The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 199 The Great Official Turns the Tide
Let me explain the composition of the positions held by the "big fathers".

An official position consists of three parts: official rank, post, and duties.

Official positions are further divided into "substantive official," "hereditary official," and "salaried official" positions, where officials are not required to perform official duties (e.g., high-ranking officials are semi-salaried, and some minor tasks can be delegated to staff). — Jinwuwei Thousand-Household Commander, Fifth Rank

[Official Title: Determining Honorary Titles] - Academician of the Imperial Academy
[The one who truly decides what to do and what authority they have] – the Chief Censor
This is why many people, though of low rank, are high-ranking officials with great power—because the positions they hold are powerful.

Furthermore, Song Dynasty official robes did not have bear-patterned patches, but the original text does.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The official looked at the scene with great satisfaction. He reined in his horse, turned around, and glanced at his servants and thugs, who, though wounded, still looked fierce and had green eyes. He then casually flicked his whip towards the Ximen residence:
"Men! Follow me—back to the manor!"

"Awooo—!" "Master is mighty!" "Time to go back to the manor and collect your reward!"

The horde of ravenous servants howled incessantly, like a chaotic dance of demons!
One by one, chests puffed out and bellies bulging, they surrounded Ximen Qing's fine horse, strutting about with arrogance, ready to surge out of this hellish scene.

Just then, the bamboo strips of Ying Bojue, Xie Xida, Chang Zhijie, and a few other hangers-on appeared!
Their faces were beaming with smiles that could melt half a pound of honey; they followed closely behind the stirrups with tiny, quick steps; their mouths seemed to be smeared with sesame oil; and a few even knelt down with a thud.
"Oh my goodness! My dear brother! This is incredible! This is incredible! Congratulations, sir! Congratulations on your promotion!!"

"This is truly a joyous occasion! Brother, you've brought a dragon back to the sea and a tiger back to the mountains!"

"The brothers had already consulted a fortune teller about your birth chart, and they said that you, Uncle, have a radiant forehead and a bright official star! Today it has indeed come true! You are the reincarnation of the Wenqu and Wuqu stars, and the Ziwei star descended to earth..."

Although they spoke warmly, they were all extremely cautious, ready to kneel down and kowtow to apologize as soon as the official raised an eyebrow.

The high-ranking official sat high on his horse, glancing sideways at the few lively fellows at his feet, a playful smile playing on his lips.

He flicked his riding whip lightly, looking down at me with a laugh and a curse: "Shut up! Don't spout this tasteless nonsense in front of me! We're all brothers, why all this fancy stuff? Get up, get up! Isn't the ground cold?"

"Oh! Thank you so much, Uncle!"

"Dad! You are like a second father to us!"

"Our elder brother treats us like brothers... This... This is too much for us! It's too much for our ancestors!"

The sound of "brother" from Ying Bojue and the others made their skin crawl, and they were so excited that their faces turned as red as pig liver, and they didn't know where to put their hands and feet.

This "brother" is not the same as before!
Who is calling me brother today? It's none other than the dignified fifth-rank official, the Chief Censor!

A proper and legitimate official of the imperial court!
In the past, let alone calling out "brothers," they would have scurried away and hidden behind the wall as soon as they saw the official carriage with its green canopy and black-clad servants leading the way!

The way everyone was so grateful, as if they wanted to give their hearts and souls to Brother Ximen as a snack, was ten times happier than if their own wives had given birth to a healthy baby boy!
The official laughed heartily: "Alright! Once I've settled in after taking office, everyone come to the manor, get a few jars of good wine, and have a good time!"

Amidst a chorus of obsequious agreement, the official gently nudged his horse's belly.

The chrysanthemum-patterned horse neighed loudly, carrying the newly appointed chief magistrate. Surrounded by a crowd of admirers, it trod through the blood and grime in front of the Tongchifang brothel, heading towards the still brightly lit Ximen Mansion as the sky gradually brightened.

