Chapter 201

Following the Clerk, the group entered the County Commandant's office, and a familiar feeling washed over them.

Back then, Heifu had only just arrived in this era, a mere conscript squad leader living day to day. Seizing an opportunity during the conscripts' martial drill, he caught the eye of Du Xian, who had Centurion Chen summon him here and asked him a single question.

Would you be willing to serve as a clerk?

In the blink of an eye, over two years had passed.

Heifu still remembered the old jujube tree in the courtyard, its crown like a grand canopy. Now not a single leaf remained on its branches, lending it a rather bleak and desolate air.

After entering the courtyard, the others were led away by a minor clerk to submit their "zhi" — the certificate proving their service was complete. Heifu, meanwhile, was led by the Clerk into the main hall. As he removed his shoes before the hall, Heifu suddenly recalled that the first time he came here, he had just finished the bitter toil of a wall-building penal labor sentence, owned not even a pair of socks, and had to walk barefoot across the icy floor.

Further inside, the arrangement of the main hall had not changed much: on the left stood bookshelves holding bamboo slips and tablets; on the right was a "lan-ji" rack displaying five types of weapons — spears, halberds, bows, swords, and dagger-axes. The county's Right Commandant and Left Commandant sat upright in the center, both dressed in black robes and wearing bamboo-board caps, awaiting Heifu.

The Left Commandant was an old acquaintance and needed no introduction. The Right Commandant, however, was a new face — one Zheng Shou, a man from Yingchuan who had been transferred here only after Heifu had left for military service. His noble rank was the seventh grade, Grandee of the Public.

Two years ago, Heifu would have had to scurry forward the moment he entered and perform a kneeling prostration before the two men. But now, seeing him arrive, Right Commandant Zheng Shou immediately broke into a smile and, disregarding the dignity of a County Commandant, rose to his feet first. Seeing that the chief had moved, Left Commandant Yun Man could hardly remain seated and was compelled to also rise and greet this "little Village Chief" whom he hated to the marrow of his bones.

"Heifu pays his respects to the two County Commandants."

Heifu gave a slight bow with clasped hands. This was not arrogance on his part; he was now a Grandee of Officials, and according to Qin regulations, even when meeting the County Magistrate, he could bow without prostrating, let alone before two County Commandants whose ranks were equivalent to his own.

The Right Commandant and Left Commandant also returned the gesture, cupping their hands in salute.

"Though I have never met Heifu before, after arriving in Anlu, I have not heard little of your deeds as Village Chief — truly a rare and capable clerk. After joining the army, you repeatedly performed meritorious service. I have long wished to meet you, and now that I have, I am astonished to find you so young…"

Zheng Shou was already a man nearing forty, and his speech carried a whiff of declining vitality. Heifu, on the other hand, had just turned twenty after the winter solstice last month — indeed enviably young. To be a Grandee of Officials at such a young age, what would he be in ten years? Truly unimaginable.

"I am but a junior and a latecomer, relying solely on a bit of luck to suddenly receive such merit and reward, filled with trepidation. In the future, I hope the Right Commandant will offer me much guidance."

Zheng Shou had taken the initiative to show goodwill, and Heifu naturally responded with humble words. However, he had also heard that this newly arrived Right Commandant was far inferior to his predecessor Du Xian — weak-willed and non-confrontational by nature, with the real power in the Commandant's office held firmly in the Left Commandant's hands.

Still, as long as one was human, one could not possibly be content as a sidelined puppet, a mere stamp. Was not the return of Heifu and his men precisely a golden opportunity for the Right Commandant to counterattack and seize power?

After a few more pleasantries, Zheng Shou invited Heifu to take a seat, placing him on the left side, directly opposite Left Commandant Yun Man. Their statuses were now clearly on equal footing.

Eyes met, and Heifu broke into a grin. The Left Commandant actually smiled back at him, as if their previous conflicts had never occurred. This rather surprised Heifu; in his impression, Yun Man had always been a deeply shrewd man, exceedingly capable of forbearance.

The two sat there in silence, the atmosphere somewhat awkward, leaving only the voice of County Right Commandant Zheng Shou in the hall.

