Chapter 56: Ideas 3/3

Zhang Chuqian was a local power figure, closely related to many influential people in the area. His sister even married Sun Juren as a concubine.

If County Magistrate Gou went against Zhang Chuqian, he would offend a large group of people.

Moreover, what Zhang Chuqian did, like collecting money for emptying chamber pots, wasn’t considered illegal. As for his underlings’ bullying and assaulting people, Zhang Chuqian could simply claim ignorance and blame it on his subordinates, who would only receive mild punishment.

The county yamen’s runners were familiar with each other, and the punishment they received would often be mitigated.

For instance, regarding imprisonment… in some cells, over a dozen people would be crammed together, making it difficult for them to even lie down straight. In other cells, however, they would be neatly arranged with furniture, and the inmates would be relatively comfortable. If they wanted something to eat, the cell boss would arrange for it.

“Your Excellency, I have an idea,” Li Qingzhi said.

County Magistrate Gou looked at Li Qingzhi, and Li Qingzhi began to explain in a low voice.

Despite the vast difference in their statuses, after chatting for a while, County Magistrate Gou had grown quite fond of Li Qingzhi. He addressed him as his esteemed nephew and even invited Li Qingzhi to stay for dinner.

Li Qingzhi refused, saying, “Your Excellency, my wife is waiting for me at home.”

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Gou praised Li Qingzhi for his deep affection for his wife and then instructed the steward to escort Li Qingzhi out.

After Li Qingzhi left, County Magistrate Gou, in a very good mood, went to the study in the backyard and began reading the new story written by Li Qingzhi about solving cases.

The more he read, the happier County Magistrate Gou became. In Li Qingzhi’s eyes, he turned out to be such a kind person.

According to Li Qingzhi, these manuscripts had already been circulated, and the people in Li Xiucai’s school had all read them, and some even composed poems for him. That Zhang Chuqian must be dealt with, or those people might be very disappointed.

After leaving the county yamen, Li Qingzhi leisurely made his way to Sister Wang’s residence.

As he walked, he contemplated what he needed to do next. Suddenly, he sensed malicious intent.

Without thinking, Li Qingzhi looked in a certain direction and saw Hong Hui sitting by the window of a two-story restaurant by the roadside, watching him.

Their eyes met, and both of them smiled and nodded at each other spontaneously.

But as soon as they looked away, Hong Hui’s expression turned cold.

He had been keeping an eye on Li Qingzhi and naturally knew that Li Qingzhi had gone to the county yamen. He also found out that Li Qingzhi had written a book praising County Magistrate Gou.

This person was quite adept at ingratiating himself!

Hong Hui didn’t care much about County Magistrate Gou. His teacher, Sun Juren, was quite influential in Chongcheng County, and County Magistrate Gou would likely leave in a few years, while Sun Juren would remain.

However, even so, Hong Hui felt a bit uncomfortable that Li Qingzhi had gained County Magistrate Gou’s favor.

But soon, Hong Hui’s mood improved.

He couldn’t deal with Zhu Xunmiao for the time being, but as for Li Qingzhi… After some investigation, he knew exactly how to deal with him.

Li Qingzhi’s wife ran a small business in the county, and it would be easy for him to ruin that business.

Hong Hui found out that a merchant had placed a large order with Li Qingzhi’s wife, and today he was sitting here to treat that merchant to dinner.

Thinking of the merchant, Hong Hui’s expression became even more unpleasant.

The Hong family was already short of money, but they still wanted to maintain their former status, leading to unusually high expenses. Unfortunately, the family members were not good at managing money.

His father had tried to do business when he was young, but not only did he fail to make money, he also lost a lot.

Before, he had deliberately befriended Zhu Xunmiao for the sake of the Zhu family’s money, but Zhu Xunmiao had turned against him.

And now, his parents wanted him to marry a merchant’s daughter.

