Deputy County Magistrate Xiao was ready to take a gamble. He believed that the seal in Zhang Zhong's hand was fake. If no one investigated this matter, it would be the truth. Anyway, the words on the seal were the same. If he still had a real seal, no one would dare to say that it was fake.
But the real seal was not in his hand. It was in Shen Yuan's hand. As long as Shen Yuan said that he picked it up, he and Registrar Zhan could report it to the imperial court. Why could an official have two seals? What was with the fake seal?
At that time, even if Zhang Zhong did not die, he would lose a layer of skin. And he and others might not have an easy time. What was he thinking? Usually, some deputy county magistrate could even use the seal of the county magistrate to do things. Did the county magistrate want to use the seal and you don't return it to him?
Even so, it was better than him and others suffering. Zhang Zhong was complacent. Well, he must pull Zhang Zhong into this.
Thinking of this, Deputy County Magistrate Xiao said those words to Zhang Zhong and then ran out of the signing room. He saw Shen Yuan being taken to that direction just now.
Zhang Zhong looked at the door and then turned back to look at Registrar Zhan. He asked, "Don't you want to go and have a look?"
"Sir, I will follow you. I won't go there. Deputy County Magistrate Xiao was so anxious that he wanted to keep the money that should be given to the government office. I don't think so."
Registrar Zhan looked at Zhang Zhong's fearless face and did not dare to follow him. He had lived for almost 30 years and had never seen such a strong person like Zhang Zhong. He also had never seen anyone who could be better than Zhang Zhong.
He had only been in Huayuan County for a few days. He had done what he should do. He had won the hearts of the people he should win and earned the money he should earn.
He had been busy following Deputy County Magistrate Xiao for a few days. As a result, the yamen runners who used to be obedient were gone. The money that was given out could not be collected. The people who were locked up were released. It was not easy to go out for a meal.
What was the point of fighting? County Magistrate Wen was not at the same level as Zhang Zhong. No wonder he went to Zhangjia Zhuangzi and never came back.
Zhang Zhong looked at Registrar Zhan and hesitated. He didn't know if he should get rid of him or protect him. Either way, it was easy to handle. Both had their pros and cons.
"Sir, what else can I do? Oh, there is still work in the mountains. I can take some money from my family to buy some things and send them there. What do you think?"
How could Registrar Zhan not know that a single thought from Zhang Zhong could decide his future? He thought of an idea and asked Zhang Zhong.
Zhang Zhong did not expect Registrar Zhan to surrender so quickly. He thought for a while and said, "Registrar Zhan, you can't continue to be Registrar Zhan. You can submit a letter of apology to your superiors and be a copywriter. Registrar Shen and Deputy County Magistrate Xiao will not be working in the future. You can take the position of copywriter.
Keep some of your five thousand strings of coins for yourself. When the time comes, rent the place at the foot of the mountain for three years. As for the rest of the money, just like what you said just now, buy some things for the people in the county. You know what the people lack, right? It can't be more expensive than the usual business. "
Registrar Zhan knelt down in front of Zhang Zhong and said gratefully, "Sir Xie, Sir Xie, I will write it later. I will be a copywriter and buy things for the people. What the people lack most now is food.
It's all my fault, Deputy County Magistrate Xiao and County Magistrate Wen's fault. We collected an extra year's rent and didn't give them a reduction in rent when we worked more hours. Even if I were to be cut into pieces, it would be a light punishment. My Lord, I didn't keep a single copper coin and used it all to buy food. "
"Keep it. You can't have no money at home. A poor official is not necessarily a good one. Only when your family is stable can you put your mind on the people. In the future, you will be in charge of the matters on the mountain. Half a month later, if any of the people says that you are not good, you don't have to do the documents anymore."
The reason why Zhang Zhong did this was to put on a show and make preparations for the future. He wanted to tell his future opponents that as long as they didn't go too far, there was still room for negotiation. He wanted to keep one alive and fight the other.
Registrar Zhan did not care about what he was used for. He just wanted to protect himself now. Shen Wendi and Deputy County Magistrate Xiao were finished. If they were to report, they would have to report it to the Ministry of Personnel first. The officials there would not let them off easily.
As long as they were in charge, they would have their own deputies. If they did not teach these two people a lesson, what if their deputies learned from them in the future? What would happen then?
"Well, you can do it now." Zhang Zhong finished speaking and walked out with his hands behind his back.
Registrar Zhan stood up and ran to the desk. He started to write a letter of apology.
*****
In a house in a courtyard behind the yamen, two bodyguards were listening to Shen Yuan.
Shen Yuan did not need to be forced to confess. He just said it directly. However, what he said had nothing to do with the seal. The two guards were not in a hurry and sat down to listen.
"It's like this. Just now, I said that when the county magistrate came to the county, only three people went to welcome him. I didn't go. This may have offended the county magistrate. But I had no choice at that time. Deputy County Magistrate Xiao was waiting for me there. Let's not talk about this first. Let's talk about that first. Why didn't the county magistrate let others take the seal?
