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

Chapter 114 Yuwen Ren's Last Struggle

Yuwen Ren reached for the envelope and pulled out the paper inside. It was an adoption document issued by the Lantian County government.

All the necessary documents were in order, all the required identification was present, and the documents were filed in accordance with the law. The document bears the official seal of Lantian County.

The date was five days ago. His pupils contracted slightly.

Five days ago. At that time, he hadn't made a move yet.

He was still waiting for Wang Zhi to go and complete the necessary paperwork himself. But Wang Zhi hadn't gone yet. He was certain.

Who prepared this document? The official seal is real, the format is real, but the procedure itself cannot be real.

He stared at the paper, his fingers trembling slightly. Not from fear, but from anger.

Someone forged a document right under his nose, stamped it with a real official seal, and presented it to him brazenly, demanding that he release the person.

Yuwen Ren turned the paper over and looked at the signature of the person in charge on the back.

His eyes widened in surprise; he recognized the handwriting—it was the handwriting of the county magistrate's registrar.

"This document—" Yuwen Ren raised his head, his voice relatively steady, but each word seemed to be squeezed out of his throat, "Who prepared it?"

Cheng Chumo smiled and said, "Who handled it is not important. What's important is that the procedures are complete and legal. Master Wang did not break the law, so Magistrate Yuwen, wouldn't you agree?"

Yuwen Ren fell silent. He looked down at the paper, reading it word by word.

The paperwork is complete, the date is correct, the seal is correct, and the signature is correct.

Legally speaking, there is nothing wrong with this document.

This means that his reason for summoning Wang Zhihuan no longer exists.

He clutched the paper, his knuckles turning slightly white, and sat in the signing room for a long time.

Then he summoned Wang Hu and instructed the two to wait in a side room for a moment. After Wang Hu had made the arrangements...

"Go and summon the registrar."

The registrar's surname was Wu. He was an old official in his fifties who had served in the Lantian County government for twenty years, longer than three previous county magistrates.

Slick and worldly-wise, he knows exactly what to say and what not to say.

Wu, the registrar, entered the signing room, stood with his hands at his sides, and wore a standard smile on his face.

Yuwen Ren pushed the adoption document in front of him: "Did you handle this document?"

Wu, the registrar, glanced down and nodded: "It was handled by me."

"Who gave you permission to do this?"

Wu, the registrar, raised his head, looked at Yuwen Ren, and smiled.

That smile was neither humble nor arrogant, carrying a kind of composure unique to seasoned officials that made people uncomfortable.

"Sir, this document has all the necessary paperwork and witnesses, and it has been filed in accordance with the law."

He paused for a moment, then said, "As for who authorized me to do it, I can only say that the procedure was legal and compliant. You don't need to ask any further questions, sir."

Yuwen Ren stared at him: "I'm asking you, who was in charge of this?"

Wu, the registrar, remained silent for a moment.

Out of consideration for our past relationship, I'll offer some guidance; whether you understand it or not, that's up to fate.

He spoke, his tone still respectful, but every word was harsh and uncompromising.

"My lord, what you want to know is something I cannot say. If I do, I will lose my official position."

He looked up at Yuwen Ren and said, "If Your Excellency insists on pursuing this matter, you may submit an official document to your superiors and request them to investigate. As long as there is an order from above, I will answer all questions without reservation."

The official document was sent upwards. The request was made to the relevant government department to investigate. Yuwen Ren understood.

The origins of this matter are beyond the purview of a mere eighth-rank county magistrate.

If he pushes too hard, he might not only fail to gain merit and promotion, but he might even lose his current position.

He remained silent for a long time, then waved his hand. "Go down."

Wu, the registrar, bowed and withdrew, his steps light and quick, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

The signing room fell silent again. Yuwen Ren leaned back in his chair, staring at the roof beams.

The candlelight flickered, and his shadow swayed on the wall, as if struck by something, teetering on the verge of collapse.

He always thought he was playing a game of chess. After returning from Chang'an, he waited five days, tested the Cheng family, and offered his services to the Changsun family, trying not to offend either side.

He thought he had planned everything perfectly. But now he realizes there's another person on the chessboard.

This person is much taller and more secretive than him.

Before he could even make a move, his opponent had already finished the game. And he didn't even know who his opponent was.

Yuwen Ren picked up the teacup; the tea had gone completely cold.

He took a sip, and the bitterness washed over his tongue, flowing down his throat and into his heart.

He suddenly remembered sitting in his study last night, smugly drinking tea, thinking that waiting five days was a stroke of genius.

At that time, he was thinking of killing two birds with one stone, of rising to prominence quickly, and of having to give Cheng Yaojin, that old scoundrel, some face.

