After the spiritual energy was restored: Goddess girlfriends came knocking.

On the way to Yunzhou Prefecture, Lin Chu took a detour back to Qinghe Village.

He has come back once a year for the past few years.

Arrive before New Year's Eve and leave on the third day of the Lunar New Year, without fail.

Aunt Wang said that the top scholar did not forget his roots, and the villagers said that Lin Xiaozi had not changed even after becoming an official.

Mr. Chen was still sitting on the veranda; the rattan chair was a bit old, and his bamboo cane was worn shiny.

Over the past three years, he has aged considerably, but fortunately, he still has plenty of energy.

Lin Chu sat down next to him and started talking about Shigou County.

They talked about road construction, planting fruit trees, and the boy Yu Qian. Mr. Chen listened attentively, nodding occasionally without asking any questions.

"That little girl, Xiaoxiao, comes here every two months," Mr. Chen suddenly said.

Lin Chu turned her head.

"Come over for a meal, sit for a while and then leave." Mr. Chen held his teacup, his tone indifferent. "Sometimes he brings a fish, sometimes some fruit. Last month he even made me a new cotton-padded jacket. His craftsmanship is just as good as her sister's back then."

Lin Chu didn't speak, she just nodded.

After dinner, we went to the stream.

He took the talisman out of his pocket and infused it with a trace of luck.

The talisman lit up immediately, indicating that he now possessed a slight amount of luck.

A moment later, a breeze stirred on the stream.

Xiao Xiao emerged from the woods, wearing a light blue shirt. She was taller than she had been three years ago, and most of the childishness had faded from her eyes.

"Brother Lin Chu".

Lin Chu couldn't help but rub her head.

"It's been a long time since I've seen Xiaoxiao. How have you been?"

"I'm fine." She looked up slightly, then paused, "My sister is still in seclusion."

"I know."

"I went to the entrance of the forbidden room and checked. The barrier is very stable, and the spiritual energy fluctuations are also very stable. The teacher said she's in good condition and will be fine." Xiao Xiao said this in a very calm tone, unlike three years ago when her eyes would easily well up with tears. She has indeed grown up.

Lin Chu smiled.

Xiao Xiao glanced at him, then turned her face away: "What are you laughing at?"

"It's nothing, I just feel like you've grown up."

Xiao Xiao snorted, turned around and walked back. After a few steps, she stopped and said to him with her back to him, "Remember to call me next time you come back."

"it is good."

Lin Chu then sat alone under the willow tree by the stream all night.

They set off the next day.

Yu Qian drove the carriage, while Lin Chu leaned against the carriage wall and flipped through the tax records of Yunzhou Prefecture over the years.

Yunzhou Prefecture was much larger than Yushan County. The plaque above the city gate read "Yunzhou" in vigorous calligraphy.

The carriage passed through the city gate, and the street was wide and lined with shops on both sides.

At the entrance of the government office, the Assistant Magistrate and a dozen or so officials were already waiting.

The magistrate, surnamed Meng, was in his forties, with a round face and a light beard, and always had a smile on his face when he spoke. "Lord Lin, you must be tired from your journey. I am Meng Wenbin, the magistrate of Yunzhou. I have been waiting for you for a long time." The group of officials behind him bowed in unison.

Lin Chu dismounted, returned the greeting with a cupped hand, glanced at everyone, and said nothing more than "Thank you for your trouble."

The welcoming banquet was held in the back hall of the government office.

There were plenty of dishes and good wine, but Lin Chu only drank three cups before putting down her cup.

Seeing this, Meng Wenbin also put down his cup without trying to persuade him.

After the banquet, Meng Wenbin personally escorted Lin Chu to his residence in the back office. "Since you are here for the first time, I have prepared the household registration records, official documents, and other materials from recent years. You may consult them at any time."

Lin Chu glanced at him. "You've gone to so much trouble, Lord Meng."

"It's my duty." Meng Wenbin smiled, bowed, and withdrew.

Yu Qian stood at the door, watching Meng Wenbin's figure disappear at the end of the corridor. He turned around and said in a low voice, "Sir, this Magistrate Meng is quite thoughtful in his work."

"That's so thoughtful," Lin Chu said, pushing open the door and entering the house.

After that, Lin Chu did not meet with anyone.

He locked himself in his study and spent all day flipping through those books.

I read it page by page, making annotations as I went, and circling any parts that didn't match up with a vermilion pen.

After reading the booklet, I looked at the case file, and after that, I looked at the official documents.

Yu Qian brought in three meals a day, and every time he came in, he saw Lin Chu buried between two stacks of booklets, turning pages with her left hand and writing with her right, without ever looking up.

Lin Chu didn't come out of the study until the sixth day.

