Tang Chen: Starting from the Xuanwu Gate Incident

Chapter 66 Struggle for Power

The next morning, Shen Ce rode out of the mansion wearing his damned green robe. He glanced back at the six halberds placed at the door, thinking that one day they would have to be replaced with ten halberds.

The Chang'an County government office was located in Changshou Ward, only three wards away from his home, and it would take about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to get there.

The county government had received word that the newly appointed county magistrate was coming to take office today. So Liu Cang, who was over forty years old, and Liu the registrar were already standing at the entrance of the county government to greet him. When they saw Shen Ce dismount, they quickly asked Bai Zhi, who was standing next to him, to lead the horse to the stable.

Liu Cang stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Magistrate Shen, I am Liu Cang, the Registrar of Chang'an County. Your Excellency has instructed me to wait here."

Shen Ce returned the greeting and asked, "This is my first day in office. May I ask what the procedures are?"

Liu Cang did not delay, and replied while leading the way: "All the officials under the county government have suspended their duties today and are waiting for the county magistrate to arrive in the main hall."

Upon entering the main hall, Magistrate Li sat upright in the center, flanked by two registrars and two county-level officials in charge of the six departments. The first chair on the lower left was empty. After Shen Ce and the others exchanged greetings, he took his seat.

Similar to the meetings of later generations, officials from the county magistrate down in Chang'an County kept flattering him, pointing to their own beards and saying things like they had wasted their lives compared to Magistrate Shen. Magistrate Li was also making jokes. To the junior officials on the side, it was a scene of great harmony.

After a long pause, Magistrate Li said seriously, "Since the Assistant Magistrate has just arrived, we shouldn't assign him any heavy duties. How about entrusting Assistant Magistrate Shen with the responsibilities of the Military Affairs Department, the Legal Affairs Department, and the Public Works Department of Chang'an County?"

Shen Ce sneered inwardly. He didn't mention a word about the officials in charge of the clerks, the land tax officials, the land tax officials, the civil service examination officials, or the officials in charge of the sacrifices.

Everyone knows that these three positions—land, taxes, and scholars—are the most important in the county government. Each one is a highly lucrative post. If they give in now, getting them back later will be incredibly difficult.

"Lord Li, I returned from my mission to Shandong and was granted a private audience by His Majesty. His Majesty has decreed that the position of County Magistrate will be held solely by me," Shen Ce said with a forced smile. After observing the expressions of the crowd, he continued, "I'm afraid the memorial submitted by the Chang'an County government to the Ministry of Personnel requesting the appointment of a County Magistrate has been rejected."

The last sentence was Shen Ce's guess. Since Li Er had sent him to Chang'an County to cause trouble, he would definitely not agree to send another county magistrate to share the power.

Shen Ce's words were like a thunderbolt to everyone. Even a fifth-rank county magistrate wouldn't be summoned by Li Er alone unless there was something of great importance. Who was this new registrar?

For a moment, the two registrars and the six county constables below looked at each other in bewilderment. They had heard from the patrolling constables yesterday that the palace eunuchs had brought the imperial edict and ceremonial regalia into the residence of this county magistrate. It was likely that County Magistrate Shen now held a noble title, and his rank was probably not much different from that of the prefect.

Having thought of this, most of the lower-ranking officials remained silent; this was not the time for them to interrupt.

Upon hearing Shen Ce's blunt words, Magistrate Li's face immediately turned cold. He stood up abruptly and said in a deep voice, "Magistrate Shen's information network is truly impressive. Our Chang'an County government has not yet received the Ministry of Personnel's approval. Isn't it a bit premature to say this?"

Shen Ce also stood up and said calmly, "Then how about we wait for the Ministry of Personnel's approval before deciding on my assignment?"

Magistrate Li snorted coldly and turned away.

Shen Ce, on the other hand, looked indifferent. He picked up the seal on the table, and instead of going to his official residence, he turned around and left the county government office.

He came here today not to show weakness. Anyone with eyes can see that he was sent by Li Er and is not on the same side as these old officials of the previous dynasty. If he were to act all tender and affectionate and try to pull each other along, how would those who want to switch sides view him?

When a new official takes office, the first thing he should do is not to win over his subordinates, but to seek the support of his superiors.

The saying goes, "Three lifetimes of misfortune, and one becomes a county magistrate; three lifetimes of evil deeds, and one becomes a provincial governor; three lifetimes of heinous crimes, and one becomes the capital."

Shen Ce was certain that he was a diligent worker in his previous life. Although he occasionally slacked off at work, he was not so wicked as to be considered utterly wicked.

The most difficult thing for an official in Chang'an County is dealing with the powerful and influential families in his jurisdiction. Not to mention the families themselves, even their adopted sons or wicked servants are hard to manage.

Running a casino or forcing women into prostitution is something that needs to be addressed, but it requires the help of the officials under their command. These officials tremble at the sight of powerful and wealthy families and dare not approach them.

To avoid such incidents as much as possible, local officials would either visit the homes or deliver invitations.

Therefore, Shen Ce sent his calling card to the powerful families under the jurisdiction of Chang'an County yesterday, making it clear that he had arrived at his post and that those with ulterior motives would send people to investigate his background.

He himself cannot go, otherwise he will be accused of associating with court officials.

After leaving the county government office, Shen Ce passed through a market town and arrived at the residence of the Duke of Su. One should know one's own limitations. His greatest advantage was his family background as Prince Qin. After Li Er ascended the throne, he lavishly bestowed titles upon those who had followed him, and Shen Ce quickly became acquainted with many high-ranking officials.

This wasn't his first time visiting the Duke of Su's residence. The steward, familiar with the place, led him through the front garden and into the main hall.

Cheng Zhijie sat casually in the chair, holding the teapot and sipping tea. He didn't seem to care when Cheng Zhijie arrived and waved for him to sit down.

After he had finished a pot of tea, he said, "Young man, shall I now address you as Magistrate Shen?"

Shen Ce quickly stood up, grinning, and said, "Lord Cheng, you flatter me. In front of you, I am still the same lowly soldier I was before, and I would never dare to mention the matter of a title."

He felt only gratitude towards Cheng Zhijie, who had provided him with ample assistance both at Xuanwu Gate and later at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. For such a person, he...

Perhaps it was the effect of the hot tea earlier, but Cheng Zhijie was sweating a little. He loosened the collar of his robe and said casually, "After His Majesty saw the painting you sent back, he was so angry that he smashed many teacups and roared that he would send you somewhere to be a county magistrate. Later, after calming down, he thought about promoting you."

His tone suddenly changed at this point: "I've advised you against it. You're only twenty years old now; a high official position isn't a good thing for you. Do you understand?"

Shen Ce nodded: "I understand Master Cheng's good intentions. It is not a good thing to be in a high position without having experienced experience."

"That's more like it. Don't be fooled by His Majesty's lavish bestowal of official titles, when you've only received a promotion of one rank."

"Kid, you know what I mean. It's like the tide; it rises for a short time, but it will recede soon after."

"What brings you here today?"

Shen Ce gave an awkward smile, took two steps forward, and said, "I have come today to ask for Lord Cheng's help."