I am a temporary worker in Jinyiwei, how did I become a powerful official?

Chapter 103: There is always a way out ( words)
Shuntian Prefecture governed not only the capital, but also 24 nearby prefectures and counties. Therefore, the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture was a third-rank official.

Lin Shisan and Doctor Zhao came to Shuntian Prefecture and found the Governor Liang to explain their purpose.

Prefect Liang was also a frequent visitor to the Luo Mansion's insect appreciation party and was very familiar with Lin Shisan.

He listened to what Lin Shisan said, and because of the approval of Yan's father and son, he immediately agreed: "Looking for the golden turtle is to make those censors shut up. I, Shuntian Prefecture, will definitely help."

"Isn't it just 23,000 civilians? I'll gather them for you right away."

One hundred and thirty-four years have passed since Emperor Yongle moved the capital. Shuntian Prefecture has formed an efficient corvée system.

In peacetime, it takes five days to muster 23,000 soldiers, but only half a day to muster 23,000 civilians.

Liang Fuyin ordered his subordinate Zhizhong to go and gather the laborers. He said to Lin Shisan, "You found a good excuse to find the tortoise shell. It can clear the silt."

"In fact, the Gaoliang River in Beijing has been silted up for a long time. I was just thinking of cleaning it up."

Lin Shisan thanked you repeatedly: "I am really sorry to trouble you this time."

Liang Fu Yin waved his hands repeatedly: "We are all on the same side as Lord Yan. It is natural for us to help each other."

Lin Shisan suddenly discovered that in the eyes of most people, he had now become Yan Song's man.

Yes, not to mention that he was always on good terms with a group of senior officials of the Yan Party. This time, he was looking for the tortoise to help the Yan Party compete with the Xu Party.

Those who don't know the inside story might actually think that he is a genuine upstart of the Yan Party.

On the other hand, if the Yan Party did not treat Lin Shisan as their own, how could Lin Shisan, a seventh-rank general flag of the Northern Division, mobilize more than 20,000 civilians in half a day?
What the ancient sages said is true: It is nice to sit under a big tree and enjoy the shade.

That afternoon, the entire capital city became bustling with activity.

Countless laborers were pulling nets in boats or on the banks. It was like a temple fair was being held on both sides of the 16 tributaries of Gaoliang River. Crowds of people came out to watch the fun.

Many fish, shrimps, crabs and turtles were caught in the river. In addition to completing the corvée labor assigned by the government, the laborers could also get a lot of river food for their own consumption.

Lin Shisan and Doctor Zhao rode on horses and inspected everywhere, correcting the workers' method of pulling the net from time to time.

Lin Shisan said with emotion: "It's easier to get things done with more people. Within two days, we can search Gaoliang River completely no matter what. Even a golden tortoise can't escape."

"Oh no, the three-day period mentioned by Immortal Venerable Taiqing Daode can still accommodate half a day."

Doctor Zhao said with a smile: "When you find the golden tortoise, you will become the second Blue Immortal. Whenever there is something going on, the Jade Emperor will come to you. Then you can get whatever you want, right?"

Lin Shisan said quickly, "Brother Zhao, stop joking. If you play tricks too much, people will hate you. I heard that there are countless people in the court who want to cut the Blue Immortal into pieces."

After a day of getting along, Lin Shisan and Doctor Zhao had become completely familiar with each other. The two of them called each other brothers.

Suddenly, a civilian shouted: "Oh, what a big turtle!"

Lin Shisan was startled and dismounted from his horse to take a closer look.

The turtle was quite big, but it was just a green-haired river turtle, weighing about 50 to 60 kilograms.

It seems that there are indeed many big fish and giant turtles in the Gaoliang River.

Doctor Zhao suggested: "Brother Lin, the duty of an official is to present rare treasures to the emperor. This green-haired turtle may not be as rare as a golden turtle, but it is still considered a rare creature when it grows to 50 or 60 kilograms. It is better to raise it in the Taiye Lake."

