Chapter 92

Wei Zhixian finally looked like a teacher, instructing Wang Xian to study hard, saying that even if he couldn't draw a tiger, he should at least draw a cat, or else he wouldn't be able to command respect, and Xu Tixue would be powerless to help. He also guided him on how to study and assigned him homework, saying he would personally check it in ten days before letting him go.

The clerks in the Revenue Office had been eagerly awaiting his return. Seeing him finally back, they swarmed around to congratulate him.

The flattering words were much more pleasant to hear than Wei Zhixian's earnest advice. Wang Xian wore a restrained smile, enjoying the flattery for a while before waving his hand and saying, "Everyone, go back to your work. We'll all go to Zhou's Winehouse tonight!"

Amid the cheers of the clerks, Wang Xian walked into his office, only to find it empty. The chubby Wu, who had become a chief clerk, came in and smiled, "This is my room now. Your things have been moved to the main office."

Wang Xian had been acting in the position, so he insisted on not going to the clerk's office. Now, he finally had a legitimate reason to go. Surrounded by everyone, he came to the room in the center of the Revenue Office, which had a wooden sign that read "Clerk."

The clerk's office was a suite. In the outer room, his direct subordinate sat, responsible for relaying messages. The inner room was where he worked and received visitors. The furnishings inside were still Li Sheng's... a set of rosewood tables, chairs, and desks, with famous items on the desk, and Song dynasty calligraphy and paintings on the walls, including a landscape by Mi Fu. Mi Fu's paintings were almost lost, and even in the Ming dynasty, they were extremely rare.

After Li Sheng fell, Zhang Hua took over but was quickly dismissed, leaving everything for Wang Xian to enjoy. If Li Sheng had foreseen this, he probably wouldn't have spent so much money to create such a luxurious office...

After the clerks left, Wang Xian kept only Shuai Hui and Erhei in the inner room.

Sitting comfortably in a high-backed chair, Wang Xian held a purple clay teapot, sipping high-quality Longjing tea from time to time. The tea was Li Sheng's stock, but the teapot was his own...

Shuai Hui sat cross-legged on a chair, playing with a white jade tiger on the table, and smiled happily at Wang Xian, "When you told us to kick the town of San Shan and share wealth, we didn't believe it. Who would have thought it would come true in just half a year?"

"I never doubted it," Erhei said, sitting with his legs spread wide and shaking his head.

"We're not exactly wealthy yet, but it's only a matter of time," Wang Xian said with a faint smile, then added seriously, "But don't forget my instructions, or don't blame me for not considering our brotherhood."

"Of course," Shuai Hui said, "We won't take bribes without your permission."

"Good," Wang Xian nodded. "I'll only say this once, and I won't nag... I'll make sure each of you has a bright future, so don't lose the big picture over small gains."

"Understood," seeing Shuai Hui still looking lazy, Liu Erhei kicked him to make him speak properly.

"Right," Shuai Hui remembered something and pulled out a stack of treasure notes from his boot, "This is from Zhu Dayou. He says he's grateful for your hospitality and doesn't want to charge you for the meal."

"Keep it for yourself," Wang Xian nodded, sipped his tea, and crossed his legs. Wang Xian was essentially a commoner at heart, and his true nature was revealed as soon as he had the chance to act like a boss.

"Zhu Dayou has another favor to ask," Shuai Hui took out a silver ingot, "He has a relative named Chen Deyi who wants a marriage certificate and asks for your help." The shops on Yaqian Street also engaged in the side business of writing legal documents and smoothing things over. Those who did well in this business earned much more than their main business, so they tried hard to curry favor with the clerks in the office.

"Do I need to be involved in this?" Wang Xian frowned, "Is there something hidden?"

"This wouldn't normally trouble you, but I think you'll want to hear it," Shuai Hui said.

"Stop being mysterious," Liu Erhei kicked him again, "Speak clearly."

"Alright," Shuai Hui hurriedly said, "Chen Deyi is a landlord. He had a tenant named Yu San who died of illness, leaving a young widow named Liu Shi, who was very beautiful. Chen Deyi, a widower, had long lusted after Liu Shi. He started to take care of her, not only waiving her rent but also giving her money and gifts. Liu Shi, without a man, wanted a support, and they eventually became lovers. They had a child after six months..."

"Why did they have to be secret? Chen Deyi is a widower, right?" Liu Erhei asked.

"Chen Deyi wanted to marry her, but the Yu family wouldn't agree," Shuai Hui said, "Yu San was a fifth cousin of the Yu Tongzhi. The Yu family, now an official family, was ashamed of a widow remarrying. But they were also stingy and didn't want to support Liu Shi, so she had to secretly meet Chen Deyi. When her pregnancy became obvious, the Yu family found out."

"The Yu family was naturally furious, took Liu Shi back, and wanted to marry her off to Guangdong and accuse Chen Deyi of raping a widow," Shuai Hui continued, "Chen Deyi was scared and sought help from Zhu Dayou to get a marriage certificate."