Zheng Shou questioned Heifu about the situation at the front lines. Heifu only omitted a few matters involving military secrets; everything else he shared freely.

"After the snow fell in late November, the fighting largely ceased. The Chu army retreated, and our forces also began to withdraw, disbanding the veteran soldiers whose service terms had expired and sending them home…"

Even if the King of Qin was still unwilling to accept the outcome of this campaign, conscription still had to follow basic principles. For soldiers from a commandery like Nan Commandery, forcing them to continue serving abroad would only further sap morale and simultaneously stir discontent with the war across the various commanderies and counties. Better to discharge them and recruit a new batch. That was why Heifu and the others were able to return home.

Heifu knew in his heart that the King of Qin would never let the matter rest. At the earliest, after the spring planting, or at the latest, by the autumn harvest, once the state had somewhat emerged from the shadow of defeat, a new mobilization order would be issued. That would be a true war of the entire realm!

Anlu County would inevitably not be spared.

But those matters would naturally be handled by orders from above. Heifu now held no military rank or official title and could not overstep his bounds to interfere. At most, he could kindly remind the County Right Commandant that the two states were still in a state of hostility and that the training of the local conscripts must not slacken. That was all.

At this point, the County Right Commandant also mentioned the county's arrangements for these "war heroes." Having returned with great merit, their stock had risen dramatically, and it was naturally impossible for them to continue in their previous minor clerk posts. Moreover, in his edict praising Li You, the King of Qin had also demanded that each commandery and county must entrust the officers and soldiers who had distinguished themselves in this campaign with important positions. Thus, they dared not leave them idle at home, lest they be accused of coldly treating men of merit.

"All of you have rendered meritorious service; this Commandant will certainly put you to important use!"

Right Commandant Zheng Shou, abandoning his usual timidity, was extremely assertive today. Without even soliciting Yun Man's opinion, he made the decision himself. Yun Man moved his lips but raised no objection.

"However…"

Zheng Shou continued, "Heifu is now a Grandee of Officials. Positions like Clerk or Patrolman are far too lowly for him. This Commandant's office can no longer arrange a post for you…"

Just as his voice faded, the Clerk from outside entered again, reporting that the adjacent County Magistrate's office had summoned Grandee of Officials Heifu!

"As expected." The Right Commandant smiled. "The County Magistrate, hearing of your return, is also impatient to see you. As for how to arrange your post, you had best heed the Magistrate's decision!"

Heifu rose. Only then did he turn, walk over to Left Commandant Yun Man — who had not uttered a word all day — and, cupping his hands with a smile, said, "Come to think of it, had the Left Commandant not sent me north to escort convict laborers for service, Heifu could never have had the fortunes of today. On behalf of myself, and also on behalf of the garrison soldiers who returned home with me in silken robes, I thank the Left Commandant! As an elder, you have truly spared no effort in promoting the younger generation of our county!"

Yun Man's face instantly alternated between ashen and white; he very nearly erupted.

But in the end, he swallowed his anger, regained his composure, and smiled as if nothing had happened. "The Grandee of Officials is too modest. The days ahead for you and me to work together are still long!"

…

"Grandee of Officials, what post did you get?"

Half a shichen later, when Heifu emerged from the County Magistrate's office, his eight subordinates were still waiting outside. Seeing him come out, they immediately swarmed around him to ask.

Heifu, however, kept them in suspense. Looking at the group with a smile, he said, "Tell me first — what posts did each of you get?"

Dongmen Bao, his earlier sorrow over not having a son already gone, grinned. "The Right Commandant assigned me as Patrolman of the Northern Suburbs Township."

In Qin, the local post of Patrolman corresponded to the ranks of Grandee and No Demotion. Appointing Dongmen Bao as Patrolman was considered preferential treatment. With Dongmen Bao's fierce reputation, overawing the thieves and young toughs of a township would be no challenge.

Xiao Tao also stammered, "The R-Right Commandant made me, made me a Garrison Chief, to tr-train the elite archers."

Xiao Tao's strength lay in his pinpoint archery. Over the past two years, as his living conditions improved, the 19-year-old had continued to shoot up in height. Now standing just over seven chi, he could draw an even stronger bow. His weakness was his halting speech, but as a Garrison Chief responsible only for training, he was more than adequate — especially since a garrison soldier with the rank of Upper Maker had been assigned as his Squad Leader and could speak on his behalf.