"Go and invite Magistrate Meng."

Meng Wenbin arrived quickly, his footsteps were light as he entered, and he only sat on half of the chair.

"My lord, you've had a hard time these past few days. What are your orders?"

Lin Chu skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point: "The position of magistrate of Qingping County has been vacant for half a year. Who does Lord Meng think is suitable?"

Meng Wenbin was taken aback. He hadn't expected Lin Chuyi to ask this right away.

The position of magistrate of Qingping County had indeed been vacant for half a year. Several officials had passed the buck back and forth, and none of them were willing to express their opinion.

He hesitated for a moment, then gave a name; it belonged to their faction.

"Okay," Lin Chu said, "then it'll be him."

Meng Wenbin looked up, but before he could react, Lin Chu had already turned to the next booklet.

"Heyang County has ranked last in tax revenue for three consecutive years, but its acreage is not small. What is your opinion, Lord Meng?"

"This..." A thin layer of sweat appeared on Meng Wenbin's forehead. "Heyang is a low-lying area, and it suffers from floods every year, so..."

"Then let's manage the flood." Lin Chu closed the booklet, looked at Meng Wenbin, and said, "Lord Meng, please take good care of the water conservancy. If it's done well, I will recommend you for credit."

When Meng Wenbin left the study, the back of his clothes was already soaked.

He couldn't quite describe how he felt during those last half hour—the young man spoke slowly and deliberately, always with a smile on his face, and his tone was very polite, but you couldn't tell whether he was discussing something with you or telling you what to do.

Over the next few months, Lin Chu did a series of things.

He reviewed all the money and grain accounts of the thirteen counties under the jurisdiction of Yunzhou Prefecture and found three discrepancies. He immediately issued an order to recover the money and grain within one month. If the deadline was not met, the matter would be dealt with according to the law.

One of the two county magistrates involved was transferred to a sinecure, and the other was impeached.

He replaced several key personnel in the government office. Not all of them were from Zhou Tingfu's side; some were also locally promoted—dutiful clerks without factional backgrounds.

After these people were promoted, they became completely devoted to Lin Chu.

Next, they studied the powerful families in the state, winning some over and suppressing others.

A stick in one hand and a date in the other.

In less than two years, the entire officialdom of Yunzhou had completely changed.

While it's not about being upright and incorruptible, that's too difficult and unrealistic.

But at least no one dares to openly embezzle and break the law anymore, no one dares to tamper with official documents in government offices anymore, and no one dares to think they can get away unscathed after oppressing the people.

The people of Yunzhou all say that Lord Lin is a gentle person.

On ordinary days, he walks down the street dressed in a blue robe, with a smile on his face, nodding slightly to everyone he meets, showing no airs whatsoever.

But the officials below all knew that this Lord Lin was a man of his word and had a very tough hand.

When he's being nice to you, you'd better take it; when he's not, you won't even have time to regret it.

Another year has passed in the blink of an eye.

For three consecutive years, Yunzhou Prefecture has exceeded its tax revenue targets, its prisons are half empty, seven water conservancy projects have been completed, and two new official roads have been paved.

The Emperor's edict of commendation came from the capital city. Although the wording was neither too light nor too heavy, the fact that one could receive such a commendation before the end of one's term of office was something that everyone in the court understood.

On the day the news came, Meng Wenbin made a special trip to the back office to offer his congratulations.

"Congratulations, Your Excellency! The Emperor has personally bestowed this commendation upon you; this is a rare honor."

Lin Chu was looking at a newly submitted water channel blueprint when she heard this. She looked up and smiled, "There are still a few sections that haven't been finished. It's not too late to congratulate you when they're done."

Meng Wenbin shook his head, smiled, and left.

He worked for Lin Chu for three years, going from being apprehensive at the beginning to being completely convinced of his abilities, a journey filled with countless experiences of being "sold out and still helping to count the money."

But he admitted it.

He had witnessed the changes in Yunzhou over the past three years; those achievements were genuine, not fabricated.

Days passed by one by one.

That evening, Lin Chu was reading in the back courtyard when Yu Qian brought in tea, put it down, and didn't leave.

"grown ups."

"Um?"

"Someone came from Lubian County today and said that the orchards in Shigou County have expanded again, and this year's harvest is 20% more than last year's."

Lin Chu put down her book and took the teacup. "Anything else?"

"He also said—" Yu Qian scratched the back of his head, "that the new magistrate has almost worn out that book, 'A Brief Account of Shigou County,' and tells everyone that Lord Lin is his role model."

Lin Chu smiled, picked up her teacup, and took a sip.

He put down his teacup and his gaze fell on the newly planted locust tree in the corner of the yard.

The tree is still small, with thin branches, but the leaves are a vibrant green.