The beginning of the story of the Tang Dynasty's Imperial Son-in-Law: A rhinoceros comes knocki

Chapter 112 Yao Jin Makes His Move

Do you acknowledge this matter?

As soon as Yuwen Ren finished speaking, Wang Zhihuan paused slightly, then answered frankly, "Your Excellency, I did indeed take in three orphans."

That was all he said, no more, no less. As for whether it was registered with the government, he didn't mention a word about it.

Yuwen Ren waited for a moment, but received no further news.

He looked up and sized up Wang Zhihuan again. From early morning until now, most of the day had passed, the tea had gone cold, and no one paid any attention to him.

Ordinary people would have been restless and sweating profusely by now.

But Wang Zhi remained seated as usual, his robes without a single extra crease.

It wasn't a forced calmness; I was genuinely not in a hurry.

He sneered inwardly. Fine, you're patient enough; let's see how it goes.

"Understood." Yuwen Ren closed the document in front of him, his tone indifferent. "Please wait in the side hall, Master Wang. There is tea there; please make yourself at home."

After saying that, without waiting for a response, he got up and went into the inner room.

The door closed behind him.

Yuwen Ren sat back down at his desk, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

The tea had gone cold and tasted very astringent, but he didn't seem to mind.

Asking a question without further investigation, just leaving it hanging, is itself a form of investigation.

The most powerful tool in government offices is never torture instruments, but time.

Leave him there and let him struggle with himself.

In the side hall, Wang Zhihuan was still sitting on that wooden chair.

The tea had long since gone cold, but he picked it up again and took a sip. Bitter. Far inferior to the tea from the farm.

However, despite the poor quality of the tea, it confirmed one thing for him: Yuwen Ren dared not touch him.

If the evidence were truly conclusive and the case was presented with conviction, a trial should have been held long ago. Why end the proceedings hastily with just one question, leaving the person hanging?

He's an expert at this tactic: create anxiety and let time decide.

The same old tricks. He doesn't fall for it.

Wang Zhi gently placed the teacup back on the table, the soft "tap" sound particularly clear in the quiet side hall.

No rush. If Yuwen Ren wants to wait, then he'll wait with him. Let's see who loses their temper first.

Chang'an, Changsun Mansion.

Du, the advisor, sat in his study, the tea in front of him having been changed three times already.

He was thinking about Yuwen Ren.

A few days ago, Yuwen Ren paid a visit and told Wang Zhihuan about taking in orphans without registering the matter.

He simply replied, "Just do it according to the law," without giving any clear instructions or concrete promises.

It's not that they don't want to give it, it's just that Changsun Wuji's attitude is still unclear.

The lord only said, "Lantian has been quite lively lately," whether it was an implication or just a casual remark, he wasn't sure.

Unsure, he dared not give Yuwen Ren clear instructions. He could only let him do it himself.

Yuwen Ren was, after all, a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) who had spent six years in officialdom. He should have understood this meaning. Testing was acceptable, but things shouldn't be taken to extremes.

Whether he succeeds or not depends on his abilities and how deep the waters are behind Wang Zhihuan.

Du, the advisor, picked up his teacup; the tea had gone cold. He took a sip, and a bitter taste washed over his tongue.

He put down his teacup and stopped thinking about it. He had done what he needed to do; all that was left was to wait for the outcome.

Lantian County, Yuwen Ren's residence.

The night was deep, but the candlelight in the signing room was still burning.

Yuwen Ren sat at the table, the tea in front of him freshly brewed, steaming hot. He took a sip, the fragrance lingering on his lips and teeth, a faint, smug look on his face.

Today's events were handled beautifully.

He put down his teacup, leaned back in his chair, and mentally reviewed the plans he had made over the past few days.

He began waiting the day he returned from Chang'an.

Mr. Du's seemingly simple statement, "Just do things according to the law," gave him a powerful tool to ensure that he would not make false accusations or frame others, and that everything would be done in accordance with the law.

It's upright and honest, and no one can find fault with it.

He waited five days. It wasn't that he didn't want to take action, but that he couldn't rush it.

Standing behind Wang Zhihuan was Cheng Yaojin, the Duke of Lu, a figure who swaggered around the court and whom Wang Zhihuan couldn't afford to offend.

Therefore, we must first give you face. If you take the initiative to complete the formalities within five days, this matter will be easily resolved; if you do not come, then you cannot blame this official for upholding justice.

But Wang Zhi didn't come.

One day, two days, three days—Wang Hu reported back every day, and the man continued to farm, gather herbs, teach, and repair chicken coops as usual. From beginning to end, he never stepped into the county government office.

He was completely unaware that he had missed the opportunity to complete the procedures time and time again.

A slight smile appeared on Yuwen Ren's lips.

It was only after five days that word got out that Yuwen Ren had given them enough time, and that it was Master Wang's own negligence.

