SWDnovel Chapter 26 People from the Zhu Family Arrive
Chapter 26 People from the Zhu Family Arrive
Li Chong was quite surprised when Cui Shi led Sun Jun there.
Why did they arrive so quickly?
"Commander Sun, you've arrived quickly enough," Li Chong said meaningfully, tapping the table.
Sun Jun bowed and said, "Since the county magistrate has summoned me, how could I possibly be negligent? I have nothing else to do at the moment, so I came with Brother Cui. Please give your instructions, county magistrate."
"Mm." Li Chong nodded slightly. "Sit down, don't stand."
After thanking Li Chong, Sun Jun carefully sat down below him.
He had barely sat down, not even settled in, when Li Chong cut to the chase: "Sir Sun, you've come to see me so openly; aren't you worried about what Registrar Yang will think?"
Sun Jun remained calm: "The county magistrate is the head of the county, and we are all his subordinates. How can we refuse when the county magistrate summons us? As for Registrar Yang, I was just following the rules. What could Registrar Yang possibly have to say?"
"Hehe." Li Chong shook his head and chuckled. "If everyone in the county could be as polite and respectful as Clerk, then my work would be much easier to carry out."
With that, Li Chong waved his hand and instructed Cui Shi, "Go and pour a cup of tea for the clerk."
Rising to accept the tea, Sun Jun cautiously said, "Your Excellency flatters me. I was merely doing my duty and do not deserve such praise."
"Being honest and dutiful? Being honest and dutiful is good. This county prefers dealing with honest and dutiful people."
After saying that, Li Chong leaned forward and looked intently at Sun Jun: "I heard from Cui Shi that you have connections to help get some weapons and armor? The county is about to send troops to suppress bandits. If you can really get suitable weapons, that would be a great achievement."
Sun Jun showed no surprise at Li Chong's candid remarks.
He nodded: "Your Excellency, I dare not lie. My brother-in-law is a blacksmith in Anle Town in the north, and his business is not small. If you need weapons, he can lend you a hand."
"As for leather armor, I know a few skilled hunters who have connections and can help the county magistrate when he is suppressing bandits."
"Hmm." Li Chong remained noncommittal upon hearing this.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Chong suddenly asked, "Then why are you being so kind, Clerk? You can't possibly be genuinely trying to help me, can you?"
Sun Jun looked at Li Chong, about to give a definite answer.
Seeing Li Chong's expression, Sun Jun was stunned.
After a moment's hesitation, Sun Jun chuckled helplessly and stood up. "Since the magistrate has asked, I will not hide anything from him. With so many copper coins piled up in the treasury, who wouldn't be envious? Although I hold the position of clerk, my monthly salary is only so-so. If I can facilitate this matter, I can at least make a small fortune."
"My greed was aroused, and I have offended the public. I beg Your Honor to punish me."
Having said that, Sun Jun bowed his head and waited for Li Chong's decision.
Li Chong stared at him for a long time, and Sun Jun was filled with anxiety, but Li Chong remained silent.
Just as he was feeling uneasy, a pair of official boots came into Sun Jun's view.
Li Chong walked up to Sun Jun with a smile and helped him up: "What crime has Clerk Sun committed? It's good that you're willing to share the burden of this county. As for the money, it doesn't matter who earns it; I'd trust your own people more. As long as Clerk Sun can guarantee the quality of the weapons and armor, I'll decide that this project is entrusted to you!"
Although Sun Jun didn't quite understand where Li Chong's "project" came from, he naturally understood what Li Chong meant.
He stared blankly at Li Chong: "The magistrate said I'm one of our own?"
"Of course," Li Chong nodded with a smile. "You said it yourself, everyone in this yamen is a subordinate of this county. If we're not on their side, then who is?"
Sun Jun's eyes darted away, and he quickly bowed his head in greeting: "Thank you for your trust, Your Excellency."
"Hey, no need for such formalities." Li Chong grabbed his arm, preventing him from bowing. "Even though we're on the same side, I still have to be frank. I need to inspect all the weapons and leather armor you've acquired, and I need to check the ledgers. You can't fool me."
Sun Jun shook his head and said solemnly, "I would never dare to deceive the county magistrate by passing off inferior goods as superior ones."
"That's good, that's good." Li Chong patted Sun Jun on the shoulder, turned around and sat down. "Come on, let's discuss how to contract out this project."
Sun Jun was not quite used to Li Chong's attitude and walked to the side somewhat awkwardly.
Li Chong, seemingly oblivious to everything, began discussing with Sun Jun the forging of weapons and the preparation of leather armor.
Time passed slowly, the afternoon sun was high in the sky, and the temperature began to rise.
Li Chong stood up: "In that case, I'll leave this matter to you. Don't let this county down."
Sun Jun replied earnestly, "I will keep it in mind and will never fail the magistrate's trust."
"That's good." Li Chong nodded with a smile. "Cui Shi, come and see Chief Clerk Sun off for me."
Choi Si, who had been dozing off nearby, suddenly woke up and rushed over, saying, "Hey, okay, okay."
After bidding farewell to Li Chong, Sun Jun left with Cui Shi.
As Sun Jun's figure disappeared from sight, Li Chong's smile gradually faded.
Li Chong glanced at the plans he had just written on the table, chuckled, and covered the pages with his other hand.
He had just sat down at the table when people started peeking over from outside the courtyard gate.
"Your Excellency, Wu Dalang requests an audience."
Li Chong looked up and saw the constable who had escorted him to Xucheng to report at the courtyard gate, bowing and scraping as he greeted him.
A thought struck him, and Li Chong put down the case file he had just picked up: "Let him in."
As soon as he entered the house, Wu Dalang quickly knelt down on the ground: "This humble servant greets you, sir."
Li Chong was both amused and exasperated. He had been in Yanggu County for so long, and apart from when he was in court, no one had ever given him such a grand salute.
"Get up first." Li Chong waved his hand. "I remember you. You're the one who escorted me to Xucheng. What brings you here today?"
Wu Dalang smiled awkwardly, "Master, you still remember me? I heard you're going to suppress bandits. My brothers are quite strong, I wonder if you could..."
As he said this, his face turned quite red.
Li Chong sized him up: "This isn't difficult, but who sent you to find me?"
"We saw how generous the master was last time, and he's brought in so much money again this time, so we put our heads together and..."
As he spoke, he couldn't continue.
Upon hearing this, Li Chong laughed and beckoned, "Come, come, let me ask you about the situation."
A short while later, when Cui Shi returned, he saw Wu Dalang running away excitedly.
"My lord, what's wrong with him...?"
Li Chong casually replied, "He wanted to help me suppress the bandits, and I saw that he was quite strong, so I agreed. By paying a little more for supplies and pay, I can recruit a few capable fighters. It's a worthwhile deal."
Cui Shi became somewhat nervous upon hearing this. He leaned closer and whispered, "Didn't you say that Wu Dalang is one of Yang Zhubu's men? He was the one monitoring us when we went to Xucheng. What if he's Yang Zhubu's spy, here to gather intelligence on us?"
Upon hearing this, Li Chong looked at Cui Shi with considerable surprise.
I never expected him to have this sense of crisis.
However, Li Chong quickly turned his head back and slowly said, "Sometimes, you can't judge a book by its cover. People who seem like spies are often not; while some people who seem like one of us, but..."
Before he could finish speaking, a constable rushed over from outside the door.
"Your Honor, Old Master Zhu has also arrived at the yamen with some gifts, saying he wants to donate money to help you suppress the bandits!"