Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 566 - 565: Deceiving the County Magistrate, Claiming There Are Disaster Relief Funds
The County Magistrate’s eyes began to shine. Could it be that a high official from Kaifeng Prefecture had taken pity on his poor jurisdiction, and wanted to give him silver for disaster relief to aid the people?
If that was the case, his donation of ten silver taels could be likened to casting a brick to attract jade.
Although the County Magistrate hoped that the Kaifeng Prefecture official would prepare silver for him, he still wanted to maintain his dignity. He rubbed his hands together and said, "Your Excellency’s presence here from Bianjing has already brought glory to our humble place; I would never dare to ask for anything."
Tian Peng found this amusing, but considering the context of the situation, he restrained himself from speaking.
The Kaifeng Prefecture official said, "I know that officials like you generally don’t just accept things, and this item is not prepared for you."
The smile on the County Magistrate’s face stiffened. What did this mean? To say that the trip wasn’t in vain, yet not to give him anything.
Now, the County Magistrate was somewhat unclear about what the Kaifeng Prefecture official intended to do.
"I am aware that you are very poor, lacking the money to reward the common people who voluntarily repair the irrigation ditches. However, giving only ten silver taels is indeed a bit paltry."
Upon hearing the words of the Kaifeng Prefecture official, the County Magistrate’s face grew colder, coming full circle after all that talk. Was it not just a complaint that his donation of silver was too meager?
Yes, his place was really poor; it was exactly because of its poverty that he regarded silver so heavily.
The limited silver the imperial court disbursed each month could scarcely accomplish anything; he could only fill his purse a bit by collecting taxes.
But the Kaifeng Prefecture official was different; he was in charge of the entire Bianjing City.
Bianjing City, although not comparable to Chang’an, was still Bianjing, and it was developing better and better.
As its Governor, he must undoubtedly be very wealthy. Ten silver taels might be little, but it was completely sufficient for those lowly commoners.
"Excellency, I did want to give more silver, but I have no spare money. The meager official salary I receive each month is not even enough to support my family, let alone these villagers who pay no taxes. I took the taxes collected from other villages to give to them."
"Is that so? Although I have not paid much in taxes myself, that’s because you cannot defeat me and thus do not dare to come and demand them from me."
"However, you certainly have not hesitated to collect money from other people’s homes. I might have turned a blind eye before, but that doesn’t mean I failed to see it," Tian Peng interjected appropriately at this moment.
"You rabble-rouser, do not speak lies. The collection of taxes is mandated from above. I have no choice, after all. That money is not for me; it is all to be submitted to the imperial court."
At this point, the imperial court proved to be a convenient shield, which the County Magistrate brandished in his defense.
"Enough. Let’s not talk about this anymore," the Kaifeng Prefecture official interjected, "Indeed, development here is subpar, which is recorded in my books. Your County Magistrate has been claiming poverty year after year. However, His Majesty has just recently consolidated his position and has not yet had the time to attend to other matters, something we all understand."
The County Magistrate nodded with grievance, "Right, so you people, you have no idea of the hardships we officials endure, still thinking that we’re enjoying luxuries."
"The Emperor is compassionate and has already dispatched the allocated silver taels."
The County Magistrate was startled, not comprehending the meaning of this.
"Your Excellency, what are you saying? Does His Majesty know about this matter too?"
"Yes, you’ve also said that your area has suffered severe disasters, and it’s been more than a year or two. Furthermore, considering its proximity to the Central Plains, we certainly cannot allow it to become desolate."
The County Magistrate, upon hearing the Kaifeng Prefecture official’s words, began to sweat profusely again, "Indeed, His Majesty is wise and valiant, prescient in all things."
"First, we entered Chang’an to report the matter to His Majesty, and then His Majesty, empathizing with your hardships, instructed me to assist you well, so that your region can gradually prosper,"
the official from Kaifeng Prefecture said slowly, his gaze fixed tightly on the County Magistrate, not missing even the slightest movement.
"That, that’s really wonderful." The County Magistrate was very pleased, but there wasn’t a hint of joy in his eyes.
"Since you’re so happy, it seems my trip here was worthwhile. In a moment, you’ll take me to see your record books. With your vast land and sparse population, I presume your records can’t be as numerous as those in our prefecture, so I should be able to handle it," the official from Kaifeng Prefecture stated.
The County Magistrate stiffened again, and then said, "My lord, there’s really no need for such trouble. Besides, I believe there must be many matters in Bianjing City that require your attention."
"Your high status is needed by the many people of Bianjing City, my lord. You cannot afford to waste time here with us."
The County Magistrate spoke earnestly, his sincerity not just evident on his face, but also in his body language.
If one didn’t know better, they might really think he was considering the concerns of the official from Kaifeng Prefecture and the citizens of Bianjing City. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
"It’s good that you have this intention," the official from Kaifeng Prefecture said, "Since His Majesty has given me an order, certainly the focus should be on your needs. While Bianjing City has many citizens, those are just trivial matters. I don’t need to worry too much. With the chief registrar watching over things, even one or two months should be manageable."
This left no room for argument. The County Magistrate, thinking of the chaotic record books in his office, felt a heavier weight within his heart.
"My lord, there’s really no trouble necessary. Didn’t His Majesty send disaster relief funds? As long as we have the relief funds, we can become prosperous," he said.
The official from Kaifeng Prefecture smiled, thinking to himself that the County Magistrate had indeed misunderstood his intention, believing that funds had been sent from above.
"Who told you that His Majesty sent disaster relief funds?"
"Ah? It isn’t relief funds?" The County Magistrate asked, "But if it’s not relief funds, then how could His Majesty help us?"
"Naturally, it depends on this official," said the official from Kaifeng Prefecture.
"His Majesty indeed sent silver, but it was for those peasants repairing the canals. When I arrived just now, I had already given it to them."
The County Magistrate paused, realizing the silver wasn’t for disaster relief. "Then why are you still asking me for money?"
The official from Kaifeng Prefecture smiled, feigning sympathy, "Naturally because I don’t want the peasants’ work to be in vain, and it’s only ten silver taels. Could it be that you begrudge the amount?"
"That’s not it. Since I have already taken out the money, how could I possibly be reluctant? I was just inquiring," the County Magistrate said, his face turning green but still maintaining a forced smile.
"That’s good," said the official from Kaifeng Prefecture. "This young man had claimed to His Majesty that he wouldn’t take a single penny, and at the time, His Majesty instructed me to supervise him."
"That chest full of silver taels, there must have been over fifty ingots. This young man didn’t even blink an eye and distributed it all to those repairing the canals."
"Over fifty ingots?" The County Magistrate gasped, as it had been many years since he’d seen so much silver.
Now just some lowly people who had put in a bit of effort had gotten their hands on so much silver—how infuriating!
Inside, the County Magistrate already planned to reclaim all that money after the official from Kaifeng Prefecture had left.
It wasn’t just a matter of one or two taels of silver—fifty ingots of silver, what a sum it was.
