Chapter 60

Outside the signing room, two attendants of Prefect Zhou stood at one end, while Wang Xian and Sima Qiu stood at the other. Prefect Zhou and Magistrate Wei dismissed their attendants and conversed inside the room.

Zhou Xin sat in the main seat, smiling as he scrutinized the young magistrate. Wei Yuan was not yet thirty, with a sharp brow and bright eyes, and a dignified appearance. More importantly, he exuded a sense of righteousness, which Zhou Xin greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately, Zhou Xin's face was too stern, and even when he smiled, it seemed like a cold one. This was especially true for subordinates like Magistrate Wei, who had only met him a few times. Under Zhou Xin's eagle-like gaze, Wei Yuan felt as if he were being seen through, making him feel as if he were sitting on pins and needles, extremely uneasy.

"This is our third meeting," Zhou Xin finally spoke after a long pause.

"Yes," Magistrate Wei nodded quickly. "Once at the Prefectural Office, once during the joint trial, and this time."

"Each time we meet, my opinion of you improves," Zhou Xin said. "The first time, I saw your integrity and outspokenness. The second time, I saw your meticulousness and thoroughness. But this time..." He paused, not sparing any praise. "This time, I saw your extraordinary courage!"

"Prefect, you flatter me," Magistrate Wei blushed.

"I have no need to flatter you," Zhou Xin said coolly. "Actually, I shouldn't have met with you this time, but I did..."

"Yes..." Magistrate Wei, moved to tears, said, "Prefect's concern, I will remember for the rest of my life!"

Fuyang was only a few dozen miles from Hangzhou, even closer than some towns in Qiantang County. Yet, despite the commotion in the county, there was no reaction from the prefecture or the province. Clearly, the higher-ups did not want to get involved and were all pretending to be deaf and blind.

In the Ming Dynasty's bureaucracy, the "Tax and Labor Register" was one of the "Three Taboos," second only to the "Whereabouts of Jianwen" and the "Struggle for the Heir." The latter two were self-explanatory, but the "Tax and Labor Register" was also a well-known issue. The current problems were even more severe than those of the "Guo Huan Case." No matter your stance, getting involved was troublesome.

For example, although Magistrate Wei's actions were a bluff, they were still risky, and the aftermath was complicated. After all this trouble, should he report to his superiors or not? Reporting would add to their troubles and make him seem like a troublemaker. Not reporting would be "failing to report known information," and if someone uncovered the truth later, he would still be in trouble.

Magistrate Wei was not unaware of these consequences. Despite his lack of experience, Sima Qiu, who was well-versed in the ways of the bureaucracy, had repeatedly warned him and opposed his risky actions. But life is full of setbacks, and if you want to stick to your beliefs, you must face these thorns.

Although Magistrate Wei was mentally prepared, if someone could help him clear these thorns and protect him from harm, it would be even better...

Now that Zhou Xin had appeared, others would assume that everything was done with his approval, at least with his permission. This would shift the responsibility and clear the thorns for him. How could Magistrate Wei not be grateful?

"I acted out of public duty, not personal gain, so you don't need to be grateful," Zhou Xin said coldly. "I oversee the officials of Zhejiang Province. Besides correcting those who act unlawfully or are incompetent, I also seek to discover and protect upright and capable officials. In my view, an upright and outspoken person can be a censor. If they are also meticulous and thorough, they can be a model official. Add to that extraordinary courage, and they have the potential to become a capable minister. Such officials are rare in the province, and I must protect them..."

"Prefect..." Magistrate Wei, moved to tears, realized that the Ming Dynasty was not just full of narrow-minded officials like He Guancha, or mediocre officials like Prefect Yu, or corrupt officials like Clerk Diao. There were also good officials like Prefect Zhou, who were loyal to the state and cared for their subordinates!

"Having praised you, I must also criticize you," Zhou Xin's tone changed, and he said bluntly, "Your actions were too rash!"

"Yes..." Magistrate Wei was taken aback and leaned forward to listen to the advice.

"You are a just and outspoken person, unafraid to speak your mind and offend others. This is commendable. But if you offend too many people, how long will you keep your position? There are many who can deal with a seventh-rank magistrate!" Zhou Xin said earnestly. "In a case like this, you could have waited until next year when the register is compiled and enforced stricter controls. The effect would be the same, without causing such a commotion. Ultimately, you are too impulsive, unwilling to wait. Impulsiveness is good for young people, giving them sharpness, but if it's too much, it will hurt you."

"To be of great use to the state, you must first advance steadily to the imperial court. If you remain a low-ranking official, your talents will be wasted. The path in the bureaucracy is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. If you don't learn to control your temper, you won't succeed." Zhou Xin looked at Magistrate Wei with a serious gaze. "I was too impulsive when I was young, offending too many people, which led to years of stagnation in my career. Learn from my mistakes and be vigilant."

