Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 335 Ignorance is the greatest happiness

That day, the group arrived at a place called Qingxi County.

The county town is small, nestled in a mountain valley, surrounded by mountains on all sides. A small river flows through the middle of the town, its water so clear that you can see the stones at the bottom.

That's how the county got its name.

When Lin Chen entered the city, the county magistrate was already waiting at the city gate.

The man was in his forties, thin and small, wearing a faded official robe, standing there neither humble nor arrogant.

He was followed by several constables, who were also dressed in tattered clothes and looked almost like beggars.

Lin Chen got off the carriage and glanced at him.

The magistrate bowed deeply.

"Your humble servant, Liu Zhiyin, Magistrate of Qingxi County, respectfully welcomes His Highness the Prince of Zhenbei."

Lin Chen nodded: "Get up."

Liu Zhiyin straightened up and stood ramrod straight.

Lin Chen didn't rush into the city; he stood at the city gate and looked around.

The city wall was made of rammed earth, and there were cracks in several places, which were supported by wood.

The city gate was also old; the paint had all peeled off, revealing the whitish wood inside.

There were a few soldiers guarding the city gate, but they didn't look like soldiers at all. They looked more like old farmers carrying long spears, standing awkwardly.

Lin Chen asked, "How many people live in your Qingxi County?"

Liu Zhiyin replied, "Your Highness, Qingxi County has a registered population of 13,000 households, totaling approximately 50,000 people."

Lin Chen then asked, "How much tax did you collect last year?"

Liu Zhiyin paused for a moment, then said, "Three thousand two hundred taels."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "So little?"

Liu Zhiyin said, "Qingxi County has many mountains and little land, and most people make a living by growing tea and logging. Last year's tea harvest was not good, so the tax revenue was less."

Lin Chen didn't ask any more questions and stepped into the city.

The county town is small, with only one main street, which can be walked from one end to the other in less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

The street was narrow but clean, and there weren't many shops on either side, but they were all open.

When the people saw Lin Chen, they didn't hide; they just stared at him curiously.

An old man selling tea sat by the roadside with a tea stall. When he saw Lin Chen coming, he brought him a bowl of tea.

"Sir, would you like a bowl of tea? It's free."

Lin Chen took it and drank a sip.

The tea is coarse, a bit bitter, but with a sweet aftertaste.

The old man asked with a smile, "Sir, you're from the capital, aren't you?"

Lin Chen nodded: "How did you know?"

The old man laughed and said, "It's rare to see such a respectable person in our small town. My clothes are enough to feed my family for ten years."

Lin Chen smiled and had Yan Da give the old man a silver ingot.

The old man held the silver, his hands trembling.

"Sir, this...this is too much..."

Lin Chen waved his hand: "Take it."

The old man knelt down with a thud and kowtowed several times.

Lin Chen pulled him up: "Stop kowtowing, just focus on selling your tea."

The old man stood up, tears streaming down his face, and kept saying:

"Good deeds will be rewarded, good deeds will be rewarded..."

Yao Yao watched from the side and whispered to Lan Fenghuang, "Sister Fenghuang, this place is so poor."

Lan Fenghuang nodded: "They are quite poor."

Lin Chen didn't say anything and continued walking forward.

He stopped in his tracks when he reached the entrance of the county government office.

The county government office was small, but it was kept very clean.

The stone lions at the entrance were polished to a shine, and the steps were spotless, making them stand out somewhat incongruously compared to the dilapidated houses around them.

He glanced at Liu Zhiyin: "Your county office is quite clean."

Liu Zhiyin quickly said, "The county government is the face of the imperial court; we cannot be careless."

Lin Chen smiled and stepped inside.

In the lobby, the tables and chairs, though old, were arranged neatly.

A calligraphy scroll hangs on the wall, bearing the three large characters "清慎勤" (Qing Shen Qin). The ink has faded somewhat, but the strength of the brushstrokes remains.

Lin Chen sat down in the main seat, while Liu Zhiyin stood below.

