gnovel Chapter 29 Prefect of Changtu
Chapter 29 Prefect of Changtu
Liu Zi was the nickname of Zhang Zuolin's eldest son, the Young Marshal Zhang Xueliang.
Second Aunt was Wu Junsheng's second wife.
Wu Junsheng is almost fifty years old and still doesn't have a son. He attaches great importance to his wife's pregnancy and of course doesn't dare to let her do anything reckless.
In addition, as the warlord's first wife, Zhao was never valued by Lao Zhang.
Wu Junsheng didn't have a son who could pull strings for him, and Zhao's age wasn't too old; her illness wouldn't be serious. He arranged for his eldest nephew to take a look at her.
Not only him, but even his son-in-law Yu Wendou did not take Zhao's illness seriously.
He's only in his thirties, what serious health problems could he possibly have?
"Is my mother-in-law sick? Go to your second brother's place later and get some ginseng or something to take to her for me."
"Okay, I'll finish talking to Brother Fengzhu about my business, go home for a bit, and then visit Auntie in Xinmin in a few days."
Only Lu Xingzhou knew that the Zhao family wouldn't survive the next winter.
The two old men had other things to discuss, so he left alone and went to the shop to find Yu Fengzhu to make a large purchase.
Changtu County.
Driving his cart, Sanjiang Shui shouted along the street as soon as he entered the county town:
"Gentlemen, make way! Don't block my way as I go to deliver the good news to the prefect!"
Every Chinese person, regardless of whether they come from the southeast, northwest, or other regions, loves to watch a spectacle.
The one with the good news pointed to the two bloodied heads on the car and asked:
"What joyous occasion is it that we need to send two heads to the prefect?"
Sanjiangshui proudly declared, "Our boss wiped out that gang from Dayanggou! This is the head of their leader, Guoshanfeng. Isn't that great news?!"
"Wow! I've heard of the 'Over-the-Mountain Wind' incense burner. It must have been around for about 20 years, right? It's really a joyous occasion that it's been extinguished! I have to go and see what's going on!"
"Let's go together!"
"I'll go take a look too!"
Sanjiangshui shouted as he walked, and by the time he was almost at the prefectural government office, he was followed by hundreds of people.
The guards at the yamen gate had already noticed the unusual activity and ran into the yamen to fetch Cheng Daoyuan, the prefect of Changtu.
Although the Qing dynasty had fallen, the title of prefect was used until 1915.
When the three rivers arrived in front of the government office, they saw Prefect Cheng, who was short but had a dignified air. They quickly jumped off the carriage, greeted him with a smile, and went forward to pay their respects.
"This humble servant from Sanjiang greets Your Excellency the Prefect!"
Cheng Daoyuan, maintaining his official demeanor, asked with his lips slightly parted, "Hmm~ What's all this commotion about?"
"Three days ago, my young master Lu Xingzhou strangled 83 armed men and also destroyed a gang that had been entrenched in Dayanggou for over twenty years. He ordered me to bring the heads of the bandit leaders Guo Shanfeng and Si Huzi, along with the gold, silver, and valuables they had stolen, as well as the guns and horses used in their crimes, for Your Excellency to inspect!"
The crowd erupted in uproar as soon as he finished speaking.
"Wow! The mountain winds in Dayanggou have really been extinguished?!"
"How could it be fake? They've already sent in heads!"
"Who is this young master Lu from? He took down an 80-something-year-old bearded man with a gun in one blow—that's some serious skill!"
After observing the discussions among the people, Cheng Daoyuan made up his mind.
A smile spread across her face:
"Hahaha~~ At the very beginning of the Republic of China, our government has produced a hero like Young Master Lu. It is truly a blessing for Changtu and Fengtian!"
"After verifying the identities of the two wanted bandit leaders, you will receive your due reward! As for the guns and horses, I will consider your merit in defending the territory and suppressing the bandits, and you may dispose of them as you see fit! However, the gold and silver jewelry will be left behind for one year. If no victim comes to claim them, they will be returned to your young master intact."
Throughout the Kanto region, gangs were as numerous as hairs on a cow.
If more people learned from Lu Xingzhou, Cheng Daoyuan's workload would be greatly reduced.
Having said that, he clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to the people in all directions:
"This government hopes that all the virtuous men of the village will emulate Young Master Lu Xingzhou, diligently defending the land, fighting off bandits, and restoring peace and prosperity!"
With just a few words, he established the image of a good prefect who was honest, wise, and dedicated to serving the people, winning applause from the crowd.
"good!"
"Young Master Lu is something else!! Lord Cheng loves his people like his own children!"
Sanjiang Shuixin exclaimed, "Young Master is amazing! You guessed it almost perfectly!" and quickly bowed.
"On behalf of my master, I thank you for your generous gift!"
Cheng Daoyuan waved his hand: "No need for formalities. Come with me to the county office to inventory the valuables, verify the bandit leader's identity, and claim your reward!"
Upon entering the county government office, Sanjiangshui had to follow Lu Xingzhou's instructions and flatter him.
"Your Excellency the Prefect!"
"This is the Republic of China now, a time for democracy and human rights. Stop calling me 'Master'!"
"I don't know what democracy or human rights are, but I can see that none of you officials don't want to be masters."
