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

Liu Geng stood on the stone steps, his neck stiffened, and he turned his head to look in the direction of the sound.

Six people emerged from the alleyway. The one in the lead had a headband tied around his head and his hands tucked into his sleeves as he walked over. Liu Geng's lips curled down slightly; he naturally recognized the man.

Zhang Sanlang stopped in front of the stone steps, first waved to Wu Yan, then looked at Liu Geng, "Master Liu, Young Master Wang is a distinguished scholar from the state academy, and comes from a prestigious family."

"The Liu family originated from the entertainment sector. Although they have since changed their status, their social standing is still different. What kind of person is Young Master Wang? How could he possibly be associated with your Liu family? If these words were to spread, it would only damage Young Master Wang's reputation."

Liu Geng's lips twitched, and his face became even more unpleasant. He forced a smile, "Third Master, your words are deliberately aimed at hitting a sore spot. I may not come from a high social standing, but I still have some semblance of respectability in Juancheng."

Seeing that Zhang Sanlang's visit was ill-intentioned, he had no choice but to hold back and bend down slightly. "Yan Qianxing's grandson is missing. You are anxious, and so am I. We are both from Juancheng, and I am willing to do my part to help search for him."

He gave the steward a wink, then stepped aside to make way for the doorway. "Third Master, Commander Wu, it doesn't look proper for you to be talking here at the gate. Why don't you come inside for a cup of tea and we can discuss this further?"

"My mansion has several courtyards, with side courtyards on both sides. You haven't brought many men, so I'll gather my servants and personally lead you in searching it. I only ask that you three gentlemen give me some face and not let the neighbors laugh at me. What do you say?"

Zhang Sanlang glanced at Liu Geng, then looked around the doorway, his face softening into a smile. "It would be best if Master Liu would open the door."

He turned to Wu Yan and instructed, "Captain Wu, since Lord Liu is willing to lead us in, let's go in and take a look. But there's one thing: you brothers are all rough men, so don't damage any of Lord Liu's belongings."

Wu Yan grinned and replied, "Don't worry, Zhang Yashi. You can explain things clearly to Liu Gong before searching. Besides, there are rules for searching houses. No smashing doors, no ransacking chests, and no taking a single needle or thread from the master. Anyone who gets itchy hands, I'll chop off their claws when they get back."

Zhang Sanlang smiled at Liu Geng again, "Lord Liu, you heard that too. If there's anyone who's too blind to listen, just report it to me, and I'll deal with them on the spot."

Liu Geng's smile froze slightly, then he forced it back on. "Please, Third Master, please, Chief Constable Wu."

Zhang Sanlang stepped over the threshold and walked inside alongside Liu Geng.

Huangfu Ce and Guo Renjie, who had just arrived, followed behind Zhang Sanlang, with Wang Chao, Ma Han, Zhang Long, and Zhao Hu protecting them on either side.

Wu Yan led twelve archers in single file, leaving four men to guard the gate.

Upon entering the flower hall, Liu Geng invited Zhang Sanlang to take the seat of honor, while he himself sat to the side. A servant brought tea, and Liu Geng personally served him a cup.

Huangfu Ce didn't wait for Liu Geng to offer him a seat. He sat down comfortably in the armchair behind Zhang Sanlang, with Guo Renjie standing behind him.

Wang Chao and Ma Han stood behind Zhang Sanlang, while Zhang Long and Zhao Hu guarded the entrance to the flower hall on either side. Wu Yan stood at the entrance, one foot inside and one foot outside. Twelve archers lined up under the eaves, separating the Liu family's guards.

Liu Geng's lips twitched as he watched, then he gestured to Wu Yan, "Why doesn't Commander Wu come in and sit down?"

Wu Yan glanced at Liu Geng out of the corner of his eye. "Master Liu, I'm here on business, not for tea. You sit, I'll stand."

Having no other choice, Liu Geng reluctantly picked up the teacup, first offering it to Zhang Sanlang, then taking a sip himself before setting it down. "Third Master," he said, "I have been operating in the west of the city for many years, and I have always kept to myself and the county government."

