Chapter 122 If I stop pretending, I will be the county magistrate
Seeing that Deng Zhixian's face was not very good-looking, Mr. Zheng, the criminal who accompanied Deng Zhixian on his trip, quickly comforted him and said:
"The proprietor travels incognito, and outsiders don't know it, so he doesn't know how to be courteous. It's not worth getting angry about."
Deng Zhixian said angrily: "My name is Weifu, but I don't believe it. With Lin Tailai's eyes and ears, how could I not know?
I'm afraid he is just pretending not to know and pretending to be aggressive!"
The officer standing at the door of the cabin curled his lips. It seemed that this new gentleman was also a formalist lover.
Even this private interview on incognito was done in a very formal way.
It was said that he was incognito, but for safety's sake he took an official boat and called a yamen servant; but after he took the official boat, he refused to display the magistrate's honor guard, which was quite cowardly.
If this is pretending to be an incognito private visit, do you want others to pretend to know, or should they pretend not to know?
Master Zheng also felt awkward, but he could only advise: "As the saying goes, seeing is believing. This shows that Lin Tailai's arrogance and rampage are the right way to die!"
From the big wharf outside Xumen, we went west along the Xujiang River and traveled ten miles to reach Hengtang Town, a node in the middle and lower reaches of the Xujiang River.
Master Zheng asked: "Does the proprietor want to go ashore and take a look?"
Magistrate Deng looked through the window at a wharf where boats were flourishing. He smelled the smell of fish blown by the wind and said, "That's probably where the Hengtang Fish Market is."
Master Zheng replied: "Yes, this is the fundamental place of Lin Tailai."
Deng Zhixian then ordered: "Let's go to Mudu Town today, and then go to Hengtang Town on the way back."
Master Zheng then understood that Magistrate Deng wanted to see the strength of Mudu Town's Third Hall first, so that he could make the next step with confidence.
So the official ship continued westward along the Xu River, and after more than ten miles of waterway, Mudu, the largest town in the west of Wuxian County, appeared in the sight of Deng Zhixian.
Mudu Town and Hengtang Town have a similar point. They are both located at the intersection of two important rivers and are a transportation hub.
But unlike Hengtang Town, which was too close to Suzhou City and therefore could not grow, Mudu Town was relatively far from Suzhou City, which turned out to be an advantage.
Now Mudu Town has developed into a regional core, a central town on the east coast of Taihu Lake, somewhat similar to the status of Hushu Town in Changzhou County.
If most ships coming from the Northern Canal want to enter Suzhou City, they must pass through Xushuguan.
Then ships coming from the direction of Taihu Lake must first pass through Mudu Town before heading to Suzhou City.
Therefore, only one town in Mudu can accommodate three dining halls.
Nowadays, a section of the Mudu Town Port Terminal has been specially cleared to receive private visits from the new magistrate.
Magistrate Deng indeed did not wear official robes and only disembarked from the ship in civilian clothes.
All the big leaders of the three halls in Mudu Town were on the dock. Magistrate Deng still greeted Deng Zhixian, who was visiting incognito privately, with a big gift, truly not judging people based on their clothes.
Master Zheng introduced the magistrate of Deng County respectively: "These are Yang Zhen, Qin Yan and Qiao Jingchuan, the leaders of the righteous men in Mudu Town!"
The organizational form of the three churches in Mudu Town is actually slightly different from that of traditional local churches such as Anle Hall, which are all in the form of "business names".
It's just that these "firms" are not engaged in serious business, such as smuggling. According to Jianghu custom, these "firms" are still called Tangkou.
After accepting the courtesy, Magistrate Deng didn't pay attention to the three leaders Yang, Qin, and Qiao, but looked behind them.
Sandang probably also knew what Magistrate Deng wanted to see, and directly organized hundreds of people to greet Magistrate Deng at the pier.
No one with a bad image was allowed to come, only those with decent height were selected.
Magistrate Deng's eyes kept scanning the guys, as if he was evaluating something.
