Love is More than a Word《识汝不识丁》Shi Nu Bu Shi Ding
Love is More than a Word, Chapter 2: The new official takes office (2)...
Cui Jiong felt cold sweat dripped down on his back in an instant.
Since the last magistrate, Zhang Jingyuan was sick and left him in charge of the affairs of the magistracy, Cui Jiong was used to going in and out of the magistracy as if he was in his own backyard, but what did he think? This morning he came in such a hurry that he forgot about his status for a moment, and he didn't even think of greeting the doorman. Good thing they have got a new official on the case!
He bowed his head, a thousand thoughts flashed through his mind, and finally got down on one knee and said, "My lord, the lesson is that I have overstepped my steps."
Tao Mo was stunned, and was about to ask why he was kneeling, when he saw Lao Tao come in from outside with several people, and immediately called out, "Lao Tao, what have you been doing this morning?"
Cui Jiong saw him just leaving himself out here unheeded, but cared for his subordinates, his heart was suddenly uncomfortable. He has more seniority in the Tangyang County than any other county official, and is a real local turncoat. Which county officials newly appointed is not begging him to enlist the complicity, lest he make them unstable in the following days and cause them trouble in the magistracy. But here comes a thorn in the side, and the new official gives him his own show of strength. Okay, since you're a freshman, don't blame me for being 15 times harsher!
He had begun to calculate for a while how to revenge.
When Lao Tao entered the hall and saw a man kneeling, he couldn't help but be surprised, "Who is this?"
Tao Mo said, "This County’s clerk, Cui Jiong." [1] Dianshi this is a title in the ancient china legal system where the person was responsible for arresting and inspecting the prisons there is no current term to encompass this title, but for reverence when the magistrate was changed this Dianshi will assume the position of the magistrate until the new one comes so a sort of assistant magistrate for we will go with county clerk
Cui Jiong's cheeks flushed a bit. Having been a county clerk for so long, he was still the first to kneel on the ground for a visit.
Lao Tao was surprised, "Why did he get down on your knees?"
Tao Mo honestly shook his head and said, "I don't know either."
Cui Jiong grunted coldly in his heart.
Lao Tao knew that there must be some reason inside, but he couldn't ask in person, so he had to say, "Help clerk Cui up yet."
Tao Mo bent down to help, his hand had just touched his sleeve when Cui Jiong stood up on his own.
Tao Mo pointed to the people that Lao Tao had brought with him and asked, "Who are they?"
"The new house servants." Lao Tao said, "The Magistrate House also need someone to clean the frontage."
Cui Jiong had come here early and had originally intended to take care of the job, but now he was happy to let them do it themselves.
Tao Mo anxious said, "So many?"
Lao Tao said, "It can't be any less."
Tao Mo sighed, "I still don't know when I will receive my salary."
Speaking of salaries, Cui Jiong had a fire in his heart. It was customary for the imperial court to issue charcoal and silver, equivalent to the New Year's red packets, every year. However, this year, due to the passing of Zhang Jingyuan and Tao Mo's untimely arrival in office, the silver was not received. He asked the clerks of the neighboring counties and said that they had received theirs a few days earlier. It can be seen that the charcoal silver is not gone, but has gone to someone else's money bag.
Lao Tao took the servants down, leaving Tao Mo and Cui Jiong to look at each other in the hall.
Tao Mo takes the lead and says, "Eaten yet?"
Cui Jiong said, "Ate."
Tao Mo sighed, ''I haven't. We might as well eat together."
The corners of Cui Jiong's mouth twitched and he said, "I had eaten."
Tao Mo said, "What about lunch?"
"......" said Cui Jiong, "Not yet."
"Let’s eat together."
The food is white porridge with pickled vegetables.
Cui Jiong sipped slowly, the soybean milk doughnut that he had eaten when he came was causing such a havoc in his belly.
Tao Mo was enjoying it.
"Young master, is it delicious?" Hao Guozi probes in from outside.
Tao Mo said, "Clerk Cui?"
Cui Jiong ate with a bloated belly, so he could hardly take a break and said, "Not bad, not bad."
Hao Guozi covered the window with satisfaction.
Cui Jiong said, "Just now, this person is......."
"My little manservant." Tao Mo said.
Cui Jiong said: "My lord must be from a literary family well-read people."
Tao Mo said, "Do you mean the calligraphy teachings?"
Cui Jiong said: ''Oh? Your Excellency knows calligraphy and painting?"
Tao Mo said, "Neither."
"My lord is being humble." Cui Jiong naturally knew that this official title of his was bought, but since the other party had caused him to kneel in a display of power, then don't blame him for poking his sore foot.
Tao Mo said, "Of all the famous sayings of the ancients, I only remember one."
