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

Brother Fang.

Fang Zhong'an raised his head.

Zhang Sanlang picked up his wine bowl, took a sip, and slowly put it down. "You just said you were blaming Xu Zheng for being careless. You're wrong! Let me tell you something: those two case files were deliberately left on the table by Xu Zheng at my request..."

Fang Zhong'an's eyes, though not wide open, suddenly widened.

The color drained from his face and then surged back up from his neck, making his face and head flush red.

He jumped up, shoving his chair back with a screeching sound, "Zhang Sanlang! Zhang Sanlang!"

His voice rose eight octaves, and he pointed at Zhang Sanlang's nose, trembling with anger, "I, Fang, have always treated you like a brother! When you were in the clerk's office, how much gossip did I shield you from?"

"When you were transferred to the Household Registration Office, when did the Personnel Office ever need to check files and I didn't help you? Later, when I went to the Criminal Division, didn't I always consult you first? And you, you pull this trick on me! You..."

He was panting heavily, his hands were still trembling, and his eyes were even redder. This time, it wasn't because he felt wronged, but because he was angry at Zhang Sanlang.

His furious expression resembled that of a mouse cornered against a wall, about to turn and bite the old cat that was watching it.

Zhang Sanlang leaned back in his chair, looking at him with a smirk. "Brother? Fang Zhong'an, don't you know who your real brother is?"

Fang Zhong'an was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, and subconsciously scratched his head.

Zhang Sanlang held up one finger and slowly counted, "Your eldest brother, Fang Bo'an, is the postmaster of Juancheng. Your third brother, Fang Shu'an, is a porter in the Registrar's Office. Your fourth brother, Fang Ji'an, is a courier in the Guest Office. Am I right?"

"Although you Fang brothers don't hold high positions, you're all incredibly well-informed. You call me your brother, but how many times a year do you see your three brothers? How many favors have you done for them?"

Fang Zhong'an's mouth opened and closed again, as if he had choked. The redness on his face gradually faded, replaced by the ashen look that comes with having one's hand exposed.

He slowly sat back down in the chair, finally getting a firm footing.

Zhang Sanlang looked at him, his tone softening slightly, "Brother Fang, I'm just saying a few words to you. If you don't like what I'm saying, you can tell me to shut up anytime. I, Zhang Shouli, will turn around and leave without saying another word."

"You've been in the county government for over a decade, and your biggest problem is that you can't sit still. When you were in the clerk's office, every time you finished your shift, you'd be at a dinner table the moment you left the office. Today you'd be eating with this person, tomorrow you'd be socializing with that person."

"How many times have you eaten at Duan Family Tavern? Do you even know the exact number? How many people have you collected money for tea and drinks from? You probably know more about all the taverns in Juancheng than your own children do."

Sweat beaded on Fang Zhong'an's forehead. He wiped it with his sleeve and subtly wiggled his hips forward.

"You've never overseen anything from beginning to end. You're like an ungrateful cat; you'll flock to whichever house has a warm stove."

"You're a master at gathering information, but what are you going to do with all that? You're using it to buy favors, money, and more information! Are you that desperate for cash?"

Fang Zhong'an's back slowly slumped down, as if his bones had been removed.

"In the past few months you've been acting as the head of the criminal investigation department, look back at the cases you've handled. How many did you personally preside over? How many did you ask me, Xu Zheng, or Xu Fang?"

"You sit in that position, receiving a stipend for advancement, yet you no longer even do the work of a low-ranking official, thinking you know everyone and that everyone gives you face. But ask yourself, are you worthy of that official uniform?"

Fang Zhong'an's hands began to tremble.

He lowered his head, not daring to look at Zhang Sanlang anymore, his gaze falling on his knees, which were trembling uncontrollably.

"I'm too lazy to go through all the favors you've received. You don't dare take the big money, but you've never stopped giving me small change. Today someone treats you to a meal, tomorrow someone slips you a hundred or so coins for tea, and you're overjoyed."

"You think this is all small change, that everyone does it. Fang Zhong'an, have you ever thought about it? The Criminal Investigation Department is different from other departments. Every case file you handle, every piece of information you casually let slip, could involve lives."

"Since you're in this position, if you eat a meal at someone's house, you're obligated to do them a favor. That meal might be delicious for someone else, but for them, it could mean the fate of an entire family!"

The room fell silent.

Sweat dripped from Fang Zhong'an's forehead down his nose, some landing on the table, others on his clothes. He opened his mouth, his gaze gradually becoming unfocused.

Fang Zhong'an slowly slid off the chair, his knees hitting the ground again.

This time he didn't cry. He shrunk into a ball like a deflated sack. A muffled sound escaped his throat: "Your Excellency...spare me..."

Zhang Sanlang was startled by his appearance, and slapped him on the head, shouting, "Fang Zhong'an! I am Zhang Shouli, not Magistrate Li!"

Fang Zhong'an was so startled that he jumped, his gaze unfocused as he stared at Zhang Sanlang. After several breaths, the light in his eyes slowly gathered, and he recognized the person in front of him.

The fear on his face slowly faded, and he put on a mournful expression. "Third Master...this is how everyone has always done it. Others have made more money than me, and there are many who are much bolder than me."

"I was just getting a few meals and collecting a few coins for tea and wine, why is it different for me? Those cases, I... I've asked you, or Xu Zheng and the others..."

Seeing that Fang Zhong'an had regained his senses, Zhang Sanlang's cold smile returned. "Fang Zhong'an, let me ask you a question. Have you inquired about the background of the new magistrate?"

Fang Zhong'an was taken aback for a moment, then blurted out, "Magistrate Li is a graduate of the second-tier imperial examination."

"He was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) of the second rank. Do you know what rank he was in that examination?"

Fang Zhong'an shook his head.

"It seems your knowledge is limited. Magistrate Li ranked first in the second-tier examination, and even the examiners praised him as having the potential to become a prime minister! Do you know what such word means?"

Sweat beaded on Fang Zhong'an's forehead again.

"He's destined for the central government! He's not Shen Jue. Every single thing he does in Juancheng will be used as a basis for his future evaluation. You think he doesn't know you're taking bribes and demanding favors right under his nose? He's waiting!"

Fang Zhong'an's voice trembled, "Wait? Wait...wait for what?"

"When he feels the time is right, he'll use you as an example to scare the rest! How many heads do you have, Fang Zhong'an? Enough for him to chop off? You think I let Xu Fang keep the files to harm you? I'm saving you! Saving you, you stupid donkey!"

Fang Zhong'an's face turned completely pale. He stared at Zhang Sanlang with pleading eyes, almost sticking out his tongue and begging for mercy.

Zhang Sanlang looked at him, then suddenly changed the subject, "What did Mr. Zhao ask you about when he invited you for drinks?"

Fang Zhong'an spoke faster than he thought, "The questions... are mostly about your business."

"Hmm." Zhang Sanlang nodded. "How many times did he ask you?"

Sweat seeped into Fang Zhong'an's eyes, causing him to blink rapidly. "I don't remember... I ask every few days..."

"What did you say?"

Fang Zhong'an fell silent, his head gradually burying itself in his crotch, no longer daring to raise it.

Zhang Sanlang picked up his wine bowl and drank the last drop. He straightened his clothes and said, "Fang Zhong'an, go back and think about it. Figure out what you want. Come back to me when you've made up your mind."

Inside the private room, Fang Zhong'an was still kneeling on the ground, like a piece of mulberry paper softened by the hot steam, unable to stand up any longer.