BSI Chapter 12 A Twist of Fate
Chapter 12 A Twist of Fate
Xucheng was the seat of Yunzhou Prefecture, and naturally, there were many people coming and going from there.
When Li Chong and his group arrived at the city gate, a long queue had already formed. It was seeing this chaotic situation that made Li Chong consider whether or not to slip away.
This is only natural. Including the time he spent impersonating someone, he had only been in the Northern Song Dynasty for a little over a month and didn't know much about it.
Suddenly being thrown into an interview in front of a prefectural governor, Li Chong was truly unsure of himself.
Moreover, he does have quite a few weaknesses.
Putting everything else aside, the fact that he can't write with a brush is a huge flaw.
People who came from the imperial examination system, even if they weren't particularly good at writing, at least couldn't write badly.
Asking Li Chong to write with a brush would be asking too much of him.
When faced with the final decision, it's understandable that he wanted to back out.
But Wu Dalang's boastful shout immediately drew everyone's attention, making it impossible for Li Chong to escape.
Despite cursing Wu Dalang in his heart, Li Chong had to put on a calm front and said, "Chief Wu, please don't disturb the people. First come, first served is the proper order. We'll just wait a bit."
Wu Dalang's attempt to flatter backfired; he immediately chuckled awkwardly and retreated dejectedly.
But his shout attracted the attention of the gatekeepers.
Before long, someone came and asked, "Which county are you from? Why are you making such a commotion?"
The soldiers of the big city had seen much more of the world, so they wouldn't be so apprehensive about a mere county official.
Before Li Chong could speak, Wu Dalang embellished the story and recounted their origins.
Upon hearing that it was a county magistrate reporting for duty, the visitor's attitude softened considerably.
"Your Excellency," the group greeted the carriage with a bow, "we request that Your Excellency present your official document. Once we have verified its accuracy, we will immediately arrange for your entry into the city. Prefect Wang is currently in his office; Your Excellency should also make the most of this opportunity to pay him a visit."
Since the other party was respectful and was discussing serious matters, Li Chong naturally couldn't refuse.
Cursing Wu Dalang for being nosy again, Li Chong said in a deep voice, "Cui Shi, show them."
"Yes," Choi Si responded, showing his official document.
After a brief inspection, the men became even more respectful, though not obsequious; a county magistrate was nothing to them.
After exchanging a few polite words, the group turned and left, gesturing for the crowd to make way and leading Li Chong and his party into the city.
The local people were quite cooperative with this privilege.
Li Chong quietly lifted a corner of the curtain to peek outside, only to see that the people were all looking at his carriage with envy, without any resentment, it seemed they were used to it.
As expected...
Li Chong shook his head, then seemed lost in thought.
If he were an ordinary person, he would naturally despise such privileges.
But now that he himself is enjoying this privilege, Li Chong is somewhat confused about how to react.
However, now is clearly not the time for philosophical speculation.
By the time Li Chong came to his senses, he had already entered the city. Everyone was waiting for his instructions on what to do next.
"Fine, fine." Li Chong gritted his teeth. "The longer we delay, the more suspicious it will become. Let's just go! He shouldn't have any reason to make me write anything; he'll just ask some questions."
Li Chong had written down the original owner's resume in detail over the past few days, so he would have something to say if Prefect Wang Shiru asked him about it.
Li Chong instructed, "Find an inn near the government office to settle down first. I will tidy myself up and then go to see Prefect Wang."
"Alright!" Wu Dalang replied, and called everyone to head towards the government office.
On the way, Wu Dalang chuckled to himself, "Registrar Yang is just being paranoid. Looking at this county magistrate all along, he hardly seems like a thief in disguise. If he were a real thief, would he dare to meet the prefect so brazenly?"
Thinking of this, Wu Dalang became even more attentive.
Li Chong and his entourage arrived at the inn. Surrounded by people, Li Chong, having changed his clothes, entered the government office with a complete set of documents.
"The newly appointed magistrate of Yanggu County has come to assume his post and has come to request an audience with Prefect Wang. This is my calling card."
The clerk at the gate glanced at Li Chong and asked, "From Yanggu County? Where are your official document and records?"
As the saying goes, even a seventh-rank official can only stand before the prime minister's gate. Although the prefect could not be called the prime minister, he was still considered a high-ranking official, and the clerks in front of the prefectural government office were arrogant.
At the very least, a county magistrate cannot expect people to fawn over him.
Li Chong was taken aback upon hearing this: "Aren't these supposed to be inspected personally by Prefect Wang?"
The clerk said impatiently, "The prefect is very busy with official duties. How can you see him whenever you want? Just hand it over and I'll present it to him. Once the prefect sees it, he will notify you to come."
Seeing the man's impatience, Li Chong didn't dare to say anything more, for fear of touching on some unspoken rules.
They had no choice but to hand the items over.
Along with the official document, a heavy piece of silver was also presented.
According to Li Chong, the corruption in the Northern Song Dynasty's officialdom was a top-down problem, and sending some silver should have an effect.
Sure enough, the silver had an immediate effect.
Touching the cold silver coins beneath him, the impatient clerk opposite him instantly became enthusiastic.
"Oh dear, Magistrate Li, why are you being so polite?" the man said, but his hands moved quickly, putting the silver into his sleeve.
"I wonder where Magistrate Li is staying in the city? If the Prefect has any news, I will inform the Magistrate as soon as possible."
Li Chong told him which inn he was staying at, and the man nodded and noted it down.
"That's fine then. County Magistrate, go back and wait a few days. I'll send someone to let you know when I have any news."
Li Chong cupped his hands in greeting: "A few days? I wonder how many days it will take?"
"It should take about three or four days. The prefect has a lot of official business to attend to, so the county magistrate should just wait patiently."
"Yes, yes."
Li Chong nodded repeatedly and left after exchanging pleasantries.
They wouldn't even let him in the door, so he could only wait patiently. He could use this time to practice more, at least to be able to write with a brush.
Back at the inn, how Li Chong dealt with Wu Dalang and his group goes without saying, and everyone settled down at the inn.
One day, two days, three days...
On the morning of the fourth day, Li Chong was practicing writing in his room. Although his writing was still crooked, at least the characters were legible.
He used too much force on the back of his hand, so much so that the veins were showing.
Li Chong's inner self was not as calm as he appeared.
"Bang!"
The door was suddenly kicked open, and Choi Seok-hwan ran in overjoyed.
"My lord! My lord! Someone's here! The approval has come! We can go and take up our posts!"
"Get out!" Li Chong snapped coldly. "Who taught you to be so rude?"
Cui Shi stood there, stunned, and seeing Li Chong's sullen face, she had no choice but to obediently leave the room.
Inside the room, Li Chong placed his calligraphy brush on the shelf, completely unaware that his practice paper was now stained with a large patch of ink.
He tried to keep his voice calm: "Come in."