When Du Heng’s caravan reached the Qiuyang County office, over a dozen officials were already waiting outside, bowing as he arrived.
Having appeared in the market earlier, Du Heng was unsurprised to see the county officials at the gate. They were all old hands; news of the new magistrate had yet to reach them fully, which was typical.
Du Heng gave a quick scan of the kneeling officials. All showed proper respect, but he could not yet know their intentions. The county office would need reorganization, but that could wait—first, he needed to settle his family.
He displayed his usual calm, scholarly demeanor: “I am newly arrived. From now on, I will need everyone’s full cooperation to manage county affairs. I did not announce my arrival to avoid unnecessary ceremony. Please, rise; there is no need for such formality.”
He even helped the chief instructor, who knelt at the forefront, to his feet.
Seeing the magistrate present, the highest-ranking instructor, who was of eighth rank, stood, followed by the other officials.
“You have traveled far, sir. We apologize for failing to greet you at the city gate,” the instructor said humbly. “Please allow me to prepare the inner offices and residences to make amends. It is near noon, and you and your family must be hungry. May I escort you to Qianqiu Tower for some rest?”
Ma Yingfan immediately interjected: “Magistrate, your integrity is beyond reproach. There is no need for apology. These men are strong enough to help carry your belongings—allow me to escort you to the inner residence. If you prefer, meals can be brought from the restaurant, saving you extra trouble.”
Du Heng raised an eyebrow, noting the subtle rivalry between the two. Though they were not on good terms, he would not allow his subordinates to handle his family or the inner residence on their own:
“I understand your intentions. I brought sufficient staff to settle in immediately; let us not delay county affairs for minor matters.”
Seeing the instructor hesitate to respond, Du Heng signaled Yiyan: “Since you are well-intentioned, bring the man who caused the street disturbance to the jail.”
Yiyan dragged Yong Er forward.
The officials, seeing Yong Er’s bloodied mouth, froze. His florid, insolent remarks were now inappropriate; even the instructor’s expression darkened.
The magistrate arrived in the county to witness such disorder, a fault of their inefficiency. With the culprit caught, there was nothing more to debate.
The senior officer in charge of the barracks stepped forward to apologize: “I am at fault for failing to maintain order. We allowed this bully to harass citizens. We will be diligent henceforth. Please do not let this affect your duties, sir.”
Du Heng smiled lightly: “Hooligans appear everywhere. I do not blame anyone. The officer has shown diligence; that is enough for me.”
“Do not trouble yourselves over my settling in. Return to your duties. Let me have a quiet start to my office so I may begin my work with peace of mind.”
The officials were about to speak further, but Du Heng said: “Since Officer Ma has escorted me from the market, lead me to the rear residence.”
Once Du Heng gave the order, no one dared to object: “We escort you, sir.”
As Du Heng entered the county office, the officials exchanged glances with the instructor:
“The magistrate has given instructions. Follow his orders.”
They then returned to their respective duties.
A clerk named Zhao approached the instructor: “Officer Ma was quite bold and efficient today, even showing deference to you in front of the magistrate.”
The instructor brushed it off: “He is nothing. He thinks flattering the new magistrate guarantees him a future. Such things are never easy. I would not allow a mere youth to occupy a place of authority.”
He walked to Yong Er and kicked him in the knee. Yong Er staggered, nearly falling: “Fool! Crossing paths with the magistrate, ruining the county’s reputation. Send him to the southern prison!”
It was a mixture of teaching and venting—punishment in the guise of justice.
In the Dazun era, county office buildings followed a fairly standard structure, with slight variations based on local size, but the general layout was consistent.
Qiuyang County’s office faced south. Entering through the main southern gate, one would pass through a ceremonial gate. Beyond two successive gates lay an open courtyard with a stone arch in the center.
On either side of the arch were six chambers corresponding to the central government’s six ministries. For instance, the chamber corresponding to the Ministry of Personnel was called the Personnel Chamber, managed by the chief clerk and gatekeepers. They oversaw appointments, evaluations, and personnel transfers in the county—essentially functioning as a local human resources office.