The official led everyone to the front of his mansion, while the others went around to the guard courtyard in the back.

Lai Bao'er was already shivering at the gate, rubbing his hands and breathing out white breaths to keep warm. He rushed to the front of the horse, taking the reins with practiced ease: "Uncle! You're finally back! I'm freezing!"

He exhaled white breath, but his face was full of ingratiating smiles. "Everything has been taken care of! As you instructed, Jin Chuan'er has been properly delivered to Madam Lin at Wang Zhaoxuan's residence."

He glanced at Ximen Qing's expression and quickly added, "But... when that Miss Jin was suddenly sent over, she was so frightened that her face turned pale. She thought that the master didn't want her anymore, and she knelt down in the courtyard with a 'thump,' kowtowing to me, tears streaming down her face!"

"How could I dare accept that? I was so scared that I jumped far away! I tried to persuade her and told her that the contract was still in your hands, Uncle, and that she was just being lent to Madam Lin's mansion for a few days to learn the rules and discipline her maid. I promised to bring her back later."

"She was half-believing, half-doubting, and got up sobbing. She smiled through her tears and said she would wait for her uncle to pick her up and would definitely do what her uncle asked her to do. Her eyes were swollen like peaches... Alas, she was a pitiful child."

"Hmph, they're all unfortunate souls!" The official sighed, shook his head, dismounted, and asked, "How many taels of silver did you take from her to speak up for her?"

Lai Bao was startled and quickly knelt down: "Uncle, she did offer it, but I didn't take it! However, everything Lai Bao said is true!"

The official kicked out and said, "Alright, get up! It's good that you know the rules!"

Suddenly, he raised an eyebrow: "Hey? Speaking of which, you old codger! In the dark, freezing like a quail, why didn't you stay in a warm room like a corpse, instead of spending the whole night here waiting for me?"

Lai Bao, holding the horse's reins with one hand and casually supporting Ximen Qing's elbow with the other, plastered a fawning smile on his face upon hearing this:

"Oh, my dear father! You personally led Dai'an to seek justice. Even if I had the guts of a bear and the gall of a leopard, I wouldn't dare to stay in bed with my wife by myself!"

He took a breath, gestured with his chin toward the brightly lit inner courtyard, and lowered his voice: "It's not just me who's awake, everyone inside is anxiously waiting for news from you, Father, with the lights on and ears pricked up. Everyone in this mansion is focused on you, Father!"

The official patted Lai Bao on the shoulder with considerable force, causing Lai Bao to stagger: "Then you can forget about getting into bed again!"

The official pointed to the faintly white sky in the east, "It's almost dawn, and your official robes will probably be delivered soon. You should hurry back, tidy yourself up, change into presentable clothes, and in another hour or so, come with me to take up my post!"

Upon hearing the words "take office," Lai Bao felt as refreshed as if he had drunk a bowl of ice-cold plum juice on a sweltering summer day, feeling invigorated from head to toe!
This was a momentous occasion that would bring glory to his ancestors, and he couldn't contain his joy. He knelt down with a "plop," not caring that the ground was cold, and thumped his head three times.

"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle! Thank you for your promotion, Uncle! I will go and make preparations right away. I will bring glory to my ancestors and show off my power today!"

Having said that, without waiting for Ximen Qing to give any further instructions, he got up, grabbed his horse, and galloped towards the stable with the wind in his step, his back view exuding an irrepressible sense of pride.

The official strode into the hall, and a warm fragrance mixed with the scent of cosmetics wafted towards him.

Moon Lady was the first to greet him, her face showing some weariness from staying up all night, but her eyes were strained with energy. She said, "My good husband! You've finally come home! I was so worried all night, it almost killed me!"

Before he finished speaking, Pan Jinlian, Li Guijie, Xiangling, and the others had already swarmed around him like a beehive.