Lin Shisan nodded, "Yes. The golden turtle is more than 1,700 years old. A green-haired river turtle would need at least 180 years to grow to 50 or 60 kilograms."

As they were talking, a fat man riding a short mule came over. It was Sun Yue, the newly promoted flag bearer.

Sun Yue complained: "Master, you are so disloyal! I heard from my comrades in the guards that you encountered difficulties in Taiye Lake."

"When you are in trouble, why don't you call me, your disciple? Are we really going to run away when the disaster strikes?"

Lin Shisan explained: "This matter is too dangerous right now. I don't want to implicate you."

Sun Yue cursed, "Zhao! I've been doing errands with you, Master, and it's not like I haven't encountered dangerous things before. When a person dies, birds fly back to the sky. I'm not a coward who hides away when I see trouble."

Doctor Zhao joked, "Right. This fat brother is not Zhao Zhenji, who would not get involved in anything."

A civilian suddenly shouted: "There's something else!"

Lin Shisan looked from afar and saw two laborers pulling up a copper pot while they were collecting the net.

The copper pot weighed more than two kilograms. Copperware was very valuable to the common people. A copperware weighing two kilograms could be exchanged for at least two hundred coins.

Lin Shisan said, "It's not easy for these civilians to be called up by Shuntian Prefecture to do this work. Pass the order down that all valuable items salvaged from the Gaoliang River belong to the salvage workers."

After receiving this order, the laborers became more motivated.

Before they knew it, the laborers had been busy for an entire afternoon. The Shuntian Prefecture officials brought a large number of torches to the laborers, asking them to continue searching overnight.

Lin Shisan had no intention of going home to sleep with his wife or new concubine because he had not found the golden tortoise. He simply went to the Dushui Division.

Doctor Zhao took out the river map and calculated carefully: "At noon today, the civilians have searched about one-tenth or twelve-tenths of the tributaries of Gaoliang River."

Lin Shisan hadn't slept for a day and a night, and his eyelids were already starting to droop.

Doctor Zhao said, "We all have night guards in the Water Department. Go and have a sleepover. You never know when you wake up, you might find the golden tortoise has been found."

Sun Yue also advised Lin Shisan: "Master, people can go without food, but they cannot go without sleep. You should go and recuperate."

Lin Shisan nodded. Doctor Zhao ordered someone to prepare a night watch room for him. He fell asleep and snored loudly.

In a trance, he seemed to have a dream. He dreamed of the missing big golden turtle.

The big golden turtle actually spoke: "Lin Shisan, do you think you can find me with more than 20,000 people? I am a spiritual creature. Once I escape, you will never be able to find me again!"

Lin Shisan said, "Why do you want to escape? You eat well, swim well, and live well in Taiye Lake. Everyone in the palace worships you like an ancestor."

"You fled to Gaoliang River, aren't you afraid that you'd be discovered by the ignorant people or beggars in the capital and eaten by them?"

The big golden tortoise said, "Let me ask you, are those caged birds and jar insects you raise happy on weekdays?
“Birds should soar in the sky. Insects should fly among the trees. That is their true destiny.”

“And my destiny is to swim in the great rivers.”

Lin Shisan cursed: "You can't be too selfish as a cuckold. It doesn't matter if you run into the big rivers, but the court will be in turmoil."

"If there is any disturbance in the imperial court, who knows how many people will suffer."

The big golden tortoise said sarcastically, "Don't describe yourself as a moral gentleman. It's as if you came to me for the people."

"You are just trying to save your life and your bright future!"

After saying that, the big golden turtle suddenly took off into the sky.

Lin Shisan ran desperately, trying to catch up with it, but how could two legs be faster than the clouds?

Soon, the golden turtle disappeared without a trace.

"Ah!" Lin Shisan screamed and woke up from his sleep.

It was already dawn.

