Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

I watched as Luo Bingyi, the head of the Fifth Division, left the Plum Blossom Bureau.

Zhou Qingfeng smiled, seemingly lost in thought.

What a coincidence! He had just taken office and was in charge of the Fifth Division, Plum Blossom Division, when he immediately asked for leave to see a doctor?

If it doesn't work the day before or the day after, will it kill you if you delay even one day?

It looks like they're targeting me directly, without any attempt to hide it.

If you call someone stupid, how did an idiot become the head of the fifth department? Does he have some powerful connections?

However, even with powerful connections, one needs corresponding wisdom and ability to secure a high-ranking and influential core management position like the head of the Fifth Division, let alone the top position.

So, to put it another way, someone without ability and wisdom wouldn't be in the position of head of the fifth department. If someone has both ability and wisdom, why would they so obviously adopt a non-violent, non-cooperative stance when they first took office?

Doesn't he know the consequences of offending a current superior in charge of the Fifth Division?

He clearly knew that, but he still did it anyway.

With many questions remaining, Zhou Qingfeng decided not to delve into them for the time being, and even less to act rashly.

Since I was new here and knew nothing, the most important thing right now was to quickly familiarize myself with the daily work of the Fifth Division and gain a thorough understanding of the officials and staff of the Fifth Division.

Only in this way can one be well-informed, act with moderation, and control the situation.

The Fifth Division of the Censorate, the Plum Blossom Division, is a high-level core institution of power.

This is not a place for some Tom, Dick, or Harry.

Some of these officials and clerks may have powerful backers standing behind them, or be relying on the influence of some influential figure.

If you really mess things up, rush to eliminate dissidents, install your own people, establish new rules and your own leadership authority, and arbitrarily make mistakes to establish your power, you will only inexplicably narrow your own path.

There's a risk of being brought down if one's guard is not careful.

Zhou Qingfeng looked at the minor clerk and asked with a smile, "What's your name?"

The minor official respectfully clasped his hands in greeting: "Reporting to Commander Zhou, my name is Ma Shun."

Zhou Qingfeng raised an eyebrow: "Ma Fushuai's men?"

Ma Shun shook his head repeatedly and said, "This humble servant just happens to have the surname Ma; it has nothing to do with Commander Ma."

Zhou Qingfeng said "Oh," with some doubt: "Ma Shun, take me on a tour and tell me about the staffing of the Fifth Division, their daily work, and what their main business is currently."

Upon hearing this, Ma Shun bowed and led the way, taking Zhou Qingfeng on a tour of the entire Plum Blossom Company, introducing the departments and introducing each staff member to Zhou Qingfeng, sensibly omitting the word "deputy".

"Commander, there are a total of 120 registered officials in our five Plum Blossom Divisions."

"One person is in charge of the affairs of the entire department. He is ranked in the realm of appetite and receives a monthly salary of 40,000 coins."

"Two deputy supervisors, responsible for assisting the supervisor in managing the affairs, are ranked in the Food and Poison Zone, with a monthly salary of 30,000 coins."

"Four people are in charge of specific affairs and daily work. They are ranked in the Poisonous Food Realm and receive a monthly salary of 20,000 coins."

"There are eight deputy chiefs who are responsible for assisting the chief in handling daily affairs. They are ranked in the Food Demon Realm and receive a monthly salary of ten thousand coins."

"Fourteen clerks, responsible for clerical work, ranked in the Food God Realm, with a monthly salary of seven thousand coins."

"There are 28 clerks responsible for recording and keeping the archives. They are cultivators at the Food Fiend Realm and receive a monthly stipend of 6,000 coins."

"In addition to receiving a basic monthly salary, we officials can also receive various allowances based on our official rank."

"These allowances include robes, tea and wine, charcoal and salt, meat and rice specifically for monks, official expenses for official business, additional cash allowances related to the position, and also provide ordinary clothes and food for attendants."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng casually asked, "Besides the fifty-seven officials on the register, what about the others?"

