Promise!

Chapter 186, Borrowing a Knife
Inside the house, a light is as bright as a bean.

Tao Mengran sat at the table, considering Zhuang Jin's suggestion with a hesitant expression.

Accept Zhuang Jin's terms.

The advantage is that as long as one acts impartially, one can receive 800,000 taels of silver; the cost is the complete loss of the possibility of being appointed as a county garrison commander, and the potential danger amidst the escalating war in the prefectural city.

Reject Zhuang Jin's conditions.

The advantage is that if one wants to investigate, there's no fear of not finding a problem; even if there isn't one, one can create one... He was chosen through compromise among various factions, and he has the support of those factions behind him. As long as there's a trigger, he can pass the vote among the factions, and he'll likely get the position of County Governor of Linji County, avoiding the turmoil in the prefectural city. The cost, however, is that he will severely offend Zhuang Jin.

After much deliberation, Tao Mengran finally chose the position of County Garrison Commander: "The war in the prefectural city is escalating and becoming increasingly dangerous. If people are lost, no amount of money will be of any use!"

Furthermore, he had a thought in his mind: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." Zhuang Jin was able to spend 800,000 taels of silver to bribe people in Linji County. What if he were to take that position?

—This is something Tao Mengran is overthinking. Zhuang Jin knew his talent and that by securing a period of stable cultivation, he could realize his potential and reach the sixth, seventh, or even eighth meridian of the embryonic breathing realm. That's why he took out his own money from the spoils of purging the two wealthy families, making such a huge sacrifice... But if Tao Mengran wanted to make a fortune in Linji County after purging the two wealthy families, she would probably have to push the people of Linji County to the same level as Qinghe County.

Tao Mengran made a decision and immediately made a record of the day's events: 'April 23rd, arrived in Linji County... That evening, the Zhuang family held a lavish banquet to welcome me, which was extremely extravagant... Later, they tried to bribe, win over, and corrupt me with 800,000 taels of silver to resist the investigation...'

Zhuang Jin's bribe was only to ask him to act impartially; such a trivial matter didn't need to be recorded and could be omitted.

……

Over the next two days, Tao Mengran visited Linji County and was shocked to find that Linji County had none of the problems that other counties had, and was far more stable and harmonious than the other five counties.

……

Fei Zecong, the head of the Fei family and a representative of the wealthy households, said, "Lord Zhuang has delegated full authority. According to the previous rules, the tribute of medicinal herbs has not been affected, but has even increased... The purge of martial artists above the seventh level has freed up resources, which have been allocated to a small portion... Thanks to this, I have now reached the ninth level. I thank Lord Zhuang..."

……

The county magistrate, Teng Yuansong, representing the county government, said: "Zhuang Gongfeng? Good, Zhuang Gongfeng is here. What kind of heavenly life am I living? If it were someone else, I wouldn't approve..."

……

The people were randomly selected.

"I don't know about anything else, but I do know that my family's life has become much better since Lord Zhuang came."

……

"Any opinions about Lord Zhuang? No opinions... Oh, if I had to say something, it would be: Lord Zhuang must stay, he absolutely cannot be transferred!"

……

"I'm from Qinghe County. You're asking me? If Lord Zhuang wasn't good, and Linji County wasn't good, would I have come here?"

……

After conducting on-site research, Tao Mengran was shocked. No wonder Zhuang Jin offered 800,000 taels of silver, only requiring fairness and impartiality. If this were to be evaluated, Linji County would undoubtedly be the number one among the seven counties, and the kind of number one that is far ahead of the rest.

However, he wasn't there for evaluation; he was there to find fault, to remove radishes from the vacant plots. This is where subtle writing comes in.

Fei Zecong commented, "Fully delegate power, according to the old rules," in other words, this is laziness and negligence in governance... Purge those above the seventh level, free up resources, take the lion's share, and only distribute a small portion to... In summary: mistreating the wealthy, the wealthy in Linji County have suffered under Zhuang Jin for a long time.

He had a good relationship with the county government and was highly praised by the people.

You can also use the art of language to show that someone is fabricating relationships, seeking fame and prestige, and has great ambitions; their intentions are hard to fathom.

……

Three days later.

As Tao Mengran was about to leave, she came again and made one last attempt: "If Master Zhuang can come up with 800,000 taels... you can see the gains. You should be content. Why linger on?"

Over the past three days, Zhuang Jin noticed that this person had not responded further, knowing that the other party had already made their choice. Today, they had even spoken so frankly, and Zhuang Jin sighed inwardly: 'It has finally come to this!'

He knew that since Tao Mengran had said this, the inspection report on Linji County could not possibly be fair or objective. If he sent this biased report back, the various factions that supported him would exert their influence, and his position as the magistrate of Linji County would inevitably be in jeopardy.

