usatvline Chapter 47 Winning Hearts and Minds
Chapter 47 Winning Hearts and Minds
Having officially taken office for some days, Li Chong naturally figured out who he couldn't win over and who he could.
Wu Dalang, who escorted him to Xucheng to take up his post, is one such example.
At first, Li Chong, like Cui Shi, thought that since Cui Shi was escorting him on Yang Chengde's orders, he was one of Yang Chengde's men.
It wasn't until he took office that he realized Wu Dalang could be considered Yang Chengde's man, but Yang Chengde himself looked down on these minor officials.
As for Fu Shun, most of his men were brave and fierce, along with some old acquaintances from the military, so they naturally didn't have the same status as Wu Dalang and his ilk.
Otherwise, the task of escorting Li Chong to Xucheng would not have fallen to Wu Dalang.
Even in modern times, with airplanes and high-speed trains, business trips are often a chore, let alone now.
Although the journey from Yanggu to Xucheng is not far, considering their mode of transportation, it is not exactly short.
The journey was arduous, requiring not only traversing mountains and valleys but also crossing Liangshan Marsh. The hardships of the journey were not compensated, making it hardly a pleasant job.
So Wu Dalang was pushed forward to escort Li Chong all the way.
Fortunately, Li Chong was generous and used the money given by Yang Chengde and the others to win them over, which allowed Wu Dalang and the others to make a small fortune.
So, after Li Chong raised the money, Wu Dalang was almost the first person to come and seek refuge with him.
Originally, he was a marginal figure in Yang Chengde's eyes, so he naturally did not cause any ripples.
Li Chong came to see Zhong Mei's companion this time, so he had to have a backup plan. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry.
So before leaving, he specifically instructed Cui Shi to pass on a message to him, which actually came in handy.
Moreover, looking at the other yamen runners around Wu Dalang, Li Chong had other ideas in his mind.
As they walked, Li Chong casually asked, "Do you know why I called you here today?"
Wu Dalang immediately replied, "I don't know. I only know to follow your orders, sir. I know nothing else."
Li Chong nodded in satisfaction, then waved his hand: "Tell your brothers to go to the warehouse and collect their reward money when they get back. I'll issue you a receipt."
"Thank you, sir!"
The crowd expressed their gratitude in unison, drawing the attention of passersby.
Seeing this, Zhong Mei's face showed a hint of contempt: "All you know how to do is use money to buy people's hearts. If you didn't have money, who would respect you! And them, they get so happy when they hear about money, a bunch of money-grubbing bastards."
Upon hearing Zhong Mei's words, the constables nearby immediately fell silent.
A young and beautiful woman was following the magistrate around. Before the relationship between her and Li Chong was clarified, who would dare to be negligent?
But because of what had just happened, they couldn't flatter or fawn over him, and they were stuck in an awkward position.
Li Chong chuckled, "You're mistaken. They work for me, so it's only right that I feed them. If they were all as loyal as your uncles and brothers, what would happen to their wives and children?"
"No one is perfect, and no one is a saint. Everyday life, with its necessities like firewood and cooking oil, requires money. They are earning money to support their families; how can you say they are greedy for money?"
"Master..." Wu Dalang and the others were moved upon hearing this.
As low-ranking yamen runners, they were always looked down upon.
Inside the yamen, even a minor clerk can flaunt their superiority; outside the yamen, people outwardly show respect, but secretly who doesn't curse them as "black-skinned bastards"?
The reason why he bowed down to Li Chong's "five pecks of rice" was because he was forced by circumstances; he simply couldn't live a good life on that salary alone.
Now, Li Chong, a man with a proper background in the imperial examinations, personally vindicated them, which brought a shocking and revolutionary impact to Wu Dalang and the others.
After all, people crave recognition, especially recognition from those in higher positions.
"Don't get agitated," Li Chong said gently. "As long as you do your job well for me, you'll have a long good life ahead of you."
Wu Dalang straightened up and shouted to his men, "Did you all hear that? From now on, if I see anyone daring to disrespect the master, I'll skin them alive!"
The yamen runners responded in unison.
Seeing everyone's unanimous expression, Zhong Mei was also stunned.
In her memory, these dark-skinned people used to either bully and tyrannize the streets or live a life of idleness and idleness in casinos and brothels.
She had never seen such a neat and orderly, spirited state before.
And all these changes are because of the man beside her.
Zhong Mei stared at Li Chong, lost in thought.
Suddenly, Li Chong turned to look at Zhong Mei, blinked, and asked, "What's wrong? Are you impressed by my skills?"
Caught off guard, Zhong Mei hastily turned her head away, her cheeks flushing slightly.
She retorted defiantly, "What nonsense are you spouting! I just want to see just how thick-skinned you really are! You said you wouldn't bring anyone, but you still called all these people here."
Li Chong smiled indifferently: "You saw the situation today. If I really went alone, would I have been able to get away so easily? I've already given you more than enough. Don't push your luck."
Zhong Mei remained silent.
But she knew in her heart that Li Chong had indeed done everything he could.
Otherwise, no other county magistrate would have cooperated with a group of bandits, let alone personally come to negotiate.
She is young, but not unreasonable.
"Hmm~~~"
Li Chong's languid voice once again attracted Zhong Mei's attention.
Stretching and yawning, Li Chong casually ordered, "The yamen is just ahead. You lot, quietly disperse. Don't attract attention, and don't say anything out of turn. Otherwise, forget about any reward; this magistrate will not let him off the hook!"
Wu Dalang immediately assured him, "Don't worry, sir, I will keep a close eye on them and make sure they don't say anything out of line."
"Okay." Li Chong nodded to Wu Dalang. "After you've settled your brothers in, come see me in the back office. I have some instructions to give you."
Wu Dalang's spirits lifted. The county magistrate was personally assigning him tasks; this was an omen of his being chosen.
"I understand!"
As Li Chong waved his hand, Wu Dalang and the other constables scattered.
After they had walked away, Li Chong stretched his limbs and stepped forward: "Let's go, we should go back too. After sitting for so many days, it's really tiring to suddenly get out and move around."
In a few years, chaos will ensue, and Li Chong began to consider whether he should train himself so that he could at least wear armor by then.
Looking at Li Chong, Zhong Mei subconsciously said, "Judging from your appearance, you really don't look like an official."
Li Chong turned and glanced at her: "So what do you think I am?"
"Like, like..."
After hesitating for a moment, Zhong Mei said with certainty, "You look a bit like one of us mountain people!"
"Ha ha."
Li Chong laughed loudly and strode towards the county government office.