The Moving Injustice to Dou E, Bane of the Imperial Censorate

Hou Liangping rose early, pushed open the window, and gazed at the green hills and clear waters outside. He drew a deep breath of the fresh morning air and quickly came fully awake.

Living in the suburbs naturally had its advantages.

Carrying a basin, Hou Liangping walked outside to the well and began drawing water to wash up. An old man preparing to enter the capital to sell grain saw him and greeted him warmly. "Lord Hou, up so early today..."

Brushing his teeth, Hou Liangping grinned at his landlord. "Old Uncle Liu, are you heading into the city?"

"Could I catch a ride with you?"

His landlord chuckled. "If Lord Hou doesn't mind the jolting grain cart, then of course."

"Ah, all right. I'll be ready in a moment." At his landlord's words, Hou Liangping sped up his movements, though he still spoke indistinctly. "You can just call me Little Hou. I'm no lord—just a Seventh-Rank Minor Official in the Department of Deviations."

"Oh? Seventh rank means you're an official..." Old Uncle Liu hurriedly waved his hands. "Back in my hometown, that would make you a County Magistrate!"

At that, Old Uncle Liu suddenly grew curious. "Lord Hou, the County Magistrate back home rides in sedan chairs whenever he goes out. He has not only an official residence but several other estates too. You're seventh rank as well, so how did you end up renting a place here?"

Hearing his landlord's question, Hou Liangping gave a bitter laugh and shook his head, covering it up with the motion of wiping his face.

His name was Hou Liangping. This year, he had placed at the very bottom of the second list of Imperial Examination graduates. Because his Legalist policy essay had been considered outstanding, Vice Chancellor Sun Bo of the