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

Liao Tiesi nodded. "Yes. He's from Nanjidian, a local. His name is Sun Jizu. He was awarded a military merit and received fifty mu of superior land. The official document says that he may be appointed as the county magistrate."

Zhang Sanlang read the official document again:

Puzhou edict issued to Juancheng County

The imperial edict is hereby granted: All officers and soldiers who have repeatedly rendered meritorious service in battle shall be rewarded in accordance with established practices.

This prefecture has approved the imperial edict. According to the document from the Commander of the Palace Guard, Sun Jizu, a native of Nanjidian in Juancheng County of this prefecture, rose through the ranks to become a commander. In the fourth year of the Taiping Xingguo era, during the campaign against the Northern Han, he was the first to charge into battle, beheading six enemy soldiers. He was severely wounded, and his right arm was broken. He deserves a reward for his meritorious service.

According to the imperial edict, fifty mu of superior land were allocated for tenancy in Nanjidian, Juancheng County, within this prefecture. He was appointed as the county magistrate of Juancheng, filling a vacancy as per usual practice.

The following document shall be paid, and the request shall be made hereby.

December 14th, the fourth year of the Taiping Xingguo era

State Prefectural Clerk

Zhang Sanlang's heart stirred when he saw the four characters "fill the gaps and dispatch".

He waved Liao Tiesi away, pondered for a moment, then stood up and walked towards the county magistrate's office.

Xu Kai was carefully organizing the case files at his desk when he saw Zhang Sanlang enter, and he stopped what he was doing.

"County Commandant Xu," Zhang Sanlang handed over the official document, "is from the prefecture. A retired commander is to be appointed to fill a position in this county. So, you're getting a promotion?"

Xu Kai took the document, glanced at it, and placed it on the table. A slight smile played on his lips. "It's already reached your household registration office so quickly."

Zhang Sanlang watched as the corner of his mouth twitched. "So you already know? You're really tight-lipped."

Xu Kai picked up the paperweight and weighed it in his hand. "Of course I know. I was planning to wait until the transfer document arrived after the New Year before making any decisions, but I didn't expect the document for filling in the vacancies to arrive at the Ministry of Revenue first."

"The case of Chen Youde has been closed by the prefecture. Because of my merit in solving the case, the prefecture has already decided to transfer me to the position of Judicial Assistant, to take office after the New Year. I received the news in advance."

A smile appeared on Zhang Sanlang's face as he cupped his hands in greeting to Xu Kai. "I see. Congratulations on your promotion, County Magistrate Xu."

Xu Kai waved his hand, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. "What promotion? The Chief Justice is in charge of the criminal justice system of a prefecture. It looks prestigious, but it's actually a tough job. The cases in the prefecture are more complicated than in the county, and there are more personal relationships to deal with. You can easily offend someone if you're not careful."

He glanced at Zhang Sanlang's expression. "Are you worried that the new county magistrate will be difficult to get along with?"

Zhang Sanlang did not deny it.

Xu Kai laughed, "Military officers transferred to local positions are not familiar with government affairs. These kinds of people often have bad tempers, but fortunately, the household registration office and the county magistrate's office don't have too much contact, so there's no fear of things not going smoothly."

"To rise to the rank of commander through military merit means you earned your position through bloodshed and risking your life. Being assigned to this county indicates that you don't have many connections above you. With Wu Yan still here, County Magistrate Sun won't dare to make things difficult for you."

"However, you should also be careful. People from the military are very particular about rules. If you give them face, they will give you substance. If you take them seriously, they will take you seriously. Otherwise, if you say the wrong thing, they might dare to draw their sword against you."

Zhang Sanlang nodded repeatedly as he listened.

Xu Kai looked at him and said, "Zhang Qianxing, who in the county government can't you handle? You've dealt with someone like Kong You'an, so why are you afraid of a one-armed general?"

Xu Kai stood up, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Alright. I'll be going to the prefecture after the New Year. Do your job well. If you're ever given a hard time, have someone pass on a message to the prefecture, and I'll transfer you to the prefecture's household registration office."

