Chapter 296: The Road to High Office 96 (Revisions)

Chapter 296: The Road to High Office 96 (Revisions)

As soon as Xu Zeping returned to the county town, his first priority was to head to the county office to properly store the yellow registers and fish-scale maps he had compiled over the past few months.

To his surprise, upon stepping through the gates of the county office, he encountered Huang Sizheng, who was beaming.

"We meet again, Minister Xu," Huang Sizheng greeted first.

Xu Zeping quickly responded, "This humble official greets Minister Huang."

"Minister Xu, your busy schedule has made me wait," Huang Sizheng stepped forward to help Xu Zeping up, engaging in familiar small talk.

"It is my fault for not knowing of Minister Huang's arrival and failing to welcome you properly."

Seeing Xu Zeping about to bow in apology again, Huang Sizheng quickly helped him up, flicking his whisk and smiling, "Go freshen up quickly, and bring your husband to receive the imperial decree."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zeping was overjoyed, knowing full well what this meant.

Despite his inner joy, he maintained a dignified and proper demeanor: "Please rest for a moment, Minister Huang. I'll be right back."

Xu Zeping then instructed Officer Zhou to place the yellow registers and other documents in the office, while he himself hurried towards his residence.

"Master, you're back!"

As soon as Xu Zeping knocked on the door, Little Tiger came out to greet him.

Xu Zeping didn’t have time for small talk and headed straight to the backyard.

When he reached the backyard, Cheng Ge Er was playing with a shuttlecock with two little ones in the yard.

Of course, it was Cheng Ge Er who was playing, while the two little ones sat nearby, clapping and cheering.

The servants stood behind the little ones to prevent them from falling.

Upon hearing familiar footsteps, Cheng Ge Er immediately turned around and, seeing Xu Zeping who had tanned considerably, ignored the shuttlecock in mid-air and ran forward: "Pingping!"

After half a year apart, how could Xu Zeping not miss his little husband?

He also opened his arms to embrace the person rushing towards him, saying with restraint, "I'm back."

The two little ones looked at this dark-skinned man curiously, wondering why their dad was hugging this man.

They stood up from their little stools and walked towards Xu Zeping, tilting their heads to look at him, their big eyes filled with curiosity, though he seemed familiar.

After the embrace, they quickly separated.

Xu Zeping looked at the two little ones scrutinizing him, knelt down and said, "Yuan Ge Er, Man Ge Er, don't you recognize your dad?"

Cheng Ge Er also gently introduced, "Yuan Ge Er, Man Ge Er, this is the dad you talk about every day, come on, call him dad."

Children forget easily, and after just half a year, they barely recognized Xu Zeping.

This man looked a lot like the dad in their father's drawings, but he was so dark.

Yuan Ge Er carefully observed him and tentatively called out, "Dad?"

Seeing his brother speak, Man Ge Er hesitated for a moment before also calling out, "Dad."

Hearing the soft, sweet voices of the two children, Xu Zeping's eyes narrowed into slits with joy: "Yes! Come, let your dad hug you."

With that, he opened his arms, holding a child in each hand, and hugged the two children into his embrace.

Perhaps due to their blood relation, or perhaps because of the familiar embrace, the children did not struggle when hugged. Instead, they were thrilled because they suddenly felt taller.

"Papa, we've grown taller!"

"Taller than Papa!"

After the familiar greetings, Cheng Ge Er asked, "Pingping, was your trip smooth? Have all the official duties at the county office been handled?"

Mentioning official duties, Xu Zeping suddenly remembered Huang Sizheng, whom he had arranged to rest at the county office.

He immediately stood up and said, "Quick, quick, Cheng Ge Er, let's get ready quickly. You come with me to the county office to receive the imperial decree."

The warmth of home had nearly made him forget the important task.

After a short while, Xu Zeping and his husband arrived at the county office hall, kneeling to receive the imperial decree.

— By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

Xu Zeping, the county magistrate of Lingbei, is an honest and outstanding official with notable accomplishments.

Firstly, he has developed sea salt production for the Great Jing Dynasty, making salt more accessible to the people.

Secondly, he has uncovered concealed farmland for the Great Jing Dynasty...

Thirdly, he has constructed irrigation channels and encouraged fish farming in fields for the people of Lingbei...

He is hereby specially appointed as the Prefect of Changnan in Guangnan Province, bestowed with a yellow robe of honor to show imperial favor, by imperial decree.

