Yinshan Record

Chapter 333 Ruthless and Cruel, Cutting Off Offspring
Old Niu let out a cold laugh in his heart.

Since meeting Young Master Su, Old Niu has seen far too many heartless people like him.

Zhang San's ordination certificate could not possibly be fake, because the Great River Alliance had spent real money to buy it from Jiankang and then gave it to Sikong Tu.

The fact that the registrar of the field tore up the document and refused to acknowledge it was simply due to greed. It's unclear whether he was after Xue Baizhi's beauty or the money he and Zhang San possessed.

"My lord, this is a certificate of ordination issued by the imperial court, and it is registered with the Ministry of Rites."

Zhang San quickly stepped forward and said.

"No matter how you try to deny it, you can't hide it from my discerning eyes. The county's City God has already informed Your Excellency that some evil people are taking advantage of the situation to collect incense offerings and believers."

Tian, ​​the registrar, sneered at the villagers: "You all think you can buy back a life with just one coin, but do you know what these wicked people are really thinking? Seize them!"

Several officials dismounted and took the gleaming iron chains from their saddles to lock up Zhang San and Lao Niu.

As Zhang San watched them walk by, he couldn't help but feel a little dazed, realizing that he had once been no different from them.

These yamen runners, though called government officials, were in reality nothing more than servants of the clerk Tian.

It's laughable that I wasn't even aware of how awful it was back then. Now, if I were in that situation, I would realize how truly despicable it was.

Zhang San looked at the old ox, only to see that the ox brother had already put his wrist in his mouth and kept muttering.

"Master, we are truly innocent. Please take another look at the ordination certificate."

It wasn't that Old Niu had a good temper; it was just that the female cultivator was extremely powerful, which frightened Old Niu so much that he dared not make a move.

Otherwise, I'll show these guys what it means to have a face full of chrysanthemums, and I'll beat their dead fish eyes into assholes to vent my anger.

"Although these two people have nothing to do with you, the law of the court applies. Please come with me to see the county magistrate."

Tian, ​​the registrar, stroked his two tufts of mustache, feeling himself to be refined and easygoing.

Xue Baizhi nodded slightly upon hearing this, but she was secretly delighted. No wonder the seniors in the sect told us to examine our hearts in the mortal world. After walking through this world, my ability to control my anger has indeed improved a lot.

The self-satisfied Registrar Tian ordered his yamen runners to thoroughly search Zhang San and the old ox, and to collect all the talismans as evidence.

"You unruly people are completely unaware of the benevolence of the imperial court's teachings."

Tian, ​​the registrar, was overjoyed at the discovery of the talismans, but he didn't forget to give the surrounding villagers a lecture.

"How dare you drink the talisman water bestowed by the sorcerer! Do you have any loyalty or filial piety towards your sovereign and father? I will inform the magistrate and you will be severely punished. Remember, never drink the talisman water bestowed by the sorcerer."

After finishing his speech, Registrar Tian looked down with an air of nonchalance at the indignant gazes of the people below.

That's all there is to it, what can you do to me?

"Walk."

With a flick of his sleeve, Tian, ​​the registrar, headed towards Wenning County.

Zhang San and the old ox, shackled and chained, were dragged along the road. Xue Baizhi said she couldn't ride a horse, so the clerk Tian had to order someone to bring a donkey from a villager's house for her to ride.

Wenning County is not far away, and soon you can see the loess city wall in the distance.

This earthen wall was originally built during the founding of the Great Liang Dynasty. Wenning County is located deep inland and poses no threat, so the local officials did not take the wall seriously. Over time, it gradually fell into disrepair and became just a decoration.

The great disaster has passed, and there are no more refugees to be seen outside the county town. Most of them have either filled the mass graves south of the town or become new slaves of wealthy families.

But the feeling of the place being deserted and desolate, as if branded with a deep mark, is indeed etched here.

Two elderly soldiers, dressed in patched-up clothes, stood at the door. When they saw Tian Zhubu's entourage arrive, they stepped forward to greet him while ordering the people waiting at the door to make way.

Tian, ​​the registrar, then led his men straight to the county government office.

Zhang San and Lao Niu were sent directly to prison, while Xue Baizhi was arranged to wait in a side office.

Tian, ​​the registrar, straightened his clothes and tiptoed toward the back office.

The magistrate was resting with his eyes closed. He was only about fifty years old, and his ancestors were wealthy merchants from Jiankang. His family had spent money to get him a place at the Imperial Academy. Later, he was appointed to various posts as a county magistrate, serving his entire life in different places. He had been an honest official, a corrupt official, and now, seeking comfort, he had become a mediocre one.

He lay on a yellow bamboo rocking chair, sipping tea from a purple clay teapot, while flipping through a notebook novel from a previous dynasty.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

Upon seeing this man, the registrar Tian hurriedly bowed.

Even students of the Imperial Academy represent the imperial court, and are not to be underestimated by a local tycoon like him. Moreover, this man is an expert in officialdom, and is well-versed in all matters, big and small, within the government offices.

"You're back? Did things go smoothly?"

He didn't make many movements, continuing to drink his tea and read the novel in his hand.

The county magistrate is the head of the county, a dignified and upright Marquis of a hundred miles. A mere clerk, even if he were a local tyrant, is not worth his time and effort.

"Smoothly, we captured a few demons, but we don't know what to do with them."

“Registrar Tian, ​​you’ve been in this office for quite some time now. As usual, those who are willing to pay will be given a beating and released. Those who refuse to pay will be taught a lesson and sent to the Censorate to report their merits after the New Year.”

The magistrate of Wenning County put down the purple clay teapot he was holding.

Is that all?

"There is one more thing I would like to ask Your Excellency to take a look at."

As he spoke, Clerk Tian took out a yellow talisman from his pocket and gently handed it to the county magistrate.

“Your Excellency, please take a look. I have already asked around and the talisman distributed by the sorcerer is for strengthening the body and nourishing the vital energy. It can indeed suppress the plague.”

"Suppressed?"

"Yes, if you drink the talisman water, you're guaranteed not to get sick for a month."

The county magistrate hummed in agreement and began to reread the book in his hands, seemingly returning his attention to reading, though his brows remained tightly furrowed.

"So this is a business that can be done slowly and steadily. I have already found buyers, and several established firms are willing to act as underwriters..." Tian Zhubu carefully considered his words: "Underwriting stolen goods can also be considered as serving the court."

"It's also a good thing for the people. Although this talisman water can't cure the root cause, it can still heal diseases."

The magistrate of Wenning County picked up a yellow talisman and then gave instructions.

"Now that we have these talismans, let's stop letting quack doctors harm the people. Take some men and arrest all those itinerant doctors."

When Clerk Tian heard the magistrate's words, he hesitated for a moment.

This is clearly forcing the people to buy this talisman water.

He'll leave once he's made his money, but the Tian family wants to stay and settle down in Wenning County.

"Your Excellency, I'm afraid the yamen is short-staffed..."

"Then go and hire one. Issue a reward: five taels of silver for every 'strike' of a quack doctor who can be brought to the county government office."

The magistrate stood up from his rocking chair.

"Then send people to spread rumors that anyone who drinks the talisman water is colluding with sorcerers and the court will definitely investigate. Arrest one family, arrest one village."

The magistrate of Wenning County looked at Clerk Tian and said, "I have one year left in my term. Clerk Tian, ​​the position of county magistrate is still vacant. Do your job well and don't let me down."

"I understand."

Tian, ​​the registrar, quickly replied.

Isn't it just ill-gotten gains?
Damn, if the Tian family hadn't made money that would have led to their extinction, they wouldn't be where they are today.

(End of this chapter)