Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 34

Chapter 34 Slotting
After entering the twelfth month, even the flavor of the year in a small county like Guang Ling grew stronger.

At this time, it was no different from later generations. It would only look like the New Year after the twentieth month. Although it was only the seventh day of the twelfth month, there were already many merchants on the streets who had put out all kinds of goods they needed for the New Year. Their shouts were even more lively.

The commoners had already entered the New Year state, and the county government was also ordinary. From officials to servants, the hearts of all the people floated up, and coming to the yamen every day was just an empty promise. In fact, the county government usually didn’t have much to do, especially in this winter, so many people would go home when they were still two hours away from Sanya.

On this day, You Chang, who was in charge of the case files in the yamen, locked the warehouse as usual and wanted to go home to rest. As one of Zheng Dianshi’s trusted aides, his status in the county government wasn’t low. Along the way, many people nodded and greeted him.

When he arrived at the entrance of the county government, he heard a greeting coming from behind, “Brother You, please wait a moment.”

Because this voice was somewhat familiar, You Chang stopped and turned around to look, only to see Lin Lie limping towards him. He had a good impression of this person, not only because he had some abilities, but also because he was very low-key and never interfered in the battle between the two powers of the county government.

It was precisely because of Lin Lie’s ability and the respect of many of the officials in the yamen that he had become someone Zheng Fu wanted to rope in recently. Seeing him suddenly come over to talk to him, You Chang was slightly delighted. Perhaps this was an opportunity.

“What advice does Constable Lin have?” You Chang nodded at the other party and casually asked.

“I’d like to invite Brother You to have a drink with me today. May I know if you can show me the honor?” As he spoke, Lin Lie lowered his voice again, “I’ve always heard that the Intoxicated Pavilion is a good place to go. I really want to see where it is.”

Hearing that there was wine to drink and that he was going to such a good place as the Intoxicated Pavilion, You Chang’s eyes immediately lit up, “You should accompany me. However” He hesitated and looked at the other party, “The expenses there are not small.”

“Don’t worry about that. I just received a reward from the county magistrate. It’s enough to spend an entire night in the Intoxicated Pavilion.” As Lin Lie spoke, he patted his chest. As expected, there was a clanging sound coming from inside.

Seeing this, You Chang was even more overjoyed, “Then I’ll take advantage of Constable Lin.”

“How dare you? Brother You, being able to reward me with such a face is already enough to flatter me.” Lin Lie hurriedly said humbly.

Seeing his attitude, the smile on You Chang’s face became even brighter. He walked out of the county government gate side by side with Lin Lie and headed towards the Intoxicated Pavilion on the other side.

This Intoxication Pavilion was actually not very good in other prefectures and counties. It could only be considered a middle-and low-grade brothel. But in this Guang Ling County, it was unique. Although there were some private prostitutes in the city, the quality and environment of women were far inferior to that of a three-storey tall building and the Yingying Swallow inside.

As long as there were some men of status in the county, they all liked to come here for fun. As veterans of the winery and pleasure grounds, You Chang was naturally very familiar with this. However, because the expenses here weren’t small, he didn’t dare to come too much. This time, someone was willing to treat him, so he naturally wouldn’t let him off.

The two of them quickly found a private room in the building, nodded a few pretty pink heads, and began to exchange notes on the wine table.

You Chang, who only had a few glasses of good wine, was a little smug. He began to speak casually, “Constable Lin, how did you get this money today? Why would our county magistrate reward you with money?”

‘”Didn’t Han Si and I go out of the city a few days ago to look for Master and finally take him back to the county government? It was because of this contribution that the county magistrate was very grateful to me recently. Not only did he invite me to thank him a few times, he even rewarded me with a bag of money.” Lin Lie hurriedly explained and also mentioned the matter of his meeting with Lu Zhen in private. Naturally, this was just in case, so that some people wouldn’t have any suspicions about it.

“Looks like our county magistrate still has some ideas. He’s trying to rope you in.” After You Chang drinks too much, he has less worries.

Lin Lie didn’t dare to answer. He only smiled awkwardly. After that, he filled another glass of wine for the other party and used it to cover his mouth.

However, after drinking the wine, the number of gates on You Chang’s mouth became even less. “I’m afraid that you’re not treating me to alcohol just for the sake of drinking, are you?”

Hearing this, Lin Lie’s heart couldn’t help but tighten. Could it be that this fellow was so shrewd that he could see through his thoughts? Fortunately, You Chang’s subsequent words reassured him, “Don’t you want to lend me a favor to Zheng Dianshi?”

Seeing that the other party had made such a judgment, Lin Lie simply made a mistake and said, “I really can’t hide this little thought from Brother You. Right now, the county government has the greatest power over Zheng Dianshi. Naturally, I hope to be able to do something for Zheng Dianshi.”

