The carriage stopped in front of the county yamen, and Fang Yun alighted. ⑧
"Fang Xusheng..."
"I finally get to see Fang Xusheng..."
The streets were still filled with people. If it weren't for the bailiffs and soldiers blocking the way, they would have swarmed over like a tidal wave.
Fang Yun cupped his hands towards the crowd and smiled, "Everyone, you can leave now. From now on, I, Fang Yun, am a family with all of you. If you miss me in the future, you can come to the county yamen to visit me every few days. However, you can only visit me, not eat me! "
The crowd roared with laughter, and the people in the distance shouted their farewells as they slowly left.
Many people looked back as they walked, reluctant to leave.
Many people lectured their children and grandchildren as they walked.
"Did you see that? That's Fang Xusheng, the descendant of the literary star! With him around, our Ning An County will definitely produce a top scholar and a great scholar! "
"Ning An County hasn't produced a top scholar in three years, right?"
"With Fang Xusheng around, the people of Ning An County will have something to aspire to!"
The crowd discussed fervently. Most of their topics were about Fang Yun's teachings. With the release of the "Three Character Classic", Fang Yun's reputation had been transformed into a powerful force among the people who wanted their children to succeed.
The officials of Ning An County listened to the discussions of the people with heavy hearts.
They had discussed before that they could either make Fang Yun a figurehead or strip Fang Yun of his glory. However, the latter was almost impossible, while the former was relatively simple.
However, it seemed that Fang Yun was far more difficult to deal with than they had imagined. As soon as he got off the carriage, he humbly said that he would integrate into Ning An County. He then praised Ding Haosheng and knocked out Chief Minister Geng Ge, who wanted to establish his authority. He was extremely amiable and did not put on any airs. He even joked with the people. He did not look like a top scholar who had just taken charge of a region.
The officials of Ning An County looked at each other. Fang Yun seemed to have grasped the only breakthrough in Ning An County. The people!
As long as the people wanted their children and grandchildren to succeed in the imperial examinations, they would overturn all obstacles. Moreover, the people who went to school in Ning An County were not only the local people, but also the children of small businessmen and military families.
When the officials saw that Fang Yun had already walked to the front of the county yamen, they immediately followed him.
Fang Yun observed the surroundings of the county government as he walked.
Although Ning An County was only a county, it occupied a large area and had a large population. It was comparable to the Prefecture City of Azure Crow Mansion. This county yamen was much bigger than the one in Ji County, but the surrounding buildings were more dilapidated. It had not been renovated for many years.
In the officialdom, there was always a habit of not maintaining the yamen. This was to avoid wasting people's money, to be diligent and thrifty, and to save money. It was the best of three.
The gate of the county office was wide open. On both sides of the gate, there were eye-catching red painted pillars with red lanterns hanging on them. On both sides of the stairs of the gate, there were lions guarding the gate. It was awe-inspiring.
Above the main entrance, there was a black plaque with golden characters. On it were written the words "Ning An County Bureau". It was rumored to be the work of a great scholar.
After going up the stairs, to the left of the main entrance, there were two stone tablets. On one side was written "False accusation + 3". On the other side was written "Overstepping the Accusation: 50 Lashes". The former was used to warn the people not to make false accusations and not to accuse others. On the other side was a prohibition against overstepping one's rank to file a complaint. If an overstepping one's rank to file a complaint, they would be punished with 50 lashes.
On the right side, there was a drum for crying grievances. As long as the people were wronged, they could beat the drum.
Entering the county office. It was a spacious front courtyard. However, between the main entrance and the main hall, there was a stone tablet that was half the height of a person blocking the way.
On the front of the stone tablet, there were three words, "Righteousness".
This was the original sentence from the 《Xun Zi》. It meant that justice was able to see the truth.
This was the famous Ring Stone Tablet.
Fang Yun walked to the front of the Ring Stone Tablet and bowed seriously. Everyone behind him also bowed and cupped their hands.
Fang Yundao said, "This tablet is engraved with the words of Sage Xun. Do you know the purpose of this?"
