Chapter 10 is imperative

Uncle Er was still not at ease and said with concern: "As the saying goes, officials protect each other. Even if we are in the right, if the people in the government office support one another, we might end up suffering instead."

Having a conscience means accepting some losses oneself, such as covering the shortfall out of one's own pocket or reducing the collection by a few percent to account for losses; lacking a conscience means making others suffer losses, such as collecting taxes and grain with a large measure or adding a few percent to account for losses.

If Tan Gongdao and others were indeed carrying out the county magistrate's orders to collect overdue taxes in the countryside, then upon hearing that Fang Yingwu intended to pay a visit to the county magistrate, they should have remained indifferent. This is because they would not fear that the subjects of enforcement could meet the county magistrate, as the saying goes, "Official business is conducted impartially and with a clear conscience"

As he approached, Fang Yingwu suddenly felt that among the people coming from the opposite direction, there was someone familiar. After searching his memory, he suddenly recognized that this person was none other than Wang De, the wealthy head of the Wang family from the neighboring village on both sides of Huaxi River

However, this wealthy gentleman Wang, around thirty-two or thirty-three years of age, though of an ordinary appearance, is well-groomed. His attire, consisting of a Dongpo hat and a satin shirt, stands out prominently among the crowd

Wang De was slightly annoyed, "What do you mean, dear nephew? Are you deliberately toying with me? Is this the same thing?"

Fang Yingwu smiled and said: "Uncle Er is overly concerned; it should not come to that. This Tan Gongdao needs to rely on underhanded means to forge a fake ticket, which indicates that he is not a trusted confidant of the county magistrate, at least his relationship with the magistrate is quite ordinary. Otherwise, what difficulty would there be in obtaining a genuine one? Although the yamen runners can act with the authority of their superiors, they still belong to the lower class, and the laws and regulations place them several ranks below us. Tan Gongdao is merely a lowly servant caught in the act of committing a crime, not a gentleman of high status who would be difficult to deal with. The county magistrate has no reason or necessity to protect him. Moreover, according to what Tan Gongdao said, the county magistrate intends to renovate the academy and build additional granaries, which indicates that he at least cares about his reputation and would not openly favor a trivial lowly servant while wronging the good people of the entire village."

Based on the recent observation, Fang Yingwu speculated that Wang Dahus might be aware of Tan Gongdao's visit to Huaxi Village. Fang Yingwu glanced a few more times at the people around Wang De, noticing one individual holding an abacus, who appeared to be the accountant.

Uncle Er, knowing that Fang Zhi Li was somewhat anxious, called Fang Ying Wu aside and asked, "Do you really think that ticket is 90% likely to be fake? Is there still a 10% chance that it could be real?"

Upon reflecting on this, Fang Yingwu once again regretted that he was already fifteen years old. If only he could be five years younger and become a "ten-year-old prodigy who sees through false public duties," then he would truly have a chance to succeed

Fang Yingwu cupped his hands and said, "Since the negotiations have reached an impasse, let us part ways here!" After saying this, he prepared to lead his team away

Wang De did not understand what Fang Yingwu was up to, and frowned as he said, "Noble nephew, are you not joking? Is this trivial matter really worth thirty taels of silver? Am I not even entitled to this bit of face?"

This system originated from the founding emperor and is generally held by wealthy local households. In the Huaxi area of Chun'an County, the grain chief is naturally the prominent Wang De family.

Uncle Er, being such an old-fashioned person, has an instinctive fear of the yamen and prefers to avoid any dealings with it whenever possible. However, seeing Fang Yingwu speak so eloquently, he did not intervene and allowed the young man to venture forth freely

Once again, I recall how the Wang family, residing in the three villages along the banks of Huaxi, managed to monopolize over 100 acres of land in this area of limited space and scarce farmland. How did they amass such wealth? Perhaps they were indeed not of good character, which is why Fang Yingwu, who was once a bookish scholar, strongly resisted the idea of marrying into the Wang family. Thinking of this made Fang Yingwu feel somewhat troubled.

Without further ado, it was only after everything was prepared that Fang Yingwu led the team out of the village, only to discover that a group of three or four people was approaching the village.

Bringing the accountant to assess the situation? He then had a vague suspicion that it was likely an attempt to take advantage of the chaos, using the opportunity of Tan Gongdao coming to the village to pressure for tax debts, perhaps to acquire a few acres of land at a low price or to lend out some debts

Fang Yingwu asked calmly, "Are you very familiar with this person, Uncle?"

