Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 33

Chapter 33 Setting Goals
Finally, he found a trustworthy helper in the county government. Lu Zhen’s heart finally calmed down, and his courage was much stronger than before. However, he knew that it was impossible for Lin Lie to easily seize the power that belonged to him by himself. Obviously, he still needed to make some preparations.

For this reason, he had a thorough understanding of the structure of the county government to see if there were any more things he could use. The relationship between the people in the yamen was complicated. It was impossible for everyone to unite together. As long as they found some flaws, with his status as the county magistrate of the main hall, he would be able to turn the situation around.

In just a few days, under Lu Zhen’s observation and persuasion, he had already figured out the situation in the yamen.

After all, there weren’t too many people in the county government, and the internal relations weren’t as complicated as they had imagined. Generally speaking, they were divided into two forces. One was the official class, which consisted mainly of Hou Xiancheng and Shen Zhubu, and the other was the group of three yamen attendants, who followed the lead of Dianshi Zheng Fu.

Actually, the identities of Hou Shen and Lu Zhen weren’t too different. They were both foreign powers, but because they had already established themselves in the county government for many years, coupled with some wrist skills, they had recruited a group of officials and officials, so they had a certain right to speak. As for Zheng Dianshi and the three yamen attendants, they were all local snakes in Guangling County. Many of them were not only friends they had known since childhood, they were even related to each other. It seemed that they were more united than the former.

Originally, as a local snake, Zheng Dianshi Group should be able to suppress the previous force. However, due to their origins, these people’s abilities, especially in the field of civil affairs, were somewhat inadequate, so they gave the clerks a certain amount of power.

And just before county magistrate Lu, that county magistrate had the intention to take back the power of the county government to his own hands. Thus, the two forces cooperated with each other in a rare way, causing the imperial court’s commissioner to lose his position. Only then did county magistrate Lu arrive. In this way, the two forces maintained a delicate balance in the county government, and even after a few months, they were still safe and sound. However, Lu Zhen could tell that as long as the county magistrate kept a low profile and didn’t show his head, there would eventually be a dispute between them.

If Lu Zhen had enough patience, he could sit on the mountains and watch the tigers fight. In the end, he could play a trick of kiwi and bamboo fighting for profit. However, the situation in front of him simply could not allow him to delay, because some people inside and outside the county government would not let go of him as an insider.

‘”One side is in charge of communicating with the subordinates of the higher-ups and the matters related to taxation, while the other side is in charge of the matters related to the prison and colluding with the garrison. They have divided up the power of finance and personnel. No wonder the county magistrate can only be used as a puppet, but he can’t even find a chance to resist.” Lu Zhen couldn’t help but sigh when he saw the contents of the paper after listing all the information he knew.

How could he make his way out of this situation? At least now that he was the county magistrate, he was still their superior in general terms. He was only deprived of his power by them.

I don’t have the authority to make decisions, but I have the authority to examine them!

Suddenly, Lu Zhen’s eyes lit up, and he had already thought of a clue. However, he knew very well that it was impossible for him to deal with both forces at the same time, so he had to pick one side to attack. As for the other side, it was best if he could pull it over for his own use. In the worst case scenario, he had to let them remain neutral.

Which side should we take?

This question did not make him think for too long, and he had already made a decision. Naturally, his goal was set on Zheng Fu.

Although Zheng Fu’s position in the county government and the entire county was far superior to Hou Shen’s, there were many things that didn’t have to be easy first and then difficult, but had to be judged according to the reality.

First, Lu Zhen still remembered that it was Zheng Fu’s probing that made him uneasy, and that was why he found those clues. Therefore, Zheng Fu was most likely an insider who sold food in the army. He even had a guess that the death of County Magistrate Lu could be one of the murderers.

As such, this person was already his opponent, so it was naturally better to take action first. Otherwise, if he attacked the other side, he might stab him in the back.

The second was the identities of the two of them. No matter what, they were also local officials appointed by the Imperial Court, so their relationship with the county magistrate was closer, so they were more likely to have good relations with him.

Thirdly, it was because of Lin Lie’s existence. As a constable in the county government, he was in the system of three yamen attendants and could play an important role in dealing with Zheng Fu. Moreover, as long as it worked properly, Lu Zhen could even help him up to replace Zheng Fu, so that he could completely grasp this piece of power in his hands.

After thinking for a while, Lu Zhen had already made up his mind to start with Zheng Fu!

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“Your Excellency, isn’t this too risky?” Lin Lie asked uneasily. This was Lin Lie’s first reaction after Lu Zhen found an opportunity to reveal his plan.

Then he kindly introduced, “This Zheng Fu’s roots in the county are quite deep. From his grandfather onwards, he has been working in the county government. His position in the history books was passed down to him by his father, and most of the people in the county government are his trusted aides … Once he finds out about this, I’m afraid he will immediately make trouble to resist.”

