Chapter 104: Chapter 83: County Magistrate Kong
Translator: 549690339
Because he had promised Lu Yuan, Sun Siwen went out to visit the county magistrate that afternoon.
All the official residences of Changning County are built together, just like the
residence of the education official, all are located in Changning Fang.
So if Sun Siwen wants to go to the county magistrate’s house, he just needs to walk a few hundred meters out the door.
Today is a day off, so if there’s nothing special, most officials would stay at home to rest.
After all, according to Da Yue’s official system, officials can take two days off each month, each lasting three days, in the middle and at the end of the month.
That is to say, an official has to work for twelve consecutive days before they are allowed to have three days off.
Although official work is generally not tiring, especially in remote small counties like Changning, there are fewer tasks and it’s actually quite relaxing for officials.
But doing even light work for twelve days in a row, just clocking in every day would be exhausting.
So if nothing important is happening, most people would choose to stay at home with their families and not bother to wander outside! Of course, all of this does not apply if they are going to a brothel.
After all, they are scholars.
Even if they’re officials, they’re also scholars, how could they lack romanticism?
The county magistrate of Changning County is named Kong Yuzhu. Just like his name suggests, he is a gentleman like warm jade and green bamboo, and he also likes to cultivate and seek the Dao. Therefore, he is not very interested in worldly temptations.
Therefore, after his day off today, he stayed at home, immersed in reading the Taoist Classics in his study, paying little attention to the resentful gaze of his wife.
County Magistrate Kong often claims that as long as he can enjoy a cup of tea and read half a book in his leisure time, his life is fulfilled.
This reveals his personality.
Kong Yuzhu was somewhat surprised by Sun Siwen’s visit.
As the nominal deputy in the county, the county magistrate’s position seems honorable, ranking seventh in the hierarchy, just below the county magistrate who is seventh in rank.
But the relationship between the first-hand and the second-hand has always been complicated.
It has always been the case in the officialdom of Da Yue that a county is managed by the county magistrate who takes charge of all affairs, while the county magistrate, in name only, doesn’t really do much.
In comparison, it’s somewhat like the relationship between the emperor and the crown prince.
Before the county magistrate leaves, the county magistrate is nothing more than a decoration and has no power at all.
That’s why the county magistrate of Changning County indulges in cultivation every day and often goes to the Taoist temple.
Apart from his heart being inclined towards Taoism, it’s also because he has nothing to do and has a lot of free time on his hands.
Inside the living room, after serving the tea, Kong Yuzhu looked at Sun Siwen sitting opposite him and asked directly, “Does Grand Tutor Sun have some private matters to discuss with me today?”
As a deputy in the county town, he is well aware that he is just a figurehead, so he has accepted reality and has not competed for power with the county magistrate.
Similarly.
Since Sun Siwen, a subordinate of the county magistrate, has come to him, the unused deputy, it’s certainly not for official business, but most likely for personal reasons.
Indeed, after he asked, Sun Siwen laughed and said, “I do have a request.
Previously, when I had a gathering with Mr. Kong, I heard that Mr. Kong liked to study the Taoist Classics in his daily life.
Coincidentally, a friend has recently come to my house. Although he is a martial artist, he also likes to study the Taoist Classics every day.
However, in the last few days, my friend told me that he had many doubts after reading the classics alone, but due to his dullness, he has been unable to comprehend them.
So he asked for my help to find a good mentor who can solve his doubts.
So I thought about it and remembered that Mr. Kong once said that there was a Qi Yun Taoist in Qingyun View who was a real practitioner with profound knowledge of the Dao. Isn’t he the best candidate?
But my friend and I have no previous relationship with Qi Yun Taoist and we fear we would be turned away if we showed up uninvited.
So, I am asking Mr. Kong for help and hope that you could introduce us.
After he finished speaking, Sun Siwen stood up and deeply bowed to Kong
Yuzhu.
“Mr. Sun, there is no need for such formalities.”
Kong Yuzhu quickly stood up, helped Sun Siwen up, and then smiled, “What’s to fret about? It’s just an introduction. Rest assured, I will take care of this.
I was planning to go to Qingyun View tomorrow. If Mr. Sun and your friend are available, you can go with me.”
Sun Siwen happily said, “Of course, I am available. Thank you very much, Mr. Kong.”
“Hey, no need to thank me.”
Kong Yuzhu waved his hand dismissively, then curiously said, “I heard that Mr. Sun’s friend had arrived a few days ago. However, I didn’t expect him to be a martial artist who also likes to study the Taoist classics. This is quite surprising.”
Because of his different status, Kong Yuzhu has a deep understanding of the martial artist of Jianghu and does not have the prejudice of ordinary scholars.
He knows that these people, who possess terrifying martial arts, hold a position in the world that isn’t inferior to scholars like him.
In fact, because martial artists hold all power within themselves, they act more freely when carrying out tasks. Compared to officials with power in their hands, they couldn’t be more free.
A strong martial artist is not inferior to an official.
Since Mr. Sun’s friend can befriend such an education official, he must be one of these strong martial artists.
Therefore, Kong Yuzhu does not discriminate against the still unseen Lu Yuan, but instead looks upon him favorably.
For those who work as officials, having a few strong martial artists as friends isn’t a bad thing. On the contrary, it’s very convenient and a great benefit.
‘Blessed is Mr. Sun for befriending such people.’ Looking at Sun Siwen, Kong Yuzhu’s impression of him changed a bit.
After receiving a clear reply from Kong Yuzhu, Sun Siwen chatted with the county magistrate for a bit longer before saying goodbye.
When he returned home, he told Lu Yuan the good news. Lu Yuan was extremely pleased and said gratefully, “This is all thanks to Brother Sun. Otherwise, it would be impossible for me to persuade the county magistrate to introduce us.”
From the topics of their final conversation, it seemed that Mr. Kong was quite interested in Lu Yuan and even suggested that befriending a martial artist would be beneficial to his career.
It was clear from his words that he valued Lu Yuan highly.
‘It seems I still know too little about these Jianghu martial artists.’
Sun Siwen sighed and shook his head, “It’s nothing. Actually, County Magistrate Kong is quite interested in you too. You should prepare well for tomorrow, Brother Lu. If you can make friends with Mr. Kong, it would be very
beneficial for you in the future.”
Although Kong Yuzhu is now the second in command, his position as county magistrate is only temporary. After his three-year term, he will definitely be promoted and sent out.
By then, he will be a county magistrate of his own jurisdiction.
Being able to build a good relationship with an incoming county magistrate is, of course, beneficial for anyone..