The playboy county magistrate

Back then, when he was still the crown prince, he looked at the unrestrained and arrogant young man in front of him, whose eyebrows were haughty but whose heart was sincere, and he had already secretly taken a liking to him.

He knew Li Xuanzhi's family background and that the young man was known for his dissolute and unconventional lifestyle, with no interest in pursuing an official career.

Unexpectedly, this seemingly cynical scion of a noble family harbored the purest sense of justice and the most sincere heart within.

They traveled incognito several times afterward, sometimes chatting in teahouses, sometimes bumping into each other in the streets.

They didn't discuss court politics or social status. They only talked about the everyday life of ordinary people and the joys and sorrows of life, becoming old acquaintances from humble backgrounds, unknown to anyone else.

At that time, no one could have imagined that, a few years later, the commoner prince would ascend to the throne. The spoiled young man unexpectedly became an official, a lone minister and sharp blade who stirred up the world and shook the political landscape.

"I remember."

Li Xuanzhi slowly nodded, a faint smile flashing in his eyes. The stern and sharp demeanor he displayed in the imperial court had faded, replaced by the youthful vigor and spirit that should be present in a young man.

"Back then, I didn't know Your Majesty's identity and acted rashly. After the fight, I even made you drink half a jar of cheap, low-quality liquor. Looking back now, it was truly disrespectful."

The emperor chuckled softly upon hearing this, "I never felt it was disrespectful; on the contrary, I felt it was the most open and relaxed time I had ever spent together."

The emperor couldn't help but sigh again, "All the civil and military officials in the court respect and fear me, all because of my dragon robe. Only you are not afraid of imperial power, do not climb the social ladder, do not seek personal gain, and act only according to your own conscience."

The emperor laughed heartily, "From the moment we shared a drink together, I knew that although you appear to be a dissolute and unrestrained young man, you are actually a man of great vision and profound understanding. With a little guidance and training, you will surely become a pillar of the nation."

This is why Li Xuanzhi, a playboy who obtained his official position through donation, could so easily be appointed as a powerful local county magistrate.

And why did the emperor repeatedly promote them beyond the usual ranks, secretly protecting them? This is the fundamental reason why they disregarded criticism from both the court and the public, and resolutely promoted them despite opposition.

The world believed it was necessary for the new policies and for checks and balances within the court.

Only the emperor knew the truth: aside from the overall situation of the country, there was also a sense of kinship and mutual appreciation from old friends from their youth.

"My decision to allow the court to impeach you and issue an edict to recall you to the capital, suspending the expansion of the new policies, is not out of suspicion of you. Rather, it is to use this chaos in the court to expose the old faction's wolfish ambitions and give me an opportunity to completely remove the obstacles to the new policies."

The emperor looked at him intently, his eyes filled with approval and certainty.

"The court and the people are corrupt, the aristocratic families are deeply entrenched, and the problems have accumulated for a century. No one dares to break the old order, no one dares to make a move. Only you dare to break the old order, dare to bear the infamy of ten thousand generations, and dare to do practical things that benefit the people."

"Xuanzhi, the new policies began in Pingzhou and were completed by your hand."

The emperor pondered for a moment, then asked again:

"Now that the old faction has collapsed and the new policies are progressing smoothly, do you intend to return to Pingzhou to continue expanding territory and reforming the system, or stay in the capital to serve and assist me in rectifying the court and the people?"

This was the greatest trust the emperor had given him, granting him power and allowing him to make his own choices.

Li Xuanzhi raised his eyes, his gaze resolute.

"Your subject requests permission to return to Pingzhou."

"The purge of the court is only temporary; the reform of the nation has only just begun. Pingzhou is the foundation of the new policies and a model for all prefectures and counties to follow. I must remain in the region until the new policies have spread throughout the land and the people live in peace and prosperity before returning to the capital to report back."

Li Xuanzhi wanted to be remembered in history and did not want to return to the Chengen Earl's Mansion to face his parents.

In any case, Li Xuanzhi is no longer the same Li Xuanzhi as before, and it would be bad if someone noticed anything unusual about him.

In addition, being a favored and powerful minister by the emperor's side is not an easy job.

