When Ji Zhibai, dressed in the white robe of a Jinshi, stepped down from the carriage, Geng Ge, the Director of the Transportation Department, took a step ahead of Fang Yun and quickly stepped forward to meet Ji Zhibai, while General Ding Haosheng of Beimang also quickened his pace.
Fang Yun walked slowly forward, and many officials behind him were in trouble.
Fang Yun was ahead, and they could not surpass him, but this would not leave a good impression on Ji Zhibai, after all, many people had been attached to Ji Zhibai before. However, now the Zuo Xiang Party had completely abandoned Ning'an County, and after Shen Zhubu was sentenced, Ji Zhibai no longer sent letters to the officials of Ning'an County.
These officials hated Ji Zhibai and other members of the Zuo Xiang faction for abandoning them, but at the same time they hoped that they would change their minds.
In their eyes, the Zuo Xiang Party, who are willing to go along with the officials and be corrupt, is the right choice. Fang Yun is simply the nemesis of officials. Ever since Fang Yun gained power, everyone has been helping Fang Yun like their grandsons, fearing that they will be punished by Fang Yun if there is any problem.
Fang Yun's sentences were extremely strange. Some were very light, while others were very heavy. Moreover, he never tortured anyone. He only carried out executions according to the law after conviction.
Only a few young officials deliberately fell behind the team and stayed away from Ji Zhibai.
They have expressed their attitude with their feet.
Last year, these young officials admired Ji Zhibai very much and felt that Ji Zhibai was a dragon among men. But when Fang Yun came to Ning'an, they instinctively compared Ji Zhibai with Fang Yun. Every time they compared, their recognition of Ji Zhibai decreased.
Even now, many people even hate what Ji Zhibai did back then.
Perhaps in their official careers, they cannot resist the erosion of bureaucratic power and will become like Ji Zhibai in the future, but this cannot deprive them of their respect for Fang Yun.
This world always needs different people.
Fang Yun walked forward slowly, smiling at Ji Zhibai who was blocked by the officers and soldiers of the Transportation Bureau and Beimang Army.
Ji Zhibai has fine eyebrows and clear eyes, and is particularly handsome, with bright eyes. There is a certain aura in his every move.
The two looked at each other, their hatred was as deep as the sea, but they smiled and nodded.
There were slight changes in Fang Yun's expression, but he quickly recovered because he recalled his experience in the Jinshi Hunting Ground.
After exchanging greetings with Geng Ge and Ding Haosheng, Ji Zhibai took the initiative to separate the crowd and led the people from the Transportation Bureau and the Beimang Army to meet Fang Yun.
The two walked towards each other, and finally stopped and looked at each other.
Fang Yun stood tall and straight, like a mountain. Ji Zhibai had to bow and say, "I am Ji Zhibai, your student, and I am honored to meet you, Fang Xusheng."
Fang Yun did not bow, but just slightly cupped his hands and said, "I am Guan Yun, meeting the Chief Planner."
Fang Yun was the acting county magistrate of the seventh rank, while Ji Zhibai was the head of the Ministry of Personnel of the sixth rank. In the civil service sequence, Fang Yun was two levels lower than Ji Zhibai, but Ji Zhibai had the title of Cabinet Counselor. So even if he called himself a subordinate, he could just bow casually.
"You're welcome, Lord Fang." Ji Zhibai returned the greeting, but he bent even further than Fang Yun.
Ji Zhibai's followers were extremely angry, but there was nothing they could do.
Fang Yun smiled and said, "Master Ji was the top scholar last year. This county thought you would rise to prominence, but you came here in an ox cart. It seems Master Ji has a very leisurely job in the Ministry of Personnel."
"I'm not idle at all. The reason why I don't seek rapid advancement in my career is to take some time off from my busy schedule to read some books on the road and enjoy the scenery along the way." Ji Zhibai said with a smile.
Fang Yun said, "I once recited a poem at the Jinshi Hunting Ground. It was for you and for me. I wonder if Brother Ji still remembers it? I can't quite remember it."
The officials behind Fang Yun were very confused. It was impossible for Fang Yun to forget his own poem.
Ji Zhibai's eyes narrowed as well, and he said, "Of course I remember. Willows grow in the cold wind and spring sun, and civil officials and military generals seek titles. Heroes throughout the ages have had so much hatred, but when they meet, they forget their grudges with a smile."