Ma Shun respectfully replied: "The others are all Plum Blossom Guards from our Fifth Division who are specially assigned to field duties. There are four teams of Plum Blossom Guards from the Food Demon Realm, with 12 people in each team. They are neither officials nor clerks, but rather unofficial personnel who receive salaries according to their positions."

"However, the unofficial Plum Blossom Guards will have a comprehensive assessment at the end of each year. As long as they pass the assessment, they can be honorably promoted to a clerk and enjoy the monthly salary and benefits of an official."

Zhou Qingfeng nodded slightly, already having a basic understanding of the Fifth Division, and said, "Ma Dianbo, what are the main businesses that our Fifth Division is responsible for? What businesses are currently underway?"

Ma Shun led Zhou Qingfeng on a tour of the Plum Blossom Division, replying as they walked: "Commander, our Fifth Division of the Plum Blossom Division mainly investigates major and important cases. Cases that are not major or important are generally transferred to the Night Patrol Division for handling."

"These major cases can be mainly divided into four categories."

“One type of case is particularly heinous, such as major serial murders, serious corruption by officials, treason, and serious economic crimes. Such cases can cause serious damage to the order and interests of Jianta.”

"Category II cases pose a particularly high threat to the stability of Jianta, for example, cases that have a wide-ranging impact, causing public panic, a crisis of trust, or raising questions about Jianta's laws."

“Three categories involve important figures, and these cases mostly involve officials holding high positions, well-known figures, or other influential people.”

"The fourth category is unsolved cases, some major cases that have not been solved or closed due to various reasons."

After a pause, Ma Shun clasped his hands in a fist and replied, "Currently, our Fifth Division is focusing on a case where an official was murdered in the street."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng clicked his tongue twice. It was indeed easy to make great contributions in the Fifth Division of the Plum Blossom Bureau, but the challenges they also had to face were extraordinary. After all, dealing with thorny issues was something that ordinary people really couldn't handle.

Zhou Qingfeng said, "Ma Dianbo, someone actually dared to kill an official in the street. How arrogant! Has the perpetrator been caught yet?"

Ma Shun bowed his head and said, "Reporting to the Commander, I am not aware of the details."

Zhou Qingfeng nodded calmly on the surface, but he was secretly quite surprised. He had seen stubborn people before, but he had never seen anyone as stubborn as this. Daring to kill an official in the street in the Sword Tower was tantamount to treason. Wasn't he afraid of being killed and his clan wiped out?

He keenly sensed an opportunity to gain credit, and pointed to a separate main hall, asking, "What is this place?"

Ma Shun respectfully said, "Manager Luo is in charge of the Five Plum Blossom Divisions and has his own independent office space. This main hall is where Manager Luo usually handles official business."

Zhou Qingfeng stepped into the main hall. On the wall behind the first desk were the four characters "Shang Shan Ruo Shui" (meaning "The highest virtue is like water"). Tea tables and chairs were placed on both sides. In addition, there was a separate rest room and tea room.

"Not bad, not bad." Zhou Qingfeng walked around, sat back in the head seat, picked up a book, flipped through it, and tossed it onto the table: "I'll use this place for now, and I'll give it to Manager Luo when he returns."

Ma Shunjing stood below, silent, showing no intention of offering any advice. This was a power struggle between Supervisor Luo and Deputy Commander Zhou Qingfeng, and as a mere clerk, getting involved meant certain death.

At this moment, no matter what Zhou Qingfeng does, he will not see or hear it, and he will keep his mouth shut and not say much.

Zhou Qingfeng sat up straight and said, "Ma Dianbo, convey my order that all officials above the rank of principal officer come here for a meeting. I want to talk to them about the case of this official who was killed in the street. Also, notify the two attendants waiting outside the Censorate, one named Jin Wei and the other named Zhiqi, to come here to see me."

P.S.: Happy Dragon Boat Festival! It's the Dragon Boat Festival today, and I only managed to write 2,000 words for this chapter. It's almost midnight, and I estimate I won't have time to update the larger 4,000+ word chapter. I'll just update it for now. Also, a final thank you to the generous donor 'Fisherwoman' for the generous reward. Thank you for your support! (07115111) Sending love!