Chapter 204 [VIP]
These past few days, Chen Qingyan has been dealing with the unresolved issues in Sitong County, which has really taken a toll on him. It's all so chaotic, and the case files laid out together are enough to make one's scalp tingle.
He could only prioritize the most important matters, such as returning the fields and houses that the Ding family had seized, and overturning and re-examining the wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice that had been bribed by Magistrate Ding in the past. He was so busy that he was overwhelmed.
During this time, Chen Qingyan discovered that the two brothers of the Huang family were very capable, probably inheriting their father's genes as a constable. They were adept at these tasks, and since both of them were skilled in martial arts, there was no need to worry about them when they went out to handle cases.
Chen Qingyan simply promoted the two to the rank of clerks, and then registered them in the register when they returned to the prefecture.
I had just gotten up and finished getting ready in the morning when a long line formed outside the county government office, all there to seek redress.
The county magistrate arrived early. He was not very old; his name was Peng Shiliu, and he had just taken office a few years ago.
When Ding Changsheng was the county magistrate, he controlled the affairs but had no real power. He couldn't manage anything in the county, which conveniently saved him from disaster.
Now that the prefect has arrived, he has shared some of the power in the county government with the magistrate. He handles all the trivial matters, while murder cases are transferred to the magistrate.
Peng Shiliu was overjoyed and put on his official robes to sit in the main hall and begin hearing the case.
Minor matters, such as neighbors fighting, can be resolved through mediation. However, theft cases require evidence of theft, including the perpetrator and the stolen goods. Those who deserve punishment should be punished accordingly, and those who deserve exile should be exiled. Such cases are handled fairly and justly, earning the trust of the people.
The people originally thought that after Ding Changsheng left, another Li Changsheng or Zhao Changsheng would come. Unexpectedly, the county government really changed. Not only did it serve the people, but they also didn't need to spend money or find connections.
Qin Tianming, who had been hesitating at the entrance of the county government office, stamped his foot and decided to go in and try his luck. Perhaps he could really get his family's land and houses back.
He cautiously stepped into the government office, but was stopped by two minor officials at the main gate.
Qin Tianming covered his head in fright, "Sir, spare my life, I'll leave right away, I'll leave right away..." He was terrified of Ding Qi's men in the past, so his legs went weak and his whole body trembled whenever he saw a yamen runner.
"We don't hit people. If you have any complaints, come and register them."
After a long pause, Qin Tianming finally put his hand down. "Climb, climb what?"
"Please specify what case you are suing for? Is it theft, robbery, assault, or embezzlement?"
"Invasion, embezzlement and murder! Ding Changsheng killed my father, seized our family's land, injured my mother, and drove us out!"
Upon hearing that it was a murder case, the official immediately became serious. He asked for the man's name, checked the county government's household register, found the Qin family, and then took him directly to the backyard.
"Knock, knock, knock." A knock sounded on the study door.
Chen Qingyan looked up and said, "Come in." He was sorting through the county government's account books, and the messy entries were giving him a headache. The more he looked, the angrier he became. That Ding Changsheng really deserved to die!
The minor official led in a dirty beggar. As soon as they entered, Qin Tianming knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly. "This humble subject, Qin Tianming, pays his respects to Your Excellency. I beg Your Excellency to grant me justice!"
Chen Qingyan said, "Get up and speak."
Qin Tianming didn't dare to get up. He knelt on the ground and first introduced his background. Then he told the story of how Ding Changsheng framed his father and drove him and his mother away.
“My father was arrested and imprisoned, and he died in prison. Not long after, Ding Qi led a group of yamen runners to our house. When they drove us away, they broke my mother’s ribs and wouldn’t let us take anything with us. Later… my mother fell seriously ill and died because we didn’t have money for treatment. I was left to beg for food in this county.”
Qin Tianming wiped away his tears and continued, "This humble citizen also considered going to the Shanzhou government office to sue Ding Changsheng, but I was stopped before I even left the city gate. Ding Qi and a group of yamen runners blocked me in the alley and beat me up. They even... forced me to crawl through his... "
If it weren't for avenging his parents, he would have hanged himself long ago. Hatred sustained him until now, and he finally waited for the Ding family to fall from power.
Chen Qingyan was quite moved after hearing this. "Don't worry, I will definitely seek justice for you. I will first send someone to investigate your family's situation. If it is true, the land and house will be returned."
Qin Tianming began kowtowing again, "Thank you, Your Honor! I, a humble commoner, will repay you even with the most humble offerings!"
"Get up quickly, do you have a place to stay now?"
"I, a humble citizen, live in the City God Temple in the west of the city."
"Alright, I will send someone to inform you within three days at most. Go back and wait."
Qin Tianming bowed and rose to leave.
"Wait a minute, I see you speak eloquently and can read?"
Qin Tianming nodded, "This humble one attended a private school and studied the Four Books and Five Classics."
“That’s good. After the land and house are returned, continue your studies.” Chen Qingyan got up and walked to his side. “The people of the world have suffered from corrupt officials for too long. If there is one more good official, it will benefit the people.”
"yes!"
Chen Qingyan never expected that a casual remark he made that day would actually come true. Qin Tianming not only passed the imperial examination but also resolutely returned to Shanzhou to take over his position... However, that's a story for another time.
After a month of hard work, Chen Qingyan and all the officials in the yamen worked overtime and finally solved the major case before the end of the year. The matter of census of the Qiang people was also settled. So far, only a few small tribes in the surrounding area have been surveyed.