"Yes, I will follow your advice!" Magistrate Wei stood up and bowed deeply to Zhou Xin. He was deeply moved and grateful. Prefect Zhou's keen insight had identified his character flaws, and his advice, based on personal experience, was invaluable. To have such a superior was a great fortune.

"Sit down," Zhou Xin said coolly. "I have this annoying habit, Wenyan, don't take it personally."

"Your words are golden, how could I not appreciate them?" Magistrate Wei said quickly.

"Ha ha..." Zhou Xin finally laughed. "Wenyan, that 'Welcoming Pine of Huangshan' is quite unique." It turned out that Magistrate Wei had hung that painting in the signing room, and Zhou Xin had seen it as soon as he entered. Wang Xian's calligraphy was truly... astonishing.

Even more astonishing was that Magistrate Wei had kept it hanging.

Even a serious person like Prefect Zhou couldn't resist asking, "Who wrote the words on this?"

"A clerk named Wang Xian from the county office," Magistrate Wei said, blushing. "The calligraphy is a bit ugly, but I love the poem, so I've kept it hanging. Besides, the calligraphy has a refreshing effect. Whenever I am tired from paperwork, I just look up and feel refreshed."

"Unyielding to the winds, rooted in the broken rocks. Enduring countless trials, standing firm against all winds." Zhou Xin recited the poem slowly and praised, "What a fine line, 'standing firm against all winds.' I didn't expect such talent in the Fuyang County Office!"

"Yes..." Magistrate Wei had not intended to tell Prefect Zhou about the wise person behind his actions. But a noble character can influence others, and Magistrate Wei felt that being dishonest with Zhou Xin would be unforgivable. So he confessed, "This person is truly extraordinary. I relied entirely on his strategy this time."

"Really?" Zhou Xin was surprised but then smiled approvingly. "Wenyan, you are a true gentleman!"

"I am unworthy of such praise," Magistrate Wei said, feeling relieved. "It's just that being close to good people makes one better."

"Ha ha ha ha..." Zhou Xin, who usually didn't appreciate flattery, laughed heartily. "It seems I worried for nothing. With such skill in flattery, you will navigate the bureaucracy with ease."

"I never speak insincerely," Magistrate Wei said seriously.

"Then thank you for your kind words," Zhou Xin said, his smile fading. "Can I meet Wang Xian?"

"He is outside," Magistrate Wei quickly went out and said to Wang Xian, who was waiting, "Prefect wants to see you."

"Ah..." Sima Qiu exclaimed in surprise. "No way!" For a grassroots clerk like him, the Prefect was an unattainable figure, and he couldn't help but feel envy and jealousy.

"Yes," Wang Xian, however, was calm. In his past life, he had even met the President of the country, albeit on TV, so he was not intimidated by a provincial official.

Seeing his composed demeanor, Magistrate Wei secretly admired him, recognizing his extraordinary nature. Still, he gave a few words of advice to ensure he didn't make a mistake in front of the Prefect.

Entering the signing room, after performing the formal bow, Zhou Xin asked Wang Xian to sit down. Magistrate Wei was about to leave but was stopped by Zhou Xin, who said, "Wenyan, you can stay and participate."

"Yes," Magistrate Wei responded and sat down again.

In the signing room, Zhou Xin looked at Wang Xian, noting that he was still a young man, with a clear and handsome face, and bright, piercing eyes, clearly a very intelligent young man.

However, for a teenager of sixteen or seventeen to write such a profound poem and devise such a cunning plan was hard for Prefect Zhou to believe.

But in front of Magistrate Wei, he couldn't question the authenticity, as it would imply distrust of Wei Yuan. Besides, whether it was true or not didn't matter. He just wanted to ask for advice. If the answer was unsatisfactory, it was no big deal, but there was a chance, so he said, "Young friend, I have a difficult problem. Magistrate Wei says you are very wise, so I am taking the liberty to ask for your advice."

"..." Wang Xian was sweating. When did I become an all-knowing sage? He quickly replied, "I am foolish and may not meet your expectations, sir."

"Please listen," Zhou Xin tried to be gentle, though his face remained cold. "There is a case that is troubling me. As you know, since the implementation of the 'Zhongfa' system, merchants are allowed to transport grain to the north and then exchange it for salt permits at the Salt Office, allowing them to sell salt freely."

"Yes," Wang Xian, as a clerk in the household department, was well aware of these matters.

"However, under the imperial laws, each province has its own local rules. For example, in Zhejiang, the east produces salt, but the west does not. To maintain high profits, the Salt Office of the Two Zhejiangs does not allow salt from the east to be sold in the west." Zhou Xin continued, "But merchants seek profit. They go through great efforts to obtain salt permits and are unwilling to sell only in the east. Therefore, they often cross the boundaries to sell. The local authorities usually turn a blind eye, but the Salt Office actively captures these merchants and sends them to the Censorate, demanding that they be punished for selling private salt."