Taking Red Boy as a Disciple-Chen Fan's Surprise!

The county deputy smiled as he spoke, but the corner of his eye stayed fixed on a figure not far away.

There, Wei Zheng was talking to a middle-aged scholar.

"Four hundred and fifty cash is too much. County Deputy Wu, lower it a little!"

"Lord Wei, the Lone Wolf Gang has been completely destroyed.

As you instructed, we released One-Eyed Wolf's accomplices!"

"Lord Fu, you've done well. But such a serious incident occurred under your watch.

This year's evaluation will probably be no better than average.

You'll need to work harder during the upcoming autumn harvest, Lord Fu!"

Wei Zheng glanced at the county magistrate before him, his eyes turning cold, and offered a pointed reminder.

Before arriving, Wei Zheng had already looked into the matter.

The magistrate before him, Lord Fu, had risen through recommendations and wasn't particularly capable.

He was simply too soft-hearted and too easily taken in by others.

Still, he wasn't too bad. After all, he didn't like making trouble, and he had no taste for dirty dealings or extortion.

As a result, his yearly evaluations usually hovered around average.

If Chen Fan hadn't emerged as a remarkable talent under Lord Fu's administration,

the Lone Wolf Gang alone would have been enough to drag Lord Fu's evaluation down to the bottom tier.

Everyone knew that if a county magistrate received a bottom-tier evaluation for three years in a row,

or accumulated five such evaluations, he would be dismissed.

If the emperor was displeased, he might even order an investigation.

And if anything suspicious turned up, the magistrate wouldn't just be dismissed—he'd be thrown in prison.

"Thank you for your consideration, Lord Wei!"

Lord Fu brightened at his words and thanked Wei Zheng.

He hadn't expected to receive a top-tier evaluation, despite such a serious incident occurring under his watch.

As expected, Lord Wei had a discerning eye.

The officials responsible for his past evaluations had never recognized his abilities.

Wei Zheng's mouth twitched, and black lines seemed to form across his forehead.

Could this man really not tell a compliment from an insult?

If the case of the Lone Wolf Gang secretly gathering incense offerings hadn't come to light,

then with someone like Chen Fan achieving such great things under his administration, the Ministry of Personnel would have given him at least the highest rating.

The Qu Yuan Plow, which could double a farmer's productivity, was a national treasure.

How could this man fail to see such an enormous achievement?

"Lord Fu, we just passed through Zhao Family Village. Did you notice anything?"

Lord Fu blinked, then his eyes lit up as he caught on.

He nodded repeatedly, thumping his chest.

"Don't worry, Lord Wei. I'll have people keep an eye on those monsters.

But please tell the young master not to use so many monsters. I won't be able to cover it up otherwise. Besides, what's so good about Ox Demons and fish demons?

In a few days, I'll invite you and the Eldest Princess to the Ten Thousand Blossoms Pavilion in the commandery city.

The fox women and cat women there are cultured and refined—truly top quality!"

"Good, good, good! You're just wonderful!"

Wei Zheng was so furious that his beard trembled. He pointed at Lord Fu,

but for a long moment, he couldn't get a word out.

Lord Fu only smiled ingratiatingly and said,

"It's all thanks to your consideration, my lord. Of course I'm wonderful!"

"Huff, huff... You... Forget it!"

Wei Zheng flung his sleeve aside and turned to leave.

He was afraid that if the conversation continued, he'd lose control and slap the man to death.

Wei Zheng decided that he'd write a memorial as soon as he got back. This county magistrate had to be replaced.

And how could a man like this possibly deserve a top-tier evaluation?

"Lord Wei, don't go!"

Chen Fan had only just begun cultivating, but his senses were already sharp.

Wei Zheng and Lord Fu weren't far away, so Chen Fan had heard their entire conversation.

For a moment, he was at a loss for words. Lord Fu really was one of a kind!

Even the Son of Heaven of Great Tang, Emperor Li Er, couldn't do anything about Wei Zheng's stubborn temper.

Whenever he wanted to fool around, he had to make sure to avoid Wei Zheng.

And Lord Fu actually invited Wei Zheng to visit the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion. What a guy!

"County Deputy Wu, is Lord Fu always this bold?"

Chen Fan watched Lord Fu's retreating figure with admiration. He also understood that this was only natural.

If Qing Shui County had a capable, ambitious magistrate,

the people behind the scenes wouldn't dare openly gather incense offerings under its jurisdiction.

"Haha, Young Master Chen, four hundred and thirty cash is the absolute limit of what I can approve!"

County Deputy Wu laughed awkwardly, changing the subject, while a glint flashed in his eyes.

The Great Tang court forbade county magistrates from serving in their home districts.

But County Deputy Wu came from a prominent local family, so naturally, he liked having a magistrate like Lord Fu.

"Four hundred cash. That's all. If you agree to that price,

I can also buy the stretch of marshland to the west."

"Hmm..."

County Deputy Wu considered it for a moment, then nodded.

"Fine. Young Master Chen, you've shown such sincerity. Let's do it!"

Chen Fan nodded with a faint smile, a glint passing through his eyes.

Who would have thought that he'd wanted to buy that marshland all along?

Soon, with Wei Zheng back to witness the proceedings, the two parties signed the contract.

Watching Lord Fu leave with his men, a broad smile on his face, Chen Fan looked toward Bai Qianli, who had just wandered over.

"Brother Bai, you're sure there's really a coal mine beneath that marsh, right?"

"Rest assured, Brother Chen. I know a thing or two about reading the land and finding buried treasures!"

Bai Qianli lightly waved his fan and replied calmly.

Suddenly, he looked toward the west, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

"What's that little calf doing over here?"

Chapter 48: Taking Red Boy as a Disciple—Chen Fan's Surprise!

"That feeling... it's coming from here!"

A red cloud descended and transformed into a little boy dressed in red.

Red Boy planted his hands on his hips and raised his head to look at a burly man wearing a bamboo hat by the roadside.

The man stood nine feet tall, with a broad frame and a fierce, valiant air.

"Hey, you there! Do you know what lies ahead?"

The man turned around and looked blankly at his surroundings, scratching his head.

"Who called me?"

"Argh! You're driving me crazy! Look down!"

Red Boy jumped up and down in frustration, flames flickering in his mouth.

The man lowered his head. When he saw Red Boy, he frowned.