piratefiction Chapter 50 - 3-Day Verification!
Chapter 50 - 3-Day Verification!
"Sir, you are wise. So-called 'illicit worship' refers to the worship of evil gods and the committing of perverse and harmful acts. May I ask, sir, if you investigate these three villages and five li, is there a single person who has evaded rent or taxes because of their belief in the dragon god?"
"Has any family been ruined and killed because of moving into this shrine? Has any case or dispute originated from this shrine?"
"On the contrary, since the establishment of the Jiaoshen Temple, disputes over land boundaries between the two villages have decreased by 70%, and only two thefts have occurred this year, both of which have been resolved amicably. The elderly and children in the village have support, the sick have access to medical treatment, and grudges have been resolved. May I ask, sir, where is the chaos?"
Lin Shi straightened his back, sitting steadily and calmly. In his previous life, as a top expert, he had seen countless big scenes. He knew exactly how to deal with two low-ranking officials. Simply bowing and scraping and begging for forgiveness was useless. The key was to stand firm, be neither humble nor arrogant, and argue with reason.
"I have heard that the county government has accumulated several unsolved cases in recent years. A cow died in the middle of the night in Lizhuang Village in the east, the Liu family ancestral grave in Xishan was dug up, and a child in Nanzhen cried incessantly at night. If the government needs it, we may be able to assist in investigating one or two of them. After all, in the countryside, the villagers may know more about the affairs of the land and the traces of ghosts and gods than the officials."
Lin Shi paused, his voice slightly lower.
During this time, he had been asking Sun Ming and others about the surrounding villages, and he had written down everything, big and small. Now it came in handy.
That's a very clever way of putting it.
They didn't mention their own abilities or those of the dragon, but only said that the villagers or those who knew something about it.
They didn't mention solving the case, only that they assisted in the investigation.
It demonstrated value without overstepping the bounds.
"You've got a way with words."
Zhao Hualiang stared at Lin Shi for a long time, then suddenly a half-smile appeared on his lips.
The atmosphere immediately became more relaxed.
Tax collector Wang closed the register: "Inspector Zhao, I think this ancestral hall is quite well-maintained. The villagers acted spontaneously, and no trouble has arisen."
"According to regulations, the investigation should last for three days."
"If it is truly as you say, with favorable weather and peaceful people, I will report back truthfully."
Zhao Hualiang sat down again.
Lin Shi nodded. He was going to verify it with his own eyes, so he wasn't worried at all.
Zhao Hualiang and Wang Ming did not move into the ancestral hall, but instead stayed in an empty house at the east end of the village. Every morning, they would get up and wander around the village at will, seemingly just strolling around, but actually keeping a close eye on everything around them.
On the first day, Zhao Hualiang stood by the ancient well in the village, watching the women draw water.
The bluestone well platform, polished smooth as a mirror by time, bears the deep marks left by the well rope, recording a century of history. A woman cranks the well pulley, the water from the wooden bucket clear and bright. She scoops up a ladleful, first offering it to the simple stone shrine beside the well platform—the well god's altar in the Jiaoshen Temple—before pouring it into her own bucket.
"This well water is sweeter than in previous years."
"Indeed! Ever since we started worshipping the Dragon God, the water in our village has never been muddy. Even the children can drink directly from the water they play in during the summer without getting stomach aches."
Zhao Hualiang took a sip of water. The water was refreshing and had a faint sweetness in his throat. It wasn't the sweetness of sugar, but the unique, soothing taste of mountain spring water.
The tax collector visited several households. He opened the tax register, checked the population and land holdings, and inquired about the harvest and livelihoods. The farmers were initially nervous, but seeing the tax collector's friendly manner, they gradually relaxed and spoke the truth.
Day two.
Zhao Hualiang deliberately got up very early. Just as dawn was breaking, he strolled slowly along the village path. The autumn morning was slightly cool, and a thin mist hung in the air. He noticed that the village was unusually peaceful—the roosters crowed loudly yet orderly, and the guard dogs didn't bark at strangers, only glancing up before lying back down in front of their doors. Even more strangely, he passed several houses with infants, but heard no crying; the whole village was remarkably serene.
When they reached the vicinity of the ancestral hall, they encountered Xu Zhong, whom they had met yesterday, who led the two of them back from their village patrol.
Day three.
dusk.
Zhao Hualiang climbed up the small earthen slope behind the village.
As the sun sets, the entire village is bathed in a warm golden light.
Smoke rose from the rooftops of each house, climbing straight up into the still air.