"Which sentence?"
"There's an intellectual among the hundred morons."
Cui Jiong greatly agreed. He was a martial artist, and since he failed in the martial arts examination, he had to ask someone to employ him as a clerk. He feels that he has some real material, so he doesn't like those scholars who think they're so noble that they are above all. In particular, there is not much of anything of the one above in this part of Tangyang County, with the most scholars. And one by one are scholars whose mouth is faster than a knife.
Seeing his sudden silence, Tao Mo couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
Cui Jiong said, "It's nothing, just a case comes to mind."
"Case?" Tao Mo's spirit shot up, "What case?"
Cui Jiong was originally talking nonsense, where was the case that came to mind, Tao Mo the new magistrate asked, but it was not good not to answer, thought about it and said, "It was a case a few years ago, a woman committed adultery with someone and killed her husband."
Tao Mo puzzled, "How did Cui Jiong remember this case?"
Cui Jiong said, "The woman's husband is a butcher, and the adulterer is a local scholar, and after the crime, the scholar's friends fought for him in this relationship, and in the end, they only sentenced the woman and let the scholar go unpunished."
Tao Mo frowned, "Isn't that the scholar is probably unaware of the woman crime?"
"How can a woman kill a butcher with her bare hands? It's clearly a sophistry scholar plotting and managing to get away with it." Cui Jiong grunted coldly, "Those lawyers, who think they have studied for years and are good at arguing, but they are blatantly unscrupulous, treating the courtroom as a place to play, bending the right and wrong and deceiving the ignorant people with their three-inch tongue!"
Tao Mo listened to his righteous indignation, but he was confused, "Who are you talking about?"
Cui Jong San said, "Your Excellency will know if you stay in the Tangyang County for a few more days." He leaned back to drink the white porridge and casually found an excuse, and hurriedly left without waiting for Tao Mo to make him stay.
After he left, Lao Tao knocked on the door and entered.
"Young Master, I inquired. The county's prefects and main book keeper are vacant, and for the time being, they are being held part-time by the county clerk." Lao Tao looked at the empty bowl on the table and said, "Just why did he kneel in front of Young Master."
"I don't know." Tao Mo explained what happens after he meets Cui Jiong.
Lao Tao frowned as he listened, "I'm afraid he's misunderstood."
"Misunderstand what?"
"Nothing." He waved his hand, "Not that he matters, what matters here is the lawman who speaks out of his mouth."
"Lawman?"
Lao Tao said, "Not bad. Two of the most famous lawyers in this area that year, Lin Zhengyong and Mr. Yichui, both retired to the fishing side in the lower the Tangyang County."
Tao Mo's eyes lit up.
Lao Tao shook his head and said, "Young master, don't forget what you said before the master died. If you can be a good official who is praised by everyone, it will be the best way to repay your father's spirit in heaven."
Tao Mo's eyes dimmed.
"When those two lawyers went into retirement, they attracted numerous lawyers to come and pay their respects. Over time, it became the largest gathering place for lawyers in the world." Lao Tao also furrowed his brow at the news. No wonder Tao Mo didn't get on anyone's way, and actually got a title to such an affluent county, which turned out to be a hot potato that everyone dared not touch.
Tao Mo said, "So, these lawmen are working against the government?"
"It's not a generalization." Lao Tao paused, "A good lawyer is naturally on the same page as a good judge."
Tao Mo frowned and said, "Not bad. In that case, it's a blessing for them to be in the Tangyang County."
Lao Tao opened his mouth, and after all, he didn't hold back from striking his full enthusiasm.
Although good lawyers and good officials are on the same page, before Tao Mo becomes a truly respected and recognized good official, I am afraid that not only will good lawyers not join him, but evil-minded lawyers will also suppress him in every way.
It is said that the reason for Zhang Jingyuan's short life is related to long-term suppression.
He sighed. This is the end of the matter, there is only one step to take.
Introducing Tao Mo to the new servant and letting Hao Guozi arrange their daily affairs, Lao Tao took Tao Mo out for a spin.
As a county official, one must be familiar with the lands under one's jurisdiction.
The two men first familiarized themselves with the street and went back and forth along the main east-west road.
By the time we were done, it was dark.
Lao Tao saw Tao Mo's face pale, remembered that he had just recovered from his illness, and secretly scolded himself for being too aggressive, then said, "Why don't we find a teahouse to eat first and then go back?"
Tao Mo is hungry as a drum, so there is no reason why he should not be.
The two of them looked for a teahouse that had a very good reputation.
As soon as he entered the door, a loud fellow stood in the middle of the hall and shouted, "To find out what the new official looks like, three coins!"
~ Love is More than a Word ~
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