Her hairpins swayed wildly in the lamplight, and her hair was a little loose, clearly showing that she had been sitting there for half the night, waiting anxiously.

Jin Lian'er was the most clever and quick-witted. She had already brought over a cup of warm, fragrant tea, but without handing it to him, she directly brought it to Ximen Qing's lips, her eyes glancing at him sideways, her voice both sweet and crisp:
"My dear father! You're finally back! My heart was in my throat, I was so afraid that you would suffer some injustice in that lawless and unruly place!"

As she spoke, a button on the collar of her tightly wrapped peach-colored silk jacket had come undone, revealing a section of her fair neck, which gleamed with a white, fleshy sheen.

Li Guijie secretly rolled her eyes at Jinlian'er and hurriedly said, "Auntie can't sit still, she can't stand still, she's paced around the room countless times, she must have muttered it a hundred times!"

With her sharp eyes, she noticed some dust on the hem of the official's robe, and hurriedly squatted down to carefully brush it clean with her slender fingertips.

Xiangling held a hot, damp handkerchief in her hand, and whenever she had a spare moment, she quickly wiped the master's face and sweat. The heat from the handkerchief penetrated right into his skin.

When Yue Niang saw this, she laughed and said, "Xiang Ling, that little hussy, is quite thoughtful! All night long, she kept adding hot water to the basin, only to have it cool down again. She ran back and forth countless times, hoping that you could have some hot water when you came back!"

Only Meng Yulou stood silently in the lamplight a little behind, her almond-shaped eyes scrutinizing her closely.

Ximen Qing took a sip of warm tea from Jin Lian'er's hand, and a warm current flowed down his stomach, making his internal organs feel comfortable.

He looked around at the group of women, their faces adorned with flowers and their voices melodious, and felt a surge of pleasure. He laughed and said:

"Enough! Enough! Enough! I've kept you all waiting. Stop wasting your time here and go back to your rooms to rest! The new official robes will arrive at daybreak, and that will be my first day in office! I'll be busy receiving the seal at the yamen, parading through the streets, and returning home. I'll also be receiving invitations and congratulatory gifts. There's something else very important—"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the women: "Tomorrow at noon, the manor will host a grand banquet to entertain all the important figures in the county! The food, drinks, singers, and servants—everything, inside and out, must be carefully arranged!"

"If we're not well-prepared, and our household loses face and prestige, wouldn't those guests laugh their heads off behind our backs? Go! All of you, go to sleep! Get plenty of rest so you can put on a good show for your master in this grand occasion!"

Upon hearing this, Yue Niang's heart skipped a beat.

She knew all too well that countless eyes would be on the newly rich Ximen family tomorrow, and the slightest mistake could become the laughingstock of the entire city.

The tenderness and weariness on her face vanished instantly, replaced by the solemnity of a matriarch. She nodded repeatedly, saying, "My lord is absolutely right! I was just confused by my joy. This is a matter of great importance, concerning your future and the reputation of our entire household. We cannot afford to make any mistakes!"

She immediately turned around, straightened her back, and instructed Jin Lian'er, Gui Jie, and the others: "Did you all hear what the master said? Now disperse! Go back to your rooms and get some rest! You need to be well-rested so you'll have the strength to cope when it's light! If anyone messes up tomorrow or disgraces the household, you'll be in big trouble!"

The women all abandoned their previous coquettish and charming demeanor, lowered their heads and obediently replied "Yes," then quietly dispersed, gathering their robes.

Only Pan Jinlian lingered, and just before stepping out the door, she turned back and gave the master a coquettish yet resentful look.
His eyes held a honey-like allure, a deep sense of resentment.

Seeing this, Yue Niang frowned slightly and urged, "Jinlian! Hurry up! What are you dawdling for!" Only then did Jinlian sway her slender waist and leave reluctantly.

In an instant, the once lively hall fell silent, with only the occasional soft popping of lamp wicks and the low voice of the Moon Goddess assigning duties to the night watchwomen.

