Qing Yao

Chapter 32: The County Master's Dimensionality Attack

Zhao An, who was sitting in the county magistrate's study waiting, was quite nervous because this was his first time reporting to the county magistrate as a subordinate.

The notice was sent by Master Ji, but Master Ji and the household department went to the countryside to collect taxes, so Zhao An had to complete the report himself.

This might be an opportunity that Master Ji had deliberately sought for Zhao An, in order to strengthen Zhao An's recognition in the heart of the county magistrate while also improving his status in the yamen.

After all, the Certification Department is a temporary institution, and its office is not located in the county government office. In the eyes of many people in the government office, the Certification Department is a piece of nonsense, and they also look down on Zhao An, who was appointed as an exception by the county magistrate.

If one wants to change these people's prejudice against the Certification Department, the most effective way is not to give Zhao An, the person in charge, an official official status, but to allow him to meet with the county magistrate alone at any time.

I have to say that Master Ji really put a lot of effort into it.

County Magistrate Ding Chengen was trying a case in the front hall at the moment. The case was a rape case in which an uncle raped his niece-in-law.

Perhaps the case was rather complicated, so County Magistrate Ding did not leave the court until 3:30 pm (around 2:00 pm), while Zhao An had been waiting in the study for more than half an hour.

He didn't dare to leave the study from beginning to end. When he was really bored, he would play with the long braid that he hated but dared not to keep.

If he hadn't insisted on unwrapping and washing this thing every day, it would have gone rancid in the middle of summer.

Returning to the study with the county magistrate was Mr. Jiang, the lawyer in charge of criminal cases, the old man who held two iron balls in his hands all day long.

Perhaps because the case being tried today was immoral, County Magistrate Ding was very unhappy. As soon as he entered the room, he said to Mr. Jiang, "The case is basically clear, so there's no need to ask any more questions. Have the registration office issue an arrest warrant and bring the criminal Tang Wen to the county. Then, prepare the case file and submit it directly to the Ministry of Justice."

Seeing Zhao An bowing respectfully, he nodded slightly.

Jiang Shiye also nodded and greeted Zhao An, but just as the County Master sat down behind the desk, he spoke out, "County Master, as far as I know, the grandfather of the criminal Tang Wen was once the prefect of Ganzhou, Jiangxi. His father, Tang Shaoqin, was a Juren (Juren) but also served as a professor in Haizhou. Tang Wen himself was also a Xiuren (Scholar). The Tang family is quite powerful in this area, and I heard that his wife's family was a bannerman of the Han army."

"Oh?"

After hearing what Master Jiang said, County Magistrate Ding couldn't help but frown, "With such a family background and a reputation as a man of honor, how could Tang Wen do such a shameful thing?"

Master Jiang chuckled, "Even the County Magistrate noticed Luo's beauty. I'm afraid Tang Wen was just confused for a moment."

"Confused for a moment?"

County Magistrate Ding snorted slightly, shook his head, and said, "Even if it was a moment of confusion, an uncle raping his niece's wife is unjust. If this county doesn't enforce the law impartially, how can we protect the people of this area?"

Jiang Shiye obviously had other ideas, but he said, "Your Excellency, please forgive my frankness, but this case should not exist."

County Magistrate Ding was puzzled: "Why do you say that, sir?"

Mr. Jiang hurriedly explained, "Your Excellency, the Qing Dynasty law clearly states that all cases of adultery must be filed by the husband. However, Luo's husband did not file a complaint with the government. It was Luo's brother from her mother's family who did. Therefore, according to the law, Your Excellency can dismiss this case."

"Strange, why didn't Luo's husband come to the government office to file a complaint?"

Master Jiang didn't even need to answer Magistrate Ding's question, Zhao An could have solved it all. It was nothing more than the fact that he was his uncle and the family scandal should not be made public.

Sure enough, Master Jiang said the same thing and gave the county magistrate a clear signal that someone from the Tang family was taking action. If the county magistrate was willing to make a big deal out of a small matter, or a small matter out of nothing, he would have a huge income.

County Magistrate Ding did not immediately express his attitude. He just sat there quietly looking out the window. After a dozen breaths, he finally heard the words: "Since the Qing Dynasty law has clear provisions, how can this county, as a law enforcer, knowingly break the law? How about this? You go and talk to Tang Wen and ask him to give more money to his nephew, and then ask his nephew to persuade his wife to withdraw the lawsuit. In this way, it will be difficult for this county to force a judgment." "Yes, Your Excellency!"

Mr. Jiang was an old hand at handling such matters, so he didn't need the county lord to point out the details. He immediately went to take care of the matter for the county lord.

The two of them had no secrets about their conversation with Zhao An. Even though Zhao An knew that the county magistrate in front of him was shameless and extremely greedy, he was completely speechless at this moment.

Just as he was secretly cursing Ding Chengen for being so greedy, County Magistrate Ding addressed him, "I heard from Mr. Ji that you've already started the task assigned to you by the county. How's it going?"

"Return to the county lord,"

Zhao An instinctively took a small step forward and bowed, saying, "According to the County Magistrate's instructions, our office is concentrating on persuading vendors of all sizes in the county to improve their craftsmanship and actively participate in certification to ensure that the interests of the people are not harmed. We are treating this matter as a decisive battle. It has now entered the final stage of victory. So far, we have received 14,682 taels and 320 wen. I estimate that after the persuasion is completed, we can collect at least another 10,000 taels."

"Oh, you've collected so much in just a few days?"

The county magistrate, who was in urgent need of money, smiled happily. The more he looked at the smart young man in front of him, the happier he became. "Sit down, sit down and talk."

"Thank you, County Master, for the seat!"

Just like last time, Zhao An only landed half way.

"I originally thought it would take at least half a month to see results, but I didn't expect you to accomplish it so quickly. Not bad, not bad, it's worth the county's training."

The county magistrate rubbed his beard lightly, feeling very relieved.

Zhao An was certainly humble when he received the compliment, so he lifted his hips slightly and said sincerely, "The Certification Department's achievements today are all due to the County Master's good guidance. This little contribution of my students is not worth mentioning."

The county magistrate was very happy to hear this: "How can it be unworthy of mention? You should give a big mention to Xiao Zhao. You should work hard. Your performance is seen by the county. We will definitely not treat you unfairly. Talents are hard to come by."

Then he changed the subject and said, "However, when you are actually doing your job, you must also pay attention to your reputation and not bring discredit to the county. This matter should still be based on persuasion, and you must not act recklessly."

What this means is that even if there are unruly people who refuse to pay, you who are on the front line can teach them a lesson, but you must be careful about the scale of this lesson.

If you really beat someone to death, this county will not take the blame for you.

"Don't worry, County Master, we will never dare to bring shame to you and the county. We also strictly require the department and external personnel to check for shortcomings and deficiencies in the persuasion process and correct them as soon as they are discovered.
"To always be concerned and ensure that everything is done properly is the best teaching you can give to students, and it is also the best way for students to repay your kindness!"

Zhao An spoke without thinking, and his words left the county magistrate stunned: Did he say that he was always worried and wanted to ensure that everything was done?

After a while, he came back to his senses and coughed lightly, saying seriously:

"Xiao Zhao, I'm glad you took my teachings to heart. However, some people may not understand my earnest intentions as well as you do. So I hope you'll strictly enforce this when you return. Strictness is paramount and will be maintained to the end. Anyone who dares to use this to harass the people will be arrested and shown no mercy!"

"."

Zhao An was stunned when he heard this. Why did this sound so familiar?

(End of this chapter)