The remaining five chambers handled: the Finance Chamber for taxation and revenue; the Rites Chamber for examinations and ceremonial matters; the Military Chamber for county defense; the Judicial Chamber for legal affairs; and the Public Works Chamber for construction and maintenance of county facilities. Despite the small size of the county office, each department’s function was complete—truly, “small as a sparrow, yet all its organs present.”
Directly in front of the stone arch was the main hall, where the magistrate held court and tried cases. To the southwest, near the ceremonial gate, lay the prison. Behind the main hall was the Second Hall, used for private deliberations during trials and for receiving higher-ranking officials. Together, the main hall and Second Hall formed the front office, where the magistrate exercised official authority. Behind the Second Hall lay the inner residence, the living quarters for the county magistrate.
Du Heng, having spent much time at the county office in Luoxia County as a local gentry, was familiar with such layouts. Qin Xiaoman, however, had lived as a common farmer; even when he had business in the county town, he rarely had occasion to enter the office and certainly did not know the exact layout of the inner residence. Ordinary townsfolk, if involved in a case, would stiffen with fear upon entering the hall and rarely dared to look around; at most, they knew the main hall, the six chambers on either side, the Second Hall, and that the inner residence existed, but few had ever set foot there.
Passing through the main gate, the party reached the ceremonial gate, where formal etiquette required officials to dismount: civil officials on foot, military officers from horseback.
The Qin family’s servants carried the two children, while the others, along with the soldiers under Ma Yingfan, unloaded and carried the luggage on foot to the inner residence. Passing by the ceremonial gate, they could skirt around via a side corridor, avoiding the main hall entirely.
Along the way, Du Heng had noticed the dilapidated houses and worn streets of the county. He expected the county office itself to be in poor condition, likely long neglected. Yet upon entering, he was surprised to find the office well-arranged and even more spacious and bright than Luoxia County’s office.
The magistrate’s inner residence was likewise impressive: sun-facing gardens neatly maintained, floors polished until they gleamed, and furniture spotless—so clean that no sweeping was needed. Beds and bedding were ready to use immediately.
Du Heng looked to Ma Yingfan: “I suppose this is thanks to your efforts?”
Even a meticulous magistrate could not maintain such tidiness after nearly a month of vacancy. Early summer winds and dry weather would have brought dust quickly, yet the residence remained immaculate.
Ma Yingfan replied modestly, “After receiving letters from your young daughter and son-in-law, I had someone do a simple cleaning. Your arrival is not an easy matter, and I can do little beyond these small tasks.”
Du Heng nodded thoughtfully. No wonder the chief instructor at the gate had been eager to arrange accommodations for him—he had wanted to curry favor. Ma Yingfan, however, had declined, ensuring Du Heng did not benefit from the gesture.
“Your modesty is admirable,” Du Heng said. “Without your efforts, I would have had much to worry about. You serve me publicly as a subordinate, and privately I must call you uncle. In our work in Qiuyang County, I expect to call on your assistance many times.”
Ma Yingfan replied earnestly, “It is my duty to serve and relieve your burden.”
“Then I am at ease,” Du Heng said. “Rest well, for the county is fortunate to have you. If anything is needed, call on me, and I shall do all I can.”
Du Heng had Yiyan escort Ma Yingfan out.
“Leaving already? Not even a cup of tea?” Qin Xiaoman emerged from the inner room with a pot, pouring a cup for Du Heng: “Just brewed.”
Du Heng, parched from the journey, set the steaming cup on the table to cool. “Have you explored the inner residence?” he asked.
“I have,” Qin Xiaoman replied. “The magistrate’s quarters are quite large—five main rooms, nearly as big as our own house. I’ve had the servants check everything thoroughly; once nothing is amiss, we can unpack and settle in.”
Du Heng remarked, “A magistrate’s residence must be spacious, of course, but this office is unusually beautiful. I hope its grandeur is for show, not built from scraping the people’s wealth.”
Qin Xiaoman smiled: “Time will tell. No rush—the start of your term is still a few days away.”
“Fortunately, my cousin’s father-in-law arranged some things in advance, or we might have spent much longer settling. I wonder if the arrangements will serve well.”
“Time reveals a person’s heart. For now, caution is best,” Du Heng said, yawning slightly but mindful to ask: “And the children?”