If the Cheng family comes to argue, he can simply say, "I have given them ample time; it is the Wang family head who has failed to complete the necessary procedures. I am acting in accordance with the law; what wrong have I done?"

Having said all that, what else could the Cheng family say?

As for the Changsun family, Mr. Du instructed him to act in accordance with the law, and so he did.

It was done perfectly, without a single fault. It neither offended the Cheng family nor failed to demonstrate loyalty to the Changsun family. A double win.

He served as the county magistrate of Lantian for six years.

Six years.

He buried himself in his work every day, reviewing countless cases and managing countless accounts, and he governed Lantian County in an orderly manner.

In terms of talent, he was no less capable than anyone else. So why couldn't he get promoted? Because he had no powerful connections.

Those who passed the imperial examinations later than him rose rapidly through the ranks, entering the Three Departments and Six Ministries, and donning scarlet robes.

On what grounds? On the grounds of family connections, marriage, and influence in the court. He had nothing.

During the imperial examination in the third year of the Zhenguan era, His Majesty clearly glanced at him more than once.

Just one glance. He thought it was the beginning of his future, but in this officialdom, without a powerful backer, he couldn't even hold onto the warmth of that first glance.

He stared intently at the candlelight, his gaze deep and unfathomable. This time, he was gambling with his future.

As long as the Changsun family is satisfied, the promotion is a sure thing. Beyond Lantian lies Chang'an.

Once he enters Chang'an, with his talent, he is confident that he can rise to the sixth rank within three years and the sixth rank within five years.

As for Cheng Yaojin—no matter how powerful Cheng Yaojin is, he is still just a military general.

In terms of his position in the court and his standing in His Majesty's heart, what can he compare to Changsun Wuji?

Changsun Wuji was the Empress's older brother and the Crown Prince's maternal uncle.

And Cheng Yaojin? Just an old scoundrel who risked his life on the battlefield.

Once he's secured a position with the Changsun family, will he still be afraid of Cheng Yaojin?

He raised his hand, gently brushed off the invisible dust from his official robes, stood up, walked to the window, and pushed open the window.

A night breeze swept in, carrying a touch of coolness, dispelling the heat that had accumulated in the divination room all day.

He took a deep breath, his chest filled with the crispness of the autumn night.

He remembered that he still had to keep Wang Zhihuan waiting tomorrow. No rush.

He wanted to keep the person waiting, until he panicked, until he made a mistake, until he revealed the person behind him.

When questioned today, the man only replied, "I did take in three orphans," without mentioning the registration details. This composure surprised him somewhat.

However, even the most composed person cannot withstand the time spent in the government office.

He closed the window, turned around and walked back to his desk, picked up his pen, and continued to review the backlog of official documents.

The handwriting was neat and meticulous, as if nothing had happened. But the smile on his lips was impossible to suppress.

Lantian County Government Office.

Zheng Tong arrived at the end of Shenshi (3-5 PM). He didn't use the main gate, nor did he present his invitation. The gatekeeper recognized him and quickly ushered him in, but he ignored him and went straight in through the side gate.

A minor official was sweeping the courtyard. He looked up, saw him, and paused for a moment.

Zheng Tong pulled half a steamed bun from his pocket and tossed it over: "The horse is outside the door, give it some water."

He served as a county magistrate in Lantian for six years, and he knew every corner of the county government office better than Yuwen Ren.

Cheng Yaojin's letter arrived first, and after reading it, he knew the situation was urgent and immediately set off.

When he entered the yamen, his steps were neither light nor heavy. Several clerks he encountered along the way recognized him and bowed their heads and clasped their hands. He nodded in response, but did not stop walking for even a moment.

Yuwen Ren didn't make him wait. Zheng Tong was a man of military merit, someone who had fought alongside Cheng Yaojin on the battlefield in his early years.

Having served as a county lieutenant in Lantian County for nearly ten years, he had deep roots in the county. Even though he was of a lower rank than others, he could not afford to be negligent towards them.

The two met in the east wing. Tea was already prepared; the tea was clear and steaming.

Zheng Tong sat down without touching the cup of tea. He leaned back, and the chair back creaked.

He had sat in that chair many times, and he knew better than Yuwen Ren where the strain was.

"Lord Yuwen," Zheng Tong began, his tone casual, but his eyes remained fixed on Yuwen Ren's face, "the old master has heard about Wang Zhihuan's matter."

"9

He only said this one sentence before stopping.

Yuwen Ren, holding his teacup, nodded slightly: "Is that so? Your Excellency is extremely busy—"

Zheng Tong didn't let him finish. The lesson he learned on the battlefield was simple: reveal your hand first.

"When Liu the carpenter was dying, he entrusted his orphan to Zhao, the village head of Xiahe Village, and several neighbors could all testify to this. The paperwork was incomplete, but it's something that can be settled with a few strings of copper coins."

He shifted his gaze from Yuwen Ren's face, glanced at the signing room, and slowly said, "What the old master means is that those who should be released should be released, and the necessary paperwork should be completed."

