After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

The prison in Wuqing County was damp and dark.

Officer Zhang stood outside the prison gate and said, "Kid, I advise you to be smart! Hand over the money quickly, and we won't make things difficult for you. We'll let you go home first thing tomorrow morning, and we'll pretend nothing happened."

Wang Shouren sat cross-legged on a straw mat, closing his eyes to rest: "Take out the legal provisions, and I will hand them over."

"you……"

Officer Zhang chuckled in exasperation, saying, "You're really stubborn! You already know that Liu San is the magistrate's brother-in-law, and the magistrate is the god of Wuqing County! Let me tell you something else: our magistrate has been promoted and is about to take up a post in the capital. What good will it do you to go against them? You're just a manager; the employer will foot the bill anyway. Why bother?"

Wang Shouren reiterated his stance: "Produce the legal provisions, and I will hand them over."

"You can't reason with a dying man! Just you wait!"

Officer Zhang said no more, left with a single sentence, and turned to leave.

The next morning, Liu San arrived at the back hall of the county government office.

"Brother-in-law, you have to stand up for me! Those brick kiln owners not only refused to pay protection money, but they also beat me up! Look at my nose..."

Cheng Zhirong is in his forties, with fair skin, dressed in casual clothes, and holding a teacup.

He blew away the foam from his tea, frowned, and said, "I'm going to the capital to take up my post soon. Why are you giving me this troublesome business? It's just a run-down brick kiln; I don't have time to manage it."

"Brother-in-law, you have no idea!"

Liu San stepped forward and said, "They opened ten brick kilns, that's a lot of money! And the fact that they're not paying protection money at this crucial moment clearly shows they're getting cold feet after you leave, and they're showing you what's what!"

Cheng Zhirong put down his teacup and pondered for a moment.

Liu San added, "Moreover, I heard that they took in over a thousand refugees, and they were digging soil and firing bricks there, making quite a scene. Who knows what they're up to?"

Cheng Zhirong's eyes flickered.

He is about to be promoted to the position of Director of the Selection Department of the Ministry of War, and needs to make a smooth transition based on his performance.

But if someone were to cause trouble on his turf, it wouldn't sound good if word got out.

However, considering that the matter was not yet resolved, it was not advisable to create further complications.

"Fine, let's lock him up for two days. I have more important things to do!"

Liu San, unable to swallow his resentment, continued, "Brother-in-law, Wuqing County is our territory. If you don't take care of it, how am I supposed to live when the new magistrate comes?"

Cheng Zhirong frowned and said, "The silver and land I've left you are enough to ensure you'll live comfortably for the rest of your life. If you don't want to stay in Wuqing County, you can come with me to the capital to do some business, but you need to change your flamboyant nature. The capital is full of high-ranking officials and nobles; you must be low-key in your dealings with others!"

At this moment, the steward came in and said, "Master, the heads of the Zhao, Chen, and Zhang families request an audience."

Cheng Zhirong looked at Liu San: "You should wait a bit."

Then several merchants dressed in brocade round-necked shirts came in and clasped their hands in congratulations.

These men were the most powerful local gentry, controlling all businesses related to firewood, rice, oil, salt, cloth, and tea in Wuqing County.

The three men entered the inner hall, clasped their hands in greeting, and said, "We are overjoyed to hear of Magistrate Cheng's promotion. Congratulations!"

Cheng Zhirong waved his hand and said, "The documents haven't been issued yet!"

One of them, Master Zhao, said, "I heard that the Ministry of Personnel is already going through the procedures, and it should be done in the next day or two."

Master Chen then said, "We are deeply grateful for Magistrate Cheng's hospitality. Today, we are hosting a banquet at Zuixianlou to bid you farewell."

Cheng Zhirong put on a stern face and said, "It is the duty of an official to benefit the people in his jurisdiction. I appreciate your kindness, but I will not eat."

Master Zhang hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Magistrate Cheng has done a great job in governing the area. We, on behalf of the people of Wuqing, have made you a 'Ten Thousand People's Umbrella'. It is located at Zuixianlou. Please come and take a look."

Cheng Zhirong then smiled and said slowly, "Since it is the will of the people, then this county magistrate will not refuse!"

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A document was presented to Mu Bin by the Northern Garrison Commander.

After reading it, Mu Bin hurriedly left and went to the palace to meet the emperor.

At this moment, in the Fengtian Hall, below Emperor Hongzhi stood Liu Jian, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

Liu Jian has come today to present a memorial to the throne.

Yang Tingyi, the Imperial Censor of the Censorate, submitted a memorial stating that the disaster situation in Wuqing County was different from that of previous years and requested the court to send officials to investigate in detail.

After reading the memorial, the Hongzhi Emperor asked, "Minister Liu, what is your opinion?"

Liu Jian pondered for a moment and said, "It is a rule established by Emperor Taizu that censors should report matters on the spot. I dare not make decisions on my own. Therefore, I am presenting the memorial for Your Majesty to decide."

The Hongzhi Emperor said, "I have personally witnessed the disaster in Wuqing County. There are refugees everywhere. It is possible that the local officials have failed in their disaster relief efforts, but this natural disaster is unlike any other in previous years. What is the reason for this?"

Liu Jian replied, "Before I came, I looked through the Wuqing County Annals. In previous years, the disaster was indeed not this severe. However... natural disasters are not always sensible."

Xiao Jing stepped forward with small, quick steps and said, "Your Majesty, Commander Mou requests an audience."

The Hongzhi Emperor nodded: "Summon them!"

Mu Bin entered the hall, bowed, and then clasped his hands in greeting to Liu Jian.

The Hongzhi Emperor asked, "Has the matter been investigated thoroughly?"

Mu Bin said, "The Imperial Guard will do its utmost to comply with His Majesty's decree!"

"Hmm, is there something wrong with this Cheng Zhirong?"

"Your Majesty, upon investigation, Cheng Zhirong, the magistrate of Wuqing County, was a third-class Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the seventeenth year of the Chenghua reign. He has served as an observer in the Ministry of Revenue, a principal clerk in the Ministry of Works, and an assistant director. Three years ago, he was transferred to Wuqing County as magistrate. Since taking office, his reputation has been acceptable. Tax collection has been completed on time, and there has been no backlog of major criminal cases. Last year, he received a mid-to-high rating in the Ministry of Personnel's performance evaluation. Recently, we have also heard that local gentry have contacted the people to present him with a 'Ten Thousand People's Umbrella' as a token of their affection."

Liu Jian said, "It seems that Magistrate Cheng is indeed a capable official. Although the 'umbrella of ten thousand people' is a common local custom, it requires some real political achievements to obtain."

The Hongzhi Emperor looked at the memorial in his hand, then at the documents that had already been printed on his desk, and was still uneasy.

The Ministry of Personnel's assessment was fine, the Cabinet's draft proposals were fine, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard's investigation was also fine. But then, thinking of those disaster victims...

Upon seeing Yang Tingyi's memorial again, he felt that something was amiss, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Seeing this, Liu Jian urged, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Personnel is currently without a head. You should issue an edict as soon as possible to appoint the relevant officials to their posts."

The Hongzhi Emperor picked up the documents for the proposed appointment of officials, but ultimately put them down.

"Minister Liu, go to Wuqing County on my behalf."

Liu Jian said, "I wonder what Your Majesty needs me to do?"

The Hongzhi Emperor said, "Just one thing: conduct an on-site investigation of this Cheng Zhirong to see if his achievements are genuine. If there are no problems, he can take office tomorrow."

Liu Jian said no more, bowed and said, "Your subject obeys the decree!"

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