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

happy Mei squatted in the corner of the main room, where a small table had been set up. On it were a bowl of rice, a pair of chopsticks, a plate of cured meat, and a plate of dried fruit.

She took out a small piece of jade from her collar, about the size of a thumb, carved into the shape of an orchid, and tied with a red string.

That was left to her by her mother, and she had worn it ever since she could remember.

She touched the jade, stood up, took two steps towards the door, and pushed it open. A cold wind blew in, and she squinted, whispering to the door, "Mother, it's time to come home for the New Year."

The voice was very soft, as if afraid of startling someone.

She stood at the door for a moment, then turned back to the small table, placed her chopsticks on the rim of the bowl, took two steps back, and looked at the empty chair.

Zhang Sanlang stood under the eaves looking at her, and images of Ximei'er's mother flashed through his mind, causing his eyes to sting with tears.

happy Mei stood for a while, then cleared the bowls and chopsticks off the small table, wiped the table clean with a rag, and took the empty bowls to the kitchen.

Before long, Sun Jizu led Sun Ce in and sat down at the table.

Little Sun Ce climbed onto the bench and reached for a chicken leg, but was glared at by Sun Jizu and quickly withdrew his hand.

When it was time for the New Year's Eve dinner, everyone in the courtyard had arrived. Aunt Sun, along with a few girls, set up another table on the kang (heated brick bed) in the east room.

Inside the main room, Zhang Sanlang picked up his wine bowl and stood up. "Uncle Sun, it's New Year's. This year has been tough for everyone. Now that County Magistrate Sun has returned to his hometown to serve as an official, you're surrounded by your children and grandchildren. May each year be better than the last."

Old Sun picked up his wine bowl and clinked it against his. "Sanlang, you've been incredibly good to this old man. To be honest, when I injured my back, I felt like I wanted to die! Luckily, you took care of me, and now I feel much better!"

Zhang Sanlang waved his hand, "Uncle Sun, why are you saying all this?"

Aunt Sun brought in a bowl of steamed egg custard and placed it in front of little Sun Ce. "Ce'er, this is for you. Eat it to grow strong."

Sun Ce lowered his head and took a bite, hissing as it was scalding hot. He fanned the flame with his hand, then took the small spoon from his sister-in-law and ate it.

Old Sun watched his grandson eat heartily, and a slight smile touched his lips. He picked up his wine bowl, looked at Zhang Sanlang, and said, "Sanlang, there's something I need to say."

Zhang Sanlang put down his chopsticks.

Old Sun glanced at Sun Jizu and said, "He brought Ce'er back entirely thanks to you. You arranged accommodations for him, provided him with food and clothing, and even mediated between him and this old man. Our Sun family will remember this kindness for a lifetime."

He raised his wine bowl to Zhang Sanlang, "Sanlang, I toast you."

Zhang Sanlang quickly stood up, holding the bowl with both hands, and said, "Uncle Sun, you're too kind."

The two touched hands and each took a sip.

Old Sun sat down, wiped his mouth, and glared at Sun Jizu. "What's this? You haven't even gone to the county office yet, and you're already putting on airs like an official? Can't you even speak properly?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Jizu smiled wryly and quickly stood up, holding his wine bowl. "Zhang Qianxing, I've been in the army for many years and have mostly encountered rough men. I'm not very good at speaking either. In short, I, Sun Jizu, will remember your kindness towards my father and Ce'er."

Zhang Sanlang clinked his bowl against his and said, "County Magistrate Sun, you flatter me. Let's support each other."

The two of them tilted their heads back and gulped it down, the bowls turning upside down.

Old Sun wasn't satisfied. "Just remembering isn't enough. You're an official in the county government, and Sanlang is also working there. From now on, if anything happens, you'll have to protect him, or don't blame me for cutting you down with a knife, you unfilial son!"

Sun Jizu looked embarrassed and pretended not to hear.

Old Sun put his chopsticks down on the table. "Sanlang, this is home, not the government office. All that 'county magistrate' stuff sounds awkward! From now on, you two should address each other as brothers, stop with those official titles."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Sanlang seized the opportunity, raised his wine bowl to Sun Jizu, and said, "Brother Sun, please take care of me in the future."

