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

Upon hearing this, Zhang Sanlang pondered for a long while. He closed the household registration certificate and the register of indecisiveness, tucked them under his arm, and walked towards Tao Cheng's office. He then sent Wang Tiesi to summon Old Zhao from the household registration office and Old Meng, the archer.

Wang Tiesi responded and went to find the person.

Tao Cheng took the list from Zhang Sanlang, glanced at the amount owed, and placed it on the table. "Sixty-three shi (a unit of dry measure). The Chen family has been owing these debts for five years, and several collection officers have failed to collect them. How confident are you in going yourself?"

Zhang Sanlang smiled slightly, "This year's inventory has been verified, and every piece of land transferred by the Chen family is listed on it. He can't deny it. Even if we can't recover it all, at least we can make him acknowledge the new debts this year."

Tao Cheng picked up his teacup, blew on the tea foam, and suddenly asked, "Don't you think I'm making things difficult for you with this job? After all, Chen Youde has deep ties to the county government."

"If the clerk wants to make things difficult for me, he can send someone else. Sending me is just to see if I can get the money back, so that he can assign me more difficult tasks later."

"You are indeed a wise man." Tao Cheng put down his teacup and lightly tapped the table. "The Chen family is not like ordinary villagers. They have powerful backers in the government, and ordinary constables cannot urge them. If you can't do anything about it either, you can just be in charge of the accounts from now on."

"If we can recover some of the arrears, we can entrust you with important responsibilities in the future. Old Zhao has made three trips; ask him to lead the way so you can save some trouble."

When Zhang Sanlang came out of Tao Cheng's inner room, Wang Tiesi had already summoned Lao Zhao.

Old Zhao was a tax collector in the county government. He was in his early fifties, as thin as an old bamboo pole, and had a hoarse voice, which he had developed from years of talking to villagers.

"Old Zhao, the Chen family has been in arrears with their land taxes, and the clerk has asked me to collect them. Go back and pack a couple of changes of clothes; you may have to stay at the manor for three to five days."

"We'll clarify all the new debts from this year and the accumulated debts from previous years with the Chen family face to face. He's dragged it out for five years; we won't let him drag it out for a sixth."

Old Zhao was taken aback upon hearing this, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Zhang Qianxing, it's not that I'm trying to discourage you, but the Chen family's debt has been outstanding for five years. Which clerk didn't know about it? Which one didn't send someone to urge them on?"

"We've been urging them for five years, but the Chen family still refuses to pay. You're an expert at clearing accounts, but collecting taxes is different from clearing accounts. Clearing accounts deals with numbers, while collecting taxes deals with people."

"That old fox Chen is a smiling tiger. He'll pass a message to Clerk Kong later, and we errand boys will still have to make a living in the yamen."

Seeing Zhang Sanlang's face darken, he quickly softened his tone, "Well, besides, every village and town is paying taxes, and the household registration offices are busy. Let's put the collection on hold for now. We can wait until the warehouses settle their accounts in winter and they still haven't paid before we start urging them."

Zhang Sanlang listened patiently to the end. "Old Zhao, in previous years the constables couldn't get the money because the accounts were unclear, and the Chen family had a legitimate reason to default. This year the accounts are clear, and if they still default, then it's not just a matter of money for shoes."

He closed the register, looked at Old Zhao, and said, "Since Clerk Tao has entrusted me with the task of collecting taxes this year, I have to go. You've been running around Chenjiazhuang for many years and know the way well, and the tenants in the village also know you. This time, you don't need to say anything; I'll do it."

Old Zhao opened his mouth, but seeing that Zhang Sanlang had made up his mind, he had no choice but to agree and go back to prepare.

After seeing Old Zhao off, Zhang Sanlang went to the county magistrate's office again.

Xu Kai was reviewing the case files of the dockside murders at his desk when he heard footsteps and looked up.

Zhang Sanlang briefly explained the matter of going to Chenjiazhuang to urge them to return to their posts. Xu Kai put down his pen and said, "Chenjiazhuang is more than ten miles east of the city. It's not a small place. You only brought Lao Zhao with you. I suppose you don't have enough manpower?"

