Chapter 74: Those Who Respect Others Will Also Be Respected

"Ten thousand taels of gold, what a grand gesture!"

Looking at the two people beside him with a hint of smugness, He Yuanchang clapped his hands, and then several servants carried in a few large chests. Why send gifts and waste time on all those superficial things? Wouldn't it be better to just send money?

The chests were opened, and the gleaming gold was arranged neatly, almost dazzling to the eyes. When spoken aloud, ten thousand taels of gold might just be a number, but only when they are truly laid out before one's eyes can one understand the shock of it.

However, this money was too hot to handle, and besides, he was not short of money. Even with ten thousand taels of gold laid out before him, he could hold his ground.

"Magistrate Shen, I wonder what your thoughts are?"

"As for this, my calligraphy is not for sale. Master He, to be honest, I am not short of money! Ten thousand taels of gold is not something I hold in high regard!"

"You!" You poor scholar, stop putting on airs. You don't hold ten thousand taels of gold in high regard? You are clearly trying to open your mouth like a lion, how beautiful you think you are!

Seeing this scene, the Du Family Head, Du Yi, who was beside them, laughed out loud. "Haha, Master He, Magistrate Shen is a man of elegance. Wouldn't bringing these worldly things only sully Magistrate Shen's eyes?"

"Clap, clap!" He clapped his hands twice in succession, and Du Yi looked at the other two with an indescribable sense of smugness on his face.

And as these two sounds rang out, a beautiful figure slowly appeared before everyone, and her appearance stunned them all.

The young girl who appeared before the crowd had delicate skin and a scent like orchids. Her eyes were like a pool of clear water, appearing both pure and somewhat alluring, as if there were an ethereal aura about her, endlessly gentle and lovely.

"Magistrate Shen, this is Menghan. Speaking of which, she is a pitiful soul. Some time ago, her family suffered a disaster, losing all their wealth, and her father died of worry. Menghan is a filial daughter; with no money at home, she sold herself to bury her father. It just so happened that I saw her and bought her!"

"Magistrate Shen came to Sanshui County all alone, and you are just missing someone to take care of you. These long nights are inevitably lonely. Menghan has a gentle personality and is proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She can handle matters in the hall, serve tea and water, and warm the bed—she is most attentive!"

"Today, I will gift Menghan to Magistrate Shen. With her by your side to take care of you, it will surely allow Magistrate Shen to set aside many worries!"

"Is that so?" He couldn't help but look up at the other person, and she seemed to sense it, shyly lowering her head. This moment made the whole room bloom with spring, and the few people beside them couldn't help but feel their hearts flutter.

Shen Yu forced himself to turn his head to the side; this person was truly beautiful, and it was a breathtaking kind of beauty.

He had waited for so long, and finally, someone used a Beauty Trap, and one so beautiful right from the start, yet he had to restrain himself.

This money is hot to hold, and a beauty is burning to embrace—is that something one can just hold? Oh my, it's torture!

"I accept the good intentions of the Du Family Head, but these long nights, I have only my sword for company! A swordsman can only succeed if he is sincere to his sword; how can I let other things disturb my resolve!"

"Sincere to his sword? A sword fanatic? You don't even want a beauty?"

Such a beauty, even for them who were used to seeing beautiful women, couldn't help but be moved at this moment. You must be a fool; holding a sword, how can that be as comfortable as holding a beauty?

However, at this moment, Shen Yu was focused on wiping the precious sword in his hand, not even glancing to the side. It was time to show off his acting skills again; he had already restrained himself quite a bit. Such a beauty, what a pity!

This scene fell into the eyes of the others, and all that remained in their eyes was helplessness. He really is a fool! He doesn't lack precious swords, doesn't want gold, and doesn't look at beauties. Damn it, this new County Magistrate is impervious to everything!

"Gentlemen, why don't we open the skylight and speak clearly!" The blade Shen Yu was wiping in his hand glinted with a cold light, making the personal Huwes beside the others very nervous. From this young County Magistrate, they felt a terrifying aura that even they found fearful.

"I have just arrived, and there are many things that require your assistance! I have always advocated that those who respect others will also be respected; those who do not respect others shall be treated as they treat others!"

Looking around, Shen Yu smiled slightly and then said indifferently, "I do not ask for much. I will not concern myself with what you did in the past, but since I have taken office, if there is anyone who bullies the common people or engages in corruption and breaks the law in the future, I will strictly punish them without exception!"

"I am here all alone and fear no threats! You should have heard that a swordsman would rather break than bend. I would rather take from the straight path than seek from the crooked one!"