On the ridges between the fields, farmers returned carrying their tools, nodding and greeting each other as they met. In the threshing ground, children played among the haystacks, their laughter carried on the breeze. In front of the ancestral hall, a few believers offered incense, their movements slow and devout.
The whole village is full of vitality
Zhao Hualiang suddenly remembered some of the villages he had inspected.
Some villages are wealthy but their people are divided; some are poor and rife with bandits; some appear peaceful but are actually turbulent beneath the surface. This village before him possesses a stability that he has rarely seen elsewhere, a stability that comes from within.
late at night.
It was quiet.
The oil lamp flickered like a bean.
"Brother Wang, you've been traveling between Shixi Village and Shanghe Village these past few days."
"What have you seen or heard?"
Zhao Hualiang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and found that the tea was wild tea, which had an astringent taste at first but a long-lasting sweet aftertaste.
"There were no fights, thefts, gambling, or rumors in the two villages."
"All taxes were paid in full, with no household in arrears. This is rare in the villages I have handled. No fields were left uncultivated. The population of Shanghe Village increased by six people this year, and Shixi Village increased by ten. The ancestral hall has detailed accounts of income and expenditure."
"No problem at all."
Wang Ming opened the patrol log and looked through it page by page.
"I think that tip was probably just someone making a false accusation out of jealousy. The old land temple in Shanghe Village has long since stopped burning incense, and the temple keeper went mad recently. The construction of this dragon god shrine has cut off the livelihoods of so many people."
Wang Ming lowered his voice, so that only he and Zhao Hualiang could hear him.
"That Lin Shi is no ordinary person. He speaks succinctly and acts methodically. Most importantly, this village is truly peaceful."
Zhao Hualiang tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic tapping sound, before speaking after a while.
"How should we respond?"
Wang Ming closed the booklet.
"Report truthfully." The villagers of Shixi Village and Shanghe Village, grateful for the protection of the local deities, spontaneously renovated the old shrine and enshrined the Dragon God. The shrine is believed to have teachings to encourage good deeds, and provides services such as free medical consultations and mediation, contributing to the local social order. An investigation has revealed no evidence of any disturbances, incitement, or other violations of regulations.
"As for those miraculous events, we didn't witness them ourselves, so there's no need to write about them. But we can add that the area has indeed been free of disasters and epidemics in recent years, the people are honest and simple, and taxes are paid on time."
Zhao Hualiang drank the tea in his cup in one gulp.
Tax collector Wang nodded and took notes.
Fourth day.
early morning.
The thin mist had not yet dissipated.
Lin Shi and Sun Ming came to see them off.
"Mr. Lin, you previously said you could assist in investigating unsolved cases?"
Zhao Hualiang nimbly mounted his horse. Sitting on the saddle, he looked down at Lin Shi and suddenly spoke.
"If the government needs it, the villagers will do their best."
Lin Shi cupped his hands in greeting.
Zhao Hualiang gave Lin Shi a deep look, his eyes filled with complex emotions—spotting, considering, and a hint of barely perceptible awe of the unknown power. After a while, he nodded and said no more.
"Walk!"
Zhao Hualiang flicked the reins, and the sound of hooves rose, raising a cloud of dust. Wang Ming followed closely behind, and the two riders gradually disappeared into the morning mist.
"Mr. Lin, I was really afraid they would accuse us of being a heretic and want to shut down the shrine and arrest us."
Sun Ming waited until Zhao Hualiang and Sun Ming's figures were completely out of sight before he breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if a huge burden had been lifted from his body. His back was already soaked with cold sweat.
"Won't."
"What the government wants is stability, tax revenue, and peace in the region. That's exactly what we're providing."
Lin Shi gazed at the end of the road, his voice calm, smiled, turned and walked back to the side hall of the ancestral hall, where he sat down.
The first test from the authorities was successfully passed.
But this is just the beginning.
From this day forward, the name of the Jiaoshen Temple will be officially recorded in the county government's documents. In the official register, it will no longer be a non-existent "illegal worship," but a folk temple that is "spontaneous and beneficial to public morals."
Having this identity, although it cannot completely shield one from the wind and rain, can save a lot of trouble.
This signifies a degree of recognition, but it also means that the temple will now be under the government's scrutiny. It will be inspected annually, and the Jiaoshen Temple may be re-examined in the event of any case or natural disaster.
Lin Shi had studied these things in his previous life, so he knew the intricacies of the matter all too well.
Outside the window, the autumn sun rises.
In front of the ancestral hall, villagers came to offer incense, their steps slow and their expressions serene, as if the three-day inspection by the officials was just an insignificant interlude.
At first glance, everything seemed normal.
But in fact, everything is different now.