Sun Jizu glanced at Old Sun, then quickly raised his bowl and clinked it against his. "Brother Zhang, you're too kind."

Old Sun was finally satisfied. He picked up his wine bowl and took a sip. "If you hadn't come back, I'm afraid I would have had to trouble Sanlang to take care of my old bones for you when I passed away."

"From now on, you must treat Sanlang even better than your own brother. I'm only able to make a living at the docks and have a place to stay because of Sanlang. Without him, your father would have starved to death on the streets long ago, and I wouldn't be able to wait for you to come back."

He paused, tapping his fingers twice on the table. "When you're an official in the county government, with Sanlang backing you up in the household registration department, how many detours have you avoided?"

"Sanlang has already been ambushed twice. From now on, he'll walk in front, and you'll keep an eye on him from behind. Now that you're back, you can't let anyone stab you in the back again. If anything happens to him, you have to step up. Got it?"

Sun Jizu nodded quickly, "Dad, I understand."

Zhang Sanlang couldn't help but laugh. "Uncle Sun, what are you saying? Brother Sun is an official, and I'm just a clerk. I'm the one who has to do his job, not the other way around. Please don't make things difficult for him."

He picked up the wine pot and poured a bowl for Old Sun. "Besides," he said, "everyone in the county government has their own duties, it's not like a street fight. Who blocks whom, who helps whom, it's all official business. Don't worry, Brother Sun and I aren't troublemakers."

Old Sun picked up his wine bowl and snorted, "I'm not afraid of offending him. If he dares not to help you, I'll be the first to object."

Zhang Sanlang smiled, picked up his bowl, and clinked it against Old Sun's. "Alright. With your words, I'm relieved."

After a few rounds of drinks, about half of the dishes on the table had been eaten.

Sun Jizu asked Zhang Sanlang about being hit on the head twice.

Zhang Sanlang picked up his wine bowl and took a sip. "The first time was in a dark alley. I was coming home from work when I got hit on the back of the head and lay in bed for three days. The second time was at the alley entrance. Luckily, Captain Wu was patrolling by at night and prevented him from succeeding."

Sun Jizu frowned. "Who did this?"

"The thugs at the docks are henchmen of Kong You'an, the former clerk of the criminal investigation department. He was implicated in Chen Youde's case, but he had someone protecting him, so he was transferred to the prison as a clerk. The Kong family has been operating in this prefecture for decades and has considerable influence."

Sun Jizu became interested upon hearing this. "Chen Youde? I know him. He was a well-known local gentry. Has the Chen family fallen on hard times?"

"That's right, it's him. This man colluded with Kong You'an for many years. After the case was exposed, he was sentenced to exile on Shamen Island. His family property was confiscated, but the county government officials reaped a considerable amount of benefits..."

Zhang Sanlang explained in detail the situation of each department in the county government office.

Feng Jian, the official in charge of personnel, was shrewd and worldly-wise. After Kong You'an was transferred, he became the most powerful.

Tao Cheng, the head of the household affairs department, was meticulous and rigid, and only concerned himself with the accounts;

Yan Shizhong, who was in charge of the warehouse, kept himself out of trouble and didn't offend anyone.

Xu, the former county magistrate, solved Chen Youde's case and was promoted to the position of military advisor in the prefecture. He left after the New Year.

After listening, Sun Jizu remained silent for a moment. "Your job at the county government isn't easy. Is someone from the Kong family still watching you?"

Zhang Sanlang nodded. "Although Kong Youan has been transferred, the spies he left behind in the county government are still there. I work in the household registration office, checking taxes and clearing accounts, so I inevitably have to deal with them. Fortunately, Clerk Tao is protecting me, and Clerk Feng also gives me some face."

Sun Jizu picked up his wine bowl, his expression very solemn. "Brother Zhang, it's not easy for you to have achieved this much in the yamen. Although I've just arrived at the county yamen, please feel free to ask if you need anything in the future."

"I lead troops in the army with my fists, and I'm not afraid you'll laugh at me. Just listening to you talk about the affairs of the government office gives me a headache, let alone handling them myself. In the future, I hope you can give me more guidance so that I don't make any mistakes."

Zhang Sanlang smiled upon hearing this, "Brother Sun, you're too kind. There's plenty of time, let's take it slow."