What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 166 Taking Up His Post as a Civil Official, His Mother-in-Law's Attitude Is Off
Tianchang County is less than forty li from the capital and only ten li from Gufeng Mountain. It is one of the three counties attached to the capital.

As a large county with a population of over 200,000, and located near the capital, it bears the heavy responsibility of protecting the capital.

The economy is quite good, and commerce is booming.

The county was also teeming with demons and monsters.

Such as gentry, powerful families, military garrisons, Taoist priests, and martial arts sects.

The various forces are intertwined and deeply entrenched.

When the lower levels are powerful, the county government naturally becomes weak.

This can be clearly seen from the dilapidated, crumbling county government office, which couldn't even keep out the wind and rain.
In other counties, people have money but don't bother repairing their government offices.

Tianchang County really doesn't have the money to repair it!
Several drowsy, elderly, and weak government officials stood listlessly beneath the dilapidated government building.

The Dengwen Drum on the side was leaning to one side, and its frame was covered with cobwebs.

A dilapidated horse-drawn carriage slowly approached the entrance of the yamen (government office).

Su Mo, dressed in a blue robe and carrying a long bundle half a person's height on his back, stepped down from the carriage.

Looking at the Tianchang County government office, which was drafty on all sides and had incomplete roof tiles.

Su Mo found it hard to believe that this was the location of the government's power structure in the county seat!
The outhouses in the two markets of Changping County are more impressive than this government office!

This is no joke!

The outhouses in the East and West markets were newly built by Su Mo at his own expense, costing a full seventy or eighty taels of silver!

It is not as big as the Tianchang County government office.

But at least we can be assured that it won't be like the dilapidated Tianchang County government building, where even someone squatting to relieve themselves might not know when it will collapse!

Su Mo frowned and slowly walked towards the gate of the yamen.

The constables looked up at Su Mo listlessly.

Seeing that Su Mo was tall and imposing, and dressed like a wealthy scholar, they noticed that he was quite tall.

Judging from their demeanor, it's clear they're not here to cause trouble; most are just visiting relatives.

Nowadays, the only person allowed to visit relatives in this county government office is the newly appointed county magistrate.

The constables dared not reprimand Su Mo, but instead wore fawning smiles: "May I ask, young man, what brings you to the yamen?"

Su Mo didn't go on any incognito visits, nor did he know the rules for taking office, and no one had instructed him. So he said in a deep voice, "I am Su Mo, and I have come to Tianchang County to take up the post of Registrar."

"Hurry up and lead me to pay my respects to the county magistrate!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the constables suddenly turned strange.

They looked Su Mo up and down again, but no one spoke.

Finally, an elderly man with white hair looked at the most senior constable and pointed to one side of the hall: "So it's the Registrar!"

"The county magistrate should be working in the main hall. You may walk around the main hall from here and go there on your own."

"We need to guard the yamen, so we won't take you there, sir!"

Su Mo frowned, a sense of doubt creeping into his heart.

what on earth is it?

Leng Xixi said that within a year, the positions of county magistrate and registrar in Tianchang County would remain vacant.

As a clerk, I am definitely the second-best local official.

Even if being a county magistrate in a county attached to the capital is difficult, surely the yamen runners wouldn't dare to look down on you?

He looked at the constables with a dark expression.

The other party didn't seem to care at all; even the old constable turned his head away!
Su Mo was too lazy to argue with them and decided to meet her father-in-law first!

They detoured behind the third shift's guardhouse.

The situation became even stranger.

The large three-shift public housing was surprisingly empty; those who were there were only small groups of two or three, idly huddled together.

After passing through the gate, Su Mo approached the second hall.

They discovered two burly-looking constables guarding the second hall.

Take a closer look.

One of them was Yan Dahu, a first-class servant of the Wang family from the Eagle Claw Sect in Tieshan County!

Is this guy no longer going to be a servant?
Did he switch careers and become a government official?
Judging from the outfit, he's actually a regular soldier!

He wasn't proud of his status as a first-class servant.

Yan Dahu was also taken aback when he saw Su Mo, and hurriedly ran over: "Young Master, what brings you here?"

Su Mo's mood instantly improved!

This Yan Dahu is quite perceptive; tonight he'll surely get his father-in-law to give him an extra big chicken leg.

He nodded: "Where is the magistrate of Tianchang County, where I have just arrived?"