Yang Zhen, the dominant leader of the Three Halls Alliance, saw this and waved to the guys.
Hundreds of clerks who had been trained in advance shouted to Magistrate Deng: "I am willing to fight to the death!"
The sound was like thunder, as if it could shake the mountains, and even the water of the Xu River swayed due to it.
Magistrate Deng nodded with satisfaction. It seemed that the spirits of these community members in Mudu Town were very good.
Master Zheng said from the side: "Had there been such an elite warrior, I would have let Lin Tailai conquer all of Xujiang and unify it."
Until now, Magistrate Deng has made up his mind.
First, if you get Lin Tailai, you will definitely get a good relationship with Wang Shizhen and Wang Xijue; if you don't get Lin Tailai, Wang Shizhen will definitely hate herself.
Secondly, the Shen government may not care much about Lin Tailai.
Could it be that Shen Shoufu could fall out with two old Wangs over someone he had never met?
In Magistrate Deng’s mind, there is no problem that cannot be solved.
As long as he thought about it, couldn't a Bailihou help a gang leader?
The only concern is that the destruction of Lin Tailai's evil forces may cause temporary chaos and affect the collection of money and grain this year, so there are still issues of aftermath and stability.
If the Third Hall of Mudu Town has enough strength, then you can take advantage of it.
Yang Zhen took the opportunity to invite: "The villain built a small garden by the river. In the garden, there is a pavilion overlooking the river. The scenery is amazing.
Now that it's time to have dinner, I set up a banquet in Wangjiang Pavilion to honor Master Deng and boldly ask Master Deng to move to Wangjiang Pavilion."
County magistrate Deng happily accepted the invitation and went to Wangjiang Pavilion with Master Zheng and the three leaders.
After three drinks and a few bites of food, Master Zheng asked deliberately: "Since the last time they retreated, Lin Tailai's men have not come to Mudu again?"
Yang Zhen replied proudly: "Then Lin Tailai is afraid that we will work together and have strong men and horses, so how dare he come to Mudu again!"
Master Zheng asked again: "You three have outstanding strength and occupy favorable terrain upstream. Why don't you take the initiative to attack?"
This time Yang Zhen said with a wink again: "Our three halls have always only obeyed the government's orders. How can we dare to overstep without the government's permission?"
Master Zheng asked again: "What if you are asked to go to Hengtang Town and fight against Anletang?"
Yang Zhen immediately expressed his determination on behalf of the three halls: "As long as Master Deng gives the order, we and Mudu Third Hall will definitely send all our troops down the river and point our swords at Hengtang!"
Master Zheng toasted the three leaders with a glass of wine and praised:
"Okay! Without the power of thunder, how can we let the people of the county know the enlightenment of the county minister!"
Yang Zhen patted his chest, "Please rest assured, gentlemen! Others may be afraid, but our Third Hall is definitely not afraid of Lin Tailai!"
Before he finished speaking, a man standing guard outside Wangjiang Pavilion suddenly shouted: "Isn't that Lin Tailai!"
Immediately, other guys asked: "Where? Where?"
Everyone in the pavilion only saw a small boat appearing in the field of vision.
This is not a strange thing. Since this place is called Wangjiang Pavilion, it must have a view of the river. It is normal for there to be boats on the river.
But the boat gradually sailed towards Wangjiang Pavilion, and when it got closer, everyone could see it clearly.
I saw that the boat was very small, just like a flat boat on the water of Xujiang River.
Apart from the boatman, there were only three people on the boat.
The person in front was more than a head taller than the others, with a majestic build. He was standing on the bow of the boat, wearing a green shirt with long flowing sleeves.
There is another person, holding a big gun, standing behind the big man in blue shirt.
"It's really Lin Tailai!" The man standing guard by the river screamed again!
Everyone in the pavilion was stunned and speechless. Isn't your image of Lin Tailai Xiao Fengxian? Sometimes you are also Coach Lin. What the hell are you doing today?
And they couldn't understand why Lin Tailai suddenly appeared alone.
