Chapter 325: Plague ( 6 )

Chapter 325: Plague ( 6 )

Zhao Xian took the token and checked it. The token was indeed real. With the token and the booklets written by the Jin family’s members, these were enough.

Since he had obtained the evidence of the Empress Dowager’s maternal family interfering with politics and suppressing the commoners using their relationship with the royal family, he dismissed the guards.

When they were alone in the room, he said, "Since Magistrate Zhang is forced by wicked people, I won’t hold you responsible."

As soon as he heard this, Zhang Mu kowtowed to him and said, "Thank you for sparing this subordinate’s life, my Lord."

"Although the death penalty could be avoided, you still have to redeem yourself for your wrongdoing," Zhao Xian added.

Zhang Mu was not as simple as he showed, and he understood his meaning instantly. "My Lord, please give this subordinate instructions."

"Since you already promoted the new regulations, then it will be suspicious if you cancel them midway." He placed a booklet on the table and added, "Follow the instructions in this booklet. As long as you do your duty faithfully, I can close one eye to your little scheming."

Zhang Mu’s back was already drenched in cold sweat. The moment he heard his words, he felt a chill run down his spine.

He spent a lot of money bribing people before he finally took office. So, it’s normal for him to try to earn back his money and take bribes.

He thought that no one would know what he was doing since the amount he accepted was small and usually wouldn’t alert the high-ranking officials. He never expected that all of his movements were known by someone who was not even as old as his son!

Realizing that this person was not someone he could offend, Zhang Mu made up his mind. Perhaps, he would be able to reach a higher height if he followed the right master.

With this thought, he kowtowed loudly and declared, "Lord Zhao, this subordinate is willing to follow you and carry out your orders faithfully."

Zhao Xian knew that clear water wouldn’t have fish. So, he didn’t plan to force all officials to have clean hands.

As long as they were not going too far, such as killing innocents, robbing commoners’ daughters, or stealing farmers’ land, and did their duty as they should, he wouldn’t do anything to them. This was his bottom line.

He reached out to help Zhang Mu up and said, "Magistrate Zhang, you are a clever man. As long as you do your duty as you should, earning some tea money is okay."

"But as an official who serves the people and the country, we should have a bottom line. I believe that Magistrate Zhang understands what I mean."

Zhang Mu wiped the sweat on his face and nodded. "Naturally. Thank you for Lord Zhao’s teaching. This subordinate will keep it in mind."

Now that he had finished his business, Zhao Xian stood up and said, "Magistrate Zhang, if those people contact you again, just agree to their request and report to me."

Before leaving, he glanced at him and added, "You don’t have to worry about them harming you or your family. The Jin family doesn’t have that kind of power and influence in this place."

Hearing his promise, Zhang Mu was finally relieved. He cupped his fists, bowed at 90 degrees, and said, "Respectfully sending off Lord Zhao."

After Zhao Xian left the magistrate’s office, Zhang Mu quickly summoned his subordinates and ordered them to inform the merchants about the new regulations.

For those who had already submitted their recipes and processing methods, he returned them to the owners, telling them to follow the new requirements to obtain their business permit and patent certificate.

When the news of the new regulations spread, the merchant families, including the street merchants, cheered in joy. They thought that the new magistrate would be another corrupt official. Unexpectedly, he was a good official.

The previous regulations must have been his first attempt, and it’s normal for the first attempt to be flawed. As long as he learned from his mistakes and found better solutions, they were willing to support him and follow the new government’s orders.

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

At sunset, the Yamen runners returned and conveyed the merchants’ replies and reactions to Zhang Mu.

After learning that Zhao Xian not only spared his life but also helped him win the people’s hearts, his admiration and loyalty toward him increased tremendously.

"Such a young man, but with deep thoughts, ruthlessness, and a broad mind. He will definitely reach a high position in the future," he muttered to himself.

At the same time, Zhao Xian was having a meal in his residence when he suddenly sneezed. He rubbed his nose and complained, "Who is cursing me again?"

Standing by his side, his personal guard replied in a low voice, "My Lord, you have too many enemies. Which one are you referring to?"

Hearing this, Zhao Xian glared at him and asked, "Ah Ji, have you found anything about Lei Feng?"

Yu Ji shut up the moment he heard his Master’s words. How could he find anything about that person when even the General of the White Tiger Army was unable to find anything?

Zhao Xian had no intention of making things difficult for his guard and said, "Sit down and accompany me to eat."

Both of them could be counted as childhood friends as they grew up together, albeit their status was that of master and servant. This was not the first time they had a meal together, so Yu Ji sat across from his master and picked up his chopsticks.

As they ate, no one talked. Zhao Xian was someone who adhered to the principle of not talking when eating or sleeping. So, he never talked when he ate.

As for Yu Ji, he was too busy shoving food into his mouth to talk. Although he ate fast, he ate neatly.

Just after they finished the meal, a guard entered the room and said, "My Lord, this is a letter from the General’s mansion."