Even now, the taste of that tea is still on my tongue. But the bitterness now is a thousand times stronger than the sweet aftertaste from last night.

He set down his teacup with a soft thud. The sound seemed particularly lonely in the empty lottery room.

A moment later, he stood up, walked to the door, and said to Wang Hu, "Go and invite Master Wang here."

Wang Hu responded and left. A moment later, Wang Zhi was brought into the signing room.

He remained the same, with his back straight and his expression calm. He didn't look like a suspect who had been summoned all day; he looked more like an ordinary local gentry who had come to the county government office on business.

He saw Cheng Chumo and Zheng Tong, paused slightly, and then nodded.

"Brother Wang," Cheng Chumo went up to him and punched him on the shoulder, "It's alright, let's go."

Wang Zhi glanced at Yuwen Ren, who was also looking at him. "Master Wang," Yuwen Ren said, "the paperwork is complete; it was my oversight. You may return now."

Wang Zhihuan's gaze fell on the paper spread out on the table. Adoption document. The official seal of Lantian County. The date was five days ago.

He looked at it for a moment, then looked away and cupped his hands in thanks to Yuwen Ren: "Thank you, Magistrate."

Then he turned around and walked out of the signing room with Cheng Chumo and Zheng Tong.

Yuwen Ren stood by the window, watching the three figures disappear into the twilight. Outside the window, in the direction of Chang'an, lights flickered faintly.

He stood there for a long time, then closed the window, turned around, and walked back to his desk. He picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and began writing on the official document.

The handwriting was still neat and meticulous. Only the brushstrokes seemed a bit duller than usual.

It felt like being thrown from a great height; although not completely shattered, the bones were still aching.

Chang'an, Changsun Mansion.

As night falls, the lanterns under the eaves light up one by one, casting a warm glow on the blue brick floor.

Du, the advisor, stood at the door of the study, which was ajar. He took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock.

"Come in."

He pushed open the door and stood before the desk with his hands at his sides.

Changsun Wuji sat behind his desk, holding a scroll in his hand, flipping through it. He neither looked up nor spoke.

Du's advisor remained silent. The study was quiet for a long time.

The sound of turning pages stopped.

Changsun Wuji placed the book on the table and looked up.

That glance was indifferent, devoid of any emotion.

But Du's advisor was already sweating profusely.

"The matter of Lantian," Changsun Wuji began, his tone indifferent, "is it finished?"

"It's done," said Assistant Du. "Yuwen Ren summoned the man, but since the paperwork was complete, he could only release him."

"The paperwork is complete." Changsun Wuji repeated these four words, his lips twitching slightly. "Who handled it?"

"The investigation is still ongoing. All we know so far is that it wasn't the Cheng family. The person in charge is the registrar of the Lantian County government, and his name is on the register, but he refuses to say who instructed him."

Changsun Wuji was silent for a moment. "What do you think of Yuwen Ren?" he suddenly changed the subject.

Du, the advisor, was taken aback. He hadn't expected Changsun Wuji to ask that question.

"This person is capable, but lacks decisiveness."

He carefully considered his words, saying, "He was hesitant and indecisive in his actions, wanting to make a name for himself but also afraid of taking responsibility."

"Trying to please both sides."

Changsun Wuji picked up the conversation, his tone still calm, "They want to curry favor with me, but they don't dare offend Cheng Yaojin. They want to get things done, but they don't want to take responsibility."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then put it down. "Mr. Du, do you know what kind of person I despise most?"

Du's advisor lowered his head: "Your subordinate is dull-witted."

"I'm not someone who can't get things done."

Changsun Wuji's voice wasn't loud, but each word came down like a heavy stone: "He's the kind of person who wants to take advantage of others but doesn't want to take any risks."

Using my name to test others while leaving yourself an escape route—is there really such a good thing in the world?

He paused, his gaze falling on Du's face. "This kind of person cannot be used. Nor can he be kept."

Du's advisor felt a chill run down his spine.

Changsun Wuji didn't continue. He picked up the scroll again and turned a page.

"The position of Assistant Magistrate of Lantian County should be replaced." This short sentence was spoken casually, as if he were simply saying that the weather was nice today.

Du's advisor knew what those words meant.

It wasn't a demotion or a pay cut; it was outright dismissal. There was no room for negotiation.

"I understand," he bowed, "but—under what pretext?"

Changsun Wuji didn't even look up: "Have someone check the accounts for this year's spring plowing in Lantian County."

Having served as a county magistrate for six years, it's impossible for him to have made no mistakes whatsoever.

"Just find any excuse—unclear accounts, or favoritism and abuse of power, it'll do."

He said this in a very casual tone, as if he were giving a trivial instruction.