Yue Niang's gaze swept over everyone and landed on Meng Yulou, who was standing quietly a little later.

Yue Niang's mind raced, and she softened her voice, saying to Meng Yulou, "Yulou, you've only just arrived at the manor, and you're not yet familiar with the rules and customs. Tomorrow's banquet in the main hall will be crowded and complicated, so you don't need to go and help out."

She paused, looking at Yu Lou's slightly lowered head, and continued, "Master has been traveling for several days and is exhausted. You will help him bathe and change his clothes, be careful, and make sure he goes to his post looking neat and tidy. This is a very important task, understand?"

Meng Yulou was caught off guard by being called out, and her heart tightened. She hurriedly answered, her voice barely audible, with a slight tremor: "Yes...yes, Auntie, Yulou...Yulou understands."

The official was in high spirits, as he was about to be promoted the next day. Seeing the timid and shy appearance of this tall, mature woman, which was quite interesting compared to the coquettish and proactive behavior of Jin Lian'er and the other two, he did not object and let Yue Niang make the arrangements.

Meng Yulou then followed Ximen Qing into the bathhouse.

Inside, a stove was already burning, and a maid had prepared a large pot of boiling hot fragrant soup. White steam filled the air, carrying the warm and cloying aroma of agarwood.

The bathtub had fine brass hoops, polished to a gleaming shine, reflecting the candlelight and water. A snow-white bath towel and a brand-new set of everyday clothes were draped on a shelf beside it.

After the official entered, he casually opened his arms, waiting for her to undress.

Yu Lou took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, and stepped forward.

Her fingers were slightly cool, and with the clumsiness of a newcomer, she tried to untie the jade-inlaid silk sash around the master's waist. The clasp was exquisitely made, and she was nervous. She fumbled around for a while but couldn't untie it, and her fingertips accidentally brushed against Ximen Qing's robe.

She panicked so much that her hand trembled, and she let out a soft "Ah!" as beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

The official didn't urge her, but only looked down at her flustered movements and the delicate, white neck exposed when she lowered her head, a faint smile playing on his lips.

After finally managing to undo the outer robe, it was time to unbutton the inner garment.

The buttons were smaller and closer together, and Yu Lou's fingers became increasingly unresponsive. She unbuttoned two, but the third one seemed to get stuck. With a strong pull, a soft "snap" was heard, and the button was ripped off! A small, intricately patterned button rolled onto the floor, spinning around.

"This servant...this servant deserves to die!" Meng Yulou was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she hurriedly tried to squat down to pick it up.

"Never mind, what's a button worth?" the official joked. "Your hands are quite clumsy!"

Yu Lou blushed crimson, almost to the point of bleeding, and whispered, "Master, please forgive me..."

Having finally removed all his clothes, Ximen Qing stepped into the bathtub, the hot water making him sigh with pleasure.

Yu Lou composed herself, picked up the loofah and bath beans, and began to scrub his back. But she was completely unaware of the appropriate pressure, sometimes as light as a tickle, and sometimes so heavy that Ximen Qing hissed.

She couldn't hold onto the bath beans; they slipped from her hand and fell into the water with a "plop," splashing up a lot of water, with a few drops even landing on the official's face.

The official wiped his face, but wasn't really angry. He simply closed his eyes and let her do whatever she wanted.

The bathroom was filled with steam, and the scent of agarwood mingled with the heat from the man's skin, making Meng Yulou's cheeks even hotter.

She carefully rubbed the man's broad back with a loofah, her face flushed with embarrassment.

The official closed his eyes, feeling the touch that was like scratching an itch through a boot, and suddenly chuckled, breaking the thick silence in the room.

He turned his head slightly, glancing sideways at the uneasy little figure behind him: "What? Look at how inexperienced you are. Did you never serve your man a bath before in your own house?"

