County Vice-Magistrate's Favor! (Seeking Daily Reads)

Inner City, County Magistrate's residence.

County Commandant He Zhang, dressed in his dark official robes, wore a tense expression and walked with hurried steps.

Stepping into the main hall, he saw the County Vice-Magistrate standing to the side with his head bowed, and the other county officials standing in two rows, necks shrunken in fear. His unease grew, and he immediately knelt to offer his respects.

"This humble official failed to welcome you properly, not knowing that an official from the Prefecture City had arrived. I beg for your forgiveness, my lord."

No voice responded to him.

He only saw the figure in the center standing with his back to him, hands clasped behind his back.

A moment passed.

"He Zhang, I will give you one chance to explain yourself. If your answer is unsatisfactory, you shall go to the prison to await your fate."

Beneath his official cap, He Zhang had already begun to break into a sweat.

Although his personal strength was the greatest among the entire local garrison, in the face of such power and status, this strength gave him little confidence.

He knew clearly that the person before him came from the Prefecture City; even if he were not the new County Magistrate, dealing with him would be a matter of a single word.

"The mountain bandits are cunning and detestable; they disguised themselves as archers and hid atop the city walls. This was my dereliction of duty, and it is only right that you punish me, my lord. This humble official has no complaints!"

He Zhang knew that excuses were useless, so it was better to adopt a humble attitude and strive for leniency.

"Hmph! A mere nest of mountain bandits has led you, a dignified County Commandant, around by the nose, even resulting in the death of the previous County Magistrate in his own residence. The city defense is like child's play, and the military discipline is even more lax. You, as County Commandant, are nothing but a figurehead. Tell me, what reason do I have to keep you in this position!"

The new County Magistrate turned and shouted in anger. He appeared young, no more than twenty years of age, yet he seemed to possess the aura of a superior by birth, causing everyone in the hall to hold their breath.

He Zhang's face turned deathly pale.

"Today, I shall strip you of your official cap, remove you from your post as County Commandant, and have you thrown into the dungeon to await judgment!"

As these words fell, He Zhang felt all hope vanish. Driven to a dead end, his heart hardened, and he suddenly lunged toward the noble from the Prefecture City.

He struck like lightning; ordinary people would have been unable to track his movements.

"Presumptuous!" The guard at the side noticed, however, and shifted his stance, kicking out.

Bang!

The next moment, the hall doors were shattered. He Zhang tumbled into the courtyard. Just as he struggled to rise, the guard, who had followed him like a shadow, stepped onto his chest from the air, nearly knocking him unconscious.

The dignified He Zhang, the martial champion of the county, was powerless against this minor guard from the Prefecture City!

If this scene were witnessed by outsiders, it would surely cause a sensation.

"Drag him away!"

Outer City, small courtyard.

"Brother Zhao, everyone in the streets and alleys is saying that the Prefecture City has sent a new County Magistrate," Li Gou'er said to Zhao An, his news well-informed.

"They say the Magistrate is very young, without even a whisker on his chin. Who knows if he can deal with those bandits on the mountain."

"If you ask me, it's highly unlikely!"

"The Black Wind Stronghold is so formidable, it's hard to say if this new Magistrate will even survive..."

With the doors closed, Li Gou'er spoke without restraint, daring to say anything.

Just then, a series of knocks sounded at the door.

"Who is it, making such a racket early in the morning?" Li Gou'er's words were cut short, and he had no choice but to open the door.

When he saw who was outside, he was so startled that he jumped, his backside clenching tight.

A group of bailiffs stood in rows, the scene making it look as if he had committed a heinous crime and they had come to arrest him.

Could it be that my babbling at home was overheard...

"The County Vice-Magistrate is here; why aren't you welcoming him?" Zhao Ke, standing at the door, paid no mind to Li Gou'er's state. Seeing his legs trembling, he shoved him aside and shouted toward Zhao An in the courtyard.

"County Vice-Magistrate?" Zhao An was surprised by this visitor.

He set down his brush and paper and went out to see.

He saw an official carriage parked by the roadside, the surrounding passersby already dispersed by the bailiffs.

A middle-aged scholar dressed in brocade robes stepped out of the carriage.

Zhao An recognized him; this was undoubtedly the County Vice-Magistrate.

This position was effectively the second-in-command of the county; when the County Magistrate was absent, he was the one who oversaw the big picture.

His status was so high that ordinary commoners would struggle to even catch a glimpse of him.

Zhao An did not know why such a noble of the county would suddenly visit someone without name or status like himself.

As the County Vice-Magistrate drew closer, Zhao An bowed according to etiquette.

"This is not the public hall, righteous hero Zhao, there is no need for such formalities." Fan Li personally helped Zhao An up and said with a smile.

"Righteous hero?" Zhao An did not even know when he had become a righteous hero.

If it were anyone else receiving such courteous treatment from the current County Vice-Magistrate, they would likely have been overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.

However, Zhao An was not a "local" born and bred, so he did not have many thoughts on the matter.

He welcomed the County Vice-Magistrate into his small courtyard and served tea to host him.

Fan Li did not seem in a hurry to discuss official business; his gaze fell upon the brush and ink on the stone table, his eyes lighting up as he said leisurely.

"Whose hand is this calligraphy from?"

"This Humble One wrote it," Zhao An said.

Zhao Ke, who was accompanying them, widened his eyes.

That fool Zhao An could actually write? That was far too absurd.

But then again, hearing this morning that the County Vice-Magistrate was coming in person to see Zhao An was already bizarre enough.

"Fine calligraphy; I never imagined you had practiced such a skilled hand, young friend," Fan Li praised.

"You flatter me, My Lord." Zhao An's handwriting had not been particularly good originally, but he had been using his Soul Slaves to practice calligraphy and study for the past few days.

After absorbing the results of those Soul Slaves, no matter how unsightly his original handwriting might have been, it was now extremely neat, even faintly possessing the style of a master.

Fan Li could tell at a glance that this level of calligraphy could not be achieved without over a decade of practice.

"Is what is written on the paper military strategy? Does my young friend intend to take the Martial Examination?" Fan Li glanced roughly at the content of the practice paper and guessed what Zhao An was aiming for.

"Indeed. Your Lordship has a keen eye; This Humble One does have the intention to seek a title this year." There was nothing to hide, so Zhao An admitted it frankly.

"After obtaining a title, do you intend to join the army as a general, or serve as a local official?" Fan Li stepped closer and asked.

"This Humble One has no such ambition; I only wish to have a title to protect myself from being bullied," Zhao An shook his head and said.

"I see..." Fan Li stroked the beard on his chin, fell silent for a moment, and then spoke.

"I came today for two reasons: first, to give you the reward for killing the bandits, and second, to recruit you as a retainer. Now that I see your heart is not set on this, I suppose you would not be willing to come to my estate."

"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, My Lord." Zhao An politely declined; he did not wish to pledge his loyalty to anyone.

"A pity, you are a talent." Fan Li looked Zhao An up and down, his eyes filled with undisguised appreciation.

But given his temperament, since Zhao An had no such desire, he would not force anyone.

"Previously, you slew Guo Fenglin, the Great Flag-Bearer of Black Wind Stronghold. This merit should rightfully belong to you, but since you have no desire to enter officialdom, I am at a loss as to what to give you as a reward," Fan Li said.

"Do you want silver?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao An's heart stirred, and he said, "This Humble One dares to ask, is there any opportunity to visit the Armory to study the recorded martial arts manuals and military tactics?"

He was not a man without desires; if there was an opportunity to gain benefits, he would not be so detached as to say he wanted nothing.