Chapter 42

(Listen, listen, listen, listen (the long-awaited powerful chapter, please give me a recommendation vote!!!!))

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Diao Zhubu knew that Wei Zhixian wouldn’t really expose the embezzlement, but he also understood the clear message—“I know all your tricks, and if you don’t cooperate, we’ll both be finished!”

‘From Wei’s attitude, it’s clear he already has solid evidence. If he gets really angry, he’ll do anything…’ After weighing the pros and cons, Diao Zhubu predictably chose to protect himself…

Back at the Zhubu office, Diao Zhubu thought for a long time before having Li Sihu summoned.

As soon as Li Sheng entered, he put on a humble smile and said, “Sir, what do you need me for?”

“Old Li, sit down,” Diao Zhubu gestured for Li Sheng to sit and had tea brought in, but he found it hard to speak.

“Sir, what’s the matter?” Li Sheng asked curiously, “Just say it. I’ll do anything for you, even if it means boiling in oil or walking through fire!”

“It’s not that serious,” Diao Zhubu chuckled, “No need to boil in oil or walk through fire, just a task for you.”

“What task?” Li Sheng was taken aback.

“Fuyang is a strategic location, and the Hujiang post station is very busy. Zhang Yizheng has repeatedly asked the county to send capable clerks to assist.” Diao Zhubu forced a smile, “After careful consideration, the magistrate has decided to send you to serve as a post station clerk…”

“Ha ha…” Li Sheng laughed dryly, “Sir, you’re really funny, I’m laughing so hard, ha ha…” A usually stern-faced man trying to laugh into a chrysanthemum was a terrifying sight.

“I’m not joking,” Diao Zhubu sighed, “Here’s your transfer order, you need to report to Hujiang post station tomorrow…”

“…” The chrysanthemum on Li Sheng’s face froze, unable to dissipate.

Diao Zhubu waited for him to accept the bad news, “I know it’s tough, but I’ve done my best…”

“Why?” Li Sheng finally reined in his smile, his voice cold and angry.

Diao Zhubu sighed again, “For years, your embezzlement has been exposed.”

“How is that possible?” Li Sheng was too shocked to deny it, “My accounts are flawless!”

“Little did you know, there are always bigger mountains and better people…” Diao Zhubu said, “They traced it back from the Yongle 5th year’s accounts…”

“Yongle 5th year?” Li Sheng was stunned. Wasn’t that the year he used to trip up Wang Xian? Could that kid be better than him? Impossible! There must be a mastermind behind the scenes… He immediately thought of how Zhang Dianli hadn’t shown up for work that morning and was still missing.

“Zhang Hua!” Li Sheng’s forehead veins bulged, his teeth gritted, “‘A biting dog doesn’t show its teeth,’ I underestimated him!”

“I also suspect it’s him,” Diao Zhubu nodded, “Only he would spend all day looking for your flaws…”

“Sir, you must help me!” Li Sheng suppressed his hatred, knowing what was most important now. He got up and pleaded, “How have I treated you over the years? You can’t abandon me!”

“If I didn’t help you, with such a big mess, could you still be a post station clerk?” Diao Zhubu sighed, “I argued for you, and Wei Zhixian believed that the previous clerk was corrupt, and you were just negligent, unaware of it beforehand. He agreed not to send you to trial or dismiss you, just to transfer you out of the household office and clear the old accounts…”

“What’s the difference between that and killing me?” Li Sheng raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, “Sir, your wealth, I dare not say more than half, but I’ve earned it. All these years, I’ve taken the bad name, while you’ve enjoyed the benefits! Now, with this small issue, you can’t stand by me?”

“How have I not stood by you?!” Diao Zhubu frowned, “Do you think it’s just this small issue? Let me tell you, embezzlement, selling grain from the granary, using silver from the treasury to lend… all these things have been found out! If I hadn’t taken the blame, you’d have ten heads and they’d all be cut off!”

“Ah?” Li Sheng was stunned. Could Zhang Hua be that capable? Could he expose everything?

“Old Li, get up and listen to me,” Diao Zhubu softened his tone, “The money you’ve made these years, you could spend eight lifetimes and still have more. Everything has its limits, and you should know when to stop… Go to the post station for a few days, then you can claim illness and return home to buy land and live as a wealthy man. Meanwhile, I’ll keep your clerk status, and if there’s an opportunity, I’ll bring you back as Sihu…”

“…” Li Sheng knew he had no choice but to accept. He slumped in his chair, feeling his soul drained…

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Li Sheng didn’t know how he got back to his office. He sat there for the entire afternoon, not eating, drinking, or speaking, just staring at every flower, every plant, every table, and every cabinet in the room…

When he took over the household office after his superior’s death, he had this office renovated and carefully arranged every piece of furniture. He thought he would sit here until he was old, so he spared no expense. Who knew that in less than three years, this office, which he had put so much effort into, would be taken over by someone else!

The more Li Sihu thought, the more he felt heartbroken, and he finally broke down, sobbing silently…

“Sir…” Just as he was crying, the curtain was lifted, and another clerk from the household office, whom he had promoted, came in and saw Li Sheng crying. The clerk shivered and wanted to leave.

