abcnovels
Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Chapter 48
The hot weather.
In the county government office, there was a courtyard in an annex room that allowed ventilation and stayed cool.
The clerks enjoyed lingering there, chatting idly and gambling.
They were all salaried government workers, with ample income and prestige, able to swagger around the county with their heads held high.
The clerks were like iron, while the magistrate flowed like water.
These old hands knew how to handle the magistrate above them - those who were powerful would be managed, those who weren't would be left alone, and the weak ones simply couldn't be controlled, even getting their noses stepped on.
The current magistrate was quite capable, but was too lazy to control them, being engrossed in self-improvement and poetic pursuits.
It was actually the private advisor who handled all the big and small affairs of the county government office.
Originally, a group of clerks were gambling, but when the private advisor arrived, most of them dispersed.
Those remaining no longer gambled, instead idling around aimlessly.
One clerk named Old Liu who was rather familiar with Xiao Jiang from the Medicine Preparation Department strolled over.
That day, many herbs had arrived again, and Jiang Changtian was in the process of sorting them out. He had to categorize each herb for storage, label them with their properties, place of origin, year harvested, and so on.
Initially, there wasn't such complexity, but because Jiang Changtian did it this way, it led to their county's tributary herbs being praised by the higher authorities. Moreover, the herb labels Jiang Changtian created even became adopted nationwide.
Despite his awkward status, Jiang Changtian managed to retain his temporary position thanks to this.
"Xiao Jiang, still sorting the herbs? Your cousin Feng has caused trouble again," said Old Liu as he stood at the entrance.
Jiang Changtian froze, inadvertently knocking over some herbs, as if too stunned by the news. He hurriedly stood up straight and called out to the man at the door, "Elder Brother Liu, please come in and sit. Let me brew you a cup of cooling herbal tea."
"My boy is at it again with his little gang of rascals? Truly a never-ending worry. Elder Brother Liu is better off, with Baozhu already able to hold his own in the jail." Jiang Changtian commented as he handed over a cup of tea.
Old Liu sauntered in and accepted the tea, served in a bamboo tube with a faint bitter taste. But after drinking it, one could indeed feel the dissipating heat and increased comfort.
"My Baozhu isn't all that great, it's all thanks to his uncle that he has a more steady temperament that his uncle approves of," he boasted about his son.
Old Liu continued, "The private advisor said that a guard from the Jiang manor went missing, and they suspect it's related to your cousin Feng. They've sent people to arrest Feng. Oh, and the private advisor also said that the two kidnappers no longer need to be executed - some nobleman intervened on account of them attempting to buy medicine to save a child's life, considering their circumstances pitiable."
Jiang Changtian poured himself a cup of tea as well. Upon hearing this, he sipped the bitter cooling tea slowly, savoring the sensation of it gradually flowing down his throat.
...
Jiang Changtian revealed a slight smile, "My cousin Feng isn't as capable as your Baozhu, just idling about on the streets. For him to truly commit a crime, his heart is too timid, he wouldn't dare. Perhaps he offended one of the young master Jiang's guards, who had beaten Feng up a few days ago. This might not have been enough to vent that guard's anger, so later, I'll ask Elder Brother Liu's subordinates to show some leniency. He's just a mischievous child."
"Sure, no problem. This cooling tea isn't bad," Old Liu said as he took the two packets of herbs that Jiang Changtian handed to him. "This cooling tea is brewed by mixing these two herb packets. My wife gathered them herself. Use two portions of the larger packet and one portion of the smaller packet. It can cool internal heat and aid sleep, suitable even for children and the elderly at home."
After receiving the herbs, Old Liu cheerfully strolled away.
The long-haired youth continued sorting the herbs in the small room.
He neatly arranged the messy herbs, cutting off any protruding parts with a knife, swift and precise, a single slice and everything was tidy.
A sliver of light shone through the small window of the room.
Through the window, a closed door could be seen.
...
The clerks quickly tracked down Jiang Feng after inquiring along the way.
Unexpectedly, this wastrel was found at the Qingfeng Wine Tavern.
These salaried clerks rarely dined here, only coming occasionally when someone treated them.
Had it been elsewhere, the clerks would have barged in and apprehended him without hesitation.
But here, they might encounter some individuals best not provoked.
So the clerks politely went upstairs.
There they saw Jiang Feng and his gang of idlers actually drinking with two young masters from the capital.
