Daxianguan

Chapter 137 The Controversy Between Clerks (for Subscription)
Wu Degui was stunned for a moment, a little confused, but he went forward to open the account books. He carefully looked at the four account books. At first glance, he didn't think there was anything wrong, but after a closer look, Wu Degui's sweat broke out.

"One of the accounts recorded above is a sum of money allocated by the city government for wall construction, a total of 500 taels. This sum of money has been moved in July, August and September this year. In the latest account book after that, There are 100 taels left in this sum of money, and the expenditure is recorded in detail. It is used for the construction of the 380-step wall from the third alley to the fifth alley on the west wall of Dinghai. In detail, when I was walking with Mr. Wu, I happened to pass by that section, and the wall did not look like it had been repaired just this year. There are also expenditures, a total of [-] taels, and the accounts seem to be fine, but the name of the craftsman used is the same as that of the craftsman who repaired the city wall before. How can the same craftsman be divided into two people in the same month to repair the city wall and repair the granary and households at the same time? House? Similar mistakes can be found everywhere in the account books. Mr. Wu and Cai Wenshu, when I was selected as the top student in the provincial examination, there are many tricks in my writing. If the two of you see my test paper , you will know that, after counting and comparing, it is my superior, Cai Wenshu, you think your account books are perfect, but I am new here and don't understand accounts, so I can't see the problem at all. If so, then you are wrong That's wrong, tell me, should I arrest you?"

After Chu Xian finished speaking, the clerk's legs went limp.

He knew that what Chu Xian said was correct, but this kind of accounts was not an expert, and those who had not worked as an accountant for a few years would not be able to see the tricks in it.

The magistrate of the county just glanced at all the account books just now, and he was able to write down the entries of all the accounts, and he was able to compare them with the expenditures at different times, which is a bit scary.

You know, the clerk himself knows best that his accounts look fine on the surface, but they can't stand the investigation at all. If they are really checked, they will be accurate.

At this moment, the clerk was sweating profusely, his eyes rolled wildly, but he was speechless.

He had a feeling that he had been seen through by the magistrate, and from the very beginning, the magistrate had planned to target him.

At the beginning, it was just a matter of discussion, talking about reclaiming wasteland and diverting streams into canals. Why did it suddenly turn to the matter of auditing accounts?By the way, the clerk remembered that he had said that there was no money.

At that time, it was just to let the Xin County Prime Minister know the difficulty and retreat, but he didn't expect that in the end, he would get himself into it.

In other words, from the very beginning, the purpose of the county magistrate was to check the accounts.

At this time, the clerk looked at Wu Degui. He knew that at this time, only Wu Degui could protect him, and Wu Degui had to protect him. Many things, he was instructed by Wu Degui. Besides, most of the people who were greedy for money were in Wu Degui. hand.

Sure enough, Wu Degui's face was ugly at the moment, but he patted the table, pointed to the clerk on the ground and said, "Cai Wenshu, you have to explain to me about the account books. Come, take Cai Wenshu down, and I will Interrogate carefully."

This Wu Degui seems to want to investigate the clerk, but in fact, he is making peace. If he comes to interrogate, he will definitely find an opportunity to smooth out all the troubles and loopholes, at least not to let Cai Wenshu really go to prison and suffer punishment.

How could Chu Xian fail to see Wu Degui's plan.

But this matter can't be pushed too hard, Chu Xian said at this time: "Cai Wenshu has a problem, please trouble Mr. Wu to look it up."

Wu Degui was also afraid that Chu Xian would not let him investigate. If Chu Xian wanted to investigate it himself, it would be troublesome. Hearing that Chu Xian actually asked him to investigate this matter, of course he was happy.

But at Chu Xian's next sentence, his face froze.

Chu Xian said: "Regardless of whether Cai Wenshu really has problems or not, he should no longer be a clerk. I will dismiss Cai Wenshu's official position by order of the county magistrate. As for the vacancy of the clerk, we will decide at another date. "

This is to take down the official position of the clerk.

Although the official position of the clerk is not high, there is no doubt about its importance. Wu Degui narrowed his eyes. Knowing this position, he must not change hands, otherwise there will be trouble.

At the moment, he said: "My lord, the clerk is only a small official from the ninth rank, but in the county, it is very important to take care of trivial matters such as land, household registration, taxation, finance, etc. Cai Wenshu is still diligent. Well, it's not appropriate to dismiss him before his affairs have been investigated. Besides, even if he is dismissed, the position will not be vacant. After all, there are so many things in the county that need to be handled by clerks. "

Chu Xian was not very tough this time, but asked instead: "So what do you think, Mr. Wu? Cai Wenshu has a problem with his accounts and must be checked. According to the rules, he can no longer serve as a clerk at this time. "

"I understand!" At this time, Wu Degui had a thought in his mind. Obviously, Cai Wenshu was caught, and it would be difficult to keep his official position, so it would be best to find someone else to be the clerk, and this person , must be his Wu Degui's people.

