Chapter 51: The Small Gate with Nine Feet of Water

  Liu Jiong was taken aback and didn't understand what he meant. He was about to ask a few more questions, but by then they had already arrived at the Youshui Temple.

  The official mansion occupies an area of about 5 mu, with more than 20 rooms, consisting of two courtyards in the front and back. The large courtyard in the front is where soldiers eat and rest, the courtyard is very big, full of weeds, and the small courtyard behind is the office.

  As soon as he entered the gate, an official led a dozen or so men to welcome him, lifting his robes and kneeling down to pay respects, "Your humble servant greets the County Magistrate!"

  "Everyone, rise!"

  Wang Jue smiled and introduced Liu Xuan to them, "This is your new supervisor, I'm sure you've all heard of Director Liu's reputation!"

  Everyone was overjoyed and knelt down again to pay their respects, "Greetings, Director Cao!"

  "Everyone, no need to be polite, let's hurry up!"

  Liu Xuan's previous life had a very good relationship with people, and he was extremely good at communicating with others. Therefore, he easily got along with these low-ranking soldiers. Soon after Wang Jue left, Liu Xuan became close to his subordinates.

  He had three deputies, one named Zhang Ping, who served as the Touring Pacification Corrupt Official, responsible for capturing water bandits. Another was Li Jun, who served as the Touring Pacification Gold Official, responsible for investigating tax money. The third was Lu Sheng, who served as the Book Assistant, in charge of internal affairs.

  Zhang Ping and Li Jun took the brothers out for a patrol, and in the government office, there was only one official, Shu Zu Lu Sheng, and twenty or so soldiers on duty. At this time, in the back courtyard, Liu Xiu's government office was filled with people, and laughter echoed through the sky.

  Everyone felt that this young master was quite good, although he was the nephew of the prefecture governor, but he didn't have any airs about him. More importantly, his words gave them a sense of closeness and familiarity, as if they were people who shared the same path in life.

  Liu Cong took out a five-tael gold ingot from his bosom and threw it to a big man, laughing: "According to the rules, you should chip in to invite guests, but since I'm new here, I'll treat you brothers tonight! Just drink and eat meat, don't stop until you're drunk!"

  Everyone was delighted, thinking that the new leader was generous and would be easy to get along with in the future. First impressions are important; if Liu Xuan had been stingy and tried to squeeze every last bit of money out of his subordinates, or put on airs and acted self-important, then life under him would not have been pleasant for those below him.

  On the contrary, he is generous with his money, treating everyone as brothers and friends. Only such a person can win the hearts of his subordinates. When people heard that Master Jing had taken office, they were initially quite nervous, but now they feel at ease and are no longer constrained.

  Shu Zu Lu Sheng waved his hand at the crowd, "I want to have a few words with Du Cao, everyone go! Tonight we'll give Du Cao a toast."

  The crowd dispersed in an uproar, leaving only Liu Xuan and Lu Sheng in the room.

  "Du Cao feels like his head is going to explode! Being mixed up with this group of rough men."

  Lu Sheng was about thirty years old, a bookworm, looking refined and pale, but after mixing with the crowd for a long time, he also had a few more heroic spirits.

  "No, I like these brothers very much. They are straightforward and unpretentious, with no hidden agendas. Being with them makes me feel at ease."

  "This is also true, actually everyone used to be water army soldiers, only last year did they transfer to local government management, didn't the supervisor notice that everyone still has a strong military air about them?"

  Liu Jing nodded, he also felt it, each one was tall and strong, moving quickly, obviously having undergone military training.

  He hesitated for a moment and asked again: "I'd like to ask, what is this official position of mine, the touring tax inspector?"

  This is what Liu Xuan wants to know most. What rank is this official position and how high is the status? Until now, he is still in a fog.

  Lu Sheng sighed, "This is a bit complicated. The imperial court does not have this position, it was established by our Jingzhou itself. The official name is called 'You Jiao', which is actually the same as the 'You Jiao' in the county officials, but the responsibilities are more important than the county officials, and the status is slightly higher. I think it's half a level higher than the county officials."