Meng Yulou was nervous when he was suddenly asked a question, and his heart skipped a beat, and he stopped what he was doing.

She was so ashamed that she didn't dare to lift her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum, carrying a hint of barely perceptible grievance and stubbornness: "Replying to...replying to Master, this servant...this servant was previously managing two shops by herself, inside and out, managing the accounts, supporting the shops, and taking care of the food, clothing, and daily necessities of more than a dozen people in that mansion...I was busy all day long, how...how could I have time to serve him?"

The "he" she was referring to was naturally her deceased ex-husband.

Upon hearing this, the official's lips curled into a knowing yet slightly amused smile. He turned around and leaned against the tub, the water rippling and revealing his muscular chest.

Under the steaming hot water, his gaze was intense, and he looked Yu Lou up and down without any hesitation. Her lowered pink neck and her chest, which was rising and falling slightly due to nervousness, were clearly visible.

"Oh? No wonder..." he drawled, his tone laced with blatant intimacy, "No wonder you haven't left any offspring for that family all these years. So that's why..."

He paused deliberately before lowering his voice, leaning close to her ear, almost touching her burning earlobe, and speaking in a hoarse, suggestive tone that only the two of them could hear:
"I've heard that in my hometown there are some old houses where the owners are away all year round, with their doors tightly locked. If a stranger were to open the door, the vermilion-lacquered porch, every ten feet inside, would be like freshly planed nanmu wood, carrying a raw, woody fragrance. I've also heard that there are tightly locked treasure boxes, and if the key is easy to break but hard to open, every millimeter of the keyhole would shine with an unpolished gleam. Tsk tsk, these novel sights are indeed rare... I wonder if you've ever seen them?"

Meng Yulou was somewhat puzzled upon hearing this: "Reporting to Master, I have never seen him before!"

The official laughed heartily, turned around, and waded back into the bathtub: "Really never seen this before?"

Meng Yulou was startled, and suddenly his whole body trembled violently!

She felt a surge of heat rush from the tips of her ears to the top of her head, then spread throughout her limbs. She was so ashamed that she almost fainted. Her body trembled like a leaf in the autumn wind, and she even lost her grip on the wet loofah in her hand, which fell into the water with a "plop" and floated on the surface.

"Master... has seen me," she stammered, her voice trembling and choked with sobs. She couldn't utter a single complete sentence beyond those two words.

Seeing her utterly embarrassed yet charming demeanor, the official couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He was exhausted from days of travel and with his new post just around the corner. He chuckled and didn't press the matter further. He simply reached out and gently scraped the burning cheek with his wet fingers, leaving a cool, damp mark.

"Alright, alright, look how scared you were." The official withdrew his hand, leaning back against the tub, his tone languid, tinged with weariness. "I'm tired. Yulou, I... I'm really looking forward to you putting your heart into it. If you do a good job, wear it for me to see..."

His voice trailed off, his eyelids grew heavy, and the last few words were almost indistinct, "...Don't...disappoint the master..."

Before he could finish speaking, heavy breathing began. Amidst the rising steam, Ximen Qing, head resting against the edge of the tub, had fallen into a deep sleep.

In the bathroom, only rising steam remained.

The loofah sponge that had just slipped from my grasp was now floating shakily on the water's surface, like a drifting duckweed.

Meng Yulou composed herself and gently pressed her soft, slightly rough skin against his broad, mountain-like shoulders and back with extremely gentle and slow pressure.

She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the water, no longer the female shopkeeper who was struggling to maintain appearances amidst abacuses, ledgers, and calculations.

At this moment, the woman clumsily pinching the loofah in the water's reflection is merely an insignificant little maidservant who needs to hold her breath and concentrate on serving the only man in front of her.

It turns out... I wasn't born with a love for that kind of physically demanding, public-facing work.

However… I've never tasted anything like this before—

Her hands, which were still clumsy and even a little stiff, were massaging, but her movements were gradually becoming less precarious and more submissive.

