Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 492: Who is this noble person?

"Master, calm down." The old servant stepped forward, stepping around the porcelain pieces on the ground, and gently advised, "No matter what happens, your own health is the most important."

After saying this, he went to look at the contents.

He was shocked just by seeing the halfway point. He counted the days on his fingers. Although there was no date on the content of the interrogation, the time taken on the road could be calculated. If the things sent to the court from the local areas were delayed for two or three days, the people above would have to review them.

"This is a strange thing." The old servant came to Liu Dexiang's side. "The man surnamed Wen has been looked at a long time ago. Several messengers at the post station have also sent people to inform him. All letters, whether family letters or official documents, that arrive in the capital or its vicinity are suppressed. Who on earth has reported the matter to the master? What route did he take?"

"You ask me?" Liu Dexiang looked at him sideways.

The old servant hurriedly smiled and apologized, "The master is furious. These people below are really ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, and they should be taught a lesson. But you see, although it was a reprimand, you were asked to defend yourself at the end, which shows that the people above did not believe the false accusers and are still on your side."

The old servant spoke very skillfully, and the tone of each sentence matched the purpose of the speech, which made Liu Dexiang gradually calm down from his extreme anger.

"Really?" Liu Dexiang asked.

"It couldn't be more true." The old servant said, "If the people above believed it, they would have convicted you directly, and there would be no need for you to defend yourself.

Although I don't know what the false accuser said, how long have we been in Liangzhou? The only conflict with other officials is about taxation..." He took the document in his hand, "The content on it is also about taxation. But sir, haven't you already prepared for this matter?"

After hearing this, Liu Dexiang's expression finally relaxed.

"Thanks to Mao Chunfang." Liu Dexiang pointed at the things in the old servant's hand, "Should we let him know about this?"

"The master has been in frequent contact with him, and has given him enough face. Why should he know everything?" The old servant reminded in a low voice, "If he can tell us about Hua Rujin's affairs, he may also tell others about the master's affairs."

"You have a point! No one in Liangzhou can be trusted." Liu Dexiang kicked away the porcelain pieces under his feet, walked around twice, and said to the old servant: "Tell that Li to get ready. I will go there tomorrow."

"Yes!" the old servant reminded, "Master, the most important thing is to write a letter of defense first. Although the evidence is not yet in hand, the court cannot be delayed. You'd better write a letter of defense immediately. After all, Liangzhou is under your jurisdiction. Whether there is evidence or not... it's up to you."

Liu Dexiang put his hands behind his back and said, "I know what's going on. Go do your job."

"Yes."

Not long after the old servant left, a maid came in to pick up the broken porcelain pieces on the floor. Liu Dexiang felt annoyed by the sound of the porcelain pieces colliding, so he walked out, went into the study, and took out a piece of paper to defend himself.

On New Year's Eve.

Many gentry in Quping County received invitations from Mr. Li, inviting them to gather at his manor in the afternoon. He said that a famous opera troupe from the capital had been invited, and it was a rare opportunity, so those invited must come.

The head of the Zhou family, named Zhou Xiwen, was one of the invited guests.

He found this strange and opened the invitation and read it several times, "Are you sure the date is correct?"

The servant who reported it confirmed, "That's right. The person who brought the invitation repeatedly told me to tell you today to make time to go there."

"This is really weird. How can you hire someone like this?" Zhou Xiwen was puzzled.

Zhou Xiwen's wife advised, "Maybe he needs your help. Mr. Li is a reputable man. Although his family has become less and less prosperous than ours in recent years, you should still go and see what's going on because he helped us in the past."

"Okay." Zhou Xiwen sighed.

"I'll have the carriage prepared."

After a simple lunch, Zhou Xiwen got on a carriage and headed for Li's Kaoshan Manor. The road was difficult to travel after leaving Quping County.

Zhou Xiwen was sitting in the car, feeling uneasy about his lunch.

After finally arriving at the destination, Zhou Xiwen sat in the car for a long time before he suppressed his discomfort and got out.

After getting off the car, I didn't see any of Li's family waiting at the door, only his servants came forward to greet me.

"Master Zhou, you must have had a hard time on the journey. My master is waiting for you in the greenhouse next to the stage. I will take you there right away."

"Why did your master ask me to come here? You might as well tell me straight away. I don't like watching plays. I don't care if he's from the capital or somewhere else. I don't understand him anyway."

The servant smiled apologetically and just led the way without saying anything else.

When he arrived at the place, Zhou Xiwen found out that Mr. Li had not only invited him, but also all the people with some property in Quping County were there.

"Mr. Zhou is finally here." Someone who was close to Zhou Xiwen joked with him, "You are the youngest, but you came last. If this is a banquet, you have to drink three cups as punishment."

When everyone heard this, they started laughing.

Zhou Xiwen was puzzled, but smiled for a while before asking, "It's New Year's Eve, and I didn't expect everyone to gather here. But does anyone know why Mr. Li invited us here?"

Someone replied, "Although we arrived earlier than you, we haven't seen anyone from Mr. Li since we came in."

"What kind of explanation is this?" Zhou Xiwen was even more confused.

The man who was close to Zhou Xiwen said, "Sit down first, Zhou, old man. No matter what he says, just think that Mr. Li is kind enough to invite us to watch a play."

A servant from the Li family came and brought hot tea and snacks to Zhou Xiwen.

Another person stood at the door and looked around, as if he was pointing at everyone present. He left quickly without saying anything.

Zhou Xiwen noticed this and became even more dissatisfied.

Not far away, gongs sounded on the stage, and a play was about to begin.

However, people who love to watch operas feel something is wrong when they see the performers coming out. When the lyrics come out, they are even more certain, "Isn't this the opera troupe from the county? Why do they say they are from the capital?"

"What on earth is Mr. Li doing?" someone asked bluntly.

"Hey, call your master out!" Someone finally couldn't help but yelled at the Li family maid standing by, "We've been here for so long, and your master hasn't come out yet. Doesn't he take us seriously?"

After arguing for a while, Mr. Li, the head of the Li family, finally showed up.

When everyone was about to ask, he put his index finger to his mouth and hushed, "Keep your voice down, there is a distinguished guest next door."

"What distinguished guests? Why did you ask us to come here? What on earth do you want to do?"

Mr. Li looked mysterious and said, "I didn't ask you to come here. Please be patient. When this play is over, the distinguished guest will come to see you."

Some people with short tempers wanted to say more, but were persuaded by the people around them, "Just think of it as giving Mr. Li some face. Let's see what kind of noble man he is, who wants us to come and watch a play with him on New Year's Eve."