Section 9, Comparison

Firstly, regarding taxation, Shangyu County is a central county, and each year it submits 60% of the tax revenue according to the standards of central counties, which prevents any reprimand from higher authorities; secondly, concerning legal matters, it is essential to maintain peace and order within the county, avoiding frequent escalations of complaints to higher levels and preventing any incitement to rebellion. If both of these are achieved, and yet higher authorities continue to create difficulties in administrative matters, it will be intolerable for everyone. As for minor details, such as these accounts, they are merely superficial tricks, of no real significance; those responsible for the accounts have taken what they should, who still keeps a record of it?

Zhang Wen hurriedly said: "The person in the painting is Miss Han Yan. I cannot accept so much silver. This painting is like a qin; when it meets a connoisseur, does it still care about that little bit of silver? It is a gift for you."

Zhang Wen was thinking while speaking to Huang Renzhi beside him, "Mr. Huang, please take a closer look and point out any doubts you may have."

Huang Renzhi nodded and said: "I am afraid it is so, and with so many expenses saved, the surplus part will not be taken by them."

Huang Renzhi said: "When there are issues with official documents and accounts, according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, it is generally the responsibility of the officials to be held accountable. Why should the higher authorities concern themselves with so many matters? It suffices to focus on three key points."

Zhang Wen felt a soft sensation on his arm, swallowed hard, then dropped his pen and pulled her into his embrace. He heard a soul-stirring moan, and all his worries faded away.

Zhang Wen said to Feng Gui: "Recite the testimony of the victim from that day."

Zhang Wen sighed and bowed, saying: "Thank you very much for your guidance, Mr. Huang"

Zhang Wen continued, saying: "Twenty strokes of the staff, three days in shackles"

Wu's Way: "You were actually caught in the act, and now everyone knows. I heard from the servant that the common people call you... do you know what they call you?"

In the afternoon during the Shen hour, there was an evening assembly. Zhang Wen then ordered the grand hall to be raised, with the same ceremony, the same drumbeats, and the same chant: "Raise ... ... the hall ... ... oh ... ... "

Zhang's face immediately showed anger

Zhang Wenruo nodded at the mentioned website wwwhetushu.com and then asked, "Mr. Huang just mentioned three points; what about the fourth one?"

The task is accomplished. Zhang Wen raised his head and saw Han Yan staring blankly at him, so he said, "It took a bit longer than expected; the young lady must have been quite bored waiting."

Then Huang Dashi kept his attention on the phrase "entering through the dog gate," hearing it clearly, and immediately said: "The commoner confesses."

This year, at the end of the year, the Censor will visit various places to inspect local officials. As long as the official passes the Censor's scrutiny, at least the County Magistrate of Shangyu will be secure in his position for a minimum of three years, during which time those below will naturally submit. Huang Renzhi said leisurely, "The county seal is in the hands of the official. If they do not cooperate with the official, everything will be inconvenient. Therefore, at this moment, the official should not be thinking about how to contend with them, but rather focus on securing this position first. With the authority of the governor, how could he not be able to contend with them?"

At this moment, the person brought into the hall was indeed a tattered old man, emaciated and seemingly there just to take a beating for someone else in exchange for a meal

... ...

Zhang awkwardly said: "Once I have the money, I will definitely repay both the principal and the interest."

Han Yan smiled and said, "Had I known that you possessed such artistic skill, there would have been no need to return for the silver earlier, which only led to a group of petty individuals mocking you."

Zhang Wen suddenly realized and said, "As long as we do not incite a popular uprising and complete the tax collection, it doesn't matter how we raise the funds, the higher authorities will not interfere"

Han Yan joyfully said: "Thank you, my lord, for your exquisite calligraphy"

A corrupt official

After a long while, the cold smoke pleaded like a wisp, saying: "I feel as if I am about to die, unable to move. My lord, perhaps next time, my lord..."

Zhang Wenda: "Mr. Huang is truly my mentor in the realm of officialdom"

Zhang Wen sat in the signing room, casually observing the documents and accounts brought in from various offices. Up to this point, Zhang Wen felt that he had already given the Shen family a very good impression and image, and his own threat as a hidden danger had diminished significantly. He was contemplating how to free himself to take care of some matters, as pretending to be foolish and idling away time was certainly not a solution

Zhang Wen listened and said: "The one in charge of the finances and grain is the county deputy, Liang Ma. Are they deliberately targeting me?"

