Chapter 145: Education 1/4

County Magistrate Gou saw Magistrate Zhang very excited.

He’s a bit utilitarian in his actions, hoping to be praised by someone after accomplishing something.

Take organizing this lantern festival, for example… County Magistrate Gou has always hoped that the lantern festival in Chongcheng County would catch Magistrate Zhang’s attention and then receive his praise.

For this, he even specifically gave more money to the county guards in Chongcheng County and hired some people to maintain order while guiding visitors from afar.

Li Qingzhi had talked to him about the issue of “service attitude,” mentioning that the service attitude at their lantern festival must be good, the prices of the items sold should not be too high, and they should not rip off visitors from other places… He listened to all of it and even personally inspected it every day.

He did so much just to leave a good impression! If Magistrate Zhang were to visit incognito again, he would surely like his Chongcheng County!

And now… Magistrate Zhang did indeed come for another incognito visit!

County Magistrate Gou felt that everything he had done was not in vain!

Magistrate Zhang had a pretty good impression of this lantern festival. The stall owners were very enthusiastic, the prices were fair, and although there were many people at the lantern festival, the county guards had maintained order very well.

In response to County Magistrate Gou’s inquiry, Magistrate Zhang said, “I came here at noon, just walking around casually, and didn’t disturb you.”

Magistrate Zhang came over at noon? County Magistrate Gou beamed with joy, “Mr. Zhang, have you been wandering around the lantern festival all this time?”

Earlier, Gou Ying wasn’t too happy about being lectured by Mother Yang while she was at Shopkeeper Jin’s stall.

Just now, his mother lectured him again… he was even more unhappy.

Seeing his dad acting so obsequiously… the spirited Gou Ying said, “Dad, Grandpa Zhang came early and stayed at Jin Xiaoye Embroidery all afternoon. When you went to buy things at Shopkeeper Jin’s stall just now, I was sitting behind chatting with Grandpa Zhang! I wanted to tell you about this, but then Mother Yang was nitpicking at everything on Shopkeeper Jin’s stall, so I felt too embarrassed to speak up!”

After saying that, Gou Ying snorted coldly at Mother Yang.

Back when he was at the Gou residence, this Mother Yang was at most encouraging him to be closer to his mother, saying how difficult it was for his mother to raise him, and he was willing to listen to those words.

But on the way to Chongcheng County and after arriving here… this person always criticized him, saying this was no good, that was no good.

Gou Ying didn’t like Mother Yang at all.

County Magistrate Gou felt as if he had been struck by lightning upon hearing his son’s words.

Li Qingzhi found it somewhat amusing, Gou Ying was really… quite good at stirring up trouble for his parents.

Gou Ying wasn’t done yet, “Dad, even the imperial concubines in the palace praise the items from Shopkeeper Jin’s stall. People in the capital are all buying from there, and Mother Yang doesn’t know what she’s talking about, actually finding fault with them… Even the shoes Magistrate Zhang is wearing are from Jin Xiaoye Embroidery!”

County Magistrate Gou felt sweat breaking out on his body, and looked at Magistrate Zhang awkwardly, “Mr. Zhang, the servants at home are not sensible…”

“It’s fine, I was just walking around.” Magistrate Zhang said.

County Magistrate Gou’s wife had a small problem, and Magistrate Zhang could see it at a glance, but he didn’t take it seriously.

“I’ve taken Grandpa Zhang around for two rounds already, and Grandpa Zhang even praised me!” Gou Ying said proudly.

“What’s there to praise about you?” County Magistrate Gou instinctively replied.

“This child is quite good. I heard he helped make lanterns, and he also wrote the characters on the lanterns? You and your son are both good-hearted, caring for the people.” Magistrate Zhang praised.

County Magistrate Gou could see through Magistrate Zhang’s little scheme.

He didn’t used to like it, but now he thought… County Magistrate Gou was much better than County Magistrate Yan.

At least County Magistrate Gou was really getting things done.

County Magistrate Gou was overjoyed to hear Magistrate Zhang’s praise.

Magistrate Zhang continued, “I’ve already written a memorial to the emperor, recommending you for the position of Prefect of Hexing Prefecture. I don’t know if it will succeed… but if it does, Hexing Prefecture will have a good prefect.”

Usually, a seventh-rank county magistrate couldn’t be promoted to a fourth-rank prefect in one go.

But in life, there are no absolutes. County Magistrate Gou had indeed achieved quite a bit, and Magistrate Zhang hoped that the next prefect of Hexing Prefecture would be someone who could work for the people… so he recommended County Magistrate Gou.

County Magistrate Gou almost forgot to breathe.

When he first arrived in Chongcheng County, he thought he wouldn’t go far in the officialdom, after all, he couldn’t even manage a Chongcheng County properly.

As a result… in such a short time, Magistrate Zhang actually thought he could become a prefect?

Magistrate Zhang really valued him too much!

“Thank you for your kindness, sir,” County Magistrate Gou’s voice trembled.

“Mr. Zhang, Mr. Gou, this is not the place to talk, let’s go upstairs,” Li Qingzhi suggested, looking at the gathering crowd.

After saying that, he also looked at Zhu Qian, who followed County Magistrate Gou without daring to speak, “Uncle Zhu, are the private rooms upstairs vacant?”

“Vacant, vacant!” Zhu Qian immediately replied.

When Magistrate Zhang was still a prefect, he was already unattainable for him.

Now… he was a magistrate!

Zhu Qian immediately led the way upstairs.

Li Qingzhi added, “Uncle Zhu, have someone bring a few bowls of tofu pudding. Magistrate Zhang wants to taste it.” Earlier outside, he noticed that Magistrate Zhang glanced at the tofu pudding several times.

But at that time, there were many people at the tofu pudding stall, and Magistrate Zhang probably found it troublesome to wait in line, so he didn’t suggest buying it.

“Got it!” Zhu Qian immediately arranged for someone to do it.

Magistrate Zhang smiled and said, “Zixiao, I never said I wanted to eat tofu pudding.”

“Sir, it’s actually me who wants to eat it,” Li Qingzhi smiled.

Magistrate Zhang followed suit, “Your appetite is really good. I don’t know why you’re still so thin… Changzhan, in the future, make him some good food to nourish him.”

“Rest assured, sir, I will make Mr. Li some delicious food.”

Magistrate Zhang thought Li Qingzhi was so thin because Li Qingzhi had been taken to the stone quarry and also because… Li Qingzhi stayed up all night writing books for him.

So many days without proper sleep, the toll on the body must be immense!

And now, by saying this, Magistrate Zhang was showing concern for Li Qingzhi’s health, as well as indicating to everyone around, including County Magistrate Gou, that he had a very good relationship with Li Qingzhi.

After hearing this, County Magistrate Gou glanced surprisingly at Li Qingzhi. He had no idea when his relationship with Li Qingzhi had become so good!

Zhu Qian was also surprised. He hadn’t even spoken to Magistrate Zhang, yet Li Qingzhi was already highly regarded by Magistrate Zhang?

Of course, after the initial surprise, both of them were excited. They had a very good relationship with Li Qingzhi, and Li Qingzhi was highly regarded by Magistrate Zhang, which was a good thing for them!