I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 414 The Honest Official Who Could Not Procreate

Chapter 414 The Honest Official Who Could Not Procreate

"Lord Wang, Lord Wang, Lord Xiong is truly not a corrupt official!" An old man squeezed through the crowd, knelt down, looked at Wang Wenzhou sincerely, and pleaded for mercy.

"Haha!" Wang Wenzhou laughed loudly, "Lord Xiong, you're quite clever! Where did you find so many actors? The acting is quite convincing, but you think you can fool me so easily! When it comes to deception, I dare to claim second place, and no one dares to claim first!"

"Huh?" Everyone was dumbfounded. Why would Wang Qingtian say that?

"Wang Qingtian, this old man is not an actor. My name is Fu Chenghua, and I am a native of Fengxiang. During the years that Lord Xiong has governed Fengxiang, although there have been occasional disasters, the people have lived a decent life under his leadership. Compared to the surrounding prefectures and counties, the people of Fengxiang live in peace and prosperity; it is truly a paradise on earth!" Fu Chenghua said sincerely.

"Yes! Wang Qingtian, although Shaanxi is full of corrupt officials these days, Lord Xiong is truly an honest official!"

The people knelt down and begged for mercy.

Wang Wenzhou was somewhat embarrassed. Damn it, he hadn't expected to actually encounter an honest official.

"Lord Xiong, please don't be angry. I was just joking." After saying this, Wang Wenzhou cupped his hands to the people and said, "Please rise, everyone. How could I not know that Lord Xiong is an honest and upright official?"

Xiong Yingyuan bowed deeply to the people and said with deep emotion, "I thank you all for speaking up for justice."

"Lord Wang, please!" Xiong Yingyuan led Wang Wenzhou into the city.

……

After entering the city, Xiong Yingyuan and others held a welcoming banquet for Wang Wenzhou.

Wang Wenzhou frowned as he looked at the food on the table. What the hell is all this? I'm not a rabbit! This is the Ming Dynasty, wild vegetables are not allowed on the table!

Wang Wenzhou took a sip of wine from Chen Yuanyuan's mouth, looked at Xiong Yingyuan and said sarcastically, "Lord Xiong, aren't you overacting a bit, playing the role of an upright official? I am, after all, a close minister of the emperor and the military supervisor of the Northwest. Do you think I'm some kind of rabbit to be raised?"

Yang Daxun wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, inwardly grumbling, "Lord Xiong, why won't you listen to my advice? I already said that I would cover all the expenses for entertaining Lord Wang, but why won't you agree? Everyone has pride; treating Lord Wang like this is a slap in the face!"

"Haha!" Xiong Yingyuan laughed a few times, then said bitterly, "Lord Wang, you've been wronged! You want to eat delicacies, but I'm truly powerless to do so."

Wang Wenzhou laughed and cursed, "Old Xiong, stop acting with me. I know you have a conscience, unlike those bastards I killed who don't treat the people like human beings. Even if you do have a conscience, you're not stupid. Aren't you afraid that by showing me such disrespect, I'll speak ill of you to the Emperor and make things difficult for you?"

"Haha!" Xiong Yingyuan laughed loudly, "Lord Wang, I don't want to hide it from you. I am nearly seventy years old and have no other desires."

Xiong Yingyuan is sixty-six years old this year. With his seniority, he should have been promoted long ago. However, he has served as a prefect for twenty years, making him arguably the longest-serving prefect in the Ming Dynasty. The reason he hasn't been promoted is also related to his personality.

Xiong Yingyuan wasn't incapable of scheming; rather, he disdained doing so. He always felt that a scholar must have integrity, and to him, rising through flattery and sycophancy was an utter disgrace.

"That's true!" Wang Wenzhou took a sip of wine from Wang Ying's mouth and asked, "Old Xiong, you're getting old and have become indifferent to everything, but what about your son and grandson? Don't you want to pave the way for them, accumulate some good karma, and leave them some connections and resources?"

"Haha!" Xiong Yingyuan laughed loudly, "I have no sons, but my three daughters are already married."

"Hmm!" Wang Wenzhou picked up his wine glass and said in a serious tone, "Old Xiong, now I finally believe you, you really are an honest official! Come, let me toast you!"

"How could I not drink if I received such praise from Lord Wang?" Xiong Yingyuan drank it all in one gulp.

Wang Wenzhou took a sip of wine from Wang Ying's mouth and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, you see? To be an honest official in the Ming Dynasty, you have to be like Lord Xiong. Not only do you have to be childless, but you also have to live like a beggar."

"Husband!" Wang Ying complained, "How could you say that!"

