County Yamen

Early in the morning, the rising sun had just emerged. Birds chirped and sang from the branches like tireless singers; on the ground, crystalline morning dew glimmered brightly atop the flowers and grass.

Xiang Yang got up early, washed up, then changed into the constable's uniform Fu Da Chun had collected for him. It was made of pale blue brocade, with a gold trim around the high collar, giving him a particularly heroic air.

After hanging his constable's badge from his belt, Xiang Yang picked up his Wild Goose Feather Saber, went to Xiang Da Niu's spirit tablet to offer a stick of incense, then hurried out. Without even eating breakfast, he headed straight for the County Yamen.

In Anyuan County town, the yamen stood at the center of the city. It was built with considerable grandeur, its two stone lions vivid and lifelike, imposing and majestic.

The front gate was where common folk beat the drum to air their grievances. Beyond it lay a small stone-paved courtyard over twenty meters long, and farther back was where the magistrate held court. Xiang Yang knew this layout like the back of his hand.

"Constable Xiang, you're here at the County Yamen? Captain Wang is waiting for you in the rear hall. Hurry along."

Behind the stone lions, on the steps before the yamen gates, the two gatekeeping yamen runners looked at Xiang Yang in his pale blue constable's uniform with a trace of envy as they addressed him. Who told him to have such a good father?

In the past, Xiang Yang had merely been a Yamen Runner Assistant. Now he had shot up like a rocket to become an official constable, with his name entered in the County Yamen's official register. His status was far higher than theirs.

Xiang Yang smiled and greeted the two before entering the main hall. Directly above hung the four forceful characters, "Justice Shines Like a Mirror," perfectly setting off the yamen's authority and solemn atmosphere.

But there was no case at the moment, and the magistrate was not in the hall. Only two or three sleepy-eyed yamen runners leaned against the walls, rubbing their eyes and loafing about, adding a bit more human warmth to the place. Xiang Yang shook his head, walked up to one of them, and waved a hand.

"Old Ren, get up. If the magistrate sees you, this month's drinking money will be confiscated."

A gaunt man in his fifties sitting on the ground opened his eyes. He had looked somewhat impatient at first, but when he saw it was Xiang Yang, he burst into laughter. Propping himself up with the shoulder of a young man beside him, he stood and sized Xiang Yang up before nodding.

"What a valiant young lad. You're far better than your father. Work well for the yamen from now on, and your future will be boundless."

Xiang Yang nodded. This man was the most senior yamen runner in Anyuan County. Back then, he had been a yamen runner alongside Xiang Da Niu. Later, Xiang Da Niu became a constable, while he remained a yamen runner, unchanged for all these years.

Still, he was a mild, contented sort, without much ambition or aspiration. He had muddled through the years like that, and was now one of the yamen's old hands, getting along well with everyone above and below. The former Xiang Yang had worked under him.

"Mm. I owed a lot to Old Ren before. Don't go home at noon today—I'll treat you to a drink."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Old Ren, Xiang Yang entered the yamen's rear hall. There, he saw Captain Wang Ying standing before a refined middle-aged man, nodding from time to time as though agreeing to something.

This middle-aged man was precisely Anyuan County's Magistrate Li, Li Zhizhi. His face was lean, his eyes full of wisdom, and his hair combed exceptionally neatly. Dressed in a green official robe, with a grayish-brown jade thumb ring on his hand, he cut an extremely dignified figure.

"Xiang Yang greets Your Excellency and Captain Wang. I should not have taken so long at home before coming to report to the County Yamen."

Upon seeing the two, Xiang Yang hastily clasped his fists, bent at the waist, and offered a salute, his expression respectful.

Magistrate Li and Captain Wang both greatly appreciated Xiang Yang's manner. Though they had permitted him to rest and recuperate at home for a while longer, they had feared the young man might not know the height of heaven or the depth of earth, and come to think the County Yamen was his family's private property.

