Chapter 27: The Persistent Gentryman Zhang, the Refreshing Magistrate Tang

Serving as an official in a feudal dynasty allows for the cultivation of a reputation for integrity, but to actually remain incorruptible—to have "clean sleeves"—is utterly impossible.

Reality forces you into a position where you cannot be a truly upright official. Even if you do not seek bribes yourself, you must often turn a blind eye to those who do; otherwise, you will never rise to the upper echelons to influence the nation’s core policies. Furthermore, it is rarely the case that the system produces so many corrupt officials; rather, it is that others are constantly scheming to drag you into the mire. If you refuse to wallow in it with them, you are marked as an outsider and will inevitably be targeted.

However, in Fan Jin’s view, officials as a species can never be simply categorized by corruption versus poverty, or loyalty versus treachery. Fan Jin had long since witnessed the countless shades of darkness, and in his own approach to employing others, he was never one to be constrained by convention: whoever could produce results for him was fit to take the stage. Besides, for the common people, does it really matter whether an official is corrupt or not?

Fan Jin was deeply impressed by the dialogue between He Shen and Ji Xiaolan in the television series *The Eloquent Ji Xiaolan*, and he particularly admired He Shen’s philosophy of governance.

"Whether an essay is good or bad, whether a book is subversive—who is it that truly decides? Is it you, Ji Xiaolan? Think about it: you’ve been an official for so many years, yet you constantly provoke the Emperor’s displeasure and have rarely had the chance to be promoted. Do you know where the problem lies? Your problem is that you are always being too clever for your own good!"

"...If you believe you are smarter than the Emperor, that your vision is broader, your insight sharper, your discernment clearer, and your judgment more brilliant than his—can you still call that being smart? That is being 'too clever by half'!"

"What do these commoners know of great principles? As long as the person being executed has a higher status and greater wealth than them, they feel a secret joy in their hearts! If the Emperor executes Auntie Wang today, the people of Hangzhou will cheer; if the Emperor executes Magistrate Ji tomorrow, the people of Hangzhou will cheer just the same."

"Some people are like a windbreak wall. When the gale blows, they stand in front to take the brunt of it. You and I? We hide behind them. The ones getting battered by the wind and rain are them, while the ones climbing the ranks and amassing wealth are you and me. Why not enjoy the benefits?"

Yan Gongsheng spoke cautiously, "Actually, consider the approach taken by Magistrate Tang. Gaoyao County’s annual tax revenue is no more than eight thousand taels of gold, yet under the tenure of the previous magistrate, Pan, the actual collection was at least ten thousand taels of gold every year."

Fan Jin and the others were filled with envy. Truly, the ancients did not deceive: within the pages of books, there are indeed houses of gold, beauties, and bushels of grain! Once one becomes an official, the amount of silver passing through one's hands each year is staggering—how could one not become wealthy? Compared to holding office, what are the lives of wealthy merchants? Always rushing about, living on the edge, how much silver can they really earn at the end of the year? Not to mention that the Ming dynasty’s culture of "slaughtering pigs"—fleecing the wealthy—was long-standing; the so-called "Eight Great Locust Merchants" of the late Ming were merely rare exceptions.

As the group discussed these private matters, they lowered their voices and posted guards outside, fearing that walls might have ears. Before long, a disheveled servant boy walked in barefoot and said to Yan Gongsheng, "Master, the manor requests your return."

Yan Gongsheng first scolded him for his lack of decorum, then barked, "I am in the middle of a discussion with these gentlemen! Why should I go back?"

This was, after all, the residence of Magistrate Tang’s honored guests. To host such guests on the Magistrate's behalf was a matter of great prestige!

The servant hesitated. "The pig that was impounded this morning—the owner has come to claim it, and he is making a scene at the house."

Yan Gongsheng was startled, then impatiently replied, "If he wants the pig, let him bring the money!"

The servant repeated, "He says the pig is his." Having said this, he stood to the side, silent.

Yan Gongsheng waved his hand in irritation. "I know. You go first; I will come when I am finished."

Fan Jin and the others were bewildered, but since it was a private matter at their host's home, they did not press for details. They said, "Since there is a matter at your manor, Master Yan, home must take priority."

Yan Gongsheng explained, "You gentlemen do not know, that pig originally belonged to my family..."

He had barely finished his sentence when they heard the sound of gongs and drums. Fan Jin and the others stood up at once, saying, "Magistrate Tang has returned to his yamen."

It was already the hour of the boar (9:00 PM to 11:00 PM). After taking their leave of Yan Gongsheng, Fan Jin and his companions straightened their attire, had their steward present their calling cards, and sent them into the yamen.

Magistrate Tang was sipping tea, sitting comfortably in the main hall, when he saw a servant approaching with the cards. He took them and saw one inscribed with "Junior Nephew Zhang Jingzhai" and the other with "Disciple Fan Jin." He frowned subconsciously. He naturally knew Zhang Jingzhai—a man adept at currying favor and constantly showing up to fish for benefits. Give him an inch, and he takes a mile; give him a flood, and he overflows. This man had skin as thick as a mustard plaster; you couldn't drive him away, and he was thoroughly annoying.

Magistrate Tang originally did not want to see him and intended to find an excuse to dismiss him, but he realized that Zhang Jingzhai was accompanying his newly acquired disciple to pay respects, and it would be improper to turn them away. With a sigh, he suppressed his displeasure and ordered the servants to show them in. Fan Jin, however, was unaware that his assumed close relationship between Squire Zhang and Magistrate Tang was actually so flimsy that he had nearly been prevented from even entering the yamen because of Zhang’s presence.

On reflection, it made sense. For someone like Fan Jin, with whom there had never been any prior association, Squire Zhang had still managed to shamelessly show up after Fan Jin passed the examinations, prattling on about "bonds of old friendship" and "brothers of different parents." This gave a clear indication of the true nature of his "Uncle Tang." It was likely a relationship limited to mere acquaintance. It was much like those villagers who love to boast of knowing some big shot to gain face and flattery among their neighbors, subtly elevating their own status.

Fan Jin and the others waited outside for a while before an yamen runner led them through a winding path directly to the rear courtyard. Upon entering the main hall, Zhang Jingzhai immediately stepped ahead of Fan Jin, bowing respectfully to Magistrate Tang and addressing him as "Uncle."

Magistrate Tang did not return the warmth, merely emitting a grunt through his nose. Zhang Jingzhai was not offended; he simply found a seat and settled in with the air of a host. Magistrate Tang raised his eyebrows. He had seen shameless people before, but never anyone more shameless than Squire Zhang.

Fan Jin, unaware of this dynamic, stepped forward respectfully and performed the rites due to a teacher. Magistrate Tang was noticeably warmer toward Fan Jin, pulling him to a seat of honor to converse, clearly holding a very favorable impression of him.

Fan Jin felt a weight lift from his heart. It was true, as rumored, that Magistrate Tang was kind, approachable, and highly regarded. Every gesture he made was like that of a venerable elder, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze, subconsciously inviting trust. Being in his company was never dull; his manner was consistently warm, natural, and intimate.