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

Tao, the clerk, also stood up, cupped his teacup, and bowed to Kong You'an. "Clerk Kong is well-versed in the law and will surely conduct a fair trial. I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

He nodded to Zhang Sanlang, then turned and walked out.

Zhou Qianxing followed behind, and when he reached the door, he glanced back at the three bloodstained silver beans on the table, then at Qian Laohei's left hand wrapped in cloth. His lips twitched, but he ultimately said nothing.

Zhang Sanlang followed Tao, the clerk, out of the torture chamber.

The sunlight under the eaves was already setting in the west, casting long, slanted shadows of the two people.

Tao, the clerk, walked ahead at a leisurely pace. The tea in his cup had long since gone cold, but he still held it in his hand. "Clerk Zhang," he said, "what you said in the torture chamber just now was quite logical and well-reasoned. Clerk Kong's plan to convict you on the spot won't be so easy."

Zhang Sanlang walked beside him and said, "Tao Yashi, if it weren't for you and Brother Zhou here today, I'm afraid I would have no way to defend myself."

Tao, the clerk, waved his hand. "The people from the Revenue Department have been summoned by the Criminal Division. I'm here to provide testimony; it's my duty. As for you, you'd better be more careful from now on. However, I'm afraid Clerk Kong will be looking for you alone in the next couple of days."

Zhang Sanlang smiled and nodded slightly.

As the sun set outside the window, the clock struck midnight in the courtyard, signaling the end of the shift.

Zhang Sanlang stood up, tidied up the things on the table, and went out the door.

When they returned to the old house, happy Mei was squatting in front of the earthen stove under the eaves, stirring the pot.

Hearing footsteps, Qingge ran over, "Dad's back!"

Xi Mei turned around, poked the fire poker into the stove, stood up and wiped her hands on her apron, "Dad, the porridge is almost ready."

Zhang Sanlang washed his face and sat down at the low table.

Three bowls of millet porridge, a dish of pickled radishes, and three pairs of chopsticks were neatly arranged on the table.

Qingge climbed onto the bench, picked up the bowl, blew on it twice, and stuck out his tongue because it was so hot.

Zhang Sanlang picked up his bowl and took a sip. "happy Mei'er, has anyone come to the house today?"

happy Mei put down her bowl and thought for a moment, "In the afternoon, a man in a black shirt came to knock on the door, saying he was from the yamen and wanted to see my father."

"What did he say?"

"He didn't say anything. He just looked around the house, moved the woodpile, and rummaged through the boxes. I told him Dad wasn't home, and he said it was fine, he'd just take a look and leave."

happy Mei looked at Zhang Sanlang and asked, "Dad, who is that man? I saw him rummaging through the trunk very hard; he even pulled Qing Ge'er's undershirt out."

"It's nothing. It's just a routine job for the government officials."

happy Mei looked at Zhang Sanlang's face. "Father, have you offended someone?"

Zhang Sanlang picked up a piece of pickled radish with his chopsticks. "No. Father is doing his job well at the yamen. Who could he have offended?"

happy Mei pursed her lips and remained silent.

Qingge'er lay on the table, his chin resting on the rim of the bowl, his eyes darting between Zhang Sanlang and Ximei'er. "Dad, if you offend someone, we'll run away. Run far away."

Zhang Sanlang flicked his forehead, "Why are you running? Your father hasn't offended anyone."

Qing-ge rubbed his forehead and pouted, not daring to say anything more.

Kong Youan didn't touch him today.

That's because Tao Yasi was present, Zhou Qianxing was present, and the coroner and physician from the torture chamber were all watching.

No matter how bold Kong Youan was, he couldn't turn a false case into a real one in front of everyone.

However, things in this world often don't distinguish between truth and falsehood, or discuss justice; they're all about self-interest and people's hearts.

The next morning, Zhang Sanlang returned to the office.

The autumn tax accounts for the Household Department have been basically verified, but he still has to work on the Affairs Department.