  "What about in the army?"

  "It should be Junhou, our former Ma Du Cao was also a Junhou."

  Junhou is the same as Quzhang, similar to the camp commander of later generations. Liu Xuan nodded and suddenly understood that he had originally followed Liu Bei to Jiangxia to destroy Zhang Wu, and was temporarily appointed as Tunjiang, it seems that he has been promoted one level.

  Lu stood up and closed the door, then said in a low voice: "There's something I need to tell you, Master Jing. Our former supervisor was actually killed."

  Liu Xuan was taken aback, "Why is this?"

  Lu Sheng looked outside and saw that there was no one around, then lowered his voice and said: "Because this position makes it too easy to get rich, the former Ma Du Cao made several hundred taels of gold in just two years, but was reported by someone, and the evidence was conclusive. He lost his head last month."

  "Who reported it?" Liu Xuan somewhat regained his composure, this kind of thing was probably only something an insider could have evidence for.

  Lu Sheng hesitated for a moment and lowered his voice: "Does Master Jing know what kind of background Thief Cao Zhangping has?"

  Zhang Ping was one of Liu Xuan's deputies, serving as the head of the bandit-suppressing department. He went out on patrol and never returned. Liu Xuan had only heard Wang Jue mention that Zhang was the most senior person in the bandit-suppressing department, and if he hadn't taken the position himself, he would have promoted Zhang to be the director. However, he didn't expect Lu Sheng to have ulterior motives.

  "You mean to say that the former Ma Ducao is the one who informed on him, right?"

  Lu Sheng smiled wryly, which was tantamount to acknowledging Liu Xuan's question.

  "You tell me, who is this Zhang Ping?"

  "He is not a simple person, his cousin is the nephew of Zhang Yun, the governor of Jingbei, and his sister is married to Cai Zhong. Zhang Ping himself is also highly skilled in martial arts, especially in water-based combat, with the nickname 'River Wolf'."

  Liu Jiong was stunned, how could it be Cai Zhong again? It really was a narrow road to enemies, and it turned out that Zhang Ping was Cai Zhong's younger brother-in-law.

  After a moment of contemplation, Liu Xuan asked: "Since his back is so strong, why did he only become a small thief?"

  Lu Sheng secretly shook his head, it turned out that this young master Zhen still didn't know what position he had obtained. Some words he didn't know whether to say or not, but thinking of Zhang Ping's next target being himself, Lu Sheng no longer hesitated.

  "There are three touring offices in the Han River, but only the second touring office is in charge of Fan City and Xiangyang. The benefits are so great that they can be imagined. Therefore, the second touring office is also called the first fat post in Jingzhou. Haven't you heard of it, Master Cui?"

  Liu Xuan shook his head, "I know nothing."

  He paused and asked again: "Anything else?"

  Lu Sheng also spoke out, continuing: "Gongzi Jing may not know that Zhang Ping was originally the chief officer of the first patrol unit, but only half a year ago he was transferred here and surprisingly demoted himself to be an officer in charge of bandits, isn't it unexpected?"

  "Hmmph!"

  Liu Jiong sneered, "I reckon he had already planned to get rid of his predecessor back then."

  "Yes, at that time we all thought he was demoted for making mistakes. He was a low-key person, but three months later, Ma Ducao was arrested for corruption and soon beheaded. It wasn't until then that we realized Zhang Ping had been plotting something."

  Liu Xuan only then understood the profound meaning of Wang Jue's words, "Speak less and think more". It seems that even a small sparrow has all its vital organs intact, and there is so much struggle in this small tour.

  Logically, Zhang Ping should have succeeded as the Director of Cao and enjoyed the benefits of being in charge of Jingzhou, but unexpectedly, he was replaced from above, dashing his hopes. Now Zhang Ping is at a loss for how to vent his anger towards himself.

  Then who inserted himself into this position? What kind of inside story is hidden behind this, Liu Xuan only felt that it was foggy and he couldn't see through it for the time being.