Lin Shisan walked out of the bedroom and came to the main hall of the Dushui Division. Doctor Zhao was dozing off with his head supported by his left hand.

Lin Shisan said softly, "Brother Zhao."

Doctor Zhao opened his eyes: "Ah, Brother Lin is awake."

Lin Shisan asked anxiously, "Any news? Have you caught a golden turtle?"

Doctor Zhao replied, "There are reports of fish weighing dozens or hundreds of kilograms, and all kinds of strange objects. There is even a stone bull from the Yongle era that controlled the river. There are also two bodies that were either drowned or killed."

"There are no golden turtles."

Thinking back to the dream he had just had, Lin Shisan suddenly felt a headache.

Sun Yue was snoring loudly nearby, and was woken up by the conversation between Lin Shisan and Doctor Zhao.

Sun Yue rubbed his eyes and asked, "Master, is the mission completed?"

Lin Shisan shook his head slightly.

Sun Yue comforted Lin Shisan: "There are still two days left, right? Master, don't worry. You are blessed with great fortune. You will definitely be able to complete the task."

Lin Shisan said, "Let's not talk about the New Year. Let's go out and check the progress of the laborers."

Doctor Zhao said, "I'll go too."

The three of them patrolled from dawn to noon, but found nothing.

At the same time, in the cabinet duty room, Yan's father and son were sitting opposite Xu Jie.

Old Yan Song was dozing off, with his eyes closed and not saying a word.

Yan Shifan said to himself: "Some people want to stir up trouble in the southeast. Oh, if they want to stir up trouble, then so be it. Why do they have to threaten my Yan family with the title of a loyal and honest minister?"

Xu Jie said nothing and just drank his tea.

Yan Shifan added: "Let me make it clear. Don't even think about sending Wang Bengu to Zhejiang. If he goes to the southeast, it will only ruin the great cause of the southeast's resistance against the Japanese pirates."

Xu Jie finally spoke: "How would the young minister know?"

Yan Shifan said angrily, "I can see through Wang Bengu at a glance. Does he have any other skills besides finding faults?"

Xu Jie said, "The so-called ability is acquired through experience. Hu Zongxian was just an imperial inspector before, but now he is the leader of Zhejiang." Yan Song finally spoke up, "Shaohu, tell Zou Yinglong to stop making trouble. Even the golden turtle in Taiye Lake has been dragged into this. If it is recorded in the history books, won't it be ridiculed by future generations?"

Xu Jie bowed and said, "Please allow me to report. Although Zou Yinglong is my student, he is a man who will not turn back until he hits a wall. Once he sets his mind on something, he will definitely do it to the end. I can't convince him. As for the golden tortoise..."

Yan Shifan said angrily, "You sent someone to do something and let him go, right?"

Xu Jie stood up and said, "Young Lord, you underestimated me. I would never resort to the methods of a street thief."

Yan Shifan said, "Then let's ride on the donkey and watch the opera. We'll see. Three days later, when the golden turtle returns to the pond, we'll see what Zou Yinglong and his group of noisy crows have to say."

Xu Jie said calmly: "I heard that Shuntian Prefecture has gathered more than 20,000 civilians and is pulling nets in various rivers in Beijing. The reason is to clear silt."

"I think the silt removal is fake, and the turtle search is real."

Yan Shifan said: "Shuntian Prefecture has dredged the river, which is beneficial to the country and the people. I also ask Xu Cifu not to judge a gentleman by his own meanness."

After saying this, Yan Shifan strode out of the cabinet duty room.

Yan Song narrowed his eyes and said, "Shaohu, Shifan is young and has a quick temper. You should not argue with him."

Yan Shifan came out of the duty room and asked Luo Longwen outside the duty room: "Did your master find the golden turtle?"

Luo Longwen said: "There is no news yet, it should be that he has not been found yet."

Yan Shifan said, "It's been almost a day and a half. Don't you think he's an expert at finding favors? What happened this time?"