The saying "distance makes the heart grow fonder" has been passed down through generations, which shows that it still holds true.

And isn't that right? In the emperor's eyes, Li Xuanzhi's excellent qualities of not coveting a high position in the capital and not being greedy for the honors of being a close minister of the emperor became even more dazzling.

The emperor's smile deepened, and he nodded slowly.

"Very well, I grant your request."

"I hereby grant you the authority to act expediently. The implementation of new policies in all prefectures and counties throughout the empire shall be under your overall coordination and management. The appointment and removal of officials and the standardization of the tax system shall be handled entirely by you, and the court shall not interfere."

"I will sit in the court and guard the rear for you; you just need to do your job."

There is no greater understanding between a ruler and his subject than this.

One person, residing in a high position in the imperial court, stabilized the political situation and eliminated future troubles.

One person, far from home, deeply cultivates new policies and benefits the masses.

……

It was late at night.

Inside the Marquis of Chengen's residence, they were still waiting for news.

Marquis Chengen, Li Dehai, sat upright in the main seat, his fingertips unconsciously turning the jade thumb ring.

Madam Zhang, the eldest daughter-in-law, sat upright to one side, repeatedly raising her hand to wipe away tears, her emotions still difficult to calm down.

As Li Xuanzhi's parents, they knew better than anyone the dangers their son faced on his journey to the capital.

The carefree and unrestrained young man of yesteryear, who only sought pleasure, has now caused his parents great anxiety, making it difficult for them to eat or sleep. His actions and the crisis he finds himself in have left them constantly worried.

Previously, the entire court had jointly impeached him, rumors had spread throughout the city, and the secret of the Black Wind Pass ambush had quietly spread, causing the entire Earl's mansion to live in constant fear.

Being in the elite circles, they knew best the ruthless methods of the old guard.

He knew that if Li Xuanzhi were to lose, not only would Xuanzhi be disgraced, but his life would also be in danger.

I fear the entire Chengen Earl's Mansion will be destroyed and never recover.

Li Dehai gradually realized that his eldest son, who had become famous at a young age, was only clever on the surface, but was actually incredibly stupid.

What good can come of trying to get something from a tiger?

Madam Zhang, her eyes filled with lingering fear and tears, choked out softly.

"I pray to Buddha every day, only asking for my son's safety. I don't ask for high office, great wealth, or great fame. The power struggles in the court are extremely dangerous. That child has been kind and sincere since childhood. How can he possibly outmaneuver these treacherous old ministers?"

Having spent half her life in the inner quarters of noble families, she witnessed firsthand the infighting in the court and the coldness of human nature, and knew that the struggle for power among the elite had no bottom line.

For months, she watched as her son was pushed step by step into the eye of the storm, besieged and framed by powerful officials. Her heart was breaking, yet she was powerless to help and could only worry and fret silently.

Li Dehai sighed and stopped turning the jade thumb ring.

The worldly wisdom and shrewdness of a deceased veteran minister faded from his eyes, leaving only deep remorse and emotion.

"I used to blame him for his youthful arrogance and recklessness. Now I realize that he wasn't arrogant, but had the well-being of all people in his heart. He wasn't reckless, but risked his life to break through the predicament."

"All the officials in the court are concerned with their own safety and protect their private rights. Only my son from the Li family is not afraid of being infamous and dares to speak out for the people. My Li family, with its centuries-old reputation, has finally stood up again today because of him."

Madam Zhang kept looking towards the door, and she herself couldn't even remember how many times she had asked the nanny to go out and see if Li Xuanzhi had returned.

"I'm really afraid this child will become estranged from us. What if she's determined not to come home?"

For the sake of Li Xuanjing's petty eldest son, how many years did Zhang Shi and her own unborn son suffer?

That child has such a strong temper, what if he really never wants to have anything to do with the Chengen Earl's Mansion again?

Ultimately, it was the Chengen Earl's Mansion that owed the child a great deal, and she, as his biological mother, had failed to protect him properly.

Zhang felt increasingly guilty, and Li Dehai, feeling equally ashamed, kept comforting her.

"My lord, my lady, the second young master has returned!"