Chapter 104: When Things Are Abnormal, There Must Be a Demon

The next morning, Li Yi, accompanied by Yunniang and their modest belongings, set off for Suijin Town. Shortly after their arrival, Li Guo informed him that the county magistrate’s office had sent men to summon him.

Upon entering the Inspection Office, Li Yi found Master Zheng waiting for him. Despite their previous confrontation, which had been filled with hostility, Master Zheng acted as if it had never happened, greeting him with a beaming smile and walking a few steps forward.

"Inspector Li, you have finally returned."

Li Yi smiled slightly and asked, "Master Zheng, what brings you here today?"

Master Zheng handed over an official document. Li Yi opened it and read through it. Magistrate Yan Zibin was ordering him to protect the yamen runners as they went into the countryside to forcibly collect taxes and grain.

Li Yi couldn't help but find it slightly amusing. The villagers were resisting the government's violent collection of taxes, a resistance he himself had instigated. Now, Yan Zibin was actually ordering him to suppress those same villagers. Was this essentially an order for him to fight against himself?

However, the Inspection Office remained under the jurisdiction of the county government. Since Magistrate Yan Zibin had issued an official order, Li Yi could not refuse.

"Since the Magistrate has issued an order, I shall comply."

Li Yi turned and called in Liu Zongmin, instructing him, "Go and tell Gao Jie and Gao Laoshi to each take two squads of men to protect the clerks and runners as they go into the countryside to collect taxes."

Liu Zongmin was slightly taken aback. *I am part of the Farmers' Association, and you, Inspector, are the founder of it. Why are we helping the government now?*

Li Yi barked, "What are you standing there for? Go and pass on the message. Remember, tell them to protect the county officials well."

Li Yi emphasized the word "well" with a sharp tone. Liu Zongmin immediately understood, shot a glance at Master Zheng, and left to carry out the order.

Master Zheng stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Inspector Li is truly a man of great principle; the Magistrate will surely be pleased."

Li Yi looked back at the fawning Master Zheng, studying him with a hint of suspicion. Last time, the man had been full of threats of revenge; why was he so docile today? Feeling wary, Li Yi sat down and said, "Master Zheng, since the matter is being handled, please return and report to the Magistrate."

Master Zheng froze. His purpose in coming was to track Li Yi’s movements, force him to handle the unrest among the villagers, and then find an opportunity to plot against him. If Li Yi stayed put in Suijin Town, how could he and Ai Wanhua execute their schemes?

Thinking of this, he smiled and said, "Inspector Li, with villagers causing trouble everywhere, I fear two squads of men will not be enough. Perhaps you should go personally."

Li Yi glanced at Master Zheng, unsure of what he was calculating.

"Inspector Li, the Magistrate’s collection of taxes and grain is also to help alleviate the burden on Commissioner Hong. This matter must not be taken lightly," Master Zheng added calmly.

Li Yi sneered inwardly. Knowing that he didn't hold Yan Zibin in high regard, the man was using Hong Chengchou to pressure him.

"Thump, thump, thump."

Li Yi tapped his fingers on the table for a moment before saying, "Tomorrow, I will take my men to the county seat to await the Magistrate’s instructions."

Master Zheng smiled, bowed, and said, "In that case, I will have the clerks and runners wait at the county office tomorrow." With that, he left.

Liu Zongmin walked back into the room, watching the pensive Li Yi. "Inspector, what is that Zheng fellow up to?"

Li Yi sneered, "When things are abnormal, there must be a demon at play. Since they want me to move, I will see exactly what tricks they have up their sleeves."

"You should still be careful, Inspector; that Zheng fellow is no good."

Li Yi understood this well. He looked at Liu Zongmin and asked, "Why did you come in?"

Liu Zongmin replied, "A woman has come with two children to see you. She says she knows you, and the Madam is currently receiving her."

Now that Li Yi held an official post, Liu Zongmin and the others had begun addressing him with the proper hierarchy within the Inspection Office. Every sentence began with his title, and Yunniang was referred to as "Madam." Li Yi hadn't been used to it at first, but having adapted to local customs, he let it be.

