Signing in the Republic of China: starting from a foot patrol

Chapter 173 The County Magistrate Is Coming

Jiangdu County, a medium-sized county along the Yangtze River.

Relying on the relatively convenient waterway transportation, Jiangdu County has become a well-known port city in Lingnan Province.

Because the territory is relatively prosperous, the post of magistrate of Jiangdu County has always been a hot post in Lingnan Province.

By cooperating with the local gentry to scrape the land, within a year or two, the county magistrate will be rich and rich, and then use the money to bribe the superior to seek a higher position, and then pat his ass and leave.

Over time, a local interest chain has been formed.

The magistrate of the immigrant county searched for the wealth of the people through the local gentry, and the local gentry used the name of the county magistrate to obtain official support.

In the end, the county magistrate left with the money, and the local gentry continued to maintain their absolute authority in Jiangdu County.

We have a happy cooperation and make a fortune together!

Therefore, whenever the gentry heard the news that the new county magistrate was about to arrive in Jiangdu County, they didn't react too much. Instead, they dressed neatly as usual and came to the pier to welcome the new county magistrate.

But today is different. The gentry from these places gathered in the gazebo near the pier, each with solemn faces and serious expressions, and kept whispering to each other.

Immediately afterwards, someone exclaimed: "Commander Ren is here!"

"In the past, when a new county magistrate came, Commander Ren had never been to the pier to greet him."

"No, there are several county magistrates who took the initiative to visit Commander Ren."

"So, the new county magistrate is really not easy!"

"I wouldn't believe it if I didn't have a big backer to be able to hold the high position of the county magistrate at the age of more than 20 years old!"

While everyone was discussing, Ren Anfu, the leading figure in Jiangdu County and the commander of the militia, came to the crowd. They greeted each other, and then sat on the stone bench in the gazebo.

The gentry of several places drove away the people around them, and only a few of them were left in the gazebo. A man with a gray beard said slowly: "Commander Ren, you are better informed than all of us. This newcomer to the county Long, what is the origin?"

Ren Anfu is a burly, bronze-skinned, fifty-year-old man, with a trace of disdain in his eyes, he said:

"I have inquired with my acquaintances in the Governor's Mansion, and they said that he is from the capital, and his ancestors are old with Governor He."

"Relying on the relationship of the warlord, I emptied my family and bought an official of the county magistrate."

Hearing this, the gentry breathed a sigh of relief, and the seriousness on their faces disappeared, replaced by a look of "that's all".

"Worry for nothing, I thought there would be a powerful person."

"Great love is also here to make money!"

"In order to become the county magistrate, he emptied his entire family. This kid is not like a hungry wolf."

"No, and it has something to do with Governor He, um, this is not something that can be sent away at twenty or eight."

"How about, Sanqi?"

At this time, Ren Anfu said: "Forget it, for Governor He's sake, give him four or six."

"It's a good thing that this kid is here. Recently, I'm trying to get closer to Governor He and get a serious army number."

"This kid might be able to help me!"

Hearing this, everyone knew in their hearts, no wonder Ren Anfu, who has always been proud, would go out in person to welcome the new county magistrate.

At this time, a gentry with a white face and slender eyebrows suddenly pointed out:

"It's said that he has no hair on his mouth and can't do things well. This kid became the county magistrate at a young age. Don't make any trouble."

"Just like a few days ago, the young master of the Bai family directly led people to burn the [-] acres of poppies in the Bai family, saying that opium destroys people, and planting this thing is harmful to nature."

"Listen to what kind of bastard talk this is. Did we force those people to smoke opium, or did they do so willingly?"

"If we don't grow poppies, where will they buy opium cream!"

"Nowadays, these young people can do all sorts of messy things."

Hearing this, everyone's expressions became serious, and Ren Anfu, who was on the main seat, snorted coldly and said:

"Then he'd better be honest. He is the county magistrate, but this Jiangdu County was our territory in the Qing Dynasty."

"If you are shameless, then don't blame us for turning our faces and denying people."

"Ten years ago, it's not like we didn't do this before!"

As he spoke, Ren Anfu looked at the sparkling river not far away.

The other gentry looked at each other and showed a cruel smile. One of them said with great interest:

"If that's the case, we have to prepare a big boat for the county magistrate to be buried with him!"

"Hahahaha!"

Everyone burst into laughter immediately.

······

In the turbulent river, a sailboat sailed towards Jiangdu County.

On board, a dozen soldiers in civilian clothes were vigilantly observing the situation on the river.

In the cabin, there were more than 20 guards, but the officers accompanying Lin Hongfei were only Wu Yongquan, Chu Liangyi, Wang Deshan, and Chen Deming.

At this time, Lin Hongfei had already divided his troops into three groups and headed towards Jiangdu County.

On the first route, Fu Tao drove the gunboat and led Ding Dehu and a company of soldiers to station on a small hidden island in the nearby waters.

This small island is not far from Jiangdu County, and it takes two hours to get there by boat.

Being able to discover this small island is also thanks to Chu Liangyi who is familiar with the surrounding waters.

In the second route, Guo Lang and Huo Yunshan led the main force to march by land. All of them put on civilian clothes and pretended to be bandits, and occupied Qipanshan in Jiangdu County.

The third way is for Lin Hongfei to personally lead the guards and go to Jiangdu County by water to take up his post.

The reason why he did this was that Lin Hongfei didn't want to expose his strength prematurely and arouse the vigilance of Ren Anfu and other gentry.

Jiangdu County was surrounded by mountains, and with Ren Anfu's cunning, if he was allowed to see Lin Hongfei's real strength, he would definitely have a backup in the dark.

To avoid the day when Ren Anfu and Lin Hongfei fell out, if he failed, he would still have the confidence to make a comeback.

To deal with the local snake, one must kill it with one blow, and all its forces will be wiped out in one battle.

Otherwise, once some residual power is missed, it is bound to cause a lot of trouble for myself in the future.

Therefore, Lin Hongfei must first show his weakness to the enemy, and take advantage of his paralysis to find out the opponent's situation and hole cards.

Then look at the right time and kill with one blow, completely killing this ground snake.

However, there are risks in doing so. If the large army is not around, if Ren Anfu takes the lead, Guo Lang and the others may not be able to rescue them in time.

But if you want to achieve great things, there is no way you don’t take risks.

And Lin Hongfei can also be sure that as long as he doesn't openly quarrel with Ren Anfu, he won't be able to attack him.

After all, he also needs a puppet county magistrate to help him search for the people's fat and anointment.