The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 704 - 693: Where did it come from?

Chapter 704: Chapter 693: Where did it come from?

After seeing County Magistrate Tang off, full from his meal, Mr. Zhuang summoned his three disciples and asked, "Do you know where those medicinal herbs for County Magistrate Tang come from?"

The three exchanged glances and asked, "Weren’t they purchased by the County Governmental Office?"

"How could the County Governmental Office have that much money if the imperial court doesn’t allot funds?" Mr. Zhuang said. "Huayang County is different from Luojiang County. In Luojiang County, County Magistrate Yang is in charge. He could empty the county’s coffers without worrying—in the worst case, he’d just delay paying the salaries of the subordinate officials and clerks for a few months, then disburse the payments when there’s income again. Who would sue their own boss over a few months of missed pay?"

"But it’s not the same for Huayang County. Its income is high, but so are its expenditures, and there are all kinds of complex relationships to consider. Even if County Magistrate Tang is assertive, he’s facing three big mountains above him; his options are limited. How dare he spend so much on medicinal herbs?"

Mr. Zhuang had once served as a steward for someone and had lived in Yizhou City for many years. He couldn’t claim to be completely familiar with these convoluted matters, but he still understood a good seventy to eighty percent.

Seeing that Bai Shan and Manbao were contemplative and Bai Erlang still looked puzzled, he gave further details. "For example, the expenses for the Flower Street and the Nuo plays during the Dragon Boat Festival mostly come from Huayang County. It may look like simply setting up a stage, decorating flower carts along the street, and hiring some Nuo performers, but the costs involved are substantial."

"That’s Huayang County for you. If it were Luojiang County, they probably couldn’t afford it even if they spent all they had. That’s the difference in financial power between a higher and a lower county," Mr. Zhuang said. "However, County Magistrate Yang dares to spend all of Luojiang County’s reserves on a task, whereas County Magistrate Tang does not."

Manbao scratched his head and asked, "So where do Tang County Magistrate’s medicinal herbs come from?"

Mr. Zhuang: "Donated by various herb merchants and pharmacies."

Bai Shan fell into thought. "So those newly discovered barren lands..."

Mr. Zhuang revealed a faint smile and said, "Didn’t the Ying Family send you a generous gift two days ago?"

Bai Erlang: "Yes, and you told us to accept it."

"That was hush money," Mr. Zhuang did not say at the time, but the three had guessed as much, so once Mr. Zhuang nodded, they accepted it openly, reassuring the Ying Family.

Mr. Zhuang laughed and said, "If they sent such money to silence a few kids like you, what about the County Governmental Office?"

The three widened their eyes.

Mr. Zhuang: "Moreover, County Magistrate Tang’s status is different, and so are the things he controls. If he had insisted on investigating, the Ying Family might have faced a mighty scandal. Yizhou City wouldn’t be this calm then."

"So those barren lands were all given by the Ying Family?"

Mr. Zhuang shook his head and said, "Not only them. I just asked County Magistrate Tang. The Ying Family, the Lu Family, the Ji Family, and even the Prince of Yizhou had to give up some of the land they occupied. That’s how all these ’barren lands’ came about."

Manbao exclaimed, "County Magistrate Tang has offended so many people."

Mr. Zhuang laughed and said, "Not exactly. Apart from the Ying and Lu families, the Ji Family was willing to give up some barren lands of their own accord. County Magistrate Tang said it was for the blessing of their young master. As for the Prince of Yizhou’s estate, the princess acted unfairly this time, interfering with County Magistrate Tang’s case handling numerous times. To avoid the censure of the Left Capital Censor, offering some benefits was only natural. The Ying and Lu families probably suffered the most losses because, as far as I know, quite a bit of winter wheat had been planted in the ’barren lands’ demarcated by County Magistrate Tang."

Seeing that the three were listening attentively, Mr. Zhuang asked, "Do you know why I’m telling you all this?"

Bai Shan: "To learn from County Magistrate Tang?"