  There was also Wang Kun's words with profound meaning, which made him have a vague feeling that the water in Jingzhou officialdom was deeper than the Yangtze River. Before, he couldn't feel it, only after stepping into this threshold did he slowly feel it.

  Just then, a loud noise suddenly came from the courtyard, followed by someone cursing loudly: "You bunch of turtle sons, how dare you close the gate and go lick the new master's toes one by one? Do you think I've already rolled away?"

  The voice was both hoarse and harsh, like a broken gong ringing out, extremely piercing to the ear. Lu Sheng smiled wryly, "He's back."

  Liu Jiong did not expect Zhang Ping to be such a shallow and superficial person, but with such a deep background, he only mixed up to being a Qu Chang, which also shows his incompetence.

  "Let Lu Shu Zao go and take a look first! See what he has to say."

  Lu Sheng saw Liu Jing refused to accept the offer and had no choice but to leave with a forced smile.

  At this time, a burly man had already walked quickly into the backyard. He was full of flesh on his face, with eyes bulging like crabs and eyebrows thicker than brushes, as if a bunch of messy hair was smashed directly onto his face, looking extremely ferocious.

  This man was Zhang Ping, the younger brother of Zhang Yun, the naval commander, and Cai Zhong's younger brother-in-law. He was about twenty years old and a well-known figure in Xiangyang. Although the name Zhang Ping may not be well known, the notorious name "Water Wolf" is household.

  Zhang Ping had his heart set on getting the plum job of Jingzhou, and was willing to demote himself by one rank. Just as he had just gotten rid of his predecessor Ma Ducao, he thought he was a shoo-in for promotion, but unexpectedly Liu Xuan appeared out of nowhere and snatched away the peach that Zhang Ping had worked so hard to cultivate.

  This almost made his chest explode with rage, and he had just learned about this matter. He heard that the new governor had taken office, so he rushed back in a fit of anger.

  Behind him followed thirty or so soldiers who were eager to see the excitement, instantly packing the small courtyard to capacity. Every eye was tense with anticipation.

  "Zei Cao, why are you so furious?"

  Lu Sheng saw Zhang Ping's face turn purple with rage, his hair standing on end, and a fierce expression fully revealed. He had never seen him so angry before, and Lu Sheng felt a chill in his heart.

  Lu Sheng was a former subordinate of Ma Duo Cao. After Ma Duo Cao's death, he became the next target for Zhang Ping to capture. Zhang Ping had long been extremely resentful towards him, and now all his anger was directed at Lu Sheng.

  Zhang Ping didn't say a word, and rushed up to punch Lu Sheng's face with all his might. Lu Sheng was just a weak scholar, how could he dodge? He let out a miserable cry as the punch sent him flying one zhang away, rolling around on the ground in agony while clutching at his face.

  The courtyard was filled with a burst of surprise, and then suddenly became quiet as if all the birds had stopped chirping. This was too unexpected, and yet someone actually dared to lay hands on Shuso.

  "The old master is beating you, this slave dog!" Zhang Ping pointed at Lu Sheng and scolded loudly.

  At this time, the door opened and Liu Xuan stood at the door, coldly looking at him. Zhang Ping had never put Liu Xuan in his eyes, a 16-year-old kid, actually snatched his fat position, even if he was Liu Bei's nephew, so what?

  "I had forgotten, when beating a dog one should look at its master. Lu Dog, do you want me to apologize to your new master?" Zhang Ping coldly glanced at Liu Xuan and continued to viciously scold Lu Sheng.

  Liu Xuan hummed heavily and said, "You are Zhang Ze Cao?"

  "Who cares about you? What can you do?" Zhang Ping didn't give any face and immediately tore his face off.

  "As you are a thief, why don't you kneel down when you see your superior?"

  Zhang Ping looked up and down at Liu Xuan, sneered, "Young man, don't think that just because you have a powerful backer, you can do whatever you want. In the army, the strong are in charge. If you want me to kneel to you, fine, show me what you're capable of!"

  .。