Yan Dahu grinned and said, "Young master, you've come to see young lady, haven't you? Young lady keeps bothering Madam, wanting to go to the capital to see young master, but the old madam won't allow it."

Su Mo immediately corrected him: "I'm here to serve as a clerk..."

Yan Dahu was instantly dumbfounded!
Then, in surprise, she asked, "Didn't they say that the young master is doing very well in the capital? Master's promotion was all thanks to you, young master!"

"Why were you suddenly demoted to the position of registrar in Tianchang County?"

Su Mo's face immediately darkened.

This guy lost his big chicken leg tonight!
Yan Dahu stared wide-eyed at Su Mo: "Young Master, you're a junior officer! How prestigious it must be to be a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

"The clerk of Tianchang County is only a ninth-rank official!"

"Isn't this the worst possible demotion? Could it be that the son-in-law offended some high-ranking official in the capital?"

Su Mo snorted heavily: "What do you know!"

"The clerk is a civil official, while the Embroidered Uniform Guard is a military officer!"

He paused, then added with a dark expression, "Do you know how difficult it is to go from a junior officer in the Embroidered Uniform Guard to a clerk in the government?"

Yan Dahu suddenly realized: "Does the young master mean that a ninth-rank clerk is more powerful than a seventh-rank Jinyiwei junior officer?"

As he spoke, he suddenly became suspicious: "But back in Changping County, why was that clerk afraid of you, son-in-law?"

"Back then you were just a member of the Imperial Guard!"

Su Mo didn't want to talk to this guy!
When you see your father-in-law, ask him if he gave this guy a bonus!

If you have any, just deduct them all!

Yan Dahu naturally didn't need to inform the county magistrate; he simply led Su Mo into the main hall.

Su Mo looked at the two people in the hall with a black line on her forehead.

Xue Shan was dressed in his official robes, but his official hat was placed aside. A teacup was on his right, and he was sitting with his legs crossed, leisurely sipping tea and reading the newspaper.

On one side of the desk, the clerk, Dong Yangrong, was holding a storybook, shaking his head.

They must have been watching with great interest, exclaiming how wonderful it was!
Hearing the noise, Xue Shan and Dong Yangrong looked up and immediately looked at each other in bewilderment.

Startled for a moment, Xue Shan quickly put down his crossed legs and coughed twice: "My dear son-in-law, what brings you to Tianchang County? Didn't you even let anyone know beforehand?"

Su Mo and Xue Yishu exchanged betrothal gifts and arranged their marriage. Xue Shan naturally addressed him as his son-in-law.

Dong Yangrong also became suspicious.

It's not easy for officials in Beijing to request leave.

Su Mo is a member of the Imperial Guard of Shenjing, and he cannot leave the capital easily without permission.

Before Su Mo could answer, Yan Dahu interrupted, "The son-in-law said he's coming to the county to be a clerk!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Shan and Dong Yangrong both gasped in shock, staring intently at Su Mo.

After a long pause, Xue Shan asked, "Son-in-law, is what Yan Dahu said true?"

Neither of them were fools like Yan Dahu.

I am well aware of the difficulty of the Embroidered Uniform Guard becoming a civil official!
Don't be fooled by the Jinyiwei's intimidating presence.

However, in the eyes of civil officials, they looked down on the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

If it weren't for being forced into it, Xue Shan would never have betrothed Xue Yishu to Su Mo in the first place!

No matter how fierce the Embroidered Uniform Guard is, a lackey is still a lackey.

Even the commander couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't be thrown out as a scapegoat by the Empress one day!

This is even more true if a new ruler ascends the throne.

Those who can prosper for a long time and have a long-lasting family fortune can be civil officials, nobles, or military officers, but they absolutely do not include the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Su Mo gestured for Yan Dahu to leave, then took out his official document and seal from his bundle: "His Majesty has issued an imperial edict appointing me as the clerk of Tianchang County."

"However, my son-in-law's position as a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard has not been revoked."

Upon hearing this, Xue Shan and Dong Yangrong were greatly surprised.

This was the first time they had ever heard that members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard could also serve as civil officials!

Xue Shan frowned deeply: "What exactly is going on?"

"Also, you've been promoted to battalion commander?"

Four months ago, Su Mo was just a junior officer in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

He's only been in Shenjing for a short time, and he's already been promoted to the rank of general again.

