National Division

Chapter 122 Shen Xian: Returning home in wealth and honor is like wearing brocade at night...

Guhe County

In late April, amidst the spring, summer, and autumn, the willows lining both sides of the official road are green and sway in the wind, as if welcoming wanderers who have been away from home.

"The county seat of Guhe County is just ahead." Zhang Rong turned his horse around, holding the reins in his hand, and bowed to Shen Xian.

At this moment, Shen Xian's eyes also caught sight of the three characters "Guhe County" on the city gate, and he said loudly, "Send someone to inform the Guhe County government."

Zhang Rong acknowledged the order and then dispatched the Thousand Bull Guards to inform them that Shen Xian had arrived at the Guhe County government office.

Shen Xian looked at the bustling city gate and, for some reason, recalled a piece of copywriting he had written on a high-speed train in his previous life:

This trip back to Guhe County is a personal matter, so everything should be kept simple and free from extravagance. There should be no lining of people to see me off along the way, no need for the village committee to accompany me, no loud noise, and no road closures or disturbances to the public.

But in fact, some people can drive the Coaster to the platform.

"Let's not wait for Guhe County to escort us to the city gate, let's go straight in," Shen Xian said, suppressing his thoughts.

Xue Zhihua nodded, without saying anything more.

A group of valiant guards, dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses, with precious swords hanging at their waists, were protecting a carriage. While not exactly a grand and imposing procession, it was certainly enough to attract attention.

At this moment, the people in the city gate all craned their necks to look and discussed among themselves, wondering which imperial envoy had arrived.
Just a few days ago, the imperial envoy who delivered the decree had come once, but it wasn't with the same grandeur as before.

Shen Xian looked up at the many familiar faces of the people of Guhe, his gaze momentarily unfocused.

The secret passage—no wonder the ancients said, "To return home in wealth and honor is like wearing brocade at night."

This feeling of returning home in glory is indeed quite exhilarating for a man.

Meanwhile, in the county government office, Shen Bin has already taken office in the past two days and is gradually becoming familiar with the affairs of the county.

However, the fact that Qiu Ying and Zhang Xun, the judicial officer, sat down at a small table in the county government office today clearly indicated that they had come with ill intentions.

"Why is Chief Clerk Qiu not returning to Anzhou, but instead coming to cause trouble for me again?" Shen Bin asked, his face ashen.

Qiu Ying's expression remained indifferent as he coldly stated, "Magistrate Shen, I intend to take this year's accounting records of Guhe County to the prefectural government for verification."

This was an excuse that Chief Clerk Qiu had thought about for two days and finally found.

Shen Bin frowned and said, "Chief Secretary Qiu, the matter of submitting the report is still at the end of the year. It was already checked last year. Why make things complicated again now?"

"As the Prefect had previously instructed, I am in charge of the civil affairs of the counties under the jurisdiction of Anzhou Prefecture, and I am free to conduct random checks on the civil affairs funds and grain of the counties under Anzhou's jurisdiction at any time," Qiu Ying said, picking up his teacup and taking a sip.

Shen Bin's face was grim. He knew that Qiu Ying was just trying to find fault, but he was not a nobody to be trifled with. He said, "The civil affairs of the county were previously handled by County Magistrate Liu. Now that he is to be escorted to the capital for questioning, Chief Clerk Qiu, the granary official will need to inquire further."

Qiu Ying said calmly, "Lu Fang can be sent to Shen Du in prison first. As for County Magistrate Liu, it will not be too late to send him to Dali Temple after the handover of the report is completed."

He needed to meet Liu Jian; otherwise, if Liu Jian made a foolish mistake and said something he shouldn't have at the Dali Temple, he would be targeted by the cruel officials, and there would be endless trouble in the future.

Shen Bin didn't back down and retorted firmly: "Today, the imperial envoy will take the prisoners to the capital. If Chief Secretary Qiu wants to keep Liu Jian, he can talk to the imperial envoy who delivered the decree."

Do you really think he doesn't know what he's up to?
No matter what, don't even think about seeing Liu Jian!
Upon hearing this, Qiu Ying's expression changed at first, but he quickly regained his composure and said coldly, "Magistrate Shen, don't try to intimidate me with the imperial envoy!"

Zhang Xun, a judicial officer, was drinking tea nearby when he suddenly found himself unable to understand Qiu Ying's actions.

