Chapter 8, the minor official Xiao You

Zhao and Congcong had just taken a quick glance and had not finished yet when Xiao You returned accompanied by the official.

"Um... are they outside?" Xiao You stood up, furrowing his brow as he thought for a moment: "I will go and talk to them"

His gaze is very gentle

The imprint symbolizes a star

It is said that local government offices often fall into disrepair over the years, but the office of the Xianyang magistrate is different. This is the seat of the Son of Heaven, the foremost government office in the world. If it were to become too dilapidated, it would undermine the dignity of the Qin Empire. With such a compelling reason, successive magistrates of Xianyang naturally would not neglect the maintenance of the office. As for the added benefit of ensuring their own comfort while upholding the dignity of the empire, that is merely a secondary effect

However, this does not seem to have any effect on Zhao and.

"He is not only suspicious but also bold." Xiao's gaze flickered slightly, and he thought to himself

However, when Xiao You lowered his head and saw Zhao He’s palm, his brows furrowed again, and his words came to a halt

Ping Zhong held a triplicate document, smiling broadly.

The official was taken aback for a moment

Cough, this child is orphaned and homeless, I took him in out of pity for his plight

The matters that the magistrate of Xianyang must manage are numerous, thus there are many individuals coming and going in the magistrate's office. Zhao He noticed that almost everyone would slightly bow when they saw Xiao You. If he were not exceptionally well-liked, then he must hold a very high prestige within the magistrate's office, or perhaps he possesses both qualities.

After a full three breaths, he turned his face and said to the thin, dark master: "Ping Zhong, what do you want from me?"

Xiao You walked with great poise, hands clasped behind his back, moving neither too fast nor too slow. However, due to his long strides, Zhao He still had to jog to keep up with him. Throughout the journey, Xiao You did not speak a word nor did he turn to look at Zhao He. When he finally stopped and turned to face Zhao He, Zhao He lowered his head, gazing at his own toes

Throughout this journey, Xiao You has been paying attention to Zhao He

Ping Zhong was taken aback and turned around, only to find Xiao You following closely beside him

Then ... ... '' Xiao You extended his hand towards Zhao He

Attached to the official document is the court record of the Xi'an Command.

Please take a look at this document for me. "Xiao You pointed to the table.

After finishing his words, Xiao You left the room, leaving Zhao He and another person inside. Zhao He was puzzled for a while, and after recalling Xiao You's final gesture, he approached the desk and picked up the document.

At the deepest part of the alley, there stood a tall jujube tree, and upon arriving here, Zhao He heard the clear sound of reading.

Xiao You leaned back, and Zhao He also turned his head, seeing another person who looked like a clerk walk in

This person's attire is identical to that of Xiao You, suggesting that their positions should be equivalent. However, his attitude towards Xiao You is exceedingly respectful, not resembling the demeanor typically observed between ordinary colleagues

Thank you, Dr. Xiao, thank you, Mr. Wang. I will prepare some light wine for the two of you to enjoy another day... Ah He, come back with me!

That Master Wang looked at Zhao He, and as their gazes met, he smiled slightly and nodded to Zhao He, showing no sign of condescension despite Zhao He being a youth

Xiao's deep gaze lingered on Zhao He

Ping Zhong hesitated for a moment, but upon seeing Xiao You's displeased raised eyebrow, he immediately put on a smiling face: "As you wish, Doctor."

Zhao stared at the scene intently until Ping Zhong roughly pulled him, nearly toppling him over: "Hurry up, there are still many things to do when we get back, you lazy bug. If you dare to slack off, don't blame my whip for being merciless!"

Next to him, someone was murmuring, but that Master Wang seemed not to hear, only continuing gently, "If you are unwilling, just tell me, and I will certainly think of a way for you."

Zhao was taken aback

Zhao and He did not respond

Since the establishment of the Great Qin, most of the laws and decrees can be found here. Be careful, the row of bamboo slips to your left can be traced back to the time of Duke Zhuang, which is now eight hundred years ago. Xiao casually explained as he sat down.

The official suddenly realized and immediately understood, repeatedly cupping his hands towards Xiao You, and then left holding the official document.

In our Great Qin, as long as one can achieve merit, one can be granted nobility. Last night, a group of unscrupulous ruffians engaged in the illegal practice of harvesting lives was captured. The informant's merit can be rewarded with one rank. If the informant is a commoner, they can immediately be promoted to a gentleman; if they are a servant, they can be freed and become a common citizen. " Xiao You stopped and turned to Zhao He, saying: "What do you think?"

The place where Xiao You stopped was precisely the small courtyard where he had been abducted by that group of villains yesterday. Due to the fire-fighting efforts, the courtyard wall had been pulled down, and the interior was still in disarray.