The boat docked casually, and Professor Lin threw off his two 1.2-meter-long legs and jumped to the shore in one stride.
The three minions of Mudu Town who were standing guard by the river seemed to feel the strong pressure and took a few steps back. Only then did they get rid of the imposing attack from Xiao Fengxian with the Iron Fist and Golden Whip.
Deng Zhixian looked at Yang Zhen with dissatisfaction. These guys in Guitangkou were shouting slogans loudly, but they behaved like this when they saw Lin Tailai?
Leader Yang also felt that it was not good-looking, so he secretly gave instructions to call all the people who could be called;
He stood up and shouted to Lin Tailai: "What are you doing!"
Lin Tailai did not bother to answer, and walked proudly towards Wangjiang Pavilion.
Yang Zhen quickly ordered his men, "Stop him!"
The minions reluctantly gathered at the entrance of the pavilion and blocked Lin Tailai's front.
But Magistrate Deng in the pavilion spoke at this moment, "Let him in! Let's see what he dares to do!"
So all the gangsters outside the pavilion felt as if they had been granted amnesty, thinking that the magistrate was still considerate of people, and quickly moved out of the way.
Lin Tailai walked into the pavilion grandly, ignoring Deng Zhixian, the most distinguished magistrate, but first said to Yang Zhen:
"Are you Yang, the leader of the Three Halls Alliance in Mudu Town?"
As the saying goes, the Lord is worried about the humiliation of his ministers, Master Zheng angrily rebuked: "How dare you be rude to Zhu Zian!"
According to normal etiquette, after Lin Tailai came in, he should first salute the highest-ranking magistrate Deng before talking.
But Lin Tailai's behavior was clearly arrogant, and he had no regard for the county magistrate at all.
No matter who you are, professor or Imagin, no matter how arrogant and domineering the leader of the club is, you will never dare to be so rude in front of your parents!
Every one of these people is crazy! And none of them have a happy ending!
Even several guards and government officials drew their swords and waited for the order from the magistrate.
Lin Tailai responded blankly: "What's wrong with me? Did you inadvertently offend some noble person?"
Master Zheng: "."
Why are you, Lin Tailai, pretending to be stupid! Have you never met Magistrate Deng?
Master Zheng was about to say a few words, but then he remembered that Magistrate Deng was nominally paying a private visit incognito.
So he looked at Magistrate Deng and asked with his eyes whether he wanted to reveal his identity publicly.
At this moment, suddenly everyone in the pavilion heard Lin Tailai muttering loudly: "A private visit in private must look like a private visit in private."
Magistrate Deng is no longer angry, because in his eyes, Lin Tailai is already a dead person, and there is no need to be angry with a dead person.
"Sit down first!" Magistrate Deng said to Master Zheng.
Yang Zhen, the leader of the Three Halls Alliance in Mudu Town, quickly took over for Master Zheng and asked Lin Tailai:
"I'm in Yangzhen. I wonder what Lin is doing when he finds this place?"
Lin Tailai said casually: "I heard that you tell people everywhere that I, Lin Tailai, dare not go back to Mudu Town? So I came here."
Yang Zhen glanced at Magistrate Deng, then looked outside the pavilion, and laughed and said, "Now that you're here, don't leave!"
At this time, nearly a hundred clerks had gathered outside the pavilion, as well as government servants brought by Deng Zhixian, and everyone had weapons.
Lin Tailai would never leave Lu Bu even if he were alive!
There is also a great god like Deng Zhixian sitting in charge. He doesn't believe that Lin Tailai really dares to kill officials and rebel!
Magistrate Deng looked at Yang Zhen appreciatively, he was indeed a sensible person!
To deal with some lawless evil forces, it is too troublesome to follow the procedures and impose penalties. It is better to just kill them here to save worry!
But Professor Lin, who was in danger, remained calm and dug into his sleeves.
This action immediately caused everyone in the pavilion to panic!
Everyone knows that Lin Tailai has a unique trick called "The Universe in His Sleeves"!
