Chapter 158

Chapter 158

Wang San's cries for help were especially piercing in front of the prefectural office, not only penetrating the thick vermilion gate but also drawing the attention of passing commoners nearby.

"Eh, isn't this one of the yamen runners? Why is he being subdued at the office's front gate?"

"This gentleman is wearing official robes, isn't he? Is he also one of the office's lords? Why haven't I seen him before?"

"Look at the embroidered rank badge... seems like fourth-rank official robes!"

"That's right, I heard the court newly appointed a prefect who would arrive soon—could this be him?"

"He's the newly appointed prefect? How can he be so young!"

The residents of the prefectural city murmured among themselves; the well-informed and savvy quickly guessed Han Zhang's identity from his official robes.

Seeing the crowd gathering at the office gate and the chatter growing louder, those hiding inside could no longer sit still.

If Han Zhang truly had Wang San beaten at the gate today, it wouldn't be them giving Han Zhang a display of authority—it would be Han Zhang giving them one!

"Hold it—"

The tightly shut vermilion gate finally opened, and several people hurried out to intervene.

Leading them were two middle-aged men with beards, one lean and one portly, followed by several others in scholar's robes or official attire, each with distinct bearing.

They were the office's Vice-Prefect, Assistant Prefect, and secretaries and clerks.

The tall, thin Vice-Prefect Yang was the first to step forward, clasped his hands in greeting and smiled: "This humble official, Vice-Prefect Yang Wenqian, greets Lord Han. Not knowing you were arriving today, I neglected to receive you properly—please pardon my offense!"

The stout Assistant Prefect Zhou trailed a step behind, a flash of displeasure crossing his eyes, but quickly stepped up and forced a smile:

"This humble official, Assistant Prefect Zhou Defu, greets Lord Han. There was indeed urgent business being deliberated in the yamen just now, and we were momentarily negligent and slighted you—I hope you'll show forbearance."

In his previous life, Han Zhang had occupied a high position and mastered the art of controlling people. With a single glance, he could tell the relationship between these two was far from harmonious on the surface.

Because the Vice-Prefect was of lower rank than the Assistant Prefect, yet Vice-Prefect Yang had presumed to speak before his superior.

Clearly, Vice-Prefect Yang not only had more powerful connections than Assistant Prefect Zhou but was likely the de facto power behind the yamen at present.

He silently took note of this. Han Zhang paid no heed to their seemingly courteous yet provocative words, keeping a smile as warm as a spring breeze on his face:

"Lord Yang, Lord Zhou, you're being too courteous. You've arrived at an opportune moment—I'm taking office today and was about to enter when this gatekeeper yamen runner said he didn't know this official, saying the office's lords were in deliberation and I shouldn't be disturbed, bidding this official return another day."

"As a gatekeeper, this man can't even recognize official attire. After I identified myself, he still dared to block me—what overbearing arrogance!"

"Such dereliction of duty and disdain for one's superiors—it's fitting to discipline him today to uphold discipline and the law, lest when the imperial inspector comes on tour from the capital, the other runners follow his example and we all suffer the consequences for our entire Yunyang Prefecture office..."

"Oh, and this man said he was acting on orders. Whose orders, I wonder? And on whose behalf? Do the two lords know?"

The words were spoken lightly, but anyone could hear the veiled insults, landing like two slaps across Vice-Prefect Yang's and Assistant Prefect Zhou's faces.

Their faces stiffened.

Vice-Prefect Yang immediately glared at Wang San and barked: "You contemptible cur! Such a major matter as Lord Han's arrival—didn't I instruct you just the day before? You still dare to be so negligent—have you grown bold enough to eat a leopard's heart?!"

"Lord Han, calm your anger—it's my failure to discipline properly that let this insolent runner look down on others like a cur and cause offense. I'll punish him severely later and make amends to you!"

Zhou Defu also quickly stepped in to defuse, hastily ordering the other runners nearby: "Why are you standing there gaping? Take him away at once..."

"Yes, my lord."

Several runners moved to take Wang San away.

Wang San didn't resist, a look of relief at being rescued shining in his eyes.

But then—

Han Zhang spoke again: "Wait! I said I'd discipline him to uphold the law—did none of you hear me?"

His voice carried an authority that brooked no dissent, and the runners who had just started froze, caught in a dilemma, looking to Assistant Prefect Zhou and Vice-Prefect Yang.

Vice-Prefect Yang's smile faded slightly: "Lord Han, this is merely a minor misunderstanding—why resort to such drastic measures at the office gate and trouble yourself to act personally?"

"Though this man erred, he's still a long-serving yamen employee. Better let me take him back and punish him per office rules, giving you an explanation."

"With people coming and going at the gate and commoners watching, it's unsightly and undermines the yamen's decorum... It might also damage the loyalty of the other runners, which could impede the implementation of your policies in the future."

Assistant Prefect Zhou chimed in: "Indeed, Lord Han—today is your auspicious day of taking office. Why bother getting angry over a servant? It would only spoil your mood. Better enter the office first to hand over the seal and get familiar, and we'll host a welcome banquet for you."