After Ji Zhibai finished reciting the poem, his gaze froze and strange light and shadow seemed to flash across his eyes, but in an instant, the jade pendant on his waist released invisible power and entered his body.
Soon, Ji Zhibai's eyes became clear, with a hint of doubt in them.
Fang Yun seemed to know nothing and said, "It's hard for Master Ji to remember it so clearly. Since Master Ji is tired from the journey, then after welcoming you, go to bed early and we can discuss other matters tomorrow."
"Thank you, Magistrate Fang."
Fang Yun held a small banquet for Ji Zhibai, and then returned to the county government office.
When he arrived at the study, Fang Yun stood up and bowed, saying, "I, Fang Yun, have something I don't understand, and I would like to ask the great scholar on duty for advice."
A light breeze blew in the study, and an old man in a purple robe suddenly appeared. He had a childlike face and white hair, and seemed normal at first glance, but upon closer inspection, his breathing was as loud as the rushing of a river, deafening. There seemed to be emptiness in his eyes, and there was a chaos, as if the world was about to open.
There was a faint light around him, like a waning moon, which was particularly unique at night.
This person is the great scholar Zhou Qingtian, who possesses an ancient Four-Polar Sword and is extremely terrifying.
Fang Yun was envious when he saw the brilliance. The great scholar's talent was like the moon, which scared away all evil. Not only did the appearance of his talent change, but the power of his talent also became stronger, so he could kill monsters with a breath and slaughter barbarians with a snap of his fingers.
Fang Yun knew that Zhou Qingtian was practicing and suppressing his own strength, otherwise strange phenomena would inevitably occur and the whole county would know about it, so he made a long story short.
"Mr. Zhou, I noticed that Ji Zhibai's personality changed drastically after he left the hunting grounds. Someone suggested that he might be influenced by the power of the Miscellaneous Family. Is this true?"
"It cannot be said." Zhou Qingtian's eyes were empty and his tone was vague.
Fang Yun was stunned, then he bowed and said, "Thank you, Mr. Zhou."
Zhou Qingtian nodded slightly, a light breeze blew in the study, and his body turned into countless points of light and slowly dissipated.
Fang Yun sat back at his desk, thinking continuously in his mind.
"The great scholar cannot say, it must be because of the half-saint. I am afraid that Liu Shan used the power of the patriarchal saint to change Ji Zhibai. At present, I can't find anyone to fight against the patriarchal saint, and the power of the holy temple that can be mobilized is limited. I can't rashly fight against the power of the patriarchal saint. The miscellaneous family is really powerful!"
A look of vigilance flashed across Fang Yun's eyes, and then he began to handle official business.
Now that Fang Yun has taken over the power of Ning'an County, he has a lot to do. Yesterday, he just discussed the details of the crackdown with his staff and Ning'an officials. Today, he also had a long discussion on popularizing health knowledge. Activities will be launched in the next few days.
Now, we have to deal with Ji Zhibai.
After Fang Yun looked through some documents, he held the official seal in his hand and an invisible force passed through the seal directly to the mail room, allowing the people in the mail room to find the documents he needed.
Although Fang Yun had said that not all officials were needed to be on standby at night and only some were needed to keep watch, some officials and staff were still accustomed to being on standby at all times and would not dare to go to bed until late at night.
Fang Yun was busy until late at night as usual. He found that there was a problem with a case that Ji Zhibai had reviewed, so he asked the clerk in the mail room to deliver the relevant files.
A quarter of an hour later, there was a knock on the door, and Fang Yingwu entered the study carrying a pile of documents.
Fang Yun turned his head and saw that Fang Yingwu looked a little depressed. He half-jokingly asked, "Cousin, could it be that the grape trellis in the backyard collapsed?"
The so-called grape trellis collapsed is a joke in the officialdom. It is said that one day the county magistrate called the county officials to a meeting. As a result, a registrar came with his face covered with scratches. The officials present knew that this man was henpecked and must have been scratched by his wife. So the county magistrate deliberately asked him what hurt him with a smile, and the registrar stammered that the grape trellis at home collapsed.
The next day, everyone found that the county magistrate also had scars on his face. The registrar asked why, and the county magistrate stammered and said, "The grape trellis in the back yamen also collapsed."
Fang Yingwu smiled bitterly and said, "It's not a family matter, but it's a death from the Heavenly Tree, wasting a piece of Heavenly Leaf." (To be continued...)