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

Zhang Shouren stood there, hesitating for a long time before finally blurting out, "The fifth son was adopted by the main family, and at only fourteen, he already took a maid as a concubine. The main family doesn't do anything about it, letting him run wild..."

Zhang's father blushed and glared at him fiercely. Zhang Shouren shrank back and quickly swallowed his words.

The room was quiet for a moment.

Mr. Zhang leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh. "So, all five of you brothers, don't blame each other. It's a tragedy. It's all my fault as your father for not raising you properly. I don't even know who you little rascals took after!"

Zhang Shouren chuckled and looked up. "Father, please don't say that..."

Father Zhang waved his hand to stop him, "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Silang studied at the state school for three years, receiving twelve strings of cash for tuition each year. With paper, ink, and festival gifts, it's at least twenty strings of cash a year."

"We're sending him to school hoping he'll amount to something. But if he goes astray, that's a different story. Think about it. How many years have those students in those unresolved cases studied so hard?"

"It takes at least five or six years, and sometimes more than ten. In the end, the quotas for rescuing people are taken by a few people with connections. Are they willing to accept it? Are the families behind them willing to accept it?"

Zhang Shouren's Adam's apple bobbed, and a look of realization finally appeared in his eyes.

"These people are unwilling to accept this, so they spread rumors. The rumors reach the streets, and then are brought to Juancheng by merchants and porters. They sit in teahouses and taverns, adding fuel to the fire, making the rumors more and more outrageous."

"Especially matters between men and women, they spread the fastest and hurt the most. They say you're guilty, and they say you're innocent. What can you say to defend yourself? If you defend yourself, people say you're guilty; if you don't defend yourself, people say you're admitting it. People can't stop their mouths."

He paused, his voice turning somber, "Ruining someone's reputation is the dirtiest, but also the most effective tactic. People in the streets love to hear about and spread this method, but those who use it are often respectable people."

Zhang Shouren was silent for a moment, then said, "But Sanlang is also a suspect. He severed ties with our family, and he may well harbor resentment."

Mr. Zhang glanced at him. "What does he hate? That unfilial son deliberately provoked us so that we could easily sever ties and separate from the family. I only realized this afterward. You still can't understand it?"

"Don't you, as the eldest brother, know what kind of life the third wife is living at home? She hands over her entire monthly allowance without keeping a single penny for herself, and what has she gotten in return?"

"They can't even eat at the table, they wear hand-me-downs from the main house, and even the two children suffer. Ximei is nine years old, and she has to get up before dawn to work; Qingge is only five, and Baoge rides him like a horse. Has anyone said a single fair word?"

Zhang Shouren lowered his head and muttered softly, "When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down; you, sir, have never said a fair word."

Zhang's father didn't hear him clearly and sneered, "You treat him like an outsider first, that's why he doesn't consider himself family. I hate him for his ignorance back then, but why do you all look down on him too?"

"Severing ties with relatives and dividing the family property was exactly what he wanted, and he also received the old house and ancestral land. He was secretly overjoyed and had no desire to have any further ties with his family."

"Eldest brother, think about it. From childhood to adulthood, has Third Brother ever acted or spoken like a treacherous villain? Besides, Fourth Brother passing the imperial examination, what harm could that do to him?"

Zhang Shouren was stunned for a moment.

"Although the family ties have been severed, he still bears the surname Zhang. When people talk about Zhang Jinshi from Zhencheng, he, as the third brother, feels proud."

Zhang Shouren's brows were still furrowed. "Father, you're trying to excuse Sanlang."

Mr. Zhang's face darkened. "Exonerate him? What excuse do I have for him? I was the one who proposed severing ties, and I was the one who agreed to the ancestral home and land. If I wanted to exonerate him, I wouldn't have severed ties in the first place."

He slammed the teacup down on the table with a dull thud. "When will your pig brain start working a little faster?"

Zhang Shouren was unconvinced and reluctantly lowered his head to listen to the reprimand.

Zhang's father looked at him, his tone softening slightly, "Forget it, no matter what, he's still a rebellious son, certainly not as filial as you. By the way, I heard Kong You'an has been transferred to the prison camp as a sergeant. Do you know what that means?"

When Zhang Shouren heard his father praise his filial piety, a look of joy appeared on his face. He quickly followed up on the conversation, saying, "Everyone says it's a lateral transfer, but it's actually a demotion in disguise."

"That prison camp, with its wardens above and bailiffs below, only manages convicts who offer no real pay. How can it compare to the glamorous life of the county government's criminal division?"

"That's right." Zhang's father nodded. "His transfer is naturally due to infighting within the county government. It's quite possible that his rebellious son, Sanlang, is involved. Otherwise, why would Kong Youan have come to see you that time?"

Zhang Shouren raised his head, looking completely bewildered.

As Zhang's father spoke, his expression also became serious. "The Kong family has been operating in the criminal investigation department for three generations, and they have plenty of men under their command. From dockworkers to street ruffians, who doesn't obey their orders? If they want to spread a few rumors, it's effortless for them."

Zhang Shouren slapped his thigh. "I knew it! That Sanlang kid doesn't have the brains for that! It must have been that Kong guy who did it!"

Father Zhang shook his head. "Kong You'an has a grudge against Sanlang, so naturally he doesn't want to see the Zhang family produce a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). Even knowing that the Zhang family has severed ties with Sanlang, he still wants to spread this rumor."

"Yes, that's right! Big Brother, think about it. With your intelligence, if you heard these rumors, who would be the first person you suspect?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shouren blurted out, "Sanlang!"

As soon as he spoke, he realized what he had said, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, his face turning red, and his eyes filled with resentment as he looked at Zhang's father.

Father Zhang nodded. "That's right! If you and Sanlang start arguing, who'll be laughing the loudest? He'll be sitting in the prison camp, drinking tea and watching the show—wouldn't that be perfect for him?"

"You even said you'd take this to the authorities? Who'll lose face? The Zhang family will lose face. What about Si Lang's reputation? Will he still be able to run the shop? They didn't even have to lift a finger, and we've ruined our own reputation!"

Sweat beaded on Zhang Shouren's forehead.

Zhang's father leaned back in his chair, squinting his eyes. "So, let's talk about Silang's matter when he gets back. As for rumors, just ignore them; they'll dissipate in a few days. The more you take them seriously, the more they'll spread."

A cold smile crept across his lips. "Things in this world can't be rushed. Whoever is hasty will lose. When trouble comes, don't rush to take it out on someone. First, think about who benefits. Once you figure out who benefits, you'll know who's behind it all."

"Even if you know who it is, don't rush to act. Wait and see where he goes next. He takes one step, you watch one step. After he takes three steps, you'll have seen through his entire path. At that point, if you make a move, he won't even have a place to retreat."

Glancing at Zhang Shouren's somewhat bewildered expression, Zhang's father said with a hint of desolation, "Eldest son, think things through before you speak. You're well past thirty, yet you're still so simple-minded. This family business... never mind, it's getting late. Go back and rest."

Zhang Shouren, looking dejected, responded and stood up to leave.

After taking only a few steps, he slapped his forehead, turned back, and carried the foot-washing basin out.