Chapter 24: Cultivating Him

Chen Fan left the Assistant Magistrate’s study and went to the main hall to wait for Secretary Du.

"Chen Fan! Take this! This is a special envoy warrant from the Magistrate. With this, you can mobilize all the resources in the county at any time!"

"Secretary Du, I feel this is highly inappropriate! This authority is too great. I fear the Assistant Magistrate will hold Magistrate Cao responsible for this!"

"You need not worry! Assistant Magistrate Fang has already consented to this. We hope you will act boldly and without restraint! The official caps of both Magistrate Cao and Assistant Magistrate Fang rest on your shoulders now!"

Chen Fan suddenly felt the weight of the task. He bowed deeply, the highest gesture of respect from a subordinate to a superior he had read about in legal texts. After receiving the warrant, he sat at his desk and began drafting a public notice.

"The autumn harvest is imminent. This year, the people of this county have worked with one heart to reclaim and cultivate the land. By conservative estimates, this will be a year of great abundance. When the time comes, the people of Zeng County will have no worries about food or clothing; their basic needs will be met! To call upon all the people of the county to witness this historic moment, the Yamen has decided to mobilize everyone for the harvest. Upon completion, all who participate will receive 'meal vouchers' issued by the Yamen. These vouchers can be used for discounts at all Kaixing taverns in the county. Depending on the success of the harvest, the Yamen will provide further benefits to the people and host a grand temple fair at the end of the year! Please register at the Yamen courthouse. The Yamen serves the people with all its heart and hopes the people will trust the Yamen as we build Zeng County together!"

It took less than three minutes to write. Chen Fan stood up and handed it to Secretary Du for review.

"This notice is indeed well-written, but the Yamen has long lost the trust of the people; I fear they will not believe it. Do you have any way to make them trust us more?"

"Secretary Du, I intend to have this posted at the entrance of the Kaixing taverns as well. The people still hold some basis of trust for the Kaixing taverns!"

"An excellent idea! But do you know why the Magistrate and the Assistant Magistrate have granted you such vast authority?"

Having been cautioned by the Assistant Magistrate earlier, Chen Fan felt it was time to be more discreet. If he could handle everything himself, it would surely invite jealousy. He could not reveal all his capabilities. Thus, he feigned ignorance.

"I do not know, sir. I hope Secretary Du will enlighten me!"

Secretary Du patted his shoulder and leaned toward his ear.

"This case of the missing women is highly suspicious! According to magistrates from various parts of the prefecture, a large number of women have also gone missing in their jurisdictions. The magistrates are heading to the prefecture to discuss this, and Chief Constable Sun is going with them. During that time, I will be in charge of government affairs, and I hope you can secretly lead Li Xing and the others to investigate this matter! You need not worry about anyone in the county failing to cooperate; every move in the county is already under the Magistrate's watch. Proceed with confidence! We believe you are no mere fish in a pond!"

Chen Fan was deeply moved; the Magistrate was determined to groom him. Glancing at his colleagues in the hall, he feared their envy and spoke vaguely.

"Chen Fan will certainly live up to the Magistrate’s trust and handle the tavern affairs well!"

With that, he took his leave. He had some notices printed at the Yamen and took two servants to post them.

"Master! Is it true? Will the people of the county not have to go hungry after this year's autumn harvest?"

"Yes! This is the result of all our hard work!"

Yue’e could not hide her excitement; she jumped up and embraced Chen Fan.

Yuerou spent her days cooking in the kitchen. Though busy, she would bring water to Chen Fan every so often. She was unaware that Chen Fan had been out, and upon finishing her work, she brought him some water. As she reached the doorway, she saw Chen Fan and Yue’e embracing. Her chest tightened, and she swallowed back her tears, refusing to let them fall. She feigned composure as she walked toward them.

"Master, please have some water."

She stared at Chen Fan, her eyes clear and bright. Chen Fan released Yue’e, took the bowl with both hands, drained it in one gulp, and set it on the table. Yuerou leaned down to retrieve the bowl to return to the kitchen, but Chen Fan unexpectedly embraced her in front of everyone, burying his face in the crook of her snowy neck, lingering on the scent of her hair. Yuerou’s face flushed an even deeper shade of red.

The patrons in the tavern had whispered when they saw Chen Fan and Yue’e embracing, and now, seeing him show such intimacy with Yuerou, the gossip intensified.

"Why do those three look so familiar?"

"How can the proprietress be so shameless? Are they really being this brazen in broad daylight?"

"Hey! Look, that man seems to be the one who carried firewood and brought his wife home!"

"Yes, it is! And now he’s even an official! I once gave him food!"

"I’m so envious of those two sisters! How happy they must be! If only I were his wife!"

"Pah! Don't let others hear you, or your husband might fly into a rage and sell you to the Yihong Brothel!"

"I don't want to go to the Yihong Brothel! That's no place for a human to live!"

"Exactly! So many young, healthy sisters don't last a few days after being sent there!"

"All men under the heavens are the same; few see us as human beings."

"We are nothing but their playthings."

"Hush! Keep your voices down, or you'll lose your lives!"

The women fell silent, looking at Chen Fan and the sisters with envy. Yuerou’s jealousy had long since vanished, replaced by overwhelming shyness. She pushed Chen Fan away and ran back to the kitchen without looking back. Chen Fan watched her figure with a smile.

"Yue’e, please make sure to promote this notice well over the next few days!"

"No problem, Master!"

Afterward, Chen Fan went upstairs to find Li Xing, who was reading his own project proposal. Seeing Chen Fan, he quickly brought it over.

"Brother Chen, come and see! How is my proposal?"

Chen Fan had intended to discuss business, but as he took the document, he saw a kind of "innocent foolishness" in Li Xing’s eyes. He hesitated and decided to read the document carefully instead. He felt Li Xing was still too young, and it would be too cruel to tell him the truth now—and frankly, he didn't know how to explain it. He decided to wait, to guide and nurture him slowly. It would not be too late to speak when Li Xing could truly stand on his own.

"Hmm! It is written quite well. However, there are some minor issues; changing them would make it even better."

"Ah! Where is it not good? Tell me, Brother Chen!" Li Xing pulled out his small notebook, ready to record.

"Well, there are no major problems. It's just that you are currently too obsessed with the format. There is no need to be constrained by rigid structures; just say what you need to say. Writing is meant to express one's meaning. As long as your meaning is conveyed, that is enough; there is no need to obsessively adhere to a specific style or format."

"Yes, yes! Brother Chen is absolutely right. Could you give me an example?"

"There is a new notice posted at the tavern entrance; you can go take a look at how it is written!"

Hearing this, Li Xing ran downstairs immediately to study the notice.