Lu Zhen’s expression was also very solemn. After hearing this, he nodded his head, “Of course I don’t have to do that. But rather than being beaten passively, it’s better to take the initiative to fight! It’s precisely because he’s powerful enough that I didn’t think I would have the guts to make such a sudden attack. Furthermore, since his Zheng Clan has such power in the county, I’m sure that I won’t offend anyone less. It’s in this county government …”

He didn’t finish his sentence, but Lin Lie understood what it meant. Because the power in their hands was not small, and they had a close relationship with the garrison generals in the city, the Zheng Clan had always been left alone in the county. Many people dared to be angry with them but did not dare to say anything. As for the yamen, they didn’t know anything else. Some of the servants inside also complained to Zheng Fu, because other than his trusted aides, not only did the others not benefit from this, they also took a lot of blame for them.

If Lu Zhen really made a move, many people wouldn’t mind throwing stones at him, but there was also a prerequisite, that was that he, County Magistrate Lu, really took the initiative.

“Then Sir, where do you decide to start?” After Lin Lie understood this, he no longer insisted on his own opinion and asked.

“Well, it depends on what’s wrong with him.” Lu Zhen smiled and said, “Oh right, do you have a way to get the key to the warehouse where the case files are kept?” Poor county magistrate, even this kind of warehouse is not easy to enter.

Currently, all the prison cases in the county were under the control of Dian Shi Zheng Fu, so those files were naturally guarded by his people. Although Lu Zhen could enter and even check out the contents, it was certain that Zheng Fu would know about it at the first possible moment. Once the other party was prepared, it would be too difficult for him to make a move.

Lin Lie only thought for a moment and understood Lu Zhen’s intentions. “It was guarded by one of Zheng Fu’s personal guards. The key to the warehouse was always with him. However, he always liked to drink a few drinks. The small one could try to get him drunk and bring the key over.”

“Alright, then I’ll have to rely on you for everything.” Hearing this, Lu Zhen was overjoyed. Having such a helper who knew the internal situation of the county government was indeed much better. If he relied on himself, there was no way he could sneak into the warehouse.

But Lin Lie quickly frowned worriedly, “The key is easy to take, but how should I return it? I can’t return it to him openly, right? That will only make them suspicious.”

“This is easy to handle.” Lu Zhen immediately gave his own idea, “All you have to do is send him to the Intoxicated Pavilion in the county after getting drunk for the night. The next morning, take advantage of his hangover to wake him up and put the key back on him. Naturally, everything will be unknown.”

“That’s an idea, but …” Lin Lie revealed an embarrassed expression. He opened his mouth but didn’t know where to start.

“What’s wrong? Do you have anything to be embarrassed about?”

Lin Lie lowered his head and said, “The price of the Intoxicated Pavilion is not low. It’s small …”

The Intoxicated Pavilion was a famous brothel in the county. Not only was it mellow wine, it also had a beauty. How could a poor constable like Lin Lie afford to spend it?

Lu Zhen suddenly patted his forehead and said, “Look at my brain. Don’t worry, I’ll pay for this money and I won’t let you spend it.”

“Thank you, my lord, for your understanding!” Lin Lie cupped his hands in embarrassment.

Since he had made up his mind, Lu Zhen did not delay. He immediately turned around and went to his back office. He rushed to his study and bedroom to find County Magistrate Lu’s money bag hidden in the cabinet and took out a bunch of large money from it.

Looking at the heavy money chain that weighed several jin, Lu Zhen smiled bitterly. He really wasn’t used to such a burdensome thing. However, after this era, he had seen silver in the county government’s warehouse. As for the outside world, there was no silver in circulation, so he could only accept this reality.

As he walked out with the cloth bag wrapped in a string of money, he saw Cuimei walk out of the side room. Upon seeing him, he hurriedly squatted down and bowed, “Master.”

“Oh, it’s Cuimei.” Lu Zhen only greeted her and left in a hurry.

When Cui Mei saw this, she was stunned for a moment, but at the same time, she frowned again, “Why is Master so strange lately? He hasn’t come to see Miss, and he even seems to be avoiding us.”

“Cuimei, what are you muttering about?” A pleasant voice sounded, but it was Chu Yunrong who walked out and saw her appearance.

“I… Miss, I just feel that my uncle is a little strange. He is very different from before.” Cuimei hurriedly stepped forward and said.

Chu Yunrong’s eyebrows also twitched because of these words, “It’s really weird that you say that. In the past, he would always find an excuse to disturb him, but he didn’t come at all during this period of time. It’s really strange.”

If Lu Zhen heard this, he would definitely shake his head, sighing that a woman’s mind was really strange, or saying that a woman and a lowly person would be difficult to raise.

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It was not easy to reach the top ten of the new book rankings,