Chapter 204

Chapter 204

These past few days, Chen Qingyan had been grappling with the lingering issues in Sitong County, a task that left him utterly exhausted. The chaos was overwhelming; case files piled high were enough to make anyone's head spin.

He could only prioritize the most urgent matters. For instance, properties seized by the Ding family had to be returned one by one. Additionally, past cases of bribery involving County Magistrate Ding, along with wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice, needed to be overturned and retried. He was swamped.

During this period, Chen Qingyan noticed that the two Huang brothers were exceptionally capable, likely inheriting their father's skills as a constable. They handled these tasks with ease, and since both were skilled in martial arts, there was no concern when they went out on assignments.

Chen Qingyan promptly promoted them to clerical officers, planning to formally register them upon returning to the prefectural capital.

Early one morning, just as he had finished preparing, a long queue had already formed outside the county office—all there to appeal injustices.

The Deputy County Magistrate had arrived early. He was relatively young, named Peng Shiliu, and had taken up his post just a few years prior.

When Ding Changsheng served as County Magistrate, he monopolized all affairs, leaving Peng with no real power and unable to manage any county matters. Ironically, this had spared him from getting entangled.

Now that the Vice Prefect was here, he delegated some of the county office's authority to Peng. Minor, trivial matters were left for him to handle, while only major lawsuits were forwarded to the higher official.

Peng Shiliu was thrilled. Dressed in his official robe, he sat in the main hall and began hearing cases.

For minor disputes like neighbors fighting, simple mediation was enough. Theft cases required both the perpetrator and evidence. Those deserving flogging were flogged; those deserving exile were exiled. His rulings were fair and impartial, earning the people’s trust.

Initially, the townspeople feared that after Ding Changsheng’s fall, another corrupt official would take his place. To their surprise, the county government had truly changed. Not only did it serve the people, but there was no need to spend money or pull strings.

Qin Tianming, who had been hesitating at the government office entrance, finally stamped his foot and decided to take a chance. Perhaps he could really reclaim his family’s land and property.

Cautiously, he stepped into the government premises but was stopped by two minor officials at the gate.

Terrified, Qin Tianming covered his head. "Please spare me, officials! I’ll leave right away, right away..." In the past, he had been beaten repeatedly by Ding Qi’s underlings, so the sight of yamen runners made his legs weak and his whole body tremble.

"We’re not here to beat anyone. If you have a case to report, come register it."

It took a moment before Qin Tianming lowered his hands. "Register for what?"

"State your case here. Is it theft, robbery, assault, or seizure..."

"Sei-zure and murder! Ding Changsheng killed my father, seized our family’s land, injured my mother, and drove us out!"

Upon hearing it was a murder case, the clerical officer immediately became serious. He asked for Qin Tianming’s name, checked it against the county’s household registry to locate the Qin family, and then took him directly to the rear courtyard.

"Knock, knock, knock." A sound echoed from the study.

Chen Qingyan looked up and said, "Come in." He was sorting through the county government’s account books. The messy records gave him a headache, and the more he read, the angrier he became. That Ding Changsheng truly deserved to die!

The minor official led a disheveled beggar inside. As soon as he entered, Qin Tianming dropped to his knees, kowtowing repeatedly. "This humble subject, Qin Tianming, pays respects to Your Honor. I beg Your Honor to uphold justice for me!"

Chen Qingyan said, "Stand up and speak."

Not daring to stand, Qin Tianming remained kneeling and first introduced his background. Then, he detailed how Ding Changsheng had framed his father and driven him and his mother away.

"My father was arrested, subjected to harsh torture, and died in prison. Not long after, Ding Qi brought a group of officers to our home. When they drove us out, they broke my mother’s ribs and didn't let us take anything with us. Later... my mother fell seriously ill, and with no money for treatment, she died, leaving me alone to beg for a living in this county."

Qin Tianming wiped away his tears and continued, "This humble subject once considered going to the Shanzhou prefectural office to accuse Ding Changsheng, but before I could even leave the city gates, I was stopped. Ding Qi and his officers cornered me in an alley, beat me, and... forced me to crawl between his legs..."

If not for avenging his parents, he would have long since hanged himself. Hatred had kept him alive until now, finally witnessing the downfall of the Ding family.

Chen Qingyan was deeply moved. "Rest assured, I will see justice done for you. I will first send someone to investigate your family’s situation. If it is as you say, your land and property will be returned."

Qin Tianming began kowtowing again. "Thank you, Your Honor! This humble subject would repay you however I can!"

"Rise quickly. Do you have a place to live now?"

"This humble subject lives in the City God Temple in the west of the city."

"Good. Within three days at most, I will send someone to notify you. Return and wait for now."

Qin Tianming kowtowed once more and prepared to leave.

"Wait a moment. I notice you speak well. Are you literate?"

Qin Tianming nodded. "This humble subject attended a private school and studied the Four Books and Five Classics."

"Excellent. Once your land and property are returned, continue your studies." Chen Qingyan rose and walked over to him. "The people have long suffered under corrupt officials. If we can have one more good official, we can benefit the local people."

"Yes!"

Little did Chen Qingyan know that his offhand remark would later come true. Qin Tianming not only passed the imperial exams to become a *Jinshi* (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) but also resolutely returned to Shanzhou to take his place... but that is a story for another time.

After a month, Chen Qingyan, along with all the officials in the government office, worked diligently and finally resolved the major cases before the New Year. The task of registering the Qiang people’s households was also completed, though only a few smaller tribes in the vicinity had been registered so far.