This speed was simply unbelievable to Xue Shan.

Su Mo didn't stand on ceremony with Xue Shan.

The two of them almost chopped off a chicken's head and burned it as paper money.

If it weren't for Xue Yishu, the two would be calling each other brothers now.

He went over and sat down, took a teacup, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it all in one gulp.

He then explained, "To alleviate the court's financial difficulties, I, your son-in-law, offer a solution."

"Therefore, the sage decided to change the ancestral system, open up the regulations for merchants, and take Tianchang County as a pilot first."

"If it works, then we can promote it elsewhere!"

As he spoke, Su Mo sighed, looking dejected: "As the instigator, I was naturally entrusted with an important task by the Sage and transferred to Tianchang County."

Xue Shan...

Dong Yangrong...

I'm completely speechless.

Is Su Mo a little too bold?

How dare a mere captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard offer advice to the Emperor?

Or perhaps the suggestion is to change the ancestral system!
Do you think your head is too firmly rooted?

This would surely be hated to the core by the civil service!

Ok……

Let's not even mention the last part; the civil officials already harbored deep hatred for the Embroidered Uniform Guard...

Xue Shan was now truly certain that his appointment as a sixth-rank county magistrate in the county seat was entirely thanks to his son-in-law!

Being a county magistrate in a subordinate county is difficult; it's basically a doormat.

But as long as nothing goes wrong, if you persevere for a few years, it shouldn't be a big problem to become a prefect or assistant prefect in the state capital.

Xue Shan originally intended to gain experience and wait his time here, seeking neither merit nor demerit.

However, once you understand the reasons behind Su Mo's affair, you won't be able to get by!

His expression instantly turned serious. After questioning Su Mo, he said with a wry smile, "No wonder, the positions of county magistrate and registrar have been vacant for so long, and no one has come forward to take up the post!"

He sighed again, "I'm afraid this matter of opening up regulations will be very difficult to handle!"

Su Mo frowned: "Please enlighten me, Father-in-law!"

Xue Shan picked up his teacup and took a small sip: "Merchants are wealthy and do indeed want to improve their status."

"Open regulations, and you can see money being pulled out of their pockets."

"But the prerequisite is that you must have the power to force merchants to pay money!"

Su Mo narrowed his eyes, tapped the table with his index finger, and pondered, "Does Father-in-law mean that the Tianchang County government has no authority?"

Xue Shan pointed with a frustrated expression to the roof, where several tiles were missing.

The implication is self-evident.

Dong Yangrong explained, "The county government attached to the city wall is the place where people suffer the most; where would they get any authority?"

"The four great aristocratic families in the county—Zhang, Meng, Cui, and Liu—have cultivated their roots here for many years, their branches are deeply rooted and flourishing, and they all have powerful backers in the imperial court!"

"The two major clans above it are the Liu family of Hedong and the Cui family of Jiannan, respectively!"

"Furthermore, the Yan family outside the city is a family of cultivators, and it is said that they have very deep connections with the immortal sects."

Su Mo was stunned.

But it's not over yet.

Dong Yangrong added, "Zhu Bi, the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, is from Tianchang County. His father lives in the old house in the west of the city."

"The Jiang family in the south of the city is a bit inferior, but their powerful backer is a Lingtai Lang, a fifth-rank official in the imperial court!"

"Leaving aside the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Tianchang County bears the important responsibility of protecting the capital. The guards and garrisons stationed here are numerous and have many generals, with the commanders holding the rank of a third-grade military officer!"

"In addition, there are many other martial arts forces and powerful, domineering individuals..."

Dong Yangrong remained silent for a moment, then his face darkened: "The six departments and three offices of the yamen all come from the above-mentioned forces, and they are extremely arrogant and domineering!"

"If it weren't for the master choosing Yan Dahu and another person from among the servants and forcibly placing them in the third shift, it would be difficult to find anyone to serve!"

Su Mo's forehead was covered in black lines!

I originally thought that with Xue Shan's cooperation and no county magistrate or clerk to hold me back, it would be a perfect start, and completing the dreary task would be as easy as drinking water.

It turns out that the perfect hand turned out to be a false one!

It's an absolutely hellish start!

Now, if we find Leng Xixi and ask her to petition His Majesty to change the pilot county to a small border county, I wonder if it's still in time!