This decree detailed Xu Zeping's political achievements over the years, from national to local affairs, all clarified by Emperor Sheng'an, ensuring justice. The current official position was undoubtedly earned by merit.

From a seventh-rank county magistrate to a fourth-rank prefect, a promotion of six levels, it clearly demonstrated Emperor Sheng'an's high regard for this official.

Xu Zeping had pondered, only expecting the Sage to promote him to a fifth-rank prefect, as only a fifth-rank official could apply for a title for his husband.

He had never expected Emperor Sheng'an to make a decisive gesture and directly promote him to a fourth-rank prefect!

To realize that a fourth-rank prefect is already a high-ranking official in the local area!

One step further would be either a third-rank capital official or a local administrative commissioner, both of which could be considered positions of significant influence.

"Minister Xu, are you in shock?" Huang Sizheng cleared his throat, "Hurry and receive the decree."

Xu Zeping suddenly came back to his senses, straightened his back, and stepped forward to receive the decree: "This humble servant receives the decree."

Deputy Magistrate Yang and others knelt behind, hearing this decree from the Sage, they couldn't help but wipe away tears. They were both happy for Minister Xu and sad about the separation. With this appointment issued.

Minister Xu would stay in Lingbei for no more than two weeks. Once the new county magistrate arrives, Minister Xu will have to leave for Guangnan Province.

Guangnan and Lingbei, one south and one north, barring unforeseen circumstances, they will never see each other again in this lifetime.

Having worked together, the officials of Lingbei County Office greatly admired this upright, incorruptible, brave, and resourceful county magistrate.

— By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

Xu Zeping, Prefect of Changnan, is sincere and upright, simple in the Emperor's heart.

His husband, Cheng Ge Er, is filial, respectful, virtuous, and cares for the local people...

By special decree, you are granted the title of Fourth Rank Lady of Virtue and bestowed with court attire, signifying the vastness of the imperial favor.

Thus decreed.

This imperial edict praises Cheng Ge Er for his filial piety and virtue, commending his selfless efforts in co-founding a private school with merchants, which led to his exceptional promotion to Fourth Rank Lady of Virtue.

Why is it considered an exceptional promotion?

Because Xu Zeping's mother was only a Fifth Rank Lady of Virtue. The Great Jing Dynasty governs with filial piety, and according to the rules, Cheng Ge Er's rank should not surpass that of Xu Linshi. However, considering his contributions to the local community, he was exceptionally promoted.

"Your servant's husband humbly receives the decree."

Cheng Ge Er respectfully stood up and humbly accepted the imperial edict.

As Huang Sizheng presented the edict, he inadvertently glanced at Cheng Ge Er, feeling that this husband looked very familiar, especially his eyes.

But since the person before him was an official court husband, he dared not look too closely and quickly averted his gaze.

After the edict was read, Huang Sizheng mentioned his departure. He had actually arrived in Lingbei County with the edict on the third day of the ninth month.

Now that the edict, official plaques, and documents had been handed over to Xu Zeping, it was not appropriate for him to linger.

Knowing that Huang Sizheng was highly trusted by the Emperor, Xu Zeping naturally did not press him to stay and politely escorted him to the outskirts of the county.

"Minister Xu, are you going to leave our Lingbei County?"

Just after bidding farewell to Huang Sizheng, as Xu Zeping turned back towards the county office, a group of onlookers gathered around.

Xu Zeping looked at the questioning eyes, smiled, and said, "Where did you hear such rumors? There's no truth to them."

Previously, Xu Zeping had considered the idea of a farewell parasol, but after truly interacting with the people, he did not want to exploit their sincerity.

Xu Zeping calmly deflected the townspeople's questions and returned to the county office.

Although Xu Zeping did not admit to an impending promotion and departure, the news that County Magistrate Xu was leaving Lingbei eventually spread...

No one knew when the new county magistrate would arrive, but Xu Zeping remained diligent, attending to his duties at the county office every day without anxiety.

He carefully corrected the population census results.

Among the seven towns, two had issues with their household registers: Xiaoman Town and Xiaoji Town.

Xiaoji Town and Xiaoman Town had identical problems; both had records at the town level but no entries at the county level.

However, Xiaoji Town had fewer unregistered households than Xiaoman Town, with only one hundred and thirty households.

By cross-referencing household records and Clerk Chen's thorough investigation, these one hundred and thirty unregistered households were derived from fifty unregistered households who split their households in the seventh year of Sheng'an...

