The County Vice

While the Zhou clan was still bringing order to the surrounding areas and preparing to divide the four villages to clear more land, a piece of news spread from Nanyang Prefecture City throughout the entire prefecture. The provincial examination had concluded!

Qingshui County Magistrate's Court.

Zhu Zhen was leisurely listening to an opera when his advisor trotted over.

"Lord Magistrate, the provincial examination has concluded. This year, two men from our county have passed to become Provincial Graduates."

Zhu Zhen did not react much. He remained blissfully focused on the stage and asked casually, "Which families are they from?"

After all, Provincial Graduates were candidates for officialdom. Especially in a remote, minor county like Qingshui, they could take office the moment a vacancy appeared in the government office.

Furthermore, they would not serve as unranked minor clerks in the Three Divisions and Six Departments. They would start as proper officials like the Archivist or Instructor, and might even serve as the County Commandant or County Vice-the second or third in command of a county.

Of course, more often than not, there were too many monks and too little gruel.

As the County Magistrate, he naturally had to investigate properly. If a new Provincial Graduate had a strong background, he could try to rope them in. If they were of humble origins, they could just wait in line and obediently remain in the countryside as local gentry.

"One is named Chen Qing, from the Chen clan of Penghe Township."

Hearing this, Zhu Zhen immediately lost interest. He had never even heard of this so-called Chen clan; it was likely just some local family. If they had not even set foot in the county seat, there was no need to pay them any mind.

"And the other?"

The advisor lowered his voice. "His name is Zhou Chang'an. A member of the Zhou clan."

Zhu Zhen sat up abruptly, asking with suspicion, "Which Zhou clan?"

The actors on stage also paused, terrified of angering the Lord Magistrate.

"The Bai Creek Zhou clan from the west."

Zhu Zhen blanked for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Good, good, good!"

In recent years, ever since someone from the Huang clan occupied the position of County Commandant, more and more personnel from the Three Divisions and Six Departments had thrown their lot in with him.

For him as the County Magistrate, this was hardly good news. If his subordinates formed a solid block, they could easily strip him of his actual power.

Meanwhile, the County Vice only cared about keeping his own hands clean, refusing to help either side. This naturally infuriated Zhu Zhen. If that old thing had not been deeply entrenched from over a decade of management, Zhu Zhen would have stripped him of his post long ago.

Now that Zhou Chang'an had become a Provincial Graduate, leveraging the Zhou clan's power to replace that old man would be as easy as flipping a palm.

Zhu Zhen asked, "Then what... what is the relationship between Zhou Chang'an and Zhou Ping?"

"Reporting to the Lord Magistrate, he is the biological nephew of Immortal Master Zhou. Furthermore, Zhou Chang'an is the son-in-law of Registrar Lin."

The moment these words were spoken, the expression on Zhu Zhen's face became intensely intrigued.

Although Lin Ruohe was the County Registrar, he had been nearly robbed of all authority by the County Vice. Now that his son-in-law was a Provincial Graduate, how could he possibly swallow that old grievance?

Just as expected, a servant hurried over and whispered, "Reporting to the Lord Magistrate, the Registrar requests an audience."

Zhu Zhen stood up with a smile and waved his hand at the stage. "Withdraw, all of you."

With that, he strode toward the front hall.

At the County Vice's office on the other side of the compound, a group of people were anxiously gathered together.

"My Lord, what should we do now?" the Instructor asked with burning anxiety.

He had been single-handedly promoted by the County Vice and was the core of his faction. If his patron fell, his own days would turn grim.

The others also wore worried expressions, but their minds were churning. As the saying went, when a tree falls, the monkeys scatter; with the County Vice on the verge of collapse, they were naturally looking to attach themselves to a new mountain.

At the head of the room sat an elderly man with a pale, wrinkled face and white hair. His name was Lu Ling. He said nothing, simply sitting there with a long, sorrowful sigh, silently watching the shifting demeanors of those around him.

He had served as the County Vice for twenty or thirty years, outlasting three County Magistrates. To be pushed off the stage by a callow youth today-it was truly laughable.

Yet he also knew Zhu Zhen had long been dissatisfied with him. Now that the Zhou clan had produced a Provincial Graduate, and as an Immortal clan capable of countering the Huang clan, they would inevitably force him to step down.

