Late Song Dynasty: From Imposter Magistrate to Emperor Donning the Imperial Robe

Chapter 130 Presenting Auspicious Omens

Throughout history, officials' embezzlement has been procedurally prohibited, and every dynasty has imposed restrictions on it.

Openly engaging in commerce is certainly unacceptable; this is where the term "competing with the people for profit" comes from.

Of course, although the rules were set out this way, there were exceptions, and that's when the official's relatives came in handy.

If officials cannot directly engage in business, they can simply act as intermediaries, aiming only to ultimately profit.

This has always been the case throughout history.

Now that Li Chong has set up such a large operation, he has put Xue Ming in charge of the public affairs, and there is no special relationship between the two of them. This is not very reliable.

Just then, Li Chong's brother-in-law arrived. Given Xie Wenyou's status, it was perfectly legitimate for him to replace Xue Ming, and even Xue Ming himself thought so.

After all, who would choose to use a complete stranger instead of a relative?

But Xue Ming was young and ambitious, eager to prove himself. He had worked so hard for so long, how could he give way to someone else?

However, in front of Li Chong, Xue Ming did not dare to express his thoughts directly, and could only try to get them to the point indirectly.

Xue Ming explained, "I've heard that the county magistrate's brother-in-law is about my age, and I was wondering if I could get to know him so I could see his talent."

"A talent? Him?" Li Chong shook his head. "Wen Zhao, don't try to fool me. We've been through thick and thin together. Speak your mind."

Li Chong wasn't sure if Xie Wenyou was a talented person, but he was certain that Xue Ming didn't understand Xie Wenyou.

He must have ulterior motives for saying that.

Xue Ming gave a wry smile and bowed respectfully: "I cannot hide it from Your Excellency. I was thinking that the affairs of this escort agency are numerous and complex, and I often feel that I am not up to the task. Since that young man is Your Excellency's relative, he must be a man of great talent. Therefore, I would like to ask Your Excellency to send someone to share the burden with me."

Li Chong scrutinized Xue Ming carefully without saying a word.

Xue Ming lowered his head nervously, awaiting Li Chong's decision.

After a moment, Li Chong remained noncommittal and continued to open the account book and browse through it.

"What is this, County Magistrate?" Xue Ming looked down at the account book that Li Chong had opened, his mind filled with unsettling thoughts.

After a long while, Li Chong got up, closed the account book, and walked out.

"Wen Zhao, don't overthink it. Since I've agreed to put you in charge, I won't send anyone to take away your power. Just focus on your work."

Xue Ming followed, a sigh of relief in his heart: "Your Excellency..."

Li Chong raised his hand to signal him to shut up, and continued, "However, what you said has reminded me that the kid does lack experience. How about this, I'll have him come and learn from him later. You teach him more about the account books, so I won't have to bother looking at them anymore."

While Li Chong claimed to be teaching, his words clearly implied that Xie Wenyou was to supervise the process.

With Xie Wenyou in control of finances and Wu Song in charge of personnel, no matter how Xue Ming manipulated the escort agency, it would always remain under Li Chong's control.

Moreover, by giving Xie Wenyou something to do, Li Chong can save himself some trouble and avoid being exposed in his academic pursuits.

Xue Ming hesitated for a moment, but still clasped his hands in agreement.

Although there was still an extra layer of constraint, Li Chong did not take away his power. The entire escort agency still revolved around him, and that was enough.

As for embezzlement, to be honest, Xue Mingyuan didn't intend to tamper with the account books.

He worked for Li Chong not only to prove himself, but also out of the most practical interests. The imperial court wanted to reclaim land, and the Xue family had to rely on Li Chong to protect their ancestral property.

Moreover, this escort agency is responsible for protecting caravans and connecting Daming Prefecture, and there are many ways to make money from it, so there is no need to focus on money and supplies.

"Then I will send someone to your residence another day so that the young man can take a look at the account book."

"No rush." ​​Li Chong waved his hand. "I told you to let him learn first, so you teach him first. Let him stay by your side and watch for a while before he starts practicing. Wen Zhao can't be so stingy with his knowledge."

Judging from Xie Wenyou's appearance, he didn't seem capable of handling things, so Li Chong naturally wouldn't blindly appoint relatives and friends.

Let's send him here to study first, so that Li Chong can also find some time to prepare.

Dealing with Xie Wenyu alone is much easier than dealing with both siblings at the same time.

Since Xue Ming had already agreed to Li Chong's request, he naturally wouldn't disagree. Besides, it wasn't a crucial skill, so he readily agreed.

Intentionally or unintentionally, Li Chong led Xue Ming to a secluded spot. Seeing that no one was around and that his attendants and servants were standing far away, Li Chong stopped.

"Wen Zhao's family owns quite a lot of land; are there any farmers among them skilled in farming?"

Xue Ming didn't understand Li Chong's meaning. After considering it for a moment, he replied, "I do have a few old farmers in my family who have been farmers for many years. I wouldn't dare say they are experts, but I know a little bit about it."

Li Chong didn't mind his caution and nodded casually.

Changing the subject, Li Chong asked, "Has Wenzhao been looking into the imperial gazette lately?"

"this……"

Logically speaking, the imperial gazette was exclusively for government officials, and local gentry should not have access to it.

But after the incident involving the land expropriation, who still cares about these rules? They're just a few pieces of paper; you can buy them with money, and Xue Ming's family naturally has them too.

But he didn't know what Li Chong meant, and hesitated without daring to answer.

Li Chong chuckled: "It's just the two of us here. What could Wen Zhao possibly be afraid of getting it out?"

Come to think of it, reading the official gazette isn't a serious crime. It's something that's promulgated throughout the country, and its timeliness is limited, so it's really not worth punishing.

Xue Ming nodded: "My father likes to read articles from the imperial court, and I've also glanced at the official gazette a few times."

"What are your thoughts?"

After opening and closing his mouth a few times, Xue Ming replied half-jokingly, "Our Great Song Dynasty has a wise and virtuous ruler in power, and the world is at peace. It is truly a golden age that is rarely seen in ancient and modern times."

It is true that we are living in a golden age, and in terms of productivity, the Northern Song Dynasty has indeed far surpassed previous dynasties.

But the idea of ​​a wise and benevolent ruler is pure nonsense; they're more like pigs born from the underworld.

"Oh."

With a sneer, Li Chong shook his head: "A golden age? If it really is a golden age, where did those bandits we killed in the mountains the other day come from? Why would perfectly good people, with enough to eat, have nothing better to do than become bandits?"

"This..." Xue Ming was dumbfounded. Was it really appropriate for a high-ranking official of the imperial court to say such things?

Li Chong turned to face Xue Ming, his gaze intense: "The world is in turmoil because of the rampant corruption in the court. Take the land reclamation law, for example; it was issued by eunuchs who misled the emperor. If we allow those people to continue their misdeeds, our Great Song Dynasty will surely descend into chaos."

Xue Ming composed himself and asked with a puzzled look, "What is the magistrate's intention?"

He didn't understand why Li Chong was telling him all this. A mere county magistrate and a commoner without any official rank—could the two of them really change the imperial court?

"I would like to ask Wenzhao for a favor; I need to present auspicious omens to the Emperor!"

Li Chong's words were so forceful that they left Xue Ming momentarily stunned.