Chapter 111: Gift 2/2

Moreover, when his father went to file a complaint, the magistrate of Hexing Prefecture wasn’t Magistrate Zhang yet. At that time, that magistrate was already siding with the Lou family. No matter how much his father complained, it would have been useless.

Following Liu Binghai, Chang Zhan arrived at the prefectural government.

On the way there, Liu Binghai kept saying that he knew many people in the prefectural government. But in reality… After arriving at the prefectural government, he just nodded and bowed to everyone he met.

If Chang Zhan’s family hadn’t suffered a catastrophe, he definitely wouldn’t have done such things. But his family had already been destroyed!

Chang Zhan followed Liu Binghai’s example, smiling and being courteous to everyone they encountered.

Liu Binghai glanced at Chang Zhan with satisfaction.

This kid was quite good. He could follow him in the future!

The prefectural government quickly accepted the official documents, but they refused to accept Magistrate Gou’s gifts. Liu Binghai had no choice but to take Chang Zhan and leave the prefectural government to go to Magistrate Zhang’s residence.

Chang Zhan touched the letter on his chest again.

Magistrate Zhang lived near the prefectural yamen, and there were gatekeepers at the door. When they learned that they were here to deliver gifts, the gatekeepers didn’t even let them in.

Seeing this situation, Liu Binghai felt somewhat helpless, especially since it was already dark.

He could only say to Chang Zhan, “Forget it, let’s go back.”

Magistrate Gou had instructed them to deliver gifts just to show respect to Magistrate Zhang. Based on his understanding of Magistrate Gou, even if they didn’t deliver the gifts, Magistrate Gou wouldn’t be angry.

He had heard a small rumor that when Magistrate Gou first arrived in Hexing Prefecture, he was reprimanded by Magistrate Zhang for sending gifts.

“Brother Liu, you go settle down first. I’ll wait here for a while,” Chang Zhan said to Liu Binghai. “Maybe I’ll be able to meet Magistrate Zhang and give him the things in person.” They would stay in the prefectural capital tonight and return tomorrow. Their accommodation had already been arranged.

Liu Binghai didn’t want to wait outside Magistrate Zhang’s house late at night, but since Chang Zhan was willing to wait, he wouldn’t stop him. “Then you wait here; I’ll go rest first.”

“Brother Liu, go rest,” Chang Zhan said.

Liu Binghai left, but Chang Zhan stubbornly stayed with the gifts, squeezing into the place where the gatekeepers were stationed.

The gatekeepers were speechless. “Didn’t I tell you? The magistrate doesn’t accept gifts.”

“Even if the magistrate doesn’t accept them, I still want to tell him in person,” Chang Zhan said.

Chang Zhan had already decided to wait for Magistrate Zhang until he was willing to see him.

Only Magistrate Zhang could help him avenge his family’s blood feud.

The gatekeepers could only reluctantly let Chang Zhan stay.

Regardless of anything else, Chang Zhan was sent by Magistrate Gou and was even carrying gifts from Magistrate Gou. The gatekeepers couldn’t possibly beat him up and drive him away.

Since he had nothing else to do, the gatekeepers decided to chat with Chang Zhan. “Kid, have you heard about the play performed by Magistrate Zhang in Chongcheng County? I heard it was sent from your Chongcheng County.”

“I haven’t heard of it. What play is it?” Chang Zhan wasn’t even from Chongcheng County, and he had been sleeping rough recently, so he hadn’t had the chance to hear any plays.

The gatekeeper immediately began animatedly telling him…

At the same time, at the prefectural yamen.

There were many things happening at the prefectural government recently, and since Magistrate Zhang had no family, he didn’t rush home… He worked until late every day.

At this moment, his mood wasn’t very good.

He saw the official documents sent by Magistrate Gou.

He had asked Magistrate Gou to go to Linhu County, not expecting him to find anything but simply to attract the attention of the Lou family.

In this regard, Magistrate Gou had actually done quite well. As far as he knew, for the past half month, the people in Linhu County government had been busy at Magistrate Gou’s behest, and Magistrate Gou had even dealt with some minor officials and government officials.

But now, seeing that Magistrate Gou had indeed reported a decrease in tea production in Linhu County, he was a bit disappointed.

However, that was all.

Compared to the strict Magistrate Yan, Magistrate Gou was definitely a good official.

Magistrate Yan hadn’t been in office for long, and he had come after Magistrate Zhang took office.

