IDWBE -Chapter 378 Becoming an Official

“Those bastards—what tricks do we need for them?”

Wang Xiaoshuan said with disdain, “Just wipe them out directly. No need for all this scheming.”

As porters transporting military supplies from south to north, they inevitably dealt with all sorts of characters along the Grand Canal. The most troublesome were the Canal Gang. Not only did they jack up prices on the spot, they even dared to resell military supplies!

In Sanhe, that was a capital crime. If not beheading, then forced labor at the very least.

But General He Jixiang had said one sentence: “The law does not punish the masses.”

So whether soldiers or laborers, they were helpless.

If not for military discipline, they would’ve drawn their blades long ago and chopped those people down. They wouldn’t have tolerated such nonsense.

Jiang Qiu snorted coldly. “On the north–south canal, is there only one Canal Gang? There are hundreds of thousands making a living off it. Are you going to kill them all? If governing the realm were as simple as you say, then the world would already be at peace. There wouldn’t be so many problems.”

“That’s true,” Wang Xiaoshuan frowned. “But dragging things out like this feels stifling. Not satisfying at all.”

“You just don’t understand the cost of running a household,” Jiang Qiu said, gazing at the towering city walls ahead. “Governing a country is like managing a family—you have to calculate carefully and plan slowly. You can’t act recklessly. Killing people is easy. Winning hearts is hard. If you scare everyone witless today, who will run the canal transport tomorrow? You?”

Wang Xiaoshuan looked at him in surprise. He couldn’t believe such words came from Jiang Qiu.

Scarface Jiang had always been a lone wolf, taciturn and blunt.

Who knew he actually had some substance inside?

“Brother Jiang, you’ve read books?”

Jiang Qiu rolled his eyes. “You think I spent all these years at Prince He’s estate for nothing?”

As gatekeeper of Prince He’s estate, he had met countless people. Even without formal study, he’d absorbed plenty.

“Brother Jiang speaks wisely. I’ve learned something,” Wang Xiaoshuan said sheepishly.

By the time they reached the city gate, they saw the newly appointed Minister of Health, mounted on a tall horse, scolding officers of the Military Commission.

“Sanitation! Sanitation! Still sanitation! How many times have I said it? The city is filthy, sewage flowing everywhere, stench choking the air. You say it’s large and crowded and hard to manage—fine, I can understand that. But right under your noses you can’t even keep things clean? That’s deliberate negligence! Who urinated in the gate tunnel? I could smell it from afar! Disgusting! No one cares?”

Jiang Yi glanced at Zhang Mian. Seeing him remain still, he knew the blame would fall on him. Zhang Mian had just arrived—he could plead ignorance.

Jiang Yi stepped forward. “Rest assured, sir. I will strictly supervise and improve sanitation.”

Though the Military Commission wasn’t technically under the Health Ministry, Hu Shilu’s rank was solidly Second Grade.

Jiang Yi couldn’t afford to offend him—especially as a former surrendered general. If Hu Shilu wanted to make things difficult, no one would help him.

Hu Shilu continued sternly, “Prince He has repeatedly stressed that sanitation is of utmost importance. Are you ignoring his words? Planning rebellion?”

“I wouldn’t dare!” Jiang Yi nearly collapsed in fear.

“That’s better. Rectify this immediately. If the Prince learns of this, none of you can bear the consequences.”

Zhang Mian stepped forward respectfully. “It is my fault. Please grant me one week. I will coordinate with Ankang Prefecture for a citywide cleanup. Violators will be punished severely.”

Everyone from Sanhe knew how seriously Prince He took sanitation.

Hu Shilu was right—if plague broke out, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Satisfied, Hu Shilu nodded. “Remember this well.”

After he rode off, Jiang Yi wiped cold sweat from his brow.

Wang Xiaoshuan watched, wide-eyed. “That old fellow sure has authority.”

Though he disliked Hu Shilu’s style, he genuinely admired him as a “divine physician.”

When Hu Shilu first arrived in Baiyun City, Wang Xiaoshuan’s five-year-old sister had been covered in boils and pus. Everyone thought she was beyond saving.

Hu Shilu ignored objections and smeared pig manure on her sores.

Miraculously, she recovered.

Now she was healthy and thriving.

Jiang Qiu chuckled. “He’s a native of Ankang. If he doesn’t show off in front of acquaintances, what’s the point of being an official?”

Wang Xiaoshuan grinned. “When I make it big and return to Baiyun City, I’ll strut too.”

Back inside the city, Wang Xiaoshuan followed Jiang Qiu closely.

They had agreed to split the bounty. If Jiang Qiu acted alone, he’d get nothing.

They arrived at the stables of Prince He’s estate, where grooms, gardeners, and guards lived.

In the courtyard, Sun Chongde lounged in the sun.

“You’re awfully free,” Sun Chongde drawled. “No proper business?”

“The army’s returning from the northern frontier. No need for so many supplies,” Wang Xiaoshuan shrugged.

“Not returning to Sanhe?”

“No. Rumor says Prince He may move troops against Liangzhou. If I leave now, I’ll miss my chance.”

“Don’t spread nonsense,” Sun Chongde warned. “This is the capital, not Sanhe. Be careful.”

Wang Xiaoshuan nodded. “Even if not business, I could join the Military Commission. I’ve already applied.”

Sun Chongde laughed. “Want to idle? Don’t go there. Even the commander patrols in winter. You’ll freeze.”

Wang Xiaoshuan shivered at the thought.

“So where should I go?”

Sun Chongde thought a moment. “You don’t have to join the military or yamen to become an official. Look at Huang Daoji, Mo Shun, Hu Shilu, Granny Sang, Liang Yuanzhi. Learn from them.”

“Granny Sang? She’s over sixty!”

“So what? Age doesn’t bar office.”

He explained that Granny Sang had managed Sanhe’s orphanage excellently. On Prince He’s order, she had been appointed Assistant Right Envoy of the Bureau of Protocol—Ninth Rank—overseeing orphans.

Wang Xiaoshuan sighed. “So next time I see her, I call her ‘Madam Official’?”

Sun Chongde grinned. “Exactly.”

Then he added, “Since you want to be an official, I’ll show you a path. I’m about to become Director of the Imperial Stud. Come with me. I’ll appoint you as Stable Chief—also Ninth Rank.”

Wang Xiaoshuan’s eyes lit up.

“A Ninth Rank post?”

“Don’t say I’ve treated you poorly.”

If he announced recruitment openly, applicants would flood in.

Jiang Qiu snorted. “In the past, to become Ninth Rank you’d need years of study and connections. You’re handed a post for free and still hesitate. Ungrateful brat.”

He even felt a twinge of jealousy.

Why Wang Xiaoshuan and not him?

Had Sun Cheng complained about him?

Finally, Wang Xiaoshuan clenched his teeth. “Alright! I’ll follow you, Brother! From now on, whatever you say, I’ll do.”

If things went well, Sun Chongde would be like reborn parents to him.

If not… his blade showed no favoritism.

“Good,” Sun Chongde said, quite pleased with Wang Xiaoshuan’s shameless enthusiasm.