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

The news of Gu Yansheng's promotion to county magistrate spread quickly throughout the county government.

Official documents from the prefecture were delivered to the county government via post stations and courier soldiers.

The military post was also responsible for troop placement and delivery. When Sun Zhonghe received an official document, he only needed to look at the cover to understand its contents.

Fang Zhong'an, the acting head of the criminal investigation department, went to the military office to deliver a document to him. He happened to glance at it, and the news spread as soon as he left.

The people in each household were talking about it. Some wanted to go and offer their congratulations, while others wanted to contribute money to host a banquet.

In the afternoon, Gu Yansheng stood on the steps, his hands in his sleeves, looking at the group of people standing under the eaves.

"What's wrong?" His voice wasn't loud, but it could be heard clearly in the corridor. "Doing your job well is the greatest support you can give me. If anyone tries to curry favor, don't blame me for being rude."

He turned and went back to the signing room, closing the door behind him.

Feng Jian stood at the front, his round face still beaming with smiles. He waved to the crowd, "Did you all hear that? I told you Magistrate Gu didn't like this kind of thing, but you wouldn't believe me! Disperse. Everyone go about your business."

The crowd could only awkwardly disperse one after another.

The following day, Sun Jizu came to the county government office to officially assume his post.

He changed into a brand-new set of official clothes, a blue cloth round-necked robe, a leather belt with a copper buckle around his waist, and empty sleeves tucked into his waistband. He walked with a steady gait.

He stood at the entrance of the county government office, glanced up at the plaque above the door, and then stepped inside.

The gatekeeper recognized him and hurriedly came forward, "County Commandant Sun, you've arrived. County Magistrate Gu is waiting for you in the signing room."

Sun Jizu nodded and followed the gatekeeper through the main hall. Several servants were sweeping the corridor. When they saw him, they quickly moved aside and bowed, calling out, "County Commandant Sun."

He didn't show much expression, only humming in response.

The door to the signing room was open.

Gu Yansheng sat behind his desk with a booklet open in front of him. When he saw Sun Jizu enter, he stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "County Commandant Sun, please sit down."

Sun Jizu nodded in return, then sat down with a swagger, his back ramrod straight, his left fist resting on his knee.

Gu Yansheng sat down again and pushed the booklet aside. "The official documents from the prefecture have already clearly written down Magistrate Sun's resume in the army."

"The duties of a county constable are different from those in the army. They are responsible for arrests, maintaining order, and training archers. Since you have just taken office, don't rush into things. First, familiarize yourself with the cases in this county and the captains and lieutenants under your command."

He pulled a stack of case files from the corner of the desk and handed them over. "These are some small cases that have been piling up since last year and haven't been closed yet. Take a look at them first, and if there's anything you don't understand, ask Sun Zhonghe in the military office."

Sun Jizu took the file, nodded, and said, "Thank you, Magistrate Gu."

Gu Yansheng waved his hand. "No need to be so polite. The archers' barracks are on the west side of the county government office. Captain Wu Yan is there. Go and get to know them later. He's more familiar with the archers."

Sun Jizu stood up, clenched his left fist in front of his chest, and bowed slightly. "County Magistrate Gu, I'll go check on the barracks first."

Gu Yansheng also stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "County Commandant Sun, I heard you're temporarily staying at Zhang Qianxing's house in Kujing Lane?"

Sun Jizu nodded, "Yes. I just arrived in the county town before the New Year and couldn't find a suitable place to stay, so Brother Zhang took me in."

Gu Yansheng nodded slowly. "The county magistrate's residence has been prepared. Although the house is not big, it is more spacious than the Zhang family's. If you find it inconvenient, you can move in anytime. If you need anything, just let Yan, the clerk in the workshop, know."

Sun Jizu smiled upon hearing this, "Thank you, Magistrate Gu. My father has been renting a place from the Zhang family. I have been serving in the army for many years and have not been able to fulfill my filial duties. I want to spend more time with him, so I will stay at Zhang Qianxing's house for the time being."

