Good spirits follow good fortune. Lately, officials in the county office noticed that the County Magistrate always wore a smile. No one knew why he was so cheerful, but when a superior was in a good mood, life was easier for subordinates too, and they shared in the joy.
Early June was hot. Though Qiuyang County was not far from Luoxia County, the temperature here was noticeably higher.
Du Heng sipped a glass of chilled soup in the Administrative Hall. At first, it felt refreshing, but within moments the cold was lost to the hot air and the warmth of his mouth.
When documents were delivered from the ceremonial office, he felt a prickling annoyance, as if the heat itself had been sharpened with needles.
He tossed the papers onto the desk. “I’ve only been in office ten days, yet the capital has already sent reminders for collection. Surely, these were prepared in advance.”
Hearing this, Wang Youxin immediately set aside his tasks and, like a loyal aide, fanned Du Heng.
“Do not be upset, Your Honor. Such notices are frequent, merely reminders that the county still owes money to the court. The county has no silver on hand; the capital knows this. Even if they nag, the county can’t magically produce funds. We cannot demand the people go without food to pay this debt.”
“And if the court were truly angry, this account would not have landed in your hands in the first place, correct?”
Du Heng’s mood visibly lightened. He leaned back in his chair, enjoying Wang Youxin’s attentive service. “Summer in Qiuyang County is unbearably hot. Even with windows wide open, no breeze penetrates.”
Wang Youxin quickly suggested, “Perhaps we could buy some ice from Chen, place it in a large basin in the room—it would be very refreshing and cooling.”
Du Heng shifted slightly. “Ice is expensive in summer. Qiuyang County has mild winters; storing ice is difficult, and the price here must be higher than elsewhere. Would this not be too extravagant?”
Wang Youxin fanned Du Heng and praised him: “You are the head of the county and new to the area. Feeling the heat is natural. Using ice to cool yourself is hardly extravagance. If you were to suffer heatstroke and fall ill, how could you manage county affairs? Spending a little to protect your health is for the sake of the people.”
He sighed. “Moreover, Qiuyang County has repeatedly borrowed funds without repayment. If you were to request more from the court, even out of consideration for your new appointment, it’s unlikely they would approve.”
Qi Kaisheng said, “As long as some funds have reached the county treasury, it allows for smoother operations and also eases the burden on the court.”
Du Heng replied, “Still, Qiuyang County’s arrears will likely need to be settled gradually.”
Qi Kaisheng nodded. “Take it slow.”
“Are the officials in the county office diligent? Are there any who show disrespect?”
Du Heng responded, “All are performing well, though a true test will come with the autumn harvest.”
Qi Kaisheng’s voice turned stern. “Do not conceal anything. I know well that the local scoundrels are not simple folk. You have been too lenient since assuming office. That tutor you mentioned—are you aware of his intentions?”
Du Heng furrowed his brow. “I am grateful for your guidance, Your Honor.”
“You have the favor of the Wang Duke, and I am inclined to promote you as well. But ultimately, everything depends on your own abilities.”
Du Heng understood that such talk of promotion was partly formal courtesy, a way for a superior to bind subordinates. The part about ability, however, was genuine—and he knew it.
In the afternoon, Qi Kaisheng, weary from travel, rested in the secondary hall for a nap. Du Heng returned to his residence to prepare the evening meal.
To avoid delaying matters of the autumn harvest, Prefects typically completed inspections in each county before the harvest, moving swiftly from one location to the next. Jiang Zuowu, having served five years as Instructor and four years as Tutor, knew the general routines of such inspections well.
After reporting Du Heng’s return to the residence, Jiang Zuowu used the county school as a pretext to visit the secondary hall and await Qi Kaisheng.
The Prefect had just awakened from his nap, washed his hands and face, and, seeing the bright sunlight outside, began to don his official robe, knowing he would need to set out early the next day.
“Your Honor, Instructor Jiang requests an audience.”
Qi Kaisheng wiped his hands. “What does he want?”
“He wishes to report on matters concerning the county school.”
Qi Kaisheng valued scholars highly. Despite his dislike for old officials scheming, he said, “Let him in.”
“Your humble servant pays respects to Prefect Kaisheng.”
Qi Kaisheng, seated in his main chair, gestured to Jiang Zuowu kneeling before him. “Rise.”
“Prefect, Your Honor has always cared for the cultivation of scholars. In recent years, Qiuyang County has been poor, with few scholars and limited funds. I have been responsible for education here, and often feel ashamed of our inadequacies.”
Qiuyang County ranked lowest among the six counties—something Qi Kaisheng already knew.
“Fortunately, this year five more scholars were enrolled than in previous years. Seeing this gives me comfort,” Jiang Zuowu added.
Qi Kaisheng glanced at the register, offering a faint smile. “Indeed, His Majesty has raised the standards for examinations, so adding students to the county school is no small achievement.”
