Chapter 80

Men always hope to have women around them every day, even if they can't have them, just to look at and enjoy the view, to soothe their emotions. However, there is one thing: it's best if this woman is not their wife... Of course, this is not a prelude to betraying their wife, but rather a desire for freedom. Unless they are the modern-day househusbands, most men pay little attention to the details of life, so they are easily controlled by their wives in matters of food, clothing, shelter, and travel. One day of control is cozy, two days is a right, three days is a responsibility, and constant control becomes unbearable.

So, how many men look forward to their wives taking the children back to their parents' home, leaving them alone to call friends and chat all day, then stay up all night playing games, without anyone urging them to go to bed or pay their dues? Although Isun had not yet formally taken Guan Si, that little girl's natural desire to control the family had already begun to sprout. At least in front of her, Isun no longer dared to lecherously admire Yue's graceful figure, let alone touch her in a harmless way—forget it, do you really want to become the "God of Condor"?

On the way to the county, Guan Si, disguised as a book boy, controlled Isun... Well, to be more precise, she didn't really need to control him; just standing there made Isun feel restrained—this was not just about women's control, but also about men's pride and sense of responsibility. After all, when the inspector comes to inspect, the counties must quickly set up a banquet to welcome him. During the banquet, calling a few official courtesans to sing and dance is a matter of course. After the banquet, having the courtesans serve the inspector is also normal. But with Guan Si standing there, even if she doesn't voice her opposition, would Isun dare to accept these "kind offers"?

When they returned to their own estate, Isun felt as if he was constantly surrounded and monitored by Guan Si's gaze. "Little girl, it's not that I don't love you, it's not that I want to run away, but your man is a great eagle soaring in the sky, I yearn for freedom! It's only a few months, let me have my freedom once. Besides, a little separation is better than a new marriage, and there's no pot that doesn't hit the lid, the more frequent the interaction, the easier it is to cause conflicts, do you know?"

There is a third factor: Isun felt that if he continued to be intimate with Guan Si, he would not be able to resist pushing the little girl over. Although he is physically still a virgin, his mind is no longer pure. In his previous life, he had a sex life. As the saying goes, "It's easy to be a bachelor, but hard to be a widower," as his body matures, it's like filling the stove with firewood, a spark will cause trouble.

After all, Guan Si is only sixteen years old in real age, and Isun's rationality cannot bear to act. But who can always be rational, especially when emotions or even desires take over...

So, when Guan Si wanted to go with him to Chengyang to take up his post, he firmly rejected it. Guan Si asked, "Why do you want to leave me behind?" Isun said, "I won't take you, I won't take Yue or any other maids, and I can swear to the heavens that I won't touch any other woman before I touch you!" Guan Si put her hand on the hilt of her sword and asked with a cold smile, "After you touch me, you can go and touch other women, right?"

Isun said, "What can I do? I told you I am engaged, I have to marry a main wife." The little girl pouted, "I know my birth is low, I can't be the main wife, I can't compare, but other women..."

Isun tried to persuade her, but Guan Si wouldn't listen. In the end, Isun had no choice but to take her to a secluded place, then suddenly leaned in and kissed her cute pouting lips.

Guan Si was immediately petrified, her face flushed, her mouth formed an "O," and she couldn't close it for a long time. Isun tried to adjust his expression, not saying a word, just staring at her eyes with affection. After a long time, the little girl finally came to her senses and stammered, "Oh, oh, what, what are you doing?!"

Isun smiled and replied, "I'm putting a mark, you are mine, forever mine."

Guan Si awkwardly twisted her waist, lowered her head, and mumbled, "I, I know... I understand your feelings for me..." Isun almost fainted, thinking that although you look like a lolita, you should be "clear-voiced and gentle," but, but... this is really the first time I've seen it, it really doesn't suit you! You look more familiar when you glare at me and draw your sword...

Am I a masochist? So, being stabbed by Guan Si made me fall in love with her...

"Um, um~" After the little girl hesitated for a long time, she finally gathered her courage and said, "The mark just now... wasn't very clear..."

Isun thought, it doesn't matter if it's not clear, we can do it again. Since you have this request, as a man, I should do my best to fulfill my girlfriend's wish—so he pounced and hugged Guan Si. Guan Si was shocked, her eyebrows raised, and she was about to struggle, "What, what are you doing?!" Isun didn't answer, he directly kissed her on the lips, and this time he even extended his unmatched tongue...