Gu Yansheng didn't say anything more, "Alright."

After Sun Jizu left, Gu Yansheng sat down again, picked up the booklet on the table and flipped through it. His lips twitched, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

Sun Jizu left the signing room and walked west along the corridor. The archers' barracks door was open, and several archers were squatting in the courtyard polishing their short sticks.

Wu Yan stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said with a smile, "County Commandant Sun, Sanlang said you would come to the county office today, and sure enough, you did."

Sun Jizu had gotten to know him through Zhang Sanlang some time ago, and they had even drunk together. "Wu Erlang, you're not one of those clerks, so don't bother me with these empty formalities. You're familiar with the county office, so please give me some pointers in the future."

Wu Yan chuckled, "I wouldn't dare to offer advice. You have a distinguished military background, and all the brothers would like to learn a few tricks from you."

He turned and shouted at the archers, "Come here, all of you, greet County Commandant Sun. Anyone who disobeys me will be kicked!"

Several archers surrounded him, calling out "County Commandant Sun" all at once.

Sun Jizu glanced at them and nodded.

Wu Yan led Sun Jizu on a tour of the barracks, pointing out the crossbows, short sticks, and rattan shields on the wall and introducing them one by one. Sun Jizu rarely spoke, and when he did ask a question, it was always about practical details.

After leaving the barracks, the two went to various rooms to familiarize themselves with the local customs and practices of the county government.

Sun Jizu requested to go to the household registration office first.

Zhang Sanlang was checking last summer's tax records at his desk when he saw Sun Jizu enter. He quickly put down his pen and said, "Brother Sun, congratulations on taking office."

Sun Jizu waved his hand, "Brother Zhang, you're too kind."

He sat down in a chair, drank a cup of tea, chatted for a while, and then, guided by Wu Yan, went to meet the senior members of each department.

After becoming somewhat familiar with him, Wu Yan noticed that Sun Jizu was almost asleep, so he gestured with his chin towards him, "County Commandant Sun, want to go check on the drill ground?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Jizu's eyes lit up, and he perked up.

The drill ground was located to the west of the county government office; it was an open space paved with gravel.

Several straw targets stood against the wall, and white lines were drawn on the ground; this was where archers practiced shooting.

A dozen archers were practicing with spears and clubs, their movements uneven. Some were awkwardly assuming a horse stance, while others swung their clubs out of control and nearly hit people nearby.

Sun Jizu stood on the sidelines for a moment, then shook his head.

He walked to the center of the field, took a short stick from Wu Yan, held the end of the stick with his left hand, flicked his wrist, and the stick tip shot out, embedding itself in the straw target with a muffled thud.

The straw target wobbled, and the stick head had already been retracted.

He took two steps back, twirled the short stick with one hand in a flourish, the stick's shadow drawing a circle in front of him, the wind whistling.

Suddenly, a stick swept out and hit another straw target, sending straw flying. The target pole broke in two and fell to the ground.

The archers on the field all stopped and looked at him.

Archer Xiao Zhao stared wide-eyed, his jaw nearly dropping.

Old Liu gripped the stick in his hand tighter, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

Sun Jizu tossed the short stick back to Wu Yan, dusted off his hands, and said, "These fancy moves you guys practice are no good. On the battlefield, being a step slower means death."

He glanced at the crowd and said, "From today onwards, you will each train for an extra half hour of strength every day."

Xiao Zhao shrank his neck, and Lao Liu tucked the stick back into his waistband, both of them involuntarily standing up straight.

Wu Yan gave Sun Jizu a thumbs up, "County Commandant Sun, what you said is inspiring. These lads are used to slacking off, they need someone to teach them a lesson."

Sun Jizu didn't reply and turned to walk towards the county magistrate's office.

Wu Yan followed behind with light steps, and after a few steps, he turned back and shouted to Old Liu, "Did you hear me? Half an hour of extra training. Anyone who sneaks off will be dealt with!"

Old Liu responded, grabbed a stick, and smashed it against the straw target.

Xiao Zhao swallowed hard and started practicing too.