Luo Longwen spoke for Lin Shisan: "There are too many tributaries of the Gaoliang River in Beijing. Young Minister, please be patient. Only slow work can produce fine results."

Yan Shifan snorted coldly: "Whether he can defeat Xu Jie this time depends entirely on him."

As for Lin Shisan, as time passed, he became more and more anxious.

I watched the sun go from the east to the south, and then from the south to the west. I still got nothing today.

Sun Yue suggested: "Master, Daode Tianzun said that it takes three days to return the tortoise. Isn't it said that one day in heaven is one year on earth? Let's report it to the emperor and then look for it for another three years. I don't believe it."

Doctor Zhao said quickly, "That's not right. If you change it to say three years, those censors will eat your master alive."

Lin Shisan said: "We have searched more than half of the river channels. How strange! Could it be that we are unlucky and the golden turtle is in the other half of the river channels?"

Doctor Zhao analyzed, "That must be the case. Taiye Lake is only connected to Tongzi River and Gaoliang River. We have already searched Tongzi River with a net."

"The tributaries of Gaoliang River are not connected to other rivers. As long as we search all the tributaries of Gaoliang River, we will definitely be able to find the golden turtle."

Sun Yue suggested: "Master, don't you have many tricks to find a favorite? For example, you can use the scent of honey to find a black dragon, wrap a pigeon with a white feather bow, and use a hundred-fruit wine to catch a monkey."

Lin Shisan said: "Some pets can be found by tricks. But to find golden turtles, there is only one stupid way, which is to use a net."

"They say that old people are more cunning and more intelligent. The same is true for the golden tortoise. It has lived for more than 1,700 years and will never be fooled easily."

Sun Yue asked, "Didn't you use small shrimps to lure it to float to the water before?"

Lin Shisan shook his head: "That's feeding it, not catching it. The small shrimps lure it to float to the water, it's like Zhou Yu fighting Huang Gai, one is willing to fight and the other is willing to be beaten."

By the second day of the deadline, more than 20,000 civilians had searched about 70% to 80% of the river, but no golden turtle was found.

The second half of the night on the third day.

First, Huang Jin found Lin Shisan with a worried look on his face.

Huang Jin said: "Tomorrow, no, in the afternoon today, the emperor and his ministers and censors will go to Taiye Lake to take the golden tortoise back to the human world. Do you have any idea about it?"

Lin Shisan said nothing.

Huang Jin was a little anxious: "Little monkey, if the golden tortoise cannot be found, then Eunuch Lu and I, together with the people of the Yan Party, cannot save your life."

Lin Shisan sighed: "I know."

Huang Jin lowered his voice and said, "If you get into trouble, you will most likely be snatched away by those people from the Dali Temple. They will first convict you of pretending to be a ghost and deceiving the emperor. Then they will torture you severely and force you to make up stories."

"This is something Eunuch Lu gave you."

After saying that, Huang Jin stuffed a small porcelain bottle into Lin Shisan's hand.

Lin Shisan asked: "Eunuch Huang, what is this?"

Huang Jin replied: "This is Hedinghong. If you put a drop into your mouth, you will die. Eunuch Lu said that it can help relieve your pain and save you from the pain of being unable to live or die."

"If you still can't find the golden turtle by the second half of this afternoon, then grit your teeth and drink it."

Lin Shisan was stunned!
Don't be fooled by the fact that Lu Fang always calls him "nephew".

When the disaster really happened, the only way Lu Fang could help him was to give him a quick death.

Lin Shisan suddenly realized that in life, you can't rely on anyone else. You can only rely on yourself!

Lin Shisan put away the red on his head and said, "Don't worry, Eunuch Huang. First, I will try my best to find the golden turtle. Second, if the job is not done, I will not implicate anyone."

"I only ask Eunuch Lu and Eunuch Huang to take care of my family."