—Don't place too much hope on Shen Xianhong. Shen Xianhong appreciates and values ​​Zhuang Jin, but it's not a crucial strategic decision. As the referee, the other party generally won't easily intervene.

"Tao Gongfeng says I'm clinging to power and refusing to leave, but why should I go?"

Zhuang Jin looked at the other party: "In the middle of last year, the medicinal herbs of Wanliu, Linji, and Qinghe counties were robbed by the Medicine King Gang. When the authorities came down to investigate, they appointed a pilot county magistrate, but none of the retainers responded. I volunteered to go and ventured into the den of tigers in Linji County, risking my life to survive. First, I killed Fei Yuanlong, then Sikong Rui, and finally the Yao family father and son... Only then did Linji County achieve its current stability." "For nearly a year, I have been quiet and inactive in Linji County, maintaining harmony with the county government and with the powerful families... The head of the family instructed me not to interfere with the two powerful families, so I delegated full authority while ensuring the supply of medicinal herbs, which has only increased; the people of Linji are living in peace and prosperity, and their impression of my Shen family has greatly improved... I have a clear conscience."

He looked into Tao Mengran's eyes: "This isn't a matter of me clinging to power; it's a matter of someone trying to reap the benefits!"

Tao Mengran subconsciously felt guilty and avoided eye contact: "Alas, Zhuang Gongfeng is so straightforward, he will suffer a loss."

"If one does not even dare to fight for or defend one's own interests, but only pins one's hopes on the kindness of others, then such worldly wisdom is nothing but cowardice, which I will not accept."

Having said all that, it was clear that the two were irreconcilable.

"I've arranged for a boat for Master Tao to leave tomorrow..."

"No need, I'll plan my own itinerary!"

Generally speaking, when Tao Mengran came down as an inspector, it was Zhuang Jin, the county magistrate, who arranged the boats for him. But now that the two have almost fallen out, how could he possibly be willing to take a boat arranged by Zhuang Jin?

Although I don't think Zhuang Jin would dare to defy the world and take action, it's always good to be cautious.

"Very well, it's late and the dew is heavy, Master Tao should rest early... I won't see you off."

……

That evening, Zhuang Jin came to Bai Zhi's place.

Zhuang Jin looked distressed, as if he had something on his mind. When Bai Zhi asked him about it, he talked about his conflict with Tao Mengran: "Tao Gongfeng was angry and refused to take the boats that I arranged for the Fei and Yao families, and made his own plans. But there are only so many boats left to go to the prefectural city. What if the Medicine King Gang finds out and makes arrangements in advance... If something happens to Tao Gongfeng, how am I supposed to explain it? This is really worrying!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Zhi blinked her bright, autumn-water-like eyes, and then suddenly brought up the matter of her entering the house.

"Didn't I tell you not to mention this again?"

Zhuang Jin seemed to be provoked by these words. She snorted coldly and left the house.

Bai Zhi watched Zhuang Jin's departing figure, her nails almost digging into her flesh. She then thought of Chen Yun, whom she had seen by chance a few days ago, who bore a striking resemblance to her...

No, it should be said that I am similar to the other person, and I am just a substitute for the other person!

"Since you are so ruthless, don't blame me for being ruthless in return!" A moment later, a cold voice rang out in the room.

……

Stepping out of the courtyard, it was a dark and windy night, with the wind howling.

Zhuang Jin paused slightly and instructed Yue Song, "If you make any moves, afterward... give them some face!"

"Yes!"

……

In Linji County, this is a remnant of a drug den that was cleaned up by the Medicine King Gang.

"Sir, a message has come from inside!"

"Oh?"

Following Tao Mengran's route, Sikong Rui searched for an opportunity and arrived in Linji County again. After reading the intelligence, an exaggerated smile appeared on his ugly face: "Hahaha, good, good! This is truly heaven's help!"

"My lord, this... Zhuang Jin is cautious and cunning... It was also rather strange that they discovered our core stronghold back then... And that woman... We should investigate further..."

"If you can think of it, do you think I wouldn't?"

Sikong Rui glanced at it and sneered, "If the news is false, it's just a waste of time to make preparations. If the news is true, then it's a good opportunity—a good opportunity to get rid of Tao Mengran!"

"Even if Zhuang Jin discovers this and intends to use someone else to kill... as long as Tao Mengran dies and word gets out that the intelligence came from Zhuang Jin, Zhuang Jin will suffer some consequences, at the very least losing his position as the county magistrate..."

"I'll get the credit, and Zhuang Jin will get the trouble. Why not do it?"

He gave the orders: "Ship modification... secret... explosives... I'm going to blow Tao Mengran to heaven... Also, take action in Linji County... This time, I'm going to make Zhuang Jin lose his pants and have no way to defend himself!"

……

(End of this chapter)