Merit-based card draws, quickly become a Heavenly Emperor

This time, Fang Zheng intends to use Zheng Ping'an to launch a counterattack against Huo Shouguang.

As for Shen Xingzhou, he was an eighth-rank county magistrate, the proper head of Cangwu County.

Fang Zheng didn't want to offend anyone directly unless absolutely necessary. His visit to Zheng Ping'an was also a way of currying favor with Shen Xingzhou.

After all, in Fang Zheng's judgment, Zheng Xingzhou and Huo Shouguang were at odds and were facing a promotion juncture, so he shouldn't deliberately make things difficult for someone like him who had no conflict of interest.

The real target was Huo Shouguang, that arrogant county magistrate.

At this moment, Huo Shouguang was trying to intimidate him, and as a newly appointed official, he absolutely could not tolerate it.

This concerns face and authority, and in the way of being an official, face and authority are of paramount importance.

However, you can't force it. If you yell or cause a conflict, you're just doing what the other person wants.

Visiting the former Chief Clerk Zheng Ping'an was a brilliant move devised by Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng found several letters of complaint written by Zheng Ping'an in his early years in the supervisory files, in which he made a real-name accusation against Huo Shouguang for tampering with military pay.

Although the matter was ultimately dropped, it was enough to show that Zheng Ping'an was well aware of Huo Shouguang's background and might even have some leverage over Huo Shouguang.

However, after his repeated reports went unanswered, Zheng Ping'an grew old and no longer wanted to fight for it.

Taking good care of the family and living a peaceful life is enough.

Fang Zheng naturally understood this desire for peace, but now, in order to gain a foothold and to counter Huo Shouguang, Fang Zheng had no choice but to make this move by sending Zheng Ping'an.

........

Zheng Ping'an's house is located in the south of Cangwu County. It has three courtyards, and although the courtyard is not large, it is well-maintained.

Fang Zheng stepped forward, knocked on the door, and showed his official seal, saying that the newly appointed Supervisory Officer had come to pay a visit.

Upon hearing that it was the newly arrived supervisor, the gatekeeper hurried inside to report. Before long, a series of hurried footsteps echoed in the courtyard, followed by a large group of people coming out to greet him.

The leader was an elderly man in his seventies, not very tall, with a thin face, and wearing a worn-out gray-blue cotton robe.

"I was unaware of Your Excellency's presence at my humble abode. I have failed to greet you properly. I have been so unworthy of your hospitality."

Fang Zheng glanced at him, and with his keen insight, he had already made a preliminary judgment about this person, which was indeed the same as the description given in the Secret Card [County Magistrate's Record].

"Zheng Ping'an was an old official from Cangwu. He had served for thirty years and was thoroughly familiar with the records. He was as cunning as a fox."

In his early years, he once listed twelve crimes committed by corrupt officials and threw them in court, but unfortunately, he was framed and almost imprisoned. Since then, he has lost all his ambition and no longer seeks to compete, only hoping to live out his days in peace.

However, the rice distributed annually in the north of the city is done anonymously and without leaving a trace, indicating that the good deeds have not been fully accomplished.

Fang Zheng didn't stand there exchanging pleasantries; he stepped over the threshold and walked into the courtyard.

"Mr. Zheng, you're too kind. Let's go inside and talk."

Zheng Ping'an was stunned; this new supervisor was far too informal.

He followed Fang Zheng into the courtyard, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly before relaxing.

Fang Zheng walked straight through the front yard into the main hall and sat down in the guest seat. Guan Tieyi stood behind him with his hand on his sword.

Zheng Ping'an lagged a few steps behind and waved his hand to dismiss the servants.

"May I see your official seal, sir? After all..."

Before he could finish speaking, Fang Zheng handed over the official seal.

Having obtained the official seal, Zheng Ping'an glanced down at it and found no problems whatsoever.

He returned the official seal with both hands, saying, "I wonder what brings you here so suddenly, Your Excellency the Supervisor?"

