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

Fang Zhong'an took out a string of coins from his satchel, counted out seven hundred coins, and delivered them to the counter.

Manager Duan shook his head. "Why so much money? You two clerks have been promoted. How can I, Old Duan, only care about money and not people? Here, three hundred coins will do."

Fang Zhong'an was overjoyed upon hearing this, baring his teeth as he hugged him and muttered something under his breath. Manager Duan nodded repeatedly, took three hundred coins, and then brought him two bowls of hangover soup, along with two meat and vegetable dishes.

Zhang Sanlang took the hangover soup and drank a cup with Zhou Quan.

Wu Yan, who had just finished relieving himself, was already urging him from outside the shop, "Zhang Yashi, it's getting late, I still have to make my night patrol!"

Upon hearing the sound, He Lantou stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to Zhang Sanlang and Zhou Quan, and said, "Gentlemen, colleagues, we've had our fill of wine today. If we drink any more, we might neglect our official duties."

"We all have our own errands to run tomorrow morning—tax collections at the docks, official documents at the government office—we can't afford to delay any of them. Let's call it a night, and get together again another day. I, He Xiaoyi, will treat!"

Upon hearing this, everyone stood up one after another. Some put on their outer garments, while others straightened their clothes. They all went forward to exchange pleasantries with the two men before taking their leave.

Xu Fang helped Xu Zheng walk at the back. Xu Zheng's steps were steady, but Xu Fang himself felt a little unsteady.

A moment later, Zhang Sanlang stood at the entrance of the tavern, the night wind blowing into his collar, carrying a slight chill. Zhou Quan walked beside him, and the two stood side by side on the steps, watching the streetlights gradually go out.

"Sanlang, today's drinking is even more lively than last time." Zhou Quan said, his hands in his sleeves, his gaze sweeping over the empty street. "From now on, you'll have to keep an eye on things at the torture chamber. And that wicked Zhou An, Sanlang, I'll trouble you to discipline him..."

Zhang Sanlang nodded. "Don't worry, Brother Zhou."

Zhou Quan's face was flushed from drinking, and he swayed slightly. He patted Zhang Sanlang on the shoulder and called to the other people who lived in the north of the city to leave together.

Zhang Sanlang, Wu Yan, Fang Zhong'an, Lao Zhao, and the Xu brothers all lived in the east of the city, so the six of them traveled together.

The streets had gradually quieted down by 7:45 PM.

A few lanterns swayed in the wind, casting the shadows of the group of people into varying lengths.

Wu Yan walked at the front, taking long strides that made each step on the bluestone slabs thud.

The Xu brothers followed behind Zhang Sanlang, while Fang Zhong'an and Lao Zhao walked at the very back, still muttering about what had happened at the banquet earlier.

Old Zhao was the first to arrive home.

He stopped at the alley entrance, cupped his hands in farewell to the crowd.

Fang Zhong'an lagged a few steps behind and handed over the wrapped meat and vegetables. "Old Zhao, these are two extra portions of Yuanbao meat that I asked Old Duan to make. Take them back and let the kids have a taste."

Old Zhao glanced at Zhang Sanlang and the others, and seeing that no one was paying attention, he chuckled sheepishly and quickly took the oil paper package. He still looked a little embarrassed, and he tucked the package into his arms, afraid that someone would see it, yet he really couldn't bear to put it down.

"This...this is too much of a burden for you. I'm just a handyman, how can I accept your concern? Once those little brats at home see meat, they'll probably lick the bowl clean."

He chuckled twice, his voice low, and then cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Fang Zhong'an, saying, "Brother Fang, if you need anything next time, just let me know. I still have the strength to do it."

Fang Zhong'an patted him on the shoulder with a smile, "Go back quickly, your family is waiting for you."

"Hey! Hey!"

A door hinge clicked as it turned from the depths of the alley, then closed again.

Fang Zhong'an watched the door close before quickly catching up with Zhang Sanlang. "Third Master, Old Zhao is a tough guy. His father is the village head of Beihe Village, and his family owns more than a hundred acres of land. He has several brothers, but he's the kindest of them all."

