Transmigrated into a minor official in a county government, with children at home waiting for rice t

During their conversation, A-Fang listened intently, forgetting about his meal. A-Zheng, on the other hand, ate slowly, focusing only on the dish in front of him, while also straining his ears, as if trying to memorize every word Zhang Sanlang uttered.

After the meal, the brothers Afang and Azheng walked towards the gate of the courtyard, carrying several strings of firecrackers in their hands.

Qing Ge, Xiao Sun Ce, and Lin Xiuer, the three children, followed behind the two with excited expressions.

Firecrackers were hanging on the branches of the locust tree at the gate of the courtyard. Afang took an incense stick to light them, and with a hiss, the fuse caught fire.

The firecrackers exploded with a crackling sound.

Lin Xiuer was so startled that she turned around and ran back to the courtyard. Qing Ge'er covered his ears and hid behind the door. Little Sun Ce also covered his ears. The two of them huddled together, their eyes bright, looking both scared and excited.

Holidays are easy to get through, but ordinary days are hard to get through.

Before we knew it, the Lantern Festival had passed, and the day for the county government to reopen its offices had arrived.

On the twentieth day of the first lunar month, before dawn, the drums at the entrance of the county government office began to sound.

Zhang Sanlang, dressed in official robes, walked through the main hall and headed towards the household office.

The lanterns in the corridor were still lit, their flames dancing inside the paper covers, casting shadows on the walls that appeared to grow larger and smaller.

The door to the household office was already open. Liao Tiesi sat at his desk, with account books spread out in front of him. Wang Tiesi was flipping through old files on a wooden shelf, while Zheng Tiesi sat in the corner grinding ink, the ink stick swirling on the inkstone, making a soft rustling sound.

"Zhang Qianxing, Happy New Year." Liao Tiesi raised his head and cupped his hands in greeting.

Zhang Sanlang returned the greeting with a smile, exchanged pleasantries with Wang and Zheng for a while, and then returned to his desk to sit down.

The books on the table were still piled up, exactly the same as before the seal was placed.

He opened the first book, picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, but his mind was preoccupied with other things.

Tao Cheng came out from the inner room, holding a teacup in his hand.

He stood at the doorway, glanced at the people in the room, and said, "Today is the first printing of documents. Everyone should first sort out the documents from the holiday period. Zhang Qianxing, come with me to the terrace."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Sanlang put down his pen and followed behind him.

The terrace is already decorated.

In the center was a long table covered with red silk, on which sat an official seal box wrapped in yellow silk, with the seal still affixed.

Three incense sticks were inserted into the incense burner, and wisps of smoke curled upwards.

Wine cups, fruits, and sacrificial animals were neatly arranged on the table.

Archers stood on both sides, each holding a lantern.

The officers and attendants of each room were arranged on both sides of the terrace according to their rank.

Zhang Sanlang stood beside Tao Yasi, looking at the official seal box on the terrace.

In previous years, when he was a clerk, he could only stand outside the main hall and watch from afar, not even able to get close to the edge of the terrace.

This year is different.

He stood behind Tao, and like the others who were walking ahead, he held a stack of files in his hands, which he would submit later.

Feng Jian stood opposite him, a familiar smile on his round face, occasionally whispering a few words to Song Zhao beside him.

At 1:30 a.m., Gu Yansheng walked out of the main hall.

He was dressed in a green official uniform with a silver belt around his waist, and holding a stick of incense in his hand as he walked onto the terrace.

All officials of the rank of Chancellor and above gathered in the main hall, which was completely silent.

Gu Yansheng stood in front of the table, inserted the incense into the incense burner, stepped back two steps, and bowed.

After the ceremony, he straightened up, picked up the seal from the table, and tore it open.

He lifted the yellow silk, revealing the official seal box, opened the lid, took out the official seal, and placed it on the table.

He picked up his pen again, spread out a blank document book for the new year on the desk, dipped it in ink, and stamped the first seal on the first page. The vermilion seal fell squarely on the white paper.

Feng Jian stepped forward and loudly proclaimed, "Auspicious opening of the seal, resumption of government affairs!"

The crowd responded in unison, "May the opening of the seal bring great fortune!"

Gu Yansheng turned around, cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd below the terrace, and said, "Gentlemen, the Lunar New Year is over, and all departments will resume normal operations from today. All departments should quickly sort out any unresolved criminal cases from last year and prepare the summer taxes for this year, and report them to me."

He paused, then nodded to Feng Jian.

