March 15, 2024 Author: Lonely I Walk Alone
The sound of footsteps could be heard outside the study, and shortly after, Sun Hai entered with Zhu Yu.
Lin Ji was sitting in a chair behind the desk.
He had intended to pretend to read a book and not bother with these two, but he decided against it. Putting on airs was rather meaningless.
"Master Lin." Sun Hai and Zhu Yu bowed respectfully.
"No need for formalities in the future. We are colleagues of the Monitoring Heaven Bureau. I am just a sixth-grade Chief Catcher, nothing too particular," Lin Ji waved his hand dismissively.
Although he said that, Lin Ji still felt the distinct difference between a Chief Catcher and a Catcher Head.
A Catcher Head was of the seventh grade, holding an official position.
But never before had anyone addressed him as "Master Lin," nor did he consider himself an official.
Now, as the newly appointed Chief Catcher, even though it was just a promotion of one grade, Lin Ji could clearly sense that people around him were starting to treat him with caution.
Perhaps it was because some were new and not familiar with him.
But overall, it was not as carefree as in Qingyang County.
"What business do you have with me?" Lin Ji casually asked.
"Master Lin, Sun has come this time to express gratitude. If you hadn't been present last night and allowed that ghost soldier to enter the city, it would have caused a great disturbance," Sun Hai said.
"It's just my duty, no need for thanks," Lin Ji shook his head. "Although a Chief Catcher is not as swift as a Catcher Head, one must take action decisively when the situation arises."
Sun Hai smirked, attempting to smile, but it looked rather unpleasant.
Zhu Yu muttered, "The previous Chief Catcher didn't act this way."
Before she could finish her sentence, Sun Hai gave her a fierce glare, prompting her to quickly close her mouth.
Sun Hai continued, "I heard yesterday that the new Chief Catcher had arrived, and when the Catcher Head of the county below was promoted out of the ordinary, I was somewhat dissatisfied. Please don't take offense, Master Lin."
"Is that so? Did Sun Catcher Head have his eyes on the position of this Chief Catcher before?" Lin Ji was quite curious.
However, Sun Hai shook his head.
"The position of the Chief Catcher of Liangzhou could never fall to me. After all, I am just a deputy Catcher Head of the third realm. There is still Wu Fei above me, or someone from the capital city. It's definitely not me."
"Well, since Sun Catcher Head mentioned gratitude earlier, is there anything else?" Lin Ji inquired.
Sun Hai spoke frankly, "Wu Fei has been removed from his position, and the new Catcher Head of Liangcheng should be nominated and decided by Master Lin."
"In that case, you should take up the position. I am unfamiliar with the place and have no strong opinions," Lin Ji casually remarked. "You were a deputy Catcher Head before, so it's only fitting for you to be promoted."
"Thank you, Master Lin." Sun Hai had come to see Lin Ji for this reason. Unlike in Qingyang County, there were more than just him eligible to become the Catcher Head in Liangcheng.
Having achieved his goal, he visibly breathed a sigh of relief. Although this matter still needed to be approved, Master Lin was busy with many affairs and rarely concerned himself with such matters, especially since Lin Ji was his newly appointed Chief Catcher.
After Sun Hai and Zhu Yu left, Lin Ji pushed open the study window and gazed outside.
The yamen was far from quiet. Just beyond the side hall was a corridor, where many clearly non-official figures could be seen coming and going.
It was bustling with activity.
The yamen runners below were all tense, not daring to speak a word out of turn while on duty.
This reminded Lin Ji of the yamen runners in Qingyang County.
Engaging in mischief, using a stick as a pillow was a common occurrence. The stick was meant to be a deterrent, but in the tiny Qingyang County, it was hardly necessary.
Especially the night watch yamen runner, it was said that last time, a petty thief stole his money pouch while he was on duty. He went home and had a big argument with his wife, who insisted he was out philandering at night.
He wondered how that matter had ended.
Then he thought of Lu Cong, no one was whispering trivial matters in his ear anymore.
And that rough and arrogant Zhong Xiaoyan, he wondered if her haughty demeanor had softened at all.
"Qingyang County was more comfortable after all," Lin Ji sighed.
Glancing at the Chief Catcher's seal placed on the table, Lin Ji pondered for a moment, then picked up a pen and wrote an appointment letter, appointing Guo Yi to take his place as the Catcher Head of Qingyang County.
After affixing the seal, he called over his subordinates to deliver it.
After dealing with these trivial matters, it was just noon.
But Lin Ji couldn't sit still. He left the yamen, patting his buttocks, and returned to his residence.
As soon as he entered the gate, the steward, Lao Li, hurriedly greeted him.
"Is the master back for a meal? I will arrange it right away."
"No need, I'll do it myself," Lin Ji shook his head. "Where is the kitchen? Lead the way."
Following Lao Li to the kitchen, Lin Ji found three or five maids wearing aprons, sitting on the side resting.
Upon seeing Lin Ji, the maids quickly stood up and bowed in respect.
"Why aren't you cooking? Do they have to stay in the kitchen?" Lin Ji asked Lao Li.
"This was the previous rule. The former master ordered it, so the servants had to be ready to serve the master at any time."
"There are no such rules from now on. Do whatever needs to be done," Lin Ji waved his hand and added, "Leave two to help me in the kitchen, the rest can go rest. If you have nothing to do, you can go out for a walk. I don't have so many rules here."
The maids were astonished and speechless for a moment upon hearing this. The new master actually wanted to cook himself?
"Master, this..."
"Does my word not count?" Lin Ji raised an eyebrow.
Lao Li dared not say more.
"Why aren't you thanking the master?"
"Thank you, master!" the maids thanked in unison.
The sweet voices of these young girls made Lin Ji feel a bit light-headed.
After sending the maids away, Lin Ji asked the two remaining maids to wash and chop vegetables, while he started preparing a piece of good pork belly.
In less than half an hour, the kitchen was filled with a delightful aroma.
Lin Ji stood by the pot with a spatula, bustling about.
However, just as he was busy, Lao Li came again.
"Master, a guest has arrived."
"Is it from those families in the city? I don't want to see any of them," Lin Ji didn't even look up, his eyes fixed on the meat in the pot.
"It's a Taoist priest, claiming to be your friend."
"A Taoist priest? What does he look like?"
"In his early forties, quite scruffy and thin," Lao Li described.
"Take him to the dining room and wait. We'll have a meal together later," Lin Ji chuckled.
Never did he expect that Pingxin Daoist would come knocking on his door again after just arriving in Liangcheng.
Wasn't this old Daoist the one who had fled from Liangcheng to Qingyang County? How did he manage to return on his own?
Truly strange.
Shortly after, Lin Ji carried the freshly cooked twice-cooked pork, followed by two maids carrying side dishes, and arrived at the dining room.
"Master Lin, or should I say Master Lin Ji now," Pingxin Daoist stood up and bowed.
"Oh, are you still observing these formalities? Let's eat first," Lin Ji beckoned with a smile.
The sky is vast, but nothing is more important than having a full stomach.