The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

After a busy day, the handover of these places was completed.

All that was missing was the signatures and seals from the two previous and current county magistrates.

Zhang Pingan found an excuse to refuse temporarily, since it was still a long way from the appointed time.

County Magistrate Lu was visibly anxious upon hearing this and urged, "Master Zhang, this isn't good. Without our signatures, these warehouses will have to be temporarily sealed and can no longer be used normally. With the opening of the sea approaching, I'm afraid this will affect the lives of the people in the city!"

"It's only been three or five days, what's the harm?" Zhang Pingan said slowly, but his brows were full of determination.

Seeing Zhang Ping'an's resolute attitude, County Magistrate Lu knew that it was impossible to end it today.

So he took a step back and said, "Alright, then let's wait three to five days!"

After returning to the county government office, officials including the county magistrate all urged them to go to the restaurant for dinner, but Magistrate Lu and Zhang Ping'an politely declined.

After everyone had left, County Magistrate Lu put down his teacup and sighed, "Master Zhang, feel free to speak your mind. Although there's a generational difference between you and me in age, it's fate that we serve in the same court. I just want to settle this handover peacefully!"

"I wonder what County Magistrate Lu thinks about the loss of hidden farmland and tax silver. This is a huge deficit." Zhang Ping'an decided to play the straight ball. After all, there is no way to avoid it. It's more than half of the deficit, and no one can cover it up.

County Magistrate Lu smiled and was not panicked.

The two of them drank tea in silence.

After a long while, Magistrate Lu finally said, "This matter has nothing to do with me. Anyway, I followed the normal handover procedures. I won't sign anything that is unclear. I can say with a clear conscience that the accounts that passed through my hands are fine!"

"In other words, you didn't sign the original handover form?" Zhang Pingan asked.

"Some signed, some didn't," County Magistrate Lu said calmly. "It's all a mess up. I don't expect to become rich, but at least I can't take the blame for others. I understand this principle of life."

"How did you take office without complete procedures?" Zhang Ping'an frowned.

"Haha, I don't know either," Magistrate Lu said with a smile, "The person in front must be very capable!"

He sighed and said, "I was ready to resign at that time, but I didn't expect it to pass without signing."

"What about the loss of government assets?"

"I'm not in charge of that area, and I've never signed anything. I know that County Magistrate Lu hasn't followed the rules in many things, but since he has the ability and I don't have to take the responsibility, I'll just turn a blind eye," said County Magistrate Lu.

After saying that, he asked, "Isn't this also wrong?"

Zhang Pingan looked straight over and said, "Isn't this a crime of dereliction of duty?"

Magistrate Lu spread his hands and said, "You should understand that once you leave this door, I won't admit any of these words."

After saying that, he stood up and said, "It's up to you whether to sign or not. You don't have to stare at me. Every wrong has its perpetrator. You know who is the biggest cancer in Ci County."

Then he patted his butt and walked away with a relaxed look.

He seems to be in a good mood!

After County Magistrate Lu left, Green Bean Eyes hurried in to inquire, "What did the old man say?"

"He is as slippery as a loach. The fact that he has been able to endure these years in Ci County should not be underestimated," Zhang Pingan concluded.

"Are you still going to keep an eye on the warehouse?" Hua Wanli asked.

"Keep an eye on it!" Zhang Ping'an said firmly, "There's definitely something wrong with the warehouse. I suspect they're dealing with large customers to cover the shortfall. But with such a large sum of money, no one would feel safe. It's impossible to keep it that way for too long. We'll just keep an eye on it. Something will show up eventually!"

"Yes, I agree with this. There are many shopkeepers under my family who are disloyal. Shortages like this are very common. Turnover can only be done temporarily and cannot be concealed for long," said Green Eyes thoughtfully with his arms folded across his chest.

"How's the thing I asked you to do going?" Zhang Ping'an changed the subject.

"The fish has been hooked, and we're just waiting to catch it in the jar. Just wait and see," said Green Eyes with a smile.

"Damn it, you can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a child. This time I've really spent a lot of money," Zhang Pingan said with a smile.

"Hahaha, this is the first time I hear you swear. It seems like you have to get rid of this guy," Green Eyes teased.

A few of them found a secluded place outside to eat, drank a few glasses of wine, discussed things, and then returned to the inn.

A few days passed without any excitement or boredom, and all the parties remained calm.

Anyone could feel that the atmosphere in the county government office was very depressing. The runners and servants did things very cautiously, for fear of bringing bad luck upon themselves.

That night, there was finally movement.

As a close attendant, Chi Bao was known to everyone in the county government.

Therefore, the surveillance work was carried out by Gousheng and his men in turns.

Zhang Ping'an had just fallen asleep and finished his meal when he came to knock on the door. The voice sounded quite urgent, so without any hesitation, Zhang Ping'an immediately put on his clothes and got up.

"Is there any movement?"

"Yes, sir, someone really went to the warehouse to move things. As soon as Gousheng found out, he immediately sent someone back to inform me," Chibao said excitedly.

Green Bean Eyes and Hua Wanli also yawned at this time.

"Should we go over now, or what?" Chi Bao couldn't contain his excitement. This was clear evidence of his guilt!

Zhang Pingan made a prompt decision: "Go, go now!"

Several people changed into dark clothes and went out through the back door.

After quietly arriving at the place where they were waiting, Gousheng pointed ahead and said, "Sir, they are still transporting!"

I saw a dim torch lit at the back door of the warehouse in front, and a group of people were transporting sacks loaded on their carts. The four hooves of the mules were wrapped with coarse cloth.

Chibao cursed angrily, "How much have these bastards taken? They're not going to empty the entire warehouse, are they?"

Gousheng was much calmer and more composed. He turned around and asked, "Are we going there now?"

Upon hearing this, the group of people following behind him tightened their grip on their swords. As long as Zhang Ping'an gave the order, they could rush out.

Zhang Pingan looked ahead and was about to give an order when he suddenly realized something seemed wrong. He couldn't help but frowned, "Something doesn't seem right!"

"What's wrong?" Chi Bao asked hurriedly.

"No, the depth of the mule cart's ruts is wrong." The more Zhang Ping'an looked, the more convinced he became that the other party was fishing, giving him a feint. Damn, so cunning.

Hua Wanli was a clever man. Upon hearing this, he looked carefully at the wheel tracks and calculated, "A sack of government grain is one dan of grain. There are ten sacks on each cart, which means ten dan. It looks bulging, but the wheel tracks are only shallow. The mules don't look tired pulling it. This is definitely not right!"

"Haha, you put so much thought into it, and you dare to say it's no problem? I'll twist my head off and use it as a stool," said Green Eyes.

"It seems that some people can't sit still anymore, let's just wait," Zhang Pingan was no longer in a hurry.

He ordered: "Keep an eye on where these cars are being shipped to!"