A Chain of Bad Debts

Chapter Twenty-Two: A Chain of Bad Debts

"Whether the difference could really be that large, you can figure out for yourself." Zi Bofeng let out a cold snort and ignored him.

As they argued below, the Prefect raised a hand and beckoned over the accountant he trusted most, then quietly questioned him.

"My lord, from what I can see, Hu Caijun must have miscalculated."

"Could there be any other explanation?"

"Unless Zi Bofeng's falsified books are so convincing that I can't detect them, there's no other possibility."

At that moment, the Prefect's eyes lit up.

They shone like two little lamps, bright enough to be frightening. Zi Bofeng's heart gave a jolt. He was already highly sensitive to spiritual power and spiritual energy, and the Prefect, too, seemed to bear something like an "obsession." It had gathered from the beliefs of countless people. Many people must constantly honor him and keep him in their thoughts.

Seeing the Prefect's expression change, Luo Qianshan, who had been waiting all along, tensed up like a hunting dog that had heard the command. This was the prelude to the Prefect ordering someone cut down!

He licked his lips, ready to seize the detestable scholar.

"Guards!" the Prefect called out, raising his voice.

"Your subordinate is here!" Before the constables could answer, Luo Qianshan had already stepped forward, clasped his fists, and answered loudly.

That kid sure was quick to jump in...

The Prefect gave a slight shake of his head and ordered, "Take Hu Caijun away. Have him reflect behind closed doors while the accounts are checked. If there are any more discrepancies, he will be executed without mercy!"

"Lord Prefect!" Hu Caijun heard this and froze in place, as if struck by five thunderbolts.

When Luo Qianshan realized he wouldn't get to beat or behead anyone, his interest vanished. He waved a hand and said, "Why haven't you taken him away?" Without a trace, he had handed the job over to the constables.

The constables hadn't seen enough of the show yet, and reluctantly stepped forward to drag Hu Caijun away. Hu Caijun shouted all the way, "My lord, I didn't miscalculate! I absolutely couldn't have miscalculated..." until they hauled him out.

Hidden inside his sleeves, Zi Bofeng quietly clapped a few times and made a face at Hu Caijun. Hu Caijun flew into a rage and swore at him.

"Shut up!" Luo Qianshan casually drove a punch into his armpit, leaving him gaping, unable to speak.

Luo Qianshan nodded in satisfaction. Beating a Xiucai felt great.

Once Hu Caijun had been dragged away, the Prefect stood and said, "Zi Bofeng, come with me. Qianshan, you too."

"Me?" Zi Bofeng blinked and pointed at his own nose. Hadn't he already turned things around? Why was there suddenly another act?

"Yes, you." The Prefect nodded.

Luo Qianshan strode over like a dragon and shoved Zi Bofeng's shoulder. Zi Bofeng turned and glared at him. Though the gap between them in fighting strength was immense, and they were quite different in size, when they glared at each other, they were evenly matched.

The Prefect reached the side door and, seeing no one following, turned around. Zi Bofeng and Luo Qianshan were glaring at each other, eyes wide. The Prefect laughed helplessly, composed himself, and said, "Why aren't you following?"

The two hurried after him.

The Prefect led them toward his study. Zi Bofeng saw Hu Caijun being dragged along by two constables, one of whom was covering his mouth to stop him from shouting again. Their eyes met, and Zi Bofeng shrugged.

I told you to just announce me, but you refused. And now you're the one in trouble, while I'm still going to the study—sigh, could the Prefect be planning to find somewhere secluded and cut me down?

"Zi Bofeng, do you know your crime?" the Prefect asked as they walked. He sounded less like he was bringing charges and more like he was making casual conversation.

"This student knows his crime." Zi Bofeng had been looking around, and hurriedly answered when he heard the question.

"What crime have you committed?" Seeing Zi Bofeng's blank look, the Prefect could only laugh helplessly.

"Well... what crime have I committed?" Zi Bofeng asked softly. He figured he'd only been a little arrogant. Surely that wasn't a crime.

The Prefect nearly rolled his eyes. This fellow really was a headache. No wonder all three hundred students in Meng City found him annoying.

"Insulting the Prefect is a capital offense!" Luo Qianshan answered for him, drawing his steel saber halfway from its sheath. Its gleaming edge flashed frighteningly.

Zi Bofeng sidled away from him.

"Besides insulting me, you also forged the account books and falsified the accounts. That, too, is a capital offense. Do you understand?" the Prefect said with a cold snort.

"Get down on your knees and accept your punishment!" Luo Qianshan immediately prepared to make Zi Bofeng bleed five paces away. The fellow was too annoying; better to cut him down and be done with it.

"Why would the Prefect say such a thing?" Zi Bofeng widened his eyes, looking utterly innocent. "Every entry in this student's account books is clear as day. If the Prefect doesn't believe me, he can have anyone check and verify them. If there's even one discrepancy, I'll gladly accept death!"

"The Prefect says you're guilty, so you're guilty. Get down on your knees!" Luo Qianshan said impatiently. "The military man's steel saber is practically out of its sheath, and this is the act you're putting on?"

He held out one hand and gestured beside him. Then he'd swing the blade down, followed by a kick, sending the blood spraying forward so it wouldn't get on him at all. Perfect. Blood splashing across the stone steps and flowers—that was a soldier's romance!

