My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 93 Magistrate Wei

Magistrate Wei waved his hand lightly, and the accompanying music stopped abruptly. Then came the sound of a stool being moved, mixed with the soft rustling of footsteps.

Several servants carried over a grand chair, along with teacups, towels, and other items, and quickly and orderly set up the table.

Magistrate Wei walked slowly down from the high platform, took the teacup handed to him by a servant, took a small sip, spat the water in his mouth into the spittoon offered by another servant, took a towel to wipe his hands, picked up another cup of tea and took a sip, then leisurely sat down in the armchair and said, "How was the Empty City Stratagem just now?"

Lin Ziping knew little about Peking Opera, so he casually complimented, "You sang very well, sir."

Magistrate Wei looked up and sized up Lin Ziping: "Are you from the county government?"

Lin Ziping clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Greetings, Your Excellency. I am Lin Ziping, a newcomer to Fuchun County this year, and I am currently working under Inspector Chai."

A servant standing nearby stepped forward and, seeing Magistrate Wei looking bewildered, quickly whispered a few words in his ear.

As Magistrate Wei listened, he nodded, then revealed a look of sudden realization: "I know you, Lin Ziping, a native of Qingyang, Huai Prefecture, a student of Master Cheng of Moshan Academy. You are quite good."

Lin Ziping bowed and said modestly, "Magistrate Wei is too kind."

Magistrate Wei took the tea from the servant beside him and sipped it lightly.

When the tea was served as a farewell gift, Lin Ziping knew that Magistrate Wei meant to see the guest off.

Lin Ziping maintained the gesture of bowing with his hands clasped, sweat dripping from his temples, his hands trembling slightly.

"Your Excellency, when we were in Qingyang, my family had dealings with Magistrate Ji Lian, and we also discussed our studies with Magistrate Ji's son, Ji Xun," Lin Ziping said slowly, pursing his lips.

“Oh, Ji Xun is a newly appointed Jinshi this year. I didn’t expect Ziping to know him. There’s no need for such formalities. Xiao Si, go and bring up a stool. I want to have a long chat with Ziping.” Magistrate Wei stroked his beard and smiled even more broadly.

Lin Ziping felt a mix of emotions. Magistrate Wei was clearly treating him differently because of Ji Xun's relationship with him. He said, "Thank you, sir."

"Sit down," Magistrate Wei said, pointing to the stool his servant had brought over.

Lin Ziping nodded and sat down, only daring to sit lightly against the edge of the stool.

"Ziping, do you usually correspond with Jinshi Ji Xun?" Magistrate Wei asked gently.

Lin Ziping did not answer directly, but said, "We studied together at Moshan Academy. When I learned that I was coming to Fuchun County, I asked him for advice, and he gave me some pointers."

"How did he instruct you?" Magistrate Wei asked, puzzled.

"He said that Magistrate Wei was a man of great righteousness and wholeheartedly devoted to the people, and that Fuchun County was thriving under your governance. At the time, I was somewhat skeptical, but after arriving in Fuchun, I found it to be true. Although the Yellow River had changed its course, causing water scarcity and food shortages in Fuchun County, the public security was excellent. When I first arrived, I participated in the bandit suppression, which was a great event that benefited the country and the people, eliminating a scourge for the masses. When we escorted the bandits back to the city, the people applauded our actions and expressed their gratitude for your kindness. Your words, like a bronze mirror, have helped us to straighten our clothes, distinguish between good and evil, and understand right and wrong. They have been truly inspiring, reflecting on people and our own hearts. The students at Moshan Academy all highly praise your words and admire them greatly." Lin Ziping praised with a smile, "Ji Xun has also asked me many times to ask you for advice on his behalf, but I have just arrived in Fuchun and have not yet achieved anything, so I am ashamed to face you. Only today have I mustered the courage to ask you to enlighten me."

"Ziping, if you have any doubts, you can tell me. Don't be shy. Today, there are no superiors or subordinates. We are just discussing things, just discussing things." Although Magistrate Wei's voice sounded calm, his raised eyebrows and slightly upturned lips could not hide his inner joy.

“Sir, these past few days when I went to the grain shop to buy grain, I noticed that the price of coarse grains is almost the same as that of fine grains. I heard that the tax on fine grains is much higher than that on coarse grains. If the grain shop sets the prices of coarse and fine grains to be about the same, then in the future, fine grains may be mixed with coarse grains and sold together, and the tax paid will be…” Lin Ziping stopped what he was about to say and continued, “They also fabricated a story that a plague was about to break out in Fuchun County, causing panic among the people, and there are people selling grain everywhere, in an endless stream.”

"The taxes on refined grains and coarse grains are different?" Magistrate Wei said thoughtfully.

Lin Ziping nodded and said, "That's right. Inspector Ji also told me that the price difference between coarse and fine grains is not significant. If this continues, fewer and fewer people will grow fine grains. Food, clothing, shelter, and transportation are all necessities. Although both coarse and fine grains are edible, if there are fewer fine grains in the future, won't our county government's tax revenue also decrease? Besides..."

Magistrate Wei asked curiously, "Besides what?"

Look at how people come and go from the palace every day. And wasn't it said that a big shot from Zezhou was coming to the capital? What if the emperor of this era also likes to travel incognito, and the prince admires the freedom outside the palace? It's not exactly lying. Also, there's the difference in taxes between fine and coarse grains. He himself said that he had only heard about it. Is it true or false?

Thinking of this, Lin Ziping became even more determined. He glanced around warily and whispered, "I heard that someone from the palace has recently come out. What if they come to Zezhou and hear that there is a plague in Fuchun...?"

"In the palace?" Magistrate Wei asked.

Lin Ziping nodded cryptically.

Magistrate Wei stroked his chin, staring intently at Lin Ziping.

Lin Ziping lowered his eyes, allowing Magistrate Wei to scrutinize him, while maintaining a calm demeanor.

After a long pause, Magistrate Wei said with a smile, "Ziping is indeed worthy of being a graduate of Moshan Academy. I already know what you're talking about."

After saying that, he took the tea and sipped it lightly.

"My lord, you are busy, and it is getting late. I will take my leave and come to learn from you another day." Lin Ziping stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and prepared to leave.

Magistrate Wei handed the teacup to the servant beside him, stood up, put his hands behind his back and said, "It's getting late, I should go and attend to my official duties. By the way, Ziping, you can handle the Hu family's house in Pingding Village. I will discuss this with Magistrate Feng."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ziping was stunned for a moment, then said gratefully, "Yes, thank you, sir."

Leaving the backyard of the county government office, Lin Ziping touched his forehead, which was covered in cold sweat. He reflected on his life for the past twenty-odd years, which had been entirely predictable and routine. His primary concerns were passing exams, getting into university, and finding a job. While he had experienced moments of chaos and some conflicts with colleagues at the beginning of his career, these now seemed like trivial matters. Palace intrigue, family feuds, and workplace power struggles were all from movies and TV shows—just for entertainment. His conversation with Magistrate Wei today had exhausted the wisdom gleaned from years of watching dramas. As long as Magistrate Wei didn't question Magistrate Feng in detail, there shouldn't be any major problems. He had done what he could, and he felt at peace with himself. As for how Magistrate Wei and Magistrate Feng would deal with the situation afterward, he was truly powerless to do anything about it.

As the sun set, Lin Ziping's steps were lighter than when he arrived. He planned to talk to County Magistrate Feng about visiting Pingding Village the next day.