Chapter 605

After Xie Jichuan said those words, Chen Wujì couldn't help but look at him with newfound respect.

As the magistrate of a remote small county, to possess such foresight moved Chen Wujì to cherish talent; a truly capable person shouldn't be relegated to a mere county post.

Yet Chen Wujì didn't make the decision lightly; even though Xie Jichuan spoke eloquently and had keen insight, the proper procedures still needed to be followed, and an investigation was required.

If the investigation turns out well, Chen Wujì already has in mind where he will send him next.

After entering the city, Chen Wujì quietly arranged the matter, then had a meal and chatted with the civil and military officials of Dingbian County; in the course of conversation, he inadvertently discovered two more talents.

The deputy magistrate and assistant magistrate of Dingbian County both possess a broad perspective; even their casual remarks are remarkably insightful.

Combining what he observed inside and outside the city, Chen Wujì now regards these three individuals as exemplary officials.

For a remote small county to produce three talents at once is as rare as winning the lottery. The overall official atmosphere in Nan Commandery is actually not good; due to the trickle-down effect, local magistrates can hardly find a few competent officials.

To unearth three such individuals in a remote small county is more than merely rare.

After the banquet, Chen Wujì took up residence in the manor arranged by Xie Jichuan.

"He's a good official," Qin Zhanhong said, pushing the door open while cradling two wine gourds in her arms.

Chen Wujì had just sat down at his desk, intending to study the maps of Dingzhou and Yushan Prefecture, when he glanced up at Qin Zhanhong's appearance and laughed, "Why would you imitate anyone else, yet you've taken to mimicking that Qin Feng fellow?"

"I'm not imitating him; I just came back, passed by a stall where the wine gourds looked nice, and bought two on a whim. If you don't like drinking, you could use them for water or as ornaments." Qin Zhanhong set the gourds aside, tiptoed up onto the desk, and, after kicking off her shoes, rested her feet on Chen Wujì's legs.

Chen Wujì no longer bothers to complain; complaining doesn't change anything, so he seems to have resigned himself to adapting.

He smoothly slipped his hand into Qin Zhanhong's skirt, feeling the smooth texture, and asked, "Has the prefecture sent anyone over?"

"No, the examination you organized isn't conducted from east to west in sequence? Just roughly calculate the days and it'll be obvious," Qin Zhanhong replied.

"I can't keep track of that," Chen Wujì said. "Tell me what you've found."

Qin Zhanhong fidgeted with her feet, saying, "How to put it? It's quite fresh."

Qin Zhanhong is enthusiastic about helping the populace—handling major cases, assisting people in finding lost chickens, ducks, pigs, and dogs, mediating domestic disputes, helping folks devise ways to earn silver, and frequently organizing hunters to go into the mountains for game, employing the traditional method of elders guiding newcomers.

He also taught the people to raise fish; essentially every household in the city has dug a fish pond, both in their courtyards and along the edges of their fields. Each month the county magistrate leads a team, with government troops escorting villagers to neighboring counties or to Dingzhou and Qingzhou to purchase fish.

The more Chen Wujì listened, the more animated his expression became; it seemed as if Xie Jichuan's deeds were straight out of a time-traveler's script.

"No wonder I saw that the residents of Dingbian live in quite nice homes; Xie Jichuan and his associates have truly put in the effort—it's not easy for the county's top officials to achieve this level."

Qin Zhanhong gave a soft hum, "They are genuinely good officials; I don't usually praise people so readily. The only one I've ever considered a good official in my heart is my adorable husband."

"Just say what you mean, no ulterior motives," Chen Wujì laughed.

"Of course!" Qin Zhanhong said coquettishly, continuing, "I did a little inquiry and found that before Shi Dong took over Guangtong Prefecture, the people of Dingbian were actually quite prosperous."

"But the wealthier the locals become, the greater the suffering they endure. The people Shi Dong sends see that the locals are living well; they not only line Shi Dong's pockets, they also openly plunder for themselves."

"Otherwise, with such good family circumstances, they wouldn't have to pack up their belongings, abandon even such fine homes, and flee outright. Those who remain are merely enduring it stubbornly."

"I asked several people; Shi Dong initially dispatched a brigade commander, and later even a traveling envoy colonel who moved straight into Dingbian Town to enforce extortion."

Chen Wujì nodded, "No wonder Xie Jichuan grits his teeth at the mention of Shi Dong—one order from Shi Dong and years of Xie Jichuan's efforts come to nothing; who wouldn't be angry?"

"In the end, it seems to have benefited my husband," Qin Zhanhong said with a light laugh.

Chen Wujì shook his head, "You can't put it that way. Although some of the wealth Shi Dong extorted now ends up in my hands, this account can't be calculated like that."

"I know, I'm just joking with my husband!" Qin Zhanhong flicked her toes, her eyes suddenly watery as she glanced over, "Husband, are you done with your work? Let's have sex."

"Find a better word!" Chen Wujì said irritably.

"As mentioned before, this is perfect—now I just blurt out, 'Let's do it.'"

"Well..." Qin Zhanhong rested her chin on her hand and pondered, "Fornication? Adultery? Illicit intercourse? Secret rendezvous? Or perhaps a 'mulberry-field tryst'? A quickie on the wall?"

Chen Wujì: …

"Don't you have any better vocabulary in that head of yours?"

Qin Zhanhong giggled, "Sure I do, but I find the term 'fornication' quite stimulating!"

"Woman, that idea is dangerous," Chen Wujì said sternly.

"I'll just have illicit sex with my husband; no one else will get the chance. If my husband and I fornicate, does that make my idea not dangerous?" Qin Zhanhong said with a grin.

Chen Wujì looked speechless.

This twisted reasoning actually managed to make her sound reasonable.

"Come on, come on, come on—I'm going to sleep with you today!" Chen Wujì snatched Qin Zhanhong up and tossed her onto the soft, plush big bed.

Qin Zhanhong giggled, her whole body shaking, alluring and charming, "I really like you like this, husband."

*Rip! *

Qin Zhanhong's red dress tore into shreds scattered across the floor.

"Do you like this?"

"I like it even more… ah… husband, don't!"

"Don't? As if you could decide—lie still!"

"Can I do it on my knees?"

「……」

……

The next day.

Chen Wujì gathered the officers at the county office to discuss sending envoys to Dingzhou.

The magistrate of Dingbian County, Xie Jichuan, the deputy magistrate Wei Shu, and the assistant magistrate Feng Linchuan were also permitted to participate.

Maybe the setting was too grand and the tension too intense, so all three seemed somewhat uneasy, acting like mere servants who just pour tea and water; as soon as they noticed anyone's cup on the desk was empty, they hurried over to fill it.

"You three need not busy yourselves with this; such matters can be left to the servants." Chen Wuji said, "Today's military discussion concerns only two matters: first, who is willing to go to Dingzhou to meet Hu Bu Gui?"