Heifu instructed him, "Don't be nervous. In the military camp, strength speaks for itself. When the time comes, just demonstrate your archery skill, and everyone will be fully convinced."

Additionally, Ji Ying was assigned as Postal Clerk of Yunshui Township, in charge of the township's postal service.

The other several Upper Makers were made either Village Chiefs or Thief-Catchers, mostly assigned near their homes.

Only Li Xian seemed lost in thought. When Heifu asked him, he replied, "I've been summoned to the county seat to serve as a Clerk…"

As it happened, this post also matched Li Xian's meticulous nature and talent for planning.

Stroking his chin, Li Xian said, "The posts we've received all suit our inclinations well and are all near our home villages. The Right Commandant is not familiar with us, nor does he know our individual strengths. How could he arrange things so fittingly? Could it be…"

He looked toward Heifu.

"Correct." Only then did Heifu smile. "It was I who made suggestions to the Right Commandant. Are you gentlemen satisfied with these new posts?"

"They suit our wishes perfectly!" The men all bowed with clasped hands in thanks, feeling even more grateful to Heifu. After all, having served as soldiers under Heifu for over a year, he truly understood them best.

Heifu had guessed correctly: Right Commandant Zheng Shou indeed wished to use this opportunity to counterattack and seize power. The return of Heifu and his men had provided him with a large batch of ready-made candidates, whom he could insert into various positions within the County Commandant's system, squeezing out Left Commandant Yun Man's old associates and trusted followers. It was like a pillow delivered just as one was dozing off. Heifu, of course, was also happy to see his own "faction" take root and grow in the county. Thus, the two hit it off immediately, forming a tacit "alliance."

"After you take up your posts, you must be respectful to the Right Commandant and obey his orders alone." But Heifu was also confident — the Right Commandant was an official parachuted in from outside, with no local foundation, and would be rotated out after a few years. When the critical moment came, the men would still heed his own words.

"The Grandee of Officials still hasn't said what post the County Magistrate arranged for you," Ji Ying pressed, curious.

Heifu replied dismissively, "Before the Magistrate could even speak, I told him that I had just returned from the front lines, had sustained a minor injury, and intended to rest at home for some time. I wasn't planning to take up a clerk's post immediately."

"Why?!" Dongmen Bao exclaimed in shock.

"Isn't it obvious!"

Li Xian glared at them. "In this tiny Anlu County now, is there any post that can accommodate a Grandee of Officials?"

Everyone thought it over — indeed, in Anlu County, locals holding the rank of Grand Master could be counted on one hand. If they made Heifu a Township Husbandman or Granary Husbandman, it would be somewhat beneath him, yet the three posts worthy of his rank — Chief Clerk, Prison Clerk, and Left Commandant — were also not vacant.

"Exactly. Rather than put the magistrate in a difficult position, it's better to politely decline first."

That was what Heifu said aloud, but inwardly he disdained Anlu County as too small a pond.

He was a golden-scaled carp — he should be swimming in the vast Cloud Dream Marsh. How could he be content to be a creature trapped in a pool?

Heifu was waiting — waiting for Li You to make good on his promise! The favor he had sent out earlier was about time to yield its first return.

Until then, he would just laze about at home like a salted fish for a few days. After rushing around for over a year, Heifu felt his bones were about to fall apart…

However, after Heifu took his leave of the group and rode off on his horse toward home, his band of followers did not disperse. Instead, Li Xian called them back together, and they whispered among themselves.

"Actually, there is another way to make a post befitting a Grand Master open up in the county."

"What way?" Dongmen Bao, Ji Ying, and the others immediately pricked up their ears.

"Very simple."

Li Xian said darkly, "Get the Left Commandant impeached and dismissed!"

PS: You people, even naming the protagonist you mess around like this — coming up with all sorts of Jiang and Mao nonsense. Are you trying to get this book banned? As expected, you're unreliable; I'd better take my time and think of one myself. I have a dinner engagement tonight, so the update will be an hour or two later than usual.

(End of chapter)