Hong Hui didn’t want to marry the merchant’s daughter, especially since his parents had their eyes on Zhang Yunquan’s daughter.

If Zhang Yunquan was already being called Zhang Chuqian by people, what would others think of him if he had such a father-in-law?

The more Hong Hui thought about it, the angrier he became. But when the servant reminded him that the guest had arrived… he greeted them with a smile on his face.

On the other side, Li Qingzhi saw the smile on Hong Hui’s face after they exchanged glances and felt genuinely happy.

As long as he thought that even if Hong Hui hated him, he wouldn’t jump down from upstairs to chase and bite him, he felt very happy.

The world was beautiful. Although there was occasionally a foul smell in the air, there were also various delicious food aromas.

Moreover, compared to the end times, these smells couldn’t be considered much.

Seeing a vendor selling roasted pumpkin seeds by the roadside, Li Qingzhi bought some and ate them as he walked.

Hmm, he ate them without spitting out the shells.

He cracked open the pumpkin seeds, ate the kernels first, and then chewed up the shells before swallowing, not wasting anything.

When Li Qingzhi arrived at Sister Wang’s house, it was already late.

Jin Xiaoye had already packed up and said to him, “Let’s go back.”

“Okay.” Li Qingzhi followed Jin Xiaoye onto Jin Xiaoshu’s boat.

Jin Xiaoshu had sold quite a few things today, earning nearly ninety wen in total. He was in a good mood and started chatting with Jin Xiaoye as soon as he saw her. While chatting, he rowed the boat quickly.

Their boat soon left the county town.

There were many people and boats in the county town, but there were few people outside the county town… Li Qingzhi asked Jin Xiaoshu, “Xiaoshu, you were beaten yesterday. Do you want revenge?”

Jin Xiaoshu didn’t hesitate: “Of course!”

He really wanted revenge. Last night, lying in bed, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He wished he could scoop up two buckets of dung from his own toilet and splash it into Zhang Chuqian’s house.

But he didn’t do it in the end. He was afraid of being beaten to death.

Li Qingzhi asked, “Xiaoshu, do you want to go to Zhang Chuqian’s house tonight and splash dung?”

Jin Xiaoshu looked at Li Qingzhi in shock. He didn’t expect this cultured man to say such things.

Jin Xiaoye said, “What are you talking about! If someone finds out, what will happen? Xiaoshu will be beaten to death!”

Today during the day, Jin Xiaoye had been worried, afraid that someone would come to cause trouble for her and Jin Xiaoshu.

Zhang Chuqian had many people under him. If these people were to cause trouble for them…

“I was just joking. Xiaoshu doesn’t need to do it. Someone else will do it tonight.” Li Qingzhi said.

Jin Xiaoye was stunned. “What did you say?”

Li Qingzhi said, “I mean, someone will splash dung at Zhang Chuqian’s house tonight.”

“Is what you’re saying true?” Jin Xiaoye asked.

“Of course it’s true,” Li Qingzhi smiled, “the county magistrate told me this. Don’t tell anyone.” In fact, this was his idea, and it was the first step.

Zhang Chuqian had quite some influence in Chongcheng County. It would be best to remove him all at once this time. If they were lucky, County Magistrate Gou might even regain some power.

“Brother-in-law, did you meet the county magistrate?” Jin Xiaoshu asked.

Li Qingzhi said, “Yes, I did. The county magistrate even invited me to dinner, but I refused.”

Jin Xiaoshu said, “…Brother-in-law, how come you’re also bragging now?”

Li Qingzhi laughed, “I’m not bragging. The county magistrate likes me very much and regards me as a close friend.”

Jin Xiaoshu became even more suspicious.

But Jin Xiaoye was different. She had spent a lot of time with Li Qingzhi and knew that he had real abilities. “Xiaoshu, your brother-in-law isn’t bragging. He’s clever!” 

Jin Xiaoshu reluctantly agreed, “Fine, if his sister believes him, then I’ll reluctantly believe him too.”