Huang Jin didn't say anything else. He sighed, shook his head, then turned and left.

Lin Shisan returned to the Dushui Division's duty room. Bad news came one after another.

"Reporting to Doctor Zhao and Lin Chuanfeng, the tributary of Gaoliang River in Beicheng has been netted."

"Reporting to Doctor Zhao and Lin Chuanfeng, the tributary of Gaoliang River in Dongcheng has been netted."

"Reporting to Doctor Zhao and Lin Chuanfeng, the tributary of Gaoliang River in Xicheng has been completely netted."

Lin Shisan asked Doctor Zhao: "How is the situation in South City?"

Doctor Zhao replied: "Only half of the tributary has not been searched."

Lin Shisan said, "That's not right. I have searched almost everywhere. How is it possible that I haven't found it yet?"

After a while, Lin Shisan said to Doctor Zhao, "Can we hang up the map of the river in the capital?"

Doctor Zhao did as he was told.

Lin Shisan stared at the map and asked, "Are the tributaries of Gaoliang River fully marked on the map?"

Doctor Zhao replied: "Don't worry. This is the most complete map of the river courses in the capital of the entire Ming Dynasty. It must be fully marked."

Lin Shisan stared at the map with his eyes fixed, as if he was staring at fire.

He said to himself, "That doesn't make sense! Could it be that the golden turtle is in the remaining half of the tributary?"

At this time, a person in charge came to report: "Report to Doctor Zhao, Lin Chuanfeng. The tributary of Gaoliang River in Nancheng has been netted."

Lin Shisan stumbled and nearly fell, but fortunately Sun Yue was quick to catch him.

I have searched all the places that need to be searched. Is it true that Heaven has forsaken me, Lin Shisan? My final destination is a bottle of Hedinghong?

Sun Yue consoled him, "Master, at worst we can both quit our official positions. You go back to your home and start your ice cellar business. I'll go back to mine and start my manure yard business."

It’s not as simple as Sun Yue said.

Lin Shisan suddenly had an idea because of Sun Yue's words: "Wait, you just said manure field?"

Sun Yue nodded: "Yes. My father has run a manure farm for more than ten years. If I didn't want to be an official, I would take over his business. I can also live a comfortable life."

Lin Shisan said: "There are hundreds of manure fields in the suburbs of Beijing, and they all rely on the thirty-six manure channels in the capital for manure supply."

"The thirty-six manure channels were built to carry manure to the outskirts of Beijing using the water from the rivers in Beijing."

"Doctor Zhao, why aren't there thirty-six manure channels marked on your river map?"

Doctor Zhao frowned: "You said it was a river map. Why mark the manure channel?"

Lin Shisan said: "We sent the laborers to search the rivers, but we ignored the manure channels."

"Immediately send someone to check which tributaries of the Gaoliang River are used to flush the manure channels."

Doctor Zhao said, "You are wondering if the golden turtle was washed into a manure channel through a tributary of the Gaoliang River?"

"I'll send someone to check it out right away! Someone come here!"

Two moments later, a person in charge rushed in.

The chief pointed to a tributary of Gaoliang River in Nancheng and said, "Dr. Zhao and Lin Chuanfeng, please have a look. This tributary connects to a manure channel to the south. The river water is led from the canal in Andingfang to the manure channel for flushing manure."

Sun Yue standing by was thinking: "This manure road is called 'Baihuisan Road'. It is owned by Datou Yang, the manure tyrant in the south of the city."

Lin Shisan said: "Immediately send people to search this 'Bai Hui San Dao'. We must find the golden turtle even if we have to dig three feet of dung!"

Doctor Zhao clapped his hands and said, "Okay! I will go to Shuntian Prefecture to gather some people."

This is exactly the case, Heaven will never leave anyone without a way out, and the Earth will always be merciful and kind.

　There is another 5,000-character chapter during the day. The ten thousand chapters cannot stop.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)