Chapter 2: Making a Move

The man who had arrived was someone Yang Chengzu recognized; otherwise, he wasn't a madman, and there would be no reason to block someone from entering. It was simply that this fellow was truly disgusting. The newcomer's name was Jiao Rong, a *Jingcheng* (clerk-administrator) in the Household Department under the local County Magistrate, Zhang Jiayin. In other words, he was a bona fide administrative official. Within the six departments of the yamen, the *Jingcheng* held the lead, with the *Guannian* serving as the deputy. The entire Household Department revolved around Jiao Rong. The Jiao family had held this position for three generations; while magistrates came and went like flowing water, the clerks remained as steadfast as iron. He was a significant figure in the yamen.

Aside from this identity, he had another: he was the brother-in-law of the local *Jinyi Qianhu* (Thousand-man Commander of the Brocade-Clad Guard), Li Xiong. His sister had become Li Xiong's second wife. Though Jiao Rong himself looked like a rat with a shifty face, his sister was a beauty with well-proportioned features. Even though she was only a second wife, she was still a primary wife, and since she had borne a son, her status was naturally not low.

As mentioned previously, Hua County was a small place. In a place like this, a single outpost of the Jinyiwei was merely a *Xiaoqi* (Small Flag) station, and a seventh-rank military officer was sufficient. A fifth-rank *Qianhu* of the Jinyiwei was definitely a big shot.

However, the Jinyiwei was an organization with chaotic management; the complexity of its membership was something outsiders could hardly imagine. To give a simple example, in another timeline, after the death of the Zhengde Emperor, the succeeding Jiajing Emperor did one thing to save expenditures: he abolished two hundred and thirty thousand redundant personnel from the Jinyiwei. Yes, two hundred and thirty thousand. Then, Lord Jiajing arranged for another two hundred thousand to be brought in—after all, who doesn't have some connections and relatives to look after?

Of course, Li Xiong was not one of those redundant officials being cut, but he himself was a titular *Qianhu* who did not handle actual affairs. In other words, he only collected his salary without doing any work, and he couldn't manage Yang Chengzu. But regardless, he was still a *Qianhu*, a hereditary member of the Jinyiwei, and he was even a sworn brother who had exchanged tokens with Yang Daxing. When Yang Chengzu saw him, he had to follow the rules, kowtow, and call him "Uncle." Since Jiao Rong was his brother-in-law, it wasn't out of line for him to act superior in front of Yang Chengzu.

If it were purely for this, Yang Chengzu wouldn't bother contending with him. A seventh-rank official at the gate of a Prime Minister—a *Qianhu's* elder brother-in-law acting tough against a *Xiaoqi*—they were both within the same system, so what was the big deal? If he couldn't endure this, how could he be an official? But the problem was that Jiao Rong, as luck would have it, had actually set his sights on Yang Chengzu's stepmother, Lady Liu. During the period when Yang Chengzu was ill, he had actually sent a matchmaker to the house to propose a marriage.

Jiao Rong's calculations were very clear. Not only did Lady Liu have fine features and a graceful figure, but she was also only in her early thirties, the prime age for a woman. Once he had her, he could truly enjoy several years of bliss. Not to mention, the Yang family had few members, and Yang Chengzu was currently ill; as long as Lady Liu was willing, she could easily bring a large amount of property as a dowry. It would be a win-win situation where he would make a guaranteed profit.

This stepmother, Lady Liu, was a kind-hearted person. One could tell from the fact that she hadn't abandoned her "cheap" son to run away during his time of crisis, but instead stayed to serve him medicinal soup, that her character was beyond reproach. Consequently, the matchmaker had been driven away by Lady Liu. However, this woman's temperament was also somewhat weak; because of this incident, she felt her reputation was tarnished and that she had attracted unwanted attention. When Yang Chengzu recovered from his illness, she had nearly gone to hang herself.

Just because of this, Yang Chengzu felt like splitting Jiao Rong into pieces; it would be strange if he could show him a pleasant face. But Jiao Rong was indeed someone who had rolled through many social circles and understood the principle of knowing when to yield and when to advance. No matter how Yang Chengzu acted out, he didn't get angry at all; instead, he became extremely apologetic.

