Chapter 1524: Killing the Chicken to Warn the Monkey

The Daxing County Office is located within the capital, in the Daxing Hutong of later generations.

It is a six-courtyard complex, with functional buildings such as prisons, land shrines, and warehouses, covering an area of more than 4,000 square meters, which is quite spacious.

When Wang Yan arrived at the government office with the people from the Ministry of Personnel, the government office was already very lively.

The standard configuration of Daxing County is one sixth-rank county magistrate, two seventh-rank county assistants, and an indefinite number of eighth-rank registrars, plus prison wardens, tax ambassadors, deputies, and various other tax collection, public security, and six-department personnel. Adding up the inflow and non-inflow, plus the helpers gathered by the yamen runners, there were hundreds of people.

Seeing Wang Yan strolling in, the people who were chatting all quieted down. The people from the Ministry of Personnel told the county assistant a few words, matched the appointment documents, and introduced them to each other, and Wang Yan officially took office.

County Assistant Ma Defu said: "Magistrate, do you have any instructions?"

This is a chubby man in his forties, looking very easy to get along with.

Another county assistant is named Yan Minghui, who is much younger, in his thirties. He bowed and echoed: "Ma County Assistant is right. Magistrate, as long as you give orders, we will definitely follow them."

Wang Yan stood with his hands behind his back, his sharp eyes like a falcon, piercing people's scalps. Finally, Wang Yan's gaze fell on Yan Minghui.

"Your surname is Yan?"

Yan Minghui hurriedly bowed and cupped his hands: "Magistrate, your subordinate's surname is indeed Yan, but it is definitely not the Yan of Yan Song."

Yan Shifan is already in prison, Yan Song is not coming out at home, and the Cabinet affairs are all presided over by Xu Jie. Anyone who is not stupid should know what the direction is.

Wang Yan's appointment document was sent to the government office long ago, and they naturally inquired about Wang Yan long ago, so they naturally knew about Wang Yan's shocking feat of slapping Yan Shifan even before Yan Shifan fell from power.

Then, the purpose of Wang Yan asking his surname is self-evident. If it were really Yan Song's Yan, he would be in big trouble...

Wang Yan laughed: "Don't be so nervous. Yan Song is still in the capital, the factory guards haven't arrested people on a large scale, and His Majesty hasn't issued a decree to kill Yan Song's nine clans. Even if you are Yan Song's Yan, what does it matter? We are officials in the same court, knowing the hardship of being an official best. Many times, many things are unavoidable."

"Magistrate's words of awakening the world, we will remember them in our hearts." Yan Minghui's face was full of reverence.

"Then you don't remember them deeply enough." Wang Yan shook his head.

"Magistrate... how to explain this?"

Wang Yan glanced at him: "This official is a sixth-rank main official, and you two stood on one side each, making this official in a dilemma."

At this moment, the standing position in the big courtyard was Wang Yan standing at the door of the main hall with his hands behind his back, the two county assistants on his left and right, and the remaining prison wardens, etc., arranged in front of him according to their official positions, which could be considered standing straight.

Hearing Wang Yan's words, Ma Defu and Yan Minghui looked at each other, and then very sensibly called out "offense," and ran to stand in front of the big team.

In an instant, these two county assistants went from previous managers to managed people.

Of course, it was only on the surface. How much they were convinced still had to be seen in the future.

The main reason was that Wang Yan was cow-like, dared to beat Yan Shifan, and was fine after beating him, sitting on a rocket and going straight from ninth rank to sixth rank. Otherwise, they wouldn't even be convinced on the surface, and might even want to satirize a few words.

Now they don't have this courage, because Wang Yan really dares to take action...

This is the benefit of taking the lead. First, establish an image that is not easy to get along with, and then others will adapt to him, rather than him adapting to others. On this point, Yan Shifan deserves the first credit; it was his shoe-horn face that achieved Wang Yan's current prestige.

Wang Yan nodded with satisfaction, gave the two a positive look, then cleared his throat and said: "This is our first meeting, you may not be familiar with my style, so I will give you a simple self-introduction. I am twenty years old this year, and last year I sold my family property to buy an official position, and was arranged to be a Registrar in Chun'an..."

Wang Yan said all the truth, and even talked about buying an official position in a grand manner. But it doesn't matter, this is a well-known thing anyway. Who doesn't know that Wang Yan's official position was bought? The people who handled affairs for him back then were long ago drowned in impeachment memorials, but aren't they still fine? Jiajing only symbolically punished some salaries.

The person found is capable of doing things, so what's wrong?

Wang Yan focused on how he opened the situation in Chun'an, how he dealt with those who didn't cooperate with his work, and how he dealt with those who committed crimes and bullied the commoners. In short, he made these people panic, and they subconsciously developed a sense of resistance.

Immediately after, Wang Yan changed the subject.

