Chapter 227

~19 min read 3,640 words

Du Shanü is no longer angry.

Du Shanü is not angry.

Du Shanü really is not angry.

Du Shanü really is not angry. Or "Du Shanü truly is not angry." We'll output: Du Shanü truly is not angry.

Du Shanü truly is not angry......

Actually, she really got angry to the extreme.

Therefore, facing Ouyang Yan's tears streaming down, Du Shanü showed no ripple, merely asking the young clerk expressionlessly:

What is your name?

"What is your name?" We'll output: "What is your name?"

The young clerk was humble in demeanor and gentle in manner:

The young clerk's demeanor was humble, his voice and appearance gentle: We'll output: The young clerk's demeanor was humble, his voice and appearance gentle:

My surname is Chunri, my given name is a single character 'jian', written as the 'jian' in 'meet', read as the 'xian' in 'fulfill'.

"I have the double surname Chunri, a single given name 'jian', written as the 'jian' in 'meet', read as the 'xian' in 'fulfill'." We'll output: "I have the double surname Chunri, a single given name 'jian', written as the 'jian' in 'meet', read as the 'xian' in 'fulfill'."

Chunri Jian, Chunri Xian.

Isn't the 'xian' in 'fulfill' just the 'xian' meaning 'ready-made'?

"The 'xian' in 'fulfill', isn't that just the 'xian' in 'ready-made'?" We'll output: "The 'xian' in 'fulfill', isn't that just the 'xian' in 'ready-made'?"

Isn't this person just the ready-made talent that Ah Fang sent?

"Isn't this person just the ready-made talent Afang sent over?" We'll output: "Isn't this person just the ready-made talent Afang sent over?"

Du Shanü felt somewhat relieved and asked:

Du Shanü felt slightly relieved in her heart and asked: We'll output: Du Shanü felt slightly relieved in her heart and asked:

Can you restore this person's false accounts back to their original state?

"Can you restore this person's false accounts back to their original state?" We'll output: "Can you restore this person's false accounts back to their original state?"

The young clerk bowed and nodded, his fox-like face showing an indescribable propriety:

The young clerk bowed and nodded, his fox-like face showing an indescribable propriety: We'll output: The young clerk bowed and nodded, his fox-like face showing an indescribable propriety:

In reply to your highness, of course it can be done.

"In reply to Your Highness, of course." We'll output: "In reply to Your Highness, of course."

To be honest, although Du Shanü usually does not pursue empty fame, being called 'your highness' still makes one feel refreshed.

To be honest, although Du Shanü usually does not pursue empty fame, hearing "Your Highness" repeatedly still makes one feel refreshed. We'll output: To be honest, although Du Shanü usually does not pursue empty fame, hearing "Your Highness" repeatedly still makes one feel refreshed.

Du Shanü pondered for a moment, then without hesitation said:

Du Shanü pondered a few breaths, then without much hesitation said: We'll output: Du Shanü pondered a few breaths, then without much hesitation said:

From now on, you will take charge of this city, let you be... a county magistrate, first let you be a county magistrate.

"Then from now on, you will take over this city, letting you serve as...... County Secretary, first let you be a County Secretary." We'll output: "Then from now on, you will take over this city, letting you serve as...... County Secretary, first let you be a County Secretary."

I have a few things to instruct you, please remember—

"I have a few matters to instruct you, please remember——" We'll output: "I have a few matters to instruct you, please remember——"

First, quickly straighten out this city's previous official duties and accounts, summarize them and hand them to me. Thereafter, you will also submit them, but not urgently—just once a month.

"First, quickly settle this city's previous official duties and accounts, summarize and hand them to me. Thereafter also submit, but not urgently, only needing to be submitted monthly." We'll output: "First, quickly settle this city's previous official duties and accounts, summarize and hand them to me. Thereafter also submit, but not urgently, only needing to be submitted monthly."

Second, thirty li outside the city there is a small stream; beside the stream are three water-driven mills that can be powered by water to do work. Normally that place manufactures weapons, but the city's former magistrate made a mistake, and I no longer plan to station troops there; I intend to relocate the workshop, and you may later use those mills for the people's livelihood, benefiting the populace.

"Second, thirty li outside the city there is a small stream; beside the stream are three water-powered mills that can be driven by water to do work. Usually that place manufactures weapons, but the city's original county magistrate made a mistake; I no longer plan to stay long, preparing to relocate the workshop. Those mills you may thereafter use for the people's livelihood, benefiting the populace." We'll output: "Second, thirty li outside the city there is a small stream; beside the stream are three water-powered mills that can be driven by water to do work. Usually that place manufactures weapons, but the city's original county magistrate made a mistake; I no longer plan to stay long, preparing to relocate the workshop. Those mills you may thereafter use for the people's livelihood, benefiting the populace."

