Yinshan Record

Chapter 49 Giving Gifts
In the main hall of the county government, Su Che looked at the sunrise over the sea behind Shi Chibao, but felt no warmth at all.

They can kill with a few words; how many families will be destroyed and wiped out with just a few words?

Is this the power of the Imperial Guards?
"Thank you for your guidance, sir. I understand."

Su Che clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and remained silent.

This Commander Shi Chibao was truly giving them face. If the same task were done by a cruel official, the entire Shanyin County would be wiped out, but if it were done by a corrupt official, he could make a fortune.

If he wanted to make a name for himself, he could use the heads of the entire county to pave the way. If he wanted to get rich, the wealth of Magistrate Jiang, Registrar Tian, ​​and those wealthy families would all be his savings.

Offering both credit and money, using someone else's life and fortune to do him a favor—this Commander Shi truly deserves my respect.

"Easy to say, easy to say."

Shi Chibao picked up his teacup and chuckled, "I have official business to attend to, County Magistrate Su, please make yourself at home."

"Your humble servant thanks you, sir."

Su Che bowed again and left the main hall of the county government office.

The documents he submitted had clearly reached the highest levels of authority.

Yu Ze, the regional governor in charge of local power, personally led his troops to the capital, making him the highest-ranking official in the Liang Dynasty in the region. Feng Buxing, the eunuch in the Imperial Horse Administration, represented the inner court, essentially the emperor. Meanwhile, the Imperial Censor Xingyou of the Censorate was a special official in the outer court responsible for similar matters.

The outer court, the inner court, and the local areas—three groups of people moved together, rippling the surface of a pool of spring water.

Thinking of this, Su Che couldn't help but feel a fleeting sympathy for Magistrate Jiang and Registrar Tian; these two were indeed innocent victims of this misfortune.

He was living a carefree and comfortable life as a local tyrant, but suddenly the sky fell down and the disaster struck him squarely on the head.

Such a big incident happened in Shanyin County. If they can clear themselves of all responsibility, how will these two manage to get out of this mess?
It seems likely that the top two prominent families in this county will change in the future.

However, none of these things concern County Magistrate Su.

He has no shortage of merit, nor is he short of money. Most importantly, there is Master Wei of Huangtiandao waiting behind him.

They say they have to test a disciple seven times. Whether that's true or not, if I were to get a reputation for being bloodthirsty and greedy because of this, wouldn't that ruin my future?
Don't abandon the small things, don't abandon the small things!

As Su Che stepped out of the main hall, Zhang San immediately stood waiting beside him.

"Lord County Captain."

Su Che glanced at the yamen runner; this Zhang San had a fairly decent appearance.

"What? What's wrong?"

"Someone wishes to pay their respects to Your Excellency."

"I'm a little tired, tell him to come another day."

Su Che replied.

Since arriving in Shanyin County, there hasn't been a moment of peace. Tonight, I'll be accompanying Qingqiu to play the role of some bandit leader, Liu Yidao.

Moreover, given his own cultivation method of the "Zhou Jue Yin Tian Secret Manual," he probably won't have much of a chance to sleep at night.

Su Che was quite satisfied and prepared to take advantage of the peace and quiet to find a place to sleep.

Anyway, he has a reputation for being a playboy, so he's not afraid of people saying that he doesn't do his job and sleeps during the day.

As I said before, those who are socially dead have nothing to fear.

"Someone came to me seeking an audience with you. I assumed there must be some important reason for this, so I agreed."

"You've already received the money?" Su Che asked Zhang San.

"No, it's just that the man asked for one hundred taels of silver, and I thought it was necessary to inform you, sir."

This three is good.

Su Che nodded. He wasn't afraid that Zhang San was greedy. If Zhang San were truly an upright and honest gentleman, he wouldn't have used him.

One hundred taels of silver is indeed an astronomical price. According to the market price of one thousand coins for one tael of silver, it can be exchanged for 100,000 coins, which can be used to build a small mountain of rotten meat.

Regardless of the reason why someone can afford this price, I should meet them given my current status.