“Don’t worry, I can still say a few words in Zheng Dianshi’s place. At that time, I will naturally say a few words of praise for you.” After drinking another glass of wine, You Chang’s tongue was a little big, so he patted his chest and promised.

Lin Lie hurriedly thanked him for this. Seeing this, the person on the other side was even more complacent. Not only did he drink a few cups, he even teased the two pink heads beside him. Not long after, he was a little confused.

Seeing the opportunity, Lin Lie hurriedly raised his glass and moved closer. He pretended to be drunk and spilled a large glass of wine on You Chang. He quickly pretended to be frightened and stood up to wipe the wine off the other party’s body, apologizing from time to time.

You Chang didn’t care about this surprise. He just smiled and said that he was fine, but he still took off the clothes outside as Lin Lie had said. As he untied his belt, Lin Lie saw the keys hanging on his waist. While everyone was busy wiping his body, he quickly put the keys into his sleeve. All of this was done in a very covert manner, and none of the people present noticed it.

After obtaining the key, Lin Lie accompanied You Chang for a few more drinks. After the other party was completely drunk, he let the two pink heads serve him while he staggered out of the private room. Although he had a decent tolerance for alcohol and deliberately avoided it, he still drank a lot. Now, he was a little dizzy.

However, during the meeting, Lin Lie’s alcohol intent was quickly dispelled by surprise and pain. This flower wine cost 723 yuan, which was equivalent to his salary of two to three months. One had to know that his monthly income was only about three hundred yuan.

However, time could not allow him to think too much. At this moment, it was almost two shifts away, and there were still urgent matters waiting for him. After leaving the Intoxicated Pavilion, Lin Lie hurriedly returned to the county government. Although his feet were still one high and one low, his speed was much faster than that of ordinary people.

At this time, the entrance to the county government was already tightly shut, but this was not difficult for Lin Lie. He jumped over the wall that was less than two people tall with just a single press. Then, he touched it like a thief and quickly found Lu Zhen who was waiting.

Lu Zhen was also waiting anxiously. After all, he was still young and could not calm down. He waited and waited until Lin Lie returned, afraid that something would happen to him. It wasn’t until he smiled and handed over the key that he heaved a sigh of relief, “Thank you, Constable Lin.”

“I don’t dare. If it weren’t for Sir’s willingness to pay so much money, things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.” Naturally, Lin Lie did not dare to take credit. As he spoke, he took out the remaining two hundred copper coins. Even now, he felt some pain.

But Lu Zhen pushed his hand and didn’t take back the money bag, “Take this as your reward.”

“How … how can this be made?” Lin Lie immediately shook his head and said, “This is not why the little gang master is here.”

“I know, but you are also involved in this matter. I have nothing to repay you for now, so I can only give you some money.” Lu Zhen seemed to be very persistent. Helplessly, Lin Lie could only accept it. At the same time, he also looked up at the county magistrate. This magistrate’s methods were truly brilliant.

“Let’s go. Let’s go to the warehouse and see if there’s anything suitable for us.” Lu Zhen didn’t dare to delay and rushed to the warehouse with Lin Lie.

Although You Chang was greedy and lecherous, he was also skilled. No wonder he was highly valued by Zheng Fu. After entering the warehouse and seeing the files placed inside, Lu Zhen unconsciously made a judgment in his heart.

In this not too big warehouse, there were no less than a thousand files of past years. Everything was in order. With just a light, one could find a case according to the year and the circumstances of the case.

Although the county magistrate’s power had long since been seized by his subordinates, the rules of the county yamen had not been abrogated. At the very least, these records had always been kept. Perhaps the superior yamen would send relevant officials to investigate at some point. If there was a shortage, the county magistrate, Dianshi, and other officials would have to eat and hang up.

But now, this method was cheaper for Lu Zhen, allowing him to find out what he wanted faster.

After making this decision, Lu Zhen had already made up his mind. This time, he was looking for a case that had only been closed for a year or two. The case was not small, and anyone could tell that there was something fishy about it at a glance.

Therefore, after entering the warehouse, he headed straight for the bookshelf of the last two years. Then, he held a candlestick in one hand and pulled out a file in the other. He quickly glanced at it for a few moments before putting it back into the warehouse.

In just one cup of tea, he had already drawn thirty or so files, causing Lin Lie, who was standing beside him, to be somewhat dumbfounded. “He is actually a scholar of Jinshi in the exam. If I had been here earlier, I wouldn’t have been able to finish reading all of these in a month …”

At this time, Lu Zhen’s hand finally stopped and his gaze fell on another file. “It’s it!”