As dawn approached, a sliver of pale light peeked through the windowpanes. All around was quiet, save for the occasional chirping of sparrows under the eaves.

It was another ordinary morning in Qinghe County.

The celebratory drumbeats suddenly erupted in the street, dense and urgent, like a torrential downpour in the sweltering heat of summer.

The sound of the gong was like the rumbling of thunder, and the drumbeats were like the pattering of raindrops as big as beans, pouring down without warning, threatening to flood and boil the entire street!
Following closely behind, firecrackers and volleyballs, one after another, showed off their prowess.

The earthquake caused a massive upheaval in Qinghe County!

The shaking made the doors and windows of the surrounding houses tremble!

The shock was so great that the people of Qinghe County surged out of alleys, teahouses, taverns, and small houses as if boiling water had been poured into an anthill!

In an instant, the street was teeming with people, shoulder to shoulder.

The ones in front craned their necks to look out, like a flock of geese fighting for food; the ones in the middle stood on tiptoe to look around, just like grasshoppers in the ground.
Those behind couldn't squeeze in and were so anxious they scratched their heads, wishing their parents had given them two inches shorter.

Peddlers and laborers put down their wares, shopkeepers clung to doorframes, and even the young ladies in their secluded chambers peeked out from behind the curtains of their embroidered chambers, their almond-shaped eyes darting down—

The entire city was captivated by the gongs, drums, and firecrackers, crowding the long street, all just to catch a glimpse of the newly appointed "Master Ximen, the Chief Censor" in his magnificent presence!

"Lord Ximen Qingtian has taken office! The great official has arrived! And now we have justice!"

The shout arose abruptly, sharp and obsequious, and it was none other than Ying Bojue, Xie Xida, Chang Zhijie, and their cronies!

Their faces turned bright red, and their voices cracked from shouting. They volunteered to grab the gong hammers and firecrackers, leading the way by banging gongs and setting off firecrackers to clear the path!
But look at that high-ranking official from Shandong Province, Ximen, who was a fifth-rank criminal judge. He truly lived up to the saying, "Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse!"
A black gauze hat, its wings fluttering slightly, rests steadily on the top of the head;

He wore a brand-new, bright red silk round-necked official robe, with colorful bear-patterned embroidered patches that gleamed brightly in the sun.
A gold-embroidered jade belt was tied around his waist, weighing heavily with official authority;

He wore a pair of pink-soled soap boots, exuding the air of a nouveau riche.

He sat upright on a tall, magnificent horse, its saddle and bridle gleaming, which made the rider appear even more imposing and dignified!
Behind the high-ranking official were two trusted confidants, who had also risen to prominence, transforming the world: on the left was Dai'an, dressed in an official robe with a green parrot-patterned embroidered patch!

He stiffened his neck, trying to project the air of an adjutant, but his eyes darted around, scanning the crowd.

On the right is Na Laibao. Although he has no official position or title, he is still dressed in the uniform of a military officer! He has a round belly and his belt is tightly tied around his waist.

Following behind were a large group of servants and retainers from the Ximen household, carrying colorful flags.

Along the way, it was truly a sea of ​​people, a bustling scene!

Who would have thought!

This man was once nothing more than a down-on-his-luck rich man who ran a traditional Chinese medicine shop! Relying on his martial arts skills, money to curry favor with officials, and his ability to handle lawsuits, he ran rampant in Qinghe County, earning him the nickname "White-Collar Yama"!
But today, this living Yama has actually donned the official robes of the King of Hell!

He took the high position of managing criminal cases in a province with a perfectly legitimate and justifiable title, and became the "Upright and Just Lord" whom the people worshipped!
Manager Xu and Accountant Fu, along with the staff of the silk shop and the herbal medicine shop, were even more alert, their backs ramrod straight as javelins, their faces beaming with pride, as if their ancestors' graves were emitting auspicious smoke. They wished they could announce to the world with gongs and drums: Look! This is our boss!