"How can he do it alone?" Erhei asked.

"Chen Deyi has already discussed it with Liu Shi's parents. They can act on her behalf, and we can inform Liu Shi," Shuai Hui, who was usually impulsive, had become more meticulous thanks to Erhei's constant reminders.

"This marriage certificate is important," Erhei said slowly.

"Yes," Shuai Hui nodded, "The date must be before Liu Shi's pregnancy to prove they were not committing adultery but were secretly married."

"Adultery, my foot," Erhei said insightfully, "One is a widower, the other a widow. How is that adultery?"

"The Yu family's threat of adultery is just a scare tactic, but the real problem for Chen Deyi and Liu Shi is that Liu Shi is in mourning and cannot remarry during this period," Wang Xian, now an expert in law, broke the silence, "If Liu Shi was pregnant during the mourning period, they would be in big trouble."

Shuai Hui remembered that Zhu Dayou had written a detailed explanation and quickly handed it to Wang Xian.

Wang Xian read it and sighed in relief, "Fortunately, it's in the twenty-eighth month."

"Does that mean you'll help?" Shuai Hui asked.

"Yes, it's a good deed," Wang Xian said with a mysterious smile, "Lovers will be united, and their child won't be illegitimate."

"We can also make some money," Erhei said bluntly. "And you can use this to get back at the Yu family!" Wang Xian was vengeful. Although he had a miraculous turn of events after being bullied by the scholars at West Lake, he still harbored a grudge and wanted to take revenge. However, the scholars were united and not easy to deal with.

"Oh?" Shuai Hui asked, "Do you have a plan?"

"Simple," Liu Erhei's dark face lit up with excitement, "If we help Chen Deyi get the marriage certificate, he and Liu Shi will be legally married. The Yu family will be accused of kidnapping, and if they sell Liu Shi, they will be charged with human trafficking. That will be enough to get them in trouble."

"Wow," Shuai Hui was greatly impressed, "Erhei, you're becoming a real lawyer!" He then turned to Wang Xian, "Sir, is this plan feasible?"

"Alright," Wang Xian said calmly, "But we need to find a way to involve Yu Yifan..."

"That's easy," Shuai Hui grinned, "That's our specialty!"

"Go ahead," Wang Xian nodded, his tone still calm, "At the very least, strip Yu Yifan of his official robes."

.

The Revenue Office had a lot of work, even though it wasn't tax season or the time to recompile the yellow register. With tens of thousands of households in the county, there were always matters of property division, inheritance, marriage registration, and property transfers to handle, keeping the clerks busy.

But the Revenue Office clerk was a leisurely position. Last year, Wang Xian had divided the office into departments and detailed each person's responsibilities, allowing him to manage efficiently with a points system... although it couldn't compare to modern companies, it was far ahead of the offices of this era.

The morning passed easily with tea and conversation. At noon, as his subordinates went to the canteen in groups, Wang Xian swallowed and then resolutely walked in the opposite direction... at home, his sister Lin was waiting with her dark cuisine.

A moment later, Wang Xian sat at his dining table, facing three dishes and a soup, with Lin, looking anxious, opposite him, "Try it, I think I've improved..."

Wang Xian had planned to suggest hiring a cook, but seeing the bandage on Lin's finger, from cutting vegetables, and the small blisters on her face, from oil splatters... he sighed inwardly, "Clouded hair and jade-like face, willing to cook with her own hands. How could I not understand her heart, and how could I discourage her enthusiasm?"

Forget it, let's finish this meal first. With a sense of righteousness, Wang Xian picked up a piece of vegetable and put it in his mouth. The taste was okay, but it was a bit tough...

He tried a piece of meat next, no salt? Let's try the soup, heaven, all the salt was in there... Wang Xian, eating the slightly undercooked rice, was almost moved to tears, "You've really improved... it won't be long before you catch up with Mother."

Far away in Hangzhou, his mother sneezed and angrily said, "Is my cooking that bad?" Silver and Father were stunned.

Hearing his praise, Lin Qing'er beamed. She had tasted the food before serving it and felt she had improved, though not by much.

"You should eat too," Wang Xian thought, "We should share the burden, sister."

"Okay," Lin picked up her bowl but had no appetite.

"Are you not feeling well?"

"Maybe I'm not used to the kitchen fumes yet," Lin Qing'er smiled, "I'll get used to it."

"Um," Wang Xian probed, "Confucius said, 'A gentleman stays away from the kitchen.' Sister, you don't have to cook personally. We can afford to hire someone."

"No," Lin Qing'er said firmly, "Mother said a woman must know how to cook because there will always be times when you can't afford a cook!" Having experienced the decline of the family, Lin trusted her mother's advice.

"Ah, too pessimistic..." Wang Xian could only laugh dryly, but he blamed his mother in Hangzhou, "You're pushing me into the fire..."

In Hangzhou, his mother, who was eating, sneezed twice, and rice grains flew into her nose.

Fortunately, Wang Xian still had a secret weapon...

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