Chapter 384: The Right Job For Him
Take a look at Chapter 379 of "The Great Ming in the Box": Autumn, Third Year of Chongzhen.Li Daoxuan munched on sticky rice duck as he debated whether... See what happens next!
Autumn, Third Year of Chongzhen.Li Daoxuan munched on sticky rice duck as he debated whether to add autumn pants. Suddenly, he spotted a swift horse racing toward the county capital within his box.
The boxâs viewpoint remained fixed on Chengcheng County. He was observing its post-harvest prosperityâŚ
Just then, a galloping horse charged into Chengcheng County, delivering the courtâs appointment documents to Liang Shixian.
Curiously, there were two documents.
One praised Liang Shixian for governing effectively and earning the peopleâs love. The local gentry and commoners had jointly petitioned for him to remain in office. Thus, the court abandoned plans to promote him three ranks and instead reappointed him as Chengcheng County Magistrate.
The other condemned him: in three years, heâd failed to collect even one liang of silver in taxesâa disgrace to the Ming Dynasty. No magistrateâs record compared so poorly. He was on the brink of making Ming history. With such âprowessâ in tax collection, he could abandon dreams of promotion. They cursed him to rot in his current post.
Both documents lay before Liang Shixian, leaving him torn between laughter and tears.
Li Daoxuan felt equally torn. Ming Dynasty bureaucracy⌠really⌠sigh!
âBrother Feng has done me a great service, preserving my position.â Liang Shixian sighed to Fang Wushang beside him. âThese documents show my work could earn either a three-rank promotion or banishment to commoner status. Had the Eunuch Party still held power, Iâd be finished. But just when the Donglin Academy allies spoke in court⌠sighâŚâ
Fang Wushang snorted contemptuously. âThis is why I despise scholar-officials. Actions speakânot words. When credit and blame shift by speech alone, what justice remains?â
Liang Shixian offered a bitter smile. âIndeed. But hypothetically, General Fang: were you in charge, how would you decide?â
Fang Wushang pondered seriously. âReward merit. Punish failure. Cancel one against the other. No promotion. No demotion. Remain magistrate.â
Liang Shixian: ââŚâ
Cough cough! Li Daoxuan nearly choked on sticky rice duck. His unspoken protest raged: âWhatâs the difference from before?â
Alas, Gao Yiye wasnât there to voice criticism.
Liang Shixianâs worry melted away, rushing with pride. âSince I remain magistrate⌠Iâll keep building Chengchengâs future. General Fang, letâs discuss something.â
âSpeak freely,â invited Fang Wushang.
Liang Shixian explained, âCounty Magistrate Feng Jun of Heyang visited lately⌠He raised an alarming matterâŚâ
He recounted Feng Junâs private warnings.
âThe Deity is a god. Gods donât scheme rebellions. But the weapons He bestows⌠fall into human hands.â Liang Shixianâs face darkened. âHumans harbour ambitions. As Gaojia Village grows stronger, those holding power might⌠entertain dark motives. The consequences could be unthinkable.â
Fang Wushangâs eyes widened with alarm. âThat makes sense.â
Liang Shixian pressed, âGlad you agree. Had I transferred elsewhere, this wouldnât concern me. But since I govern here, I must address it.â
General Fangâs brows knitted. âWhy tell me? What role should I play?â
âYouâre fearlessâyou defy any might. I recall you thrusting your spear toward the Deityâs giant hand. If anyone dares uphold justice against all authority⌠itâs you.â
Fang Wushang: â!!!â
Liang Shixian urged, âI need you to watch Gaojia Villageâs key figures. If they engage in illegal activities⌠suppress them!â
Fang Wushang inhaled sharply. Though brave, he wasnât reckless. This task⌠felt crushing.
Could he survive hundreds of firearms from Instructor He?
Evade Bai Yuanâs sniping?
If Thirty-Two marked him for death, all Gaojia Village would turn enemy!
An overwhelming sense of pressure swallowed him.
Lost in thought, he finally jolted upright. âMagistrate Liang, no assignment is necessary. As Chengcheng Patrol Officer, my duty already includes arresting outlaws and protecting this county. Should wrongdoers emerge in Gaojia Village⌠confronting them is my obligation. Iâll patrol the village regularly to deter illegal acts.â
Hearing this, Li Daoxuan grinned faintly.
His dilemma resurfacedâwhen the Gaojia Village Militia entered Heyang County and their figures potentially oppressed wild figures, could he mete justice against his own allies? Heâd searched desperately for an impartial enforcer.
Now heâd found one!
Fang Wushang was idealâstubbornly righteous beyond reason.
One friction remained: Fang Wushang still identified as a Ming court patrol officer, not a âGaojia Village member.â His approach to âillegal activitiesâ would favour Ming law over local interests. A subtle distinction⌠with colossal consequences.
Time to redefine his allegiance.
Li Daoxuan tapped Gaojia Villageâs viewing option.
His sight instantly shifted directly above the village, where Gao Yiye hunched over her desk, sketching Dao Xuan Deityâs Demon Elimination Taleâs fifth issue. The revised storyline now depicted the Deity aiding Heyang civilians through rain-summoning magic. Defiant Four Sea Dragon Kings provoked a celestial smackdownâŚ
Smiling, Li Daoxuan called, âYiye! Yiye! Fang Wushang will visit Gaojia Village soon. When he arrives⌠Iâll assign him unique duties.â
Gao Yiye answered, âJust command us, Deity.â
Li Daoxuan declared, âUpon his arrival⌠summon him for conversation.â