Chapter 384: The Right Job For Him
Chapter 384: The Right Job For Him
Autumn, Third Year of Chongzhen.
Li Daoxuan munched on sticky rice duck as he debated whether to add autumn pants. Suddenly, he spotted a swift horse racing toward the county capital within his box.
The box’s viewpoint remained fixed on Chengcheng County. He was observing its post-harvest prosperity…
Just then, a galloping horse charged into Chengcheng County, delivering the court’s appointment documents to Liang Shixian.
Curiously, there were two documents.
One praised Liang Shixian for governing effectively and earning the people’s love. The local gentry and commoners had jointly petitioned for him to remain in office. Thus, the court abandoned plans to promote him three ranks and instead reappointed him as Chengcheng County Magistrate.
The other condemned him: in three years, he’d failed to collect even one liang of silver in taxes—a disgrace to the Ming Dynasty. No magistrate’s record compared so poorly. He was on the brink of making Ming history. With such “prowess” in tax collection, he could abandon dreams of promotion. They cursed him to rot in his current post.
Both documents lay before Liang Shixian, leaving him torn between laughter and tears.
Li Daoxuan felt equally torn. Ming Dynasty bureaucracy… really… sigh!
“Brother Feng has done me a great service, preserving my position.” Liang Shixian sighed to Fang Wushang beside him. “These documents show my work could earn either a three-rank promotion or banishment to commoner status. Had the Eunuch Party still held power, I’d be finished. But just when the Donglin Academy allies spoke in court… sigh…”
Fang Wushang snorted contemptuously. “This is why I despise scholar-officials. Actions speak—not words. When credit and blame shift by speech alone, what justice remains?”
Liang Shixian offered a bitter smile. “Indeed. But hypothetically, General Fang: were you in charge, how would you decide?”
Fang Wushang pondered seriously. “Reward merit. Punish failure. Cancel one against the other. No promotion. No demotion. Remain magistrate.”
Liang Shixian: “…”
Cough cough! Li Daoxuan nearly choked on sticky rice duck. His unspoken protest raged: “What’s the difference from before?”
Alas, Gao Yiye wasn’t there to voice criticism.
Liang Shixian’s worry melted away, rushing with pride. “Since I remain magistrate… I’ll keep building Chengcheng’s future. General Fang, let’s discuss something.”
“Speak freely,” invited Fang Wushang.
Liang Shixian explained, “County Magistrate Feng Jun of Heyang visited lately… He raised an alarming matter…”
He recounted Feng Jun’s private warnings.
“The Deity is a god. Gods don’t scheme rebellions. But the weapons He bestows… fall into human hands.” Liang Shixian’s face darkened. “Humans harbour ambitions. As Gaojia Village grows stronger, those holding power might… entertain dark motives. The consequences could be unthinkable.”
Fang Wushang’s eyes widened with alarm. “That makes sense.”
Liang Shixian pressed, “Glad you agree. Had I transferred elsewhere, this wouldn’t concern me. But since I govern here, I must address it.”
General Fang’s brows knitted. “Why tell me? What role should I play?”
“You’re fearless—you defy any might. I recall you thrusting your spear toward the Deity’s giant hand. If anyone dares uphold justice against all authority… it’s you.”
Fang Wushang: “!!!”
Liang Shixian urged, “I need you to watch Gaojia Village’s key figures. If they engage in illegal activities… suppress them!”
Fang Wushang inhaled sharply. Though brave, he wasn’t reckless. This task… felt crushing.
Could he survive hundreds of firearms from Instructor He?
Evade Bai Yuan’s sniping?
If Thirty-Two marked him for death, all Gaojia Village would turn enemy!
An overwhelming sense of pressure swallowed him.
Lost in thought, he finally jolted upright. “Magistrate Liang, no assignment is necessary. As Chengcheng Patrol Officer, my duty already includes arresting outlaws and protecting this county. Should wrongdoers emerge in Gaojia Village… confronting them is my obligation. I’ll patrol the village regularly to deter illegal acts.”
Hearing this, Li Daoxuan grinned faintly.
His dilemma resurfaced—when the Gaojia Village Militia entered Heyang County and their figures potentially oppressed wild figures, could he mete justice against his own allies? He’d searched desperately for an impartial enforcer.
Now he’d found one!
Fang Wushang was ideal—stubbornly righteous beyond reason.
One friction remained: Fang Wushang still identified as a Ming court patrol officer, not a “Gaojia Village member.” His approach to “illegal activities” would favour Ming law over local interests. A subtle distinction… with colossal consequences.
Time to redefine his allegiance.
Li Daoxuan tapped Gaojia Village’s viewing option.
His sight instantly shifted directly above the village, where Gao Yiye hunched over her desk, sketching Dao Xuan Deity’s Demon Elimination Tale’s fifth issue. The revised storyline now depicted the Deity aiding Heyang civilians through rain-summoning magic. Defiant Four Sea Dragon Kings provoked a celestial smackdown…
Smiling, Li Daoxuan called, “Yiye! Yiye! Fang Wushang will visit Gaojia Village soon. When he arrives… I’ll assign him unique duties.”
Gao Yiye answered, “Just command us, Deity.”
Li Daoxuan declared, “Upon his arrival… summon him for conversation.”