Fang Zheng didn't answer, but just glanced around and chuckled, "Nothing to teach you. I was just passing by and got thirsty, so I asked for a cup of tea and waited for someone."

Zheng Ping'an was completely baffled. After a moment of stunned silence, he finally ordered someone to brew some tea.

Before long, the tea was ready, and Fang Zheng chatted with Zheng Ping'an while drinking the tea.

Even though Zheng Ping'an was a shrewd and experienced man, he became increasingly alarmed as they talked.

This new supervisor looks very young and isn't a local, so how come he knows so much about Cangwu County?

After chatting for a while, Zheng Pingan suddenly thought of something and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

"Oh no, I've been used as a pawn." He realized.

County Commandant Huo Shouguang had been keeping a close eye on the position of Supervisor. Now that this young man had taken the seat, Huo Shouguang was sure to be furious and would definitely give the new Supervisor a hard time.

As the saying goes, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. Even if the newly arrived supervisor has a higher official rank than the county lieutenant, he will likely lose face if he encounters this show of force.

Once an official loses face, it becomes difficult for him to get things done.

As expected, he will continue to be suppressed by Huo Shouguang, and even have his power usurped.

But to everyone's surprise, this new supervisor, as soon as he entered the county town, suddenly went to the home of his old clerk who had a grudge against Huo Shouguang.

What would Huo Shouguang think? What would he say?

They would inevitably think that they were colluding with this new prisoner, after all, they knew a lot about Huo Shouguang's secrets.

Huo Shouguang wasn't stupid; he was definitely getting restless and wanted to visit the Zheng family to see Fang Zheng and test the waters of his relationship with Fang Zheng.

Perhaps they're on their way right now, and any show of force they've prepared will naturally fall flat.

"What a brilliant move to use someone's strength against them!"

Zheng Ping'an cursed inwardly, still smiling, but the sweat on his forehead was already showing.

Just then, a servant's voice came from outside: "Sir, County Commandant Huo has arrived. He says he's here to welcome the Supervisor."

Zheng Ping'an thought to himself, "As expected," while Fang Zheng, upon hearing the report, also felt somewhat puzzled.

He originally thought that in addition to Huo Shouguang, Zheng Xingzhou would also be coming.

Unexpectedly, there was only Huo Shouguang. Could it be that County Magistrate Zheng is really too busy with official duties?

Thoughts welled up in his mind, but he didn't show it on his face. He put down his teacup and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Zheng Ping'an.

"Thank you for the tea, Mr. Zheng. I will come to bother you again another day after I have settled in."

The old gentleman is too old; there's no need to see him off.

After saying that, he turned and walked out, with Guan Tieyi following closely behind.

Guan Tieyi was already completely convinced by the other party.

What exactly happened? How did drinking a few cups of tea with this old man attract Huo Shouguang's attention?

Seeing Fang Zheng leave, Zheng Ping'an was dumbfounded. After a long while, he sighed and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Incredible! The younger generation is truly formidable."

The waters of Cangwu County are about to be stirred up.

Outside the Zheng family's gate, surrounded by a group of yamen runners, Huo Shouguang stood there, his back straight, his official robes neat, and his face dignified.

He had been operating in Cangwu County for over a decade and was used to having the final say.

Even with the county magistrate Shen Xingzhou, the respect was only superficial; in the end, it was still up to him to approve anything that needed to be done.

He originally thought that the position of supervisor would be his sooner or later, and he had also sent a lot of money to the county town.

But Fang Zheng's transfer order bypassed the county seat and came directly from the prefecture, so all his money went down the drain.

Therefore, Huo Shouguang was extremely displeased and felt he had to give the new supervisor a hard time.

The goal was to embarrass the other party and make them lose face in front of the many people and officials of Cangwu County.

In this way, everyone knows that in Cangwu County, Huo Shouguang is still the one who calls the shots.