Who knew the Prefect would only glare at him, leaving him utterly bewildered.

"The books showing no discrepancies doesn't mean there's nothing wrong with them." The Prefect smiled and shook his head. "I've been an official for years. How could I be fooled by such a petty trick?"

"Lord Prefect, you hold high office and shouldn't make baseless accusations. I, Zi Bofeng, have never lied."

"Zi Bofeng, who only tells the truth?" The Prefect turned to look at Zi Bofeng's innocent, righteous face, shook his head despite himself, and burst out laughing.

What was going on? The Prefect seemed to be in a good mood. Did that mean he wasn't going to kill him?

I've already drawn my saber, and now you're saying you won't kill him? Luo Qianshan tapped his head, then suddenly realized something. His eyes widened.

When he looked at Zi Bofeng again, his expression had completely changed.

Luo Qianshan was no dullard. It was just that he'd been traveling hard and was seething with anger, so his mind had been turning slowly. Now that he'd caught on, he no longer looked at Zi Bofeng as a little Xiucai about to be beheaded.

He brought Zi Bofeng to his study. Someone served them hot tea and withdrew. Once Luo Qianshan had shut the door, the Prefect said to him, "Qianshan, give me the letter."

Luo Qianshan promptly took the sealed letter from his robes and handed it over with both hands.

Though he already knew what it said, the Prefect still frowned and shook his head as he read it.

"Lord Prefect..." Luo Qianshan looked at him with concern, but the Prefect shook his head, then looked up at Zi Bofeng. "Bofeng, do you know why I sent people to collect taxes?"

Hearing the Prefect's tone soften, Zi Bofeng knew he wouldn't be killed. But he wondered why the Prefect was telling him all this.

"You'll understand once you read this letter." The Prefect handed it over. Zi Bofeng hesitated, then accepted it with both hands.

One glance was all it took for Zi Bofeng to start. A neat red seal marked the bottom. It was small, but the name on it was astonishing.

Sun, Chief Secretary of Quzhou Prefecture!

Was it really all right for him to read a letter from someone so important?

Zi Bofeng had a vague feeling he'd been dragged into some enormous trouble.

But now that he was riding a tiger and couldn't get off, Zi Bofeng lowered his head and read. A few breaths later, he had finished. He looked up in astonishment at the Prefect before him. "Quzhou Prefecture is conducting a tax audit?"

"That's right. At the beginning of this year, Quzhou Prefecture sent people to audit taxes from previous years. Every city without exception had a substantial shortfall. Quzhou Prefecture has ordered that all the tax arrears be paid off by the end of this year. If they aren't, the officials will be removed from office. And starting next year, taxes will increase by thirty percent..."

"This news..." Zi Bofeng simply found it hard to believe.

"It's absolutely true." The Prefect nodded.

Zi Bofeng was speechless. So the Prefect himself was on the verge of losing his position. Of course he knew there were problems with raising taxes and such, but if he lost his office, there'd be no way to recover anything. Who wouldn't be reluctant to give up that position?

"You may think I'm greedy for office, but you once said that if three years of taxes were collected, Lower Yan Village would cease to exist. And if three years of taxes were paid, Mengcheng Prefecture would cease to exist!"

Had Mengcheng's finances really become this dire?

Zi Bofeng suddenly recalled the deathly aura that veiled heaven and earth. In this world, hardship was everywhere, and no one was spared.

"Lord Prefect, you want me to..."

"You were able to balance the accounts of Lower Yan Village. Can you balance the accounts of Mengcheng Prefecture?" The Prefect asked solemnly.

Zi Bofeng fell silent, deep in thought. Luo Qianshan had already stood up, holding his steel saber. Now that Zi Bofeng knew all this, if he refused to help, Luo Qianshan might actually bring his blade down.

Zi Bofeng felt the tangible killing intent behind him and gave a wry smile. "Does this student have any other choice?"

"What do you think?" Luo Qianshan said ominously.

"Then what's in it for me?" Zi Bofeng asked. Since they'd laid everything on the table, they couldn't expect him to do all that work for nothing.

"There is. If you succeed, I'll stake my own future to secure you a fine official title."

"Can't I go earn a title through the examinations myself?" Zi Bofeng rolled his eyes. "Give me something practical."

"What practical thing do you want?" The Prefect smiled.

The little Xiucai, who had been all business just a moment ago, now scratched his head. "What do I want..."

He really didn't know.

Money? Power? Women?

"As long as you can do it, whatever you want, if I have it, I'll give it to you," the Prefect said.

"You mean it?"

"A gentleman's word."

"Four horses can't chase it!"

"Good. Where are the accounts?" Zi Bofeng recalled yesterday's ordeal and suddenly felt like groaning.

"I'll have someone gather the accounts right away. Don't worry yet. I'll have Qianshan find you somewhere to stay, then I'll send all the accountants under my command to work for you. You don't have to wear yourself out; let them handle the tedious tasks."

The Prefect knew how to get things done. Zi Bofeng nodded, satisfied.

"Lord Prefect, my younger brother and father are still in the city, waiting for news from me," Zi Bofeng said.

Demon Raising Chronicles