Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 35: Promotion and Appointment, Scholar Blocks the Way
The sun is rising, and the weather is lovely today.

Zhao, the clerk, was also in a good mood.

He was born into the Zhao family of Xinzhou. Although he belonged to a collateral branch, this starting point already surpassed that of countless ordinary people. He was noble because of his surname, which gave him a significant advantage.

After all, the Zhao family is one of the eight most prestigious families in the world, with a renowned reputation.

Zhao, the clerk, did not pass the imperial examination. He passed the provincial examination many years later and eventually embarked on an official career, serving as the clerk in the Maoxian County government, holding the rank of eighth grade.

Those of the eighth or ninth rank were basically assistant officials, or adjutants.

Not content with this, he amassed wealth and made connections everywhere, using every possible link in his network.

This year, he finally got an opportunity: the position of magistrate of Yi County became vacant, and he took it in one fell swoop.

For this, Zhao Zhubu paid a huge price, losing most of his fortune.

But it's all worth it.

From a registrar to a county magistrate, from an eighth-rank official to a seventh-rank official, the difference of one rank is like a chasm.

Once you overcome that obstacle, you've entered a new world.

In some folk tales, county magistrates are often described with a contemptuous tone, such as "a mere seventh-rank official."

Little did they know that the head of a county held the fate of tens of thousands of people in the entire county in his hands.

As the saying goes, "A county magistrate who ruins his family" can decide life and death with a single word.

Power can generate money; as long as you hold real power, wealth will flow in.

Zhao, the magistrate, is in dire need of money. His family's finances are severely strained, and their standard of living has declined. He can no longer afford the standard six dishes and one soup for every meal, and he has to cut off one dish because it is not dignified.

There's a proper way to collect money, so he needs to hurry up and take up his post so he can get things set up as soon as possible.

The sooner the handover is completed, the more money can be collected.

He has already made a plan and is striving to earn back all the money he has invested within a year.

It took a while, but there was no other way. Compared to Maoxian, Yixian was just a lower-level county with a small population and poor farmland, making it difficult to plunder.

That being said, if it were a large county, he wouldn't be the one to take the position of county magistrate.

Zhao Zhubu is already satisfied. As long as he can secure the position, he can use it as a stepping stone to perhaps advance further.

He was so eager to improve.

Therefore, the day after the Ghost Festival, they packed their bags and set off.

When a new official takes office, circumstances vary. Those who live far away often bring their families with them.

However, that would result in a bloated and cumbersome process, which would be detrimental to the trip.

For those with shorter journeys, the main person usually goes first, traveling light, and once they arrive and have settled in, their family members come to join them.

Zhao, the magistrate, was the same. He traveled to Yi County in a horse-drawn carriage. The driver was not an ordinary coachman, but a trusted servant. Accompanying him were Zhao's steward, Zhao's doorman, and two bodyguards.

There were six people, three horses, and one carriage in total.

As the saying goes, "A new emperor brings a new court," and this applies to all kinds of government agencies, large and small.

When Zhao, the magistrate, took over the Yixian County government, his first priority was to place his own people in key positions to prevent the government from falling into the hands of others and losing its power.

Which position in the government office is the most important?

One is internal, the other is external; internally, a capable steward is needed, and externally, a loyal doorman is needed.

If we can control both places, the situation will be stabilized.

The next step is to find advisors and strategists.

Zhao Zhubu's power base is not deep, and he doesn't have many people around him who can be relied upon. But as long as his position is secure, he will not lack either talent or money.

He left Maoxian in a grand manner, and was promoted to a new post in a high-profile manner. A group of officials and wealthy people came to see him off, bid him farewell, and presented him with various congratulatory gifts and gifts.

This is an important part of interpersonal relationships.

The event was held at the inn outside the east gate of Maoxian County. People had set up the table early, with wine and tea provided, creating a lively atmosphere. Zhao, the magistrate, beamed with smiles, accepting all the congratulations and gifts offered.

Butler Zhao had already secretly memorized the list. If anyone didn't send anything, or was stingy with their gifts, well, they'd be held accountable later.