Lin Tailai quickly spoke again: "Don't be afraid, everyone! I'm just looking for a document!"
Then a ticket appeared in his hand: "The Hushu Customs Department has summoned Yang Zhen, Qin Yan, and Qiao Jingchuan to come to the court for a hearing!"
Everyone: "."
It was completely unexpected how Lin Tailai did this.
No wonder Lin Tailai dared to imitate others and go to the meeting alone, because he had the courage to rely on him.
After Yang Zhen came to his senses, he shouted sternly: "You, Lin Tailai, don't follow the moral principles of the world and collude with the government to kill your fellow comrades. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"
Lin Tailai helplessly pointed at Magistrate Deng and asked: "Is this your moral justice?"
Yang Zhen was speechless, turned to Magistrate Deng, and begged: "Master Deng, please make the decision for the villain!"
The Hushu Customs Office is also an official government office, and the best way to deal with official troubles is to ask official figures to sort it out.
Deng Zhixian slapped the case and shouted: "It's ridiculous! This is Wuxian County. When did the Xushu Customs Office come to interrogate people?"
Don’t think that relying on the power of the customs office, you can run rampant in Wuxian County!”
Magistrate Deng must express his position in this way. If he can't even protect people, who will be willing to take refuge?
Lin Tailai pointed at Yang Zhen and said: "The three of them are suspected of smuggling. The case is serious and the Customs Department is about to investigate the matter!"
Deng Zhixian scolded: "They are citizens of Wuxian County. In any case, they have nothing to do with the customs office! Even if they are involved in the case, it is Wuxian County who will investigate!"
As the county magistrate, I will never allow other government offices to arrest the citizens of this county at will!
I also advise you not to use chicken feathers from outsiders as arrows!"
When Magistrate Deng scolded him, he even said "I am the magistrate" and "I am my official" smoothly.
It has a meaning of "I don't pretend anymore, I show my cards, I am the county magistrate".
If the magistrate wants to cover up a mere smuggling case, he can still cover it up!
Even if the lawsuit goes to the court, the truth is still on Wu County's side, and the customs office has no power to go to the place to arrest people!
If Lin Tailai could pretend to be ignorant and didn't know the county before, he can't do it now.
According to normal logic, after the identity of the distinguished person is revealed, Professor Lin should bow his head and bow to him.
But Lin Tailai still didn't panic, looked at the river and said:
"I just said that a private visit on a private server should look like a private visit on a private server.
If you reveal your identity and still protect the suspect, you are asking for trouble."
Everyone was stunned again. Is Lin Tailai really out of his mind? Who are you talking to?
There is absolutely no other answer that can explain Lin Tailai's words and deeds other than losing his mind and going crazy!
Deng Zhixian sneered and said: "If you don't do it, you will die. If you want to die, don't blame me for being rude!"
Suddenly, the sound of rapid horse hooves sounded, and another government official galloped along the river bank, shouting: "Urgent report from the county government!"
In the blink of an eye, the officer got off his horse, threw himself outside Wangjiang Pavilion, lowered his head and reported:
"There is an imperial edict! In order to curb smuggling and collect taxes and money, the hubs such as Mudu Port in Wu County and Likou Port in Changzhou County around Suzhou City will be placed under the unified jurisdiction of the Xushu Customs Office, and branch customs will be set up!"
Everyone: "."
The yamen officer added in a very frightening manner: "I heard that the king's tax envoy recommended Lin Tailai to be the chief official of the Mudu Port branch!"
Everyone: "."
In the silent Wangjiang Pavilion, Lin Tailai was the only one who scolded dissatisfiedly: "Who are you talking about about riding a horse?"
The officer who reported the news turned pale in an instant. He kowtowed down below to report, but he didn't even see who else was in the pavilion above!
He just felt that if he did not use the words "horse riding", it would not be enough to describe the shock in his heart!
I'm dizzy, stuffy, and have various discomforts, and my wrist still hurts. It would be great if I could maintain the 4,000-word update. Let me take it easy today.