At another table sat a group of guards.
They had seen those young masters' guards the previous day, all armored.
It was those guards who had apprehended the kidnappers and brought them in.
The clerks were quite envious.
Though they were salaried clerks with an imposing presence in the county, compared to the capital's young masters' guards, they were mere street mutts.
They had never worn armor in their lifetime, let alone ridden fine steeds, wielded spears or swords...
All that was beyond their reach.
Rusty blades and crude clubs were sufficient.
After all, in handling county affairs, who would dare resist?
Seeing the fine wine and delicacies before them, cups clinking in merriment amidst such grandeur, the normally arrogant clerks meekly said, "Jiang Feng, if you would be so kind as to accompany us."
The gang of rascals were initially startled, instinctively fearful upon seeing the clerks.
"What did my brother Feng do to warrant a trip to the government office?" Gou Zi asked.
Jiang Feng was also surprised, "What about the kidnapper case yesterday?"
The clerks, usually assertive when apprehending people, found themselves strangely tongue-tied before the two elegantly dressed young masters.
"A guard from the Jiang manor has been missing for a few days. Before his disappearance, he reportedly had a conflict with you, so we need to bring you to the government office for questioning," the speaking clerk explained, somewhat embarrassed as he was the very one who had encountered Jiang Feng being beaten on the streets that day and received a compensation of ten taels of silver.
On that occasion, Jiang Feng was surrounded and beaten by the young master Jiang's servants and guards, with one guard even using a deadly weapon. Jiang Feng was covered in blood, nearly beaten to death until those clerks appeared and the guard finally stopped.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Feng gently touched the wound on his forehead.
His recovery was good, but there was still a large area of discoloration.
He had looked in the basin and his father was truly skilled, having treated the wound such that it didn't look too unsightly, appearing almost like a flower from a distance.
But when touched, it still felt uneven and bumpy.
No longer painful, but sometimes itchy, as if the itch came from deep within his skull.
"He went missing, so they want to arrest my brother Feng and take him to the government office, just because that guard nearly killed him?" Mantou asked in bewilderment, sensing something amiss despite the justification.
"I understand that the clerk masters are simply following orders. No need to worry, my movements over the past few days can be verified. I believe you will not wrongfully accuse an innocent person," Jiang Feng said to the clerks.
"Our apologies, it's just procedure," the clerks said as they prepared to shackle him.
Jiang Feng turned back to the two young masters and apologized, "I've disturbed your enjoyment of the delicacies. If I am able to come back soon enough, I hope to have another opportunity to finish this meal with you both."
"Hold on," Meng Shaoxia stood up to stop them.
He believed the youth before him. When faced with the kidnappers, despite his outrage, Jiang Feng had shown restraint, not resorting to lethal force. Such a person would not recklessly seek revenge.
"Let's go together and see how your magistrate handles this case. I am Meng Shaoxia of the Meng family from the capital. My uncle happens to be the Nine Gates Commander."
"I am He Chen of the He family from Qingzhou. My uncle is also Inspector He."
"Whoa!" The gang of rascals stared at He Chen in awe, highly revering him.
For they had heard storytellers recount how Inspector He had brought down a corrupt prime minister, a man of letters capable of reducing entire clans to ashes with just two sentences.
The clerks also felt a chill run down their spines.
Jiang Feng was curious, wondering what positions the Nine Gates Commander and Inspector held.
But hearing these two young masters mention such esteemed relatives, the clerks immediately bent at the waist.
They didn't even bother shackling him, politely requesting that he accompany them instead.
Jiang Feng found this experience quite extraordinary.
He tasted the flavor of power, albeit utterly remote and unrelated to him. Yet he could genuinely feel its impact.
The power of authority, it turned out, was so formidable, almost god-like, that the mere mention of it could command awe from others.
Jiang Feng was escorted by the constables to the County Government Office.
The group of rakes felt not the slightest fear, strutting along with a swaggering air, as if Feng was not being taken in for questioning, but rather being led in as an honored guest.
Above the towering gates hung the inscription "Clear Mirror."
In the reflection cast by the towering gates, Jiang Feng saw the varied demeanors of his entourage.
Sons of heaven, impoverished youths, chuckling merrily, restless and unsettled, the petty reveling in success, the fox donning the tiger's skin, the fox donning the tiger's skin!