"Old Zhao had a few years of schooling. He worked as a menial laborer for a year during the county government's rotation period. He was honest and hardworking. Clerk Feng took a liking to him and promoted him from menial laborer to a clerk. Three years ago, Clerk Tao was transferred here and took him over to work as a tax collector."

Zhang Sanlang wasn't a big drinker, and although he hadn't drunk much, he was already a little dizzy, letting Fang Zhong'an chant scriptures in his ear.

"Third Master, let me tell you something. A few years ago, Zhao's eldest son passed the provincial examination, and Zhao, the village head, decided to divide the family property. Old Zhao was neither in a hurry nor did he fight for anything; he only got two dilapidated houses and ten acres of poor land."

"His mother felt sorry for him, had a big fight with Zhao, the village head, and moved to the county town to live with him. His mother and wife were both exhausted after childbirth and needed to eat medicinal stewed mutton twice a month to recuperate. They had three children, the eldest of whom was only thirteen years old."

"Old Zhao's meager stipend went halfway to medicine. His family of six lived a very frugal life; I even saw his youngest son eating elm seeds as food..."

Wu Yan walked ahead, glanced back, and said, "Fang Tiesi, you've already passed your house. We're almost at Zhang Yasi's house now."

Fang Zhong'an was getting into the conversation when Wu Yan interrupted him, and he paused for a moment.

He looked around and realized that the courtyard walls on both sides of the alley were indeed unfamiliar; he was almost at Jinshi Alley.

He patted his forehead and chuckled dryly. "I've had too much to drink. Zhang, Chief Clerk, Wu, I'm heading back now. I have to report for duty tomorrow morning."

Just as he was about to turn around, a sharp shout suddenly came from the depths of the alley, "Stop! Where do you think you're going, you little thief!"

Fang Zhong'an pulled his foot back. Wu Yan sobered up slightly instantly, his hand resting on the short stick at his waist. Zhang Sanlang stood still, his gaze fixed on the alley entrance.

In the blink of an eye, a dark figure darted out of the alley. He was dressed in a gray-black short brown outfit, with a black cloth covering most of his face, and he was carrying a long sword that was not yet drawn.

He moved extremely fast, his toes barely touching the ground as if he were sliding out. Just as he revealed his entire body from the alley entrance, Wu Yan, who was rushing up to him, grabbed him and struck him on the head with a stick.

The man in black dodged to the side, the short stick grazing his shoulder, making a rustling sound as it tore through his clothes.

Without pausing, he held his longsword horizontally in front of him, blocking Wu Yan's second strike. The two weapons clashed with a muffled thud, the man in black staggered back two steps, and Wu Yan also swayed.

"Good strength." The man in black praised in a low voice, which was hoarse as if he was deliberately suppressing his voice.

Wu Yan didn't reply. He twirled the stick in his hand and delivered the third strike. This time it wasn't a sweep, but a point; the tip of the stick aimed straight for the man in black's chest.

The man in black deflected the staff with his longsword, the tip slid away, grazing Wu Yan's ribs. He took the opportunity to step forward, slashing at Wu Yan's wrist with his sword. The sword was not drawn, but the force landing on the wrist bone was enough to make one's muscles and bones go numb.

Wu Yan grunted, switched the stick to his left hand, pushed off the ground with his right foot, and took a step forward.

He was a large man, and with each step he took, the dust in the cracks of the bluestone slabs shook up. The man in black was forced to take half a step back, his shoulder hitting the wall behind him, and he paused for a moment.

This delay allowed a second figure to emerge from the alley.

Lu Qiucheng's figure was almost invisible in the dim light. He was dressed in a gray cloth short brown and his steps were as light as a cat stepping on tiles. In three steps, he reached the right side of the man in black.

Without shouting or pausing, he flipped his wrist, and a short blade appeared between his fingers, the tip aimed straight at the man in black's ribs.

The man in black had just blocked Wu Yan's stick and didn't have time to stop, so he had to twist his waist to the side.

The short blade grazed his side fabric, making a cut without injuring his flesh, but the sound of the fabric tearing was exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

He cursed under his breath, swept his longsword horizontally, forcing Lu Qiucheng back half a foot.