"No matter. Little Xiang, from now on, you will inherit Da Niu's post and serve under Wang Ying. You must study hard, mind your words, and act with caution.

"Also, Da Niu stood forth for the common people and slew bandits with might, greatly bolstering the prestige of our Anyuan County. I have allocated thirty taels of silver from the treasury as compensation and reward. Go collect it from Advisor Fang."

Seeing Xiang Yang's constable uniform making him look especially heroic, Magistrate Li thought of Xiang Da Niu and could not help sighing inwardly.

He knew that Xiang Da Niu had always been diligent and conscientious over the years. Yet there had been a knot in his heart: he believed Xiang Da Niu's true patron was always the previous magistrate, and thus could not be trusted, so he had never promoted him.

"Work hard. One day, once you have achieved something, I will recommend you to the Divine Constable Gate in Qingjiang Prefecture for further training."

Xiang Yang was beside himself with delight. Joining the Divine Constable Gate was also what he most wanted to do after avenging Xiang Da Niu, his next goal in life. He had never expected Magistrate Li to give him such an opportunity. He quickly performed several more deep bows, repeatedly voicing his gratitude and agreement, only short of declaring that he would climb mountains of blades and descend into seas of fire for Magistrate Li.

Magistrate Li smiled and nodded, then had Wang Ying lead Xiang Yang away. As the ruler of an entire county, he had to make decisions on matters great and small throughout the county. He could not keep exchanging empty courtesies with Xiang Yang.

As he followed Wang Ying toward the rear hall where the constables rested, Xiang Yang felt somewhat tense, his breathing slightly hurried. The man before him had at least a one-in-three chance of being the mastermind behind Xiang Da Niu's murder, and an even greater chance of being a powerful martial artist. His reaction was perfectly normal.

Yet Wang Ying found it somewhat abnormal. He turned to glance at Xiang Yang, revealing a kind smile. "What? Still excited? The Divine Constable Gate is indeed the best path for people like us to rise through the ranks, but it is also far more dangerous. It can be said that both gains and drawbacks abound. Uncle Wang thinks you should consider it carefully.

As they spoke, the two entered a square courtyard. There were seven empty rooms inside, while the center of the yard held wooden training dummies and all sorts of equipment for honing martial skills and building strength.

"We constables are responsible for hunting down criminals, investigating evidence, and normally patrolling the streets and alleys of the county town to maintain public order. So we do not need an office, and this place is rather quiet and shabby. I hope you will not mind."

As Wang Ying spoke, he invited Xiang Yang to sit on a stool beside the stone table in the courtyard. He continued explaining some of the county's circumstances, including Xiang Yang's main duties from now on.

After listening, Xiang Yang gained a general understanding. No wonder constables earned only three qian of silver each month and belonged to the low-paid class, yet were still objects of ordinary people's envy. There was no other reason: there were simply too many chances for extra earnings.

Take Xiang Yang himself, for example. With no case at hand, his duty was to patrol the streets and alleys and see whether any crimes were being committed. He was someone every stallholder, peddler, shop, and merchant needed to cultivate a relationship with. The extra money they gave each month alone exceeded three qian.

"My old man was too honest, wasn't he? He would not even take this money. No wonder his relationships with his colleagues were only average. Everyone else took it, but only you refused. That isn't rising unsullied from the mud—it's failing to fit in."

The logic was simple. If everyone took the money, they were all in the same boat. If you refused, it did not prove you were upright and incorruptible; it only highlighted everyone else's filth and shame. Ordinary people might like such a person, but colleagues certainly would not.

"You'll have to work hard these next few days. Patrol and keep watch around the county more often. We have a major case to handle and cannot get away. Once this period passes, things will be better."

Xiang Yang expressed his understanding. As a newcomer in the workplace, could he expect to be brought along on every major case? He was already more than satisfied not to have to start by serving tea and pouring water. Besides, patrolling the streets came with extra earnings to pocket—he could not have asked for more.