Chapter 590: Checking the Accounts

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

County Magistrate Wang took a carriage to a high-walled courtyard on North Street. When he reached the entrance of the courtyard, the doorman welcomed him in politely.

Then, a slightly plump middle-aged man came over with a smile and welcomed him into the courtyard.

“Lord Wang, didn’t you say that the new county magistrate has arrived? Why are you still free to come over today?”

County Magistrate Wang sighed and shook his head. “Manager Huang, is Mr. Cheng here?”

Steward Huang smiled. “Yes, he just came back yesterday.”

Steward Huang brought him into the main courtyard.

When County Governor Wang saw the thin man standing under the eaves of the corridor playing with birds, he went forward and bowed. “Mr. Cheng, Lord Li arrived in Le County at dusk yesterday. This morning, he exchanged seals with County Magistrate Liu and suggested that he wanted to check the warehouse before handing it over.”

Mr. Cheng turned to look at him and teased the thrush bird. He said casually, “Didn’t I help you level those accounts long ago? What are you worried about?”

County Magistrate Wang blushed and rubbed his hands uneasily. “Mr. Cheng, some accounts are too different from the actual number. They really can’t be leveled! I think they’re even better at checking accounts than the accountant you sent. I’m worried!”

Mr. Cheng looked confident. “What are you worried about? Those nerds are only focused on studying and taking the imperial examination. Unless they learn from the accountant for three to five years, they won’t be able to understand the trick in the accounts. Do you think it’s that easy?

County Magistrate Wang felt that it was not as Mr. Cheng had said. He stammered, “Mr. Cheng, it’s not that I’m timid. I saw with my own eyes how they checked the accounts. They’re really better than the accountant you sent. Also, can you get someone to send the food you borrowed back to the warehouse in the next two days? I think they will be going to the warehouse to check. ”

After saying that, County Magistrate Wang looked at Mr. Cheng pitifully.

Mr. Cheng looked at him unhappily. “Now is not the time to return the food. Where can I find so many supplies for you all at once? Go back and stall them first. If it really doesn’t work, burn those accounts and be done with it.”

County Magistrate Wang looked at Mr. Cheng in surprise. He thought for a moment and felt that this was a good idea.

“That’s a good idea, but you’ll have to send someone to do it.”

Mr. Cheng nodded without hesitation. “Alright, go back first. I’ll send someone.”

County Magistrate Wang was relieved and bowed to him. “Thank you, sir. I’ll go back.”

“Go!” Mr. Cheng waved his hand and watched County Magistrate Wang leave. He turned around and walked toward the study.

A tall man with a faint scar on his face and a gloomy aura stood in front of a row of bookcases and flipped through a book.

Mr. Cheng bowed to him and said, “Second Master, County Magistrate Wang came just now. He said…’

Second Master put down the book and twirled the thumb ring on his thumb. He looked at him and said indifferently, ‘We’ll do as you say. Burn those accounts and burn down the warehouse. It’s best to create a fire. When County

Magistrate Liu leaves Le County, find a hidden place and deal with them.”

Mr. Cheng glanced at him. “Yes, Second Master. Do you mean the two people guarding the warehouse…”

Second Master glanced at him, but his words were cold. “If we don’t get rid of them, won’t we be found out? Also, why hasn’t there been any news from the capital these days? Get someone to investigate if something happened?” “Yes, I’ll go now.” Mr. Cheng bowed and left.

After obtaining a solution to the problem, County Magistrate Wang no longer paid attention to Li Qing and the others checking the accounts. He dawdled in the detention room to the lower office and slowly left the county office. County Magistrate Liu returned to the inn. When Advisor Liu returned, he looked at him and said, “Uncle, it seems that this Lord Li will only hand over to me after checking the accounts. What do you think we should do?”

Advisor Liu looked around, closed the door, and helped County Magistrate Liu sit down. He said softly, “Don’t worry, I think Wang Zhi is like a cat on a hot tin roof. We just have to bide our time. Wang Zhi will naturally take action to settle it.”

County Magistrate Liu shook his head uneasily. “I don’t feel at ease. I keep feeling that the person behind Wang Zhi won’t let us leave easily.”

Advisor Liu looked at the extremely weak County Magistrate Liu and sighed. “Sigh! If we had known earlier, I wouldn’t have let you become an official. Isn’t it good to be a High Scholar at home? You came all the way here and got involved in a mess. You even had to drug yourself to avert trouble.”

“Uncle, fortunately, Li Niang and Auntie have already left Le County with the children. If anything happens to us, sigh!” County Magistrate Liu sighed. “It’s all my fault for being weak-willed and bewitched by that dog Wang Zhi!”

Advisor Liu patted him and comforted him. “Think about it. We have no one in the court and no foundation. It is more important to preserve our lives.” County Magistrate Liu nodded. “You’re right. Let’s leave this place first.”

Li Qing and the others checked the accounts until it was dark. The three of them felt that their minds were filled with numbers. They also had a preliminary understanding of the situation in Le County. Looking at the records in the account book, Li Qing had a headache. He felt that it was really not that easy to be an official here. On second thought, he felt that no matter how difficult it was, it would not be as difficult as what Zhou Jia went through in Qingchuan.

Ah Lei held a book and said to Li Qing, “Master, look, other than the official and civilian land taxes, there’s also the volunteer warehouse tax. There are many kinds of farming equipment taxes, silkworm salt money, crooked money, and municipal money. Can the people still survive?

“And here. It’s only been a month, but they used 20 to 30 taels of silver to buy so much ink and paper. Are they buying them to eat? It’s more like using such a small bill to deceive those second-generation rich people who don’t know their stuff.”

Li Qing said with a dark expression, “After His Majesty ascended the throne, he ordered the abolition of all miscellaneous sects and additional taxes. Could it be that the officials of Le County don’t know about this decree? Also, look here. Just last year, Le County opened more than 600 wastelands. A county city with more than 2,000 households can actually open so many wastelands. It’s really ludicrous!”

“What’s so strange about that? The money allocated by the Imperial Court to encourage the wasteland reclamation has all fallen into their pockets,” Lin Su said, looking up from a stack of bills. “Lord, from the warehouse accounts, the amount of food in Le County is quite normal. However, I think we can only verify it after going to the warehouse to check.”

At this moment, Liang Cheng knocked on the door. “Master, Madam invites you back to the back office for dinner before coming back.”

“Coming.” Ah Lei opened the door. “Uncle Liang, I’ve been hungry for a long time.”

Liang Cheng patted him and smiled. “Eat a few more bowls when you’re hungry. There’s something delicious prepared on the stove.”

Li Qing rubbed his sore neck and said to Lin Su, “Mr. Lin, let’s go back and eat before investigating.”

“Alright.” Lin Su closed the bill in his hand and blew out the oil lamp. He closed the door and walked out..