“What is it?” Li Sihu straightened up, turning his head to the window.

“Rumor has it… Sir is leaving the county office, is it true?” the clerk asked softly.

“Yes,” Li Sihu said coolly, “The magistrate has another assignment for me.” He sighed, thinking that this was the time to see who was close and who was distant. It was worth cultivating this person, who still came to see him.

“Then, has it been said…” the clerk asked softly, “Who will take over Sir’s position?”

“Get out!” Li Sheng was furious. He thought the clerk was coming to comfort him, but it turned out he was eyeing his position.

“Why are you making such a fuss?” The clerk didn’t roll over as usual but glared, “Do you think I’m your dog? You can do whatever you want when in power, and still treat me like this when out of power?”

“You…” Li Sheng was almost spitting blood with anger.

“Do you even know who did this to you?” the clerk sneered, “I’ll tell you, it’s that Wang Xian you look down on.”

“Him? Impossible!” Li Sheng couldn’t believe it. If he was defeated by his deputy, he could bear it. But if it was by Wang Xian, whom he considered worthless, he would be even less than worthless.

“It was Zhang Hua who said it,” the clerk said, “He said he visited Wang Xian yesterday, and the kid showed him a list of issues found in the Yongle 5th year’s accounts, asking him to pass it to the magistrate. He was afraid Wang Xian would find more issues and ruin everyone, so he decided to protect everyone by exposing the truth…”

‘Pfft…’ Li Sheng spat out a mouthful of blood…

How could he have thought he could weather any storm, only to be brought down by a new recruit, and one he had given the tools to do it?

Is there any greater tragedy than this? Li Sheng’s vision went dark, and he slumped back into his chair.

“Sir, are you okay?” the clerk asked, then cursed himself for being a sycophant.

“I’m fine…” Li Sheng suddenly thought of something, forcing himself to stand and wiping his mouth with his sleeve, “Where is he? Take me to him.”

“Who?”

“Wang… Xian.” This was the first time he mentioned the name without contempt.

“Clerk’s quarters.”

“Take me there.” Li Sheng stumbled out.

The clerk couldn’t be his lackey anymore, so he found a clerk to take Li Sheng.

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One of the benefits of being a government official is free medical care. The county medical officers can’t just focus on making money outside; they also have to provide medical services to the officials and staff in the office. Even commoners performing labor service can receive this care, though the rules are often ignored, and the actual implementation depends on one’s status.

Although Wang Xian was just a non-regular clerk, with his father’s influence and the special feelings Dr. Wu had for the “living dead” he had saved, he personally treated this minor injury.

In the clerk’s quarters, Dr. Wu was changing Wang Xian’s bandages, and Wang Xian was groaning in pain…

“Stop faking it, who are you trying to fool, not even me?” Dr. Wu said, sprinkling some powder on his buttocks, “I’ve been in the medical field for over a decade, seen more butts than you’ve seen faces. I can tell this is just a minor skin injury, looks bloody but is nothing serious.”

“It still hurts,” Wang Xian was embarrassed. With his tolerance, he didn’t feel the pain, but this was part of the plan. He had to act very pitiful…

“Who are you trying to fool?” Dr. Wu said, then heard someone outside ask, “Which room is Wang Xian in?”

“Here.” Dr. Wu quickly bandaged Wang Xian’s buttocks and saw a clerk and Li Sheng at the door, “Wang Xian, Sir Li is here to see you.”

“Mm…” Wang Xian groaned, as if he couldn’t move, “Sir Li… has come, Dr. Wu, please… help me up, I need to kowtow…”

“Let’s skip that,” Dr. Wu glanced at Wang Xian, covering for him, “He’s delirious from the beating…”

“Let’s skip it,” Li Sheng said quickly, “Dr. Wu, I need to speak to Wang Xian alone.”

Dr. Wu nodded and left with the clerk.

In the clerk’s quarters, one lying and one standing, Li Sheng looked deeply at Wang Xian, then suddenly knelt down and kowtowed, “I was foolish and have wronged you, I kowtow to apologize!”

“No, no…” Wang Xian watched him kowtow for a while before softly saying, “Get up…”

“I have an eighty-year-old mother and an eight-year-old son. If I’m ruined, they can’t survive.” Li Sheng kowtowed and cried, “Please, brother, let me off. I swear to give you all my wealth and serve you like a slave. I beg you, or I won’t get up!”

“Then stay down…” Wang Xian said softly, “No, I mean, I can’t help…”

“You can, only you can understand my accounts. Just say the list was fabricated to get back at me, and I’ll be saved.” Li Sheng clung to this lifeline, “Don’t worry about yourself, I’ll admit my mistakes, and the officials will forgive you for being young and ignorant. In the future, I’ll cultivate you to take my place…”

As he spoke, he suddenly heard Wang Xian mumble a word. Li Sheng stopped, “Brother, what did you say?”

Wang Xian repeated, but more indistinctly.

Li Sheng crawled forward, leaning close to his ear, “Say it again.”

“I mean…” Wang Xian’s voice was weak, but at the last word, he suddenly shouted:

“Get out!”

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