Sanjiangshui harbored resentment in his heart, but outwardly complied with the agreement.
"Lord Cheng, my young master gave instructions before we came. He recently returned to the country and was deeply saddened by the devastation in Changtu, where people's livelihoods are impoverished and everything needs to be rebuilt. Changtu's finances must be facing severe difficulties. Regardless of whether we find the rightful owner for this batch of gold and silver jewelry, my young master doesn't want it anymore. He's handing it all over to you to handle, as a small contribution to the people of Changtu."
Cheng Daoyuan only needed a glance to estimate the value of the gold and silver jewelry to be no less than 1500 silver dollars.
The entire government's annual fiscal expenditure was less than 6000 silver dollars. If he could dispose of this money at will, he could accomplish quite a lot.
Since the conversation was taking place in a private area of the government office, Cheng Daoyuan didn't bother with pretense or prevarication and spoke frankly:
"Young Master Lu's sincere heart is truly appreciated; on behalf of the people of Changtu, I am deeply grateful!"
According to the young master, this old man should be of decent character, and he shouldn't misuse these valuables for personal purposes.
So, in order to build a good relationship, of course, more than just these pieces of jewelry were prepared.
Sanjiangshui took the wooden money box that Lu Xingzhou had extorted from Wang Tieshan and placed it on the tea table, opening it to Cheng Daoyuan.
"Lord Cheng, these silver dollars are a token of my young master's admiration for your tireless efforts and dedication to the people of Changtu. Please accept them."
"This...?"
Looking at the 10 silver dollars wrapped in red paper and neatly arranged in the box, Cheng Daoyuan hesitated, somewhat reluctant to accept them.
This is a warning from an old bureaucrat.
Don't be fooled by Lu Xingzhou's extravagant spending habits; he doesn't treat silver dollars like money.
一个壮劳力一年的工钱才20大洋，1块大洋在昌图城里，能买27斤大米、35斤白面、80斤玉米。
Although he and Bao Longxing both came from the eastern Guangdong region, Cheng Daoyuan was certainly not ignorant enough to dare to accept 3000 taels of silver as a minor county magistrate.
A thousand silver dollars would be enough to buy the life of this prefect.
Cheng Daoyuan probed, "May I ask which prominent family your young master Lu comes from? Why did he choose to settle in Changtu, this war-torn and chaotic place?"
Although Changtu is no less prosperous than most county towns within the Great Wall.
However, compared to many inland county towns, there is an unavoidable and uncontrollable risk here—the Japanese devils.
Cheng Daoyuan couldn't understand why Lu Xingzhou, with such a large fortune, would choose to settle down here.
The waters of the three rivers helped him dispel his concerns:
"My grandfather was originally from Changtu, and my young master's return from the United States is like returning to his roots."
Did he come back from the United States?
Hmm, I've never heard of a prominent family with the surname Lu in Changtu. Reassured, Cheng Daoyuan decisively pulled over the money box.
"In that case, Young Master Lu has indeed had a difficult life. It is truly rare for someone who, despite having no one to rely on, still has the righteous act of caring for his fellow villagers. Naturally, this household cannot refuse the kindness of such a respected elder!"
The Three Rivers flow again:
"My young master didn't have many relatives originally, but in Fengtian he recognized Commander Wu from Changtu as his uncle, and through Commander Wu's introduction, he bought land from Yu Wendou. Speaking of which, it was Second Master Wu who told our young master that you are a good official, which is why I came to pay my respects to you!"
Cheng Daoyuan pushed the money box back even faster.
The rain is so refreshing!
You're Wu Junsheng's nephew, you should have said so earlier!
He was so anxious that he started speaking in a Cantonese-accented Northeastern dialect.
"Well, on the other hand, it's my duty as an official to benefit the people in my jurisdiction, and I don't deserve such kindness from Young Master Lu!"
Smiling on the outside, cursing under their breath.
Suppressing his barely suppressed smile, Sanjiang pushed the money box back.
"Our young master said, please rest assured and accept it!"
"Then, does Young Master Lu have any instructions for me?"
Cheng Daoyuan, a native of eastern Guangdong, passed the imperial examination in 1904 and became a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations).
He previously served as the prefect of Jinzhou and is currently the prefect of Changtu. Modern education and communications in Changtu were established during his tenure. He also served as the chief official in charge of tobacco control in Rehe and Suiyuan.
They are willing to do practical things for the people, but they also possess the cunning and shrewdness of old-fashioned bureaucrats.
Lu Xingzhou offered such a large sum of money; he had to carefully consider whether he could fulfill his request.
"There is indeed a small matter I need to trouble you with, Lord Cheng."
Sanjiangshui, an old hand who would dodge fights if possible and flank if necessary, managed to do quite well in Chen Daye's team, largely thanks to his smooth-talking and glib tongue.
Lu Xingzhou did not entrust his affairs to the wrong person.
Of the 83 bearded men, 69 were killed by Lu Xingzhou, and no one else had ever seen him with a gun.
It was dark and windy, so it was hard to see clearly. What exactly happened was left to the imagination!
"I haven't told you yet how my young master wiped out the Ocean Valley gang, have I? That was absolutely amazing!"