"Haha!" Xiong Yingyuan said with a wry smile, "Lord Wang is right! In the Ming Dynasty, it is really too difficult to be an honest official! I often regret why I am not like my other colleagues, who travel in luxurious sedan chairs, live in fine clothes and delicacies, have beautiful wives and concubines sitting on their laps, and enjoy tea, flowers and poetry."

"It's simple! Because you're sick!" Wang Wenzhou said with a laugh.

"Haha!" Xiong Yingyuan cupped his hands and said with a smile, "Lord Wang is absolutely right! I am indeed ill! When I was young, my family was poor, and I often heard my parents sighing that the officials would not give the common people a way to live. At that time, I vowed that I would become an honest official in the future! Decades have passed, and I ask myself, I have done it!"

“But you’ve also lost your lineage!” Wang Wenzhou mocked.

Wang Ying's expression changed. Having no descendants is a difficult thing to talk about, whether in ancient or modern times; being childless and without offspring is definitely the most venomous insult during a verbal argument. Her husband had really gone too far.

"Husband, you've had too much to drink!" Wang Ying gestured to Wang Wenzhou to stop speaking sarcastically.

Xiong Yingyuan took a sip of wine and said sadly, "When I was forty, I was blessed with a son, but because I offended too many people, my son was killed by a villain! Lord Wang is right, in the Ming Dynasty, being an honest official means having no descendants!"

"Haha!" Wang Wenzhou laughed, "Old Xiong, I've decided to be your friend!"

"I've decided to befriend Lord Wang!" Xiong Yingyuan raised his wine cup and said, "Lord Wang, I'd like to offer you a toast!"

This time, Wang Wenzhou didn't drink from the baby's mouth; he held the glass himself and drank it all in one gulp. To be honest, Wang Wenzhou genuinely admired Xiong Yingyuan, but he honestly knew he couldn't be an ascetic official like Xiong Yingyuan. Putting aside everything else, without beautiful women to sleep with, living was like being a walking corpse for Wang Wenzhou.

"Old Xiong, I have a favor to ask of you. I wonder if you could help me?" Wang Wenzhou asked with a smile.

"Haha!" Xiong Yingyuan said with a wry smile, "Lord Wang is joking. In the Ming Dynasty, is there anything you cannot do? If you cannot do it, then I, with my lowly rank and insignificant position, am even less capable."

"Old Xiong, only you can really do this. Let's join forces and bring Sun Chuanting down. In my opinion, only you, Old Xiong, are fit to be the Governor of Shaanxi." Wang Wenzhou wanted Xiong Yingyuan to replace Sun Chuanting mainly because his relationship with Sun Chuanting was irreconcilable. He had killed so many of Sun Chuanting's subordinates; how could Sun Chuanting not retaliate?

"Lord Wang is joking again. How could I possibly be the governor of Shaanxi? I've served as the prefect for twenty years, and I've long since given up on any thoughts of promotion," Xiong Yingyuan said with a smile.

"That was before. Now, with my help, the governorship of Shaanxi is yours for the taking! Old Xiong, don't refuse yet. Think about it. The people of Shaanxi are suffering terribly. Doesn't Sun Chuanting bear any responsibility? He trained tens of thousands of Qin soldiers without asking the court for a single penny. Where did he get the money to train them?" Wang Wenzhou cursed, "Sun Chuanting is a bastard who only cares about his own political achievements, his own promotion and wealth, and doesn't treat the people like human beings. How can he be an official?"

Xiong Yingyuan nodded; he too was somewhat dissatisfied with Sun Chuanting's actions.

"Don't worry, Old Xiong, I will do my best to handle this matter. As long as you help me impeach Sun Chuanting, I have connections in the court and will naturally help you with the process," Wang Wenzhou said earnestly, trying to deceive people.

Xiong Yingyuan frowned. Everyone wants a promotion and a raise. He was undecided about whether to accept Wang Wenzhou's offer. After all, in his opinion, Wang Wenzhou wasn't a good person either.

Seeing Xiong Yingyuan hesitate, Wang Wenzhou sneered, "Old Xiong, are you afraid of retaliation from Sun Chuanting? This isn't like you!"

"Haha!" Xiong Yingyuan laughed loudly, "Lord Wang, there's no need to provoke me. Since Lord Wang wants to help me get promoted, why wouldn't I be happy to do so?"

"Alright! It's settled then!" Wang Wenzhou raised his glass and said with a smile, "Cheers!"

Xiong Yingyuan downed his drink in one gulp. That day, he drank too much and chatted merrily with Wang Wenzhou. Although Wang Wenzhou had a terrible reputation and was notorious for his womanizing, Xiong Yingyuan felt a sense of camaraderie with him. Although he agreed to Wang Wenzhou's request, he would never blindly follow Wang Wenzhou's orders.