Chapter 126: Busy 1/2

Magistrate Zhang has lived many years and read many books.

But the book written by Li Qingzhi completely in the voice of the common people is something he has never seen before.

He didn’t read much of it before stopping.

He already realized that Li Qingzhi wrote this book, which was most likely to help him.

Magistrate Zhang thought of the books written by Li Qingzhi.

When he went to investigate the incident at the new dock in Chongcheng County, he didn’t see those books and didn’t know that Li Qingzhi had written any.

It was only after his play scripts spread to the prefectural city that he learned what Li Qingzhi had done, feeling both amused and helpless.

At that time, he had a good impression of Magistrate Gou and didn’t think Li Qingzhi wrote these things to please Magistrate Gou, but he felt Li Qingzhi shouldn’t have written them, wasting time on reading.

Now looking back… Li Qingzhi should have been solely focused on seeking revenge when he initially wrote those books to get to know Magistrate Gou.

And this time Li Qingzhi wrote a book to help him.

But this book probably won’t be of much use.

The two most influential figures in the court now are King Jin and Lu Qingxi. He has offended both of them.

As for the current emperor… his health has been poor in recent years, and he doesn’t involve himself much in affairs… no one will save him.

Magistrate Zhang said, “This book presents the case for the common people, which is good. Just make sure to keep it confidential, never let anyone know you wrote it.”

“Rest assured, sir, I will keep it confidential,” Li Qingzhi said.

Magistrate Zhang added, “Li Qingzhi, you have experienced many hardships and seen the suffering of the common people. Study well and become a good official in the future.”

Li Qingzhi sighed deeply in his heart, and at this moment, Chang Zhan and Chang Duan came to deliver food.

They have been following Magistrate Zhang these days, either observing interrogations or cooking for Magistrate Zhang.

The Chang family’s recipe includes some dishes that nourish the body. Today, they made an old duck stew with several medicinal herbs, which is very suitable for someone like Magistrate Zhang, who is in his middle age.

Upon entering, Chang Duan didn’t recognize the changed appearance of Li Qingzhi, but Chang Zhan recognized him at a glance, both surprised and delighted.

Magistrate Zhang said, “You should all know each other, so there’s no need for introductions from me.”

Li Qingzhi smiled and looked at Chang Duan, “Chang Duan, I’m Li Qingzhi. It’s been a long time.”

“You’re Li Qingzhi?” Chang Duan was somewhat surprised.

“Yes, after gaining some weight, do I look different from before?” Li Qingzhi said.

Li Qingzhi’s appearance had indeed changed a lot compared to before, but there was still some resemblance in his features. Chang Duan glanced at Chang Zhan, confirming Li Qingzhi’s identity, “Brother Li, I thought you were dead… It’s good to see you’re still alive.”

“I almost died,” Li Qingzhi sighed, then looked at Magistrate Zhang and said, “Sir, please have something to eat.”

Interrogating prisoners is not an easy task, and Magistrate Zhang must be both hungry and tired at this moment.

“Yes, sir, you didn’t eat much this morning, you must eat more now,” Chang Zhan looked at Magistrate Zhang, “This duck soup has been skimmed of its fat. Please have some soup and eat some duck meat.”

“Then let’s eat.” Magistrate Zhang said, letting Chang Duan and Chang Zhan stay for the meal.

The Chang brothers went out again and brought back some rice and dishes. They ate together with Magistrate Zhang and Li Qingzhi.

Li Qingzhi wanted to have a chat with Magistrate Zhang.

After Magistrate Gou became an imperial scholar and was transferred, he was not very clear about the affairs of the court, but Magistrate Zhang… he should know a lot.

However, Magistrate Zhang looked too exhausted.

Li Qingzhi didn’t bring up any topics, just encouraged Magistrate Zhang to eat more. After Magistrate Zhang finished eating, he said, “Sir, why don’t you take a short rest? I’ve learned massage, I can give you a shoulder massage.”

Magistrate Zhang smiled and declined, “No need, you should rest too.”

“Sir, you avenged me, let me give you a massage,” Li Qingzhi insisted.

Persisting, Li Qingzhi made Magistrate Zhang lie down on the nearby couch and gave him a shoulder massage.

