Chapter 119: Bereavement Compensation

"Chief Clerk Zheng, why haven't the pensions for the yamen runners and local militia who died in the battle at Mount Yunhua been distributed yet?"

In the Chief Clerk's office, Shang Lu posed the question bluntly.

Upon hearing this, Clerk Zheng Quan’s first instinct was to fly into a rage and order Shang Lu to get out. As the man who held absolute power in Luoshui County, he was always the one questioning others; never had he been interrogated in such a manner. Even the County Magistrate dared not speak to him like this!

However, the words died on his lips. Shang Lu currently enjoyed the deep trust of Feng Boyuan; if he offended Shang Lu, he would certainly face dire consequences. Thus, even the habitually overbearing Zheng Quan had to suppress his irritation, forcing a smile as he replied, "I have simply been too busy and haven't had the chance to attend to it."

"Truly too busy?"

Shang Lu sneered, clearly not believing the excuse. Pensions did not require Zheng Quan to distribute them personally. Even if he were swamped, could he not have sent a few subordinates to deliver the funds? Those dead runners and militiamen might have been counting on that money just to afford a coffin for burial.

Shang Lu strongly suspected that Zheng Quan was eyeing the money for himself. After all, the man had a history of this, having once supported the Black Wind Gang just to make extra coin. And now, having spent a significant sum to extract himself from the case involving the falsification of merit records, Zheng Quan was short on cash. It was not impossible for him to resort to desperate measures and target the pension funds.

"Truly too busy!"

Regardless of whether Zheng Quan had devious intentions, he would never admit to it. "You know as well as I do that with the situation at the secret realm, the entire yamen has been driven to madness. That is why the distribution of the pensions was delayed..."

Zheng Quan stuck to his story about being too busy. Lacking evidence, Shang Lu could not press him further. However, he issued a warning: "Chief Clerk Zheng, there must be no issues with these pensions. If the families of the deceased are driven to desperation and come to the yamen to demand answers, and an official from the Witch Bureau or the Prefecture happens to see it, the consequences will be something you cannot afford!"

Zheng Quan’s expression darkened. Unable to vent his anger, he had to nod in agreement, forcing a smile as he thanked Shang Lu for the reminder. The feeling in his heart was beyond awkward.

Changing the subject, Shang Lu followed up on Zheng Quan's earlier claim: "Since you are too busy to spare the time, just hand the pensions over to me. I happen to be heading out to inspect the county, and I can deliver these funds to the families of the fallen brothers along the way."

"This..." Zheng Quan hesitated.

"What, Chief Clerk? Are you reluctant to part with the money? Or do you not trust me?" Shang Lu’s tone sounded like a joke, but his words were sharp.

Zheng Quan could hear the sting clearly. He cursed inwardly, yet still had to smile and say, "County Lieutenant Shang, you jest. If you are willing to take on this trouble, that would be for the best."

He immediately summoned a clerk, ordering him to retrieve the register of the deceased and hand it to Shang Lu. The register contained not only the names of the dead but also their hometowns, addresses, and family information, ensuring the pensions could be accurately delivered. Subsequently, Zheng Quan had his personal assistant accompany Shang Lu to the treasury to collect the funds.

Once Shang Lu left the office, the fire within Zheng Quan finally erupted. With a loud "boom," he overturned his desk, sending files and documents crashing to the floor. The clerks in the office lowered their heads, terrified that Zheng Quan would vent his fury on them, all while exchanging silent, panicked glances.

For all these years, this was the first time they had seen the Chief Clerk fly into such a helpless, impotent rage.

Outside the treasury, the assistant presented the Chief Clerk’s authorization. After the treasury clerk verified the documents, the funds were released. Only after Shang Lu counted the total and confirmed it was correct did he affix his seal.

Though called "pension silver," there was little actual silver; most were strings of copper coins, packed into several heavy bags. Given Shang Lu’s strength, carrying these bags was no problem at all. However, as a newly promoted County Lieutenant, he had to maintain a sense of authority. He sent the assistant to summon Du Feng and Liu Zhi from the Third Section.

Liu Zhi, the bailiff, dropped everything upon hearing that Shang Lu had summoned him, rushing over with Du Feng.

Shang Lu looked at the two and spoke without preamble: "I need men by my side. From now on, both of you will serve directly under me."

Du Feng and Liu Zhi were overjoyed. Liu Zhi, in particular, agreed repeatedly, almost swearing an oath of loyalty on the spot. Serving under the County Lieutenant was a coveted position, far better than being a mere bailiff.

Shang Lu had considered his choice carefully. Du Feng, though not highly skilled in cultivation, was loyal, and many tasks could be safely entrusted to him. As for Liu Zhi, their previous cooperation had been excellent. Furthermore, having served as a bailiff for many years, Liu Zhi was not only meticulous but possessed a wealth of investigative experience, making him an excellent deputy.

Liu Zhi, sharp-eyed as ever, saw the money bags on the ground and immediately took the initiative to shoulder several of them. Du Feng followed suit, hoisting the rest, and asked curiously, "Chief Lu... no, County Lieutenant, why are you taking so much money?"