Just as Su Mo was feeling down.

Xue Shan's expression suddenly changed: "It is said that the Cui family of Jiannan intends to appoint a member of the Cui family to this position of Registrar!"

"Now that it has been snatched away by my son-in-law, the Cui family will certainly not let it go."

As he spoke, he turned his head and looked around, then suddenly lowered his voice, his face extremely solemn: "The previous county magistrate and registrar both died in office... the cause of death is unknown!"

Su Mo's face immediately darkened, and he lowered his voice, "Such a thing is true?"

Xue Shan nodded: "Anyway, my son-in-law should be more careful in the future and avoid going out alone."

He added meaningfully, "Tianchang County is a very murky place!"

Dong Yangrong suddenly laughed and said, "In my opinion, there is no need for you to worry about Lord Su's safety."

Xue Shan frowned and turned to look at Dong Yangrong: "What do you mean by that, Mr. Dong?"

Dong Yangrong smiled and said, "Don't forget, Master Su also holds the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

"All you need to do, Lord Su, is to go to the Jinyiwei Hundred-Household Office and identify yourself."

"No matter how powerful the Cui family is, they wouldn't dare to touch a hair on Lord Su's head. At most, they would try to force Lord Su to leave!"

Xue Shan's expression instantly turned strange.

He completely forgot that!

But you can't really blame him.

In the Great Wu Dynasty, I've never heard of anyone being able to hold both the position of Imperial Guard and a civil official at the same time!
Su Mo was also dumbfounded.

Could it be that the imperial edict specifically stated that he concurrently served as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Phoenix Cry Division because of this?
The Empress, or perhaps Leng Xixi, knew all along that Tianchang County was a complex place and had prepared a trump card to protect herself.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard represented imperial power.

Killing members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, especially their officers, is a heinous crime punishable by the extermination of three generations of their families!

Having figured this out, Xue Shan and Su Mo's expressions softened considerably.

Xue Shan smiled and said, "There's not much to do at the yamen. Since you're here, son-in-law, go and see your mother-in-law and your daughter Shu'er first!"

As he spoke, he snorted again: "These days, they've been clamoring to go to the capital every day, they've almost driven this old man crazy!"

Su Mo was about to speak.

To everyone's surprise, Xue Shan's expression suddenly darkened, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he said coldly, "I originally intended to stay in this county magistrate's position for a few years."

"Since my son-in-law has come with an imperial decree, let us, father-in-law and son-in-law, fight against these demons and monsters in Tianchang County!"

Su Mo...

Before he could speak again, Dong Yangrong preemptively said with a serious expression, "Master Dong should have done so long ago!"

"Master Dong and Lord Su have the support of the imperial court and are the legitimate rulers of Tianchang County. What are they afraid of?"

Xue Shan was giving up, and Dong Yangrong, the advisor, was naturally useless. Since it was rare for the master to make up his mind, Dong Yangrong quickly spoke up to strengthen the master's confidence.

Su Mo looked at Dong Yangrong with surprise and suspicion.

It's unbelievable that such a frail scholar could possess such vigor.

People like that are one less to lose.

Although his advisor, Du Zhongbai, was quite capable, his spirit was far inferior to Du Zhongbai's!

It's a pity that good advisors are hard to find.

Someone with Dong Yangrong's abilities probably wouldn't follow me, a low-ranking official, who is also a lackey of the imperial court.

……

Although nothing was wrong at the yamen, Xue Shan, having regained his ambition, would not leave the yamen when he was on duty.

He then instructed Dong Yangrong to lead Su Mo to the back residence of the yamen to meet Xue Yishu.

Dong Yangrong led the Su family to the residence of the Criminal Law Master, and then said with a smile, "Lord Su, I will not go into the inner courtyard."

"Go and have someone tidy up the clerk's room for the lord, and do some repairs while you're at it. The yamen runners are very lazy and haven't cleaned up the yamen for quite some time."

Su Mo nodded and smiled, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Dong."

Dong Yangrong quickly replied, "I wouldn't dare! I'm off!"

After saying this, he cupped his hands in greeting and left.

Su Mo stepped into the inner courtyard and hadn't walked far when he was shocked to see Madam Wang, accompanied by two maids, angrily emerging from the east hall corridor.