Shen Bin has clearly been promoted by the imperial court, and he may have some powerful backing. It would be unwise to be hostile to him like this.
Qiu Ying said in a deep voice, "I want to meet with Liu Jian and hear his account of the finances and expenditures of Guhe County so that I can verify and check them."

“Liu Jian is a wanted criminal by the imperial court. How can he be easily seen by outsiders?” Upon hearing this, Shen Bin sneered and said, “Does Chief Secretary Qiu intend to collude with Liu Jian to fabricate a story?”

"You, you're talking nonsense!" Qiu Ying exclaimed urgently, her thoughts exposed.

Just then, a bailiff rushed in from outside, shouting:

"Your Excellency."

"What is it?" Shen Bin asked, frowning.

The yamen runner said, "A Thousand Ox Guard has come from outside. He says that his superior has come to Guhe County and asked you to go and welcome him."

Shen Bin paused slightly, his mind filled with doubt, and said in a deep thought, "Registration Officer Pei, come with me to greet him."

Pei Renjing bowed and agreed.

Qiu Ying and Zhang Xun exchanged a glance, both seeing the doubt on each other's faces, and then got up and went to the outer room.

Upon arriving at the outer room, the Imperial Guard saw Shen Bin, dressed in the robes of a seventh-rank official, and bowed, asking, "Is this Magistrate Shen in person?"

"It is indeed I," Shen Bin said.

Qianniu Weidao: "Scholar Shen of Zhaowen Hall has arrived in Guhe County."

"Scholar Shen?" Shen Bin's expression was initially taken aback, but then a strange feeling arose in his heart. How could he not know that this was his son, who had already become a scholar of the Zhaowen Academy?

Pei, the registrar, said, "Your Excellency, now that Scholar Shen has arrived, we should greet him."

Shen Bin felt uneasy and said, "Then let's go take a look."

Qiu Ying and Zhang Xun, who came out of the county government office, only heard the words "Scholar of Zhaowen Hall".

Qiu Ying frowned and looked at the group of people with the Thousand Ox Blades hanging at their waists.

The secret was that it was another scholar from the imperial court who was passing through Guhe County and had local officials go to greet him.

While they were talking, Shen Xian's convoy had already arrived at the main street in front of the county government office.

The splendidly dressed guards escorted a carriage through the bustling streets to the front of the Guhe County government office, attracting considerable attention.

On both sides of the official road in Guhe County, crowds of people craned their necks to watch the spectacle.

Shen Bin approached the officials of Guhe County, bowed deeply, and said with clasped hands, "This humble official, the magistrate of Guhe, greets Scholar Shen."

At that moment, a guard lifted the carriage curtain, and Shen Xian, dressed in a light scarlet official robe, stepped down from the carriage.

"Magistrate Shen and all the county officials, there's no need for such formalities," Shen Xian said calmly, his face as clear as still water.

Hearing that familiar voice, Shen Bin felt an indescribable strangeness and many doubts, but he still cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Scholar Shen."

When Pei Renjing stood up and saw that familiar face, she felt a strange sense of absurdity.

Shen Xian's gaze fell on Qiu Ying, the Prefect of Anzhou, who was dressed in a blue official robe, and he asked, "Prefect Shen, who are those two officials?"

At this moment, Qiu Ying and Zhang Xun also saw Shen Xian.

He thought to himself that this Scholar Shen was indeed too young; he was probably from a prestigious family in the capital.

Hearing the officials from Guhe County mention Scholar Shen, Qiu Ying felt puzzled. He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "This humble official, Qiu Ying, the Prefect of Anzhou, greets Scholar Shen."

Although the official before him was young, he was dressed in a light scarlet official robe and was accompanied by the Imperial Guards, so he was undoubtedly a superior from the capital.

As for the surname Shen, it's just a coincidence, right?
Even though he was from the Shen family of Lanxi, it didn't matter.

In his haste, Qiu Ying did not investigate further.

Zhang Xun quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply: "This humble official, Zhang Xun, Judicial Advisor of Anzhou, greets Scholar Shen." Among the officials present, Shen Xian was the highest-ranking, wearing a light scarlet official robe. In a central prefecture like Anzhou, the Chief Clerk Qiu Ying was only a sixth-rank official, while Zhang Xun was merely a lower eighth-rank official.

Shen Xian nodded, his gaze sweeping over Qiu Ying and Zhang Xun. He had some guesses in his mind and asked, "Both Anzhou officials, please rise."

Registrar Pei said gently, "Scholar Shen, this is not the place to talk. You may come to the county office to discuss this."