Mr. Zhuang shook his head with a smile.

Manbao said, "Teacher, County Magistrate Tang is doing this for the people. Shouldn’t we learn from him?"

Mr. Zhuang laughed and said, "You’ve encountered three county magistrates so far—County Magistrate Fu, County Magistrate Yang, and County Magistrate Tang. Do you notice anything different in the way they handle affairs?"

Manbao said, "I like County Magistrate Yang the best."

Mr. Zhuang laughed heartily. "Is it because County Magistrate Yang is the most generous?"

Manbao shyly bowed his head and smiled.

"Each of the three county magistrates has indeed done work for the people. Shanbao, I hope you’ll carefully think about these three people," Mr. Zhuang said. "There are many ways to work for the people. Look at the way these three county magistrates conduct themselves; they are entirely different. If you were in their position, how would you act?"

Bai Shan thought for a moment and said, "I would want to have the unrestrained approach of County Magistrate Yang, the decisiveness and strength of County Magistrate Tang, and also the strategic planning of County Magistrate Fu."

Mr. Zhuang looked deep and asked, "Do you think you could achieve that?"

After carefully weighing his thoughts, Bai Shan shook his head. "I can’t. I’m afraid I couldn’t suppress the old clerks in Luojiang County, nor withstand the force of the Yizhou royal house. And as for County Magistrate Fu, I don’t have his patience, but I could cultivate it."

"It’s enough that you recognize this," Mr. Zhuang said. "County Magistrate Yang comes from a distinguished family; he has the confidence to do as he pleases in a small county like Luojiang. As for County Magistrate Tang, his father is the Left Capital Censor, so long as he acts uprightly and sits straight, he need not fear reproach. Why did the Yizhou royal house step back once things were settled? They were not afraid of County Magistrate Tang, but of the Left Capital Censor in the capital."

Bai Erlang asked, "Isn’t this just trade of money for power? Can County Magistrate Tang still be considered a good official?"

Mr. Zhuang was about to reply with a smile when he caught sight of Manbao and asked her, "What do you think?"

Manbao said, "County Magistrate Tang may not speak up, but that doesn’t mean the Left Capital Censor can’t find out through other channels. County Magistrate Tang is focused on doing his job well, and his father is pursuing his political agenda in his own position. What can the Yizhou royal house really do about that?"

Mr. Zhuang laughed heartily and, stroking his beard, praised, "Exactly. That’s the principle."

Bai Erlang was still confused. "If that’s the case, why did the Yizhou royal house even bother to bribe County Magistrate Tang? They were going to be impeached anyway."

After thinking for a moment, Bai Shan realized, "Of course there’s a difference. County Magistrate Tang has evidence, but does the Left Capital Censor?"

Bai Shan’s insight unfolded: "Without evidence, an impeachment is just a war of words. The Yizhou royal house would suffer at most a reputational hit, but not much of one. The princess made a biased decision for her nephew—it’s not a big deal but not a minor one either. It would end with presenting a plea of guilt to the emperor on behalf of the prince."

Mr. Zhuang nodded. "Precisely."

Manbao: "So now the evidence is in the hands of the Yizhou royal house?"

Bai Shan thought for a moment and said, "Physical evidence such as confessions might have been given, but they probably wouldn’t hand over eyewitnesses, right? I always feel the people of the Yizhou royal house are ruthless. What if they kill someone to silence them?"

Upon saying this, all three children shuddered simultaneously.

Mr. Zhuang said, "Don’t indulge in wild imaginings. Alright, that’s enough for tonight’s lesson. Gather your things and go to sleep."

After taking their leave with bows, Bai Erlang whispered to Bai Shan, "Was that a lesson? The teacher is getting more lenient. In the past, he would always tell a story before bedtime."

Manbao slapped his shoulder and whispered, "Keep your voice down."

Bai Shan gave them a sidelong glance and moved a little further away.

Mr. Zhuang: ...