"County Head Su, the recent large-scale purchases you've made have caused a certain shortage of Spirit Beast Meat in Longcheng County."
"I imagine you must have put all that Spirit Beast Meat to some very important use."
"Please make sure you give Transport Commissioner Fan a full report on exactly what you used it for. Don't leave anything out."
The Lin Family patriarch, Lin Yonghua, spoke with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.
Behind Su Yuan, the constables glared furiously at Lin Yonghua.
By this point, everyone understood who had summoned the Transport Vice Commissioner—and who had exposed the secret behind the county yamen's skyrocketing food expenses!
At the same time, they were gripped by deep concern for their immediate superior.
They feared County Head Su would be held accountable by his superiors, and worried they would be punished too, losing those generous bonuses they had received earlier.
But Su Yuan's reply left every county official and constable stunned.
They heard Su Yuan say firmly:
"That's right. The county yamen did recently purchase a hundred thousand jin of Spirit Beast Meat."
"Where did it all go?"
Transport Commissioner Fan asked with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Su Yuan replied, "I ate it all."
At those words, the eyes of the county officials and constables turned moist!
County Head Su... He was taking all the blame upon himself so we wouldn't be punished.
After years in service, nearly every county official and constable understood one rule.
—A subordinate's achievements belonged to their superior, while a superior's offenses were shouldered by their subordinates!
Yet County Head Su was willing to bear it all to protect them!
In that moment, the man standing before them no longer seemed like an Immortal Official, but a blazing, radiant sun. Tears