You still need to have these three contracts stamped at the yamen

Xiao You nodded slightly: "Let this young man accompany me. Once everything is taken care of, have him return to you."

Doctor! At that moment, someone called out from outside the door

The person beside became somewhat anxious: "For the sake of heaven and earth, Mr. Wang, in today's world, how can one learn a skill without enduring hardship? Moreover, this young man has lost his family; it is out of kindness that I took him in and provided him with a meal..."

The numerous volumes and records I possess here are not solely due to my efforts... Throughout the ages, the officials have been diligently collecting them. After all, since the reign of the Second Emperor, the average tenure of the magistrate in Xianyang has been one year, nine months, and eleven days. As long as the officials do not encounter any major issues, they hold their positions for life. Thus, the officials are the true masters of the office, while the magistrate is merely a transient figure. " Xiao You was holding that piece of paper while speaking of unrelated matters. Thus, the officials are the true masters of the office, while the magistrate is merely a transient figure. " Xiao You was holding that piece of paper while speaking of unrelated matters

Xiao You nodded to Zhao He, and Zhao He quietly followed behind him

He originally appeared to be quite easygoing, but at this moment, with his eyes wide open and his gaze fixed, he exuded a formidable presence.

Zhao turned his head to glance at the bamboo slips on the left bookshelf, hurriedly avoiding this nearly thousand-year-old antique

Zhao's skin on his hands is similar to that on his face, somewhat waxy and yellow due to malnutrition, lacking luster. On the back of his hand, there is also a black mark, which could easily be overlooked if not for Xiao You's careful observation

Zhao was taken aback for a moment: "Literacy."

Zhao felt somewhat uneasy and looked up at Xiao You beside him, who averted his gaze and thoughtfully stroked his beard

Then, he suddenly raised his eyes and looked at Zhao He: "Do you have anything you wish to say to me now?"

The scroll to your right is not that old, it is about 200 years old. It was created after the invention of Caihou paper, and the second emperor, Sheng, was very pleased, ordering the creation of a map depicting the scenic beauty of Xianyang.

"What is the matter?" Xiao You stood up and gave a slight bow

However, it was only after Xiao You entered the yamen that he spoke to him. Although Zhao He saw several passages and corridors, he truly had no confidence that he could escape.

"Master Wang, Ping wishes to request you to act as an intermediary and draft a document. This young lad shall, from today onwards, be an apprentice in my shop..." Ping Zhong somewhat ramblingly explained his intentions.

"Ping Zhong." Before Zhao and the others could respond, a gentle voice emerged

"He is overly suspicious." This is Zhao He’s deepest impression of Xiao You

Therefore, he lowered his brows and said softly, "I do not understand what Doctor Xiao is talking about."

"Child, why do you wish to become an apprentice? Being an apprentice to a common craftsman entails enduring hardships..." said Master Wang

Xiao Youruo nonchalantly released Zhao He’s hand, circled around Zhao He, carefully scrutinizing his brows and eyes, and then, with a smile that did not reach her eyes, said to Ping Zhong: "Since that is the case, let it be this way"

Xiao nodded slightly, and Ping Zhong then pulled Zhao He, heading deeper into the alley

The black and thin master named Pingzhong rubbed his hands and said with a smile: "It is like this, my shop needs to take on an apprentice, I trouble you to work with Master Wang to draft a document as a middleman."

That was an official document issued by the Prefect of Xianyang to the Court of Judicial Review

The Second Holy Ancestor Emperor reformed the system to demonstrate his benevolence and love for the people. For all cases that could potentially result in the death penalty, they must be reported to the Court of Judicial Review. This document states that there is a commoner named Luo Er in the city of Xianyang who "injured a person with an axe, causing their death," thus it is reported to the Court of Judicial Review to inquire whether the death penalty should be imposed.

Ping Zhong was taken aback for a moment: "Uh... Is there such a thing?"

Among the three adults, Ping Zhong appears to be shrewd and cunning, yet Zhao He is able to see through his intentions. Xiao You is as deep as an abyss, and Zhao He can sense danger from this person—unlike Chen Xiang and Qi Hu, from whom Zhao He does not feel such peril. As for this unnamed Wang Fuzi, he is gentle and clear, resembling a mountain spring, transparent at a glance, yet Zhao He is instead hesitant to trust him.

The two continued on their way, and after a considerable time, they finally arrived at the Xianyang Prefectural Office

He walked to the door, suddenly stopped, turned around, and glanced at Zhao again: "Do you know how to read?"