"With your talent, if it weren't for your young age and lack of experience, you could easily be promoted to a minor official position, not just a clerk. But since you've been transferred, you'll have to start all over again. I'm different from you; I was originally appointed to a higher position in the State Judicial Court."

Zhang Sanlang was very grateful upon hearing this. "Thank you for your appreciation, Magistrate Xu. Whenever I work in the county government, it's always been you who supports me. In the future, when you go to the prefecture, if you ever need my help, just have someone pass on a message."

Xu Kai nodded slowly with satisfaction. "Alright. There's no need for formalities between us. Just do your job well."

Zhang Sanlang nodded, turned around, walked to the door, and then stopped. "County Commandant Xu, take care."

Xu Kai waved his hand, "Go ahead."

Zhang Sanlang pushed open the door and went out.

The wind blowing through the corridor carried the chill of the twelfth lunar month.

He narrowed his eyes and walked towards the household.

Kong Youan is temporarily unable to move.

The new county magistrate is currently unknown.

There is only one thing I can do.

Do your job well.

He had just sat back down at his desk when Wu Yan arrived. "Sanlang, we've found out. A scribe surnamed Liu in the prison camp was spreading rumors with a merchant he was on good terms with. This man used to work in the prison, and Kong You'an took him with him when he was transferred to the prison camp."

"That merchant's surname is Zhou; he specializes in selling new tea to several tea shops in the county. Sanlang, should I take some men to give those two surnamed Liu a good beating?"

Zhang Sanlang shook his head. "No need. We can't touch Kong You'an. Dealing with these small fry will only alert him and is pointless."

Wu Yan nodded, turned around and left.

Before leaving his post, Registrar Gu sent someone to summon Zhang Sanlang to the signing room.

The annual income and expenditure ledger was spread out on the table. Gu Yansheng leaned back in his chair. "This year's autumn tax revenue was quite good, 30% more than last year. In addition, the official funds confiscated from the Chen family are plentiful in the county granary."

"Magistrate Shen and Assistant Magistrate Sun will be leaving after the New Year, as their terms are coming to an end. The two officials mentioned to me that they want to give us generous rewards this year. Before they leave, they want to leave everyone with something to remember them by. Go and revise the reward plan."

Zhang Sanlang responded and turned to go back to his room.

He manipulated the abacus beads for a while, writing and revising, and it took about half an hour to finalize the decision.

The servants, ordinary archers, gatekeepers, jailers, cooks, and cleaners were all provided with two dou of rice, one dou of flour, one pot of wine, half a bolt of cloth, three jin of meat, and five hundred coins.

The higher-ranking officials, such as Tie Si, Shou Fen, Ku Zi, Dou Zi, and Shi Jiang, received two dou of rice, one dou of flour, two jugs of wine, one bolt of cloth, three jin of meat, and one guan of cash.

For those who block the way, lead the way, or advance, the goods are doubled, and the money is two strings of cash.

The three chief clerks received four times the amount of goods and five strings of cash.

Tao Cheng nodded after reviewing the plan. "Well thought out. Rice, flour, wine, and cloth will come from the county granary. Meat, extra wine, and some festive New Year's goods need to be purchased. You'll handle that. However, add 100 strings of cash to the total cost, and purchase them at preferential prices."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Sanlang's spirits lifted, and the next day he took Liao Tiesi, Zheng Tiesi, Shoufen Lao Zhao, and several servants to go out and make purchases.

They went to butcher shops, fish stalls, and wineries one by one. Manager Zhu's cloth shop had already sold a batch, and this time they bought some more. Manager Song's general store also added a large quantity of dried fruits and candied fruits.

On the nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, a long queue formed at the entrance of the grain depot.

Gatekeepers, jailers, cooks, cleaners, servants from various departments, and archers—over a hundred people—crammed into the courtyard, craning their necks to look inside.

Liu Da stood at the warehouse door, holding the reward list in his hand, calling out to each person one by one.

"Zhang Sixi! Two dou of rice, one dou of flour, one jujube of wine, half a bolt of cloth, three jin of meat, and five hundred wen!"

A skinny handyman squeezed forward, took the things, and grinned. "This year's bonus is 30% more than last year's!"

People nearby crowded around to look at the wealth in his hands and laughed, "Enough for a prosperous New Year!"