Third, in Dun City a whole vein of tin ore has been discovered these past days; the tin ore contains not only tin but also beryl. From now on, a box of gemstones will be sent every half month. I don't care what method you use—try to sell the goods, then send the accounts and half the wealth to Dun City...

"Third, in Dun Cheng these past days a whole vein of tin ore has been discovered; the ore contains not only tin but also beryl. Henceforth every half month a box of gems will be sent. I don't care what method you use; try to sell the goods, then send the accounts and half the wealth to Dun Cheng......" We'll output: "Third, in Dun Cheng these past days a whole vein of tin ore has been discovered; the ore contains not only tin but also beryl. Henceforth every half month a box of gems will be sent. I don't care what method you use; try to sell the goods, then send the accounts and half the wealth to Dun Cheng......"

The clerks in the courtyard originally kept their heads down, eyes on nose, nose on heart; upon hearing this, they all furtively glanced left and right.

In the office, those clerks originally lowered their heads, eyes to nose, nose to heart; hearing this, they all secretly glanced left and right. We'll output: In the office, those clerks originally lowered their heads, eyes to nose, nose to heart; hearing this, they all secretly glanced left and right.

Among the six, only the leader Chunri Jian remained calm, listening to each without speaking.

Among the six, only the leader Chunri Jian remained relatively calm, listening to each point without speaking. We'll output: Among the six, only the leader Chunri Jian remained relatively calm, listening to each point without speaking.

This reaction is clearly somewhat off.

This reaction was clearly somewhat off. We'll output: This reaction was clearly somewhat off.

Even Du Shanü could clearly see astonishment on the face of a certain clerk who was bad at hiding his feelings.

Even, Du Shanü clearly saw astonishment on the face of a certain clerk who was bad at hiding it. We'll output: Even, Du Shanü clearly saw astonishment on the face of a certain clerk who was bad at hiding it.

Du Shanü felt a moment of doubt, but considering the other party was sent by Ah Fang, she continued speaking:

Du Shanü's heart felt a moment of doubt, but considering the other party was someone sent by Afang, she continued speaking: We'll output: Du Shanü's heart felt a moment of doubt, but considering the other party was someone sent by Afang, she continued speaking:

Fourth, this person's crime: his outward identity is called Ouyang Yan, whom I recommended as the previous magistrate; in reality he is the eldest son of the King of An Nan, Shi Yan.

"Fourth, this person's crime, his outward identity is called Ouyang Yan, whom I recommended as the previous county magistrate; in reality he is the eldest son of the King of An Nan, Shi Yan." We'll output: "Fourth, this person's crime, his outward identity is called Ouyang Yan, whom I recommended as the previous county magistrate; in reality he is the eldest son of the King of An Nan, Shi Yan."

This person is not fit for great responsibility; henceforth, if nothing unexpected occurs, he will be confined to solitary residence, receiving two meals a day, not allowed to go out, nor have any correspondence with his brother, until I give the nod to lift the ban... As for the others, their food, clothing, and daily needs remain as before.

"This person is not fit for great use; henceforth, if no unexpected event occurs, he will be confined to solitary residence, receiving two meals a day, not allowed to go out, nor have any correspondence with his brother, until I nod to lift the ban...... As for the others, their food, clothing, and daily needs remain unchanged." We'll output: "This person is not fit for great use; henceforth, if no unexpected event occurs, he will be confined to solitary residence, receiving two meals a day, not allowed to go out, nor have any correspondence with his brother, until I nod to lift the ban...... As for the others, their food, clothing, and daily needs remain unchanged."

Especially, there is also a handsome man surnamed Yu in the rear courtyard; he is the husband I placed in Shuang City. If he speaks, you should do your best to satisfy him; if there are difficulties, you may write to Dun City.

"Especially, there is also a handsome man surnamed Yu in the rear courtyard; that is the husband I placed in Cang Cheng. If he speaks, you should do your best to satisfy him; if there are difficulties, you may write to Dun Cheng." We'll output: "Especially, there is also a handsome man surnamed Yu in the rear courtyard; that is the husband I placed in Cang Cheng. If he speaks, you should do your best to satisfy him; if there are difficulties, you may write to Dun Cheng."