"You don't have to worry. Although I haven't stayed in this capital for a long time, I can imagine that you are not easy to work in this capital where dignitaries gather. Even if you want to do bad things, want to bully the good, you don't have so many opportunities. Wanting to earn silver is not so easy. So you can't overturn a boat of people with one pole. You still have to give everyone a chance to correct themselves.

In addition, I just said that I am also very good to the people who handle affairs under my hand. Let me say the simplest one, eating..."

"Besides, as I just said, I am also extremely good to the people who work for me. Let me say one of the simplest things: eating..."

"After saying so much, the first item of this official's appointment is to invite everyone to eat well. In a while, go to buy meat. The wind is not small today, I think we should drink some mutton soup and eat some pancakes. Who is the cook?"

Everyone looked at each other, and a yamen runner was kicked out of the team by the prison warden, and hurriedly ran to the back to find the cook.

Before long, a dry, middle-aged man in his forties with an old face, and a young man in his twenties who was a bit chubby, ran out and knelt down to kowtow without saying a word.

"Subordinate Wang Da, greets the Magistrate!"

"Get up."

"Thank you, Magistrate."

Wang Yan hummed and laughed: "I also have the surname Wang. If my family still had some ink, I should also be called Wang Da. We are destined."

Wang Da hunched his waist, his face accompanied by a smile: "Magistrate, you are killing the subordinate. What virtue and ability does the subordinate have?"

"Is this your son?"

"Yes, Magistrate. The subordinate is old and can't do it anymore, so I let my eldest son take my place."

"Why take the place?" Wang Yan waved his hand with a smile, patted the shoulder of Wang Da's son, "In the past, you cooked for the masters, but from now on, those who do things below will have food to eat, so you two won't be enough. From now on, your wages will increase by 30%, and you will be the head of the kitchen. Do a good job with the meals in our government office."

"Really?" Wang Da's son asked, unable to believe it.

With a crisp sound, Wang Da slapped him, and kicked his son away: "Magistrate, my son is stupid and doesn't understand the situation. Magistrate, rest assured, the subordinate will definitely cook the meals well. If it's not done well..."

Wang Yan reached out and hugged his shoulder, patted his chest: "If it's not done well, then do it well. As the saying goes, it's hard to satisfy everyone. How can you make everyone satisfied? Just do it slowly. It's enough if I am satisfied. If I am satisfied, can they still be dissatisfied?"

Without waiting for Wang Da to speak, a group of people called out that they didn't dare.

Wang Yan let go of Wang Da, patted his dry body again, reached out and grabbed his wrist, shook his head and said: "A cook who makes himself so thin, is that appropriate? Whose cook doesn't make himself fat? Go back and eat more yourself, otherwise, if others see it, they will think our Daxing government office can't afford to eat. But everything must have a degree, don't be greedy again and again, you must have a count, Old Wang."

"Yes, Magistrate, the subordinate listens to the Magistrate."

"Go, take the silver and call people to buy sheep and flour. Don't be stingy, we have hundreds of people, we must eat well." Wang Yan waved his hand, "You all disperse, divide people to help buy, and help cook."

Wang Yan seemed to have just remembered, sighed, and said: "Right, there is one thing I didn't tell you. Previously, this official slapped Yan Shifan's mouth. Yan Shifan was eager for revenge and bought the cook of the Northern Internal Security Division to poison and harm me. The turmoil before the New Year was caused by this, and many people with ulterior motives were found out.

Later, Yan Shifan was imprisoned, and this official specially ran to the Imperial Prison to kick and break his calf, making him mad with hatred. At that time, I also boasted that when the women in Yan Shifan's family entered the Music Bureau, I would have a good time. But in the end, it was just a joke to anger Yan Shifan.

Yan Song is still there. Although he is closed at home, the centipede is dead but not stiff, and the Yan faction has not been liquidated, and it is still a power base. I don't know if you have anyone who wants to harm me. I advise you to think twice before acting. Living is not easy. The cook of the Northern Internal Security Division was executed by lingering death, cut for three and a half days, and he was still conscious before he left. It was miserable.

Alright, that's all I have to say. Disperse and do your own things. Two county assistants, registrar, prison warden, follow me to discuss affairs."

Regardless of how the remaining people discussed, Wang Yan turned and sat in the main seat of the main hall.

Looking at the tea sent by the little official, Wang Yan sent the person to the Northern Internal Security Division to get his jar-jar tea set. He was truly used to drinking it.

Watching the little official run away, Wang Yan tilted his head at the registrar Song Liangxin: "Report the accounts to this official."

"Back to Magistrate, at present, the government office has 1,300 taels of silver, among which..."

"Don't 'among which' anymore. Daxing is a capital county, and the most wealthy place in the world is here. Why is there only so little silver in the public account?"

