Rebirth: From being expelled from the imperial court to becoming a high-ranking official

These days, Lin Zhaotang contacted the household office and the yamen runners to learn in detail about the court situation, the deployment of runners, and the situation of County Magistrate Lu when the previous magistrate was in office.

Finally, Lin Zhaotang had a clear understanding of the situation in Xunlin County and had some ideas in his mind.

"Xiao Ke, please invite a few squad leaders over."

"Yes."

Xiao Ke was a servant in the yamen. He usually followed Lin Zhaotang closely and was the first person Lin Zhaotang became familiar with.

Xiao Ke came back soon with a few squad leaders.

"We are here to greet you, sir. What is your purpose in calling us here?"

Lin Zhaotang said, "Please take a seat, squad leaders."

Several squad leaders looked at each other, and finally squad leader Zhao spoke first: "We dare not. Sir, please do whatever you want. We are not of such status that we dare not sit down."

No matter how good the new county magistrate's temper is, he is still the county magistrate.

"Everyone, don't be so reserved. Sit down and talk."

Seeing that Lin Zhaotang was not being polite, the squad leaders had no choice but to thank him and sit down.

"Give some tea to the squad leaders."

Several squad leaders wanted to know what the county magistrate had to say, such as tea...

"Thank you for your hard work these days. We are new to this county and are not very familiar with the ground. We will need your help in the future."

Several squad leaders looked at each other, even more confused.

Didn't the county magistrate say something similar when he first came? Why did he bring it up again today?

Could it be that the county magistrate heard something and thought that these yamen runners were undisciplined?

Zhao Bantou stood up and bowed: "Sir, it is our job to serve as an errand boy. If you have any instructions, please feel free to ask us to do it. We brothers will definitely go through fire and water and will never refuse."

The other two squad leaders also echoed.

Lin Zhaotang said, "It's okay. I have seen it all these days, and I know that all of you are loyal to your duties. When I first came, I wanted to entertain you, but I have a lot of things to do when I first took office. Today I specially prepared a table of wine and food to reward you, and I will rely on your help in the future."

As he spoke, Lin Zhaotang cupped his hands.

Several squad leaders quickly returned the greeting.

It seems that the county magistrate is really afraid that they will make things difficult for him. So he has to drink the wine today even if he doesn't want to.

Several people said with great trepidation: "Thank you for your kindness, sir. We will do our best to show our sympathy for you."

Lin Zhaotang smiled and said, "I won't accompany you. You won't be able to relax with me around. Let Xiao Ke drink with you."

Several people thanked Lin Zhaotang again and again, and only breathed a sigh of relief after seeing him off, and looked at each other.

"I'll tell you what I mean. This is the first time the county magistrate has filed a complaint, so he must have a case. Doesn't that mean he is suspicious of you and me?"

"Not necessarily. Normally, it's normal for the county magistrate to treat his subordinates to tea and wine when he first arrives. He just wants us brothers to follow him loyally in the future."

Zhao Bantou said, "Let's not talk about it for now. Let's eat first. Xiao Ke, where are the wine and food?"

"This way, squad leaders, please come this way." Xiao Ke led a few people to the side hall.

The few of them were familiar with each other on a daily basis, and now that there were no outsiders around, they felt even more casual.

"Xiao Ke, did you hear what the adults said?"

"Don't think too much, the master didn't say anything. I have asked the household and servants about you guys these days, and they all said good things about you guys. I think the master must be pleased with you guys before he hired you guys."

These squad leaders themselves were not greedy, vicious or cunning people. If the master really asked the people around him, they would probably not find out anything bad, so they put their minds at ease and concentrated on eating and drinking.

The next day, Lin Zhaotang called Zhao Bantou over.

"I have something to ask Captain Zhao. Has the yamen really not received any reports of robberies in the past few months?"

"Sir, I can't lie to you. I haven't received any. But... I have heard that some people say that things are not peaceful in Qushan."

When Lin Zhaotang heard this, he quickly asked, "Do you remember what happened specifically?"

"I just heard that someone was robbed while taking a shortcut there. But that place is closer to Pingle County. If you encounter a robbery, most people will go to Pingle County to report it."

Lin Zhaotang nodded. That was true. After all, Pingle County was indeed closer to Qushan than Xunlin County.

"Oh, right," Zhao Bantou suddenly said, "I seem to have heard someone say two months ago that someone from our county was robbed there. He went to Pingle County to report the case, but they told him to go back to Xunlin to report the case, saying that he was not a citizen of their county..."

When Zhao Bantou said this, he suddenly realized that he had said something wrong and stopped to look at Lin Zhaotang.

"And then? Did he report it to the police?"

"Uh... at that time, you had not yet taken office, so it should be... County Magistrate Lu who was in charge of the affairs of the Yamen..."

Zhao Bantou couldn't hide the regret on his face. How could he suddenly remember this matter?

"Sir, why don't you ask County Magistrate Lu?"

Lin Zhaotang said, "No, ask your subordinates to find that person and bring him here. I have something to ask."

"Yes."

Zhao Bantou received the order and hesitated whether to defend County Magistrate Lu, but finally gave up.

About two days later, Zhao Bantou came to report with a man who looked like a scholar.

"Sir, this is the man who was met with robbers in Qushan a few months ago."

The man bowed and said, "Student Liu Ming greets His Excellency the County Magistrate."

It seems that he has achieved great success.

"No need to be so polite. Liu Ming, tell me what happened that day."

"Yes. I went to study abroad with two good friends. When we were passing Qushan on our way back, a group of masked people came out to block our way. We were all weak and didn't dare to argue with them, so we gave them our luggage.

Money is secondary. The main thing is that we brought a lot of books, which are extremely precious to us."

As Liu Ming spoke, his face turned bitter, and it was obvious that he really felt sorry for those books.

"We went to Pingle County nearby to report the case, but Pingle County refused to accept the case. They said people from Xunlin County should report the case in Xunlin County. We went back to Xunlin County to report the case, but..." Liu Ming was very angry, "the county magistrate said the incident did not happen in Xunlin County and the case would not be accepted."

At this moment, County Magistrate Lu had received the news and rushed over. When he heard Liu Ming's angrily accusing him, his face suddenly turned pale and blue.

Lin Zhaotang ignored him and asked again: "Did the robbers hurt anyone?"

"The robbers were indeed rude, but we didn't resist, so they didn't make things too difficult for us."

"Can you give a general description of their appearance?"

"It's been a few months so I can't remember clearly, but I have a general impression of his height."

"Squad leader Zhao and squad leader Wang asked him about the physical characteristics of those people in detail, and recorded the amount of money and items that were robbed."

"Yes." Team leader Zhao ordered Liu Ming to retreat.

County Magistrate Lu's face had turned red, and he seemed to want to explain himself, but he didn't know where to start.

Lin Zhaotang seemed not to notice him and just said, "Lord Lu, please go down first. This county has nothing to do for the time being."