The playboy county magistrate

Li Xuanzhi felt a little awkward about their sudden eye contact, because Qian Sunshi's gaze was too intense.

Unbeknownst to Li Xuanzhi, Qian Sunshi was filled with gratitude and even felt that she would be willing to give her life if Magistrate Li needed her.

No one ever stood up for her and her orphan.

It was this upright and just official named Li Xuanzhi who cleared her name, restored justice to her and her son, and protected their final place of refuge.

Before long, the punishment was completed.

The Qian family members were in a sorry state.

Old Mrs. Qian's mouth was swollen and bleeding, and the eldest couple's backs were swollen and red, so painful that they couldn't straighten up and were lying on the ground trembling. They no longer had any of their former arrogant and domineering demeanor.

Magistrate Cao stepped forward with the documents, spread out his pen and ink, and drafted the transfer agreement and confession on the spot. The village head bent down to check the details of the land and houses, confirming that everything was correct.

Despite the pain, the Qian family members pressed their fingerprints onto the document with trembling hands, completely severing any possibility of future encroachment or entanglement.

After all the formalities were completed and the case filed, Li Xuanzhi looked at Qian Sunshi, who remained kneeling obediently, and his tone finally softened completely.

"From now on, you may raise your young child in peace and live off your family property. If any neighbors or relatives cause trouble or bully the orphan and widow, you may come to the county government office at any time with the contract and household registration documents to file a complaint, and I will surely help you."

Qian Sunshi could no longer hold back and kowtowed deeply, her voice choked with emotion but every word earnest.

"This humble woman thanks the magistrate for his benevolent grace! Without your kindness, my child and I would have long been destitute. I will forever remember your kindness!"

Li Xuanzhi nodded slightly and waved his hand.

"Serving the people is my duty. County Magistrate Cao and the village head are waiting to work with you to get things done. A contract alone isn't enough; we need to get those things back, don't we? Don't keep them waiting."

Li Xuanzhi was neither good at comforting people nor did he want to. This case had left him utterly exhausted.

Everyone should leave quickly so I can go back inside and rest for a while. If it gets any later, everyone will have gone home, and who knows, someone might come to report on their day's work.

……

Days passed by, and Fuyu County changed day by day.

The original bumpy and difficult-to-traverse main road has been leveled and compacted, the main river channel that had been blocked for several years has been completely dredged, and the reservoir has been completed according to standards.

Several simple wooden bridges span the stream, connecting it to the reclaimed wasteland planted with fruit trees.

Today, throughout Fuyu County, from the elderly with white hair to toddlers who have just learned to walk, everyone knows how good Magistrate Li is.

Gaining such popular support is the greatest source of confidence and the best reputation for an official.

However, these qualities are somewhat insufficient in official circles.

Is this not?

Li Xuanzhi had just seen off the prefectural messenger and returned to his room. His fingertips lightly tapped the thin commendation document in his hand, but there was no joy in his eyes.

The documents were filled with praise.

He was praised for his compassion for the people and his diligence in government affairs. He was commended for his contributions to road repairs and waterway dredging, and was considered a model local official.

But the truth is that Li Xuanzhi received no transfer, no promotion, no reward, and not a penny of financial assistance.

There wasn't even a single concrete assessment of their political achievements.

From beginning to end, it was nothing more than a perfunctory verbal commendation, an empty title of praise.

Li Xuanzhi knew in his heart that his family foundation was not as solid as that of his elder brother Li Xuanjing, but he did not expect the difference to be so great.

"The people's hearts are full, but the officials are silent."

Li Xuanzhi sneered.

In this court system that values ​​family background and disregards practical achievements, he, a county magistrate who obtained his official position through donation, was born with the label of "incompetent playboy who bought his way into office."

No matter how well he managed Fuyu County, in the eyes of a group of officials who came from the imperial examination system and considered themselves to be of high moral character, it was just a petty trick, not worthy of serious consideration.

The fact that his boss was willing to give him a piece of paper as a reward was already a great favor, considering that he had done his job well and had not caused any trouble.

Wanting a promotion or being truly recognized is simply out of the question.

Just then, Tang Zheng strode in, holding a tightly sealed letter from his family in the capital.

"My lord, an urgent message has arrived from the Earl's residence."

Li Xuanzhi raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the handwriting on the envelope. Without needing to look closely, he knew it was the handwriting of his eldest brother, Li Xuanjing.

Throughout the entire Chengen Earl's mansion, only this elder brother kept a close eye on his half-brother's every move, hoping that his career would fail and he would become a laughingstock of the family.

Li Xuanzhi slowly tore open the envelope, and sharp handwriting came into view, each word carrying a condescending sarcasm and a stern rebuke.

[You spend your days indulging in building bridges and roads, and performing trivial acts of kindness. Knowing only how to please the ignorant masses and focusing on trivial matters, you are destined to lose this bet.]

Tsk! They were indeed secretly observing my every move, but I wonder who they bribed.

[The household has always been governed by strict rules, showing no favoritism towards siblings, and utterly incompetent individuals have no place here. You must understand that if you fail to fulfill your obligations, it is because of your inadequacy and unsuitability. The incompetent will be eliminated without exception; there will be no room for leniency. Do not blame your elder brother for being ruthless then.]

Haha, not even a third of the three-year agreement has been completed. Where does he get the confidence that he, Li Xuanzhi, will definitely be the final loser?

The sharpest part was the last sentence of the letter—

[In addition, I have already secretly made arrangements, asking old friends in the court to contact the gentry and powerful families around Fuyu County, so that they can "assist" you in handling political affairs nearby.]

To assist?

Secretly instructing, hindering at every turn, and setting obstacles at every turn—that's the real story!

Li Xuanzhi gripped the letter so tightly that it turned white from the pressure.

He transmigrated and took over this body, thus bearing the burden of a three-year agreement that would gamble his career and the fate of his family.

He originally thought that stabilizing people's livelihoods and winning their hearts and minds would be the first step to breaking the deadlock.

But now he has fully realized the drawbacks.

Building bridges and roads, and appeasing the people, can only bring empty fame and popular support. But they cannot silence the voices of the court and break the deadlock of the three-year agreement.

The support of the common people is too weak and powerless under the pressure of family infighting, factional struggles in the court, and the rules of officialdom.

The letter Li Xuanjing sent home was indeed full of sarcasm.

The achievements he has made so far are ultimately just minor squabbles.

If things continue at a slow pace, even if Fuyu County becomes the best county in the vicinity, it will still be unable to compare with Jinling, the capital, or the prosperous Jiangnan region.

If the county they're referencing is too strong, let alone three years, they probably won't even last six months. They'll be worn down by the invisible rules of officialdom and dragged down by the covert suppression of their eldest brother.

After all, Fuyu County is truly poor, and the fruit trees he helped them plant wouldn't recoup their costs and generate profits within three years.

Li Xuanzhi still doesn't know what criteria are used to evaluate the performance of officials in Fuyu County.

If one wants to achieve political achievements that no one can conceal, they must be dazzling enough to blind everyone in the court.

"Small achievements are not enough to secure a livelihood, and empty fame is not enough to establish a life."

Li Xuanzhi muttered to himself, his eyes suddenly becoming firm and sharp.