Security Bureau

Biodata

Background / History

The Security Bureau is Yong'an City's law-enforcement body. Its compound stands beside the county yamen, separated by a single street. Despite its responsibility for city security, the building is poorly maintained, with worn bluestone flooring and dilapidated stone walls. 6

Lin Fan first comes into contact with the Bureau after rescuing Captain Song Qing and Yang Ming from the murderer Hu Yong. Song records Lin's role in the arrest and encourages him to take the Bureau's Law Examination, while warning him not to involve himself in Loyalty Hall's illicit affairs. 6

The Bureau recruits through a Law Examination. Only five positions are available during Lin Fan's examination; successful candidates enter as Rookie Officers and choose between serving under Captain Song Qing or Captain Chen Xingzhi. Lin ranks first and is the sole recruit to join Song's side. 22 24

Organization and Operations

Internal Factions and Corruption

The Bureau is divided between Song Qing's small faction and Chen Xingzhi's better-connected faction. Song is ostracized for opposing collusion between officials and criminal groups; officers often ignore his calls for assistance or deliberately slack off. 13 24

Chen Xingzhi commands many officers and is positioned to succeed Steward Li. He attempts to force Lin Fan to release arrested extortionists, reprimands him for public arrests, and repeatedly moves to protect influential suspects such as He Sen. 28 37

Corruption is widespread among Bureau personnel. Criminal groups make regular payments to officials, and Qin Si assumes that a newly appointed officer simply had not received his share of the bribes before arresting Jin Biao. 28 29 Officer Huang pressures Xu Ming to frame an innocent man for the Hu family, while Zhao Fu is later arrested for accepting bribes and framing Shopkeeper Wang's son. 42 48

Steward Li ultimately supports Lin Fan's campaign against entrenched criminals. He describes Loyalty Hall and He Sen as “tumors” in Yong'an City and states that the Bureau must stand with the people. 50

Notable Personnel

• Steward Li — Senior Bureau official. Has relinquished much day-to-day authority to Song Qing and Chen Xingzhi, but later refuses to punish Lin Fan for challenging corrupt interests. 28 50
• Song Qing — Captain who values impartial enforcement and personally supports Lin Fan's entry into the Bureau. His faction is understaffed and marginalized. 6 24 44
• Yang Ming — Song Qing's disciple and later a formal officer. He assists Lin Fan in arrests, patrols, and prison work. 6 22 44
• Chen Xingzhi — Captain/headman with extensive connections and a large faction within the Bureau. He clashes repeatedly with Lin Fan over arrests and authority. 24 28 37
• Xu Ming — Long-serving Rookie Officer from a poor background. He is repeatedly bullied by senior officers before joining Lin Fan's team. 42 48
• Officer Huang — Formal officer who pressures Xu Ming to participate in framing an innocent man. 42
• Zhao Fu — Chen Xingzhi's confidant and formal officer, arrested for bribery and framing Shopkeeper Wang's son. 48

Story Role / Major Arcs

Lin Fan's recruitment

The Bureau becomes Lin Fan's intended path toward official status and access to higher circles. After helping Song Qing apprehend Hu Yong and repeatedly assisting Song's investigations, Lin passes the Law Examination with the highest score and becomes a Rookie Officer under Song. 6 14 22 24

Campaign against local extortionists

On his first day, Lin Fan arrests Jin Biao and numerous marketplace ruffians for extortion. Chen Xingzhi orders their release, but Lin refuses and publicly declares that the people's affairs are the Bureau's greatest concern. 27 28 29

Conflict with corrupt officials

Lin's actions expose the Bureau's internal conflict. He defies Chen Xingzhi, investigates prisoners claiming injustice, captures He Sen, and later physically defeats Chen when the headman attempts to attack him inside the Bureau. 30 37 43

Hu family case

After Xu Ming directs Shopkeeper Wang to seek Lin's help, Lin investigates the framing of Wang Hao. He leads officers and dockworkers into the Hu residence, arrests Hu Yu, frees Wang Hao, and has Zhao Fu detained for his involvement in the false case. 46 47 48 49

Trivia

• The Bureau's reputation among commoners is so poor that civilians instinctively fear constables rather than feel protected by them. 25
• Song Qing and Yang Ming are frequently left to handle dangerous cases alone because Song's faction receives little support from other officers. 14 24
• Lin Fan intends to eventually help his dockworkers become official Bureau personnel, though Yang Ming notes that their illiteracy prevents them from passing the required examination. 45