But after so many years as an official, how could he bear to surrender his authority and be reduced to a commoner?

If he could no longer sit in the County Vice's chair, he would simply find another seat.

"Changyu."

The Instructor started, then hurriedly replied, "I am here."

Lu Ling asked, "How are the county's scholars faring?"

The surrounding officials changed their expressions slightly. For Lu Ling to suddenly ask about this, it meant he had no intention of clashing with the Zhou clan. He was planning to step down and take the Instructor's position.

The Instructor was quite young and full of respect for Lu Ling, completely oblivious to the deeper implications. He answered respectfully, "The scholars in recent years have been quite promising. I have the roster with me."

"Bring it here for me to see."

The Instructor immediately trotted off to fetch the roster. After taking it, Lu Ling comforted the crowd and dismissed them.

Once everyone had left, he took slow steps to seek out Zhu Zhen.

Yet before he even reached Zhu Zhen's hall, he saw several groups waiting outside. Li Mu of the Li Clan Merchant Firm, Bai Changqing of the Bai Clan Merchant Firm, and a number of prominent figures in Qingshui County.

He even spotted subordinates of County Commandant Huang among them.

His expression grew a fraction more bitter. The news had not even fully spread, yet all these forces connected to the Zhou clan were already making their moves, eager to latch onto them.

After all, if Zhou Chang'an became the County Vice, the tide would lift many boats, allowing them to secure positions in the government office.

As for County Commandant Huang sending envoys, it was naturally because the Huang clan had just established a partnership with the Zhou clan a few days prior. Since they were currently in a honeymoon period, they wanted to ride the current and offer a smooth favor.

Just as Lu Ling approached, Lin Ruohe happened to walk out from within. The moment Lin Ruohe laid eyes on Lu Ling, his posture radiated triumph. Chin raised high, he swaggered away with an arrogant gait.

Years of pent-up indignity and suppression were exhaled in a single breath. It was indescribably satisfying.

Lu Ling turned his head and walked inside. When he emerged again, the official seal of the County Vice had been handed over, replaced by the jade token of an Instructor.

This news flew to the Zhou clan like a swallow returning to its nest.

Over the Luochuan River, the grand waters were turbulent, crashing against both banks. Yet a large ship sailed as smoothly as if traversing flat ground.

Guarded by official troops, over a dozen men of varying ages were gathered on the deck. Among them were youths who had yet to shed their fuzz, pedantic scholars over half a century old, and brilliant young scholars in their prime. All of them, however, radiated high-spirited joy and ambition.

Before passing the provincial examination, they had been nobodies. Now, as Provincial Graduates, their names resounded through the prefectural city. The Prefect himself had hosted a farewell banquet, and an official ship was delivering them home. They were returning in robes of glory!

Many were already fantasizing about returning to their local counties and townships, vowing to be upright officials who would allow the common people to live and work in peace.

Chen Qing was heavily intoxicated, happily raising his wine cup to Zhou Chang'an. "Brother Chang'an, what are your plans once you return home?"

Zhou Chang'an smiled. "I plan to return to my clan and become a teacher."

Chen Qing swayed his head disapprovingly. "What is the use of being a teacher? We are Provincial Graduates! We must hold the ambition to serve the imperial court. Do you truly have no desire to become an official and improve the lives of the people?"

Zhou Chang'an only smiled, offering no reply.

Seeing his reaction, Chen Qing felt it was rather dull and turned to chat with someone else. If he hadn't known Zhou Chang'an was a fellow native of Qingshui County and wished to build a connection with a townsman, he wouldn't have been so warm to begin with.

Over a few short days of revelry and poetry recitals, the new Provincial Graduates on the ship had grown familiar. Some even boldly claimed that once they took office, they would arrange for their respective counties to open trade and share mutual benefits.

As the official ship sailed on, it arrived at one ferry crossing after another.

"Brother Zhou, Brother Chen, until fate brings us together again." A scholar cupped his hands in farewell and disembarked. A welcoming party was already waiting for him at the docks, complete with a horse-drawn carriage draped in large red cloth.

Chen Qing watched with envy. "I wonder if anyone will be waiting to receive us when we reach Qingshui Ferry."

