CHAPTER 196: CHAPTER 196: HIGHS AND LOWS (PART 2)

It is not difficult to guess County Magistrate Cui’s thoughts.

County Magistrate Cai initially wanted to play dumb, but seeing the situation, he realized he couldn’t brush it off, so he decided to speak from the heart with a hint of drunkenness: "County Magistrate Cui, do you feel discontent in your heart?"

County Magistrate Cui paused his action of drinking tea.

"With the Commandery Princess treating me so kindly, let alone County Magistrate Cui feeling discontent, I’m afraid every county magistrate present today is not feeling at ease."

County Magistrate Cai did not hide his fortunate fate: "Last year, I was just a humble, struggling steward, yet in just over half a year, I secured the position of County Magistrate in Li County and became a trusted favored minister of the Commandery Princess. It feels like a dream even to me."

"In terms of background, I am far behind you, County Magistrate Cui. In terms of talent, I can’t even come close. Even when it comes to the taxes paid by the county government every year, a poor county like Li County cannot compare with Ye County."

County Magistrate Cui couldn’t hold it anymore: "So where am I lacking?"

County Magistrate Cai smiled slightly and spoke earnestly: "The only advantage I have over County Magistrate Cui is my dedication to serving the Commandery Princess. Whatever the Commandery Princess thinks, I do. As the County Magistrate, with the Commandery Princess caring for the people, I rack my brains all day for the people’s livelihood."

"The Commandery Princess hopes Li County becomes prosperous, so I work hard to come up with ideas. Besides urging the people to farm, I also organize them to go into the mountains to gather herbs. The people don’t recognize herbs or know how to prepare them, so I spent silver to hire doctors from the pharmacies to teach them. Then I personally lead the officials to the pharmacy in each county to sell the herbs."

"After selling the herbs for silver, I personally distribute the money to each household."

"I’ve visited all of the over a thousand households in Li County. I know which families are well-off and which ones struggle for their next meal."

"For those who are extremely poor, I register them in a book. Every so often, I go to see them and bring some grain, preventing them from selling their children out of hunger. This grain is considered a loan from the county government, to be repaid after the harvest."

"County Magistrate Cui, ask yourself sincerely, can you do these things?"

County Magistrate Cui was speechless.

He certainly couldn’t.

He is a descendant of the Qinghe Cui family, never short of food and clothing, single-mindedly studying for the Imperial Examinations. After becoming an Advanced Scholar and being assigned to a position elsewhere, his family elders helped him secure the role of County Magistrate in Ye County.

Ye County ranks in the top ten in Da Liang, a well-known wealthy county. After taking office, he barely needed to make much effort to steadily collect a large amount of taxes.

According to Da Liang’s official evaluation system, the amount of taxes collected is the highest standard for measuring whether an official is competent. By this standard, he is one of the best County Magistrates in Da Liang.

However...

The Commandery Princess apparently has another set of standards.

This shriveled and ugly County Magistrate Cai in front of him is the Commandery Princess’s idea of a good minister.

The things County Magistrate Cai said and did are too trivial and detailed, even degrading, for a seventh-rank hall seal officer. With his slightly aloof temperament, he simply couldn’t do it.

County Magistrate Cai opened up, sitting more relaxedly, and dealt another blow to County Magistrate Cui: "County Magistrate Cui, pardon me, but may I ask one more question?"

"Please do, County Magistrate Cai." County Magistrate Cui put down his teacup and sat upright, appearing open to advice.

County Magistrate Cai, with eyes like slits, stared directly into County Magistrate Cui’s bright, keen black eyes: "If you and I switch places, I could manage Ye County well. Could County Magistrate Cui manage Li County well?"

County Magistrate Cui: "..."

County Magistrate Cui was silent for a long while, then suddenly stood up and solemnly cupped his hands towards County Magistrate Cai: "Brother Cai, today’s guidance is something I will never forget."

This time, it was County Magistrate Cai who felt at a loss. He quickly stood up, supporting County Magistrate Cui’s hands with both of his: "County Magistrate Cui is too kind, I dare not claim any credit."

As a County Magistrate from a humble steward background, he wasn’t worthy of being called brother by a descendant of Qinghe Cui.

County Magistrate Cui unwaveringly grasped County Magistrate Cai’s hands and said earnestly: "Today, Brother Cai’s sincere and heartfelt advice is something I am infinitely grateful for. In the future, I shall call you Brother Cai, and you can call me Brother Cui. If Brother Cai doesn’t agree, it would mean you look down on me."

County Magistrate Cai could only smile and change his address: "Well then, being ten years your senior, I’ll shamelessly refer to you as Brother Cui."

County Magistrate Cui maintained a serious expression: "The words Brother Cai spoke today have awakened me. I was too arrogant and self-righteous before. Ye County is already prosperous, and anyone could have taken the position of County Magistrate and held it securely. True ability is shown by managing a lower county well. From now on, I must learn from Brother Cai."

County Magistrate Cui held County Magistrate Cai’s hand tightly, unwilling to let go, while County Magistrate Cai, maintaining this slightly awkward stance, replied with a smile: "Brother Cui is too humble. Ye County is wealthy, known to all. If someone else became Ye County’s County Magistrate, they might try all means to exploit it. Only Brother Cui could remain so incorruptible, allowing Ye County’s people to live in peace."

"The Commandery Princess sees all this! Thus, she specially arranged for Brother Cui to stay at the Prince Mansion, highlighting her high regard and respect for Brother Cui."

These words were incredibly flattering.

A smile finally appeared on County Magistrate Cui’s face.

County Magistrate Cai, with an elaborate warm talk, sent County Magistrate Cui away happily.

After County Magistrate Cui left, County Magistrate Cai wiped the sweat off his forehead and muttered to himself: "Tonight wore me out."

No sooner had he finished than a young and capable government official came in: "Lord Cai, County Magistrate Lei and County Magistrate Gao have been waiting outside."

County Magistrate Cai: "..."

He truly didn’t expect he’d have a day of becoming this sought after.

County Magistrate Cai smoothed his wrinkled face and, with a smile as bright as a flower, went out to greet them.

County Magistrate Lei and County Magistrate Gao both drank a lot tonight, relying on their intoxication to talk to County Magistrate Cai now. Upon meeting, they acted like brothers, linking arms and hands, incredibly warm.

County Magistrate Lei is the magistrate of Zhi County, and County Magistrate Gao is Wuyin County’s magistrate. Adding in Li County, the magistrates of the three poorest counties in Nanyang County are now all gathered together.

As for the intention of County Magistrate Lei and County Magistrate Gao, there’s no need to ask.

County Magistrate Cai is a frank person, holding nothing back, and explained everything he did over the past half year to his colleagues.

County Magistrate Lei and County Magistrate Gao greatly benefited, expressing gratitude repeatedly.

County Magistrate Cai has indeed been in the spotlight these past few days, yet he remains humble and sincere, saying, "The three of us govern poor counties, which cannot compare to Ye County or Bowang County or Biyang County. The Commandery Princess is compassionate towards us and hasn’t pressured us, even granting special favors to our three counties. For every child born, the family receives a twenty jin grain reward each month."

"In reality, it’s simply a way to lower the taxes for our three counties."

"As ministers, we can only double our diligence in our duties to repay the Commandery Princess’s kindness."