At this moment, Shen Bin seemed to realize what was happening, and his expression unconsciously became respectful. He invited, "Scholar Shen, let's go to the government hall for a chat."

At this moment, looking at his own son dressed in a scarlet official robe, seeing that he was unsmiling and had a dignified face, no less than the governor or prefect of Anzhou, he seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

It can be said that those working in public service have long been disciplined by this set of hierarchical etiquette into instinct.

Shen Xian said calmly, "Magistrate Shen and Registrar Pei, lead the way."

Wearing this official robe signifies the majesty of the imperial court, and one must be respectful and respectful when working.

As they talked, they entered the main hall of the county government office.

Shen Xian sat down at the head of the table and asked, "Prefect Shen, regarding the case of Lu Fang and Liu Jian in Guhe County, have the relevant criminals been escorted to the Dali Temple?"

Shen Bin said, "The imperial envoy is still at the post station. The county has prepared a prison cart, and we can escort him today, but..."

"But what?" Shen Xian asked, a guess forming in his mind.

Pei, the chief clerk, said, "Chief Clerk Qiu said that Liu Jian, who is in charge of the county's finances and expenditures, as an official under the governor, wants to inspect the treasury, and the former county magistrate needs to verify it."

Qiu Ying looked at Shen Xian, thought for a moment, and decided to argue his case. He cupped his hands and said, "Scholar Shen, I was entrusted by the magistrate to investigate the true and false accounts of the money and grain submitted by the counties last year. Since Liu Jian is in charge of the money and grain expenditure, if there is any corruption, we can find out the reason and recover the embezzled funds."

As a scholar of the Zhaowen Pavilion, he was a fifth-rank official, two ranks lower than the governor of Anzhou. Therefore, it was unlikely that the governor would dare to interfere in local affairs.

Shen Xian said, "So that's how it is."

Then he looked at Shen Bin beside him and said, "Minister Shen, did you question Liu Jian about the expenditure of money and grain over the years, as well as matters of corruption?"

Shen Bin pondered for a moment and said, "I only used the Golden Scale Gang as a clue and did not cause any unforeseen complications."

Well, it's not that I hadn't thought of it before, but... Shen Bin believed that if too many people were involved, the resistance would be greater, and Liu Jian might even be able to escape.

"Prefect Shen, your investigation was not thorough enough." Shen Xian gently rebuked him, then said in a deep voice, "Liu Jian has been working in Guhe County for many years. The reason he has caused such trouble in the area is that, besides Magistrate Lu's protection, is there anyone else who has been protecting and covering for him? Why can't the Anzhou Prefectural Government investigate this? Is there collusion and mutual protection among officials involved?"

If he wasn't the Hebei Circuit Intendant, then there would be no way to investigate him; the only option would be to submit a memorial to the Empress Dowager to impeach him.

At first, Qiu Ying nodded frequently as she listened to what the boy said, but as she listened further, her gaze sharpened and she felt displeased.

Shen Xian said, "These things must be thoroughly investigated and recorded. Together with the files of the Golden Scale Gang and Lu Fang, they should be handed over to the Divine Capital Bureau for prosecution."

The Dali Temple is a judicial body, not an investigative body. Zhou Liang is not his henchman, so he may not act according to his wishes and implicate officials in Anzhou.

Zhou Liang has been in Dali Temple for so long, yet the Cui and Lu clans are still alive and kicking, which shows that this cruel official is also someone who is afraid to act against the weak and fears the strong.

Upon hearing this, Shen Bin was somewhat unsure of his son's meaning and pondered for a moment before asking, "Does Scholar Shen mean to question him again?"

Pei, the registrar, looked at the father and son in front of him, his questioning gaze falling on Shen Xian's face, and he had some guesses in his heart.

Shen Xian pondered and said, "Lu Fang and Liu Jian have served as officials in Guhe County for many years. We don't know how many evil deeds they have committed. We don't know if they have any connection with Anzhou. We still need to investigate further."

In such a small county town, the Brahmins are like county officials; they have connections and influence at the prefecture level. Otherwise, how could they maintain a stable county magistrate position while the county magistrates come and go?
"Scholar Shen." Upon hearing this, Qiu Ying's expression darkened, and he asked, "Scholar Shen is a literary attendant, not a censor of the Censorate. These matters should not be within your authority to make arrangements, should they?"