Magistrate Zhang had heard of Magistrate Yan’s previous reputation for honesty, and since Magistrate Yan dressed plainly and hadn’t given him gifts like Magistrate Gou did when he first arrived… He initially had a better impression of Magistrate Yan.

It was also for this reason that when Magistrate Yan asked him to exempt tea taxes last year, he helped him submit a memorial and exempted Linhu County from tea taxes for a year.

Who would have thought that this surname, Yan, wasn’t a good person at all?

Magistrate Zhang knew that there were people in the prefectural government who supported King Jin. After looking at Magistrate Gou’s file, he put it aside and didn’t say much.

Seeing that it was already late, Magistrate Zhang went back to his home.

He had no wife or children, and the place he rented was very small. There were only a few people in his family, and the old man who had followed him for many years was taking care of him.

The father of this family served as his gatekeeper, his son served as his bodyguard and followed him around, and his mother and daughter-in-law took care of the miscellaneous matters at home and cooked for him.

At this moment, the gatekeeper’s son was following Magistrate Zhang.

As they arrived at the door, they heard the gatekeeper’s voice: “That play was really good, and it’s all based on true stories! My son went to Chongcheng County with the Magistrate, and he said it really happened like that! You must go and listen to this play. I heard there’s even a play about you, Magistrate Gou. You should also go and listen…”

Magistrate Zhang: “… Can we not mention that play?”

“Old Wang, who are you chatting with?” Magistrate Zhang asked.

The gatekeeper hurriedly came out of the house. “Sir, it’s a little government official from Chongcheng County. He’s here to deliver gifts.”

Magistrate Zhang frowned at the news and said to Chang Zhan, who had followed him out, “I don’t accept gifts. Go back and tell your county magistrate not to do this kind of thing again.”

However, Chang Zhan didn’t leave. He even took a step forward and knelt in front of Magistrate Zhang. “Sir, please take a look at the gifts I’ve brought.”

Magistrate Zhang had intended to refuse, but suddenly he noticed that Chang Zhan’s expression was not quite right.

Having experienced many trials and tribulations, he was good at reading people, and he immediately realized that Chang Zhan had another motive for coming over. “What gifts did he bring?”

Chang Zhan said, “It’s related to Linhu County.”

Magistrate Zhang said, “Come with me.”

Upon hearing this, Chang Zhan picked up the gifts and followed Magistrate Zhang into the house.

Once in the main hall, Chang Zhan glanced at the bodyguard beside Magistrate Zhang.

He knew this person should be Magistrate Zhang’s confidant and worthy of trust… Chang Zhan knelt down again and took out a thick stack of papers from his pocket. “Sir, please take a look at these.”

Magistrate Zhang wasn’t surprised by Chang Zhan’s actions. He took the papers from Chang Zhan’s hands and started reading.

Upon seeing this…

Magistrate Zhang trembled with anger.

Before, Magistrate Zhang had secretly complained that Magistrate Gou wasn’t thorough enough and hadn’t found anything. But now, looking at these papers again… How was Magistrate Gou not thorough? He had found even more than Magistrate Zhang had!

Magistrate Gou was truly clever, even knowing to secretly provide him with evidence!

Magistrate Zhang felt guilty for wrongly accusing Magistrate Gou before.

He asked, “Was this sent by your county magistrate?”

Chang Zhan shook his head and denied, “No.”

“Then where did this come from?”

“I don’t know.” Following Li Qingzhi’s instructions, Chang Zhan didn’t say anything else.

Although he didn’t say anything, Magistrate Zhang was already certain that this came from Magistrate Gou.

As for why the person in front of him didn’t want to admit it… It was normal for Magistrate Gou not to want to offend the people behind the Lou family, who were supporters of King Jin.

Magistrate Gou had done well enough. The letter he had received earlier was probably also written by him!

Magistrate Zhang felt that he couldn’t involve Magistrate Gou. He said to Chang Zhan, “I won’t ask any more questions. I’ll accept the gifts he sent, and you can go back.”

However, Chang Zhan didn’t leave. He still knelt there, looking at Magistrate Zhang persistently. “Sir, I am a victim from Linhu County. Here is my petition. Sir, please let me follow you.”

Magistrate Zhang was taken aback and took the petition from Chang Zhan’s hands.

Chang Zhan continued, “Sir, when the time is right, I am willing to sue the Lou family!”

Li Qingzhi knew that Magistrate Zhang needed victims and witnesses, and Chang Zhan was one of them.

However, before filing a lawsuit, Chang Zhan needed to be more discreet to avoid being discovered by the Lou family.