Chapter Sixty-Seven: A Good Official

Two more days passed before the sky finally cleared. Though it was still cold after the snow, the first sunshine after the storm brought a sense of joy. When Banxia awoke, Gan Sui was nowhere to be seen again.

“What a workaholic. He might as well marry his official duties,” she muttered as she got out of bed. By chance, she felt a movement in her belly. She immediately stopped, placing her hand over it, but the sensation ceased.

“Baby, was that you greeting me just now? Your father is always thinking about work, forgetting all about us.”

Suddenly, the baby moved again.

“Oh, so you’re defending your father now? Very well, for your sake, I won’t hold it against him.”

Stepping outside, Banxia found Anzi reading alone in the courtyard. “Why are you by yourself? Where is Mr. Lu?”

“Mr. Lu went out with my brother-in-law. Hanshui’s leg was injured, so he needs someone by his side. Mr. Lu is with him for now.”

Banxia was reassured, knowing Mr. Lu’s martial skills were formidable, and asked no more.

Gan Sui had gone to Ling County again. With the clear weather, the roads were easy, and he soon arrived at the deep ditch. It had already been filled in. Spotting a farmer by the roadside, Gan Sui asked, “Elder, I remember there used to be a deep ditch here. Why is it filled now?”

“It was just filled yesterday. Some constables supervised us, urging everyone to hurry, saying it was dangerous and people might fall in…” The old man glanced around, lowering his voice. “But I reckon that’s just talk. Probably some high official fell in by accident, so they rushed to have it filled. I even found a silver ingot with a plum blossom design while filling the ditch, but before I could hide it, the constables seized it. Best not to say more.” With that, he hurried off.

Gan Sui looked at the freshly filled ditch and sneered. “That Magistrate Wang is truly foolish in an endearing way. Brother Lu, is everything ready?”

“Rest assured. We’ll make sure the magistrate never forgets this.”

Gan Sui arrived at the county yamen, not in any rush to go inside. The same little runner came out, recognizing him at once. “Sir, you’re here… I… I…”

“There’s no hurry this time. Go in and announce me at your leisure.”

“I wouldn’t dare, sir. I’ll go immediately.”

This time, the magistrate was seated in his office, working. The runner hurried in, “Sir, sir…”

The magistrate had just poured himself a cup of spring tea, nearly dropping it to the floor. “What’s all the fuss?”

“Sir, the prefect is here.”

“What? Why has this plague come again? Where is he?”

“He’s waiting at the main gate.”

Magistrate Wang began to pace in circles, turning to his assistant, “Didn’t you say he’d fallen into the ditch? How is he well so soon? What’s the point of you?”

“Please don’t be angry, sir. I saw him fall myself. I don’t know how… But for now, the important thing is to invite him in. We can’t leave him standing outside.”

“Yes, yes, let’s go, quickly.” Magistrate Wang hurried out. “Sir, you’re here! If only you’d sent word, I’d have met you at the city gate.”

“I wouldn’t dare trouble you, Magistrate Wang. You said you were gravely ill a few days ago. If coming to greet me made your illness worse, I would feel unworthy of your devotion to the people and the country.”

“Well… well…” Magistrate Wang felt sure Gan Sui was mocking him, but couldn’t find a way to retort and was left stammering.

“Enough. I’m not here to reminisce. Let’s first inspect the matters I entrusted to you the other day.”

At this, Magistrate Wang looked relieved. He was a lazy man, but Gan Sui had started everything and all he needed to do was have his subordinates carry on as instructed. So this task was well managed. Smiling, Magistrate Wang led Gan Sui to the street.

Today, the sky was clear. The houses crushed by the snow were being repaired, and the sound of hammers echoed everywhere. The porridge kitchens had not stopped, and not only the government but several merchants and wealthy families had set up porridge tents in response to the call. Though the cotton-padded clothes they bought that day were not enough, many other townsfolk had donated as well. The whole small county was united, facing hardship together in their own way.

Gan Sui finally found something commendable in Magistrate Wang and praised, “You’ve handled this well.”

Magistrate Wang felt ashamed. “It’s all your doing, sir. I did nothing.”

Yet it was precisely this ‘doing nothing’ that was the best thing he could have done. Had he been greedy, he could have taken everything back once Gan Sui left, cutting off the people’s last hope. Magistrate Wang was lazy, but at least had not lost his conscience.

As they spoke, a small child came stumbling over. The constables moved to stop him, but Gan Sui waved them off.

The child, no more than three or four, held a coarse grain bun and ran up to Magistrate Wang. “Sir, this is for you.”

Magistrate Wang was surprised. “For me?”

“My mother said you had people fix our house, buy us clothes, and give out porridge. You saved our whole family. This is the best bun I’ve ever had, and I haven’t taken a bite. It’s for you.”

