Chapter 41 - Nan Ke's First Break
Shen Chun He wasn't exactly a good official.
As the magistrate of Dongqi County, he had been in office for thirteen years.
His transformation from a slender young man to his current round physique, along with the five charming concubines in his backyard, was enough to show that he had enjoyed his fair share of bribes and benefits.
But his reputation among the people wasn't terrible.
There was only one reason for this.
Shen Chun He always adhered to one principle: to ensure that the people didn't starve or freeze.
Because if they starved or froze, the people would become as ferocious as wolves and cause trouble.
And then his position would be in jeopardy.
Without his position, let alone bribes and women, he wouldn't even be able to get a single drop of swill from the pig trough.
However, he couldn't let them eat too well or dress too warmly either.
Because sometimes, people who were too full could also cause trouble.
So, appropriate exploitation and taking some bribes were necessary for everyone to coexist peacefully.
Inside the county yamen.
Li Nan Ke, who was about to go home, was brought here by a yamen runner.
There was no one else in the hall besides him.
Li Nan Ke kept thinking about why the magistrate had suddenly summoned him. Was it to inquire about the Lin family case, or had he heard the rumors about him possibly joining the Night Patrol?
But no matter the reason, he had to remain respectful.
He could act casually in front of Leng Xinnan and the others because they had a strong 'jianghu' aura and didn't need excessive politeness. A natural approach was sufficient.
But it wasn't appropriate here.
Even if the other party was just a county magistrate.
"Oh, Nan Ke is here."
Shen Chun He walked in from the back hall, his large belly like a nine-month pregnancy. Seeing Li Nan Ke, a smile appeared on his oily face, and he gestured.
"Sit."
Li Nan Ke remained standing and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, your Excellency."
Shen Chun He settled his plump body into the chair, took the tea offered by a delicate maid, and gently skimmed the foam with the lid. After taking a sip of the fine tea, he slowly sighed and said.
"Nan Ke, you've worked hard these days, investigating cases and helping to capture the Demonic Creature. I feel quite guilty for not being able to help you much."
Addressing him as 'Nan Ke' showed his attitude.
Faced with the magistrate's friendly approach, Li Nan Ke naturally couldn't get carried away and replied respectfully.
"Your Excellency is always busy with official duties, working tirelessly for the people. It's already commendable that you're mindful of my hard work.
Besides, as a coroner of the county yamen, following your instructions and cooperating with the Night Patrol to investigate cases is my duty. It's also thanks to your Excellency's and the county yamen's blessings that the Lin family case was successfully solved. Otherwise, it's hard to say whether the case could have been solved."
Was it Shen Chun He who arranged for Li Nan Ke to assist with the case?
Of course not.
It was Leng Xinnan who took the initiative to invite him.
Was it really thanks to Magistrate Shen and the county yamen's blessings that the case was solved?
Of course not.
It was Li Nan Ke who solved it with his intelligence.
But knowing how to advance and retreat, and being tactful, were essential survival skills in the workplace and officialdom.
Li Nan Ke deliberately tied himself to the county yamen and Shen Chun He, sharing the credit for solving the case and even giving them the larger share, simply because he was still a member of the county yamen.
Even if he would join the Night Patrol in the future, he couldn't abandon the proper etiquette.
No matter the environment, one had to learn how to conduct oneself.
In interpersonal relationships, the biggest taboo was to become aloof and arrogant towards one's former superiors after a promotion or even deliberately humiliate them.
Leave room for maneuvering, so you can meet again on good terms in the future.
Could you guarantee that you wouldn't fall from grace one day? Could you guarantee that your superior wouldn't climb higher one day?
Moreover, did you know all the connections your superior had?
Thirty years on the east side of the river, thirty years on the west side.
Always leave room for maneuver, so you can advance or retreat as needed.
Especially now that Li Nan Ke's appointment to the Night Patrol hadn't been finalized yet. If something went wrong, he would still have to work at the county yamen.
Hearing Li Nan Ke's response, the wrinkles at the corners of Shen Chun He's eyes smoothed out, and he smiled like a sticky spider web. Pointing at Li Nan Ke with the teacup lid, he said.
"Nan Ke, ah Nan Ke, it was worth it for me to value you."
Value my ass.
If it weren't for this case, he probably wouldn't even bother with a lowly coroner.
Seeing that Li Nan Ke was still standing, Shen Chun He frowned.
"Why are you standing? Sit, sit down."
Then, he instructed the maid.
"Serve Nan Ke some tea and bring out the Yunchun Incense that Mrs. Yuan gave me the other day."
Li Nan Ke thanked him and sat down on a chair, maintaining a respectful demeanor.
The maid served the tea and then quietly retreated at Shen Chun He's signal.
"Try it. This tea is from the Yunhai region. Many high-ranking officials and nobles love to drink it. It's very precious," Shen Chun He said with a smile.
"I went to celebrate the birthday of Madam Yuan, the mother of Governor Yuan of Yun City, a while ago. You should know Governor Yuan. His father-in-law is the Provincial Governor of Longjiang. After the banquet, Madam Yuan gave me this jar of tea. I usually don't bring it out."
These few words revealed a lot of information.
First, although this tea was precious, it wasn't obtained through corruption. I, Shen Chun He, am an honest official. Don't get any wrong ideas.
Second, I have connections with Governor Yuan of Yun City.
As for how deep the connection is, you can figure it out yourself.
Third, this tea is so precious that I'm reluctant to drink it myself, but I brought it out for you, which shows how much I value you. So, the matter we're about to discuss is important.
