Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 99

Chapter 99 Will Want Him to Go
In May, Guang Ling’s heat intent grew stronger and stronger, especially at noon every day. When the sun was blazing high above his head, no one could be seen in the streets and alleys of the small city. Only those cicadas that lived among the trees were still desperately clamoring, causing people to feel a little annoyed.

Lu Zhen lay half-comfortably on a lounge chair. In front of him was a pot of fragrant tea that was being brewed. The big locust tree above his head completely blocked out the sunlight. In his hand, he held a copy of Water Margin that he had bought from somewhere and was enjoying watching it.

This period of time could be considered the most comfortable period of time since he came to this era. He didn’t need to do anything every day. At most, he only needed to walk around the yamen and show his face. Finally, he could casually read the documents submitted by his subordinates and the day’s work would be completed.

This was not the performance of being idle and unable to interfere in anything in the past. Those officials of the county government were really doing their best to do their jobs. They did not dare to make their own decisions, only asking for County Magistrate Lu to be satisfied. As for achievements, credit, power, and the like, they were all his, County Magistrate Lu’s, and the final decision was in his hands.

At this moment, the so-called “rule by arch” in the ancients’ ideals was vividly embodied in Lu Zhen’s body. The reason why the people below were willing to sacrifice so selflessly was naturally because County Magistrate Lu’s recent reputation was similar to that of the Japanese side.

This time, he had risked his life to resist the Mongol people. Although he had been trapped in a dangerous place and almost lost his life, the rewards were still quite generous. Not only did the people and officials of He County regard Lu Zhen as a hero, but even the local officials nearby also sent people to greet him, making Lu Zhen really show his face.

In addition, this time, the relationship between Lu Zhen and the Guang Ling Garrison became extremely close. Even if it was the general manager, that fellow would still have to be respectful to the county magistrate, as if his subordinates had met their superiors. In this way, who in the county government would dare to secretly rape and play tricks in front of him, and who wouldn’t dare to treat Lu Zhen like an ancestor? Otherwise, if he offended Lu Zhen, there was no need for him to open his mouth, and someone would naturally take care of that fellow.

Therefore, Lu Zhen did not manage the affairs of the county government because he needed to recover from his injuries. After he recovered from his injuries, many people were competing to finish what he was doing, leaving the decision-making power to the county magistrate. This way, Lu Zhen was naturally very relaxed. These days, he only needed to stay in the courtyard of the Second Hall to take a cold look at his books, and there was almost nothing troubling him. The only flaw was that there was no air conditioner or Wi-Fi in the future. Otherwise, even a deity wouldn’t be able to change it.

In addition, what made him slightly uncomfortable was that Chu Yunrong seemed to have been avoiding him for the past few days. Previously, she was fine, but ever since she recovered from her injuries, the woman who had been so considerate to her had been hiding in the house, and she was not afraid that the hot weather would get stuffy.

As a promising transmigrator from the 21st century, Lu Zhen still lost face with the transmigrator. Facing such a woman, he had no choice but to hide something in his heart. After all, in a certain sense, Chu Yunrong was the new mourner of Wen Jun, so it was a bit untrue to attack her at this moment.

Holding “Water Margin” in his hand, his heart flew to this matter of children. When he regained his senses, he discovered that he was flipping over the scene of Ximen Qing and Pan Jinlian hooking up and adultery. This caused Lu Zhen’s face to immediately heat up. At the same time, he unconsciously thought that if there was “Golden Aquarius” to watch, it would be more interesting than watching “Water Margin”. Unfortunately, “Golden Aquarius” would only come out in a few decades, and it would definitely be invisible now.

Just as he was fantasizing, Shen Zhubu suddenly held a document in his hand, and with a happy expression, he hurriedly rushed over. As soon as he arrived in front of Lu Zhen, he bowed in a standard manner, “Greetings, county magistrate.”

“Oh … there’s no need to be too polite in the Shenzhu Book.” Lu Zhen’s face unconsciously turned hot. Everyone else was busy with their business, but the county magistrate was leisurely at the side. He even thought of something bad. He was truly ashamed. But soon, he adjusted his mind, “Is there something good? Why are you so happy?”

“The county magistrate clearly saw that there is indeed a good thing, and it is related to you, the county magistrate.” As he spoke, Shen Zhubu handed over the documents in his hand. “This is an official document sent by the Datong Prefecture’s yamen. I ask the county magistrate to go to Datong in the next two days. He said that the Imperial Court has learned of your contributions to the city protection battle and intends to announce your entry into the court. I heard that this is His Majesty’s personal decree … Your Excellency, you are here to soar!”

Looking at the envious look on Shen Zhubu’s face, Lu Zhen was stunned, “A small victory can actually alert the Imperial Court. Even the Emperor knows about the existence of a small county magistrate like me?” He really couldn’t believe this statement. Even if he was a transmigrator, he couldn’t have such exceptional treatment.