Magistrate Wang had taken plenty of gold and silver as an official, but nothing had ever felt so heavy in his hands. He was stunned as the child kept his hand outstretched.

“Go on, take it,” said Gan Sui.

“But… sir, it’s your…” It was clearly his doing.

“The child’s arm is getting tired. Don’t disappoint his kind heart.”

“Alright…” Magistrate Wang took the bun and took a bite. It was dry, made of rough grains that scratched his throat, and yet he felt a sudden ache in his heart. “Thank you, child.”

“No need to thank me.”

“Tianbao, Tianbao… where have you gone?”

“Mother, I’m here!” the little boy called out.

“Haven’t I told you not to run off…” His mother came out, saw the officials, and hurriedly knelt. “Sir, the child is ignorant and has disturbed you…”

Magistrate Wang helped her up. “Not at all. He’s very well-behaved.” He took out five taels of silver. “He gave me his favorite food. Take this and buy something nice for the boy.”

“Sir…” The woman was frightened and dared not accept.

“Take it.” Magistrate Wang pressed the silver into the child’s hand and turned away, unable to face the boy’s honest, grateful eyes.

Gan Sui caught up with him, and along the way people kept thanking Magistrate Wang. Some elders even knelt to him, and Magistrate Wang, unable to bear such attention, hurried along as if pursued by monsters.

Once out of the old street, things quieted down and Magistrate Wang slowed his pace.

“Magistrate Wang, do you see how simple the people's needs are? Feed them, clothe them, give them shelter, and they will be grateful.”

“I… Sir… this is all your doing.”

“Whose credit it is doesn’t matter. What matters is the people’s well-being.” Gan Sui patted his shoulder.

For the first time, Magistrate Wang looked squarely at the young man, not even twenty, and felt a profound sense of inadequacy.

When he first entered office, he too had wanted to be a good official. Somehow, over the years, all his youthful passion and vows seemed to have faded with time. But today, a burning desire to be a good magistrate surged up in him—intense and scorching.

“I know I’ve made mistakes in the past, but I sincerely repent. I hope you’ll give me a chance. I truly want to do something for the people.”

“To know one’s faults and change is the greatest virtue. I hope you’ll remember today’s words.”

“Thank you, Lord Gan. It’s already noon. Would you do me the honor of dining at my residence?”

“I would be delighted, Magistrate Wang.” And I have a gift to return to you as well.

“Please, Lord Gan, please!” Magistrate Wang beamed with delight.

The meal was a merry one. Magistrate Wang had only one cup of wine, but his face turned bright red. “Lord Gan, I’m a worthless man.”

Indeed.

“That bun was awful.”

Gan Sui chuckled.

“I’ve let them down.”

Gan Sui began to suspect the magistrate was drinking not wine but a truth serum.

After a few rounds, Gan Sui signaled Lu Ying with a glance. Lu Ying slipped out, and soon a little runner burst in, “Sir, Dahei and Erhei have gone mad!”

“Impossible! They’re always obedient!” he said, but before he finished, two large dogs stormed in, overturning the dishes and rushing at Magistrate Wang, barking furiously. He tried to stop them, but they ignored him, barking all the more. “Drive them out! Get them out!” Several constables tried to drag the dogs away with ropes, but the fierce animals bared their teeth, scaring them off. Magistrate Wang was terrified. “Take them out! Out!” His voice broke with panic.

Still, none dared approach.

Gan Sui, seeing the magistrate was frightened enough, flicked two wine cups at the dogs. They shuddered and collapsed, unconscious.

Magistrate Wang wiped his brow, his legs as weak as noodles, collapsing into a heap on the floor.

Gan Sui strode over and looked down at him. “Magistrate Wang, these dogs are yours? They look very familiar… as if they too fell into a ditch a few days ago…”

Magistrate Wang sprang up and clung to Gan Sui’s leg. “Sir, I was wrong. I was possessed by a moment of madness… I never thought you’d be hurt. As soon as those men returned and told me, I sent people to find you, but you weren’t there… I meant no real harm, I just wanted to frighten you… I never imagined…”

“‘Never imagined?’ My staff and I almost lost our lives because of you, do you realize that?”

“Sir, I’ve let you down… Sir!” He began slapping his own face, hard enough to leave it swollen and red.

Gan Sui watched him coolly. “Get up. I’ll remember this. If you ever again wrong the people, I’ll settle all debts, old and new.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Gan Sui and Lu Ying left together.

“Lord Gan, will you just let it go at that?”

“A prefect can’t dismiss a magistrate directly. I’d have to submit an impeachment, then wait for the Emperor’s decree, then for the Ministry of Personnel to send a replacement. That would take until after the New Year. If the next one’s worse, it’s the people who’ll suffer. Magistrate Wang is lazy, but he’s willing to change. As long as he’s willing, I want to give him a chance.”

“You are a generous man, Lord Gan.”

“Not really. Life is hard. A little kindness never hurts.”