Du Shanü, after exhausting herself in explanation, felt there should be no omissions, and finally said:

Du Shanü racked her brains to give these instructions, feeling there should be no omissions, and finally said: We'll output: Du Shanü racked her brains to give these instructions, feeling there should be no omissions, and finally said:

If you still have any doubts, you may ask them all now; if I leave, you will only be able to seek help by going to Dun City to find the teacher who serves as magistrate there.

"If you still have any doubts, you may ask them all now; if I leave, you will only be able to seek help by going to Dun Cheng to find the teacher who serves as county secretary there." We'll output: "If you still have any doubts, you may ask them all now; if I leave, you will only be able to seek help by going to Dun Cheng to find the teacher who serves as county secretary there."

The teacher Du Shanü referred to here is naturally Chen Weifang.

The teacher Du Shanü referred to here is naturally Chen Weifang. We'll output: The teacher Du Shanü referred to here is naturally Chen Weifang.

This person keeps calling himself a student; there are only three people in the county office, so Du Shanü wouldn't get it wrong.

This person always calls himself "student"; there are only three people in the Xian Xie office, so Du Shanü would not mistake. We'll output: This person always calls himself "student"; there are only three people in the Xian Xie office, so Du Shanü would not mistake.

However, what Du Shanü never expected was—

However, what Du Shanü never expected was—— We'll output: However, what Du Shanü never expected was——

Who this person's teacher is, she guessed correctly.

Who this person's teacher is, she guessed correctly. We'll output: Who this person's teacher is, she guessed correctly.

But there is a major matter she guessed wrong.

But there is a major matter, she guessed wrong. We'll output: But there is a major matter, she guessed wrong.

Chunri Jian humbly recorded Du Shanü's words one by one, pondered for a moment, and respectfully said:

Chunri Jian, with a humble expression, recorded Du Shanü's words one by one, pondered a few breaths, and respectfully said: We'll output: Chunri Jian, with a humble expression, recorded Du Shanü's words one by one, pondered a few breaths, and respectfully said:

In reply to your highness, the student indeed has some doubts, so he did not politely decline.

"In reply to Your Highness, I indeed have some doubts, so I do not dare to decline." We'll output: "In reply to Your Highness, I indeed have some doubts, so I do not dare to decline."

The student's first question is...... Are you and my teacher planning rebellion?

"My first question is...... are you and my teacher planning to rebel?" We'll output: "My first question is...... are you and my teacher planning to rebel?"

Rebellion?

"Rebellion?" We'll output: "Rebellion?"

Rebellion?

"Rebellion?" We'll output: "Rebellion?"

As soon as this question was raised, Du Shanü was stunned.

This question made Du Shanü stare blankly for a moment. We'll output: This question made Du Shanü stare blankly for a moment.

It's not that the words 'rebellion' are so rare; she has been doing rebellion all along, and she wasn't afraid at all.

It's not that the two words "rebellion" are so rare; she has been doing rebellion all along, and she never feared it. We'll output: It's not that the two words "rebellion" are so rare; she has been doing rebellion all along, and she never feared it.

What truly surprised Du Shanü was—

What truly surprised Du Shanü was—— We'll output: What truly surprised Du Shanü was——

Why doesn't the other party even know this?!

Why doesn't the other party even know this!? We'll output: Why doesn't the other party even know this!?

Isn't this person someone under Ah Fang?

Isn't this person someone under Afang? We'll output: Isn't this person someone under Afang?

Has Ah Fang never told them what they are doing?

Has Afang never told them what they are doing? We'll output: Has Afang never told them what they are doing?

Can they still be of one mind with them?

Can they still be of one mind with them? We'll output: Can they still be of one mind with them?

She had thought Ah Fang had sent a ready-made person over...

She had thought Afang had sent over a ready-made person...... We'll output: She had thought Afang had sent over a ready-made person......

As it turned out, the person was indeed ready-made, but seemed to be nothing more than a person.

As it turned out, the person is indeed ready-made, but seems to be nothing more than a person. We'll output: As it turned out, the person is indeed ready-made, but seems to be nothing more than a person.

Is this to have her train from scratch, or...

Is this about having to train her from scratch, or...... We'll output: Is this about having to train her from scratch, or......

Du Shanü's thoughts paused, and she suddenly asked:

Du Shanü's thoughts paused, and she suddenly asked: We'll output: Du Shanü's thoughts paused, and she suddenly asked:

The carriage you arrived in is extremely splendid; Magistrate Chen nowadays couldn't afford such things...... Where did you come from?

"The carriage you arrived in is extremely splendid; County Secretary Chen currently lacks the means to procure such things...... Where did you come from?" We'll output: "The carriage you arrived in is extremely splendid; County Secretary Chen currently lacks the means to procure such things...... Where did you come from?"