Fang Zhong'an was already there, with a register of stipends spread out in front of him, muttering something to himself.

Seeing Zhang Sanlang enter, he put down his pen, leaned closer, and lowered his voice, "Zhang Sanlang, have you heard? The torture chamber has been busy since early this morning. Clerk Kong sent people to the north of the city to investigate, saying they want to find the neighbor who heard the screams that night."

The county government office is only so big, and it's clear that the clerk's office also knows that he was summoned by the criminal investigation department yesterday.

Zhang Sanlang picked up his pen. "Found it?"

"Not yet." Fang Zhong'an shook his head. "Those houses in the north of the city are like their own little world once they close their doors. Who cares about their neighbors' business? It's impossible to find them."

Ma Tiesi raised his head from the corner. "Is Kong Yasi determined to get rid of you?"

Zhang Sanlang did not respond.

Fang Zhong'an glanced at him, then lowered his head to copy the documents.

The office fell silent.

Around noon, footsteps were heard coming from under the eaves.

Yu Shoufen stood at the door, not holding a summons. "Posting Officer, Clerk Kong requests your presence."

Fang Zhong'an stopped writing.

Ma Tiesi raised his head, his gaze shifting between Yu Shoufen and Zhang Sanlang.

Zhang Sanlang put down his pen and stood up. "Let's go."

The door to the signing room was open.

Kong Youan sat behind his desk, the case file spread out in front of him. A teacup sat to his right, steaming.

Qian Laohei is not here.

Donkey Three is not here.

After leading the person away, Yu Shoufen turned and left.

Only Kong Youan and him remained in the room.

Kong Youan looked up, saw Zhang Sanlang, and a smile appeared on his lips. "The post office is here. Sit down."

Zhang Sanlang sat down on the bench in front of the desk.

Kong Youan picked up his teacup and smiled slowly. "Zhang Tiesi, I've been thinking about yesterday's events all night."

He took a sip of tea, his voice low and somber, "Qian Laohei's case does indeed have some flaws. I've already sent people to investigate. We should have some results in the next few days."

Zhang Sanlang looked at him but didn't reply.

Kong Youan put down his teacup. "Zhang Tiesi is a smart man. He doesn't beat around the bush with some of the stories."

He leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlaced on his stomach. "I've already spoken to Clerk Feng in the Clerk's Office. Clerk Tao in the Revenue Office also thinks highly of you. I also rely on you quite a bit. The future of the Post Office Clerk in the county government is limitless."

He looked at Zhang Sanlang and said, "The clerk is a smart man. He knows what he should see and what he shouldn't see. He knows what he should say and what he shouldn't say. He doesn't need me to teach him this principle."

Zhang Sanlang met his gaze and said, "What Clerk Kong says is true. I'm just a lowly clerk, and I've seen quite a few documents from various departments. But once I've seen them, I forget them."

Kong Youan's smile deepened. "I, the clerk, enjoy dealing with intelligent people the most. This case will definitely be solved within three days. You can rest assured."

Zhang Sanlang stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Then thank you very much, Clerk Kong."

That afternoon, Old Sun was released from the outer cell of the county jail.

The old man had lost weight. When he saw Zhang Sanlang, he grinned, revealing a set of yellow teeth. "Sanlang, thanks to you, the matter was clarified. Someone had planted that bag of salt; it had nothing to do with me. So, Clerk Kong released me."

Zhang Sanlang nodded. "Uncle Sun, go back and rest for a few days. I'll still keep your stall at the dock."

Not long after Old Sun left the county government office, Yu Shoufen delivered a written statement: Qian Laohei withdrew the lawsuit, the plaintiff was unwilling to pursue the matter, and the criminal division approved the case being closed.

Zhang Sanlang took the document, glanced at it, and said, "Please thank Clerk Kong for me."

Yu Shoufen took out a silver ingot weighing about ten taels from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and said with a smile, "Director Zhang, I tore your coat at your residence yesterday, and there must be an explanation. Please don't refuse this small token."