Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 20 The Name of a Child Prodigy, A Noble Son from a Poor Family

"Such a great talent exists within the jurisdiction of my Qingfeng County?"

Qingfeng County Government Office.

County Magistrate Li Zizhi was dumbfounded, his face filled with shock.

When County Magistrate Huo Tianlang learned of this, he first chuckled and shook his head, then cast a suspicious glance at the three people who had trespassed into the county government office without cause that day.

They were all scholars under his jurisdiction.

If one did not hold official rank, daring to trespass into the county government office would likely have resulted in being arrested and imprisoned by the constables, and would have no chance of ever seeing these two high-ranking officials, a seventh-rank county magistrate and an eighth-rank county assistant.

"Do you gentlemen have anything else to say?"

Huo Tianlang gave a cold laugh.

"Please inspect this, Your Excellencies, Magistrate and Assistant Magistrate."

Wang Yangsheng held up the article with his hands clasped in front of him.

A hint of doubt flashed in Huo Tianlang's eyes. Only after obtaining the consent of Magistrate Li Zizhi did he accept the document.

The two of them read it separately, and in just a short while, they had grasped the profound meaning of the article.

Then, when she looked at Wang Yangsheng again, her eyes held a hint of seriousness.

A mere scholar can't cause much trouble, but if he passes the provincial examination and becomes a successful candidate, he'll be in a much better position. Now that the Ming Dynasty has been established for three years, although the grassroots level is generally stable, there are still many vacancies for officials.

The chances of becoming an official after passing the imperial examinations were also quite high.

Thinking about it this way, Wang Yangsheng, who was standing in front of them, might become their colleague in the future, so their attitude naturally changed drastically.

"Brother Yangsheng's writing quality is improving by leaps and bounds. Now that the imperial examination is underway, passing the provincial examination will be a piece of cake."

Huo Tianlang, who had been cold just moments before, suddenly became friendly.

This scene did not surprise Wang Yangsheng and his companions.

Wang Yangsheng then recounted everything in detail, showing no fear that the county magistrate Li Zizhi and the county assistant Huo Tianlang might have any intention of embezzling the credit.

Before they arrived at the county government office, the matter had already been spread by word of mouth. By now, it was likely that it had already reached the surrounding counties, and it was only a matter of time before it reached Daming Prefecture.

A mere county magistrate trying to silence the public outcry.

Absolutely impossible!

When this matter became known to everyone in Daming Prefecture, and given the difficulty for officials in the Central Plains to protect each other, it was better to report it to the Emperor than to risk execution to cover it up.

This is actually one of their outstanding achievements.

When faced with two evils, choose the lesser one. Moreover, the positive and negative aspects are so obvious that the magistrate and the assistant magistrate before us will surely be able to see through the situation and make a decision.

"This is actually true?!"

Huo Tianlang was so surprised that he couldn't close his mouth. He exchanged a glance with the county magistrate behind him. The two quickly realized what was happening and hurriedly helped Wang Yangsheng and the others onto the carriage, which then headed towards Majia Village.

On the way, Wang Yangsheng had already told Li Zizhi and Huo Tianlang about Ma Wenxiang's talents and skills. Not only did this not arouse Li Zizhi and Huo Tianlang's resentment, but it also made them greatly admire him.

"Such a prodigy has been bestowed upon Qingfeng County by Heaven. I, the magistrate, will certainly do my utmost to protect him. If this can be publicized, Qingfeng County will surely become a pillar of Daming Prefecture's legacy."

"Perhaps I, the county magistrate, can also advance further and embark on this path to high office."

Li Zizhi was upright and honest, and he openly revealed his ambitions for a career in government.

County Magistrate Huo Tianlang did the same, but he didn't speak. He just thought to himself, "If things go this way, I might be able to truly embark on my official career and become a seventh-rank magistrate of Qingfeng County."

Both of them had their own thoughts.

……

Several hours later, under the big locust tree at the entrance of Majia Village, several old men guarding the village were skin and bones, their faces withered, and their clothes, though intact, were thin.

Fortunately, winter is over now; otherwise, it's uncertain whether we would have survived the bitter cold of midwinter.

