Chapter 64

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"Ha ha, there's a trick to it," Wu Wei, now considering himself a confidant of Wang Xian, naturally spoke without reservation. "The Changping Granary is used to store grain for famine relief. According to regulations, the granary cannot be opened to distribute grain unless there is a disaster or famine."

"But no matter how well the grain is stored, it will eventually spoil. The government has to sell a batch of moldy and rotten grain every year and then buy a batch of fresh grain. This is a fixed rule," Wu Wei continued. "However, how much grain is moldy and rotten, and how much needs to be bought and sold, requires the official to conduct an on-site inspection and determine a number to report. Once approved, the grain merchants can be found to buy and sell grain."

"Ah, I see." Wang Xian understood that there were indeed many tricks involved. For example, selling good grain as spoiled at a low price and then buying inferior grain as good grain at a high price. There was a lot of room for profit in this process. Moreover, even if the chickens turned into ducks, the accounts would still match, and there was not much risk.

"Every year at this time, the grain merchants in the county vie to offer tribute to Li Sihu. After the matter is settled, they get a large commission without having to share it with their subordinates," Wu Wei said. "The key is safety. If the official is short of money, he might as well follow the precedent." Clearly, he had heard about Wang Xian's debt problems, which led to this suggestion.

"Ha ha..." Wang Xian was quite tempted, but after careful thought, he was startled. "What if there is a need to open the granary and distribute grain?"

"Let's not even talk about our Fuyang, which has had favorable weather for many years without any disasters," Wu Wei laughed. "Even if we really need to open the granary, what's the difference between good grain and rough grain? It just means a bit more bran..."

As he was speaking, he saw Wang Xian's face fall and quickly stopped. Wang Xian's icy gaze swept over him. "Where can't we get money? Why must we greedily take the grain that saves people's lives? Are you not afraid of retribution?"

"I was just saying that to let the official know there are tricks involved," Wu Wei, realizing he had overstepped, quickly changed his tone. "Of course, it's best if the official doesn't want to do it."

"Hmph..." Wang Xian finally relaxed and said, "Money is a good thing, but to lose one's conscience and head for it is not worth it. I am being sincere with you. Remember to keep a close eye on things for me and don't let me be deceived."

"Yes." Wu Wei said solemnly. In fact, a superior with principles was more respected. Although he had been scolded, he felt more favorably toward Wang Xian.

"Your words make me think it's necessary to visit the Changping Granary," Wang Xian said, frowning slightly. "I don't want to be the one to suffer for the previous official's mistakes, which would be too humiliating."

"Good, I'll arrange it right away." Wu Wei pulled out a piece of paper from his boot, which was Wang Xian's schedule, and looked at it. "Tomorrow at Shen hour, I'll be free, so I can go."

"No need to inform the Changping Granary, just go directly," Wang Xian nodded. "Bring more people; I want to conduct an inventory."

"Good, it's now after Wei hour, and most people are free," Wu Wei said. "I'll notify them at noon tomorrow." Doing public work didn't require such effort, and Wang Xian only required his subordinates to complete their duties, rarely assigning additional tasks. This was the first time since he took office.

"Um." Wang Xian nodded.

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After Wei hour, Wang Xian left the government office, accompanied by Shuai Hui, Qin Shou, and Liu Erhei.

Technically, clerks did not have personal attendants; only officials had personal attendants. However, rules are rigid, but people are flexible. In a large department like the Household Department, which had nearly a hundred people, there were always a few white-collar workers who followed the leader, without needing to pay them, making their lives more comfortable than officials.

Passing through the market, Wang Xian had Shuai Hui buy a roasted chicken, sausages, live fish, and three pounds of huadiao wine, of course, paying for them. Given his current status, if he took things for free, wouldn't he be laughed at?

On the way, he encountered familiar neighbors, all of whom smiled warmly, but now their smiles seemed more respectful. "Sir, it's been a while."

"The government office has been very busy lately," Wang Xian smiled in response.

"Have you become the head of the Household Department?"

"Where did you hear that?" Wang Xian shook his head and denied it. "I've only been a clerk for a few days."

"That's true," a commoner said bluntly. "I heard there are old clerks who have been in the office for over ten years. You've only been here for a few days, so it's quite an achievement to become a clerk, let alone the head of the Household Department."

"Hmph," Qin Shou sneered. "You know nothing. My master is now in charge of the Household Department and will be promoted to the head in a few days."

"Ah!" The street was filled with gasps of disbelief. The neighbors looked at Wang Xian in disbelief, thinking it must be a ghost. Had a fox spirit possessed him during his coma, or had he taken some elixir? He was completely different from before.

Shuai Hui and Liu Erhei returned with the purchases, and Wang Xian apologized to the neighbors and went home.

The neighbors warmly bid him farewell. Once Wang Xian was out of sight, they began to discuss.

"What do you think, did Wang Xian take some elixir? How could he change so much?"

"Indeed, he used to look like a street thug. In just a few days, he has gained the favor of the high officials and become the head of the Household Department?"