And the heads of these fifty unregistered households had all returned from forced labor.

Using the population registers and land records, Xu Zeping estimated that the amount of agricultural tax they had embezzled over the years should be between five thousand to ten thousand taels.

For a fifteen-year term, risking one's life over such a small amount of embezzled silver, Xu Zeping wondered if County Magistrate Huang was pitiful or simply foolish.

Since the matter of the displaced people had been reported to his elder brother, the census issue... Xu Zeping pondered for a moment and then wrote a letter to Prefect Xu Zhizhou of Liaobei Prefecture, leaving the decision to the new county magistrate to handle together with Prefect Xu.

This would also provide a reason for the successor to establish a firm footing.

At the hour of Si (9-11 AM) on the twentieth day of the ninth month, a dust-covered carriage stopped at the gate of Lingbei County Office.

When Xu Zeping heard from the yamen officer that the new county magistrate had arrived, he greeted him warmly. A familiar figure stood at the gate of the county yamen.

Xu Zeping exclaimed with joy, "Ah'Yan!"

Gao Yan also embraced him warmly, his wheat-colored skin revealing a proud smile: "Yuanzhi, surprised to see me?"

Xu Zeping patted his shoulder: "You rascal, why didn’t you give me a heads-up about coming to Lingbei?"

As he spoke, Xu Zeping glanced at the carriage: "Did your wife tag along?"

"She sure did," Gao Yan said, about to have his wife step out of the carriage to greet them, but Xu Zeping stopped him.

Xu Zeping said, "It's almost mealtime, why not come over to my place and catch up?"

"Sounds great!"

Xu Zeping instructed County Deputy Yang and others briefly, then led Gao Yan towards his residence.

The carriage trailed behind, and before long, they reached the residence gate.

By then, the residence's plaque had already been removed.

Over the past half month, Cheng Ge Er had also sorted out the servant boys and young maids in the residence. Those on temporary contracts had their agreements ended and were sent home.

Those on slave contracts, willing to leave, were taken along.

Those who didn’t want to leave could have their status changed to commoner and be sent home.

But surprisingly, none of those on slave contracts wanted to go back.

The west courtyard was cleared out, and the east courtyard's stuff was packed and ready to go at any moment.

Hearing that the new county magistrate had arrived with his wife, Cheng Ge Er also came out from the backyard.

Seeing a somewhat familiar face, he exclaimed in surprise, "Is that really you, Brother Ah'Yan?"

Gao Yan, who had received help from the Xu Family in his youth and worked as an accountant, naturally had met Cheng Ge Er before.

"Long time no see, Cheng Ge Er, you still look as good as ever," he said with a warm smile, then turned to his wife and children, introducing them: "This is my wife, Mrs. Gao Huang Cainiang, and these are my kids, Huang Qing and Huang Jie."

Cheng Ge Er, who had kids of his own, could guess their ages; Huang Qing was about five, and Huang Jie about one.

"Hi, sister-in-law, I'm Yuanzhi's husband," Cheng Ge Er said with a graceful smile, "These are my twin boys, Yuan Ge Er and Man Ge Er."

..

After the introductions, the two families sat down for a meal together.

After eating, the kids played while the adults swapped stories from over the years.

The next day, Xu Zeping and Gao Yan exchanged official documents...

After formally introducing the new county magistrate, Xu Zeping took Gao Yan to the yamen office, emphasizing the issues with the county's yellow registers and the corruption and bribery of the former county magistrate and two town heads.

After discussing these matters, he also gave a few words of advice on the educational issues in Lingbei County.

At 5:30 AM on September 22nd of Sheng'an, two Xu Family carriages quietly left the county town.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the two carriages exited the city gate, they were met by a crowd of onlookers cheering them on.

Hundreds of onlookers braved the cold, lining the streets to say goodbye, with a huge people's umbrella, two zhang around and six chi three cun wide, with a silk surface two chi three cun wide, set up in front of the carriages.

Xu Zeping, upon seeing this scene, couldn't help but show himself: "Xu Yuanzhi here thanks the people of Lingbei County. Like the high mountains and flowing waters, we shall meet again if fate permits."

He had hoped to leave quietly, but ended up disturbing the people from various places.

"Wishing Minister Xu a safe trip!"

"Wishing Minister Xu smooth sailing, peace, and good health!"

"Wishing Minister Xu and his spouse all the best, peace and health in everything!"

...

Gao Yan and his wife stood on the city wall, waving goodbye.