“They’re exhausted from the journey. Beds are prepared, and they’ve climbed in, sleeping soundly,” Qin Xiaoman replied.
“Good. By the time they wake, we’ll be ready to unpack and have dinner to get acquainted.”
He sipped some tea to refresh himself and checked on the children. The elder and younger slept side by side on one pillow, breathing steadily.
Though the children rested, Du Heng and Qin Xiaoman still had work to do. Even with servants helping, there were many tasks only they could handle.
By the time their chores were done, the sun was already tilting west. Yiyan reported that county officials had invited Du Heng to dine, but he politely declined, citing fatigue from travel.
From the kitchen, the aroma of rice drifted into the twilight sky, smoke curling into the fading sunset. Though challenges lay ahead, there was a comforting sense of peace in the moment.
After two days of rest, Du Heng had regained his energy. It was now May 16, four days before he officially assumed office.
What he was responsible for would have to be handled sooner or later. In order to get everything on track as early as possible, he decided to enter the front offices ahead of time to take care of some official business.
In the county yamen, court sessions were held at the second ke of mao hour in summer and autumn, and at the final ke of mao hour in spring and winter. Officials rested once every five days.
The sky was only just beginning to lighten when Du Heng got up.
He wrung out a cloth soaked in cold water to wake himself, pressed it over his slightly swollen eyes, and after washing up, Qin Xiaoman brought over his green official robe.
Scholars were accustomed to rising early, but after the provincial examination, Du Heng had stayed in the county without securing an official post, living rather lazily. With no urgent matters to attend to, it had been a long time since he had worked at this hour. Returning to it so suddenly, he could not help feeling a bit uncomfortable.
Qin Xiaoman reached out and tickled his side. Du Heng jolted.
“Don’t mess around.”
“Who’s messing around? I can see you’re still sleepy. Wouldn’t do for Magistrate Du to walk into the front offices and become a joke to his subordinates.”
Du Heng spread his arms and let Qin Xiaoman help him adjust his official robes.
“What’s there to be afraid of? If they see me acting as if I don’t care about affairs, they’ll probably be even happier—and that way they’ll reveal more of their true colors.”
Qin Xiaoman tied the robe sash tightly. The green official robe made Du Heng’s complexion look even fairer. Standing tall and refined, the young magistrate looked so handsome that even the much-praised dashing tanhua of legend would be hard-pressed to compare.
Qin Xiaoman reached out and gave his backside a playful smack, flashing a mischievous grin.
“All done.”
Du Heng pinched Qin Xiaoman’s earlobe.
“You’ll crease it. If the subordinates see that, then I really will be laughed at.”
After a bit of playful banter, the drowsiness was gone. They ate breakfast together, and with a quarter of an hour left before the yamen opened, Du Heng carried his black gauze official hat and headed to the main hall of the front offices.
Upon entering the main hall, Du Heng went straight to the Office of Rites clerks by the ceremonial gate. He did not go inside but stopped outside, looking at the notice board standing opposite the Office of Rites.
As the time drew close to the second ke of mao hour, Du Heng heard the sound of sedan chairs stopping from afar.
Moments later, an official hurried through the ceremonial gate, lifting his robe hem as he ran—and collided squarely with Du Heng.
Li, the Office of Rites clerk, saw Du Heng standing tall and composed in front of the office door in the dim dawn light and stumbled in fright.
Du Heng had arrived in the county three days earlier. Li had only seen him once at the gate reception. With the sky still dark, he might not have clearly recognized the man’s face, but there was no mistaking that official robe.
“M-My lord, why are you here today?”
Du Heng smiled pleasantly.
“I came to take a look and handle a bit of official business along the way.”
Cold sweat broke out on Li’s forehead.
“My lord works from dawn till dusk. Truly admirable.”
Du Heng could not be bothered with pleasantries and asked directly,
“Who are you?”
Li immediately introduced himself.
Du Heng continued,
“The roll call for the yamen officials—that’s handled by you, isn’t it?”
“Reporting to my lord, roll call is indeed handled by the Office of Rites.” Li took the initiative to admit fault. “This humble one has been negligent.”
Du Heng glanced at the almost eerily quiet yamen grounds.
“You arrived at just the right time. Not late, and still able to conduct roll call—after all, none of your colleagues have arrived yet.”