Shang Lu replied, "These are the pensions for our fallen brothers. You will accompany me to deliver them to their families."

Liu Zhi hesitated and asked, "Sir, you are going to deliver them personally? And to their homes?"

"Why, is there a problem?" Shang Lu retorted.

Liu Zhi shook his head quickly: "No problem at all. I’m just touched. In the past, whenever something happened to the brothers, whether it was for medicine or pensions, we had to come to the yamen ourselves to beg for it, and sometimes we were even harassed by those clerks..."

Du Feng grunted, "The County Lieutenant is one of our own; he is not like those high-and-mighty officials."

Liu Zhi didn't dare say such things in the yamen, but he nodded in agreement.

Shang Lu did not make them carry the bags on foot. Instead, he led them to the yamen stables. The yamen kept official horses, but because their numbers were limited and Shang Lu’s rank had previously been too low, he had never been qualified to ride one. But things were different now; he was the County Lieutenant, the third-in-command of Luoshui County—perhaps even the second-in-command, as the Magistrate was entirely hands-off.

Shang Lu not only selected an official horse for himself but also arranged mounts for Du Feng and Liu Zhi.

Du Feng was worried upon hearing he would be given a horse: "I don't know how to ride."

Shang Lu laughed, "Neither do I, but we can learn. You can't expect me and Old Liu to ride while you run behind us, can you? Not to mention whether your stamina could hold up, you’d be exhausted to the point of collapse before the day was out."

Liu Zhi comforted him: "Don't worry. The yamen’s horses are different from ordinary ones. You'll see once you get on; it's quite simple."

The three arrived at the stables. Upon seeing the horses, Shang Lu was stunned. He had been in this world for several months and had seen many horses—whether those sold in the market or those ridden by the Black Wind Gang—they were all much like the horses of his previous life.

However, the official horses in the yamen were significantly larger and more powerful! He could even sense waves of formidable energy emanating from them.

Sensing strangers, the horses turned their heads in unison, their gazes sharp and piercing. It startled Du Feng: "Are these horses, or wild beasts?"

Liu Zhi, who knew more about these horses, introduced them: "These official horses are enchanted by Witch Bureau officials from a young age, and their feed is different from ordinary horses, which is why they grow so large and fierce. They aren't just for show; their speed and endurance are superior, and they have combat capabilities. Most importantly, these horses are highly intelligent and easy to control..."

At that moment, the stable hand in charge came out to greet them. After bowing to Shang Lu, he took over from Liu Zhi:

"Bailiff Liu is correct. These horses are one of the masterpieces of the Witch Academy. Look, County Lieutenant, at the witch-runes on their bodies. These allow them to better follow a rider's commands. When necessary, these runes can be activated to make the horses even stronger. However, that drains the horse's vitality, so it should not be done lightly..."

Under the stable hand's guidance, they soon selected their horses. The groom taught them how to use the witch-runes and provided tips on communicating with and controlling the mounts, finishing by handing them several bags of special feed for the road.

Just as Liu Zhi had said, the horses were highly intelligent. Aided by the witch-runes, even though Shang Lu and Du Feng were inexperienced, they mastered the basics after a short trial. They were far from achieving the "unity of man and horse," but riding them for transport was no problem.

Shang Lu had Du Feng and Liu Zhi load the money bags onto the horses, and the three led their mounts out of the yamen.

On the way, they encountered several yamen runners. Not daring to speak to Shang Lu, they quietly asked Du Feng and Liu Zhi where they were taking the money bags.

"We're going to deliver the pensions for our fallen brothers!" Du Feng and Liu Zhi announced loudly. "The County Lieutenant is going himself! He is going to hand the pensions to the families of the fallen brothers with his own hands!"

The runners were both surprised and skeptical. Officials were usually high above them; would he really hand-deliver pensions to mere runners and militia?

Driven by curiosity, some followed them. They watched as the trio visited several homes in the county, witnessing Shang Lu personally hand the pensions to the grieving families. Not only that, but Shang Lu sat with the parents of the deceased, offering words of gratitude and comfort, and promised: "If anyone bullies you in the future, come to the yamen and find me. I will see that justice is done for you!"

The runners who had followed them bowed to Shang Lu after witnessing this. Who wouldn't want to be respected? Who wouldn't want to know that after they died, their families would receive their pensions without being bullied?

Soon, the news spread throughout the Luoshui yamen, and the prestige of the new County Lieutenant soared through word of mouth.

Shang Lu was unaware of this, for by then he had already left the county seat.

He first led Du Feng and Liu Zhi to Mount Yunhua. After an on-site inspection, he identified several issues, recorded them, and ordered the local runners to send word back to the county seat, instructing Chief Bailiff Niu and the others to come up with solutions as soon as possible.

Once finished at Mount Yunhua, Shang Lu took his men toward Shuanggui Village. Along the way, he stopped to deliver the pensions of two more militiamen.

At one of the homes, no one was there. Asking the neighbors, they learned that the family had taken a feng shui master up the mountain to inspect a burial site. The three had to leave, planning to return later.

However, just as they were leaving the village, they encountered the returning relatives of the militiaman, accompanied by a feng shui master who looked truly ethereal and otherworldly.