I think that a person as powerful as the county magistrate should have people around him who have done everything well. As long as the county magistrate says something, everyone can do it. After all, the county magistrate is capable. For example, Zhangjia Zhuangzi … "
Shen Yuan talked to the two guards. Seeing that the two guards did not torture him, he was relieved. He thought that he could leave later. As long as he went home, he would give the seal to Deputy County Magistrate Xiao. He would not do this anymore.
While he was talking, the door of the room was suddenly kicked open from the outside. Deputy County Magistrate Xiao came in and said to Shen Yuan directly, "Don't say so much to them. The county magistrate's seal was picked up by us. The one he is using now is a fake one. You and I will report it together."
Looking at Deputy County Magistrate Xiao who rushed in and listened to his words, Shen Yuan was dumbfounded. The two guards, however, laughed. One of them winked at the other. The other stood up and caught Deputy County Magistrate Xiao.
"Separate them. Ask what kind of seal the county magistrate used and where he picked it up." A guard said. The two guards covered the mouths of Shen Yuan and Deputy County Magistrate Xiao at the same time in case they colluded.
At this time, Deputy County Magistrate Xiao felt that something was wrong. When he looked at Shen Yuan, there was an inexplicable sadness in Shen Yuan's eyes. He did not say anything just now.
Deputy County Magistrate Xiao thought about it carefully and understood. He regretted in his heart. Why did he rush in? When he was dragged out by the guards, he did not struggle. He closed his eyes and let them do whatever they want.
After Deputy County Magistrate Xiao was taken away, Shen Yuan, who was released by the guards, did not need to be asked. He said directly, "I will tell you everything. You are such a good-for-nothing. We arranged for someone to steal the county magistrate's seal. We …"
Shen Yuan accepted his fate and told them everything that had happened. Not only that, he also told them what he had done in the past. In any case, he was only forced to participate. If he was sentenced to death, the other two would not have a good ending either. It was too cowardly to follow these two people.
They could only get a little money every time. They had to do all the dirty work. At the critical moment, they were in a mess. If they had to die, they would die together.
After listening to Shen Yuan, the guard found a scribe and asked Shen Yuan to repeat himself. There was someone there who was easier to remember. After Shen Yuan finished writing, he asked Shen Yuan to put his fingerprint on the scribe and threw him into the prison cell to accompany Zhang Da Mazi. That way, he would have company.
Deputy County Magistrate Xiao was different from Shen Yuan. When the guard asked him to speak, he just kept his mouth shut and didn't say a word. He was like a dead pig that was not afraid of boiling water. The guard waited for a while. Seeing that he didn't say anything, he didn't make things difficult for him. He also threw him into the cell.
When they entered the cell, Deputy County Magistrate Xiao was locked up opposite Shen Yuan. They could still see each other and talk. However, Shen Yuan didn't have any intention to talk to Deputy County Magistrate Xiao. He just stood there motionless, facing the wall and smelling the unpleasant smell of the cell that hadn't been cleaned for many years.
"Shen Yuan? What did you say to them? Hurry up and tell me. Otherwise, your life will be in danger. " Deputy County Magistrate Xiao was full of anger. He asked Shen Yuan loudly. In fact, he wanted to use this voice to suppress the fear in his heart.
Shen Yuan was still the same. He was not moved at all.
"Shen Yuan, tell me. I still have a way to get us out. Registrar Zhan is still outside. Tell me quickly. I will give you a large sum of money, 500 strings of coins."
Deputy County Magistrate Xiao did not give up. He lowered his voice and persuaded him again.
"Shut up, Xiao Chi, you bastard. I am working for you. Now that I am in, you don't want to save me. Now you are in, right? Haha, I have a companion. Come on, Xiao Chi, tell me, what wicked things have you done these years? "
Pockmarked Zhang's voice came from the cell next to him. Deputy County Magistrate Xiao turned his head and found that Pockmarked Zhang was in the next cell. He was reaching out his hand to him. It seemed that he wanted to touch him.
Moving to the side, Deputy County Magistrate Xiao stayed away from Pockmarked Zhang. Then he said, "Pockmarked Zhang, I helped you to suppress the crimes you committed in the past. Otherwise, you will not be able to get out of here."
"Bullsh * t, I only needed to be locked up for a few months for those crimes. It is you who are cruel. As long as I don't give you money, you won't let me out. I gave you 2 strings of coins. If I had known, I would have been in here that year. Now all the others are out. You even give me 3 strings of coins a day.
Now that I have so much money, I will have a few strings of coins. None of you are good. Son of a bitch, you deserve this. Come here, son of a bitch. Let me have a good look at you. Have you made any progress these days? "
Pockmarked Zhang stared at Deputy County Magistrate Xiao. He even dug out the things that happened in the past.
Deputy County Magistrate Xiao was originally afraid. When he heard Pockmarked Zhang's words, he turned around and said, "Bah! Let me tell you, I will be able to get out in a while. I will find someone to deal with you. "
At this moment, the door opened with a crash. A yamen runner came in and shouted, "Pockmarked Zhang, the lord said that you can't occupy a cell by yourself. Two more people came in. Who do you want to be with?"
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