A High Scholar in his forties stepped forward and smiled, "This is written on behalf of Sage Xun, warning us not to take bribes and bend the law."
Fang Yun nodded his head. He recognized this person as Ning An County's Deputy County Magistrate, Tao Dingnian. He was a Grade 8 official and his duties were equivalent to that of a Deputy County Magistrate. If Fang Yun was not around, he would be in charge of the county office.
The Deputy County Magistrate was in charge of the county's documents, treasury, taxes, food and horses. He was also in charge of negotiating with the transport company and the military.
Fang Yun walked around the stone tablet and walked forward. The rest of the people followed behind him. After a few steps, they suddenly turned around and looked at the back of the stone tablet.
The back of the stone tablet was blank.
The officials stopped and looked at Fang Yun curiously. Then, they followed Fang Yun's gaze and looked at the back of the stone tablet. When they saw that it was also blank, they became even more confused.
An old High Scholar in his sixties said, "County magistrate, what orders do you have?"
Fang Yun looked at this monkey-like man. He was a Grade 8 Official in Ning An County, his name was Shen Ming. One of his relatives' daughter married the Left Prime Minister's son as a concubine. His status rose rapidly and he was an extremely sly old man. In the Book Hill illusion, this person embezzled a hundred thousand taels of silver. Furthermore, there was a huge incident that Fang Yun remembered.
The Official was in charge of the county's household registration and some documents.
Fang Yun asked, "Why is the back of the stone tablet blank?"
Shen Ming was stunned and was speechless. No one would care about this matter and he could not answer. He anxiously stroked his goatee.
Fang Yun sighed and said, "Scholars should be careful with their words and actions. You don't know anything and yet you ask. That's too rude. However, since you are an old man and your mind is not very sharp, I will not take it to heart. "
The faces of all the officials changed. Fang Yun was too out of line. He had just arrived and he was already scolding the fifth person in the county office.
The head of the county office was naturally the County Magistrate. The second in rank was the County Magistrate. In other counties, the third in rank was the County Deputy. However, in Ning An County, the third in rank was the Grade 7 Constable. The County Deputy was fourth, and Official Shen Ming was fifth.
Many of the scholars and private soldiers frowned. They wanted to remind Fang Yun that it was not the right time to target Shen Ming. However, there were many people present and it was inconvenient to say so.
Many of the officials of Ning An County had a cold expression on their faces. Since Fang Yun did not give any face to the local officials, the officials had an excuse to retaliate.
Fang Yun was a young County Magistrate. If he scolded an old Official Shen Ming, he would not be able to get rid of his reputation as a harsh official. If this continued, the officials would have a legitimate reason to retaliate. This would make it difficult for Fang Yun to show his skills in Ning An County.
A High Scholar in his forties cupped his hands and said, "County Magistrate, this is your first time in Ning An County. It is only natural for you to reorganize the government. However, for you to treat an old official in such a manner, is that not unjust?"
Fang Yun's scholars and private soldiers became nervous. The officials of Ning An County were all watching the show. Unjust and unjust was not a small matter.
Fang Yun looked at the official. He was also a High Scholar. He was the County Magistrate and was a Grade 9 official. His name was Lian Huan.
In Saint Origin, arresting and maintaining order were the responsibilities of the constables. However, the County Magistrate was in charge of the prisons and other miscellaneous matters. He was also in charge of investigating and verifying cases.
Fang Yun looked directly at Lian Huan. His official's prestige was unleashed as he scolded, "In this County Magistrate's office, is seniority the most important, or is it the elderly and the young? You and I have authority that is given to the heavens, the emperor, and the people. Apart from these three, the position of an official is the highest. You have been an official for so many years! Tonight, go back and write a thousand word self-reflection letter. Give it to me tomorrow. Yes, it is a self-reflection letter. "
Everyone was stunned. Although Fang Yun had to retaliate against Official Shen Ming for the sake of his dignity and future, what was the meaning of having Lian Huan write a self-reflection letter?
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