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

The next day at dawn, Zhang Sanlang brought Afang and Azheng to the clerk's office.

Several servants on duty walked past, some carrying copper kettles with steam rising from their spouts, hurrying to deliver water to each room; others carrying copper basins, the water inside sloshing about, spilling a few drops onto the brick floor.

Zhang Sanlang told the two to wait in the corridor, and then went in first.

"Clerk Feng." Zhang Sanlang stood in front of the desk and cupped his hands in greeting.

Feng Jian raised his eyelids to look at him. "Did you bring the person?"

"I brought it. Wait for me in the corridor."

Feng Jian nodded and gestured with his chin toward Wang Shoufen, the newly promoted clerk, "Go and pour two bowls of tea."

Wang Shoufen responded and returned a moment later with two bowls of tea. He placed them on the corner of the table and stepped aside, standing with his hands at his sides.

Feng Jian picked up his teacup and gestured to Zhang Sanlang, "Let him in."

Zhang Sanlang turned and walked to the door, waving towards the corridor.

A Fang came in first, and A Zheng followed closely behind.

As soon as A Fang entered, he glanced around the room, made out who was in the main seat, and immediately smiled. He bowed to Feng Jian and then nodded to Wang Shoufen. Wang Shoufen paused for a moment, then nodded in response.

Ah Zheng almost tripped over the threshold when he entered the room. He steadied himself and his face turned slightly red for a moment.

Feng Jian looked the two men up and down, his gaze lingering on A Zheng for a moment. "Which one is Xu Zheng?"

Xu Zheng hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and clasped his hands on the hem of his robe before letting go. "Reporting to Clerk Feng, this humble one is Xu Zheng."

"How many years of schooling have you had?"

"Five years. At Mr. Sun's private school in the north of the city."

"What did you read?"

"I've read all the Four Books and Five Classics. I've read the Criminal Code twice from beginning to end and memorized it all."

Feng Jian picked up his teacup, shook his head, and slowly blew on it. "Oh? You memorized the Criminal Code after only two readings? That's twelve chapters, two hundred and thirteen sections, over ten thousand words. Are you really that proficient?"

Xu Zheng raised his head and said, "Reporting to Clerk, I dare not say I have memorized it perfectly. I have put in some effort to memorize the articles that are required."

Feng Jian put down his teacup and leaned back in his chair. He didn't rush to ask questions, but instead pulled out a book called "Interpretation of the Criminal Code" from the corner of the table, flipped through a few pages, and traced a few lines on the paper with his finger.

"The law on theft states that if a robber obtains property, regardless of whether they are the ringleader or an accomplice, they shall all be beheaded. But what if the robber does not obtain any property?

Xu Zheng did not hesitate, "According to the Criminal Code, if a robber fails to obtain any property, he shall be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane and three years of penal servitude."

"What about theft? If someone steals and obtains a certain amount of money, what is the sentence?"

"For theft of one string of cash, the punishment is sixty strokes of the cane. For more than one string of cash, the punishment is increased by one degree. Up to ten strings of cash, the punishment is three years of penal servitude."

Feng Jian nodded and then asked about three more miscellaneous laws, articles on arresting fugitives, and articles on judging cases.

Xu Zheng could answer all the questions correctly, quoting every single legal passage word for word.

He looked at the corner of the table and not at people when he spoke, as if he were reciting a text.

Wang Shoufen looked up in surprise, glanced at Xu Zheng, and then lowered his head again.

Feng Jian's expression gradually changed, and he leaned forward, no longer questioning the articles, but discussing official business with his colleagues.

"Excellent, excellent! The younger generation is truly formidable! Two years ago in Puyang, there was a case. A saw B fighting with someone in an alley, and went to break it up, pushing B in the process. B fell, hit the back of his head on a stone step, and died. What should A's punishment be?"

Xu Zheng blinked, his lips moved as if he wanted to answer but didn't.

He lowered his head and thought for a moment before raising it again. "According to the law, A had no intention of killing anyone; his actions were merely to dissuade B. However, he caused B's death, so he should be punished for negligent homicide. His sentence is reduced by two degrees and three years of penal servitude for homicide in a fight."

Feng Jian neither nodded nor shook his head. "If A knows there are stone steps behind B, but still pushes him forcefully, what should be done?"