Although the Zhaowen Hall, Chongwen Hall, and History Hall of the Great Jing Dynasty were prestigious, their actual power was limited without the addition of official positions.

Shen Xian looked at Qiu Ying, a playful feeling rising in his heart, and said with feigned surprise, "Chief Secretary Qiu thinks my suggestion is inappropriate."

"Scholar Shen is an upright and noble official; how can he allow such local affairs to soil his hands?" Chief Clerk Qiu Ying said righteously, "Even if an investigation is necessary, it should be led by the officials of Anzhou. I am here at the request of the magistrate to inspect the money and grain. Since Liu Jian and Lu Fang still have undiscovered cases, it will naturally be up to me and Zhang, the military advisor of Anzhou, to interrogate them. In the past two years, the payment of money and grain in Guhe County has been delayed, and the magistrate has repeatedly reprimanded me. This time, I will definitely find out the reason!"

Zhang Rong, who was about to reprimand him, heard a clear cough. His heart skipped a beat, and he swallowed back the words that were about to come out.

Shen Xian remained silent for a moment, then said, "What Chief Secretary Qiu said makes sense."

Shen Bin opened his mouth to argue, but was stopped by a look from Shen Xian. Doubts arose in his mind, but he had no choice but to suppress them for the time being.

"Leaving Lu Fang aside for now, let Chief Clerk Qiu conduct the interrogation first." Shen Xian thought for a moment, then turned to Shen Bin and asked, "What does Magistrate Shen think?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Bin's lips moved slightly, and he said, "Is there... something inappropriate about this matter?"

As Pei, the registrar, watched this scene, his eyes flickering, and a sudden realization dawned on him.

Perhaps they're trying to lure the snake out of its hole?

Upon hearing this, Qiu Ying was overjoyed and nodded, saying, "Scholar Shen is absolutely right."

Once he gets a chance to interrogate Liu Jian, he can tell him to watch his mouth and, if possible, to be tough and take his own life.

Zhang Xun listened from the side and felt that something was amiss, but seeing Qiu Ying's enthusiasm and looking at the official in the scarlet robe, he had no choice but to suppress his doubts for the time being.

Zhang Xun and Shen Bin had many business dealings in Anzhou, but Zhang Xun had never actually met Shen Xian. Although he had some guesses that since they shared the same surname, Shen Xian, he might be a young member of the Shen family of Lanxi in the capital.

After all, Shen Lin was the Vice Director of the Secretariat in the capital, so it was not surprising that his sons and brothers held positions in literary and official departments such as the Zhaowen Pavilion.

Of course, as time goes by, the two of them will soon realize what they meant.

Qiu Ying stood up and said, "Then this humble official and Military Advisor Zhang will go and conduct a preliminary interrogation of Liu Jian."

Shen Xian nodded and said, "Registrant Pei is in charge of checking documents, so he will also go and record them."

If no one from Guhe County accompanied him, Qiu Ying might become suspicious.

At this moment, he looked at Xue Zhihua, who was wearing the Qianniu Guard uniform.

Xue Zhihua understood their intentions and prepared to conceal herself later, following Qiu Ying and Zhang Xun to monitor their collusion.

After everyone left, only Shen Xian and Shen Bin remained in the county government hall.

Shen Bin was silent for a moment, then said, "You suspect Chief Clerk Qiu?"

Shen Xian picked up his teacup and said, "We'll do both, like chasing a rabbit by killing two birds with one stone and following a vine to find a melon."

"Even if you get evidence of Liu Jian's collusion with officials in Anzhou, how will you investigate further?" Shen Bin asked, his brows furrowed.

However, after less than a month apart, Shen Bin felt that he no longer recognized his son.

The Prefect of Anzhou was a high-ranking official of the fourth rank, wearing a scarlet robe, and was not easy to deal with.

It's no wonder Shen Bin was unaware of the situation in the capital. It takes time for the official gazette to reach the whole country, and the young eunuch didn't know that Shen Xian was currently serving as the Hebei Circuit Inspector, which allowed him to intervene fully in the affairs of Anzhou.

Shen Xian pondered for a moment and said, "Then let's investigate step by step, without any limit, and uproot it completely."

Liu Jian and Lu Fang are just two small fish. If you want to catch the big fish, you need to give them time to link up and bite each other.

Moreover, it must be done quickly. If Qiu Ying had time to react, he would have quickly figured out that Shen Xian was Shen Bin's son. Once the stalemate was over, he wouldn't have made such a mistake in the rush.

(End of this chapter)