Leaving the office and walking through the streets where houses were being repaired, Li Yi entered a small courtyard. Two children were playing there. Seeing him, the little girl smiled and called out, "Big brother!"

These were the children of Lei Laohu.

"Stay in the courtyard, and I will bring you something delicious later," Li Yi said, smiling as he ruffled the girl's hair before entering the hall.

The still-charming Xiuniang blushed as she bowed. Li Yi said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, there is no need for such formalities. Please, sit."

Once seated, Li Yi asked, "Sister-in-law, what brings you to Suijin Town? Have you encountered some difficulty?"

Xiuniang hesitated for a moment before saying, "I am but a woman, and with my husband gone, I felt I lacked the strength to raise my two children. Hearing that Suijin Town was hiring workers, I thought I would come and find some work so that we wouldn't just sit around and exhaust our savings."

The deeper reason, however, was that after Li Yi had disciplined Master Zheng, their neighbors, fearing trouble, had spoken very harshly to her. Forced into a corner, Xiuniang had decided to leave the county seat and seek a place of refuge with Li Yi.

Li Yi pondered for a moment and asked, "Is there any work you would like to do, sister-in-law?"

Xiuniang thought for a moment and said, "My father was an itinerant doctor. When I was young, I helped him dry medicinal herbs, so I know a bit of medicine and can treat colds."

"That is quite a coincidence," Li Yi said with a smile. "When the Tatars invaded from the south, many women were left with nowhere to go, so I taught them basic trauma care techniques and called them nurses. Since you understand medicine, why don't you manage these nurses and teach them about herbal knowledge?"

Hearing that she would be in charge of people upon her arrival, Xiuniang was startled and quickly said, "Inspector, I fear I cannot do that."

"Why not? Just give it a try. If you don't understand something, you can ask Li Guo; he will help you."

Xiuniang wanted to refuse again, but Li Yi said firmly, "Consider this a favor to me, please do not decline."

At this, Xiuniang could only steel herself and agree. Since there was a vacant room in the courtyard, Li Yi arranged for her to stay there.

With this settled, Li Yi turned to Yunniang and said, "There are many homeless women in Suijin Town. You can go and visit them from time to time to ask if they have any difficulties and handle things as you see fit."

Yunniang nodded and said, "Don't worry, Yi-ge. Before the school opens, I have some free time. I will go and chat with them; being women, it will be easier for us."

Seeing that Yunniang understood his intentions, Li Yi affectionately pinched her cheek and left the courtyard.

In Suijin Town, houses damaged along the main road were being repaired. Refugees were working for food, and the place was filled with lumber and workers, making it quite chaotic. Li Yi found Li Guo at one of the construction sites.

He instructed, "Lei Laohu’s wife has come to seek refuge; soon, the garrison soldiers will likely know. Spread the word that I am short on manpower. Tell them that those willing to join me will be heavily relied upon in the future, and I will ensure their families are well provided for."

With Xiuniang as a living advertisement, Li Yi intended to expand his forces. These garrison soldiers who had survived the great battle, especially those who had been wounded in the fighting, were his primary targets for recruitment. These men feared no death in exchange for rewards, mostly for the sake of their families. They were loyal, brave, and fierce—excellent sources for soldiers.

Li Yi believed that by issuing bonuses himself, personally visiting the wounded to offer comfort, and treating the families of the fallen well, he would certainly win their hearts.

Now, he had to see what Yan Zibin and Master Zheng were really up to.

The next morning, Li Yi, along with Liu Zongmin, Buyan, and a squad of young, able-bodied men, went to the Mizhi County Magistrate's office. Yan Zibin only appeared to offer a few perfunctory words before letting Master Zheng handle the rest. Without Hong Chengchou to back him, Yan Zibin had begun to treat Li Yi with a degree of condescension. This was typical behavior for a civil official toward a subordinate; the strict hierarchy and social standing were not mere concepts.

Master Zheng summoned the clerks and yamen runners, handed them the official warrants, and ordered Li Yi to escort them into the countryside to collect taxes and grain.