Chapter 108: Chapter 67 Unexpected Guest _2
"When Father was still around, there were students heading to the capital for the examination every year," Lu Tong said with lowered eyes. "I grew up in Changwu County until I was nine, and during that time, the number of successful candidates in the autumn examinations was exceedingly rare."
It was precisely because of this that she knew how extraordinary it was for someone with mediocre scholarly abilities like Fan Zhenglian to pass the examinations with flying colors.
Yin Zheng pondered for a moment, "If Qi Chuan first took the exam in place of Lord Fan and then passed himself, only to be assigned shortly afterward to Yuan’an County as the magistrate, could it be that this position was also deliberately arranged by the Fan Family?"
The role of magistrate is one level below that of Magistrate, yet it can lend substantial support to the Magistrate.
"Nine times out of ten," Lu Tong said. "This could also explain why Fan Zhenglian, who was mediocre in talent, became renowned for his keen insight and strict enforcement of the law upon his arrival in Yuan’an County, transforming into the revered Lord Qingtian."
Fan Zhenglian passed the examination first, followed by Qi Chuan. After Fan Zhenglian became the Magistrate of Yuan’an County, he somehow influenced Qi Chuan’s transfer order, bringing him to Yuan’an County as his deputy.
Thus, Qi Chuan could be at beck and call once again, as in the days at the clan school, helping Fan Zhenglian handle various matters—or rather, administrative affairs.
It’s highly probable that all those well-handled cases in Yuan’an County were the work of Qi Chuan.
Realizing this, Yin Zheng nodded, "No wonder Lord Fan, upon returning to the capital, went to great lengths to bring Qi Chuan back with him. It seems he can’t manage without Qi Chuan. Since returning to the capital, Lord Fan has handled quite a few cases, gaining ever louder acclaim and smooth sailing in his career... However," Yin Zheng paused, "how come Qi Chuan is still just a Court Record Keeper after all this time?"
In just a few short years, Fan Zhenglian had risen from Magistrate of Yuan’an County to Judicial Commissioner in Shengjing, whereas Qi Chuan, who had been just one rank below Fan Zhenglian as the magistrate of Yuan’an County, was now merely a Court Record Keeper.
A Record Keeper holds a title without power; it’s an empty honor and offers no chance for promotion, likely ending one’s career there.
Qi Chuan’s career path was turning out to be much more difficult than that of Fan Zhenglian.
Lu Tong looked down at the cover of the documents, her tone calm, "Of course, he could only be a Record Keeper; he’s the most useful tool in Fan Zhenglian’s hands."
"Fan Zhenglian won’t give Qi Chuan any chance to climb higher, and will instead suppress him relentlessly, controlling him, making sure he remains an insignificant Record Keeper for life. Only by doing so can Qi Chuan be of utmost use to Fan Zhenglian, forever serving as his stepping stone," she said.
Yin Zheng drew in a sharp breath, "That’s too cruel. Not only does he take all the credit, but he also oppresses him like this, making sacrifices for others. Why doesn’t Qi Chuan resist?"
Lu Tong looked out the window, "The son of a household slave is always seen as less than others, and it’s normal for him to be bullied."
To those born into high ranks, it’s astonishingly easy to destroy the efforts of commoners, efforts that may have taken decades to build. This is the case with Qi Chuan, with Scholar Wu, and with the entire Lu Family.
Yin Zheng sighed, "It’s truly pitiable." She asked Lu Tong, "So, Qi Chuan is officially under Fan Zhenglian, but actually serves as his staff officer. Miss, do you plan to buy Qi Chuan off, to have him reveal the truth behind the case involving the second young master of the Lu Family, and use that to overturn the verdict for your family?"
"No."
Yin Zheng was taken aback.
Lu Tong put the book back in the desk drawer, "Overturning the case would simply mean handing it over to another Examiner Official, but I’ve lost faith in all the Examiner Officials in Shengjing. They might not be willing to ensure justice for me."
"I have a different plan."
When she spoke, her expression turned cold. The light of the lamp fell into her dark eyes, kindling a dim fire, like one burning beneath ice at the bottom of the sea.
Yin Zheng was momentarily stunned and before she could speak, Lu Tong had already changed the subject, "Remember, don’t forget to ask Ah Cheng to deliver the medicinal herbs to Wu Youcai’s home tomorrow morning."
"All right," Yin Zheng responded.
Lu Tong let out a slight sigh, "His mother... I guess it’s only a matter of time now."
Upon hearing this, Yin Zheng also felt a tinge of compassion.
That poor scholar, full of filial piety yet repeatedly failing the imperial exams, elicited deep sympathy. Lu Tong would periodically have Ah Cheng deliver medicines for his mother. Since they were both in West Street, Ah Cheng was willing, and Du Changqing didn’t object.
However...
Yin Zheng stole a glance at Lu Tong, feeling slightly perplexed. It could have been her imagination, but she felt that Lu Tong was especially gentle with Wu Youcai. While there were many poor and sick they met every day, and Wu Youcai was nothing special, the way Lu Tong spoke to him was always with a patience and kindness she didn’t show to others.
It was as if he were her own family.
Lu Tong’s eyelids drooped.
For some reason, she always saw a shadow of Lu Qian in Wu Youcai. Though Wu Youcai was reserved, patient, and honest, and Lu Qian was open, radiant, and clearcut in love and hate—completely different in temperament—she couldn’t help but think of Lu Qian carrying his book box home from the academy whenever she saw that poor scholar.