Suddenly, one after another, magnificent carriages with canopies like traditional sedan chairs drove into the village.

Following closely behind the carriage were a group of yamen runners from the county government, each one spirited and dignified, holding fire and water sticks, looking quite imposing.

To prevent any accidents, Magistrate Li Zizhi specially gathered these yamen runners together.

It concerns his future career, so even being ten times more cautious wouldn't be excessive.

Under Wang Yangsheng's guidance.

In a short while, County Magistrate Li Zizhi, County Assistant Huo Tianlang, and their entourage arrived at the courtyard surrounded by the fence of Old Ma's house.

The door was open.

It is vaguely visible that chickens, ducks, geese and other common livestock are also raised in the yard, and chicken coops have been built.

Although their home was better off than that of ordinary people, it was still surrounded by earthen walls and was not a grand or wealthy household.

Looking at the scene before him, Li Zizhi straightened his robes and led a large group of people, bustling about with an imposing presence.

He wore a seventh-rank blue robe adorned with egret insignia. Although he was only a seventh-rank official, he still exuded an air of authority. In this small Ma family village, he was far more noble than the ordinary elders or the village head.

"It is a blessing for the whole country that such a prodigy has emerged from humble beginnings in Majia Village today."

"Knock knock knock!!!"

Li Zizhi knocked on the gate of Old Ma's courtyard.

Wang Shiyun was dressed as a peasant woman, which did not hide her delicate features. She wore a light yellow headscarf, and her unadorned face revealed a deep sense of astonishment.

She was entertaining the people in front of her.

Upon first seeing the county magistrate in his official robes, he was reserved and cautious. Only when he saw Wang Yangsheng, a teacher he knew well in the village, did he relax slightly and quickly walk to his side: "Teacher, what happened? Could it be that my father got into trouble at the centurion's office?"

After much thought, Wang Shiyun could only come up with this matter that could alarm the magistrate of Qingfeng County.

Besides that, other things...

The Ma family is simply not qualified.

"Sister-in-law, rest assured. The arrival of the county magistrate and the county assistant magistrate today is a great thing for the Ma family and for our entire Ma family village. There is no need to worry."

Wang Yangsheng smiled and reassured her, "I am a close friend and fellow villager of your brother Xiulin. I have brought two adults with me today. Do you think I, Wang Yangsheng, harbor any ill intentions towards the Ma family? Do you not believe me, sister-in-law?"

With Wang Yangsheng guaranteeing his character and reputation, Wang Shiyun had nothing to say and could only do her best to offer him the best things in her home.

"My lord, this humble abode in a remote and impoverished place offers only tea as a token of our hospitality. We hope you will not find it offensive."

Wang Shiyun lowered her eyes and spoke softly.

"It's alright."

Li Zizhi took a sip of tea, his brows initially furrowed, but then he remembered the purpose of his trip, and his brows relaxed as he asked in a friendly tone, "Is the little prodigy from my Qingfeng County here?"

Wang Shiyun didn't understand what he meant, so Wang Yangsheng quickly reminded her, "It's Wenxiang! Today's matter is of great importance; the longer it is delayed, the more unpredictable things will become."

"Thank you for the reminder, Master."

Wang Shiyun was no ordinary peasant woman, and she could naturally see that the situation was urgent. Without thinking, she turned around and went back to the side room to look for him, but she could not find Ma Wenxiang.

Then he left the courtyard and headed towards the stream next to the village.

These past few days, if Ma Wenxiang is not at home, he will spend time strolling around here with many of his friends from the village.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the mother and son returned home again.

"So you're that little prodigy?"

Upon seeing the slender figure beside Wang Shiyun, Li Zizhi pursed his lips, raised his eyebrows slightly, and suddenly revealed a strange, quirky smile on his face.

At the same time, he was sizing up Ma Wenxiang's figure and appearance.

He appeared to be just a slightly cleaner farm boy, but his eyes were extremely bright and spirited. Even when facing the magistrate of Qingfeng County, there was not a trace of fear or cowardice in his eyes.

Such extraordinary talent.

It seems that the claim of him being a child prodigy might actually be true.