He's been in Lantian for the past six months, saving countless lives. A man like him shouldn't be wasting his time here.

There wasn't a single word of "discussion" in his tone. He spoke while sitting in the chair in the Duke of Lu's mansion.

Yuwen Ren held his teacup, took a slow sip, and then slowly spoke: "I know all that County Magistrate Zheng has said."

Lord Wang's act of taking in orphans is a good deed. My summons of him is merely a routine inquiry, not a conviction.

It's a fact that the paperwork wasn't completed. I've ascertained this, and I'll make sure the necessary paperwork is completed and the appropriate fines are imposed. Then, I'll release the person. County Magistrate Zheng, there's no need to worry.

"

Zheng Tong watched as Yuwen Ren finished speaking.

He didn't move. He stared into Yuwen Ren's eyes for a full three breaths.

"Lord Yuwen," his voice suddenly changed, unhurried but each word sounded like it was being spurred out from between his teeth, carrying a rusty tone, "You know I, Zheng, am a rough man. Rough men don't like to beat around the bush."

What you just said is exactly what all the superiors I've dealt with along the way have said.

He stood up.

He was half a head taller than Yuwen Ren.

He took half a step forward, not to make a move. To mess with the county magistrate in the county government's signing room was something only a fool would do.

But his imposing presence made Yuwen Ren unconsciously tighten his grip on the teacup.

"I've come today with good intentions." Zheng Tong looked at him, his voice very soft, so soft that only the two of them could hear it. "My lord sent me to see if you, Lord Yuwen, are a sensible person."

Without waiting for Yuwen Ren's reply, he turned and left.

He paused at the door, without turning back, and said, "My father-in-law also asked me to pass on a message: he's a sentimental person. He remembers those who are kind to him and those who are troublesome," he paused, "...he remembers them too."

Zheng Tong walked out of the county government office and mounted his horse.

The chestnut horse snorted and circled twice. He reined in the horse and glanced back at the black lacquered gate.

The door is already closed.

He suddenly let out a cold laugh.

It's been over ten years. He's been in this wretched place, Lantian, for almost ten years. He knows perfectly well which bricks in the county government office are loose, which case files are fake, and which clerk took whose money.

Yuwen Ren's words just now were both official rhetoric and a gamble—a gamble that Zheng Tong wouldn't dare to ask him for help, and a gamble that the Duke of Lu's mansion was too far away to intervene.

"Those ignorant fools."

He cursed inwardly.

The old master summoned him to give him an opportunity. If he doesn't appreciate the favor, then Zheng Tong shouldn't blame him for being impolite.

He suddenly spurred the horse, and the chestnut horse neighed loudly and galloped wildly towards Chang'an.

The back garden of the Duke of Lu's mansion.

When Zheng Tong arrived, it was already afternoon.

Cheng Yaojin was squatting by the vegetable garden, pulling weeds. He was wearing a worn-out blue cloth short coat, with his trousers rolled up to his knees and straw sandals on his feet. He was covered in mud and looked like an old farmer.

Cheng Chumo stood by the vegetable garden and repeated Zheng Tong's words verbatim.

Cheng Yaojin didn't stop pulling out the weeds, one by one, very carefully, even pulling the roots out of the soil.

He was being polite to the Buddha.

""

Cheng Yaojin threw the grass in his hand into the bamboo basket, patted the mud off his hands, stood up, walked to the well to scoop water to wash his hands, and said, "You're welcome."

Zheng Tong is one of my men. He's been in Lantian for six years, and Yuwen Ren doesn't dare offend him. But he also wouldn't dare give me face.

Cheng Chumo frowned: "Why?"

"Because he has someone backing him."

Cheng Yaojin threw the water ladle back into the bucket. "If he gives me face, what will the person behind him think? If he doesn't, he's afraid of going too far and completely offending me."

So he just kept politely going on and on, trying not to offend either side.

Cheng Chumo's heart sank: "Father, do you mean that Yuwen Ren really has someone backing him?"

Whether he has powerful backers or not is irrelevant.

Cheng Yaojin walked to the jujube tree, sat down on the stone bench, picked up a glass of cool tea and took a big gulp. His voice suddenly turned cold. "The important thing is that I, Cheng Yaojin, have already given him enough face by sending someone to negotiate with him."

He's just a nobody, a mere county magistrate. It's one thing for him to be disrespectful, but he dares to play the double-dealing game with me?

His gaze sharpened, and he tapped his fingers heavily on the stone table.

"Chu Mo, listen carefully. You have two things to do now. First, tell Zheng Tong to review all the cases handled by Yuwen Ren."

Investigate every single case the Magistrate of Lantian County has handled and every fine he has collected over the years. I don't believe he's completely clean.

Secondly, they spread the word that the Duke of Lu's mansion was paying close attention to the "impartial enforcement of the law" approach taken by Lantian County.

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