“Not bad for a general who leads troops in battle. Mr. Jin speaks so straightforwardly.”
The Prefecture Governor was also an old hand at officialdom. He was just slightly stunned before reacting: “Since sir is tired, I will get straight to the point.”
“Please speak, Prefecture Governor.”
Jin Feng had always hated official jargon in his previous life and was too lazy to waste effort guessing the meaning behind others’ words.
If it were outside, he would cooperate with the Prefecture Governor, but now with only the two of them here, Jin Feng really had no energy to accompany him in pointless pleasantries.
He might as well go back and tease Tang Xiaobei instead.
“Sir should know Zhou Wen Yuan’s identity, right?” the Prefecture Governor asked.
“Yes, from the Zhou family in the capital. It is said he holds some status in the Zhou family.”
“Since sir knows, why do you still want me to issue a sea capture warrant?”
The Prefecture Governor also spoke bluntly: “Catching the main culprit is enough. Zhou Wen Yuan is just an accomplice. Sir, listen to my advice and do not pursue further. I will handle this matter.”
“Prefecture Governor, do you think this matter is still up to me now?”
Jin Feng said: “If I do not pursue, will Zhou Wen Yuan not pursue?”
In fact, he had long known the Prefecture Governor would not issue a sea capture warrant. He had only said it earlier to test the Prefecture Governor’s attitude.
Now he knew the result.
This Prefecture Governor was truly too old, completely devoid of any fighting spirit. He probably just wanted to coast steadily until retirement.
“Sir, rest assured. You have sought justice for the sacrificed soldiers. I will fully support sir.”
The Prefecture Governor said confidently: “Tonight, I will write a memorial and submit it to the court to punish Zhou Wen Yuan. He absolutely dares not come to Guangyuan again.”
In fact, his situation was similar to Jin Feng’s. Zhou Wen Yuan’s actions were like smearing dung on his face. If he endured this, he would not only become a laughingstock in officialdom but also be looked down upon by all, with more and more nobles coming to bully him.
So, he must submit a memorial, strongly demanding punishment for Zhou Wen Yuan to state his position.
How the court handled it was not his concern.
As for Zhou Wen Yuan, having caused such a big disaster, with his own memorial condemning him, the Zhou family would be strange if they let him out to cause more trouble.
Since he had to submit a memorial anyway, he might as well do Jin Feng a favor.
“Then thank you very much, Prefecture Governor.”
Jin Feng had only mentioned Zhou Wen Yuan as an excuse.
Since the Prefecture Governor was willing to submit the memorial and fan the flames, that was even better.
“Then we will not speak of this matter. Sir, just wait for my news.”
The Prefecture Governor poured a cup of tea for Jin Feng and suddenly asked: “I wonder what sir thinks of Zhou Changlin?”
“Zhou Changlin?”
Jin Feng was slightly stunned.
They had just been talking about Zhou Wen Yuan, so why suddenly jump to Zhou Changlin?
Though the two were somewhat related, the topic shift was a bit abrupt.
“Sir, do not say you do not know who Zhou Changlin is?”
The Prefecture Governor pushed the teacup toward Jin Feng: “If I am not mistaken, sir suddenly brought so many people from Jinchuan to the prefecture city. Besides finding Miss Xiaobei, you also intend to act against the Zhou family, right?”
“Why do you say that, Prefecture Governor?”
Jin Feng was momentarily unclear about the Prefecture Governor’s intentions and could only temporarily avoid answering.
“Sir asked me to speak bluntly, yet when I do, sir pretends to be confused?”
The Prefecture Governor smiled and said: “It was wrong for the Zhou family lady to plan to kidnap Miss Xiaobei, but has it not happened yet?
As the saying goes, catch the thief with stolen goods. If sir acts against the Zhou family just because of a plan, is that not somewhat inappropriate?”
Hearing this, Jin Feng’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Old but not dead is a thief. This saying was indeed true.
This Prefecture Governor appeared old and timid, but after hearing these words, Jin Feng realized everyone had underestimated him.
His control over Guangyuan city was far from as simple as he showed.
Of course, in Great Kang with its backward transportation and communications, imperial edicts took a long time to reach Guangyuan from the capital, so local officials held great power.
How could he sit in the Prefecture Governor position for so many years if he were simple?
“Since you know Zhou Changlin’s wife planned to act against Xiaobei, you should know it was not that she dared not or did not want to, but that she had not found the opportunity and was preempted by Zhou Wen Yuan.”
Since the words had come this far, denying it would be treating the Prefecture Governor as a fool. Jin Feng said: “There is truth in doing a thousand days of thievery, but no thousand days of guarding against thieves. If I ignore it, how can Xiaobei live in the prefecture city in the future?”
“Sir, do not be angry. From what I know, Zhou Changlin was completely unaware of this from start to finish.”
The Prefecture Governor said: “Tomorrow, I will summon Zhou Changlin and give him a warning. Zhou Changlin is a smart man. I believe he knows what to do.”
Jin Feng did not reply immediately but pondered silently in his heart.
“Sir, I heard you achieved great merit on the border and could have become a general. Marquis Qing also strongly supported sir, yet sir chose to return home.”
The Prefecture Governor continued: “If I am not mistaken, sir has little interest in official rank and is instead quite interested in iron smelting and commerce. Am I right?”
Jin Feng looked deeply at the Prefecture Governor and did not deny it.
“Since sir is interested in commerce, one should seek wealth through harmony.”
The Prefecture Governor said: “Moreover, once my memorial is sent, the court will surely send an imperial envoy to investigate. Acting against the Zhou family over something that has not happened will leave the envoy with an impression of sir as domineering, which is truly unnecessary.”
This was also the second matter he wanted to discuss with Jin Feng.
Whether Jin Feng or Zhou Changlin, neither was unknown in Guangyuan. Once they clashed, the commotion would not be small.
The imperial envoy he mentioned was not the winged kind from the West but an abbreviation for the emperor’s emissary, equivalent to the imperial commissioners in previous life’s dramas.
If the envoy saw this situation, it would make the emperor think he had not managed Guangyuan well.
“I will carefully consider your suggestion, but Zhou Changlin must give Xiaobei an explanation.”
This time, Jin Feng did not brush off the Prefecture Governor but truly took his words to heart.
The Prefecture Governor was right. Too many things had happened recently. Acting against the Zhou family over something unoccurred was indeed inappropriate and easy to be used as a handle.
If the capital Zhou family used it as an excuse to counter him, he would be very passive.
“Sir, rest assured. If Zhou Changlin does not give Miss Xiaobei an explanation, I will not agree either.”
Seeing Jin Feng’s tone softening, the Prefecture Governor immediately guaranteed.
Having said all that needed to be said, after chatting idly a bit more, Jin Feng rose to take his leave.
Leaving the Prefecture Governor’s office, Jin Feng was just about to mount his horse to return to the inn when he heard a surprised call: “Eh, Mr. Jin?”
Jin Feng turned his head and saw a girl in a green waist-bound long skirt standing not far away, smiling sweetly.