In this regard, Wu Degui has his confidence.

After operating in Dinghai County for so many years, his people have already occupied more than half of the county government. The key positions are all controlled by his people. The two most important positions are the clerk, who is in charge of the people's livelihood in the county. The other is Dian Shi, who is in charge of criminal cases in the county. These two positions must belong to him.

On the face of it, the county magistrate is the chief official of the small county. It is only natural that the other party wants to change the documents. After Wu Degui thought about it, there is no need to let the other party stalemate over this matter.

When playing games with others, it is natural to use strengths and avoid weaknesses. My own strengths are the advantages of running Dinghai County for so many years. Those who are qualified to take over as clerks are basically my own people, so it is best to determine the candidates immediately. Well, for this new county magistrate, it is absolutely impossible to cultivate a cronies who can succeed the clerk in such a short period of time.

This Chu Xian came with only one guard by his side, just two people, no matter how capable the other party was, it was impossible for him to conjure up a third person.

Thinking of this, Wu Degui continued: "Let's do this, because although the position of the clerk is small, it is very important, so it is better to determine the replacement candidate now, so as not to affect the official affairs of the county government."

I thought Chu Xian would have some criticisms, but I didn't expect Chu Xian to nod and said: "That's fine, but I don't know who can take over as the clerk?"

Wu Degui was overjoyed, he pretended to think for a while, and then listed two names.

"Both Wang Quan and Feng Ge are fine. Both of them have sufficient qualifications and knowledge. One is a top student who was admitted three years ago, and the other is a top student who was passed five years ago." Wu Degui said at this time.

Chu Xian shook his head: "How can I say that the clerks are from the ninth rank and are in charge of the affairs of the county, so they must be cautious. How about this, bring the roster of officials in the county government, and I will look at it."

Wang Degui felt a little displeased, but still asked someone to fetch the roster.

Chu Xian looked at the roster, and then said: "Wang Quan and Feng Ge can indeed..."

Wang Degui hurriedly said: "Yes, both of them are fine, why not let..."

Before he finished speaking, Chu Xian pointed to the roster of officials and said, "Wait a minute, I see that Bozhong Xia has been a small official in the county government for ten years. Experience, age is enough, let’s see, the clerk needs a calm person, I don’t think Mr. Wu, you don’t want to make trouble again, why not let this Xia Bozhong be the clerk.”

Although Chu Xian's words were discussing, the tone was already decided.

The county magistrate of a large county and the magistrate of a small county are both head officials of a county, and they are in charge of a place. Of course, they have the power to appoint a ninth-rank clerk.

Wu Degui's face remained unchanged, but he was thinking in his heart.

Wu Degui knew about Xia Bozhong. He was a top student ten years ago. He had literary talents, but he was not tactful, and he didn't know much about human relationships.

Of course Wu Degui doesn't like such people.

So in the past ten years, he has never promoted this Bozhong Xia, but in terms of qualifications, this Bozhong Xia is indeed one of the oldest.

Wu Degui was thinking, this Chu Xian, why no one chose this Chu Xian, but chose this Xia Bozhong?

Coincidence?
In the county government, not everyone belonged to Wu Degui's family, but there were a few who never leaned on Wu Degui, and Xia Bozhong was one of them.

Once, Wu Degui hinted, but Xia Bozhong didn't seem to understand, and didn't express anything at all. That's why Wu Degui knew that Xia Bozhong was talented and learned, and never reused him.

Then should we use Xia Bozhong?

Wu Degui thought again.

The new county magistrate is not easy, the other party actually knows Jiang Yuan, then maybe he also knows Xia Bozhong, the other party must know that this Xia Bozhong is not one of his own, that's why he recommended this person.

It should be nothing more than that.

Because Wu Degui is sure that Xia Bozhong is not his own person, and he is definitely not that Chu Xian's person. If he does not agree to this Chu Xian today, the other party will definitely not give up, so it is better to do this favor, bring Xia Bozhong up, and then try to win him over. .

Even if he can't win him over, he must not let Xia Bozhong lean towards Chu Xian.

That's all.

In the blink of an eye, Wu Degui also considered the pros and cons of this matter very thoroughly, and said with a smile: "Since the county magistrate has appointed a general, of course Wu has no reason to object. This Xia Bozhong was indeed admitted to the list ten years ago. He is a student, has enough qualifications and rich experience, so it is okay to let him be a clerk."

Chu Xian nodded: "Then it's settled, someone, call Xia Bozhong."

Xia Bozhong is just a petty official, not yet qualified to stay in the hall, someone will pass it on, and he will come soon.

From the looks of it, Xia Bozhong is dressed as a scholar, at least in his 30s, after all, he has been a top student for ten years, and at this age he is still just a small official in the county government, which shows that he has gone through a lot of tempering.

(End of this chapter)