"Thank you, your Excellency," Li Nan Ke said gratefully.
Li Nan Ke put on a surprised and flattered expression, took a small sip from the teacup, and then exclaimed.
"Fragrant like orchids and osmanthus, with a taste like sweet dew. What a wonderful tea! No wonder Madam Yuan gifted such a fine tea to your Excellency."
Faced with Li Nan Ke's natural flattery, Shen Chun He's smile widened, and his eyes were filled with fondness for Li Nan Ke.
Why hadn't he noticed this likable young man before?
It must be because he had spent too much time with the concubines in his backyard, his mind filled with nothing but pleasure.
After the pleasantries, their relationship smoothly deepened, and Shen Chun He finally revealed his true purpose.
"Nan Ke, I had an idea long ago to promote you to be my advisor, but I was always too busy with official duties and kept putting it off."
Shen Chun He said with a sigh, his words sincere and earnest.
"Now, with the Lin family case closed, I've decided to officially invite you to be my advisor. Of course, if you're unwilling, Nan Ke, I won't force you. After all, everyone has their own aspirations."
Advisor?
Li Nan Ke was taken aback and his mind raced.
Within seconds, he understood the magistrate's motives and reasons.
Shen Chun He clearly knew that Li Nan Ke was about to join the Night Patrol and might even have a bright future.
But the problem was, Li Nan Ke was just a lowly coroner in Dongqi County.
A small coroner from the county yamen becoming a rising star in the Night Patrol, what would others think?
They would say that you, Shen Chun He, as the magistrate, didn't even know about such a talent under your nose? You have no eye for talent. They would say that you, Shen Chun He, are incompetent and only care about pleasure. Can such a magistrate govern the county well?
Gossip was fearsome, and the human heart was unpredictable. This was how rumors and stains on one's reputation started.
So what should he do now?
He had to raise Li Nan Ke's status before he took office!
Recommend Li Nan Ke to be the county clerk or assistant magistrate? Those were official positions with established ranks. How could he arrange that so quickly?
After much deliberation, promoting Li Nan Ke to be his 'advisor' was the best option.
Although it wasn't an official position, it was a hundred times better than being a coroner.
And what was an advisor? It was the 'brain' of an official!
Now, the 'brain' he valued was rising to prominence, valued by the Night Patrol. What did this mean?
It meant that he, Shen Chun He, had a keen eye for talent.
It meant that he, Shen Chun He, had good judgment and had discovered such a talent. Otherwise, how could Li Nan Ke be his advisor?
So this was Shen Chun He's ultimate goal.
Li Nan Ke was promoted, and he also gained face. It was a win-win situation.
Of course, Shen Chun He also knew that Li Nan Ke wouldn't be interested in this advisor position now, so he had to persuade him and offer some incentives.
"Nan Ke, officialdom is all about connections and favors," Shen Chun He said with a smile.
"Whether it's the Night Patrol or the Shadow Guard, it's all interconnected. If you have the opportunity to go to Yun City in the future, I can ask Governor Yuan to take care of you."
Shen Chun He's implication was clear.
If you entered the Night Patrol as a 'coroner,' you would definitely be ostracized and ridiculed. But if you entered as an 'advisor,' the situation would be different.
At that time, I can also ask Governor Yuan to take care of you.
There were two layers of meaning in the word 'care.'
If you play along, it would be genuine care.
If you don't, don't blame me for making things difficult for you. I wouldn't dare to openly sabotage you, but I could still make your life a little harder.
Li Nan Ke understood Shen Chun He's intentions. He stood up and bowed.
"It's my honor to be appreciated by your Excellency. With such kindness from you, how could I refuse? I'm willing to share your worries, for the Emperor, for the imperial court, for the yamen, and for your Excellency."
As the saying went, once you stepped into this big dye vat, you had to learn how to navigate relationships and understand the ways of the world.
Li Nan Ke wasn't a fool.
Reaching an agreement with an old fox like Shen Chun He wouldn't do him any harm.
Since it was a win-win situation, why refuse?
"Good, good, good..."
Shen Chun He laughed heartily, repeating the word "good" three times. He personally stepped forward and guided Li Nan Ke back to his seat, placing his hands on his shoulders.
Li Nan Ke thanked him repeatedly, expressing his gratitude.
After a warm conversation, Shen Chun He gestured for the maid to bring over the jar of tea and said with emotion.
"Take this jar of tea that Madam Yuan gave me, Advisor."
"Such a precious gift, how could I accept it?"
Li Nan Ke pretended to refuse.
Shen Chun He waved his hand.
"Please accept it, Advisor. Everyone in Dongqi County knows that I, Shen Chun He, am an honest official with clean sleeves. Besides this jar of tea, I really don't have any other valuable gifts to offer."
Li Nan Ke's face twitched.
This bastard was really getting into his act.
Looking at the handsome and imposing Li Nan Ke, Shen Chun He couldn't help but sigh with admiration.
"It's good to be young."
Li Nan Ke smiled.
"Your Excellency is still in good health."
"Not anymore," Shen Chun He shook his head with a wry smile.
"I'm not as young as I used to be. I'm not afraid to admit that the other day, after dinner, I was feeling bored and decided to take a walk to stretch my legs. I wandered into a secluded alley.
I saw a small red door with a cluster of black pine trees around it, a pleasant scenery. I was interested and planned to go in and explore, but after taking a few steps, I felt unwell, my body exhausted. In the end, I had to give up.
I've seen many doctors, but my body is still as useless as ever. So, Nan Ke, while you're young, go out and explore more. There are countless paths in this world. It's good to leave your footprints on them."