Li heard Du Heng’s relaxed tone but could not tell whether he was pleased or angry. The air felt heavy, like midday in the height of summer despite the early hour.
“Since you’re here, conduct the roll call here. I’ll go into the main hall first.”
“Yes.”
Du Heng turned and headed into the administrative chamber beside the courtroom.
Li wiped the sweat from his forehead again and obediently fetched the roll book, already gathering dust.
Around the third ke of mao hour, voices began to sound one after another.
“Up early today, Clerk Li. Truly a model of diligence~”
“Why are you standing outside today, Clerk Li? Skipping breakfast?”
“The Magistrate is here?! Why didn’t you notify us earlier? I was delayed by traffic on the road today and only arrived a bit late. Please ask Clerk Li to be lenient.”
“How would I dare go against the Magistrate’s wishes? Clerk Bai should arrive earlier tomorrow.”
From his seat by the window, Du Heng listened as the voices outside shifted from loud joking to startled exclamations, then to hurried whispering. He calmly turned a page of the county gazetteer, betraying no emotion.
By the final ke of mao hour, the Office of Rites clerk finally brought the roll book in.
Du Heng took it and glanced through it. Eight people were late, including the Instructor, the Training Officer, and the clerks of various offices. Among them, the Instructor had arrived the latest.
In front of the Office of Rites clerk, Du Heng remarked,
“Well now. The ones who were late are all the most senior officials.”
Li’s hand shook as he recorded the Instructor’s name under such pressure. Hearing Du Heng’s words, he shrank back, not daring to respond.
The Instructor’s luck was clearly terrible; his position in the yamen might well be coming to an end. Just as he was about to say a few words to smooth things over, Du Heng closed the register first.
“Go notify them. At the first ke of chen hour, all officials and the clerks of the six offices are to gather in the second hall’s meeting room.”
Li could only answer,
“Yes.”
When the time came, Du Heng headed to the meeting room. This time, everyone had arrived on time.
Standing at the front, Du Heng looked at the assembled officials—some guilty, some acting as if nothing had happened—and wore a faint smile.
“I came to the front offices today to take a look, and to meet everyone,” he said, tossing the roll book onto the table. “Now that all the responsible officials of the county are gathered here, I am very gratified.”
“My lord, I arrived late today. Please punish me.”
Someone below could no longer hold back and stepped forward to plead guilt.
Once one person spoke, others followed, each explaining their tardiness—ill mothers, crying young children, and so on. Du Heng listened silently until the room grew quiet again.
Then he suddenly looked at Jiang Zuowu, the Instructor seated at the head.
“Instructor Jiang, what about you?”
Jiang Zuowu seemed not to expect Du Heng to single him out in public. He paused slightly, then stood to apologize.
“Before coming to the yamen, this subordinate went to the county school to inspect the students’ studies. This subordinate was in the wrong.”
Du Heng smiled but did not reply.
By regulation, all county officials were required to attend roll call at the yamen before going elsewhere on business. Even in urgent circumstances, leave had to be reported. The Instructor had arrived nearly half an hour late and still had the nerve to dress it up as diligence. No wonder the officials of the county yamen arrived later and later with each passing day.
“Instructor, you care so deeply and labor so diligently over the affairs of the county school. I imagine that when the academy examinations and the provincial examinations come around, the county will surely produce many more men of learning,” Du Heng said. “You truly are a model of diligence.”
With that, Du Heng turned his head and looked over everyone present.
“Does anyone here know what punishment the court imposes for being late to morning audience?”
As expected, no one answered. Du Heng continued on his own:
“Those late by one ke are fined three thousand cash. Those late by two ke receive twenty strokes of the heavy rod. All such offenses are recorded and counted toward the year-end evaluation.”
Already, some people below were secretly wiping sweat from their brows.
Then Du Heng abruptly changed his tone.
“However, that is the imperial court. This is Qiuyang County, a local administration. Naturally, we cannot impose such strict standards on everyone here.”