"Young Master, that matter last time was my own fault—old Jiao was blinded by greed, and a few bastards were instigating things. Once this matter passes, I will personally come to your door on another day to apologize and kowtow to the Old Madam, alright? Right now, saving people is the priority; we can't let tempers flare. If something happens to our Magistrate Zhang, things will become difficult to handle."

"Was Zhang Jiayin intercepted by someone?" Yang Chengzu finally understood his purpose, and his brow furrowed. "Why are you looking for me for this? Your yamen has three squads of bailiffs; go find them. We Jinyiwei don't handle this. Otherwise, you can ask my Uncle Li to give me a written order—even if it's just a slip of paper—and I'll handle it as soon as I see it."

The implication of his words was: *Get lost, this isn't my business.* It wasn't his fault for turning cold. Although the Jinyiwei's authority included the arrest of lawbreakers, determining who counts as a lawbreaker was highly subjective. Regardless, ensuring the safety of the County Magistrate was not within their jurisdiction. Even if the Hua County Magistrate were hacked into pieces, what would that have to do with him? There were plenty of big shots above to handle it; how could he manage it?

Jiao Rong's face crumpled into a mass of wrinkles. "My Young Master, that's not how you put it. Don't you already know what those few 'garlic cloves' at the yamen mean? When they encounter a *Tangjiang* (Captain) who dares to intercept the Magistrate's procession, what use are they? Besides, my brother-in-law... hasn't he gone to Shaanxi to fight the rebels? If he were home... if he were home, he would have come to request you himself."

There was one thing he was too embarrassed to say: if he were home, would I still need to beg you so humbly? He would have simply exerted the prestige of a *Qianhu* and the authority of an elder to issue you an order. Even if he wasn't your direct superior, could you really reject an uncle's face?

"Chengzu, who is outside?" Jiao Rong was short but had a loud voice; his voice rose and fell, finally startling Lady Liu, the Yang family's Madam, in the main room. Yang Chengzu felt genuine gratitude toward this "cheap" mother. Putting everything else aside, if she hadn't served him medicinal soup while he was ill, he probably would have been buried right after transmigrating.

"Mother, it's nothing. Just some business at the yamen. I'll send him away in a moment and then go buy some breakfast for you." He turned back and glared at Jiao Rong. "It's early morning, and you're here shouting and making a scene, startling my mother. We haven't settled the score for what you did last time. If you don't leave now, believe me, I'll throw you into the well."

Jiao Rong was a sensible man. Ignoring Yang Chengzu, he shouted toward the main room, "Old Madam, please say something! Our Magistrate Zhang is being intercepted by a *Tangjiang*. If Little Flag Yang doesn't step in now, the *Tangjiang* will surely tear him apart. If something happens to Magistrate Zhang, I'm afraid Little Flag Yang won't be able to avoid responsibility either."

"Hey, I say you're actually getting emboldened now!" Yang Chengzu's face darkened. He grabbed the man by his collar and lifted him up, intending to throw him out. But Madam Liu was ultimately a timid woman; she called out timidly through the window, "Chengzu..."

"You grandson, I'm doing you a favor." Yang Chengzu tossed him aside and pointed a finger. "Stay quietly in the courtyard. If you dare to move around, I won't care whose face it is, and I will definitely split you apart." Then, he dashed into the room and knelt on the floor, saying, "Mother, I'm sorry. It's early morning, and I let that grandson of yours wake you up."

He called her "Mother" just once, and Lady Liu was moved to tears, not knowing what to do. For a concubine to be called "Mother" by the legitimate son—what kind of honor was this? Normally, as a concubine, it would be reasonable if the legitimate son didn't even give her a proper look.

The woman in her early thirties hurriedly said, "Good child, get up quickly. Our family doesn't need to be so strict with such rules. I am just a woman; I dare not interfere in your men's affairs. However, I have only heard that this Zhang Jiayin is said to be an upright official."

*Upright official or corrupt official, what does it have to do with me?* Yang Chengzu muttered to himself. *When an upright official is hacked into pieces, does he get fewer strokes of the blade?* But since Mother said so, her opinion was clearly set. Regardless of anything else, just for the grace of her serving him medicinal soup, he had to give her this face, didn't he?

"Mother, don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

When he walked back into the courtyard, Jiao Rong was indeed still there. Yang Chengzu grabbed him and asked, "Speak. Who is this deity that intercepted Zhang Jiayin? Which path did they come from, daring to intercept a seventh-rank official?"