"I suppose there should be," Zhou Chang'an replied casually.

"Let me tell you, there will definitely be people waiting for me. At least two or three carriages," Chen Qing laughed proudly. He firmly believed that now that he had passed the exam, his clan would organize a magnificent reception.

The two family servants beside Zhou Chang'an pursed their lips. If the Fourth Young Master hadn't strictly forbidden it, they would have shouted their clan's name to scare Chen Qing out of his wits.

Zhou Chang'an smiled. "Then I shall have to bask in Brother Chen's good fortune."

Chen Qing took the compliment wholeheartedly, his face blooming with an exceptionally brilliant smile.

Qingshui County was situated far to the south. By the time they neared Qingshui Ferry, Zhou Chang'an and Chen Qing were the only Provincial Graduates left on the vessel.

Chen Qing gazed at the distant ferry crossing, only to see a dense, sprawling crowd. Lanterns hung high, colorful banners fluttered, and cheers echoed from afar. It was a bustling spectacle.

"It seems Brother Chen's clansmen have come to welcome you," Zhou Chang'an said with a smile.

Chen Qing naturally realized something was amiss. His clan was just a rural family-how could they possibly mount such a colossal display? Could it be... they were here for Zhou Chang'an?

He asked with deep uncertainty, "May I ask... which family does Brother Zhou belong to?"

One of the servants beside him called out, "We are from the Bai Creek Zhou clan."

Chen Qing froze on the spot. Even if he had shut his ears to the outside world these past few years to study, he had still heard of the Immortal Zhou clan in the west. Recalling his own arrogant posturing over the past few days, his face turned intensely bitter. He was furious at himself for failing to grasp the opportunity to curry favor.

"Bang!"

Before Chen Qing could utter another word, the official ship bumped against the dock. The slight rock of the hull nearly sent him tumbling.

"Zhou Zao, Zhou Lin, gather our things. We are going home."

Smiling, Zhou Chang'an walked down the gangplank with his servants hurrying close behind.

The moment his feet touched the dock, he saw a multitude of government officials and runners waiting, holding the reins of a large crimson steed. Further back stood the banners of Qingshui County's most renowned merchant firms. Standing at the very forefront was a young man with short whiskers in fine robes, accompanied by a handsome, taciturn youth gripping a spear.

Zhou Chang'an looked at Zhou Changhe and Zhou Xuanya, his eyes growing slightly moist. "Big Brother, Xuanya. I'm back."

Zhou Changhe laughed, slapping Zhou Chang'an on the shoulder. "Well done!"

A minor official jogged up to Zhou Chang'an, bowing at the waist. He raised a tray in his hands and said with deep reverence, "Lord County Vice, this is your official seal."

Zhou Chang'an looked puzzled, but Zhou Changhe chuckled. "Take it. This is for you."

Zhou Chang'an quickly deduced the implications and picked up the official seal.

In the distance, the gathered officials and commoners roared out, "We respectfully welcome the Lord County Vice!"

The moment Chen Qing stepped off the ship, the mountainous cheers stunned him into a trembling daze. Zhou Chang'an had been elevated to County Vice just like that!

"Come, Third Brother, mount the horse." Zhou Changhe pulled Zhou Chang'an toward the large reddish-brown steed and hoisted him into the saddle.

With officials clearing the path and commoners trailing behind, the magnificent procession marched grandly toward the county seat.

Only after everyone had vanished into the distance did Chen Qing spot his own clan's carriage parked far away. He trudged toward it, utterly despondent.

The servant waiting by the carriage hurried over, forcing a humble, apologetic smile. "Master, the officials earlier forbade us from getting close, so we had to stop here."

Chen Qing wanted to lash out in anger, but in the end, he simply climbed into the carriage with helpless resignation.

"Let's go home."

Staring at the majestic procession far ahead, his heart twisted with complicated emotions.

Both were Provincial Graduates, yet Zhou Chang'an had instantaneously ascended to become a lofty County Vice. Meanwhile, he would have to return home, seek recommendations from local clan elders and village officials, and pray he could secure some petty township or county post. To think he had actually boasted in front of Zhou Chang'an-how utterly laughable.

The endless bitterness in his heart finally melted into a single, drawn-out sigh.

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