Chapter 57: The Ninth-Rank Magistrate
Li Yi picked up the yellow block of salt and smiled, “The reason these salt blocks are bitter and toxic is simply because they contain many impurities. Filter out the impurities, and you’ll have edible salt.”
Gao Jie was overjoyed at these words, “So, we can refine salt with this method?”
Li Yi nodded.
Everyone felt a surge of happiness.
Salt, among oil, vinegar, and sauces, is an indispensable seasoning for the common folk, a necessity. If one goes months without salt, muscles ache and limbs grow weak. Now that they had mastered the art of refining salt, they could secretly sell contraband salt. And the raw mountain rock salt was almost costless—a venture of enormous profit.
Li Yi placed the salt block in Li Zijing’s hands, smiling, “Brother, please gather some trustworthy kinsmen and refine these salt blocks into edible salt as soon as possible.”
Li Zijing voiced his concern, “Yi, selling contraband salt is a serious crime. Shouldn’t we discuss this with your second brother?”
Li Yi felt helpless toward his cautious elder brother. Still, he understood—Li Zicheng, the village chief, held great sway, and it was only right to consult him.
Just then, Li Zicheng entered the straw hut.
“What’s this to consult me about?”
He had been busy lately, buying oxen, building irrigation, and forging farm tools. The villagers worked eagerly, for next year’s harvest would decide their fate. If another disaster struck, not only would they be unable to pay taxes, they’d face starvation, forced to flee and become wandering refugees.
Li Yi explained his plan to refine salt and sell it illicitly.
Li Zicheng clapped his hands and laughed, “Such a lucrative business—only a fool would refuse. Yi, do as you wish. I have plenty of connections and guarantee a high price for the salt.”
Li Zijing was dumbstruck.
Li Yi hadn’t expected that Li Zicheng, an official at the lowest tier of the Ming government, had no qualms about breaking the law for profit and undermining the imperial tax, instead showing eagerness for the enterprise.
Their cooperation was clear: Li Yi would oversee production, and all sales would be handled by Li Zicheng.
Li Yi entrusted the task to Li Zijing, and their great-grandfather would find reliable clansmen to help—more than enough.
In the following days, the whole Li Family Village bustled with preparations for the New Year and Li Yi’s wedding.
Yun Niang taught literacy lessons to children in the ancestral hall each day.
Li Guo and the other youths practiced martial arts in the morning, learned to read in the afternoon, and studied writing at night.
The Ganquan militia would continue training until the last day of the lunar year; now, the hundred-man squad’s drills were complete, and their focus shifted to martial skills and sparring.
Liu Zongmin, with several aspiring craftsmen, had built the smithy and begun reforging weapons, also making farm tools for Li Zicheng.
Life was vibrant and lively; Li Family Village was abuzz each day.
As the New Year approached, Shi Kefa sent word for Li Yi to visit Mizhi County.
Li Yi understood—it must be about the results from killing the bandits last time. Officially, he’d earned merit for killing bandits, but in truth, it was Hong Chengchou’s gratitude and reward for saving his daughter.
Sure enough, when Shi Kefa arrived at the guest hall, he was all smiles, “Li Yi, congratulations on earning an official post. From now on, serve the court well.”
Li Yi, though unimpressed by the Ming court, was curious about his new position.
“You are now appointed the Inspector of Sui Jin Town, allotted fifty archers and a number of militia, under the jurisdiction of Mizhi County’s Magistrate.”
Hearing this, Li Yi felt both amused and bewildered.
He’d once been hated by the archers of the Inspectorate and, forced by circumstances, killed Inspector Xu and his bandits. Now, unexpectedly, he was to assume Xu’s post.
The Inspector was a ninth-rank official—a mere minor functionary.
Li Yi bowed respectfully, “Thank you, Sir.”
Shi Kefa sighed, “I heard you saved Lord Hong’s beloved daughter. He wished to promote you, but you refused. Li Yi, you are indeed brave and clever, but why pass up such an opportunity?”
After a moment’s thought, Li Yi replied, “Sir, a man’s knees are made of gold. Though I am a humble villager, I know honor and shame. If wealth and rank must be bought with servility, I would rather remain a commoner.”
Shi Kefa looked at Li Yi with a mix of admiration and regret.
“Neither poverty nor force can sway you. Li Yi, since you choose self-reliance, do your best as Inspector.”
Li Yi nodded.
After bidding Shi Kefa farewell, Li Yi went to the county office to pay respects to Magistrate Yan Zibin.
The Sui Jin Town Inspectorate was under Mizhi County’s jurisdiction, making Yan Zibin his superior.
At Mizhi County’s courthouse, Yan Zibin was berating the three squads of bailiffs.
The three squads were the Black Squad, the Quick Squad, and the Strong Squad.
The court had ordered all localities to collect long-overdue taxes, and Yan Zibin, eager to show results and earn a transfer from the powder keg that was Mizhi, dispatched all bailiffs to collect taxes.
They’d been busy for a month, arrested many, but still hadn’t collected all the arrears.
Yan Zibin, desperate for political achievement, pressed the bailiffs to intensify their efforts, caring little if people died in the process.
He could simply walk away later, but the bailiffs, being locals, had nowhere to go.
“Leave a way for others—so you may meet again someday,” they thought. Unless absolutely forced, they didn’t wish to be so ruthless.
Having exhausted himself with scolding, Yan Zibin ordered the bailiffs away and smashed his teacup in anger.
Just then, someone came to announce the arrival of the new Sui Jin Town Inspector.
Hearing the Inspector’s appointment, Yan Zibin was delighted. He needed manpower; if necessary, he’d send the Inspectorate to help collect taxes.
“Bring him in.”
Soon, a tall, composed young man entered.
Yan Zibin’s expression changed—shocked and fearful, he demanded, “Li Yi, what are you doing here?”
Li Yi cupped his hands, “I am the new Sui Jin Town Inspector.”
“You?”
Yan Zibin’s eyes widened; he hadn’t expected his nemesis to be appointed Inspector.
Li Yi had once humiliated him publicly and repeatedly showed disrespect, costing Yan Zibin his dignity. Fearing Li Yi’s martial prowess, he dared not retaliate, but inwardly hated him.
Now, hearing Li Yi was Inspector, Yan Zibin was surprised, but then realized that Li Yi was now his subordinate. If Li Yi stayed in Ganquan, Yan Zibin could do nothing, but as his underling, he could employ all the tricks of officialdom to make Li Yi suffer.
Thinking this, a smile appeared on his face.
“Inspector Li, your predecessor and a dozen archers vanished without a trace—likely met with disaster. Since you are now appointed, assemble your team quickly and take up the duty of guarding the main road.”