Seeing that the scene was somewhat quiet, Shen Yu then said, "I also know that you have always been law-abiding, so you naturally won't make things difficult for me, right?"

The three looked at each other, and He Yuanchang said with a smile, "Please rest assured, Magistrate. Our Three Great Merchant Associations are all law-abiding merchant associations. We will also restrain the members of our families. If there are indeed those who commit crimes, Magistrate, feel free to deal with them; we will have absolutely no objections!"

"That is excellent! Come, I toast you all!" As he spoke, Shen Yu raised his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

"The prosperity of Sanshui County cannot be separated from the Three Great Merchant Associations. I will inevitably need to rely on you all in the future. As long as you all abide by the law and conduct your business properly, we can naturally live in peace!"

"Magistrate, your words are reasonable. Come, let us all toast the Magistrate!"

After three rounds of wine and five courses of food, the scene was quite enthusiastic. If one didn't know better, one would think they had a great relationship. Only what they were truly thinking privately, only they themselves knew.

After a long while, Shen Yu left on the excuse of not being able to hold his liquor. Sitting with these old foxes, one slight carelessness could lead to being led into their traps; it was better to have less contact with them.

Looking at the young ladies outside the Menghua Tower, isn't that better for the mood than looking at a few old men?

After Shen Yu left, the expressions of the people inside turned cold instantly. Which of the previous County Magistrates of Sanshui County didn't treat them with great respect? Only this one dared to threaten them, yet they were helpless against him.

"Well, do you have any confidence?"

"Master, this person is terrifying. Unless it is the few experts from the merchant association, he cannot be defeated! But according to my estimation, even if they were to take action, the outcome would likely be uncertain!"

"Hiss!" The few looked at each other, seeing the wariness in each other's eyes. Hearing that this person could wipe out the Tanzhou branch of the Golden Rain Tower single-handedly, it seems this record really wasn't exaggerated. But for such an expert to come and be a County Magistrate, you don't find it disgraceful?

To them, a County Magistrate is of course not scary. But if this County Magistrate has absolutely powerful martial strength and is all alone—the kind of person who wears no shoes and fears no one wearing them—then one has to be cautious.

Their families are large and their businesses are vast; if they were targeted by such an expert, even if they couldn't be shaken to the core, they would inevitably suffer losses. Such martial arts experts are also the ones they are least willing to offend.

"Du Family Head, An Family Head, what do you think?"

"Our Du Family Merchant Association has always been law-abiding and conducts legitimate business. If this little County Magistrate can really do as he says, our Du Family will just have to restrain our own family members. I don't want to see one day where my own family members are paraded through the streets with signs around their necks!"

"What do you mean by that?" When the An Family Head heard this, he almost flipped the table. My old man's temper is not good; young man, don't you go looking for trouble!

"Your Du Family has the nerve to talk about being law-abiding? You saying that makes it sound like our An Family is not legitimate!"

"Hey, you two, everyone must not fight among ourselves. Since he has already spoken, our three families only need to restrain our family members. He wants peace, so we will just honestly conduct our business legally!"

He Yuanchang hurriedly tried to smooth things over. A County Magistrate who has both martial strength and some brains is already difficult to deal with, and the fact that he happens to be in charge of them makes them wary.

Indeed, their connections are very strong, and their network even reaches directly to the Nanhua Domain Governor's Office. But they still understand the principle that a local official is more immediate than a distant superior. If he is determined to block them, they really have no way out.

"Conducting business legally and restraining family members are easy, but it's stifling!"

"Alright, we are all good, law-abiding merchant associations; how could we go against the imperial court? However, I heard that the previous County Lieutenant, Han Mingyang, was the personal disciple of the Dajiang Sect leader, right?"

"It is said that this Han Mingyang was adopted by the Dajiang Sect leader since he was a child, and he was even given the surname Han, which shows how much the old Master Han favored him. At this moment, the Dajiang Sect probably doesn't know the news that Han Mingyang has been killed yet!"

Speaking of this, He Yuanchang smiled slightly and said indifferently, "Our merchant association also has dealings with the Dajiang Sect. Tomorrow, I will send someone to offer condolences and ask old Master Han to restrain his grief!"

"Oh?" This He Yuanchang doesn't act unless he has to, but once he does, it's vicious enough, but they like it. "Our merchant association also has some dealings with the Dajiang Sect. Let's go together, let's go together!"

The few looked at each other and smiled, everything understood without words. "Hahaha... come, let us continue drinking!"