Among the crowd, Wang Fu looked around with a worried expression. He had come with his father, Wang Yuanshan, to see off Zhao Zhubu.

In fact, the eldest son of the Wang family has never liked such insincere occasions and has never wanted to participate, but firstly, his father asked him to, and secondly, he had some worries in his heart, so he came along.

He was afraid that Chen Jin would suddenly appear and stop Zhao Zhubu to demand justice.

When they were in the city, it wasn't easy for Chen Jin, given his status, to see Zhao Zhubu. First of all, he couldn't get past Zhao Menzi. If he made a scene, he would only get beaten up.

Chen Jin is indeed capable, but would he dare to confront the Zhao family and fight his way in?
How many can be killed?
Once blood is drawn, the situation changes completely and becomes uncontrollable. When the government troops arrive, no matter how capable they are, they can only surrender.

Wang Fu felt that Chen Jin wouldn't act so rashly.

Therefore, Chen Jin's best opportunity is to take this chance to say goodbye when there are many people around and much discussion.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Magistrate Zhao would find it difficult to retaliate and might, for the sake of saving face, compensate Chen Jin and return the money.

In this way, justice has been served, which is a good result.

Even if Chief Clerk Zhao denies it outright, the related rumors will quickly spread, causing him to lose face.
This was a relief for Chen Jin, and he could accept it.

Of course, there is also the best-case scenario, which is that Chen Jin returns to his hometown to worship the gods and ancestors, and still does not return to the city.

If the two sides don't meet and nothing happens, that would be the best outcome.

Wang Fu looked around anxiously for a while, but did not see Chen Jin. At this time, Zhao Zhubu had already bid farewell to everyone and boarded the carriage.

The horse-drawn carriage drove onto the official road and gradually disappeared into the distance.

Wang Fu breathed a long sigh of relief.

Wang Yuanshan walked over and scolded in a low voice, "Fu'er, what are you doing? You're standing here like a dumb goose, you can't even say a few polite words."

This occasion was not just a farewell; most of the people present were prominent figures, and it was a rare opportunity for them to gather together, making it a good social opportunity.

Seeing that Chen Jin did not cause any trouble, Wang Fu was in a good mood. He was submissive and meek in the face of his father's scolding, looking like he was admitting his mistake.

Wang Yuanshan shook his head and sighed, "Your mother and I have already asked Taoist Qingsong to tell your fortune and change your luck. You must stay at home obediently for the time being, and you can't go out even a step. You should also take care of your injuries. Do you understand?"

Wang Fu immediately wore a bitter expression, but dared not refute it, so he had no choice but to agree.

……

Meanwhile, Zhao Zhubu and his entourage set off for Yi County with the rumbling of carriages and the clatter of horses' hooves.

The two counties are adjacent and not far apart. By noon, they had arrived at the border area, a hilly and wild area.

Today the sun is blazing hot, and the streets are deserted with hardly any pedestrians.

Zhao, the magistrate, had drunk too much in the morning and was feeling a bit dizzy, so he lay down and fell asleep as soon as he got in the car. However, the journey was inevitably bumpy, and he didn't sleep well.

I was just about to give the order to find a shady place to rest.

"Yu!"

Suddenly, a horse neighed loudly, and the carriage stopped abruptly. Caught off guard, Zhao, the clerk, bumped his forehead. Annoyed, he shouted, "Zhao Wu, what are you doing?"

Sitting on the carriage shaft, Steward Zhao quickly leaned in and reported, "Master, someone is blocking the road."

Zhao, the clerk, was taken aback and hurriedly asked, "Mountain bandits?"

Although the dynasty was at its peak, bandits and thieves did not disappear in the local areas and would commit crimes from time to time.

"He doesn't look like a bandit; he looks like a scholar."

"What kind of scholar dares to block the road? Does he have a death wish? Go and drive him away!"

　Thank you so much to my friend "Finally Have Time" for the generous donation of 1500 coins! This is the first time this book has received a donation, it's not easy!

　　For the sake of next month's monthly votes, Nan Chao will not stop updating, even if it means rolling his face in anger!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)