Chunri Jian was originally bowing his head; upon hearing this, he took only a breath, only a breath, and Du Shanü keenly sensed that his back seemed to tighten slightly, obviously he was nervous...

Chunri Jian was originally bowing his head; upon hearing this, he took only a breath, only a breath; Du Shanü keenly sensed that his back seemed to tighten slightly, obviously he was nervous...... We'll output: Chunri Jian was originally bowing his head; upon hearing this, he took only a breath, only a breath; Du Shanü keenly sensed that his back seemed to tighten slightly, obviously he was nervous......

Du Shanü pondered for a moment, then suddenly shouted:

Du Shanü pondered for a moment, then suddenly shouted: We'll output: Du Shanü pondered for a moment, then suddenly shouted:

... Close the gate!

"...... Close the gate!" We'll output: "...... Close the gate!"

Du Shanü's thunderous might last night had already shown the officials and attendants in the county office how terrifying she is.

Du Shanü's thunderous might last night had already shown the officials and attendants in the Xian Xie office how terrifying she was. We'll output: Du Shanü's thunderous might last night had already shown the officials and attendants in the Xian Xie office how terrifying she was.

Upon hearing this, there was hardly any hesitation; immediately two people stepped forward and closed the county office's gate—

Hearing this, there was hardly any hesitation; immediately two people stepped forward and closed the gate of the Xian Xie office—— We'll output: Hearing this, there was hardly any hesitation; immediately two people stepped forward and closed the gate of the Xian Xie office——

Creak creak—Boom!

The heavy vermilion lacquered gate was shut, separating inside from outside.

Those few clerks who had originally been looking left and right panicked all at once, crowding around the young clerk.

"What are you doing?"

"Our young master has come from afar to visit his former teacher, yet in Dun Cheng he wasn't even given a sip of water before being driven nonstop to Cang Cheng; upon arriving in Cang Cheng, you seized him and put him to work, and now you still want to treat him so rudely?!"

What else could Du Shanü not understand at this moment?

The other party certainly knows Chen Weifang, but it's very likely that some major mistake occurred in between, causing Afang to never mention their intentions to them!

But how could such a huge oversight happen with Afang's scheming?

Du Shanü rubbed her temples; the exhaustion from staying up all night hit her suddenly, but only for a moment before she opened her eyes again, looking at the young clerk surrounded by several people.

On the young man's exceptionally honest face, he remained respectful, appearing somewhat simple-minded yet composed, with a calm and self-possessed demeanor.

"Your Highness need not be so wary; please allow the student to explain slowly—"

"The matter began two months ago, when the student received a letter from his former teacher, who kindly inquired about his current health and whether he had found a good position elsewhere... This teacher is none other than the County Magistrate Chen Weifang you just mentioned, who serves in Dun Cheng."

"I have been ill at home for many years, with no contact with the outside world; upon hearing this news, I naturally felt delighted, and thus informed my teacher in detail, also presenting a box of ginseng nourishing vitality pills as a gift. Having received the gift, the teacher then said to me, 'Back then you also placed first in the children's examination; if it weren't for a sudden mishap that caused you to fall from your horse and become disabled, you would have been selected for official service—do you have any regrets?' 'For my part, this place is precisely lacking personnel; you need not worry about your disability, for the imperial examinations would not accept you, but I can readily appoint you as a minor auxiliary official, and in time you will surely find an opportunity to display your talents.'......"

With a disability, one cannot pass the imperial examinations.

But as a Chief Clerk, the minor auxiliary officials of the various bureaus need not take the examinations.

This should have been a shortcut to an official post.

But looking at it now, this road is not a shortcut at all—it's practically a winding mountain path with eighteen bends.

Chunri Jian said this and suddenly sighed.

Du Shanü finally understood what was going on, and for a moment she felt embarrassed and anxious on behalf of Chen Weifang.

She also dared not ask where exactly the so-called disability lay, and instinctively turned her gaze to the sky.

After Chunri Jian finished sighing, he continued:

"The student arrived in Dun Cheng at midnight last night, had someone deliver a notice to the gatehouse of the county office, intending to rest at an inn in the city for the night and visit his teacher the next day. But before he had rested for less than an hour, the teacher hurriedly summoned him, shoved him onto a carriage......"

"The situation was urgent; at that time the teacher hardly gave any instructions."

"The only thing he said was, 'Your fortune has arrived.'"

?? Indeed, this child was brought here under false pretenses......

? Afang wrote over a hundred letters, and only this person fell for it—hahahaha

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