For his first kiss in this life, Isun had three main reflections. First: Indeed, natural, unlipsticked lips feel different. Second: If this happens two more times, I will definitely make a mistake—my lower body is already hard. Third: I am too tired, next time I should let Guan Si stand on something or I should sit down and let her stand...

Finally, with Guan Si settled, in late July, Isun set off south with Wu Zhi and others to take up his post in Chengyang. After arriving, he first sent out invitations to the wealthy families in the county with assets of over 100,000, including Li Quan and Ning Ke. As for the others he saw on Li Quan's boat, only two of the Bian family were invited, while the Wei and Zhuang families actually belonged to the neighboring county of Juyang.

In the Han Dynasty, local government affairs were supported by these gentry and wealthy families. Especially in the Eastern Han, local officials had to work hard to win over these families to ensure smooth governance and achieve results. So, when County Magistrate Geng and County Chief Tu were in office, they wouldn't dare to act rashly against Ning Ke unless they coincidentally encountered a complaint from their neighbor, Old Wang. Isun, based on his memory and ideas from his previous life, was quite disgusted with these old landlords, but since he didn't plan to start a peasant uprising or "attack the rich and distribute the land," he had to put on a good face and deal with them.

When they met and exchanged greetings, Li Quan looked up and saw Isun and was greatly surprised, "Yan, Yan, Yan..." He thought, the new county magistrate is supposed to be surnamed "Zhi," not "Yan." Isun smiled slightly, "Brother Li, it's been a long time. To be honest, I am not Yang Dezu, Yang Dezu is just my good friend. I came to inspect the county in plain clothes on the orders of the Prefect, so I used my friend's name."

At this point, he suddenly straightened his neck and said loudly, "I am surnamed Isun, named Xun, with the courtesy name Hongfu. I am the nephew-in-law of the late Grand Commandant Cao Gong and the second-generation disciple of Zheng Kangcheng."

He was afraid of being looked down upon by these gentry, so he quickly raised his status. The Cao family had produced a Three Excellencies, though three fewer than the Hongnong Yang family, the status of being Cao Song's nephew-in-law was closer than the collateral branch he pretended to be (which he revealed to Li Quan and others at Leize, but the real Yang Xiu was the main branch of the Hongnong Yang family). As for "the second-generation disciple of Zheng Kangcheng," yes, he had studied with Sun Qian for three months, and Sun Qian could勉强 be considered a disciple of Zheng Xuan. In the circle of scholars, this identity was more respected than being the son-in-law of the Cao family.

Sure enough, after he said this, everyone looked at him differently, thinking that although the new county magistrate was young, he had a bright future, possibly reaching the rank of 2,000 stones, or even entering the court as a minister or secretary. Thus, during the banquet, flattery poured out, and everyone pledged to do their best to help the county magistrate govern Chengyang well.

Isun then said, "Before I came to Chengyang, I impeached County Magistrate Geng and two others, and had them dismissed. However, Chengyang only has corrupt officials, not lawless powerful families. I know that all of you are law-abiding citizens, and I will rely on you in the future. However, the province has been ravaged by war, with only three or four out of ten households remaining, and most of the land is abandoned. Not only is it difficult to collect taxes, but it seems that your livelihoods are also difficult—do you have any good strategies to offer me?"

Li Quan and others spoke up, suggesting tax cuts and stabilizing the people. Isun thought, I asked you how to deal with the difficulty of collecting taxes, and you want me to cut taxes? My political achievements largely come from tax revenue, do you understand? This group of shameless landlords, who always think of enriching themselves at the expense of the public, are half the reason the country is in trouble!

So, he changed the subject, saying, "I came here alone to take up my post, lacking servants, and my salary is only millet, making it hard to find meat and vegetables. It looks like I will have to endure a hard life for a while," and then he deliberately sighed. The gentry were not unfamiliar with the county magistrate's extortion. Ning Ke stood up first and said, "The official has saved my life, how can I not repay you sincerely? I have many pigs and sheep, and I have planted many vegetables and fruits in my fields. I will provide the official's meals from now on."

Li Quan and others quickly pledged to send some expenses, silk, or a few slaves to serve the county magistrate. This was a small expense for them, and it would be a loss to offend the county magistrate over such trivial matters.

Isun thanked them for their kindness and then brought the topic back, saying, "The difficulty in collecting taxes is due to the sparse population and the large amount of abandoned land—this year is too late, but I hope to recruit more displaced people to farm the land by the end of the year. However... the rent you collect is too high, making it difficult to attract displaced people."

At this point, the real intention was revealed, and Li Quan and others all changed their expressions.