Du's assistant's back was already soaked with sweat.

It wasn't out of fear, but because he sensed the chill behind those words—not a chill directed at Yuwen Ren, but at him.

Changsun Wuji wasn't referring to Yuwen Ren, but to him.

He had already heard the phrase "mismanagement of personnel" once.

If they commit the same offense again, it won't just be an eighth-rank county magistrate who gets removed from office.

"I'll take care of it right away." Du bowed and withdrew. As he reached the door, Changsun Wuji suddenly spoke again.

"Mr. Du." Du's advisor stopped and turned around.

"Next time, find someone who dares to get things done."

Changsun Wuji's gaze fell on the scroll, his tone remaining calm, "I'm not afraid he'll make a mistake, I'm afraid he won't dare to do it."

"Yes."

Du, the advisor, left the study and gently closed the door behind him.

Standing under the eaves, the night wind blew by, and he realized that his back was already soaked.

He looked up at the old locust tree in the yard, its leaves rustling in the wind as if mocking him.

He recalled the thoughts he had had while sitting in his study drinking tea that day. After pondering for a long time, he came up with two possibilities.

First, the lord does care, but it's inconvenient for him to say it outright; second, the lord only mentioned it casually and doesn't take it seriously.

He chose the safest approach by not giving a definite answer, only telling Yuwen Ren to "act in accordance with the law."

Unexpectedly, this not only harmed Yuwen Ren but also earned him criticism.

In official circles, the word "prudent" has always been another way of saying "mediocre".

Those who truly succeed don't wait for success; they gamble. He lost his gamble.

He didn't lose because of poor judgment, but because of a lack of courage. Even more fatally, the people he chose also failed because of a lack of courage.

Yuwen Ren's behavior of waiting two days and then five days, trying to please both sides and being hesitant, was exactly what Changsun Wuji considered a major taboo.

Du, the advisor, took a deep breath and stepped into the night. Tomorrow, he would find a "suitable charge" for Yuwen Ren.

0

It wasn't because he hated Yuwen Ren, but because he needed to prove to his lord that he, Du, was also a man who dared to act.

A few days later, news spread from Lantian County: County Magistrate Yuwen Ren was dismissed from his post and exiled to Lingnan for his unclear accounts and abuse of power.

No one pleaded for him. And no one dared.

When Cheng Yaojin heard the news, he was weeding in the vegetable garden. He paused for a moment, then continued weeding.

"Lingnan?" He snorted. "That place is full of miasma. Whether Nengshi can come back alive depends on his own fate."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and added, "Serves him right." Then he stopped talking about it.

Kai Zhi, who lived on the farm, only learned about Yuwen Ren's reassignment half a month later.

That day, Cheng Chumo came to deliver wine and casually mentioned, "Yuwen Ren has been dismissed from his post and exiled to Lingnan."

Kaizhi was grooming Huihui under the jujube tree when she heard this and paused. "Why?"

"They said the accounts were managed by Shiqing," Cheng Chumo said. "After checking his accounts for six years, they found problems with Shishao."

Kai-Chi remained silent for a moment. He did not ask, "Is it because of me?"

He knew that this matter would never be as simple as "keeping clear accounts".

But he didn't press the matter further. Sometimes, knowing too much isn't a good thing.

He put Grey down from his lap, stood up, and brushed the cat fur off the hem of his clothes. "Chumo," he said, "I am grateful for everything that happened before."

"Brother Kai, there's no need for such formalities," Cheng Chumo replied, mounting his horse. The chestnut horse reared up and galloped off towards Chang'an.

Kai Zhi was still standing at the courtyard gate, watching Cheng Chumo's figure disappear at the end of the official road.

He looked down at his hands, his palms still warm from where he had rubbed them.

He turned and walked back into the courtyard, where he sat down under the jujube tree.

The adoption document was on the stone table. He picked it up and looked at it again.

Five days ago, he folded the document and put it in the cabinet, next to the paper kite that was missing the character "迟迟" (Chichi).

Two objects, one thin and one thick, are stacked together quietly.

He closed the cabinet door and walked to the entrance of the stove shop.

Xiaoman was busy at the stove. The water in the pot had already boiled and was bubbling away.

"Xiaoman," he said, "we'll add two more dishes tonight." Xiaoman turned around, her eyes sparkling: "Okay!"

Steam rose from the stove, carrying the aroma of rice and vegetables, enveloping the entire courtyard in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Kaizhi was still standing at the stove entrance, looking at the cats, dogs, children, jujube trees, and stone table in the yard.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the ground like scattered gold.

He suddenly thought that the person sitting quietly drinking tea at the stone table might, next time they come—

He asked which one Shiqing was. But he wanted to try.

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