Chapter 130: Wagering on the Hundred Schools

Li Shun remained silent. There was not the slightest trace of joy on his face. Deep down, he had already pieced together the underlying meaning.

Most likely, Dong Chunqiu's faction had sensed that Fang Xun was beginning to lose his footing and could no longer be relied upon. That was why they had changed their strategy and chosen to support Li Shun instead. After all, compared to Fang Xun, who came from an ordinary scholarly family, Li Shun's status as an imperial clansman carried far greater weight.

As though seeing through Li Shun's thoughts, Kong Zhao smiled gently and reassured him.

"Things may not be as bleak as you imagine. Perhaps Martial Uncle Fang can overcome this ordeal through his own abilities. If that happens, then the sea will be wide enough for fish to roam and the sky vast enough for birds to soar. One of you master and disciple will command the court while the other governs the people in the provinces. That would be a future with limitless promise."

Li Shun did not lose himself in the grand vision being painted before him. He merely nodded calmly.

The two tacitly let the matter drop, and Li Shun turned to asking about the finer details regarding his temporary appointment as Acting Magistrate of Shangyu County.

"Senior Brother Kong, how long will I be serving as Acting Magistrate?"

Kong Zhao smiled faintly and raised three fingers.

"Neither too long nor too short. If your term is too long, your appointment would lack proper legitimacy and inevitably invite attacks from rival political factions, who would accuse us of appointing our own people through favouritism. But if it's too short, you'll barely have time to warm the seat before leaving, making it impossible to serve as a proper transition."

He paused for a moment before continuing after noticing Li Shun's thoughtful expression.

"Therefore, after discussing the matter with our elders, we've settled on a compromise. You'll serve as Acting Magistrate for only three months."

"Although Shangyu County is not part of the imperial capital region, it is still a prosperous county. Aside from the magistrate's position, all other officials remain in office, including the County Deputy Magistrate, the County Commandant, and the clerks of every department. I've already spoken with them. During your tenure, they are to cooperate wholeheartedly and ensure that nothing goes wrong. They've personally witnessed your ability to remove a County Magistrate with a single sentence. Even if they had ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare act obediently in public while undermining you in private. Even if you do absolutely nothing during these three months, with their assistance, Shangyu County won't encounter any major problems."

Li Shun cupped his fists in thanks.

"Thank you for your consideration, Senior Brother. However, since I have accepted this responsibility, I naturally intend to fulfil it. Even if I only have a hundred days, I will still restore clarity and order to Shangyu County."

Kong Zhao nodded approvingly.

"Excellent."

He then took out a jade pendant and handed it to Li Shun.

"I have other important duties to attend to and cannot remain here for long. If you encounter any difficulties, do not act rashly. Contact me first before making any decisions."

Li Shun solemnly accepted the jade pendant.

"Many thanks, Senior Brother."

Kong Zhao did not remain in Shangyu County for long. That very afternoon, he departed in haste.

"The Kong Clan..."

Li Shun silently repeated the name as memories of Kong Zhao's family background surfaced in his mind.

The Kong Clan was one of Qing Province's foremost great families. Ever since the founding of Great Qian, members of the clan had continuously held positions among the Three Excellencies.

For over five hundred years, the clan had flourished without decline. Distinguished figures emerged generation after generation, while their disciples and former subordinates were spread throughout the realm.

Yet regarding the struggle among the Hundred Schools, the Kong Clan had never placed all its hopes on any single school.

Instead, they spread their investments evenly.

Each generation's descendants were distributed among the major schools of thought. It was even said that the Kong Clan had members studying the hidden schools and secret traditions unknown to the public.

Kong Zhao was one of the most outstanding talents of the current generation.

Despite his youth, he already served as a Supervising Censor. Although his official rank was not particularly high, he wielded tremendous authority in inspecting and supervising the local governments.