Feng Jian understood, took out a sheet from his sleeve, and began to read it aloud.

Each person stepped forward in turn to present the case files and lists from last year's closed cases.

When it was the turn of the household staff, Tao Yashi gestured with his chin toward Zhang Sanlang.

Zhang Sanlang stepped forward, holding the stack of autumn tax registers, and handed them over with both hands.

Gu Yansheng took it, flipped through a few pages, and nodded slightly to Zhang Sanlang, "Last year's autumn tax ledger was clear and accurate. This year's summer tax will be handled according to the same procedure."

After the opening ceremony, everyone returned to their rooms to rest for a while, and then gradually went to the chief clerk's hall to listen to the proceedings at the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

The door to the signing room was open, and people were already seated inside. Feng Jian sat in the guest seat, holding a cup of tea, talking to Gu Yansheng. When they saw Tao Cheng and Zhang Sanlang enter, they stopped talking.

Gu Yansheng leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. "They've all arrived. There are a few things to take care of after the seals are opened. Magistrate Shen and Assistant Magistrate Sun's terms are up, but the new magistrate and assistant magistrate haven't taken office yet, so I'll be temporarily handling the county's official duties."

He glanced at Feng Jian and said, "Please check the attendance records for the personnel in each department, promote those who deserve promotion, and transfer those who need to be transferred, and report them to me."

Feng Jian nodded, "Most of them have been verified, and the results should be submitted in the next couple of days."

Gu Yansheng then looked at Tao Cheng, "We need to prepare for this year's summer tax early. Last year's autumn tax was good, and the county granaries are full of money and grain. We can't slack off on the summer tax either. The household registration office should first check the exchange rate and the original tax, and report any changes in time."

Tao Cheng responded.

Gu Yansheng picked up his teacup and took a sip. "In addition, since County Magistrate Xu has been promoted to the prefecture, his vacancy will be filled by Commander Sun. He comes from a military background and is not familiar with county government affairs, so you all need to help him out."

Seeing everyone nod, Gu Yansheng waved his hand, "Alright, everyone go and get busy."

On the twenty-fifth day of the first lunar month, Shen Jue and Sun Lian were leaving.

Four or five carriages were parked in front of the county government office, and attendants were loading luggage onto them.

Shen Jue stood on the steps, wearing a slightly worn blue cotton robe, a silver fish-shaped pouch tied around his waist, and holding a scroll in his hands. Sun Lian stood half a step behind him, his hands tucked into his sleeves.

The bailiffs and attendants from each department stood under the corridor to see them off.

Shen Jue tucked the scroll into his sleeve, turned around, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to the crowd. "Gentlemen, I have been in Juancheng for three years and have received much help from you all. Today I am leaving my post. Farewell."

Feng Jian stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "During your three years in office, the county affairs have been streamlined and the people have lived in peace and prosperity, as we have all witnessed."

Upon hearing this, Shen Jue smiled and said, "You flatter me, Clerk Feng."

Gu Yansheng also cupped his hands in greeting to Shen Jue, saying, "Brother Shen, take care on your journey."

Shen Jue nodded. "Registrar Gu, I'm entrusting the affairs of the county to you. Please take good care of things before the new magistrate takes office."

Sun Lian stood to the side, remaining silent.

After Shen Jue boarded the carriage, he cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd and then got into the carriage as well.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from the other end of the corridor.

Sun Zhonghe came running up to the barracks, panting, holding an official document in his hands. "Registrar Gu, the documents just arrived from the prefecture."

Gu Yansheng took it, unfolded it, and read it through.

His eyebrows twitched, he looked at it again, and the corners of his mouth slowly turned up.

He folded the official document, tucked it into his sleeve, turned around, and looked at the crowd below the steps. "Disperse, everyone. Go about your business."

The crowd gradually dispersed.

Zhang Sanlang walked at the back and glanced back.

Gu Yansheng stood on the steps, hands in his sleeves, eyes narrowed, a smile still lingering on his lips. He turned and walked towards the signing room, his steps much lighter than usual.

Zhang Sanlang's heart skipped a beat, but before he could think further, Sun Zhonghe grabbed him. "Zhang Qianxing, guess what the clerk from the prefecture said?"

Zhang Sanlang glanced at him. "Could it be that Registrar Gu has been promoted?"

Sun Zhonghe gave a thumbs-up, "Official document from the prefecture: Registrar Gu is promoted to Assistant County Magistrate, filling the vacancy left by Assistant County Magistrate Sun!"