Given the cold weather, some Qiang tribes lived deep in the mountains, making travel difficult. Come spring, Mai Anming would lead officials to register all Qiang tribes in the county.

The remaining minor cases and miscellaneous tasks were left to the Deputy County Magistrate and the next County Magistrate to handle. Chen Qingyan then began his journey home.

On the day of his departure, the news got out, and once again, the townspeople crowded the streets, lining both sides. This time, however, it was to bid Chen Qingyan farewell.

Chen Qingyan lifted the carriage curtain and saw crowds of people kneeling on both sides of the road, kowtowing and shouting, "Farewell, Lord Chen! Have a safe journey, Lord Chen!"

Some even wiped away tears. If not for Lord Chen, how could they have gotten justice and reclaimed their land?

Chen Qingyan’s heart was filled with mixed emotions—a feeling beyond words, like having brewed a fine wine with heart and soul, now fragrant and refreshing to the taste.

As the carriage moved away, the people chased after it.

"Go back, please go back!" Fearing an accident due to the large crowd, Chen Qingyan quickly ordered his men to hold the people back. "I will come back to see you when I have time."

The people stopped, watching the carriage disappear into the distance, hoping this good official would return to Sitong County one day.

*

Hurrying back, he finally returned to Shanzhou on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.

The house had been cleaned spotlessly. New peachwood charms and lanterns hung on the doors, paper cuttings adorned the windows, and inside, Wang Ying was chatting with the Deputy Prefect’s wife about New Year preparations.

Outside, Chen Ju reported, "Sir, the master has returned!"

The Deputy Prefect’s wife stood up and said, "Since Lord Chen has returned, I won’t take more of your time. I’ll visit another day."

Wang Ying saw her to the door just as Chen Qingyan entered from outside. After a brief greeting, once the guest had left, the two embraced excitedly.

"You’re finally back! I was worried the heavy snow would delay your journey."

Chen Qingyan’s voice was slightly hoarse. "The road was tough, but everyone was eager to return for the New Year, so we trudged through the snow."

"You must be cold. Come inside—I’ll have the kitchen prepare ginger soup."

"Alright."

Wang Ying went to the kitchen to arrange things and asked the cook to make a bowl of noodles. It was tradition to have dumplings when leaving and noodles upon returning, and this long journey had taken its toll.

Entering the room, he found Chen Qingyan dozing in a chair. The bumpy journey had left him with little proper sleep, and he had dark circles under his eyes.

Wang Ying patted him on the shoulder. "Wake up, don’t fall asleep yet. Eat first, take a bath, and then sleep."

Chen Qingyan rubbed his face and asked, "Where’s Yuanbao?"

"He went out shopping with children from his class. There are servants accompanying him."

"That’s good. I wonder how his studies have been while I was away. Has he been playing around?"

Wang Ying said, "How can a child this age not play around sometimes? But the teacher says he’s doing well, much faster than his classmates." Of course, the teacher’s original words weren’t exactly like that—he praised Yuanbao as if he were a prodigy sent from heaven, almost like the reincarnation of a literary star.

Especially after learning that Chen Qingyan was a top scholar, the teacher became even more awestruck, treating Yuanbao with special deference.

Wang Ying spoke with the teacher several times, explaining that Yuanbao was just an ordinary child. Though he might have some advantage due to early education, he was certainly no genius. Wang Ying urged the teacher to be strict—if Yuanbao dared to be naughty or disobedient in class, he should be punished without going easy on him.

After several conversations, the teacher’s attitude gradually adjusted, and he began treating Yuanbao just like the other students, teaching and disciplining him as needed.

Yuanbao himself went from initially having trouble fitting in to gradually making friends with children his own age, becoming more and more cheerful.

"By the way, after you left, I wrote letters home and to the frontier. Brother Sui replied at the beginning of the month." Wang Ying took the letter from a chest and handed it to Chen Qingyan.

It had been nearly four years since Brother Sui went to the frontier. Although they exchanged letters and sent gifts every year, they hadn’t been able to meet.

Now that the distance between them had grown much closer—it only took half a month to travel from Shanzhou to Yumen Pass—Brother Sui planned to bring Qing Er for a visit once the weather warmed up after the New Year.

After reading the letter, Chen Qingyan said, "It’s been years since I last saw Brother Sui. I wonder how he’s been. When I left the capital, Lord Liu mentioned that the frontier hasn’t been peaceful these past few years and advised me to prepare early. I’ll ask them about the situation when they come."

"Prepare for what?"

Chen Qingyan replied, "Warfare ultimately comes down to food supplies and weapons. Shanzhou has ample iron ore, but food supplies are somewhat lacking. I’m afraid that won’t change anytime soon."

Wang Ying thought for a moment. "I might be able to help. The wheat seeds I developed back at the estate in my hometown are perfectly suited for this region. My Changfeng 3 resists drought and cold. If we can plant it everywhere next spring, the harvest will definitely double."

Due to geographical reasons, Shanzhou couldn’t grow winter wheat—only spring wheat.

Chen Qingyan’s eyes lit up, but he quickly shook his head. "It would be difficult to convince the people of Shanzhou to switch to a new wheat variety. Besides, there aren’t enough seeds."

"Who says there aren’t enough? The experimental fields have stored about fifty thousand *jin*, roughly 25 tons."

…

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Author’s Note: Chen Qingyan: Feeling secure and at ease.