Although Magistrate Zhang intended to rest, he didn’t really think he could fall asleep. These years, he has always had trouble falling asleep, and even when he did, he couldn’t sleep well, always feeling like he was awake. Especially during the day, no matter how tired he was, he couldn’t fall asleep.

These days, with so much on his plate, he couldn’t sleep, and his head was vaguely throbbing. He couldn’t even eat…

Li Qingzhi reached out to massage Magistrate Zhang’s shoulders and also pressed his temples.

After using his abilities, he discovered all the problems in Magistrate Zhang’s body. This old man’s stomach is very bad, and there are some problems with other internal organs, but the most important problem is neurological.

Long-term fatigue and tension can damage nerves, which can easily lead to neurogenic insomnia and worsen the body’s condition.

Li Qingzhi used his abilities to soothe Magistrate Zhang’s nerves, putting him into a light sleep state, and then nourished his nerves.

When he first came to this world, his abilities were very weak, but as his body gradually improved, his abilities also increased a bit.

Of course, the increase wasn’t much, so he wasn’t able to completely repair Magistrate Zhang’s nerve cells.

But Magistrate Zhang should feel much better.

Li Qingzhi didn’t let Magistrate Zhang sleep for too long, and Magistrate Zhang probably didn’t have the mind to sleep for too long either. Half an hour later, he woke Magistrate Zhang up.

The awakened Magistrate Zhang was a bit dazed, “Did I fall asleep?”

“Sir, you just slept for a little while,” Li Qingzhi said.

Magistrate Zhang sat up, feeling better than he had in a long time. He turned to Li Qingzhi and said, “Your massage skills are truly excellent.”

It had been a while since he’d slept so well.

Eager to continue the trial, Magistrate Zhang hurried off, leaving Chang Duan and Chang Zhan behind.

Once Magistrate Zhang had left, Li Qingzhi turned to Chang Zhan and said, “Chang Zhan, what has been happening these past few days? Please, tell me.”

Upon hearing this, Chang Zhan promptly recounted the recent events. When he finished, he asked, “Mr. Li, do you have any way to help Magistrate Zhang?”

Li Qingzhi responded, “I have a plan, but I’m not sure if it will work.”

Hearing this, Chang Duan and Chang Zhan looked at him expectantly.

“I plan to write a book and send it to the capital, then circulate it widely,” Li Qingzhi explained.

With that, Li Qingzhi showed the manuscript he had written to Chang Duan and Chang Zhan.

Both brothers could read, so they gathered around to peruse Li Qingzhi’s writing. As they read, tears welled up in their eyes involuntarily.

The first-person account of his experiences was too harrowing, and they couldn’t help but empathize deeply.

“What an impactful book!” Chang Duan exclaimed excitedly. “If the people in the capital read this book, they’ll realize that Magistrate Zhang’s actions are just and righteous!”

Li Qingzhi nodded in agreement. “If we can get it into the hands of someone who holds a grudge against King Jin, and then present it to the emperor…”

Chang Duan immediately thought of someone, “Lu Qingxi!”

“Yes, Lu Qingxi. It would be ideal if this book could reach Lu Qingxi’s hands. And if possible, we should print more copies for sale, so that the people in the capital become aware of the atrocities committed by the Lou family and County Magistrate Yan. This should prompt the court to show some leniency towards Magistrate Zhang!” Li Qingzhi suggested.

Both Chang Duan and Chang Zhan were excited by the prospect.

Li Qingzhi then asked, “Would you be willing to assist me in making this trip?”

In truth, when Li Qingzhi came to Linhu County this time, he not only wanted to understand the specific situation there but also hoped to meet Chang Zhan and enlist his help to travel to the capital.

Seeing that Chang Duan was still alive, Li Qingzhi considered him as another viable option for the journey.

Despite having passed the prefectural examination and having met many people, Li Qingzhi lacked capable aides. For such an important task, he didn’t dare to entrust it to just anyone.

As for himself, he still had to participate in the provincial examination and couldn’t leave.

With this in mind, Li Qingzhi added, “Actually, our greatest enemy is King Jin. I don’t want King Jin to escape unpunished…”

Chang Duan and Chang Zhan immediately kneeled down. “We are willing to go to the capital!”