Chapter 99: Promotion

Chen Zhe had not expected that he would be received not only by the county magistrate, but also by a high-ranking official from the capital. He hurriedly knelt down and paid his respects with utmost deference. “Greetings to both your Excellencies.”

“Chen Zhe, Yang, the head of the dam, claims you have rendered great service,” the magistrate said. “You acquired all the materials for the dam at the lowest prices, saving the court a substantial sum.”

Chen Zhe replied with delight, “It was only my duty, my lord.”

“You clearly have ability, and merits should be rewarded. Here is what I propose: once the accounts are brought and verified, should your claims prove true, you shall be promoted to the position of dam head.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

Just as he finished, the officers brought over the ledgers. Chen Zhe’s eyes sparkled with excitement. He was about to become dam head. Though his current minor post already gave him some authority, the new position would be even more impressive—he would be in charge of hundreds.

The magistrate opened the accounts and his expression soured. “This doesn’t match the prices you listed.”

Chen Zhe quickly responded, “My lord, every single entry is authentic. There isn’t a shred of falsification.”

“No falsification?” The magistrate let out a cold laugh. “Then what is this?”

An officer handed Chen Zhe a slip that the magistrate passed over. One glance at the familiar paper and Chen Zhe understood—this was a report filed by Song Ruizhe, that damned scoundrel.

“My lord, I only wished to test Song Ruizhe, to nurture his ability to shoulder responsibility. Truly, it didn’t matter if he failed; I would never make things difficult for him.”

“You wouldn’t make things difficult? I find it more likely you’ve embezzled official funds,” Lord Wen said coolly. “The prices you set are quite reasonable—not at all excessive.”

“My lord, that can’t be! No one would sell at such prices,” Chen Zhe argued. “I swear, I did not embezzle a single coin. The figures in the accounts are genuine.”

“Song Ruizhe, you speak,” Lord Wen turned to the young man who had remained silent until now.

Chen Zhe, focused on the two high officials since entering and kneeling, had not noticed Song Ruizhe was present. Had he seen him sooner, he might have reacted differently.

“My lord, I, too, believe Steward Chen has embezzled official funds,” Song Ruizhe said. “The prices he listed were fair enough; I’ve already purchased everything at those rates.”

“Impossible! Who would be so foolish as to sell to you for such prices? I admit I made things hard for you, but you can’t simply lie in broad daylight.”

“Guards, search Chen Zhe’s quarters and see if he’s embezzled any government silver!” the magistrate thundered.

Chen Zhe’s face turned ashen. He wasn’t a fool—anyone with control over procurement and spending could easily pocket a little on the side. He wasn’t the only one; his uncle had done so as well. The accounts were false—every last entry—but even so, they had never dared to purchase goods at such low prices. No matter how bold they were, they wouldn’t risk such blatant theft.

Before long, the officers returned from searching Chen Zhe’s quarters, carrying a trove of gold ornaments. From their appearance, it was clear these were meant as gifts for some favored companion. For someone of such a minor post to afford so much gold, only a child could believe he was innocent.

“My lord, Chen Zhe’s uncle is also a dam head,” Song Ruizhe remarked. “The two are as close as father and son.”

“Go, search Dam Head Chen’s quarters as well,” the magistrate ordered.

After a while, the officers returned with the elder Chen in tow. He collapsed to his knees before the two officials, sobbing miserably.

“I have betrayed your Excellencies’ trust by assigning such an important duty to this unreliable nephew. I deserve to die!”

The officers shook their heads at the officials, indicating nothing incriminating was found in the uncle’s rooms.

Song Ruizhe glanced at Yang, the other dam head, who looked as if he had anticipated all this. If the elder Chen were so easily dealt with, he would not have been such a formidable rival. Still, to have removed Chen Zhe was to pull out a stubborn thorn.

“Dam Head Chen, your nephew is truly audacious, daring to embezzle funds set aside for the dam. I must sentence him as the law requires. You have no objections?” the magistrate asked.

“My lord, I dare not object. The punishment is his to bear,” the elder Chen replied.

“By statute, Chen Zhe will be assessed for the amount of silver embezzled, and punished accordingly,” the magistrate pronounced. “The responsibility for procurement now falls to Song Ruizhe. You may select five men to assist you.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Song Ruizhe bowed.

“Dam Head Chen, though you are not implicated in the embezzlement, as his uncle and sponsor, you share responsibility. You must relinquish your post and work alongside the others.”

“Yes,” the elder Chen replied, head bowed, his voice heavy.

Yang, the other dam head, allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. It seemed he had won this round after all. However cunning the elder Chen might be, so long as he had a foolish nephew, that weakness would always threaten him.

“Yang, Song Ruizhe’s ideas are excellent. Assist him in completing this task,” Lord Wen instructed. “Song Ruizhe, for one so young, your sharp mind is truly impressive. The younger generation is to be feared. I am confident our dam will stand as a worthy report to those above.”

“I will do my utmost to serve, my lord. I will not disappoint you,” Song Ruizhe replied.

Chen Zhe was led away, casting a venomous glare at Song Ruizhe as he went. The elder Chen, stripped of his office, looked utterly defeated, like a rooster bested in a cockfight.

The two officials took the opportunity to inspect the dam’s progress. Yang led them around the site, occasionally calling on a worker or two to report on their daily tasks.

“With Yang overseeing things, I am most at ease,” the magistrate remarked. “This time, your vigilance exposed Chen Zhe’s embezzlement before it did further harm.”

“I did little, my lord. All credit belongs to Song Ruizhe for reporting it.”

“If you had not won his trust, would he have brought such an important matter to you and not another dam head?” the magistrate replied with a smile.

Yang quickly protested his unworthiness, then spoke in passing of how he had once punished Song Ruizhe, only to later realize the young man’s temperament was simply forthright. By saying this, he wanted the officials to understand that his rapport with Song Ruizhe was not favoritism; originally, they had not gotten along. Song Ruizhe had chosen to report to him only because he recognized Yang’s integrity and fairness, knowing he would not shield Chen Zhe.

In the world of officials, everyone was a fox, but the old foxes of the bureaucracy were all the more cunning. The slightest misstep could arouse suspicion. Yang watched their reactions with care, only relaxing once he was sure their doubts had been laid to rest.

He understood that while his old rival was now deposed, he himself would need to perform real deeds to fully earn the officials’ trust.