Xu Zheng answered faster this time, "Knowing full well that he did it, even without the intention to kill, he still had the intention to harm. He should be punished for killing in a fight. Anyone who kills in a fight shall be hanged."

Feng Jian leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. "If A and B had a prior feud, and on that day A concealed a knife in his sleeve, and during the scuffle, the knife remained sheathed, yet B fell to the ground and died. How would you deduce the outcome?"

Xu Zheng frowned.

He lowered his head, fidgeting with the hem of his clothes, and thought for a long time before speaking, his voice lower than before, "According to the law, concealing a knife on one's person clearly indicates premeditation. Even if the knife is not drawn, the intention is culpable. This should be considered intentional homicide. Intentional homicide is punishable by death."

Feng Jian looked at Xu Zheng, a smile playing on his lips. "Your answers weren't entirely wrong. It's just that you had to think for a long time about each one. If you were asked a question in court and you were stunned for a while, and the judge shouted at you, you probably wouldn't even be able to finish your sentence."

Xu Zheng blushed deeply upon hearing this, and his ears turned red as he lowered his head. "I am young and inexperienced. When I encounter a case I haven't seen before, I always have to consult the relevant legal provisions before I dare to answer. I'm afraid of losing face if I answer incorrectly."

Feng Jian waved his hand, "It's good to be able to memorize the articles. But in the criminal investigation department, memorizing the articles is just the beginning. There aren't that many major cases on a daily basis. Most of the time it's just minor disputes like brothers fighting over land, neighbors brawling, and mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law suing each other."

"These cases may not be clearly written in the criminal records. They rely on experience, understanding of human relationships, knowing which families in the area have a grudge against which families, which village head has influence, and which family's old woman is always cunning and unreasonable."

He picked up his teacup and took a sip. "You're young, so learn these things slowly. When you work under Fang Zhong'an, observe how he handles cases. Remember how he questions people and how to listen to their words. In the criminal investigation department, a small part is about the law, but the majority is about people's hearts."

He turned to Zhang Sanlang, a smile playing on his lips. "The person you recommended is indeed quite capable. He'll be appointed as a clerk in the criminal justice department. Come back this afternoon to handle the paperwork."

Xu Zheng bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, Clerk Feng."

Feng Jian waved his hand, looked at Zhang Sanlang and smiled, "Fang Zhong'an is quick-witted and adept at interpersonal relationships. It's a pity he's not very knowledgeable about laws and regulations."

"Whenever we encounter a tricky case, we have to look up the relevant articles on the spot. Sending Xu Zheng to the interrogation room has given him some peace and quiet. Fang Zhong'an will probably treat you to drinks tonight."

Zhang Sanlang smiled knowingly, "It is indeed the clerk who has a keen eye for talent, knows how to appoint people to positions, and considers things thoroughly. Brother Fang has been trained by the clerk in the clerk's office for many years, so there are some things that he will surely understand even if you don't say them."

Upon hearing this, Feng Jian laughed heartily and turned his gaze to Xu Fang.

A-Fang stood three steps behind his younger brother, a smile on his face from the moment he entered.

The smile wasn't overly solicitous or wooden; it seemed to be naturally present on his face.

When Feng Jian looked him over, he bowed slightly, met his gaze, and then looked away, neither interrupting nor dodging.

Feng Jian picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Your name is Xu Fang?"

"Yes. I am Xu Fang."

"You used to work as a waiter at the Yuelai Tavern?"

"Yes. I ran it for three years."

"Why did you quit?"

Xu Fang's smile remained unchanged, as if he were talking about someone else's business. "A few days ago, a regular customer got drunk and insisted that I had shortchanged him by twenty coins. To avoid trouble, the manager fired me, saying he would call me back after things calmed down."

Feng Jian put down his teacup. "You admit it?"

Xu Fang smiled, stepped forward to refill Feng Jian's teacup, then took a half step back before speaking, "The manager has his difficulties. He can't afford to offend regular customers, and as for me, a mere waiter, it's no big deal to resign."

"The customer might not remember this when he sobers up, and the shopkeeper still has to open for business every day. Arguing with him won't necessarily get him justice; it will only make the shopkeeper lose face. It's better to just accept it and part ways amicably."