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

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, then turned and left. The hemp rope swayed around his waist, and his footsteps echoed through the corridor.

Zhang Sanlang stood there for a moment, watching his retreating figure with great interest.

To be honest, He Lantou was quite an interesting guy. It wasn't that he was poor, but he dressed as simply as a dockworker.

He had been collecting taxes at the docks for over ten years, with twenty or thirty local officials at his beck and call, handling at least several dozen strings of cash in taxes each month. Yet, he couldn't find a single thing of value on his person.

The hemp rope tied around his waist was exactly the same as the one tied by the dockworkers, and he didn't replace it even though it was worn out.

He was wearing a gray cloth short-sleeved brown shirt, the cuffs of which were worn white and patched upon patched, making it even older than Old Sun's.

He wore cloth shoes with soles worn smooth and shiny. Even when walking in the rain, water would seep into the soles, but he didn't mind.

Merchants at the docks whispered among themselves that He Lantou had saved enough money to buy a house in the north of the city.

Some people say he sent all the money back to his hometown, where his mother is still farming.

Some people say he's faking it, deliberately dressing shabbily to make people think he's honest and upright, while actually hiding his dirty money under his bed.

Zhang Sanlang had dealt with him a few times and had figured out a thing or two about him.

This person is shrewd.

Because of his tattered clothes, some merchants took pity on him and would give him a few extra coins for tea.

He was dressed in rags, and his superiors thought he wasn't greedy, so no one has touched him all these years.

He dressed in rags, and his underlings, the street thugs, were too embarrassed to dress well. They all followed his example, and the row of them standing on the docks looked no better than beggars.

But anyone who thinks he's really poor would be wrong.

Zhang Sanlang shook his head and turned back to his room.

Liao Tiesi looked up at him, then lowered his head to work on the abacus.

When it was time to finish his shift, Zhang Sanlang tidied up the books on his desk and left the office. As he reached the entrance of the corridor, Wu Yan came out of the archers' barracks and called out to him.

"Saburo."

Wu Yan walked over, a somewhat unnatural smile on his face. He glanced around, then lowered his voice, "Have you heard the rumors about Zhang Silang?"

"I've heard about it."

"What are you planning to do?"

"There's not much we can do." Zhang Sanlang rolled up his sleeves. "People can talk, let them say what they want."

Wu Yan frowned. "But some people say you spread it."

"Who said that?"

"I don't know the source. Anyway, some people are saying that you're jealous of Zhang Silang getting the solution, so you're deliberately spreading rumors."

Zhang Sanlang smiled. "Me, jealous of him? I've severed ties with him. I'm doing my job, why would I be jealous of him? Brother Wu, thank you for telling me. I understand the situation."

Wu Yan could only nod upon hearing this, "Alright. If you want to find out who spread it, just tell me. My archers can help inquire while they're patrolling the streets."

Zhang Sanlang nodded. "Okay. I'll contact you if I need anything."

Back in Kujing Lane, just as they entered the main room, Qingge jumped out of the bedroom and said, "Dad, someone is saying bad things about Zhang Laosi."

Zhang Sanlang paused for a moment. "What did you say?"

"He said he wasn't studying well at the state school, and that he was with someone's daughter..." Qingge tilted his head and thought for a moment, unable to recall the exact words, "Anyway, it wasn't anything nice."

happy Mei'er came over with the food, glared at her younger brother, and said, "Don't copy what you say."

Qingge pouted, "I didn't just copy it randomly. Grandpa Sun said so."

Xi Mei glanced at him and continued, "Grandpa Sun said that there are rumors circulating about Fourth Uncle at the dock. He told you not to take it to heart, that it's all baseless gossip."

Zhang Sanlang nodded. "Understood. Let's eat."

Lin Qiao'er carried the dishes over, placed the two plates on the table, and glanced at Zhang Sanlang's expression.

The next afternoon, Zhang Shouren returned home from the dock, looking rather unwell.

He pushed open the door to the main room, where Zhang's father was sitting in an official's hat chair, soaking his feet.

Steam rose from the water in the wooden basin, and a foot cloth was draped over the back of the chair.

"Father," Zhang Shouren pulled up a chair and sat down, "there are people gossiping again at the docks. They're still talking about Silang, and it's even worse than yesterday."

Mr. Zhang raised his eyelids. "What did you say?"

Zhang Shouren rubbed his hands together and lowered his voice, "They say that Silang is having an affair with Zhao Xiaoniangzi, the daughter of the prefectural school professor. He sneaks in every night and doesn't come out until dawn. They also say that Silang's title was obtained by licking the backsides of the Wang family."

Zhang's father didn't say anything, but his old face darkened.

As Zhang Shouren spoke, his face darkened with anger. "Father, some people say that Sanlang spread this story, and I think it's pretty much true. I'm planning to make a scene at the county government office tomorrow..."

Zhang's father lifted his feet out of the basin, wiped them with a cloth, and said, "Are you brainless? He's never been to the prefectural school. How would he know anything about Silang's affairs there?"

Zhang Shouren paused for a moment, "Maybe you heard it from someone else."

Father Zhang stared at him with an unfriendly expression. "When Si Lang was young, he had a good relationship with him. But ever since he was admitted to the state academy, has he ever given San Lang a second glance? How many words has he exchanged with San Lang at home?"

"Si Lang never talks about things at the state school to his face. He doesn't even know how many dormitories there are in the state school, how could he make up these details? How could he make up names like Wang Boyong and Wang Zheng?"

He casually picked up a cup of hot tea, rinsed his mouth, and swallowed. "There's no smoke without fire. The rumors are so detailed and believable. I'm afraid Si Lang might be having a hard time at the state academy. Sigh!"

Zhang Shouren frowned. "Father means..."

Zhang's father leaned back in his chair and sighed deeply, "It's probably true that Silang is on good terms with the professor of the state school, and it's also true that he has some dealings with Zhao Xiaoniangzi. It's probably also true that he's... a lackey of the Wang family."

Zhang Shouren's eyes widened. "Father! You believe outsiders' rumors, but don't believe in Silang's character?"

Zhang's father glared at him. "What are you yelling about?"

Zhang Shouren was so frightened that he immediately shut his mouth.

Zhang's father stood up, his old face somewhat embarrassed. "Fourth Brother is indeed talented, but when it comes to character, hmph! Which of you five brothers doesn't have shortcomings?"

He paced around the room, his cane tapping on the brick floor. "Brother, do you think I don't know about your shady dealings with Madam Pan from the neighboring shop?"

Zhang Shouren's face flushed red upon hearing this. "Father, those are all baseless rumors..."

"No shadow?" Zhang's father interrupted him. "Manager Pan went to Puyang to buy goods last year and didn't come back for half a month. You often went out through the side door at night and didn't come back until almost dawn. Do you think I'm blind?"

Zhang Shouren lowered his head, not daring to utter another word in defense.

Zhang's father didn't look at him. "My second son's wife committed suicide. He argued with me over a woman. After the argument, he just left and hasn't been heard from in ten years. Even if I die, he probably won't come back."

"What about the third brother? He had such a bright future, but he ruined his whole life for a slut. Otherwise, if the fourth brother could be cured, he certainly could too!"

"The rumors about Fourth Brother's affairs at the state school might not be entirely unfounded. Lust is a dangerous thing; none of you brothers can give me a moment's peace!"