"A bunch of fools, always fawning over power," the blind fortune-teller Zhang Xizhi sneered. "I said long ago that Wang Xian has a full forehead, a clear bone structure, and a noble appearance. His previous misfortune was just bad luck. Now, with the right opportunity, his luck has turned, and he will soar to great heights!"

"Wow, did you really say that?" Several aunts were shocked. "Is it really that accurate?"

"He uses that to get free meals. He says the same thing to everyone," the meat seller Zhu Dachang laughed. "If you say he's wrong, it means you've been unlucky all your life. Who would dare expose him?"

"Is that so?" The aunts looked disappointed.

Seeing his business ruined, Zhang Xizhi angrily said, "Pig intestines, you'll never have good luck. You'll kill pigs all your life and go to the eighteenth level of hell!"

"Ha ha, what else would I do if I didn't kill pigs?" Zhu Dachang said indifferently. "You, the old fraud, will also go to the tongue-pulling hell. We'll be companions then." He then went back to selling meat.

Seeing the customers disperse, Zhang Xizhi quickly shouted, "I'm telling the truth. Don't believe me? Just wait and see, Wang Xian will not stop here. He will become a prince!"

"Even if you lie, it has limits!" The failed scholar who sold calligraphy laughed and scolded. "Non-relatives cannot be princes, don't you know that?"

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible," Zhang Xizhi argued, his face red. "If it's meant to be, it will happen. It won't be wrong!"

No one believed him, and they all laughed and dispersed, no longer trusting a word Zhang Xizhi said.

"I am a direct descendant of Zhang Tian Shi, and I have the innate numerology..." As the crowd left, Zhang Xizhi said with great委屈 (grievance), "It won't be wrong..."

Unfortunately, his weak voice was quickly drowned out by the noisy market, and even those who heard it considered it a joke...

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When Wang Xian arrived at his house, he took the items and sent Shuai Hui and the others back. Then he pushed the door open.

Yinling heard the noise and poked her head out. Seeing Wang Xian, she immediately widened her eyes. "Oh, Second Brother is back?" She then darted out like a little rabbit, took the basket from Wang Xian, and said, "It's been almost a month since you've been home. I've missed you so much."

Wang Xian took out warm sugar-coated chestnuts from his pocket and smiled indulgently. "Do you miss the good food?"

"Of course, of course." Yinling quickly welcomed him into the courtyard. At that moment, the curtains of the east and west rooms were lifted simultaneously. Lin Qing'er, from the west room, looked at Wang Xian with a mix of joy, resentment, and longing, almost making him lose his soul, but she spoke to the opposite side. "Sister-in-law, go back inside quickly, or you'll catch a cold."

It turned out that the person from the east room was actually Hou Shi. She blushed and lowered her head, saying to Wang Xian, "Second Uncle, you're back."

"Yes, Sister-in-law, I heard you're back, so I hurried home to see you." Wang Xian, dressed in a blue robe with a gray cloak, had a sincere and confident smile on his face.

Seeing her brother-in-law, who seemed like a different person, Hou Shi wished she could find a crack in the ground to hide in. When Wang Xian had begged to stay, he had said, "In a few months, the Wang family will turn around." She had cruelly mocked him, saying, "As long as you're here, the Wang family will never have good luck."

Who knew that Wang Xian wasn't exaggerating. In just three months, the Wang family had turned around at an astonishing speed. Her father-in-law was rehabilitated and became a ninth-rank official in Hangzhou Prefecture. Her brother-in-law had made an incredible leap, becoming the financial god of Fuyang County.

The Wang family, once a hopeless and destitute family, had become a powerful and influential family in just three months. This dramatic change was like a dream, but it was real and right in front of her, making her regret it bitterly...

Her father was almost cursing her to death. This unambitious woman had walked ninety-nine steps but fled at the last step, and she had said such harsh words. Now, the Wang family wanted to divorce her and find a young and beautiful bride. She could only find an old bachelor who couldn't get married!

Without her father's scolding, Hou Shi wished she could slap herself a hundred times. How could she have been so unlucky? Couldn't she have endured for one more month? Now, she had offended her mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law. How could she have the face to return? Even if she put aside her pride, she couldn't pass the mother-in-law's test...

However, she wasn't completely stupid. Knowing that Wang Gui was soft-hearted, she went to the paper mill every day to pester him. Wang Gui indeed softened quickly and helped her think of ways. To return, Hou Shi was really determined. Despite being a daughter of a wealthy family, she followed Wang Xian's bad advice and, without hesitation, went with Wang Gui to the reed marsh to have a tryst.

Finally, a few days ago, when her period didn't come, she asked Aunt Qian to check, and she said she was pregnant. The couple cried and hugged in joy, then called her father and two brothers to come and apologize.

Her mother-in-law, though strict, was crazy about grandchildren. Seeing that Hou Shi was pregnant with the Wang family's child, she didn't kick her out... but she didn't treat her well either.

For Hou Shi, being able to return home was a great joy, and she didn't ask for more.

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