Huang Renzhi nodded and said, "Although you are a graduate of the imperial examination, you are still young. Achieving what you have now is no small feat. Having received this bow from you, I will say one more thing."

At this moment, a constable entered to deliver the sign. The sign is similar to the ticket, both being used for dispatching constables. When a constable is assigned, a sign tube is used, containing signs inscribed with the names of each constable. When a particular constable is needed, their name sign is drawn and given to the constable. Once the task is completed, the constable returns the sign.

Huang Renzhi said: "To resist taxes, first compare the grain yield, referred to as the comparative grain yield, then compare the old debts, and if still unpaid, compare the outstanding family members."

Oh ... ...

Huang Renzhi stroked his beard and leisurely said, "If one were to scrutinize everything in detail, would it be possible to keep up?"

Zhang Wenda: "With Mr. Huang's insights, even serving as an aide to a governor or provincial official would be more than sufficient. I wonder why he has chosen to come to this small county of Shangyu with me"

Oh? Zhang Wen glanced at his painting, "Is this painting worth thirty taels?"

One could see that the painting, still not completely dry, displayed even colors and delicate brushwork, exuding a strong sense of three-dimensionality. The figure in the painting, with a face like a peach blossom and a body with smooth, rounded curves, was captured in the moment of removing her strapless dress. It was truly lifelike, leaping off the paper, as if a beautiful woman were actually in front of one, revealing a hint of rosy skin, making one almost wish to reach out and help her pull it aside.

Zhang Wen then waved to the person in the black robe nearby. The black-robed individual approached, and Zhang Wen said: "Tell them to be as gentle as possible when they strike, and after it's done, provide them with a meal."

Zhang humbly said at that moment: "Please enlighten me, Mr. Huang"

Zhang Wen exclaimed in surprise: "Why are family members not taken according to the law and the books?"

Zhang Wen pondered for a moment and then picked up his pen, inscribing a line of poetry beside it. Han Yan recited it in a clear voice, giggling as she covered her mouth, and then embraced his arm, saying, "Allow me to serve you well, my lord"

After Zhang Wen gave his orders, he struck the wooden block and declared: "Those who dare to evade taxes, compare with me!"

Zhang Wen eagerly sought guidance, saying: "Please, Mr. Huang, offer your insights."

Zhang Wenda: "Then bring it to the hall for comparison..."

No hurry, no hurry

"Look at you, it seems even more effortful than dealing with women." Han Yan said with a smile as she approached Zhang Wen, handing him a handkerchief.

Cold Smoke Path: "I spent thirty taels to purchase this painting."

Zhang Wen took a look and mentioned that a relative of the governor of Shaoxing had entered the territory of Shangyu County. The county government allocated 50 taels of silver to the post station as travel expenses for that relative.

At this moment, Huang Renzhi whispered again: "They are not family members at all; they must be beggars hired by the delinquent grain tax payers."

The small understands

Huang Renzhi's face revealed a weathered expression as he forced a smile and said, "Your Excellency is overestimating me; silver is far more practical."

Zhang Wenda: "What?"

Feng Gui felt a surge of joy in his heart and recited the confession once again. Zhang Wen then asked, "Huang Dashi, do you plead guilty to the testimony of the victim Li Ke?"

Zhang Wen sighed and said, "Carry it out and return it to the family."

Zhang nodded slightly. Wu frowned and said in a serious tone: "Dalang, you have become the county magistrate, a father figure to the people of this region. You should be concerned about the suffering of the common people. How can you go to such a place?"

The constable pressed the old man to the ground and struck him with a board a dozen times, and that was the end of it

Zhang Wen felt a flush on his face

The constable was about to drag the old man when he suddenly said, "Your Honor, he is dead"

Huang Renzhi chuckled and quickly got up to return the courtesy, saying: "I have received the wages given by you, my lord. As the saying goes, 'To eat the king's grain is to serve the king faithfully.' Naturally, I must be worthy of that silver. There is no need for you to be so formal."

Come over and take a look, does it resemble?

"I dare not, I dare not. Your Excellency is a successful candidate of the imperial examination at the age of eighteen, which greatly impresses me. I have spent decades in pursuit of the degree of juren and have yet to succeed... Hehe, I must have embarrassed you."

