Chapter 317: The Prefecture Has No Silver

"With that shoulder wound, how are you supposed to run errands, how are you supposed to execute criminals? Can you even stay in the yamen anymore?" He Cuihua said, unwilling to concede.

Zhao Jin smiled. Zhao Zhentang's face also broke into a grin, a rather smug one at that, and he said leisurely, "Who in the yamen would dare make me unable to stay? I'm Xiao Jin's old man!"

His tone was brimming with pride. Zhao Jin couldn't help but laugh out loud. He Cuihua paused, then caught on, and couldn't resist scolding with a laugh, "I don't know what you're so pleased about."

"With such a fine son, of course his old man is pleased." Zhao Zhentang said with a laugh.

The whole family was laughing. Zhao Jin felt both happy and moved. He could sense his parents' intent — they were worried for his safety, but knew they couldn't interfere with his actions, so they could only help as much as possible, and they had to make sure he didn't feel their worry, lest he be held back.

The atmosphere in the room was relaxed and joyful. Zhao Jin didn't want to bring anything out into the open; he simply immersed himself in it and enjoyed it. But such an atmosphere didn't last long. Footsteps sounded in the courtyard, and then someone outside the door said loudly, "Master Jin, Commander Zhou has already sent someone back to the city to report, saying he'll return before nightfall."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhentang let out a scoff and said disdainfully, "Nowhere to be seen when the bandits came, but now that the bandits are gone, he's coming back."

This Commander Zhou had, in all likelihood, been lured away from the city. After he left, such an incident occurred in Xuzhou City, and this commander would have to bear some responsibility for it.

However, Commander Zhou's return was also beneficial to Zhao Jin's side. After all, there were still so many refugees by the Yellow River. If the Zhao Character Battalion and the local militias from various places went to drive them away and exterminate them again, it would take far too much effort. Since the imperial troops were coming back, pacifying unrest and suppressing bandits was their proper duty, so it was just right for them to go do it.

But how to gather up as many of these people as possible after dispersing them, rather than slaughtering them all — that still required some thought.

Watching Zhao Jin sink into contemplation, Zhao Zhentang shot He Cuihua a look. One of them went back to their room, the other cleared away the bowls and chopsticks, knowing their child was busy with serious matters, and tried their best not to disturb him.

When they moved, Zhao Jin also stood up to help, only to be scolded by his parents, who said how could a grown man do such petty chores.

Zhao Jin rarely had such idle time and didn't know what to do, so he simply strolled around the courtyard. The Zhao household was small and didn't have much to keep busy with. Zhao San and his wife, plus the Meng siblings, were more than enough; the work was all very light. As the Meng siblings busied themselves, they began chatting and laughing.

It was a rare reunion for the family. Once things were tidied up over there, Zhao Zhentang and He Cuihua called Zhao Jin over, wanting to talk together. Unexpectedly, just as the family of three sat down, someone else arrived.

"... Clerk Liu of the Revenue Office and Secretary Ye request an audience..."

When outside guests came, the womenfolk had to withdraw for the time being. Zhao Zhentang and Zhao Jin, father and son, exchanged a glance, not knowing whom the visitors were actually here to see.

Before long, Clerk Liu and Secretary Ye were led into the room by Zhao San. Zhao Zhentang stood at the door to greet them. According to the tacit rules and hierarchy within the yamen, Clerk Liu of the Revenue Office held a position far higher than Zhao Zhentang. But with the connection of Zhao Jin in the mix, things were naturally different. Zhao Jin, as a junior, had to follow behind his father.

"Old Zhao, is that wound of yours nothing serious? You must rest well." As soon as he entered, Clerk Liu asked with concern.

Everyone knew this wasn't the real subject. Secretary Ye was considered Zhao Jin's subordinate, but Clerk Liu's relationship with the Zhao family was quite ordinary.

"Old Zhao, you and I have known each other in the yamen for over a decade. Let's speak according to our own friendship, not the formalities of society. I'll presume to call your son Xiao Jin." Clerk Liu spoke again.

The phrasing was awkward, but it was clear that Clerk Liu was explaining himself to Zhao Jin. By now, the Zhao father and son also knew that Clerk Liu had come looking for Zhao Jin.

A troubled expression appeared on Clerk Liu's face. He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Yesterday, Xuzhou City teetered on the very edge of life and death, nearly overrun by the bandits. Had Xiao Jin not led men here in righteous aid, who knows what state our Xuzhou would be in now."

Zhao father and son exchanged a glance, neither making a sound. The other party surely had more to say.

"Xuzhou City was saved by you. You led several thousand men from the surrounding villages and townships. The provisions for men and horses, the funeral and compensation costs — money is needed everywhere. By rights, the authorities should reimburse this..." At this point, Clerk Liu was already stammering somewhat.

Secretary Ye at the side cleared his throat and picked up the thread: "Old Master, Master Jin, the Prefect says that disaster relief and compensation throughout the Xuzhou region require silver everywhere, and that the expenses of the various local militias and volunteer forces should be borne by each locality themselves. The yamen will not provide reimbursement!"

Hearing this, Zhao Jin's expression immediately changed. This Prefect Tong Huaizu really was burning the bridge after crossing the river, to actually utter such shameless words.

"... Prefect Tong also said that these militias, playing with spears and staves, are all local ruffians and criminals, the very source of chaos in Xuzhou. If they are not disbanded, they must be plotting something..." Secretary Ye spoke eloquently. Clerk Liu's face at the side had already changed color.

"Xiao Ye, say no more." Clerk Liu, watching Zhao Jin's expression all the while, hastily cut off Secretary Ye's words.

