Chapter 126: Promoting the Worthy Without Avoiding Relatives

"County Commandant, you are quite good." Jiang Jili stood up: "I will not contend with you over words."

Then he looked at Huang Yan: "Magistrate, Li Lin is not suitable to become County Commandant; serving as a Captain is sufficient for him."

"Do you mean I lack the ability to judge people?" Huang Yan asked calmly, showing no sign of anger.

Jiang Jili clasped his fists and said: "I do not mean that."

"Then what is wrong with Li Lin continuing to serve as County Commandant?"

"He is your son-in-law."

"I, Huang, promote the worthy without avoiding relatives."

"What if others are dissatisfied?"

At this moment, Zhao Hao shouted at the head: "We, all the Spirit Hunters, recognize County Commandant Li."

Constable Yan also shouted: "We, all the Constables and government office Runners, also recognize County Commandant Li to serve."

Several Captains and Captains nearby nodded in unison.

Huang Ying smiled: "I, the Registrar, recognize County Commandant Li."

Seeing everyone standing on Li Lin's side, Jiang Jili's expression became somewhat ugly; then he gritted his teeth and said: "Magistrate, I was wrong in this matter. Before coming to Yulin County, I heard people say the new County Commandant here was very incompetent, so I formed a preconceived notion; please forgive me."

"Who did you hear it from?" Huang Yan asked.

"A passerby."

Huang Yan said with a half-smile: "Oh, I understand. Remember this in the future, Magistrate; do not believe the random words of outsiders."

"Yes, yes!"

Jiang Jili agreed repeatedly.

"Very well, everyone go back to your duties. County Commandant, stay; regarding the case, I have some matters to instruct."

Li Lin nodded.

Jiang Jili stood up; before leaving, he glanced at Li Lin, his eyes full of wariness.

After everyone had left, Huang Yan said: "Son-in-law, this County Vice-Magistrate Jiang does have some background."

Li Lin listened silently.

"Every great family always has two or three rivals," Huang Yan said with a smile: "The matter of my taking office in Jincheng actually had people secretly obstructing it, but the problem is not great. Now this Jiang Jili is sent by a great family that has some friction with my Huang family."

Li Lin asked: "Cannot we drive him away?"

"That requires a legitimate reason." Huang Yan patted Li Lin's shoulder: "He will likely target you, so be careful."

"Good."

After reminding Li Lin, Huang Yan left.

And Li Lin continued leading people on patrol.

Now Li Lin has served as County Commandant for three months, and has used his monthly salary to pay the government office Runners' 'wages' for three months.

Although after distribution, there were only about fifty copper coins, not much, but for the government office Runners, this money could indeed let them or their families eat a bit fuller.

Therefore, now the government office Runners' attitude toward Li Lin is quite approving.

Of course, the one most approving of Li Lin is He Shangjin.

After all, Li Lin saved his life.

Li Lin had been waiting for County Vice-Magistrate Jiang to come find trouble with him, but what he did not expect was that the one who came to find 'trouble' with him first was actually Wang Tianyou.

Third floor of the wine house.

A large table full of fine wine and delicacies.

"Congratulations, Brother Li, on your appointment as County Commandant, and congratulations on winning the beauty's heart." Wang Tianyou clasped his fists.

Then he handed over a red envelope.

"Thank you, thank you." Li Lin accepted the red envelope and asked: "How do you have time to come down?"

"Do you remember the female apparition we saw at the Tudimiao last time?"

Li Lin nodded.

That female apparition was indeed beautiful, possessing about half the charm of the Tree Immortal Lady.

And about two-thirds of his wife Huang Qing's figure.

Additionally, that apparition was dispersed by Li Lin, so his impression of it was particularly deep.

"That female apparition has 'come back to life' again."

"Why?"

Wang Tianyou was also confused: "According to reason, an apparition that has been dispersed cannot come back to life, but I did not expect... it actually came back to life."

Li Lin understood the other's meaning: "You want to... catch her again and take her back?"

"Yes." Wang Tianyou nodded: "A beautiful female apparition is very useful."

Li Lin understood: "So you want to ask me to help again?"

"No." Wang Tianyou shook his head: "I want to obtain your permission."

"Why?"

"That Tudimiao is outside Yulin City; now you are County Commandant, so according to reason, it belongs to you." Wang Tianyou said helplessly: "Without your order, we dare not go catch her."

"Did you get the County Commandant's consent before as well?"

"That is different. The previous County Commandant was Young Master Huang; he is not a Spirit Hunter, has no need for these things, so naturally his consent was not required."

Li Lin understood: "Go ahead; I have no interest in that apparition."

The reason was very simple.

Dirty!

Who knows how many hands have used it.

Li Lin still remembered the scene of her kneeling before the man.

Besides, she was far less beautiful than Lady Tree Immortal.

He had worked so hard to get Lady Immortal to accept that he now had a wife; if he brought back a female ghost, she would likely fly into a rage.

If Lady Tree Immortal lost faith in him because of this, where could he go to reason it out?

He did not want to give up a big tree for a small blade of grass.

"Thank you. I will remember this favor; when the opportunity arises, I will repay it." Wang Tianyou stood up and said, "Then I shall go make preparations first?"

"Do you need my help?"

"No need; I have brought experts from my family."

With that, Wang Tianyou left.

Li Lin looked at the table full of dishes, feeling somewhat worried; this could not be finished.

Throwing it away would be a bit wasteful.

Just then, a familiar figure appeared at the staircase entrance.

A face full of big beard, with two buns tied on top of his head with red cloth strips—obviously an unparalleled tough man.

He looked left and right, then spotted Li Lin, and immediately shouted happily, "Lin Ge, found you."

Li Lin felt a bit depressed: "How did you know I was here?"

"I felt you were here." Zhao Xiaohu walked over to the side and said, "These are bananas grown in Longsheng Village; they are delicious. I brought a whole bunch for you."

With that, he placed a large bunch of bananas beside Li Lin, then sat down opposite him.

"Lin Ge, you are truly rich, eating so many dishes all by yourself."

"You eat too; anyway, Young Master Wang has already paid. If we don't eat it, it's wasted."

"Alright."

Zhao Xiaohu was not polite at all and immediately began eating and drinking heartily.

While eating a chicken leg, he said, "Lin Ge, teach me how to win a girl's heart; Aqiu hardly pays attention to me now."

Aqiu?

Oh, Ding Yingqiu.

"Why are you asking me about this?"

"Lin Ge, you could even marry such a beautiful girl as the county magistrate's daughter; you must know a lot. Teach me, please."

Li Lin hissed: "She is nineteen, you are thirteen; that's a six-year difference."

"Can't I just carry two gold bricks?"

Li Lin scratched his head: "Your way of thinking... is actually considered the righteous path, but I am really not good at this."

"I don't believe it." Zhao Xiaohu wore an expression as if he was being lied to again.

Li Lin thought for a moment and said, "Actually, I feel she has some interest in you, but because your age is truly too young, she probably feels too timid to make a move. Why not try pestering her relentlessly?"

"Will that work?"

Li Lin shook his head: "I don't know, but based on my experience, it should work. Talking to women more can increase favor... increase her affection for you."

"Then I will try." Zhao Xiaohu had great faith in Li Lin; he memorized this trick. Then he remembered something, pulled a handwritten book from his chest, and said, "A few days ago, someone threw this thing at my doorstep. I took a look and felt dizzy and nauseous. I don't know if Lin Ge recognizes it."

Li Lin took it and looked, discovering three characters written on the cover.

Obscure Technique.

(End of this chapter)