This is not without possibility; historical records frequently document instances of unscrupulous grain merchants plundering the wealth of the people

In fact, even if Uncle Er were to obstruct him, Fang Yingwu would not heed his words; the opportunity was rare and must be seized. Otherwise, he would have no chance to meet the county magistrate, nor would he have the qualifications for it. Moreover, he could also enhance his reputation with the story "The Five-Year-Old Boy of Shihe-Tu-Shu Unraveled the False Official" which is quite a remarkable tale

Wang De inadvertently glanced behind Fang Yingwu and was immediately taken aback, even failing to respond to Fang Yingwu's greeting. He could not comprehend how Tan Gongchai, who had always been arrogant and imposing in the countryside, had become a wretched figure, looking disheveled and defeated, being tied up and escorted by the villagers like a stray dog.

Fang Yingwu further inquired: "What brings Uncle Wang to our village?" If the wealthy Wang family dares to claim it is merely a coincidence, that would be a grave insult to one's intelligence

While contemplating, the other party said: "I do not know what has happened. Could you do me a favor and release the officer Tan?"

This time, six individuals from the county office arrived at Shanghuaxi Village, bringing several cowhide ropes, but they ended up using them all on themselves, which they probably never anticipated before coming.

However, in reality, when Tan Gongdao heard that Fang Yingwu had a way to meet the county magistrate, he seized the opportunity to erupt on the spot, which was actually a manifestation of his guilty conscience.

In order to avoid delaying the farming season, Fang Yingwu sent most people away, leaving only about ten young villagers to assist. Two individuals would guard one, which was sufficient to escort these nefarious and corrupt officials to the county.

Wang De replied: "I have served as a grain officer in the government and have had dealings with Tan's messenger."

"Uncle, rest assured, it is definitely fake!" Fang Yingwu said with complete confidence, "Earlier, due to time constraints, there were some things I didn't have the chance to finish saying, so I only mentioned ninety percent. In fact, I have tested it, and I am naturally one hundred percent certain."

However, although there are some speculations, it is unnecessary to voice them. Fang Yingwu understands this aspect of worldly wisdom. He spoke evasively, saying: "My father owes Uncle Wang thirty taels of silver. If it can be settled in one stroke, naturally, this scoundrel Tan will be sold to Uncle for disposal."

Fang Yingwu suddenly turned around, casting a suspicious glance back and forth between Wang De and Tan Gongdao a few times, but said nothing, waiting for others to speak first

I heard that Tan Chayi has arrived, and since we are old acquaintances, I specifically came to see how things are going. Wang De thought for a moment before responding in this manner; otherwise, it would be difficult to provide a convincing answer, and it would be better to speak a few words of truth.

Fang Yingwu also harbored more malicious speculations—Wang Dahu and Tan Gongdao might have colluded in advance. One pretended to act on behalf of the government to urge the collection of overdue taxes, forcing people to sell their land; while the other took the opportunity to acquire and consolidate some of that land.

I dare not, I dare not, let my uncle down. This trip to the county is something I must undertake!

Fang Yingwu found it somewhat strange that Wang Dahud suddenly fell into a daze. Suddenly, he heard Tan Gongdao calling from behind: "Master Wang, save me!"

Thus, after that probing, Fang Yingwu had a definitive judgment in his mind that the ticket must have been secretly arranged by Tan Gongdao behind the county magistrate's back

Our family owes him thirty taels of silver. If it were not for my father's status as a scholar, along with the inappropriate intentions of the Wang family's young lady towards me, I would likely have been captured by the Wang family and sold into servitude to repay the debt long ago

Two groups of people met on the road. Fang Yingwu, as a junior and the agent for a debt of thirty taels, took the initiative to greet and said: "I have met Uncle Wang from the Wang family"

Because the prevailing atmosphere in the Ming Dynasty greatly admired and revered child prodigies, promoting a prodigy was a common and accepted practice, attracting no criticism. If one became a prodigy at the age of ten and then copied a few famous poems from later generations, there would be a significant possibility of being exceptionally admitted to the county school, thus becoming a student of the xiucai.

Wang De came to his senses, coughing twice to mask his embarrassment. He could tell that the group before him seemed to be led by this young man, Fang Yingwu, and he felt even more puzzled about what performance was unfolding before him

Upon hearing the term "grain chief," Fang Yingwu's mind was flooded with countless research materials, ultimately distilled into a single conclusion he had drawn: the profession of a grain chief can embody both integrity and a lack of integrity

It turns out that just now, Fang Yingwu claimed to Tan Gongdao that he intended to present the memorial left by his father to the county magistrate and request an audience. In fact, this was a ruse. His father was neither a clairvoyant nor a half-immortal, and he was not acquainted with the county magistrate, so how could he possibly have left a memorial for Fang Yingwu to use?

The grain chief, like the village chief and the elder, is essentially a type of official appointed by the government in rural areas. The entire county is divided into several districts, with each district having a grain chief specifically responsible for the collection and transportation of tax grain within that district, and under normal circumstances, the government does not assign anyone else to take on this responsibility.