Squeezed

Zhou Chun had never had any contact with clerks and officials in the government office when he was living with the original owner of this body; even after he followed her, he didn't have much contact with them. Now, having more contact with these clerks and officials would be a good experience for him.

Zhao Ruxi took out her pocket watch and checked it. "There's still half an hour until the end of the day. You can go ahead and get busy."

Since Zhou Chun was inviting people to dinner, he naturally had to make reservations. He agreed and went out.

Guan Jian'an didn't rush in until the bell rang signaling the end of the day, then hurriedly led Qin Wang inside. He bowed to Zhao Ruxi and said, "Administrative Clerk Wang of the Ministry of Revenue said that these files and accounts are somewhat disorganized and cannot be found for you immediately, sir. It will take three to five days to find them. Why don't you look at other files and accounts first, such as those from the workshops? Because there are fewer of them, they are relatively easier to find. This way, it won't waste your time."

"Oh? Is that so?" Zhao Ruxi looked at Guan Jian'an and chuckled softly.

Guan Jian'an lowered his head, not daring to look at her.

"Xiang Ming, do you remember what I just said to Clerk Guan? Tell Clerk Guan again."

Xiang Ming glanced at Guan Jian'an and said expressionlessly, "The lord said that if you are unwilling to follow him, just say so, and he will have Lord Liu send two more people over; if you are willing to follow him, then you must do your best to carry out the tasks assigned by the lord, without being perfunctory, without shirking responsibility, and even more so without deception or betrayal."

After Xiang Ming finished speaking, Zhao Ruxi remained silent, simply sitting there and quietly watching the two of them.

The room was completely silent.

Guan Jian'an was startled and quickly said, "Sir, it's not that I'm being negligent or perfunctory, but this matter is not easy. Lord Cai won't easily let you see the files and accounts."

If Zhao Ruxi hadn't known about Guan Jian'an's relationship with Chen Kang, she might have been able to understand Guan Jian'an.

The power struggle between superiors should not implicate those below them.

But she knew perfectly well the relationship Guan Jian'an and Chen Kang, Guan Jian'an's attitude largely represented Chen Kang's attitude.

Now that she knows Chen Kang intends to fob her off, Guan Jian'an, as her subordinate official, also intends to stand idly by, or even help Chen Kang fob her off or deceive her, then she won't be so polite.

"I don't care about anything else, I just want to know if you can do it," Zhao Ruxi said. "If you can't, I'll find someone else; if you can, give me a time limit."

These words immediately cornered Guan Jian'an. His original plan to drift through life was now impossible to carry out.

A thick layer of sweat appeared on Guan Jian'an's forehead.

Qin Wang was actually hoping that Guan Jian'an would withdraw so that he could withdraw as well.

He had worked very hard to get this job, and he dared not risk his future. He did not seek merit, but only to avoid making mistakes.

Since Guan Jian'an remained silent, he couldn't very well back out. He had originally expressed his intention to follow Lord Zhao, and it would be too dishonest to go back on his word now.

Guan Jian'an was in a state of utter confusion.

He had served many high-ranking officials, all of whom valued moderation and Youyu in their words and actions. Unlike this Lord Zhao, who, whether due to his youth or high social standing, always spoke aggressively, cornering people and leaving them no way out.

He wanted to quit immediately, but he was also somewhat unwilling to give up.

He'd been working in the government office for over a decade, growing from a young man to a middle-aged one, but he was always relegated to menial tasks, doing odd jobs. Everyone treated him politely out of respect for Uncle Chen, but in reality, they looked down on him, and he knew it all.

Now that he finally has a chance, he's turning it away, and he even agreed first and then went back on his word. When a new official comes, he won't want him anymore. He'll probably never have such an opportunity again in his life.

After much deliberation, he gritted his teeth and decided to take a gamble.

He said, "I wish to follow you, sir, and accomplish the tasks you assign me. However, Administrative Clerk Wang of the Ministry of Revenue only listens to Lord Cai. I am but a lowly official, and he ignores my words, only dragging things out, trying to intimidate you. If I could challenge him and defeat him, I wouldn't be just an ordinary clerk."

As he said this, a sense of grievance crept into his voice.

Young girls are always soft-hearted. If he talks more about his difficulties, maybe Lord Zhao won't make things difficult for him.

"Since it's difficult for you and you can't do it, then forget it." Zhao Ruxi was surprisingly agreeable this time, her attitude becoming much more conciliatory. "Alright, you can go back now. You don't need to trouble yourself with this matter."

She stood up and said to Lady Luo and Xiang Ming, "Let's go back." She then started to walk outside.

Lady Luo and Xiang Ming quickly followed.

Guan Jian'an was dumbfounded.

Qin Wang was secretly pleased. Seeing Zhao Ruxi leave and go down the steps, he hurriedly asked Guan Jian'an, "Does the master mean we're no longer allowed to work for her?"

Guan Jian'an remained silent.

He remained silent for a long while before walking heavily back to his room.

Cai Yaozong had been keeping a close eye on Zhao Ruxi's movements. Now that he saw Zhao Ruxi and her group leave, and Guan Jian'an come out of her room looking dejected, while Qin Wang Gao Xing, he quickly called Qin Wang over and asked him what had happened.

After seeing Qin Wang off, he smiled mockingly at his steward, "Hey, a clueless little brat who dares to arm wrestle with me, doesn't she know her own limitations?"

He rolled his eyes and said to the steward, "Tell Lord Liu about this." As he spoke, the corner of his mustache twitched smugly.

Let's see if that old man still wants to smooth things over. The new girl is completely hopeless; she talks a big game but does absolutely nothing. Trying to put pressure on Guan Jian'an by making him go to the household registration office to get the files and accounts is utterly absurd.

Zhao Ruxi's home was not far from the yamen. She rode back home, ate a meal, rested for a while, and then came to the yamen.

Upon arriving at the yamen, she did not go into her own room, but went directly to Liu Hongyu's place. She bowed to Liu Hongyu upon entering, greeted him as "Lord Liu," and sat down on a chair next to him.

Upon seeing this, Liu Hongyu frowned and asked, "What is it?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Didn't Lord Liu ask Lord Cai to bring me the salt and grain records and accounts? He told Guan Jian'an that there were too many things and they were too messy to find. So I came to ask you, sir, when these things can be found? Anyway, it's not yet my appointed time to go to the yamen as stipulated by the court. If Lord Cai needs time to organize the records and accounts, it would be just right for me to come to the yamen in five days."

She sighed, "Alas, Lord Liu, I've worked at the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Revenue in the capital. Those places have countless more files and accounts than the prefectural government offices, yet everything is so well-organized. If you want something, you can find it right away."