Registrar Song Liangxin answered calmly: "Magistrate, the heavy snow last year collapsed countless houses, and there were many refugees. The silver in the public account was all used for disaster relief. It wasn't until our silver was spent that we asked the Ministry of Revenue to allocate some silver."

"Disaster relief?" Wang Yan was noncommittal, "Today I will check the accounts. You'd better admit your problems early."

"The subordinate has a clear conscience!"

Wang Yan laughed: "If you want to talk about pure officials, I only recognize one Hai Rui. His mother, wife, and children, and himself, are all sallow and thin. That's because they haven't eaten well for a long time. Registrar Song, living in the capital is not easy. Your eighth-rank official position is only 20 taels of silver a year..."

"The subordinate waits for the Magistrate to find out the subordinate's problems." Song Liangxin still swore.

Glancing at him, Wang Yan turned to say: "The most urgent task now is to find silver. This official just promised the government office to provide meals, and there must be meat and vegetables every day. With so many people, it costs 20 taels of silver a day. If I can't do what I promised, I will ruin this official's prestige."

No one answered, all looking at their noses and hearts. Just kidding, who doesn't know that being an official is to get silver? The key is that you have to be able to get it.

Wang Yan named him: "Ma County Assistant, you are in charge of the county's litigation and criminal justice. Tell me, have any cases of bullying the good been suppressed recently?"

Ma Defu replied respectfully: "Back to Magistrate, a few days ago, the second son of Xu Ge Lao rode a horse wildly outside the city and whipped the commoners..."

Under Wang Yan's gaze, he couldn't continue.

"Ma County Assistant, are you really stupid, or are you pretending to be stupid? Hmm? This official asked you to say who is easy to handle, and you directly took Xu Ge Lao's second son to top it. Why, do you have an opinion on this official?"

"Magistrate, the subordinate is wronged. Previously, the Magistrate told the Chun'an story in public, and the subordinate yearned for it, so..."

"Giving this official a high hat? Pushing to death?"

Wang Yan waved his hand, "Did the whipped commoners file a complaint?"

"Filed!" Ma Defu nodded, turned and ran away, and after a while took a complaint with a fingerprint, "This is the complaint. The subordinate didn't have the courage to find trouble with Xu Ge Lao, so I gave 1 tael of silver for medical expenses and sent the person away."

After reading the complaint once, Wang Yan snorted: "His complaint cost 2 taels of silver, and you were quite kind. Fifth Master!"

Seeing Wang Yan looking at himself, the prison warden Zhang Kun jumped up from the chair and bowed: "Magistrate, don't kill the subordinate."

"Go, find this person, and the commoners who witnessed this person being whipped, and bring them all to the government office this afternoon."

"Magistrate, think twice..." Zhang Kun looked troubled.

"Did I not speak clearly, Fifth Master?" Wang Yan stared at Zhang Kun.

"Yes, the subordinate will go!" Zhang Kun couldn't bear it, sighed, and turned to walk out.

"Magistrate, this matter must be thought twice!" Ma Defu advised instead, "Speaking of taboo words, Xu Ge Lao can defeat Yan Ge Lao, so how can he be easy to provoke?"

"I even slapped Yan Shifan. Is he not more powerful than Xu Ge Lao's second son? This first sum of silver will come from Xu Ge Lao." Wang Yan said to Yan Minghui again, "Go, have someone send a post to the Xu Mansion, asking them to take the initiative to send their second young master to the government office."

Yan Minghui accepted his fate and went out to arrange for people to run errands.

This kind of unreasonable superior is too difficult to deal with. He doesn't follow any rules at all, comes up to coerce and lure, seize power, and even directly fires at Xu Jie. What kind of madman is this?

Wang Yan didn't care how they thought. He only knew that if he wanted to govern Daxing well, he had to kill the chicken to warn the monkey.

Just kill Xu Jie's second son. Besides Prince Yu and Prince Jing, what other chicken is bigger than this one?

Immediately, Wang Yan wore a blue official robe with a sixth-rank egret patch, and with a large group of rogue-like helpers, walked on the street and went to the Xu Jie mansion in the West City...

?? Daily thanks to the great brothers who tip, vote for monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and silently read the book for their strong support! ===== CHAPTER 1525 =====

This kind of unreasonable superior is too difficult to deal with; he doesn't follow any rules at all, coming up and using coercion and bribery to seize power, and even wanting to fire directly at Xu Jie. What kind of madman is this?

Wang Yan didn't care what they were thinking; he only knew that to govern Daxing well, he had to kill the chicken to scare the monkey.

And to kill Xu Jie's second son—besides Prince Yu and Prince Jing, what other chicken is as big as this one?

Immediately, Wang Yan, wearing his blue official robe with the sixth-rank egret rank badge, and bringing a large group of ruffian-like hangers-on, just walked down the street like this, heading toward Xu Jie's residence in the West City...

?? Daily thanks to the good brothers who tip, vote for monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and silently read the book for their strong support!