"I am also worried about the Yan family's situation. However, the Third Master brought people to their door today, making quite a commotion, and the neighbors were all peeking in. I, Liu, am really embarrassed."

He paused, glancing at Wu Yan out of the corner of his eye. "If I may be so bold as to say this, if the Third Master is merely conducting a simple investigation, I am happy to oblige. But if it is a full-scale search, I am, after all, a person of standing in Juancheng, and there must be an explanation."

Zhang Sanlang took a sip of tea, then smiled upon hearing this. "Lord Liu, it's just a matter of superiors sending orders to subordinates. Commander Wu is coming to investigate with a warrant from Magistrate Gu; don't make things difficult for him. Just now I overheard you saying you wanted to invite Young Master Wang; what's the meaning of that?"

Liu Geng looked at his face and said, "Third Master, at my age, I originally didn't want to cause any more trouble. However, the Liu family occupies the brothel street in the west of the city, which inevitably attracts attention. There are some things that, without finding a way, I can't even look through the account books at night."

"The Third Master knows better than I do about the Prince's prestige in the state. Even in the capital, the Prince has influence. My humble business is only seeking a stable life by working under the Prince."

Liu Geng paused, looked at Zhang Sanlang's expression, and gestured with his chin toward the butler beside him.

The steward took a brocade pouch from his sleeve, presented it with both hands, and placed it on the table. The pouch was not large; when the drawstring was loosened, three gold ingots were revealed inside.

Liu Geng presented the brocade pouch to Zhang Sanlang, saying, "Third Master, I was being stingy outside the door earlier. This is a small token for the brothers to buy some wine."

"The Liu family still has some shops in Juancheng. If you, sir, wish to inspect them, I, Liu, will open the doors. However, if word gets out and it alarms the prefectural government, it will not look good for the Prince."

Zhang Sanlang neither accepted the brocade bag nor pushed it away.

He glanced down at Jin Ting, then shifted his gaze back to Liu Geng's face. "I see. I understand Lord Liu's concerns, and Commander Wu also has his difficulties. However, I do have a solution to this matter."

Liu Geng quickly moved closer, "Please speak, Third Master."

Zhang Sanlang's smile softened. "I think it would be better to invite Young Master Wang over. With him acting as a guarantor, the Liu family will have nothing to do with this, and Commander Wu can easily report back."

Liu Geng's eyes darted around, thinking that the thirty taels of gold had worked. He turned to the steward and instructed, "Steward Gong, go and invite Young Master Wang here."

The steward responded and left.

The atmosphere in the flower hall eased, and Liu Geng's face broke into a smile again. "Third Master, you are young and promising, with a long road ahead of you. Why make a fatal grudge against the powerful families in the prefecture?"

Zhang Sanlang nodded with a smile, "What Lord Liu said makes sense. Lord Wang is highly respected and his students and friends are spread throughout the prefectures and counties. How could I, a mere clerk, dare to form an alliance with Lord Wang?"

"But with Magistrate Gu's warrant hanging over us, if we go back empty-handed today, I'm afraid we won't be able to keep our positions as clerks. If Young Master Wang can vouch for us, Magistrate Gu probably won't make things difficult for Commander Wu and me."

His words were gentle, and Liu Geng found them agreeable. His smile deepened, and his voice became three degrees more relaxed than before. "Third Master is right. I've said it before, Third Master is a wise man."

He leaned back, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of the chair. "To be honest, Third Master, Young Master Wang also values ​​you highly. Just a few days ago, he told me that it would be a waste to put someone like you, Third Master, as a clerk in the county government."

Liu Geng paused, glancing out of the corner of his eye at the outside of the flower hall. "I, Liu, am willing to act as a go-between. The princes' court is in dire need of capable officials like the Third Master. In the future, whether it's relocation, river works, or commercial taxes, none of these will be possible without the Third Master..."