"Great Qian has stood for over five hundred years. There are fewer than a dozen families as influential as the Kong Clan. Yet Kong Zhao possesses none of the arrogance typical of aristocratic heirs. Instead, he's modest, composed, and refined. He's certainly no ordinary man."

Li Shun shook his head with a quiet sigh.

That afternoon, Li Shun entered the county office and formally met the officials serving under Shangyu County.

Just as Kong Zhao had said, everyone treated this Acting Magistrate who had descended from above with the utmost respect.

Li Shun did not even need to display the traditional "three fires" of a newly appointed official. The officials had already handled every matter on their own initiative.

Case files were neatly arranged upon his desk, waiting only for his final approval.

"If all subordinates were this capable, being a County Magistrate would truly be a pleasant job."

The contrast with Fang Xun's earlier experiences was so stark that Li Shun could not help feeling rather emotional.

Li Qing, however, remained somewhat suspicious.

"Brother, could they be taking advantage of us because we're outsiders? What if they've all joined forces to fool us?"

Li Shun smiled and shook his head.

"We're only staying for three months. They simply need to grit their teeth, endure it, and send these calamities, meaning us, on our way. Why would they deliberately create trouble for themselves? Unless they've completely lost their minds, or someone is directing them from behind the scenes, there's no reason for them to do such a thing."

"Besides, isn't Supervising Censorate Kong still here?"

Only then did Li Qing finally relax.

He gently stroked the official desk before him, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Who would've thought? In the blink of an eye, you've become the County Magistrate. You're now the parental official for hundreds of thousands of people in Shangyu County..."

With a grin, Li Qing joked, "Brother, how about giving me an official post too?"

It had merely been a casual joke.

Unexpectedly, Li Shun's expression immediately turned solemn.

"Li Qing, step forward!"

Li Qing instinctively straightened his back.

"I hereby appoint you Temporary Patrol Constable of Shangyu County. You are responsible for inspecting all matters within the county. If you encounter anything unusual, report it immediately. You are to ensure the peace and safety of the people under our jurisdiction. This order takes effect immediately and shall remain valid until I leave office."

Seeing the seriousness on Li Shun's face, Li Qing put away his playful smile and nodded heavily.

The very next day, Li Qing changed into the uniform of a head constable and enthusiastically began patrolling the streets.

The constables under his command all knew he was the magistrate's younger brother. Coupled with the peak Spirit Resonance realm cultivation he displayed, no one dared question his authority.

Meanwhile, Li Shun remained seated in the county office, steadily reviewing the countless official documents.

Although it was highly unlikely that his subordinates would attempt anything behind his back, caution was never a bad thing.

One after another, Li Shun carefully examined every file, large and small.

Having inherited Fang Xun's decades of administrative experience, these tedious governmental affairs were as familiar to him as breathing. He handled them effortlessly.

Thus, seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

The turmoil surrounding Shangyu County's change of magistrates had gradually subsided. The crowds visiting the Qian Yuan Shrine had also returned to normal, no longer as overwhelmingly busy as before.

Changing into plain clothes, Li Shun once again made his way to Qian Yuan Shrine.

After enduring seven days of restraint, he finally wanted to verify whether the information he had previously sensed from Qian Yuan's statue was still valid.

"County..."

The incense at Qian Yuan Shrine was provided free of charge by the county office, and naturally, those managing it were government employees.

When the attendant saw Li Shun arrive dressed in plain clothes, he was visibly startled.

Li Shun merely waved a hand, signalling for him not to draw attention.

Taking a stick of incense, Li Shun once again stood before Qian Yuan's statue.

"After setting things right this time, Qian Yuan's incense offerings won't merely continue. If anything, they'll only become more prosperous in the future."

"As for those unworthy descendants of the Qian Clan, I've also helped deal with them."

"If the information I sensed before wasn't mistaken, then he should reward me with something."

Holding his breath, Li Shun slowly raised his head.

In just seven days, the amount of Xuanhuang Qi of Heaven and Earth gathered around the statue had not increased dramatically.

Yet Li Shun immediately noticed the difference.