Zhao He could only shrink his body a little more, casting a glance of slight reverence at the already gray and tattered Xianyang Scenic Map

A little girl, about eight or nine years old, walked out from inside the door and grabbed one of Mr. Wang's hands, shaking it incessantly. Mr. Wang appeared somewhat helpless yet also very pleased, gently stroking the top of the little girl's head before turning back inside the door

Zhao felt a mix of surprise and suspicion, wondering what Xiao You meant by saying all this to him

"Using an axe to injure someone constitutes intentional homicide, and according to the law, it warrants a death penalty. Swinging an axe to injure someone is considered negligent homicide, and according to the law, it does not result in death." Xiao You blew dry the ink and smiled slightly: "As long as there is no death, when the new emperor ascends the throne, there will surely be a great amnesty"

A criminal's family has come seeking help to reduce his sentence, but the court has already ruled on the case. That document in front of you is the evidence; once submitted, according to the law, he will certainly face death. Thus, they have turned to us for assistance, and now they are waiting outside.

With a joyful pause, he said: "I kindly request Doctor Xiao to accompany me to Master Wang's home."

Ping Zhong gently knocked on the door beside the thorny jujube tree. The sound of reading inside quieted slightly, but it remained orderly. After a short while, the door was opened from within, and a man in a blue robe stepped out.

Zhao and He were in front of him, and they saw that he had added a hook under the character "用," transforming it into the character "甩."

"Ping Zhong calls me Doctor Xiao, because my title is that of a seventh-rank noble, a title of the Great Qin. Do you know that?" Xiao You said again

Xiao You slightly raised her eyebrows, and Ping Zhong immediately reached out his hand. Their hands gently brushed against each other under the cover of their sleeves, and a small cloth bag was passed into Xiao You's hand

Zhao raised his eyes to look at Xiao You, but the corner of his eye was focused on the surroundings, searching for an escape route

Ping Zhong adjusted his clothing and cap, while Xiao You beside him also straightened his back

Go to the household registration office to affix the seal, so that it can be provided to Zhao for the registration of household information

"What instructions do you have, Doctor Xiao?" Ping Zhong hurriedly bent down.

Zhao lowered his eyebrows and said, "I have nothing to say to the doctor."

Xiao You glanced at Zhao He again and said: "Is it him? Where are his elders?"

Zhao He looked curiously at the mountain of bamboo slips and books.

He did not expect Xiao You to say this to him

He does not believe that there is such a thing as unprovoked kindness in the world

This is a small door on the side of the office, and the room behind the door is filled with bamboo slips and books, with the air permeated by the scent of dust, fortunately, the light is still relatively ample

He had previously been quite cordial towards Zhao, but now that the matter has been settled, he immediately changed his demeanor

With this written contract established, Zhao He is officially recognized as his formal apprentice. As for the ceremony of serving tea and paying respects to the master, it can be made up at a convenient time.

Zhao glanced at the several adults surrounding him, then lowered his head, preventing them from seeing his gaze

"Haha... come in with me." Xiao You laughed heartily and pushed open a door

Three copies of the contract: one is in his possession, one is kept by Zhao himself, and the other is placed with Xiao You, who acts as the intermediary

"Doctor Xiao, is there still hope for this Luo Er?" The official did not avoid Zhao He and asked directly

"Last night there was almost a fire," Xiao You said somewhat absentmindedly

He is even more reluctant to entrust the fate he has painstakingly grasped to such a person

Zhao's gaze shifted back and forth between Xiao You and Ping Zhong, primarily focusing on Xiao You. He felt that Xiao You's manner of speaking was somewhat similar to that of Mr. Wang, both being unhurried and measured. However, there was a significant difference between the two; Mr. Wang spoke with a sincere demeanor that made one feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze, while Xiao You, on the other hand, gave him a relatively cold and profound impression

He completed the formalities and took his leave with Zhao He and Mr. Wang. After walking a few steps, Zhao He turned back to take another look. Mr. Wang stood at the door, still watching him, with a gentle smile on his face

"Then I must trouble Doctor Xiao... Haha, a small gift, not a token of respect." Ping Zhong chuckled dryly and handed over another small package.

Ping Zhong performed a bow, and Xiao You also clasped his hands in greeting, while the man in the blue robe returned the gesture and said: "What brings you both here?"

There is hope. Xiao You retrieved the official document, ground the ink, and then made a stroke on the document with the brush.

When he looked towards Xiao You again, Xiao You was already seated before the table, with a document that appeared to be an official paper placed in front of him

The young man was very silent; although his gaze was curious, it lacked that kind of looking around. As long as Xiao You glanced at him, he would certainly return the gaze before shifting his eyes away

I am willing to take the master craftsman as my teacher and become his apprentice Zhao He raised his head and said with certainty