The playboy county magistrate

Li Xuanzhi was surrounded by people again.

However, this time, the attitude of the people was completely different from that of the people when they were besieged in front of the government office.

"Your Honor! We are just some rough and uncultured men who have offended you before. Please don't take it to heart. By the way, you've been busy for so long and haven't eaten yet. This is a small token of our appreciation. Please don't mind that our food is too simple. Have a bite to fill your stomach."

A man carrying a basket smiled憨憨地. The other people around him also smiled, their eyes shining as they looked at Li Xuanzhi.

After being busy for so long, Li Xuanzhi was indeed a little hungry.

But when the honest-looking man lifted the cloth covering the basket, revealing the food inside, Li Xuanzhi was instantly stunned.

There was a large bowl of millet porridge, not the kind where the rice water is so thin you can see your reflection, but rather porridge that had been cooked until very soft and tender, clearly made with a lot of rice.

There was also a plate of steamed buns, each the size of four fists, and a dish of mixed wild vegetables where you could see the salt hadn't dissolved yet.

Li Xuanzhi felt a sudden softening in a certain part of his heart.

Although the meal looked rather simple, it couldn't compare to the meals he had eaten in his later life, or even the exquisite meals he had in the capital. But the sincerity within it was truly profound.

This group's genuine kindness and the highest level of hospitality truly moved Li Xuanzhi deeply.

They were all emaciated and pale. Making this meal for them meant using up all the food they had saved up for so long, and who knows how many more people would go hungry.

After all, these were life-saving foods for the people of Fuyu County, enough to make rice porridge and drink for several days.

Li Xuanzhi really couldn't drink it down; he just felt a tightness in his throat.

If Li Xuanzhi was forced to take over the mess left by the original owner in order to return to the capital and live a good life, he was seizing everything that belonged to the legitimate heirs of the Earl's Mansion.

At this moment, Li Xuanzhi genuinely wanted to lead the people to a better life. He didn't expect them to eat a balanced diet of meat and vegetables at every meal, but at least everyone could eat noodles and other similar foods three times a day without any effort.

"It just so happens that there are many injured people who urgently need to replenish their strength. Take this and give some to each of them. Especially this bowl of porridge, give some to the child whose leg was injured."

Just then, Magistrate Cao heard the commotion and came out from the temporary warehouse behind him, where Li Xuanzhi assigned him tasks.

The people, seeing the county magistrate like this, became even more agitated and ashamed.

"Rest assured, sir, from now on you are the ruler of Fuyu County. Whatever you say, we will do. Even if you want our lives, we will gladly give them to you!"

Li Xuanzhi chuckled helplessly.

Why does he want these people's lives?

However, since they had expressed their loyalty to this extent, Li Xuanzhi decided to reveal some information to give them time to prepare themselves.

"Don't worry, once this rain stops, there will be work for you all, and I'll make sure everyone has enough to eat and wear!"

If anyone else had said this, the people of Fuyu County would have thought that the speaker was crazy.

But now it's Li Xuanzhi who's saying this, and under these circumstances.

Although many people question his words, even more people believe him.

Everyone already knows that Li Xuanzhi came from the capital; perhaps he really does have connections?

These natives of Fuyu County were poor, incompetent, and illiterate, but they were all incredibly strong.

Even if it means making mud bricks all day long, until their shoulders and arms ache, they will do everything in their power, even if it means gritting their teeth and breaking them, as long as their families can have enough to eat.

The county magistrate, Cao, looked at the food in the basket and swallowed hard, his mouth watering.

It was truly a long time since Magistrate Cao had enjoyed such a sumptuous meal.

Even today, when we're hosting a welcome dinner for the new magistrate, the food is similar to what we're serving, or even slightly better.

But Magistrate Cao knew that the best food should be reserved for the adults, so he didn't dare to eat his fill.

After running around in the pouring rain for so long, my stomach is rumbling.

But the thought that the adults were actually feeding the wounded made Magistrate Cao straighten his back again.

If you sincerely follow such a caring adult, who even cares about ordinary people, how could his future be bad?

"Rest assured, sir, I will certainly distribute this grain to those who are due!"

Li Xuanzhi called him back again, pointing to the four fist-sized steamed buns in the basket.

"Those steamed buns can be broken into small pieces and boiled in a pot until they are soft and mushy. Everyone can share half a bowl of it to warm themselves up and fill their stomachs."

Most people were very grateful for Li Xuanzhi's actions. However, a small number of people grumbled behind his back.

"Heh, those from the capital are all cunning. They use the food others have saved up to do favors without hurting anyone. Only we ordinary folks are so naive, actually thinking we've met a good official."

"Who says otherwise? If they were truly good officials, how could they watch us ordinary people suffer? Which one of them from the capital doesn't have a bulging wallet? They come here empty-handed to win people's hearts, probably just waiting for fools to be grateful and work for them."

"Shh... Keep your voice down, or they'll hear us and won't give us any more food. Remember to give us extra food later, it's better to eat it than let those idiots get it for free. It's better for us to have more than let those fools get it for free."

Although Li Xuanzhi couldn't hear what they were saying, nor could he read their lips, he could still sense the disdain and ruthlessness in their eyes.

Li Xuanzhi frowned slightly. It seemed that wherever he went, there would be troublemakers who would oppose him.

That's good. I was worried that the people were being too cooperative now, leaving them with the impression that they were easy to talk to, and then they would take advantage of me and make all sorts of demands.

Just when I was feeling sleepy, this was the perfect opportunity. I was just looking for a chicken to kill as a warning to others, and this is exactly what I needed.

County Magistrate Cao, along with two constables, helped distribute the food, while the village head chuckled and joined in.

"What are the names of those people?"

Li Xuanzhi didn't mince words and gestured angrily in the direction of those people from before.

The village head looked in the direction Li Xuanzhi pointed out with a smile, but his smile vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of displeasure in his eyes.

"But what wrong did those brats do? Please don't be angry, sir, I'll go and deal with them right now."

Seeing that the village head was about to rush over with his sleeves rolled up, Li Xuanzhi quickly reached out and grabbed him.

"No, I was just asking."

Before the disaster relief efforts, the village head would never have bothered to open up to Li Xuanzhi. But now, the person the village head admires most has changed from just Magistrate Zhao to also Magistrate Li, so naturally, he speaks his mind freely and without reservation.

However, the words they said were rather unpleasant to hear.