On the way back to the county office, Captain Zhang had been gloomily silent the whole time.
He was quite impressed with this new county magistrate. Unlike the previous ones who only knew about extorting money and barely cared about the common people's affairs.
So when Magistrate Song didn't continue commending Ms. Li, it inevitably left a lump in his heart.
Seeing his mood, Magistrate Song knew what he was thinking, so he took the initiative to ask: "Do you think I was intimidated by the prefect's power? Or am I trying to curry favor with him and take credit for the drought well?"
"I dare not think that."
"There's nothing to not dare about!" Magistrate Song said, "It's normal for you to have such thoughts, and I won't blame you for it either."
"Sir," Captain Zhang finally couldn't help but ask, "Then what are you really thinking?"
"Prefect Hu wants to take credit to boost his political achievements, I actually have no good way to stop it."
Captain Zhang sighed inwardly, wasn't that right?
Higher officials oppress their subordinates.
Magistrate Song was just a seventh-rank county magistrate, even if his family had some background in the capital, how could he compare with a prominent local official?
Let alone Prefect Hu could directly report to the emperor.
But when he thought about Li Yao's contributions, Magistrate Song's contributions, and how someone was going to take credit, Captain Zhang felt extremely unwilling.
He was of common people origin, so he naturally knew how important an upright magistrate like Magistrate Song was to the commoners. And a genius like Li Yao could bring endless benefits.
"Isn't there any way?"
"Hehe, I didn't see you wrong," Magistrate Song laughed, "As the parent official of Baichuan County, I certainly won't let this happen."
"Sir, if you have any orders, please instruct me!" Captain Zhang said, "I will go through fire and water, and will not shy away!"
"It's not that serious," Magistrate Song slowly said, "When you go back, immediately find some opera troupes."
Huh?
Captain Zhang was confused.
"What do you need the opera troupes for?"
"Three days later, I, the county magistrate, will perform a ritual to pray for rain to help the people of Baichuan County get through this natural disaster."
Captain Zhang: ......
......
"Did you hear that?"
When Shen Shi got back from the market, she immediately told the villagers about the news she heard.
"She said three days later, the county magistrate will hold an altar to pray for rain!"
"Those who go to observe the ritual can get one jin of coarse grains per person! Non-Baichuan County residents can get half a jin!"
"There's such good thing?" A villager expressed disbelief.
"The notices are posted at the market. If you don't believe, go see for yourself," Shen Shi said, "I heard several opera troupes were also invited to perform for us!"
"Is it true? Hurry up and ask the village head."
The news of the county magistrate holding an altar to pray for rain thus spread through the village. When Li Yao heard the news, she was leaning against the delicious lamb skewers in the yard.
And the village head Wang Jiafu was next to her, barely holding back his drool.
"Village Head Wang, come sit and have some. Don't be polite, there's still plenty more." Li Yao waved him over.
"Then I'll really not stand on ceremony."
Wang Jiafu sat down and ate the lamb skewers, while saying: "The county magistrate told me to tell you that you must go to the market in three days."
Li Yao knew the so-called ritual was just a scam. Magistrate Song's real intention was probably related to the credit for the drought well. Most likely he wanted to establish her contributions in front of all the county residents.
Then Prefect Hu would have to think twice before trying to take credit.
After all, the Yellow River's water could be blocked, but the common people's mouths were hard to cover up. Once this matter spread to the capital and the emperor found out, it would be deceiving the emperor, the lightest punishment would be family expulsion and exile to the frontiers.
But being commended in front of the whole county was even worse than being roasted on a fire to her.
"I won't go."
"You...why are you always like this?" Wang Jiafu was anxious when he heard this, "Let's not talk about how great an honor this is, this is the county magistrate's order!"
"I just won't go," Li Yao said, "What can he do, arrest me and drag me there?"
Wang Jiafu really had no way, and finally looked at Wang Er: "How about letting Wang Er go instead?"
"That works."
Wang Er shuddered when he heard this. He knew it!
Whenever something like this came up, Mother would make him take the fall!
He was just a scholar who only read the sages' books and turned a deaf ear to the outside world!
How could he always get involved in these things?
"Mother, can we let Eldest Brother go this time?"
"Me?" Da Zhuang immediately shook his head when he heard this, "I can't, absolutely not, besides, I still have land reclamation to do, where do I have the time."
Wang Er looked to Third Brother and Fourth Son again: "How about you go?"
"Are you kidding, Second Brother?" Wang San'er didn't even lift his head and said, "I have to herd pigs, where do I have time?"
Fourth Son also nodded vigorously: "I have to massage Mother, I'm also busy."
Wang Er sighed inwardly. It looked like it had to be him after all.
"Then let me make this clear first, just this once."
"That's right," Da Zhuang cheerfully patted him on the shoulder, "Second Brother, you're destined to be an official in the future. Getting used to this kind of thing early is not bad."
Seeing Wang Er's worried look, Wang Jiafu really didn't understand this family.
This was such a good thing. Others racked their brains to get it but couldn't. Yet they were all acting as if walking to the execution ground.
"Then it's settled," Wang Jiafu said, "County Captain Zhang will come to pick you up in person, so get ready early."
After the village head left, Li Yao stretched out a long lazy waist.
The lamb skewers today were grilled by her own hands, and tasted especially comfortable. She ate more than usual too.
Normally she should watch her weight now that it's trending up. But she had an important task tonight, so she had to stock up on nutrients.
"We're running low on spices at home. I'm going into the mountain to pick some."
"Mother, it's so late now," He Xiaoya said, "Why not wait until tomorrow?"
"I'm going now. No delaying when it comes to spices," Li Yao said, "It may take a few days this time before I come back."
The children looked at each other. Was Mother so desperate for money that she didn't even care about her life?
Or rather, she wasn't actually going to pick spices, she was avoiding the county magistrate's commendation?
Highly likely!
"Then be careful, Mother."
"I don't need you all worrying about me."
Changing into easy-to-move clothes and taking some tools, Li Yao headed for the back of the mountain under the dark night. After a distance, making sure no one was around, she changed direction and rushed toward Baichuan Market.
Prefect Hu wanted to seal her mouth with money, if not, he would eliminate her. She could not pretend this never happened.
With her current recovered abilities, the prefect was out of her reach, being heavily guarded in Yizhou Prefecture. She indeed couldn't get to him, and didn't want to take too big risks.
But those three lackeys, she could deal with more freely.
Maybe she could even catch bigger fish.