Zhou Wangshu rubbed his aching ear, his gaze sorrowful and rather aggrieved.
His eyes were like those of a puppy, staring directly at the other person, and anyone with a softer heart would have cursed themselves dozens of times by now.
"Alright, my fault, don’t be mad anymore." Su Yaoguang shook his arm, "When this busy period is over, I’ll make you some pastries, ones you haven’t tasted before."
Zhou Wangshu responded with an "oh," considering the matter settled.
"Boss Su, County Magistrate Chen has brought another official up the mountain, you’d better go take a look." Aunt Wang, panting heavily, finally found this young couple.
Thinking about what Jiang Ziqian had said, Su Yaoguang pulled Zhou Wangshu towards the main hall of the temple.
As they ran towards the direction of the main hall, they saw many government officers guarding the place. When the officers saw them appear, they stopped them.
"Lord Chen..." Su Yaoguang called towards the direction of County Magistrate Chen.
County Magistrate Chen looked back, saw Su Yaoguang and Zhou Wangshu, said a few words to the official next to him. That person waved his hand, and the officers let them pass.
"My Lord, why have you come up the mountain?" Su Yaoguang feigned ignorance.
"This is Lord Wang," County Magistrate Chen said, "Lord Wang is the County Magistrate of the neighboring city. He heard that Doctor Jiang has excellent medical skills and unique insights into epidemics and wants to invite Doctor Jiang over to treat patients. Of course, relying on Doctor Jiang alone won’t suffice, so we still need your cooperation. Boss Su, could you and your family make a trip to the neighboring city? Caring for patients here is also caring, and transporting patients from the neighboring city requires manpower and resources, so it would be better to treat them directly in their city."
"Lord Chen, may I have a word?" Su Yaoguang hinted to the side.
County Magistrate Chen nodded and said to County Magistrate Wang, "Excuse me for a moment."
That County Magistrate Wang looked down on them, hardly giving Su Yaoguang and Zhou Wangshu a proper look. When he saw Su Yaoguang wanting to speak privately with County Magistrate Chen, displeasure filled his brow.
Su Yaoguang took County Magistrate Chen to a corner and said, "I’ve heard there’s an Imperial Envoy traveling incognito, and that Lord Wang is obviously aware of this and wants to steal the credit from you."
County Magistrate Chen said, "I know. However, credits aren’t important; human lives are the most important. If he can proactively save the lives of the people, that already is a blessing for them."
"But you’re the good official dedicated to the people. How can someone as cowardly as he is have the right to steal this credit? I just think it’s unfair."
"Boss Su, don’t be angry. I truly don’t mind these things," County Magistrate Chen said gently. "When it comes to caring for the people, it should be you, Boss Su. If it weren’t for well-intentioned people like you and the cooperation of other merchants, what use would I be as an official who lacks materials, silver, and medicine? Although transferring you to the neighboring city for this achievement will be credited to him, the people will know that the ones who saved them are you. As long as they remember your kindness, that’s what matters."
"Lord Chen, you’re way too accommodating."
"Boss Su, can you make the trip?"
"Alright, for your sake, and because the people need us, we’ll definitely help to the end."
County Magistrate Chen brought Su Yaoguang back and said to County Magistrate Wang, "Boss Su has agreed. Lord Wang, I now leave him in your care, and I ask that you treat them well. They have spent money and effort for the people, and they are revered by them. Should anything happen to them, our people here will surely not stand for it."
County Magistrate Wang gave a forced smile and said, "Listen to you, Lord Chen, as if I would mistreat them. Once it’s done, I will ensure they are handsomely rewarded."
After all, they’re just greedy merchants, aren’t they? It’s flattering to talk about risking life and limb for the people, but in the end, it’s all for profit. As long as the profit is sufficient, won’t they eventually speak well of me?
"What about the patients here who haven’t recovered yet?"
"Since they’re patients from our county, we’ll naturally take them back for treatment."
"However, they’ve been using our county’s medicinal supplies, and although those were provided by the medicine merchant, our Lord is supposed to settle the costs. Shouldn’t this amount be covered by the county government on your side, Lord Wang?"
"How much?"
"An initial estimate is about one thousand taels," Su Yaoguang stated, "It can’t be according to the original price, but what the medicine merchant provided was at his cost price."
"Alright, our county government will cover it."
County Magistrate Chen felt somewhat guilty, as he hadn’t actually spent any silver, only promised the merchants he’d apply for tax exemptions. Whoever exerted the most effort would enjoy the longest exemption. Strictly speaking, this sum would be covered by the court.
Su Yaoguang motioned at him with his eyes, while he remained silent.
Once that money is in the county government, it becomes public funds. Our county’s quite impoverished, and one thousand taels of silver can do a lot for the people.
Su Yaoguang gathered everyone together, explained the situation, and then formally bid farewell to the monks.
"To all the masters, thank you for your full support during this period. Buddha is merciful, and has sent you to provide salvation. Once this ordeal is over, the incense in the temple will surely be thriving."
"Madam, it is our duty, and all we seek is peace in the world and that the people for their lives smoothly," the Abbot replied, "If there’s talk of accumulating goodness and prosperity, it would primarily be you, madam. Your destiny has already been altered; this time you will find everything you wish for, and all will be well."
"What’s the Master talking about, do you understand?" Zhang Zhaodi asked Zhou Wangshu beside her.
Zhou Wangshu, recalling the dream, nearly guessed what it was about.
The Master looked at Zhou Wangshu with a gaze also filled with deep meaning.
"You have been too inclined to kill, according to the original path, you have a fate of short life. However, by choosing you, the madam’s fortune has helped you pass the threshold of death to attain life today. You must learn to let go; once you do so, it will be a new life."
"Master, I don’t quite understand your words," Zhou Wangshu laughed, "But I do know one thing, and that is that I live because of Yaoguang. As long as Yaoguang protects me, everything will be fine."
County Magistrate Wang led the people away.
Zhou Wangshu remembered there was still someone, so while everyone packed, he handed some medicines to a nearby young monk, whispering a few instructions.
"That patient belongs to our county, and due to poor character, I’m worried she might cause trouble if let out, so I’ve secluded her in the old bamboo house. Just make sure you deliver medicine and food to her daily without speaking to her, and release her once she’s recovered."
The young monk, who always respected Su Yaoguang, upon hearing it was someone who had troubled Su Yaoguang, agreed immediately.
"I know who she is, that dreadful woman," the young monk replied, "Rest assured, Ms. Zhou, I am following your instructions, and won’t tell anyone about this."
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