on the matter of military supplies. Even leaving the army is for this matter?”

At this moment, Lin Lie did not intend to hide his thoughts anymore and nodded emotionally, “That’s right, I have indeed been dissatisfied with this for a long time.” Those generals in our army are actually constantly selling our rations and even some weapons to Dazi for their own benefit. Those Dazi are our enemies. After they eat our rations, they will use our weapons to kill our citizens and soldiers!

‘”I really can’t turn a blind eye to this, but I can only speak softly. In the end, I can only choose to leave the place where the dirt is hidden. But then I heard from my brothers that this matter has become more and more frequent recently. Because I can’t stand it, I want to ask Lord to uphold justice!”

“You’re overestimating the power of the county magistrate, aren’t you?” Lu Zhen smiled bitterly in his heart, but his face was filled with a sense of unanimity, “Actually, I hate this too. However, it’s not easy to expose this matter. Otherwise, I will only be implicated, just like what happened to me before.”

Lin Lie nodded, but didn’t ask what had happened to him.

Lu Zhen did not want to entangle himself with this point. Instead, he said seriously, “So after suffering this loss, I decided to change my policy and start with the power of the county government. Can you help me?”

“Your Excellency, what do you mean?” As soon as Lin Lie said those words, he understood, and his expression became somewhat excited. “As long as Sir is willing to make the decision for this matter, this little one will definitely do everything in his power to help you!”

“Alright, then we have a deal.” Lu Zhen was delighted to know that he had finally found his first trusted helper!