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

Chapter 105 Doing Good Deeds

After Li Chong's series of persuasive words, Xue Tao naturally fell into the trap.

After all, he had no choice but to agree. Li Chong was an official, while he was a commoner, and now it was he who needed Li Chong's help, so the initiative was naturally entirely in Li Chong's hands.

As long as it's not too outrageous, whatever Li Chong says goes.

Upon Li Chong's reminder, Xue Tao lowered his head and humbly inquired, "What are your instructions, County Magistrate?"

"Nothing much, I just want to ask Patriarch Xue to help me repair the roads in the villages."

Xue Tao was taken aback: "Road repairs?"

Li Chong strolled slowly, with the Xue family father and son following closely behind.

"I've been in Yanggu for a while now, and I've discovered quite a few problems. The most important one is that our basic infrastructure is really inadequate."

"Infrastructure?"

This new term made the Xue father and son exchange a glance.

However, although it was the first time they had heard this term, the two of them were able to understand Li Chong's meaning to some extent by combining it with what Li Chong had said before.

Xue Tao nodded and sighed, "The county magistrate is right, but it's hard to part with charitable wealth. It's already rare for wealthy households in the county to occasionally give out porridge. As for building bridges and paving roads, the cost is too high, and it's really hard to make that decision."

Li Chong smiled faintly and casually recited: "Murderers and arsonists wear golden belts, while those who repair bridges and roads leave no remains. Spending money on charity is nowhere as comfortable as acquiring land and exploiting tenants. You can make money without having to put in much effort."

Xue Tao smiled awkwardly, unsure how to respond.

Li Chong's two sentences included him as well, making it really difficult to respond.

Xue Ming, standing to the side, was somewhat indignant, but under his father's prompting, he could only obediently follow behind and listen silently.

"Of course, I'm not trying to blame Patriarch Xue. Patriarch Xue, please don't overthink it," Li Chong added, trying to salvage the situation. "After all, nobody's money comes from thin air. It's understandable that people would feel a little pain taking it away for no reason."

Xue Tao cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your understanding, Your Excellency."

Li Chong waved his hand and continued, "But then again, water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Having a good reputation among the villagers is never a bad thing. If someone is forced into banditry, they'll definitely seek revenge on those with bad reputations, don't you think?"

Xue Tao could only nod awkwardly, but whether he agreed with it to some extent was another matter.

Li Chong glanced at him, slowing his pace slightly: "So, this time I'm also thinking of you. Although it's hard to part with money, with the imperial court requisitioning land, each of you will have to contribute something no matter what. Rather than sending money to those officials in the county and prefecture, it's better to gain a good reputation."

"This county doesn't want your land or your money. All we want is for you to pay some idle men from the countryside to help repair irrigation ditches, build bridges and roads, and construct earthen forts and the like."

"The irrigation canal can irrigate the fields, and the people's harvest will be higher. Your family will naturally benefit as well. As for the earthen fort, the world is not peaceful right now. Things like the bandits in the mountains before may happen again. We can hold them off and protect the village."

"This is all I have to say. What do you think, sir and son?"

After saying that, Li Chong stopped and stared intently at the Xue family father and son.

After a pause, Xue Tao immediately replied, "I haven't seen a magistrate as kind as you in a long time. It's just building irrigation canals and earthen forts; it's all for the good of the people of Yanggu. How could I possibly refuse?"

"With just one word from the county magistrate, not only my Xue family, but all other families can be persuaded by me, and the benefits will surely extend to all the people of the county!"

Li Chong stepped forward and grabbed Xue Tao's arm, laughing loudly, "Good! Good! Patriarch Xue is very understanding and righteous. I am very pleased. I will send someone else to discuss this matter with Patriarch Xue later. Rest assured, we will not let the Xue family suffer any losses!"

"Your Excellency, you are too kind. It is all for the sake of my family's reputation. There is no question of losing out. Besides, my son will be working under Your Excellency. I would be grateful for your guidance. It is only a small matter, but I will do my best."

Faced with Xue Tao's overtures, Li Chong nodded repeatedly.

"Then it's settled. As for the land deed, the county magistrate will have someone handle it tomorrow."

As they spoke, Li Chong had already walked to his horse, mounted it, and waved to the two of them: "That's all for today. I'll have Wen Zhao come to talk to me tomorrow. I have other plans."

"Please take care, Your Excellency."

Xue Tao and his son bowed to Li Chong as they saw him off until his figure disappeared around the street corner.

After a long while, Xue Tao stood up straight and remained silent.

"To act like this, one must be either a fool or an exceptionally shrewd person!" Xue Tao couldn't help but exclaim.

Xue Ming looked at his father: "Judging from the bandit suppression, the county magistrate is clearly not a fool."

"Yes, he's not a fool," Xue Tao said slowly, then looked at his son, "Eldest son, what do you think our Magistrate Li is doing all this for?"

Xue Ming replied matter-of-factly, "Of course it's for political achievements. He doesn't love money; what he loves is power. If the people of Yanggu are prosperous and there are more people to support the family, his performance evaluation in the prefecture will naturally be top-notch. I suppose the county magistrate wants to be promoted back to Bianliang."

Xue Tao said leisurely, "Yes, Bianliang is a good place..."

Suddenly, he looked at his son: "How are your studies going lately? Are you confident you can pass the high school entrance exam?"

That one sentence was enough to make Xue Ming's face fall.

After hesitating for a few moments, Xue Ming replied tentatively, "I've been a little... a little lax, but I'll go find my teacher tomorrow and catch up on my studies."

No one knows a son better than his father. Seeing his son like this, Xue Tao shook his head helplessly.

He turned to look in the direction Li Chong had left, his eyes deep in thought.

"Enough, enough. Your mind isn't on studying anyway. It's too harsh to expect you to pass the imperial examinations at such a young age like the county magistrate."

Xue Ming breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward with a smile: "Father, you should have said so earlier. I really don't know anything about the Four Books and Five Classics..."

Xue Tao gave his son a cold look, immediately shutting down Xue Ming's other words.

"So you think you can just go wild and play all you want just because I don't let you study?" Xue Tao couldn't help but reach out and slap his son. "Look at the county magistrate, he's about the same age, and he's already a county official. And you? Still grinning like an idiot!"

Xue Ming said with a bitter face, "Yes, son knows he was wrong."

"snort!"

Xue Tao put his hands behind his back and said, "If nothing unexpected happens, our county magistrate will likely rise to prominence. Starting tomorrow, you will stay by his side, even if you're just a personal attendant. Learn more, improve yourself, and stop associating with your cronies."

"Yes!" Xue Ming replied loudly, "My son also greatly admires Magistrate Li and will definitely study hard!"

"That's more like it, let's go home!"

The father and son, accompanied by their servants, returned to their own estate as they talked.