He closed the register. “This is also your merit. I expect that under Du Heng’s leadership, Qiuyang County will continue to improve.”
Taking the opportunity to speak of the new magistrate, Jiang Zuowu said, “Du Magistrate is young and capable, yet—”
“Is there something amiss?” Qi Kaisheng asked, noticing his hesitation. “I came to inspect new officials and their diligence. Speak freely.”
Jiang Zuowu immediately knelt. “Your Honor, I report candidly: since assuming office, Du Magistrate has privately encouraged local gentry and wealthy households to present gifts in celebration, collecting over a thousand taels. His lifestyle is extravagant, relying on ice to beat the heat and lavishly entertaining guests…”
“The court strictly forbids officials from accepting personal gifts. This conduct is improper. Qiuyang County is poor; if the common people learn of such behavior, what would they think?”
Qi Kaisheng’s brow furrowed. “You intend to admonish Du Heng?”
“I dare not speak lightly. I am solely concerned for the people of Qiuyang County. This is not hearsay—there are records!”
Jiang Zuowu knelt, presenting a ledger.
Qi Kaisheng took it, flipping through its pages. “You mean to say that Du Heng has personally collected wealth and is living extravagantly with it?”
“I dare not speculate rashly. But the evidence is clear. I am distressed that the new magistrate, only just appointed, behaves this way. Exploiting his position for personal gain—how can the people bear such injustice?”
“I have reported honestly, knowing your fairness, Your Honor,” Jiang Zuowu added earnestly.
Qi Kaisheng held the ledger, face grim, yet said, “His Majesty has recently punished two corrupt officials in the court. He detests corruption above all. If Du Heng, newly appointed, is already accepting gifts, leaving him in office too long would bring suffering to the people.”
A troubled look crossed his face. “Yet the autumn harvest is near, and the county cannot go without leadership. Removing him immediately could leave a vacancy difficult to fill. Perhaps, for now, we must turn a blind eye, and decide definitively at the end of the year.”
He looked at Jiang Zuowu.
“I will follow your instructions, Your Honor. I trust you will not allow someone to flout the law with impunity. Only, if the magistrate’s mind is set on wealth, the people may suffer again during the harvest.”
Qi Kaisheng said, “Instructor Jiang, I understand you’ve been an official for over ten years.”
Jiang Zuowu exhaled, secretly anticipating words of promotion. “Your Honor is observant.”
But rather than hearing praise, Qi Kaisheng’s tone shifted: “After serving so long, do you know the consequences of failing to properly admonish a superior?”
Jiang Zuowu was startled and quickly kowtowed. “Your Honor, every word I have spoken is true, not fabricated!”
His mind raced, considering any possible connection between Du Heng and Qi Kaisheng.
A moment later, an attendant brought forth another ledger. “The items you submitted coincidentally match a ledger I already possess—one that Du Heng personally sent before coming to Qiuyang County.”
“Accepting private gifts is considered corruption, yet in this case it was reported as official income. Qiuyang County’s treasury was empty; Du Heng used these private gifts to replenish public funds, putting them to use for the people.”
Qi Kaisheng slammed the ledger onto the desk. What could have been a mundane, unremarkable administrative matter now became something the court and he could openly praise. To have an official come forward to accuse this—clearly, it was like being slapped in the face along with the court itself. “Your supervision of the superior was correct. Your mistake was in acting hastily, without verifying the full picture, before submitting your report.”
Jiang Zuowu stared blankly at the two identical ledgers on the desk, his mind only capable of repeating: how could this be?
“You submitted a request for promotion during the recent appointments, showing ambition. Yet over the years, Qiuyang County’s education lagged, with few students passing examinations. Now, instead of focusing on governance and merit, your attention was on the new magistrate. Have your priorities changed? Or do you harbor resentment against the court?”
Jiang Zuowu trembled, repeatedly kowtowing. “It was my oversight, Your Honor. I have no such intentions, and I beg your forgiveness!”
The summer heat frayed tempers; a single spark could set a person off. Qi Kaisheng’s voice grew sharp. “Du Heng is new to the county and unaccustomed to the heat. He sought ways to stay cool. Yet, as a senior official here, instead of understanding his difficulties, you secretly marked him for extravagance.”
“Entertaining subordinates is not forbidden by the court. Did these meals exceed regulations?”
For the first time, Jiang Zuowu felt the full force of stern rebuke. His aging face burned with shame.
Qi Kaisheng continued, scolding until his throat went dry, recalling all the years of disorder in Qiuyang County. Seeing local officials behave thus now only fueled his anger. After a long moment, he drank from the tea at his side to calm himself.
He then said, “If your heart is not in your duties, there is no need to continue handling them. A proper Tutor, with poor character and skills, cannot cultivate students or manage a county school well.”
“Set aside current matters for now. Let the Instructor handle them until I finish my inspection and make a decision.”
