Fang Yun had long known that the Left Prime Minister's faction would employ all manner of tactics. He simply had not expected them to move so quickly.
"Mm, thank you, Clerk Yu. I understand," Fang Yun said.
"This is simply my duty. Even if I had said nothing, you would soon have learned of it yourself. County Magistrate, do not act rashly. Discuss it thoroughly with your aides before making a decision. This subordinate shall take his leave."
Fang Yun watched Yu Bachi's retreating back and nodded gently. It seemed this man not only possessed an upright heart, but also keen powers of observation and a sharp mind. An ordinary official could never have gleaned so much from mere traces and clues.
This was talent. Perhaps he would find it difficult to achieve much in the Imperial Examination, but if placed in the right position, he would surely accomplish something.
Within a county, the highest-ranking figures were naturally the county magistrate and the county academy lord, who held great authority within the county.
The second tier consisted of the county assistant magistrate, registrar, clerk, constable chief, and the handful of other subordinate officials with formal rank.
The third tier was made up of the chief clerks of the Ten Offices, who managed the other clerks within those offices.
The fourth tier consisted of ordinary yamen runners and clerks.
The day before, Fang Yun had sent two official documents to Qingwu Prefecture. One reported the misdeeds of the current clerk, Lian Huan, requesting that the Ministry of Personnel dispatch someone to investigate. The other recommended Yu Bachi for the post of clerk.
A county magistrate had no authority to appoint or dismiss ranked officials. Yu Bachi was currently only acting clerk, while Lian Huan, whom Fang Yun had driven away, still