The high-ranking official sat upright on his horse, his gaze sweeping over the dark mass of people. Among those countless gazes were those filled with fear as if they had seen tigers and wolves, those with eyes reddened with envy, those who fawned as if they wanted to lick his boots, and those with complex and unspeakable feelings, awe mixed with old grudges.

People kept kneeling down in the dust, praising the dead with flattering words;

There were also those who considered themselves superior, hiding behind others with a sneer, their eyes full of disdain, yet they dared not utter a sound.

At this moment, the sounds of gongs and drums, firecrackers, clamor, and flattery all became a magnificent symphony for Ximen Da Guanren to ascend the stage and seize power!

The horses' hooves clattered on the bluestone slabs, crushing the red dust on the ground and shattering the old order of Qinghe County.

In front of the county government office, not far from the Qinghe County Judicial Office.

It's a completely different story now.

County Magistrate Li Datian, along with the County Assistant, Registrar, Clerk, and all the other officials from the three classes and six departments, formed a dense crowd, dressed in robes according to their rank, and stood early beside the stone lions to welcome them.

The county magistrate, Li, wore a blue robe with a seventh-rank quail insignia, which now appeared somewhat dusty.

His face was plastered with a wide smile, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were squeezed into chrysanthemum petals, but deep in his eyes, he couldn't hide his shock.

If even the county magistrate is like this, one can only imagine how other officials are treated.

As Ximen Qing's tall, snow-white horse approached, Magistrate Li hurriedly stepped forward, bowed deeply to the ground, and proclaimed, "This humble magistrate of Qinghe County, Li Datian, along with all the officials and staff of the county, respectfully welcomes Lord Ximen to his new post! This is truly a blessing for the people of Qinghe and a cause for celebration for the court! Congratulations!"

Behind him, a group of officials, regardless of rank, bowed in unison as if receiving a command, and echoed in a thunderous roar: "Welcome, Your Excellency!" "Congratulations on your promotion, Lord Ximen!"

For a time, the title "Lord Ximen" was used repeatedly, drowning out the previous hustle and bustle of the street.

Ximen Qing, seated upright on his horse, accepted the full courtesy before slowly dismounting and offering his hands in a gesture of support to Magistrate Li: "Magistrate Li, my fellow officials, there is no need for such a grand ceremony! Please rise!"

He then said with a smile, "I am merely fortunate to have been granted this position by His Majesty's grace. I serve the court and strive for the well-being of the people every day; we should be working together in the same boat!"

Magistrate Li hurriedly replied, "Lord Ximen, you flatter us! It is truly an honor for us to serve under your tutelage and receive your guidance! We will certainly do our utmost and follow your lead!"

Then came a chorus of agreement, with flattery such as "Your Excellency is wise," "Your Excellency's guidance is instructive," and "We will obey your orders without question."

The official waved his hand generously and said, "Very well! I am new to the Judicial Commissioner's Office today and have many matters to attend to, so I will not keep you all any longer. Once I am settled, I will prepare a small feast and send invitations to all my colleagues to come to my residence for a chat, as a way of thanking you for your welcome today and hoping to build closer relationships in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Li led the way, and all the officials immediately bowed in agreement, their voices even louder and more unified than before: "Your Excellency's kindness is too much for us to bear!" "We await Your Excellency's final instructions!" "We will certainly be waiting for you early!"

Ximen Qing nodded with a smile, said no more, and with Dai'an and Lai Bao flanking him on either side, he strode into the yamen with his head held high and chest out, the new plaque of "Qinghe Yamen of Shandong Provincial Judicial Office" hanging on it.

The vermilion gate slowly closed behind him, isolating him from the outside world.

As soon as the gate closed, the officials, both high and low, who had just been all smiles and bowing like shrimps, seemed to have lost their nerve. Their fawning smiles froze on their faces, turning into a cloud of gloom and despair.