Upon seeing Su Mo, Madam Wang was immediately taken aback.

Then, a look of panic appeared on his face, and his voice stammered, "Su...Young Master...what are you doing here?"

Su Mo immediately became suspicious, but still quickly said, "This son-in-law greets Mother-in-law."

"I have just taken up my post in Tianchang County and have just paid my respects to my father-in-law. Now I have come to the inner quarters to pay my respects to my mother-in-law."

As he spoke, he subconsciously glanced towards the east hall: "Where's Yi Shu?"

Upon hearing this, Wang became even more flustered.

"Ah...ah...Shu'er...she just went out on some errands..."

She paused for a moment, then immediately added, "Go and rest in the west hall for a while. I'll have someone call Shu'er back right away."

As he spoke, he turned and winked at one of the maids: "Juan'er, hurry up and go to the west hall to prepare a room for the young master!"

The east hall was the magistrate's residence, while the west hall was generally used for relatives and close friends to stay overnight.

The environment of the back office was much better than that of the front office, after all, it was the official residence of the county magistrate, and it was quite large.

Su Mo followed Juan'er to the west hall, filled with doubts.

Watching Juan'er skillfully tidy up the room, Su Mo finally couldn't help but ask in a deep voice, "Juan'er, what happened?"

The maid named Juan'er panicked and hurriedly said, "Reporting to the young master, it's alright!"

Su Mo's face immediately darkened: "Do you think I'm blind? Speak the truth now!"

Having served as an official for some time, he associates with figures such as commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, commanders of the Phoenix Cry Division, and sons of dukes.

Su Mo's official authority was already extremely strong.

Startled by Su Mo's words, Juan'er trembled and turned pale: "Uh...uh...Young Master, please don't tell Madam."

"Miss left a note last night and secretly climbed over the wall to escape."

"They said they were going to the capital to find the youngest daughter of the Ministry of Rites official and to attend something... um... called the Orchid Pavilion Poetry Gathering."

Su Mo...

No wonder my mother-in-law looked so flustered.

So it turns out she was afraid that if she found out about Xue Yishu's behavior, which was so contrary to female virtue, she would abandon her daughter!

He was also speechless.

He believed that Juan'er wouldn't dare to deceive him, after all, his beloved concubine had a history of escaping by climbing over the wall!

However, wasn't the Lanting Poetry Gathering already held?
Has it been postponed?
Did Xue Yishu really want to attend the poetry gathering, or was she going to see him?
It's best not to throw out all your best poems at poetry gatherings!
Damn it, how many famous lines did I recite that night!

……

Just as Su Mo was feeling down.

Shenjing, Su Residence.

A carriage stopped outside the side gate.

The gaunt Ding Yu stared wide-eyed at the doorman, his old face filled with disbelief: "What?"

"Has Su Mo gone to Tianchang County to take up the post of Registrar?"

After confirming the news from the doorman.

Ding Yu boarded the carriage with a complicated expression and instructed the driver to drag the horse away from Cheng.

A clear, crisp voice could be faintly heard from inside the carriage: "Father, are you going to Tianchang County to find Su Mo?"

The shrewish woman's voice followed: "Hmph!"

"I think we should just go back to our hometown!"

"I told you not to offend anyone, and now look what's happened! You've lost your official position, and all you have left is this little bit of silver. You can't even buy a few acres of land back home. Let's see what you'll eat from now on!"

Ding Yu snorted: "What do you know!"

"That kid Su Mo is quite capable, managing to open two restaurants in the capital, even Tianyi Restaurant can't do anything about him!"

"You think it's easy to be transferred from the Embroidered Uniform Guard to a minor official position?"

"I have served as an official for twenty years, rising to the rank of Assistant Minister of Revenue, a fifth-rank official. Now I have been harmed by a villain. It would be ungentlemanly not to avenge this wrong. How can I return home in disgrace and be ridiculed by others!"

The shrewish woman was silent for a moment: "You go to find Su Mo, and he'll help you, won't he?"

Ding Yu said calmly, "I have my own plans for this!"

He was single-minded about accounting matters, but he was by no means stupid.

As long as it doesn't involve accounting, they are extremely smooth and even have no bottom line!

As long as I can get revenge, what's wrong with joining the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

The Embroidered Uniform Guard would be better suited to help him vent his anger!
……

(End of this chapter)