Yamen Official: "Respectfully reporting, esteemed hall master, the Luo family village has been delinquent in paying grain taxes for three years. Last year, the corresponding grain lengths and village elders were compared. I received the hall master's name seal yesterday and have taken the family members of the Luo family village. Please provide your instructions, esteemed hall master."

After a while, the hour of You had arrived, and the drum was struck to signal the end of the gathering. Zhang Wen returned to the inner quarters, changed his clothes, and prepared to go out for a stroll. Mrs. Wu entered Zhang Wen's room and said, "Are you going out again?"

Zhang was taken aback, nearly standing up. Behind him, Huang Renzhi whispered, "If he is dead, then let him die. Carry him out to the employer and let them handle it themselves"

Huang Renzhi pointed at a document in front of him and said, "This is it"

Zhang Wen entered the warm chamber, took his seat in the public area, and the attendants in black robes knelt in reverence before standing solemnly.

The soap-cloth took Huang Dashih down

However, Feng Gui chose to manage the main ledger, as he believed that this group held significant power, making their selection a more stable choice. Unlike the newly appointed county magistrate Zhang Wen, who was rumored to have offended those in higher positions.

The official in the robe took the confession down to have him sign. Zhang inquired, "The ruling is as follows: Huang Dashu is sentenced for the crime of stealing gold and silver, according to the 'Great Ming Code'..." Zhang then looked at Feng Gui, who whispered, "Twenty strokes of the rod, and three days in stocks"

Huang Renzhi said: "Just a gesture will suffice"

Take her to the lower hall

Yesterday, Huang Renzhi mentioned that this is generally how they handle those who owe grain, and Zhang asked for a signature. At this moment, he turned back to Huang Renzhi and asked, "What is the comparison?"

Zhang Wen, seeing his plight, turned back and asked, "Is it possible not to compare?"

Huang Renzhi stated: "Fifty taels is clearly insufficient; it must be five hundred taels"

The cold smoke girl truly captivates the soul, I also wish to have her next time, but it costs thirty taels for a single encounter... If I were to give all that to you, it would only benefit those unscrupulous merchants.

Han Yan immediately exclaimed, "Your Excellency is indeed a master of painting..."

Huang Renzhi stated: "As long as there are no obvious incriminating evidence, generally, they will not intervene... Individuals like the adults, although they may have conflicts with those above them, will not violate certain rules. Typically, during external inspections, if it is discovered that the adults are not part of their group, they will write an article condemning the adults for moral corruption and call for their impeachment and removal"

At this moment, the scribe Feng Gui became immediately anxious. In reality, Feng Gui was not truly fearless; he was also taking a gamble, caught between the new county magistrate and the old registrar. Gambling entails risks, and if the county magistrate Zhang Wen could maintain his position for long, Feng Gui would certainly face dire consequences.

Alright, present it to him for his seal.

The ticket is made of paper, on which the matter being handled is clearly written in ink, with a specified date, signed in red ink, and stamped with an official seal

The next day, as usual, everyone went to work. The people in the office saw Zhang Wenda still seriously and methodically attending to his own tasks, with some beating the drum, some calling out, and others keeping track of time. However, Zhang Wenda understood that these people would surely gossip behind his back, turning last night's incident into a topic of amusement.

Zhang Wenda said, "Mr. Huang's words are worth far more than that meager salary, so I must express my gratitude to you."

What are the three points

Han Yan came to her senses and quickly shook her head, smiling as she said, "Sir, you look quite handsome when you are being serious and earnest."

There are relatives in the court holding official positions. Compared to the established norms, other grain households may find it unfair, thus they hired beggars

Huang Renzhi further stated, "The matter regarding the prison clerk has reached this point; what happened last night has become common knowledge and a subject of ridicule, with the outcome already determined. Your Excellency should not dwell on it any longer and should handle it promptly. If you do not take it to heart, it will only leave them perplexed."

Huang Dashih hurriedly bowed his head and said, "Thank you, my lord, for your mercy in not killing me, thank you, my lord, for your mercy in not killing me"

"Bring the defendant Huang Dashih to the court."

Huang Dashih knelt on the ground below the hall, wearing chains