The weather is cold right now, and some Qiang tribes live in the mountains where it is inconvenient to travel. Next spring, Mai Anming will lead officials to count all the Qiang tribes in the county.
The remaining minor cases and miscellaneous matters were left to the county magistrate and the next county magistrate to handle, and Chen Qingyan also embarked on his journey home.
On the day before his departure, someone leaked the news, and the people of the entire county once again flocked out to line both sides of the street, but this time they were there to see Chen Qingyan off.
Chen Qingyan lifted the carriage curtain and saw that the roadside was lined with kneeling people, who kowtowed and shouted, "Lord Chen, please take care! Lord Chen, please have a safe journey!"
Some people even wiped away tears. If it weren't for Lord Chen, how could they have avenged themselves and reclaimed their land?
The people of Chenqingyan felt a mix of emotions, a feeling that was indescribable. It was as if they had poured their hearts and souls into brewing a fine wine, and now the aroma of the wine was overflowing, and every sip was refreshing and invigorating.
As the carriage drove away, everyone ran after it.
"Go back, go back quickly!" Chen Qingyan, fearing an accident due to the large crowd, quickly ordered people to stop the people. "I will come to see you again when I have time."
The people stopped and watched the carriage drive away, hoping that this good official would come to Sitong County again.
*
After rushing around, I finally returned to Shanzhou on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.
The house was spotless, with new peach wood charms and lanterns hanging on the door and paper-cut window decorations pasted on the windows. Inside, Wang Ying was chatting with the wife of the magistrate, discussing the preparations for the New Year.
Chen Ju came from outside to report: "Young master, the master is back!"
The magistrate's wife stood up and said, "Since Lord Chen has returned, I won't bother you any longer. I'll visit you another day."
Wang Ying escorted the person to the door, and then saw Chen Qingyan come in from outside. After a brief greeting and the others left, the two of them excitedly hugged each other.
"I'm finally back. I was worried that the snow on the road would be too thick and difficult to travel, which would delay me."
Chen Qingyan said in a slightly hoarse voice, "It was quite difficult to walk, but everyone was eager to come back for the New Year, so we came back through the snow."
"Are you cold? Come inside quickly, I'll have the kitchen staff make some ginger soup."
"good."
Wang Ying went to the kitchen to make arrangements, and then asked the cook to make a bowl of soup dumplings. Dumplings were served before leaving the house, and noodles were served upon returning home. This trip had taken a long time and had exhausted her.
Upon entering the house, Chen Qingyan was dozing off in a chair. He hadn't slept well during the bumpy journey, and his eyes were dark circles.
Wang Ying patted his shoulder, "Wake up, don't sleep yet, eat and take a shower before you sleep."
Chen Qingyan rubbed his face and asked, "Where's Yuanbao?"
"He went shopping with his classmate's child, accompanied by servants."
"That's good. I wonder how his studies are going while I was away, and whether he's been playing around."
Wang Ying said, "What child this age doesn't like to play? But the teacher said he's learning well, much faster than his classmates." Of course, the teacher didn't say that exactly. He praised Yuanbao to the skies, as if he were a god of literature descended from heaven.
Especially after learning that Chen Qingyan was a top scholar in the imperial examination, they felt even more awe towards him, and consequently, they also treated Yuanbao with different respect.
Wang Ying had no choice but to talk to the teacher several times, telling him that Yuanbao was just an ordinary child. He might have an advantage in his studies because he started school early, but he was definitely not a genius. She hoped that the teacher could discipline him strictly and that if he dared to be naughty and disobedient in school, he should be punished without any leniency.
After several conversations, the teacher's attitude gradually changed, and he treated Yuanbao the same as other students, teaching him when necessary and punishing him when appropriate.
Yuanbao, who was initially unaccustomed to the new environment, gradually made several friends of the same age and became more and more cheerful.
"By the way, after you left, I wrote a letter home and to the border. My brother Sui replied at the beginning of the month." Wang Ying took the letter out of the trunk and handed it to Chen Qingyan.
It has been almost four years since Lin Sui went to the border. Although she sent letters and things back every year, they have never been able to meet.
Now the two are much closer, and it only takes half a month to travel from Shanzhou to Yumen Pass. Lin Sui plans to bring Qing'er to visit after the New Year when the weather is warmer.
After reading the letter, Chen Qingyan wrote: "It's been many years since I've seen Brother Sui. I wonder how he's doing. When I came from Kyoto, Lord Liu reminded me that the border has been quite turbulent these past few years and that I should make preparations in advance. I'll ask him about the situation when they arrive."
What should we prepare?
Chen Qingyan said, "Warfare is nothing more than food and weapons. Shanzhou has plenty of iron ore, but food is slightly lacking, and I'm afraid this can't be changed in the short term."
Wang Ying pondered for a moment, "I might be able to help. The wheat varieties I improved back in my hometown are perfect for this place. My Changfeng No. 3 variety is drought-resistant and cold-resistant. If we can plant it next spring, the harvest will definitely double."
Due to geographical reasons, Shanzhou cannot grow winter wheat and can only grow spring wheat.
Chen Qingyan's eyes lit up, but he immediately shook his head and said, "It would be very difficult to get the people of Shanzhou to switch to growing new wheat, especially since there isn't enough wheat seed."
"Who says it's not enough? We've stockpiled over 50,000 jin in the experimental fields."
...
A note from the author:
Chen Qingyan: It feels very reassuring and stable.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
