Chapter 129: Truly Fit for Office

In Dangyang County, rumors of a mountain god beating a drum have been circulating for days. Even Magistrate Liu Rui, who is usually occupied with official business at the county office, has heard the talk.

"Chief Constable Yuan, everyone in the county has been whispering about this mountain god business lately. Do you know anything about the truth behind it?"

Since his return from Yushu Bay, Yuan Mei had initially caused a scene, but then went quiet. After a period of recovery, his physical injuries were no longer a concern, though the bruises on his face had yet to fade, giving him a somewhat comical appearance.

"My Lord, it is merely the ignorant commoners spreading rumors. It is likely just the result of the dry lightning in the mountains recently, which has startled the birds and beasts in the forest. People saw that and started making up these stories."

Ever since he returned to the county seat, Yuan Mei had no intention of venturing far again. The world was simply too dangerous, and his encounter at Yushu Bay still left him trembling with fear. At first, relying on his status as Chief Constable, he hadn't held Yushu Bay or Zhao Hengyi in high regard, convinced that they would never dare to make things difficult for him. In his mind, Zhao Hengyi was just a wealthy local landowner whose only leverage was being a supplier to the private estate of the Earl of Dangyang. Given Yuan Mei's reputation as a "skin-the-flayer," he naturally assumed that being a supplier meant nothing more than being coerced by the Earl’s steward, Song San, into abandoning high profits and working like a slave to make money for the Earl.

In the eyes of most outsiders, this was indeed the image of Zhao Hengyi and Yushu Bay. As someone who believed he held some sway in Dangyang County, Yuan Mei felt a strong psychological advantage. While he couldn't just kill the man, he saw no problem in bullying or causing him trouble.

The reality, however, dealt Chief Constable Yuan a resounding slap in the face. In Yushu Bay, he had not only become a prisoner but had been subjected to brutal interrogation, suffering not only physical torment but a crushing psychological blow. After being released back to the county seat, Yuan Mei initially wanted revenge, but Steward Song San personally visited him—ostensibly to check on him, but in reality, to lecture and threaten him.

Only then did Yuan Mei learn that Zhao Hengyi was not only a brother-in-arms to the Earl of Dangyang, but also held the title of Baron of Cangwu himself. The situation suddenly became terrifying. Although he was the Chief Constable with a bit of local power, he could not afford to offend either the Earl’s brother or a Baron. Having conspired with the Zhou family against Yushu Bay and Zhao Hengyi, he had burned his bridges completely. In his experience, he could no longer stay in Dangyang County.

With the news of the Zhou family ancestral hall being burned and the elderly Master Zhou dying of rage, Yuan Mei’s desire to leave became even more urgent. Unfortunately, his patron was a son of Prince Qi, and the Prince was currently in deep trouble. Due to his negligence, the Governor of Jiangling, Su Shenchang, had been assassinated by barbarian spies. The Prince was being raked over the coals by the imperial court, and even the Emperor had issued a decree of reprimand. With the Prince already overwhelmed, he had no time for a small fry like Yuan Mei.

Yuan Mei had no choice but to remain in Dangyang County, keeping a low profile. Had Magistrate Liu Rui not become so shrewd and aggressive after his secretary, Huang Xin, fled, Yuan Mei would likely have claimed illness and hidden at home.

"Chief Constable Yuan, your words are wrong!" Liu Rui’s originally mild expression turned stern. "As the chief constable of this county, you fail to investigate the unrest among the people and instead make hasty, arbitrary conclusions. Can this not be considered dereliction of duty? I shall not punish you yet, but I give you five days to investigate this mountain god business clearly. If there are any further omissions or wild claims, I will certainly not let this pass!"

Yuan Mei accepted the order dejectedly, ignoring the strange looks from his colleagues and subordinates as he slunk away to gather information. Watching Yuan Mei’s retreating figure—which looked like a frost-bitten eggplant—Liu Rui sneered inwardly. A stupid dog, relying on the young prince of the Prince Qi estate to act recklessly under his jurisdiction; he would play himself to death sooner or later.

Returning to his private quarters, Lady Liu greeted him with a joyful face, helping the Magistrate remove his official robes. Only after Liu Rui had changed into comfortable home attire did she speak excitedly.

"My Lord, a letter arrived from your senior fellow student. It seems he is to be reinstated!"

A flash of joy crossed Liu Rui’s face, followed by a curse: "That old thief has good fortune! He spends his days scheming, and he certainly lives up to his reputation as a slippery eel!"

His senior student, Zhang Qicheng, had been a great benefactor to the couple, though their relationship had turned sour due to Lady Liu being the "white moonlight" in her fellow student's heart. However, the Magistrate knew clearly that his own mentor, Yu Qingdong, had been implicated in the power struggle following the new Emperor’s ascension. Even after death, the cases involving him remained unresolved. As long as the current Emperor was on the throne, his status as Yu Qingdong's student meant he would always be isolated in the imperial court. His only ally was Zhang Qicheng. Yet, every time he thought of how that old thief even chose concubines who resembled his wife, Liu Rui’s anger would flare up. That old scoundrel was no gentleman!

Lady Liu brought the letter. Liu Rui carefully inspected the wax seal to ensure it was intact before opening it. The content of the letter made his expression shift, his heart filled with such shock that he could not tell if he was happy or troubled.

"My Lord, why are you dawdling over a letter? What does it say?"

"That old thief... he really has been reinstated!"

"That is wonderful news! We should be happy for him! What position does he hold after reinstatement?"

"...Governor of Jiangling!"

"Oh! Isn't that your direct superior?"

Holding the letter, Magistrate Liu Rui felt as if the ways of the world were as fantastical as a supernatural novel. While he might badmouth his senior student, he was genuinely happy for him in his heart. But the imperial court... to be honest, he could not fathom this move.

Back when he and his wife were trapped in the capital, terrified and desperate, Zhang Qicheng had been an official elsewhere, shamelessly scraping for silver, stripping his jurisdiction to the bone just to gather enough gifts to help them escape the capital and secure a real position as a magistrate. While Liu Rui admired his senior’s talent for manipulation, he found it shocking that an official with a poor reputation—who had been dismissed for corruption—could be reinstated within a year or two and promoted to Governor of Jiangling. It was simply outrageous.

The letter briefly mentioned the wisdom of Consort Chen. Liu Rui faintly sensed that his senior had defected to the Consort’s faction. But there were countless people flocking to her; for his senior to succeed... one could only say that the old man truly knew how to play the game of politics.