I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 76 Dispute over Payment
"That kid got off easy."

As he spoke, Tong Guonan turned over and switched to cleaning one ear.

With a bang, the door of Wanghaiju was kicked open. The beauty who was picking her ear trembled, causing Tong Guonan to wince in pain. He shoved the beauty away, glared at Tong Sheng, and barely managed to hold back his curses.

Tong Sheng looked embarrassed and quickly said, "Tomorrow is payday, and there's no money in the account. That Xue guy went to see Vice Commander Cai, probably to ask for money."

If he's going to put down the money, we're in trouble.

Tong Guonan snorted coldly, "Old Cai is the best at reading the wind. He keeps his eyes on Yunmeng City, so he won't risk offending Master Hong by allocating funds to Xiao Xue."

"Isn't it because Xiao Xue complains about me taking too much time off? Pass this down, and have the younger men come with me to meet Xiao Xue tomorrow."

"Order!"

Tong Sheng dragged out his strange, drawn-out voice and sped away like lightning.

Ding Chunxia raised his glass, "I wish Brother Tong a decisive victory in tomorrow's battle."

………………

Early in the morning, Xue Xiang was rowing his boat to work when he looked at the lush water plants on the lakebed and thought of an old friend he had parted ways with from Cambridge.

Suddenly, a covered boat blocked their way.

Wang Anshi stood at the bow of the awning boat, bowed to Xue Xiang, and lightly leaped onto the boat.

"Chief Xue, it's not too late to back down now. You'll still be the chief of staff and respected. I can vouch for you."

Wang Anshi looked sincere.

"The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease."

Xue Xiang smiled and said, "Those in positions of power should fulfill their responsibilities. In the Eleventh Chamber, only one person can have the final say, and that is me."

Wang Anshi sighed, "Does it really have to be a lose-lose situation?"

Today is payday, and Tong Sheng, Zhang Leng, and Liu Xiao are all working with great enthusiasm.

"A hundred or so police officers are like a hundred piles of dry tinder; once ignited, not only will your position as section chief be over, but your reputation will be ruined too."

"Whose side is the Royal Chief of Staff on?"

Xue Xiang had never figured out what kind of person Wang Anshi was, as he was both on the opposite side of him and always acting as a peacemaker.

Wang Anshi sighed, "I just hope that Suiyang can return to peace as soon as possible and that there will be no more trouble."

"The storm is raging; you should go find the one stirring up the storm, not come and offer me advice."

Wang Anshi shook his head with a wry smile and leaped back into the awning boat.

When Xue Xiang arrived at the gate of the Eleventh Chamber's government office, Xun Sizhou was already waiting in front of the gate. Upon seeing Xue Xiang, he stepped forward and whispered, "Chief, something big is about to happen. They've all arrived and are scattered in various teahouses, just waiting for someone to give the order so they can start something."

In addition, the heads of the main office, including Deputy Commander Cai, seemed to know that something big was going to happen in the Eleventh Chamber today.

I saw them leave the main office early in the morning.

"Or you could avoid it for a while and talk about it after today."

"What's meant to be will be, I'll see how they cause trouble."

Xue Xiang entered the compound with an air of nonchalance, and several clerks avoided him from a distance.

Xue Xiang returned to the public room and opened the door.

At three quarters past Chen hour, a huge crowd, as if heading to a banquet, gathered there.

Tong Sheng, the most imposing of them all, was surrounded by a crowd of people. He shouted, "Today is payday. Other government offices have already paid. We can't be treated like stepchildren."

I actually went to ask the God of Wealth in the Fifth Chamber on behalf of the brothers, and they said that our due salaries had already been paid.

But the brothers still haven't seen any money. What's going on?

At this point, he suddenly raised his voice, "Old Gong, I'm asking you, you dog, who's in charge of money and grain."

"Could it be that you, you old bastard, have embezzled the brothers' hard-earned money?"

As Tong Sheng shouted, Gong Bei, the chief clerk of Guan Duzhi, had no choice but to bite the bullet and walk out of the office. He bowed to the crowd from afar and said, "The account books are clearly laid out. You can check where the money went."

"Did you all understand? What Lao Gong means is that there's no money in the account, and everyone's salaries are gone."

Tong Sheng shouted at the top of his lungs, "That guy is incompetent! Before he came, at least the brothers could get some soup and scraps to fill their bellies. But now that he's here, we brothers can't even get soup and scraps anymore..."

"That's right, as the saying goes, 'An incompetent general can cause the death of the entire army.'"

Zhang Leng roared along.

Principal Liu retorted, "Something happened, and now you know to cower like a coward. Where's your usual arrogance? Why don't you dare show your face?"

The three men's commotion immediately caused an uproar in the room.

Many of them were their cronies, who echoed their clamor and disrupted the situation.

Many people are simply demanding their wages; if someone is making a fuss, they join in.

Instantly, the entire eleventh room erupted into chaos, on the verge of exploding.

Suddenly, someone shouted, "Chief Tong is here!"

The crowd parted to make way for Tong Guonan, who strode in with a powerful stride, followed by Wang Anshi.

The crowd blocking Tong Guonan's path quickly made way for him.

The noisy scene quieted down.

"What's all the noise about? What's all the commotion about?"

Tong Guonan's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a howl in the mountains, terrifying all the beasts.

"Boss Tong."

Tong Sheng smiled apologetically.

"Are you courting death? When you're at work, you should use your job title."

"Chief Tong, the brothers haven't received their paychecks on payday, can't they even complain a little?"

"You still dare to talk nonsense? Are you just making a fuss? Your voices are echoing throughout the entire Suiyang Town government office. Are you trying to make a scene known to the whole world?"

"I wouldn't dare, the brothers were just pushing me to the limit."

"What do you mean you're being pushed too far? Who said we wouldn't get paid today? It's only morning! Is today over already?"

"Uh……"

"Enough with the nonsense, go and collect your punishment yourself later."

"Got it."

Snap, snap,
Xue Xiang clapped his hands lightly and walked out of the office. "I have long heard that Director Tong is in charge of the Eleventh Division. Seeing him today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved."

Tong Guonan cupped his hands in greeting, "Greetings, Director Xue. I have been ill lately, and since you took office, it has been so long since I met you. I am truly ashamed."

Xue returned the greeting, saying, "It is I who am ashamed. If it weren't for Deputy Director Tong bringing back money and easing the situation, I really wouldn't know how to get out of this predicament."

"I brought back money?"

Tong Guonan looked completely bewildered.

"Deputy Director Tong just spoke so confidently, did he just talk the talk but walk the walk?"

"Tong did find a way out. The shops at our ferry crossing were vacant. Tong found a business and as long as the shops were rented out, he could immediately get his money back."

The bank could even advance some funds to help us out of our immediate predicament.

"I have done my utmost. If Chief Xue has a better plan, I will listen attentively."

After saying this, Tong Guonan stared at Xue Xiang with a leisurely air.

He used a calculated strategy, and Xue Xiang listened to him, thus achieving his goal and completing his collusion with Ding Chunxia.

Xue Xiang ignored him, and the Eleventh Chamber immediately erupted into chaos.

As for the deputy director who provided the solution, he deserves credit and has no faults.

The eleventh clerk's protest against the unpaid wages is bound to escalate, and when that happens, no matter who is above Xue Xiang, they will be unable to protect him.

Instantly, more than a hundred pairs of eyes were fixed on Xue Xiang.

(End of this chapter)