In times of chaos and famine, I traded one pound of rice for two royal flushes.

The tiger skin and bones were the most valuable parts of this tiger. Qin Shaolang deliberately said that if the reward money arrived quickly, he would give the tiger skin to the county magistrate as a chair cushion.

What does that mean?

This is a message to Magistrate Li Jian'an: I know this item is valuable, and I know you want it. I'm giving you a chance; give me the six hundred taels that are due, and our relationship will be a simple reward transaction. You've taken my favor, so you owe me a debt of gratitude.

But what if the reward money is delayed?

He soaked the tiger bones in alcohol and sold the tiger skin!

This is tantamount to telling Li Jian'an: If you want to steal my money or have any ulterior motives towards me, then I'm sorry, you won't get this most valuable treasure! I'd rather destroy it or sell it to your political enemies than let you benefit from it for nothing!

This is no longer a simple threat; it's a political game!

He threw a hot potato back at Magistrate Li Jian'an!

Give money, everyone's happy, and you might even get a tiger skin as a favor.

If you don't pay, then we'll all break off relations. Qin Shaolang has nothing to lose, he's just a nobody, but you, Li Jian'an, a high-ranking official of the imperial court, have "troublemakers" resisting the law under your jurisdiction, and have lost your political achievements of eliminating harm for the people and the readily available generous gifts. Where do you put your face? Do you still care about your official reputation?

Once Su Jin understood this, she felt a chill run down her spine.

This man... his mind is terrifyingly meticulous! Every step he takes seems to be precisely calculated, taking into account everyone's reactions.

This is hardly a country doctor; he's clearly a cunning and ruthless tycoon!

"Sister, what are you thinking about?" Su Tang asked softly, having come closer at some point. She looked at the complex expression on her sister's face and felt a little worried.

Su Jin snapped out of her reverie. She glanced at the figure still clinking glasses with the guards, shook her head gently, and said softly, "It's nothing, I just feel... Brother Qin is no ordinary person."

……

Meanwhile, at the Lantian County government office.

The study in the back hall was brightly lit.

Li Jian'an, the magistrate of Lantian County, was frowning as he looked at a file in his hand.

He was nearly forty, with a thin face, a neatly groomed short beard, and a lingering worry between his brows.

Lantian County is poor. This is his most direct impression after three years in office. The land is barren, unruly people are everywhere, powerful local tyrants abound, taxes are never fully collected, and there's no talk of any political achievements. He has a lot of ambition, but this stagnant situation has almost worn him down to nothing.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

"Master! Master! Chief Wang is back!" The clerk, Zhang Wenyuan, strode in, his face showing a hint of anxiety.

Li Jian'an put down the file, his brows furrowing even deeper: "Wasn't I sending him to Qin Family Village to check on the situation? Why is he back so soon? How did it go? Did he bring back the tiger carcass?"

Zhang Wenyuan was his confidant; he had discussed the matter with Zhang Wenyuan before Wang Bantou went. The white-browed tiger that had been wreaking havoc in the village had now been hunted down by an unknown doctor, which was both a good thing and an opportunity.

If he could obtain the tiger carcass, firstly, it would demonstrate his effective governance and the elimination of a scourge for the people—a commendable political achievement. Secondly, the complete tiger skin and bones would be invaluable; whether sold to replenish the county treasury or used to bribe superiors, it would be an excellent treasure.

That's why he sent Wang, the most capable "manager," ostensibly to verify the situation, but actually to reap the benefits.

Zhang Wenyuan had a bitter face, and before he could even speak, Wang Bantou rushed in, looking disheveled and scrambling.

With a thud, Wang, the foreman, knelt on the ground, crying out with a mournful face, "Master! You must do me justice! Those...those unruly people of Qin Family Village are going to rebel!"

Li Jian'an's face darkened, and he slammed his hand on the table: "Damn it! What exactly happened! Explain yourself clearly!"

Wang Bantou dared not conceal anything and embellished the story of what had happened at the kiln. Of course, in his description, Qin Shaolang became an arrogant and lawless bandit leader, while he himself became a loyal and virtuous man who endured humiliation and compromised for the sake of the overall situation.

"...Sir, you didn't see it! That Qin fellow has over thirty thugs under his command, each one a vicious bastard! The moment I mentioned bringing the tiger carcass back, they all drew their knives! They even said... they said that if you didn't deliver the reward money, they'd skin the tiger and feed the bones to the dogs! This... this clearly shows they don't respect you, they don't respect our entire county government!"

Wang Bantou spoke with tears streaming down his face.

Zhang Wenyuan, the clerk standing nearby, listened with his brows furrowing deeper and deeper. He knew Wang Bantou's character; there was definitely some exaggeration in this story.

Li Jian'an's face was so gloomy it looked like it was about to drip water.

"Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!" He trembled with rage. "A mere country bumpkin dares to be so arrogant! Does he think my blade is dull?!"

He looked at Zhang Wenyuan: "Master, what do you think should be done about this?"

Zhang Wenyuan hesitated for a moment before cautiously saying, "Sir, this matter... seems a bit suspicious. Headman Wang said that Qin Shaolang has over thirty fierce soldiers under his command; this needs to be verified. Moreover, Qin Shaolang is capable of hunting tigers that even our soldiers can't handle; he's no ordinary person. Most importantly..."

Zhang Wenyuan lowered his voice: "He has won the hearts of the people. Wang Bantou also said that at that time, the hunters and villagers in Lantian Town were all on his side. If we forcibly send troops to suppress him, and it happens to incite a popular uprising, and things get out of hand, and it reaches the prefect, I'm afraid... it will be detrimental to your reputation."

Li Jian'an's anger gradually subsided, replaced by a deep sense of powerlessness.

Yes, popular uprisings. This is a sword hanging over the head of every local official.

He remained silent for a long while before gritting his teeth and asking, "So, in your opinion, am I supposed to swallow this insult and obediently hand over those six hundred taels of silver to him? Where is my dignity? Where is the authority of the county government?!"

Zhang Wenyuan's eyes darted around, and he leaned forward, whispering, "Sir, saving face is a small matter, but the benefits are much greater. Didn't Qin Shaolang say that as long as the reward money arrives quickly, that tiger skin will be yours to use as a chair cushion?"

"A complete white-browed tiger skin is worth at least two hundred taels of silver in the capital! If it's in excellent condition, people would be scrambling for it even at three hundred taels! Not to mention the tiger bones! Our county government treasury doesn't even have two hundred taels of cash right now, so this six hundred taels is just a hollow promise. Now, we only need to spend six hundred taels of 'reputation' to get at least five hundred taels worth of goods, and we'll also gain a good reputation for 'loving the people like our own children and rewarding merit.' Why not?"

"As for Qin Shaolang..." A cold glint flashed in Zhang Wenyuan's eyes, "Since he dared to show his face, he can't escape. He can wield considerable influence in Lantian Town, but he's ultimately just a doctor. Once we obtain the tiger skin and tiger bones, we'll have plenty of opportunities to slowly mold him! At that time, whether to kill or torture him will be entirely up to you."