For no other reason than that he has the ability to come up with such a sum of money.

“You did a good job. First, collect his money, then have him come to the back office to see me.”

With his current cultivation level, and with Shi Chibao leading the Imperial Guards to oversee the county government, Su Che was not afraid that anyone would dare to cause any trouble within the county government.

Su Che returned to his room and sat down. Not long after, Zhang San led a man in. The man had a body as black as iron, but his complexion was not good.

Upon closer inspection, this person could be considered an old acquaintance.

"Brother Zhou, how have you been?"

"This humble subject was blind and did not recognize your greatness. I have offended you before, and I apologize in advance."

After saying this, Zhou Situi, whom he had met at the Kulin Temple that day, respectfully kowtowed three times on the ground, each time making a muffled thud.

"Mr. Zhou's words are meaningless."

Su Che didn't say anything more.

Those few inside Xuanshan finally realized what was happening and made some moves.

It's just a pity that it's a bit late.

Zhou Si, the leader of the herb gatherers who traveled deep into the mountains, was able to lead his team to spend the night at the Kulin Temple, a place that the locals of Shanyin County avoided like the plague.

It wasn't because of any exceptional skill or daring, but because of the powerful connections behind them.

Hmm, there's something fishy going on behind the scenes.

Come to think of it, if I hadn't attacked that one-eyed monster at the Kulin Temple that day, perhaps none of that trouble would have happened.

Looking back now, I realize that my plan to force Gu Yin, the pageboy from Bailudong, to take action in order to verify his identity was indeed a bit simplistic.

Su Che remained silent, and the herb gatherer lowered his head to the ground.

"Mr. Zhou is the first person from this county I met, so we can be considered old acquaintances."

Su Che picked up a book from the table and flipped through it casually. He waited for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before speaking.

"Mr. Zhou, you must have come to offer some guidance today?"

"How dare I, a humble subject, merely follow orders and have important matters to report to you, sir."

This person is arrogant and stubborn, but he's willing to lower himself like this today. Although we don't know who the demon king behind him is, he has indeed found a good subordinate.

“I won’t make things difficult for you. Don’t waste your breath by saying things like ‘if it’s important, go and report to Magistrate Jiang, Registrar Tian, ​​or Inspector Shi.’ We’ve met, so just get to the point.”

Zhou Si lowered his head, not daring to raise it.

"The robbery of the county treasury was the work of the Black Mountain Demon's subordinates, and has nothing to do with other demons. The demon you killed at the Kulin Temple that day was named One-Eyed, which should be a wood demon, and there has been no news of it since..."

"If that's what you're going to say, then forget it."

Su Che watched as Zhou Si picked up his teacup and took a sip: "I have no interest in knowing about these things."

"My lord, I know that you have connections and influence. I am willing to offer up my entire fortune of three hundred taels of gold, hoping that you will show mercy and let this matter rest."

Three hundred taels of gold?
This is no small sum. Are all the demon kings in Xuanshan mining gold?

In Cizhou, the exchange rate between gold and silver was roughly one tael of gold for fifteen taels of silver, while in Jiankang, one tael of gold could be exchanged for twenty taels of silver.

Two million coins.

All the warehouses, big and small, in Shanyin County combined probably don't have that much money.

"Mr. Zhou, thank you for your kindness."

Young Master Su put the teacup aside.

"Get up."

"This humble subject is terrified and would never dare to do so."

"It's good that you know you wouldn't dare. Mr. Zhou is so sincere, so please pass on a message to the person behind you: this isn't about money." Su Che said in a serious tone, "Two million is quite a lot, and I appreciate your kindness. But the person behind you who can get what they want is not short of money."

"Go back and gather some local produce from the mountains, then let it pick two more capable ones to come with you."

"do you understand?"

Su Che asked with a smile.

"I understand, I will get on it right away."

"And next time you come, bring your name, like Master Qing, Feng Jiunan, Lord Yutu, or Lord Dushan." Young Master Su sneered, "Otherwise, it won't be easy to get into the government office of Shanyin County."

(End of this chapter)