Jiang Zuowu felt as if he had lost both face and leverage. He could not argue, only mutter weakly: “Your judgment is clear. I will follow your teaching.”
“Has he left?”
Du Heng, watching a servant stroll in, was leisurely folding vegetables with Qin Xiaoman. Summer meals always included a plate of cold dishes.
When Du Heng studied at Bairong Academy, You Huo once remarked that his cold cucumber salad was even more refreshing than that of Sanxian Ju in the capital.
Prefects who despised heat and were prone to anger would find their appetite opened by a cool, well-prepared dish.
“Jiang Zuowu left in a very sour mood. I hear the Prefect has already suspended him.”
Qin Xiaoman raised his eyebrows, dropping the string beans he was handling. “Suspended just like that?”
“Yes, my husband.”
Qin Xiaoman smiled at Du Heng.
“If he hadn’t been suspended, all our efforts over the past days would have been wasted. Fortunately, the money already spent was from our private account.”
“As the saying goes, losing wealth dissipates calamity. With him out of the way, you can now confidently direct the county office to get things done properly.”
Du Heng curved his lips in a faint smile. “Autumn harvest is a prosperous season; leaving him past July would be unlucky.”
The next day, before leaving, Qi Kaisheng publicly announced in the front hall that the private gifts had been entered into the public account and that Jiang Zuowu had been suspended. Du Heng would handle official affairs in the interim.
He instructed the officials to respect and care for their superiors and to govern diligently for the people before departing.
For a moment, everyone was astonished. They had assumed the young, gentle magistrate would be easy to manipulate, yet he had toppled the sly, experienced Jiang Zuowu. Those who expected Jiang to devour Du Heng alive were shocked to see the tables turned.
From that day, everyone understood clearly who truly ruled the county. With the Prefect’s admonition, the wind blew in one direction.
Wang Youxin watched in stunned silence, unsure where things had gone wrong. His patron had just fallen. Seeing Du Heng still calmly directing work in the administration hall, he felt anxious, yet secretly hoped that Du Heng truly trusted him so he could continue to survive in the county office.
“Wang Chief Clerk, go call Instructor Jiang.”
Wang Youxin’s heart sank. “Yes.”
Soon, Jiang Zuowu strode in. There was no need to maintain the facade of composure any longer.
“Du Heng, your strategy is impressive.”
Du Heng quietly observed Jiang Zuowu’s ashen face. Perhaps he had not slept a wink since last night, and age made it difficult to recover his complexion.
“Where could I compare to Instructor Jiang?”
Jiang Zuowu sneered. “From the start, you feigned impatience and incompetence, making me think you were easy to handle. Step by step, you set the trap and led me in. Knowing the Prefect would inspect before the harvest, I intended to use this chance to report you. Thinking my accusation weak, I even feigned extravagance.”
Du Heng rested his chin on his hand. “If you were honest and unambitious, nothing I did would have succeeded. It was not my impatience—it was yours, too eager to replace me.”
“Now that the matter is settled, you must feel accomplished. Indeed, I underestimated you.”
Du Heng glanced meaningfully at the silent Wang Youxin beside him. “All this was possible thanks to my attentive chief clerk. Were it not for your assistance, I could not have achieved it.”
Wang Youxin was too shocked to speak. Surrounded by people he dared not offend, he could only open his eyes wide, losing his usual slick composure.
“It was you! You led me into the trap!”
Before Wang Youxin could respond, Du Heng interjected, “The Chief Clerk is not at fault. A wise bird chooses the best tree; he only sought to work longer in the county office.”
Jiang Zuowu glared with hatred. “I suspected you were no good from the start. Out of respect for our years together, I did not investigate, but now I see—you truly have no regard for loyalty when faced with opportunity!”
Wang Youxin shivered at that remark, suspicion long brewing in his heart: “I… I don’t understand what Instructor Jiang is talking about!”
Du Heng leisurely observed the scuffle between the two officials. Though it amused him greatly, he intervened at the right moment and had Jiang Zuowu escorted out.
Since Jiang had already been suspended, there was no reason for him to linger in the county office, especially after such humiliation; Du Heng did not wish to remain and watch the former subordinate’s disgraced face.
“He won’t let go of you easily. After all, he is an official, and you are a clerk. It would be too easy for him to ruin you.”
Du Heng blew on the froth of his tea and continued to press Wang Youxin: “Unlike you, he can be transferred to another county or even his prefect’s office in a year or two. You, however, are a local resident—your family, your children, your wife are all in Qiuyang County. To ruin your reputation here would be simple for him.”
Wang Youxin immediately prostrated himself, trembling in both body and spirit. “My lord, I beg for mercy! I swear to devote myself to your service without hesitation!”
Du Heng said, “You’ve tried to entice me into corruption, but I will not keep you in the county office. Still, judging by your conduct, I can grant you a way out.”
Tears streaming, Wang Youxin kowtowed again. “I will follow all your commands, my lord!”