Lin Chen looked at him and suddenly asked:

"Magistrate Liu, are there any corrupt officials in your Qingxi County?"

Liu Zhiyin paused for a moment, then said:

"This humble official dares not deceive Your Highness. Although Qingxi County is small, it is not without corrupt officials."

The former county magistrate was impeached by his subordinates for embezzlement and has since been dismissed from office.

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "You impeached him?"

Liu Zhiyin nodded: "Yes."

Lin Chen asked with some curiosity, "How much did he embezzle?"

Liu Zhiyin said, "Three hundred taels."

Lin Chen chuckled lightly: "Three hundred taels and you impeach someone? Don't you know the rules of officialdom?"

Liu Zhiyin said solemnly:

"I know the rules, but I also know that these three hundred taels are the hard-earned money of the people. As the magistrate, I cannot sit idly by."

Lin Chen stared at Liu Zhiyin for a while.

The man stood upright, his eyes fixed straight ahead, meeting his gaze.

Lin Chen suddenly smiled: "Magistrate Liu, you are a good official."

Liu Zhiyin bowed: "Your Highness flatters me."

"You flatter me!" Lin Chen waved his hand. "I've seen many officials along the way, some corrupt, some not."

Some are truly incorruptible, others simply dare not be corrupt; you are truly incorruptible.

Liu Zhiyin didn't speak, but his eyes reddened.

Lin Chen stood up, walked up to Liu Zhiyin, and patted him on the shoulder:

"Do a good job. I will personally donate 100,000 taels to Qingxi County for you to use as you see fit. Don't let me down."

"Your Highness is merciful!" Liu Zhiyin quickly bowed.

"On behalf of the people of Qingxi County, I thank you for your great kindness. I will ensure that every penny is used effectively."

Lin Chen waved his hand gently and led the girls outside.

As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and turned back to look at the calligraphy on the wall.

"Qing Shen Qin" – these three characters were written neatly and precisely, each stroke precise and clear, just like the county magistrate, who was very disciplined.

He smiled, turned around, and went out.

……

The carriage left the county town and continued south.

Yao Yao leaned against the window, looking back at the increasingly smaller county town, and sighed softly:

"Husband, isn't Magistrate Liu a good official?"

Lin Chen leaned back on the cushion, closed his eyes, and hummed in agreement.

Yao Yao asked again, "Then why don't you reward him with something? Like a promotion or something?"

Lin Chen opened his eyes and said softly:

"For a good official, promoting him is actually harming him."

Yao Yao blinked, not quite understanding.

Lin Chen noticed Yao Yao's delicate brows furrowing slightly, then chuckled and playfully flicked her nose.

"It's good that you don't understand; knowing too much will bring no happiness."

After saying that, Lin Chen reached out and gently pulled Yao Yao over, letting her lean against him.

Yao Yao blushed and whispered, "In broad daylight..."

Lin Chen chuckled: "What's wrong with enjoying yourself during the day? Can't you enjoy yourself during the day?"

He placed one hand on Yao Yao's waist, took a grape from Lan Fenghuang's hand, and lowered his head...

Yao Yao opened her mouth and took it, her face turning even redder.

Blue Phoenix watched from the side, giggling, "Yao Yao's blushing!"

"I didn't!" Yao Yao stuck out her tongue and retorted, her face flushed.

Liu Shengxue continued to quietly look at the sheet music, without even lifting her eyelids.

Liu Sheng Piao Piao stole a glance, then quickly lowered her head, her ears turning red.

Lin Chen leaned against the cushion, one hand resting on Yao Yao's waist.

With her other finger, she pointed to the wine glass. Lan Fenghuang understood, glanced at it cautiously, picked up the glass, took a sip, and then lowered her head to kiss Lin Chen…

The carriage swayed gently, and sunlight streamed through the cracks in the windows, warming Lin Chen's face.

"This life is comfortable."

Lin Chen smacked his lips, a somewhat sly smile on his face.

Lan Fenghuang glared at him, peeled a grape, and stuffed it into Lin Chen's mouth.