The two worked in tandem, not only trying to brush the matter aside but also hinting that if he didn't comply, he'd end up a figurehead in his position!

Unfortunately, Han Zhang wasn't buying it.

"Oh? The two lords think that my lawful punishment of a negligent, contemptuous runner undermines the yamen's decorum?"

"I wasn't aware that our Great Zhao's statutes had become something that damages decorum! This runner has guarded the gate for eight years and can't even recognize fourth-rank official robes, daring to block a prefect's entry—such disdain for one's superiors, if not made an example of, would truly be lawlessness!"

With that, Han Zhang signaled his manservants: "Beat him—right here, in front of the people! I've been appointed prefect of this prefecture by His Majesty to rectify office affairs, as is my duty. I'd like to see who dares defy orders!"

The manservants, brought from the capital, naturally followed his commands.

The moment he spoke, they fetched water-and-fire clubs from the side room by the office's side gate, swiftly pinned the man down, and began the beating.

Wang San's pig-like screams rang out: "My lord! My lord, spare me! I know I was wrong! I won't dare again! Lord Yang, Lord Zhou, save me—please save me, I was just..."

Before he could finish, his mouth was promptly gagged by men signaled by Vice-Prefect Yang and Assistant Prefect Zhou.

The two looked at Han Zhang with grim faces.

After a long pause, Vice-Prefect Yang finally squeezed out through gritted teeth, his eyes dark with malice: "Lord Han is right—this sort who disdains superiors, can't read the room, and knows no rules, truly deserves to be taught a lesson."

His voice dripped with deep resentment.

They had lost this display of authority today, but the days ahead were long—they'd see!

Yet Han Zhang couldn't care less about the look in his eyes. Brushing nonexistent dust from his official robe, he resumed that gentle smile:

"Now, may I enter the office? Or... have the 'grave matters' of the lords inside still not concluded?"

Vice-Prefect Yang took a deep breath, suppressing the fury and unease within, stepped aside to clear the path, and bowed: "Lord Han, please! We, your subordinates, welcome the Prefect to his post!"

Tongzhi Zhou also hastened to bow as well.

Behind them, the secretaries and clerks, whatever their private thoughts, could only lower their heads in unison and say:

"We respectfully welcome Lord Han to his post!"

The vermilion main gate of the yamen finally swung fully open.

Only then did Han Zhang, ignoring the mixed looks on everyone's faces, stride in with his hands behind his back.

Though he had been demoted to Yunyang, though he came from a humble background with no powerful backers, he was still an official sent by imperial decree.

As the nominal head, his position came with built-in authority.

No matter how resentful or furious these people were, they still had to put on a show of respect.

Publicly disrespecting him would be defying the emperor himself!

...

Amid the crowd, Han Zhang entered the yamen.

Yang Tongpan and Zhou Tongzhi followed behind. By the time they passed through the front courtyard and ceremonial gate to reach the main hall, both had already wiped the looks off their faces.

"Lord Han has had a long, tiring journey. On the day of your inauguration, we were unable to greet you due to official duties—our fault entirely. Now, all yamen personnel, save for the menial laborers, are gathered here. Please give us your orders."

Yang Tongpan said with a fake smile.

His words were respectful and pleasant to hear, but those around him only stepped forward to bow to Han Zhang after he finished speaking—a silent flex of his power in the yamen.

Zhou Tongzhi wasn't about to be left behind. He had the runners haul in several big chests and said with a grin:

"Lord Han, here are the prefectural seal and the complete ledgers for this prefecture's taxes, criminal cases, granaries, and household registers... from the last ten years. The keys to every storeroom, secure office, and archive are also in here."

"Yunyang might not be as rich as other prefectures, but it's still a big place. The account books are many, but as officials of the prefectural yamen, you gotta know these by heart so you don't mess up the administration."

"But these past few months are the slowest season for the yamen every year. Take your time going through them—no rush. We handle the yamen's business, so don't worry—we won't hold up any state affairs."

A nobody with no family, no connections, who dares to throw his weight around the moment he shows up?

Think he's gonna get his hands on this yamen's power?

Dream on!

From now on, they'd rake in the perks, and Lord Han would take the fall. Perfect setup.

The two men shot Han Zhang a challenging look.

The secretaries, clerks, and the heads of the three shifts of runners behind them also shot him looks of smug glee, ready to watch the drama unfold.

However, Han Zhang glanced at the several large chests of ledgers before him, his expression unchanged. With that same calm, mild-mannered look, he nodded:

"Very well, I understand. You may all withdraw."

With that, he said no more. He picked up his teacup, used the lid to skim the floating leaves, and leisurely sipped his tea.

Everyone stared at each other, baffled: "..."

Wait, that's it?

The lecture? The warning? The probing?

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

Yang Tongpan and Zhou Tongzhi exchanged a glance, both seeing deep wariness in the other's eyes.

When a child goes quiet, mischief is surely brewing.

The earlier display of killing the chicken to scare the monkeys wasn't enough—was this Lord Han planning something even bigger?!