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

Zhang Shi received the imperial edict and set off that very day.

The carriage left Chaoyang Gate and headed south along the official road.

Zhang Shi sat in the car and lifted the curtain to look outside.

He had walked this road a few times, and in his memory, although it wasn't very wide, it was passable.

But for some reason, today the more I walked, the more chaotic it became.

The driver was outside urging the animals on, and the cart swayed from side to side.

Zhang Shi gripped the edge of the car window, his body swaying with it.

"Shunzi, can't you be a little more careful?"

The coachman, Shunzi, said helplessly, "Sir, it's not that I'm not steady, it's just that this road is really difficult to travel on! It snowed a few days ago, and after the ice melted, the cart tracks are deep and full of potholes..."

Before he could finish speaking, the wheels rolled over a patch of hard soil, and the car lurched to the side.

Zhang Shi was peeking out of the car when, before he could react, he was thrown out of the car.

With a thud, he fell headfirst, his face covered in mud.

Shunzi was startled and quickly jumped out of the car to help him up: "Sir! Sir, are you alright?"

Zhang Shi scrambled to his feet, feeling like he was seeing stars and his forehead was burning with pain.

He reached out and touched his palm; it was covered in blood.

"What...what kind of lousy road is this?!"

Shunzi stepped forward, picked up the official's hat, and carefully put it on the man's head, muttering, "Sir, this road has always been like this, and no one has ever repaired it..."

Zhang Shi, rubbing his forehead, got into the car and gritted his teeth, saying, "Let's keep going!"

The carriage set off again, this time Shunzi was a little slower, but the ride was still bumpy.

Zhang Shi gripped the side of the cart tightly, the wound on his forehead throbbing with pain.

They hurried along as fast as they could, and finally arrived at the county government office just as it got dark.

The constable at the gate went in to report, and a moment later, Wang Shouren hurriedly came out to greet him.

"Imperial Censor Zhang has come from afar; I apologize for not being able to greet you properly!"

As soon as Wang Shouren finished speaking, he noticed the bloodstains on the other man's forehead and asked with concern, "Imperial Censor Zhang, you..."

Zhang Shi looked a little embarrassed and coughed lightly, saying, "It's nothing, I just tripped and fell on the way."

Wang Shouren nodded, asked no further questions, and stepped aside to lead the way: "Imperial Censor Zhang, please come in. I have prepared tea. Please rest for a moment, and then we can discuss official business."

Zhang Shi waved his hand, saying, "No need! I am here on imperial orders to investigate a case, and I cannot delay."

Wang Shouren hurriedly replied, "This humble official has only just heard about it. May I ask what Imperial Censor Zhang intends to investigate?"

"Naturally, it's about checking the accounts. Bring me the accounts for the road repairs; I want to see them now."

Wang Shouren did not refuse and immediately instructed the clerk to bring out the account books that had been prepared in advance.

Three large stacks were piled on the table.

Zhang Shi sat down, opened the first book, and began to examine it carefully.

Wang Shouren sat to one side, holding a teacup, his expression calm.

Time passed slowly, and the oil lamp was refilled three times.

Zhang Shi flipped through book after book, but his brows furrowed more and more deeply.

The accounts are kept very clear, with detailed records of where every penny came from, where it went, how much was borrowed, how much was spent, and how much was left.

He then pulled out the loan agreement, which stated in black and white that Zhu Ji Trading Company lent 30,000 taels of silver to the Wuqing County Government at an annual interest rate of 3%.

This interest rate is relatively low by private standards, and everything is compliant and lawful; there's nothing wrong with it.

Zhang Shi raised his head and looked at Wang Shouren.

"Magistrate Wang, I still feel this road construction is inappropriate. There is an official road connecting Wuqing County to the capital, which has been in use for over a hundred years without any problems. You insist on building a new road, costing 30,000 taels of silver. Isn't that a bit extravagant and wasteful?"

Wang Shouren put down his teacup and said earnestly, "Imperial Censor Zhang, the official road you mentioned is narrow and has been in disrepair for many years. It becomes muddy and impassable during rainy or snowy weather, making it difficult for vehicles and horses to travel. Merchants and common people suffer greatly when they try to make the journey."

"Even if you're right, why did you submit such a major matter as road construction to the imperial court?"

"Reporting to Censor Zhang, I have submitted a petition, but the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works have visited countless times, and in the end, it has still not been approved."

"The fact that it wasn't approved means there's a problem. You've misappropriated the county government's treasury funds. If something goes wrong, can you afford the consequences?"

Wang Shouren said, "I built this road for two reasons: first, to make things easier for the people, and second, to facilitate merchants. A new cotton spinning workshop has opened in Wuqing County. If there is a good road for goods to enter and exit, it will save a lot of transportation costs. With these savings, the people can earn more money, and the court can also collect more taxes."

Zhang Shi snorted coldly: "But we've been using that road for over a hundred years, why can't we use it now?"

Wang Shouren's gaze fell on the wound on his forehead: "Imperial Censor Zhang, this wound on your head..."

Zhang Shi was taken aback, subconsciously touched his forehead, but was speechless.

Wang Shouren continued, "You fell and got injured like this on just one trip. How many trips do ordinary people and merchants make in a year? How much silver is a single cartload of goods worth? If the cart overturns and the goods are damaged, the entire trip is for nothing. That's why there are fewer and fewer merchants. Without merchants, there are no commercial taxes. How much money can we collect in a year just from agricultural taxes?"

Zhang Shi's face flushed red, and after holding it in for a long time, he finally managed to utter a sentence.

"You only say things that benefit you, but you don't mention the illegal operations and unauthorized use of treasury funds!"

Wang Shouren then stopped pressing the matter and simply said, "Censor Zhang is right. I will not say any more. Please continue with the audit."

Zhang Shi took a deep breath, suppressing his embarrassment, and continued to look through the account books.

Even by midnight, no problems could be found.

He closed the account book and looked at Wang Shouren: "I will take these account books back with me and take a closer look."

Wang Shouren nodded: "Imperial Censor Zhang, please make yourself at home! I have prepared a residence for you. If you are tired, you may rest at any time."

Zhang Shi waved his hand: "No need! I have a distant relative in Wuqing County whom I haven't seen for many years. I'll take this opportunity to visit him and save you some money."

Wang Shouren did not insist on keeping him, and rose to see him off: "Imperial Censor Zhang, please go ahead. If you need anything, please send someone to the county office to inform me at any time."

Zhang Shi, carrying the account book, boarded the carriage and disappeared into the night.

As Shunzi drove the cart, he casually remarked, "Sir, why don't you live in the government office?"

Zhang Shi was starting to feel sleepy and said impatiently, "Just get on your train!"

Shunzi shut up, but after a while, he couldn't help but say again, "Sir, I don't think that Magistrate Wang is a corrupt official."

Zhang Shi said with his eyes closed, "You can know a person's face but not their heart. Some things cannot be seen with your eyes."

"Sir, why don't you let the younger officials handle the auditing? You've always been indifferent to fame and fortune, and you're about to retire. Why are you still working so hard? What are you after?"

You've been talking a lot tonight!

"Yes, yes, I'll shut up right now..."

Shunzi drove the carriage to a residence in the east of the city.

The place was brightly lit, and several people were standing at the entrance, clearly having been waiting for a long time.

"Master, we've arrived!"

Zhang Shi opened his eyes and, with Shunzi's help, stepped down from the carriage.

The crowd immediately rushed forward: "Imperial Censor Zhang! We've been waiting for you! Please come in!"