“The roll-call times differ between spring and summer. I, too, am flesh and blood, and I can understand that the sudden shift in schedule during the change of seasons may cause some discomfort. Today’s tardiness will therefore be overlooked. Starting tomorrow, however, the Office of Rites is to conduct roll call on time. Anyone who is late will have their name recorded. At that point, a copy will be transcribed and posted on the notice board outside the county yamen, to encourage the people of Qiuyang County to be diligent in their livelihoods as well.”
“Any objections?”
Who would dare object?
“My lord is wise.”
“After the meeting, the Clerk of the Office of Personnel is to come see me.”
Expressions varied across the room. The Clerk of the Office of Personnel followed Du Heng with a grave look.
Du Heng was not continuing the questioning for the sake of punishment. His priority was to understand the staffing situation of the county yamen. Only by fully staffing the offices could official business proceed smoothly.
First, the positions had to be filled. Those who proved unfit could be dismissed later.
At present, the county yamen was missing one Chief Clerk, two Registrars, four working clerks for the six offices, an unspecified number of constables, and a personal attendant assigned exclusively to serve the Magistrate.
All the vacancies were clerical posts. The Magistrate could freely appoint and dismiss such personnel, which made matters easier.
As for officials with actual rank—such as the Instructor or the Patrol Inspector—the Magistrate could not appoint or dismiss them at will. He could only recommend capable individuals upward, or suspend officials who committed offenses and report the matter for decision by the prefectural authorities and the court.
The current shortage of clerks gave Du Heng the opportunity to recruit people he trusted. This was precisely the moment for a county magistrate to place his own people.
The Chief Clerk served as the Magistrate’s secretary and had to be selected with great care. The Registrars were assistants to the clerks of the six offices, while the working clerks handled the routine affairs of each of those offices.
As for the constables, there was no need to elaborate.
Du Heng reviewed the roster and said to the Clerk of the Office of Personnel,
“Post a public notice to recruit according to the vacant positions. The recruitment period will be six days. After that, candidates are to come to the county yamen, where I will select them personally.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than someone knocked on the door. Du Heng looked up and saw that it was Jiang Zuowu.
“Instructor, what is the matter?”
“Originally, I intended to wait until Your Excellency formally assumed office before bringing these important matters to you. But since Your Excellency has come today, I cannot continue to shoulder them on your behalf.”
Du Heng saw the Instructor holding account books and various county records stacked nearly two chi high. His brow twitched slightly.
“Do come in quickly. Carrying so much at the door—what if you tire yourself?”
“Thank you for Your Excellency’s concern,” Jiang Zuowu said, placing the ledgers on Du Heng’s desk. “There are two more chests. In a moment, I will have clerks bring them in.”
“Very well.”
Jiang Zuowu glanced at the clerk standing to the side and suddenly showed a troubled expression.
“There is something I do not know whether I should say.”
“Speak.”
“Is Your Excellency planning to recruit clerks? Given the current state of the county treasury, the yamen may not be able to support so many additional personnel.”
Before Du Heng could respond, Jiang Zuowu added,
“If Your Excellency does not believe this, you may examine the county’s expenditures. I would not dare speak recklessly.”
Du Heng smiled faintly.
“It seems that I cannot even ask questions now.”
“My lord, how could that be?” Jiang Zuowu replied. “Fiscal matters are of great importance. This lowly official truly would not dare speak carelessly and interfere with Your Excellency’s clear judgment.”
“You may withdraw.”
Du Heng maintained his smile.
“This official takes his leave.”
The Clerk of the Office of Personnel asked,
“My lord, then are we recruiting clerks or not?”
Du Heng answered plainly,
“Proceed exactly as I instructed earlier.”
The Clerk of the Office of Personnel was not as tough or overbearing as the Instructor. He was merely a clerk and could only carry out Du Heng’s orders obediently.
“Yes. This humble one will go draft the notice at once.”
Du Heng nodded. Once the man left, four clerks carried in two large chests, setting them down with a dull, heavy thud.
Du Heng pressed his lips together. Just these documents alone would likely take ten days or half a month to finish reviewing. He rubbed his temples.
Jiang Zuowu truly had a sharp temper. It was clearly retaliation for being called out earlier for his lateness. Du Heng had not shown him any displeasure, yet Jiang Zuowu had already delivered a show of force.
Du Heng did not immediately look through the endless ledgers. He took a few sips of tea and continued handling matters at his own pace.