The group exchanged glances, their eyes conveying the same anxiety.

Magistrate Li's chrysanthemum-like wrinkles turned into bitter gourd wrinkles. He stroked his sparse beard and sighed softly, "Gentlemen, do you know what Lord Ximen likes?"

The county magistrate, Qian, leaned over, rubbing his hands together with a worried expression: "He does like women, but the women in his household are all stunningly beautiful. Where can he find someone who catches his eye?"

Wang, the registrar, chimed in with a bitter expression, "Gold and silver? Our combined wealth isn't even as much as that man's. And in the end, we still have to buy our finest silks and satins from his shops..."

His voice grew softer and softer as he spoke.

Everyone felt incredibly anxious, as if they were carrying fifteen buckets in their hands.

In the past, it was Master Ximen who delivered gifts to them, but now the tables have turned, leaving these "little devils" of Qinghe County scratching their heads in worry, wishing they could turn their entire fortune upside down, just to buy a moment of peace under the tutelage of this "King Yama" in official robes!
Inside the Qinghe County Judicial Office.

The clerk stood respectfully to one side, holding out several important items, and handed them over one by one in a formal manner: "Sir, this is the seal of the Chief Justice's Office, cast in bronze with a lion-shaped knob, weighing thirty catties. It should not be touched lightly unless it is an important document."

Ximen Da Guanren reached out and took it. The bronze seal was heavy and cold, and the coldness penetrated his palm as if he held the secret of life and death.

He glanced at it briefly, then solemnly placed it back into the vermilion lacquer box on the desk.

"This is the prison register, which contains the names of prisoners in Shandong who are in custody, awaiting trial, or have already been convicted. Please take a look, Your Honor."

A thick stack of books was placed on the table, the pages yellowed and the ink stains deep, making the rosewood table creak slightly.

The official casually flipped to a page, where the ink characters, like ants, were densely packed, all names and charges.

"Furthermore," the clerk presented another stack of documents, "this is a file of accumulated cases from the past years of the Provincial Judicial Office, including criminal cases, taxes, and lawsuits. There are also several warrants and stipends; please check and verify them, sir."

After the transaction was completed, the clerk glanced at Ximen Qing's face and said with a smile, "I wonder if you, sir, intend to go to the Qingzhou Judicial Office in person to handle the case, or will you stay in Qinghe and just send your judges, magistrates, and other officials to run errands? We can prepare accordingly."
The official waved his hand easily, a friendly smile spreading across his face, and said with a smile, "Qingzhou is nice, but it's still a foreign land. I have the deepest affection for my hometown and can't bear to leave Qinghe. Those daily trivial official matters and common cases can be left to the staff and clerks in the department. As for me, I just want a leisurely life, so it's convenient for me to handle affairs here in Qinghe."

The clerk hurriedly bowed his head and said with a fawning smile, "Your Excellency is very insightful! Lord Xia also thinks so! Qinghe is located at the throat between Qingzhou and Tokyo, and it is accessible by both water and land routes to and from the capital and Qingzhou. The distances to both sides are about the same."

"If there really is such an important matter that requires Your Excellency's personal decision, sending messages back and forth, or even making a trip in person, is just a matter of lifting a foot! Your Excellency is stationed in Qinghe, strategizing and planning, truly a perfect solution that achieves the best of both worlds!"

The "Lord Xia" he mentioned was none other than Xia Yanling, the chief criminal officer of the Shandong Provincial Judicial Office, whose courtesy name was Longxi.

Just then, a commotion was heard outside the ceremonial gate, and the sound of hooves suddenly grew louder as they approached!
A minor official stumbled and scrambled into the hall, breathless, and reported in a shrill voice: "Report! Lord Xia... Lord Xia! He has come from Qingzhou... Qingzhou Judicial Office, traveling day and night... He's here! He's at the door right now!"

(End of this chapter)