Lu Zhen knew how busy the Great Ming Imperial Court and Great Tomorrow were. Countless big and small matters were handled by the imperial court in Beijing, and all of them were intervened by Emperor. Compared to other matters, Guang Ling’s victory over the Mongol people was too inconspicuous. How could it enter the eyes of the various dukes and Emperor in the dynasty?

However, after flipping through the documents and browsing through them quickly, Lu Zhen had no choice but to accept this fact. Although there was no mention of Emperor’s appreciation of him, it was clear that everything was Emperor’s imperial edict. In other words, announcing him to the capital was precisely what the current orthodox emperor, Zhu Qizhen, meant.

This was truly strange. Even though the Great Ming Border had always been peaceful and no one could make any decent contribution, such a small victory was not something that the Imperial Court paid so much attention to. Moreover, in terms of contribution, Huang Hu and Hu Sui should be more outstanding than him. Why was he the only one who had such treatment?

“Sir, Sir” Seeing Lu Zhen holding the document in his hands and pondering, Shen Zhubu cried out with concern. Only when he regained his senses did he carefully say, “Your Excellency, we must not neglect the capital involved. I think it would be better for you to set off as soon as possible.”

“Oh, what you said makes sense. I’ll leave early tomorrow morning.” Although he couldn’t see through the mysteries behind this, it was still an opportunity to rise. Naturally, Lu Zhen could not refuse the royal court’s reward. He only thought for a moment and made a decision, “So, I’ll leave the matters in the county government to you and Hou Xiancheng to take care of.” He had far too great an ideal, so he naturally needed to raise his official rank in order to realize it.

“This is my duty. I will do my best.” Shen Zhubu hurriedly said. However, there was a trace of joy in his lowered eyelids. Obviously, he felt that his chance to go even further had arrived. This time, Lu Zhen shouldn’t be able to return to Guang Ling anymore. Does that mean that his chance of promotion has arrived?

As Shen Zhubu, who was only an invigilator, it was really difficult to walk in the bureaucratic system that valued imperial examinations in the Great Ming Dynasty. Naturally, he did not want to miss any opportunities. Moreover, the current situation in Guangling County was very different from the past, and inheriting Lu Zhen’s identity as a county magistrate was much more comfortable than any county magistrate in the past.

Lu Zhen did not pay attention to the other party’s thoughts. Right now, he was only thinking about one thing-he was afraid that he would not be able to return this time, so how should he arrange for Chu Yunrong?

At least in the eyes of outsiders, Chu Yunrong was his Lu Zhen’s wife. Now that he had left for the capital, it seemed that he should bring her along with him. However, only the two of them knew that they could only be considered friends at most. Wouldn’t it be a bit troublesome for them along the way?

After thinking for a while, Lu Zhen simply went to the back hall and planned to ask Chu Yunrong directly.

When she heard Lu Zhen calling out to her from outside, Chu Yunrong’s body trembled. Two red clouds appeared on her pretty face, because she remembered what happened when she was in the same room with him a few days ago. Even her bed was taken over by this man who was not her husband at all.

The shyness of her daughter’s family made it difficult for her to get along with Lu Zhen normally after he recovered, so she avoided him all the time. He didn’t expect that this person would actually come directly to his door. This made Chu Yunrong somewhat shy and somewhat delighted. In the end, she became somewhat at a loss.

Cui Mei, who was standing at the side, saw that Young Miss was in a dilemma and finally couldn’t bear it any longer. She immediately went forward and knocked the door open, “Master, do you have anything to say to Madam?”

Aiya, you damn girl … Chu Yunrong’s face became even redder. She couldn’t help but complain, but her pair of beautiful eyes were also nervously staring at Lu Zhen outside the door. She was somewhat hopeful, but also somewhat afraid. Her mood was very complicated.

But unfortunately, because the light in the room wasn’t strong and the sun was blazing outside, Lu Zhen couldn’t see her expression clearly under the intense contrast. He just followed his own thoughts and said, “Well, there’s a document from the Datong Prefecture that told me to hurry there as soon as possible, and then I’ll go to the capital. I’m afraid I won’t be able to return to Guangling again.” So, I want to ask you what you mean … ”

“Ah?” Unexpectedly, what he had waited for was such an explanation, causing Chu Yunrong to feel relieved and somewhat disappointed at the same time. Fortunately, her temperament was also considered steady, and she quickly understood what Lu Zhen meant. She hurriedly said, “Since you are going to be an official elsewhere, I should naturally follow as a wife.” When she said the word “wife”, a different feeling arose in her heart.

“This is for the best. Don’t worry, I will prepare the carriage and won’t let you suffer.” Seeing her agree, Lu Zhen felt a burst of joy in his heart. His face also blossomed with joy as he hurriedly said this.

However, his reaction fell into Chu Yunrong’s eyes. This made her happy. It seemed that this man still had some thoughts towards her …