Zhang Sanlang tucked the official document into his sleeve, cupped his hands in greeting to Xu Kai, and said, "That's precisely why I wanted to borrow a few archers from County Magistrate Xu to go with us. The Chen family has been involved in all sorts of things over the years, and when we're stationed in the village to collect taxes, we'll inevitably have to knock on the doors of a few tenant farmers."

"With fewer men, we can't control the situation. If Commander Wu's team has some free time, it would be best to have him take a few men and come with me."

"You certainly know how to pick people." Xu Kai picked up a note from the table, wrote a few lines, and handed it to Zhang Sanlang. "Go to the archers' barracks and find Commander Wu. Have him take a few men with you."

Commander of the Archers' Barracks: Zhang Shouli, acting as the acting head of the Household Department, has gone to Chenjiazhuang to collect the autumn taxes. Four archers are hereby ordered to accompany him as guards, under his command. They shall return upon completion of the task. Xu, County Magistrate of Juancheng, October 19th, the fourth year of the Taiping Xingguo era.

He thanked them and turned to go to the archers' barracks.

Wu, the head constable, was practicing with several archers in the courtyard. Upon seeing him, he lowered his spear and approached, asking, "Zhang Qianxing, do you need something?"

"Captain Wu, I am on the orders of Clerk Tao to go to Chen Family Village to urge the collection of taxes. County Lieutenant Xu has given his permission. Your group will come with me." Zhang Sanlang handed over Xu Kai's warrant.

Wu, the head constable, glanced at the warrant, tucked it into his waistband, and ordered four archers, "One stick each, that should be enough. If anyone dares to trip you up, let them try the archers' sticks."

He patted the short stick at his waist and added, "See you at the intersection of the official road in the east of the city tomorrow morning."

The four archers put away their clubs, exchanged glances, and smiles appeared on their faces.

One of the younger archers grinned: "That old fox from Chen Family Village always slips the constables a few dozen coins for shoes every time they go. This time Zhang Qianxing is going in person, so we can get some benefits too."

Another older archer patted the food bag at his waist: "We'll be away for a few days. We won't need to eat at the county government's kitchen, but the villages that are collecting taxes will provide us with a few meals. The cured meat from Chenjiazhuang is pretty good. Old Cui brought back a bag last time, and it lasted me half a month."

Wu Dutou laughed and scolded, "You filthy wretch, all you know is how to eat! Hurry up and go back to pack your things, don't be late tomorrow morning."

The archers dispersed, laughing and joking, each returning to their rooms to retrieve their bedding.

Zhang Sanlang thanked him and then turned to go home to pack his belongings.

When they returned to Kujing Lane, it was already dark. Zhang Sanlang told them about his trip to Chenjiazhuang to stay for a few days, and then instructed Qingge'er not to be naughty while he was away, and to listen to his sister.

Qingge looked up and asked, "Dad, what's fun to do in Chenjiazhuang?"

"I'm not going to play, I'm going to collect a debt." Zhang Sanlang wrapped two steamed buns in cloth and stuffed them into his bundle.

Xi Mei stood up, took the bundle, put the folded autumn clothes inside, and tucked a pair of newly made cloth socks into the corner of the bundle. "Father, come back soon."

"Okay." Zhang Sanlang replied, "You can decide how to use the things the county government gave us. Put two shi of new rice in the corner of the kitchen; it can be used to make porridge or rice. Send a few sheng to Grandpa Sun and Grandma He's families so that everyone can try the new rice."

"Place the two baskets of silver bone charcoal under the eaves against the wall to prevent them from getting damp. Burn a pot of it when it gets cold at night, don't be stingy. Keep the paper and ink at home, Qing-ge'er, don't be lazy when practicing calligraphy. I've put the two jars of wine on the cupboard, to drink during the New Year."

He paused, looking at Ximei'er as she spoke softly, "There are still two bolts of fine linen. Ask your sister Yun to make two more winter clothes, better than the coarse linen we had before..."