Zhao Zhentang gave a few cold, dark chuckles but said nothing. Zhao Jin's face was impassive, betraying neither joy nor anger. Yet Clerk Liu grew increasingly fearful and hurriedly explained, "Xiao Jin, Old Zhao, this matter has nothing whatsoever to do with me. The accountant from your distillery came with the bill to submit for reimbursement. Such a large sum of silver — the Revenue Office couldn't make the decision, so we went to ask Prefect Tong's opinion. He then spoke those words. I hurried over immediately to report this."

Clerk Liu was now trying to extricate himself completely, and his words held no restraint whatsoever: "Old Zhao, don't you know what kind of man Prefect Tong is? He puts on the airs of a moral scholar, but ever since he was retained in office, he's valued silver more than heaven itself, just thinking about finishing this term and going home to retire. For this aftermath and compensation, the authorities actually wouldn't have to pay much. The wealthy households inside and outside the city splitting it evenly would nearly cover it. But the portion for the village braves and militias would definitely have to come from the yamen. If it comes out of official funds, his own take would certainly be less — of course he's unwilling."

At this point, Clerk Liu was practically ready to beat his own chest: "My family has served in the yamen for generations; we are old, established residents of Xuzhou. Xiao Jin, you led men and saved Xuzhou — I am grateful. The Revenue Office here will not conceal a single thing. If we can give more, we absolutely will not give less. But this reimbursement is roughly over eight thousand six hundred taels. To move a sum like that without the Prefect's approval would mean bearing enormous responsibility!"

Zhao Zhentang stood up, spat on the ground, and cursed, "A heart of wolf and lungs of dog! When the bandits came, he didn't even dare go up on the city wall, but now he's throwing his weight around. Might as well have let the bandits in, then we'd see if he'd pay up or not. You all talk — I'm going back to rest!"

With that, he went into the inner room. The visitors had come for Zhao Jin in the first place, and Zhao Zhentang didn't want to get involved. Once he left, Clerk Liu saw that Zhao Jin's expression remained as impassive as ever. Sweat poured down even more, and his body began to tremble slightly. At that moment, Secretary Ye at his side stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Master Jin, everything Clerk Liu has said is the truth. The moment the accountant from the distillery arrived, Clerk Liu and the staff below began making preparations. But when the bill was submitted for the seal, the Prefect pulled this stunt."

Only then did Zhao Jin nod. Clerk Liu shot Secretary Ye a look full of gratitude. Secretary Ye continued, "Master Jin, the reason the Prefect dares to be so bold is simply that Commander Zhou is about to return to the city. He thinks he now has backing, and therefore no longer holds you, Master Jin, in any regard."

Clerk Liu, listening at the side, shuddered inwardly, thinking that this Xiao Ye's relationship with Zhao Jin was truly extraordinary, to be able to speak such blunt truths. He must not be slighted in the future.

Zhao Jin was silent for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Clerk Liu, can the yamen produce this silver?"

"It can, it can. Prefect Tong has already reported three years of disasters. The higher authorities have been granting reductions and exemptions on our taxes and grain, but the amount collected by the court has always been based on normal harvest years. The difference coming in and going out is considerable. To be frank with Xiao Jin — ah, Young Master Zhao — based on my many years of handling official business, this sum of silver would most likely be disbursed under the name of 'disaster relief and compensation,' but in reality, it would fall into his own pockets. Truly shameless." Clerk Liu had unconsciously switched his form of address, condemning with righteous indignation.

Zhao Jin smiled but said nothing. Although he wasn't clear on the shady practices and unwritten rules of the yamen's six offices, the Revenue Office was certainly deeply involved in this kind of false reporting and skimming, and the benefits were surely not small.

The reason they had come in such a fluster to clear themselves this time was naturally out of fear that Zhao Jin would blame them. The disbursement and circulation of funds and grain all passed through the hands of the Revenue Office.

"Then many thanks to Clerk Liu for the notification. Keep the reimbursement bill with you. The Prefect's yamen will certainly have to pay out this money and grain — it's only a matter of time. When the time comes, your hard work, Clerk Liu, will be indispensable, and I will also offer my thanks." Zhao Jin nodded and said.

"It's only right, only right. I wouldn't dare, wouldn't dare." Clerk Liu nodded repeatedly, utterly terrified. His back was already soaked with sweat. After Zhao Jin spoke these calm and breezy words, Clerk Liu felt his legs trembling.

When seeing the two out, Secretary Ye lagged behind a couple of steps and said respectfully to Zhao Jin, "Everyone in the Revenue Office is terrified, afraid that you, Master Jin, might hold them responsible. They specially sent Clerk Liu to explain, and also ask for your forbearance, Master Jin. This Prefect Tong is now serving his second term; many things cannot be hidden from him. The Revenue Office also has its difficulties."

A local official served a term of nine years. The officials who came to serve were all scholars, while the clerks and runners handling affairs below were all local men with hereditary posts. The officials studied the Four Books and Five Classics, and the civil exams were eight-legged essays; they were naturally utterly ignorant of practical economic affairs and could only rely on the private secretaries they brought with them. Under such circumstances, the clerks and runners had many opportunities to manipulate and deceive, and in some matters, they simply acted on their own authority.

From unfamiliar to familiar, after an official had served for a few years, he often gained experience. But by then, he was usually about to leave his post. This Prefect Tong, however, had been retained. Over more than a decade, his experience could be considered ample, and many things could no longer be obscured. The six offices naturally had to be more cautious. They dared not offend Zhao Jin, but they also dared not offend their direct superior, the Prefect. Yet tipping off information, declaring their stance, and cursing behind his back were unavoidable.

"Keep a close watch for me. If anything happens, come tell me as soon as possible." Zhao Jin gave this instruction. Secretary Ye hastily agreed.