novelSusiti Chapter 101 Explanation and Threat
Chapter 101 Explanation and Threat
Fortunately, Li Chong was prepared; otherwise, even if he had admitted to the matter, he would not have been able to leave this impression on the other party.
For Shangguan, sometimes he doesn't care whether you did something wrong or not; what he cares about is your attitude.
Arguing too much with the above is basically useless and can easily cause the other party to feel disgusted.
As an angel, they are extremely busy; they have no time to listen to your grievances.
Unless, of course, your predicament can pique his interest.
As it happened, Li Chong felt that the reason he came up with would definitely pique Ma Zheng's interest.
Faced with the accusations, Li Chong hurriedly explained, "Lord Ma, please forgive me. It's not that I'm shirking responsibility, but there's a real reason for this. A few days ago, I led troops to wipe out a group of bandits and rescued many people. This morning, I was still trying to settle them down and wasn't in the yamen, which is why I didn't receive the news."
"Please, Ma Gong, see this for yourself!"
After saying this, Li Chong bowed deeply and waited for a reply.
Time passed slowly, and Li Chong stared at the ground, his eyes darting around.
"I'm a scholar who passed the imperial examinations, leading troops to wipe out mountain bandits. Shouldn't that be considered a remarkable story? Even if he doesn't care, shouldn't he at least ask a few questions out of curiosity? Does he think I'm neglecting my duties?"
Fortunately, Ma Zheng didn't keep Li Chong waiting too long. His deep voice rang out: "Suppress the mountain bandits? Did you personally lead the troops? Don't try to fool me with empty promises."
Li Chong continued, "I dare not deceive Lord Ma. This matter was only recently concluded, and the whole county knows about it. Lord Ma is free to send someone to inquire. If there is even the slightest falsehood, I am willing to accept punishment."
Ma Zheng nodded slightly, but did not immediately believe it.
He beckoned to the young man beside him: "Zichong, go out and ask around, see what's going on."
"Yes, Father."
The young man turned out to be Ma Zheng's son; it was quite a strange thing that father and son were on a diplomatic mission together.
He cupped his hands in greeting, glanced at Li Chong with a hint of surprise, and strode out.
This made Li Chong feel somewhat embarrassed again.
After the young man left, Ma Zheng ignored him and started chatting with the eunuch Zhang An beside him.
Judging from their conversation, they were making arrangements for their upcoming itinerary.
The feeling of being ignored was truly unbearable. Li Chong moved his feet lightly and secretly made a vow in his heart.
"From now on, I will absolutely, absolutely never let anyone leave me hanging like this again! Being a lackey once is enough!"
The awkward time passed very slowly; to others it seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, but to Li Chong it felt like an eternity. Fortunately, it eventually passed.
After a series of hurried footsteps, Ma Zheng's sons, Ma Kuo and Ma Zichong, entered.
Upon entering the room, Ma Kuo glanced at Li Chong again, a hint of excitement in his eyes.
Li Chong breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, someone had broken the deadlock. Regardless of what Ma Kuo had found out, at least he no longer had to stand there like a fool.
"Father, this Magistrate Li really wasn't lying. It's said that the mountain bandits had been entrenched here for over ten years, but he, the newly appointed magistrate, completely wiped them out and even captured the bandit leader. His methods are truly remarkable."
Ma Kuo's voice was high-pitched and sounded somewhat unrestrained.
Upon hearing this, Ma Zheng glanced at Li Chong with slight surprise. He hadn't expected that this scholar-official magistrate would actually dare to personally go and suppress the bandits.
He scolded his son impatiently, "You mustn't be rude to Zhang Duzhi in person! Now that you've entered officialdom, you can no longer be as ignorant of the ways of the world as before."
Ma Kuo then composed himself somewhat, standing to the side with his hands at his sides, but his eyes were still fixed on Li Chong, full of curiosity.
Ma Zheng turned to Li Chong: "I never imagined you had such skills. You are a scholar, yet you personally led troops to suppress bandits and bring peace to the region. It can be said that you did not study those classic books in vain."
Li Chong straightened up and bowed slightly: "Lord Ma, you flatter me. I have only done my duty as an official."
"The fundamental principle of being an official is to fulfill one's duties. While the two words 'duty' are easy to understand, not everyone can truly embody them..."
With a slightly melancholy sigh, Ma Zheng inquired a few more times about the process of suppressing the bandits.
Li Chong naturally reported the truth.
After hearing Li Chong's words, Ma Zheng neither praised nor belittled him, but simply nodded slightly.
Then, he looked at Li Chong seriously: "The purpose of being an official is to stabilize the region. Leading troops to fight can eliminate external threats, but it cannot ensure that the people can live and work in peace. Now that the external enemies have been eliminated, you should pay more attention to domestic affairs and take good care of the people. This is the best policy. Do not be reckless and go astray."
Li Chong secretly pursed his lips; Ma Zheng was actually lecturing him now.
All the problems that have plagued us since the Northern Song Dynasty have stemmed from overcorrection.
People say that you should treat the head if you have a headache and the foot if you have a foot ache, but the Northern Song Dynasty treated it differently. They beheaded people if they had a headache and cut off their feet if they had a foot ache. They were too restrictive towards military men, which led to the humiliation we suffer today.
Today, I have only led troops to wipe out a band of mountain bandits, yet Ma Zheng is giving me such instructions, which shows how wary the Northern Song Dynasty was of military men.
However, given the current situation, Li Chong naturally wouldn't insist on arguing with Ma Zheng, and immediately clasped his hands in agreement.
"Thank you for your guidance, Master Ma. I will remember it well and never forget it!"
"Hmm." Ma Zheng stroked his beard and nodded, acknowledging Li Chong's attitude.
His expression immediately turned serious: "Since there was a reason for this welcoming, I won't hold it against you. But I have another matter to instruct you on, and you must handle it carefully."
"Please make this public," Li Chong replied earnestly.
"I am on a mission ordered by the Emperor to carry out an important matter. Today I have revealed my whereabouts here. Although it is not a leak of information, it may still attract attention. In the next few days, you must do your best to minimize the impact and prevent the matter from getting out."
"Otherwise, even if the Emperor is magnanimous and spares you, I will not let you go!"
Li Chong snapped to attention and loudly replied, "Yes!"
At this moment, a sinister voice came: "We don't know how to say nice things. You're surnamed Li, right? If we find out that it was you who leaked the information, you'd better start making arrangements for yourself in the south. We still need people on Shamen Island."
Zhang An's words were clearly a threat.
"You damned eunuch! You castrated dog!"
After cursing inwardly, Li Chong had no choice but to bow and greet him, saying, "This humble official understands, Chief Zhang, please rest assured."
Ma Zheng frowned and glanced at Zhang An, feeling very displeased. He could reprimand or even punish Li Chong, but how dare Zhang An, a eunuch, spout such nonsense?
Suppressing his displeasure, Ma Zheng also abandoned the idea of giving Li Chong a few more instructions.
How dare a eunuch speak disrespectfully to a scholar who passed the imperial examinations?
He waved his hand: "Since you know what's important, you may leave. Remember, don't let a word of this leak out."
"Your humble servant will keep that in mind."
After replying, Li Chong prepared to leave, finally managing to fool these two "old men".
A young voice rang out, and Ma Kuo stepped forward: "Father, I would like to see Magistrate Li off."
Ma Zheng glanced at his son, pondered for a moment, and nodded in agreement: "Go."