Chapter 13: The Way of Being an Official

  Xiao Jiading cupped his hands and said, "I can only recite a few lines of poetry, I don't have the talent to pass the imperial examination. So, this path of taking the imperial examination is not something I dare to hope for. It's better to just be honest and work as a clerk to make a living."

  Du Dali nodded and said, "Yesterday Erniang was whispering in my ear about you being chivalrous and talented, asking me to help you. I didn't quite believe it, so I wanted to see for myself. Now that I know your forte is poetry, just this one point alone would be more than enough to serve as a clerk in the government office. However, there are six departments in the government office with different officials, which department do you want to work in?"

  "I studied criminal law late in life and dare not say I'm proficient, but I still have some understanding of it. So I thought of going to the prison, I don't know if it's feasible?"

  Du Dali smiled and said, "In the prison as a clerk, it's not necessarily to be proficient in criminal law. I've been working in the yamen prison for decades, and I've seen many people who claim to be proficient in criminal law. Who really is? Even those who understand a thing or two are not many. Some clerks haven't even read the criminal code, yet they've worked for many years. Do you know the secret?"

  Xiao Jiading hastily cupped his hands and said: "I was just about to ask Grandfather for guidance. I am eager to hear Grandfather's teachings."

  Du Da stroked his white beard and said: "To get along well in the government office, to climb up, the key is one word: 'round'!"

  "Circle?"

  "Ah! Being round is being smooth. There's a lot to learn from this, when dealing with superiors, being smooth means flattering and fawning, giving gifts and doing things quickly and to their liking. When interacting with colleagues, being smooth means smiling and making friends, giving compliments and avoiding conflicts, showing empathy and kindness, so that everyone speaks well of you. When dealing with subordinates, in the office be strict and serious, as they say 'benevolence is not enough to lead an army', but outside the office be friendly and caring, show concern and warmth, making them respect and appreciate you at the same time. In short, this character for 'round' has many nuances, it's hard to explain clearly, it all depends on one's own understanding. Haha!"

  He said that Xiao Jia Ding had seen a lot of modern officialdom, and naturally understood it very well. However, he looked surprised and worshipful, repeatedly bowing his hands and saying: "I've heard Grandfather's teachings, and suddenly I understand, my confusion has cleared up, what was originally a foggy mess is now clear as day! Thank you, thank you!"

  Du Dali nodded and sighed, saying: "It's easy to say, but it's hard to do. Take me for example, I understand all these principles, but I'm too used to being stubborn, can't be smooth in everything, so I missed countless opportunities for promotion, and ended up as a small book officer until old age. Young master should take my experience as a warning!"

  Xiao Jiading secretly laughed in his heart, knowing that you were just talking on paper. Otherwise, how could you have done so many years and still not get promoted? Not even a small official who is not up to standard can be mixed up? He thought so in his heart, but his face was still full of reverence, saying: "Grandfather is too humble, the iron-clad government building and the flowing water officials, those who can work in the government for decades, except for Grandfather, there is no one else. Such skills, if I can learn them, I will be very satisfied."

  Du Da smiled secretly and glanced at Du Er Niu, saying: "This young master is quite eloquent."

  "Isn't that just right? Grandfather, you've agreed to help him?" Du Er Niu said with delight.

  Du Da murmured: "Helping to say is no problem, it's just..."

  Xiao Jia Ding himself knew what the old man was worried about and hastily interjected: "The money for the late birth has already been prepared."

  Du Dali smiled suddenly and said: "You are quite clever, how much have you prepared?"

  "One tael of silver, plus a jade pendant worth nine taels of silver. How about it?"

  Du Da nodded: "In theory, the only one who can decide whether you become a clerk in the government office is the county magistrate. However, other officials such as the county lieutenant, the chief clerk, and the county captain often have a say in the matter because they are the county magistrate's right-hand men. The people they recommend, the county magistrate generally won't oppose. It's not easy to see the county magistrate, he's also very cautious and doesn't meet with outsiders. So, let's go find one of the county lieutenant, chief clerk or county captain and ask them to put in a good word for us, then this matter will be settled."

  "Who should I look for specifically?"

  Du Da sank into thought for a moment, then said: "Find Deng Quansheng. He's my old superior and we've always gotten along well. He'll give me some face. Besides, this little money of yours is only enough to find him. If you were to find the county magistrate or the chief clerk, it wouldn't be enough, let alone the county head."

  Xiao Jia Ding stuck out his tongue, thinking that the price of buying an official position in the Tang Dynasty was indeed high, and he had underestimated it. He quickly got up and bowed his hands, saying: "Thank you, Grandfather!" He took a string of copper coins from his waist and placed them in front of Du Da Yin, saying: "This is a small token of my appreciation, I am grateful for your help in recommending me, thank you."

  Du Da Yin smiled and nodded: "You've already made a good start at being smooth, well done. I'm sure you'll be in your element in the government office."

  Xiao Jiading said sincerely: "I'm just grateful that Grandfather was so kind to help me out when we first met, and I just wanted to show my appreciation. When I get to the yamen, I won't bend the law for personal gain or compromise my conscience."

  Du Da nodded slightly, glanced at his granddaughter Du Er Niu and said: "If it weren't for Er Niu repeatedly begging me, I wouldn't have interfered in this matter either. If you want to thank someone, just thank Er Niu."

  Xiao Jiading hurriedly bowed to Er Niu: "Thank you, Miss Er Niu!"

  Du Er's chubby face turned a few shades redder as she said, "Alright, aren't we supposed to be helping each other?"

  Du Da smiled and pushed the money in front of Du Er Niu: "You take it! Grandpa gave it to you."

  "Thank you, Grandpa!" Du Er Niu took over the money.

  At this time, dishes and wine came one after another. Xiao Jiading frequently raised his cup to toast and talked eloquently, flattering the old man until he was overjoyed.

  At last, after a good meal and plenty of wine, Du Dali whispered: "Tonight I'll take you to the house of Deng Xianwei. Wait for me here until nightfall."

  Xiao Jiading hastily agreed.

  Du Da looked at his granddaughter and said, "We should also go now?"

  "Grandfather, you go first, I'll talk with Xiao Gongzi for a bit."

  Du Da smiled as if he had understood something, belched, and said: "Alright then, I'll leave first, you two continue eating and chatting!" After that, he winked at Du Er Niu.

  Du Er Niu blushed a bit, playfully hit Du Da Yin's arm and twisted her plump waist, saying: "Grandpa! You've had too much to drink, be careful when walking, don't fall."

  Du Da waved his hand: "Grandpa is not drunk, don't worry!" He slowly walked out of the VIP room and went downstairs.

  Du Er Niu hastily closed the door, took out a form from her sleeve pocket and placed it in front of Xiao Jia Ding: "Here, fill this out. After you've filled it out, I'll take it to the household registration office for you to register, and then they can issue your travel permit. From now on, you won't be a vagrant anymore! Hehe."

  Xiao Jiading happily said: "You really have skills! You managed to get all of these!"

  "There's nothing here, hurry up and fill it."

  Xiao Jiading had previously asked about the registered residence of Xiao Lao's nephew, which was Yizhou Jiuligang County, so he filled it in accordingly. In the name column, his real name was written as "Daming", and the alias was written as "Xiao Qilang", the name he used to impersonate.

  After finishing writing, she handed it to Du Er Niu. Du Er Niu took a glance and said: "Your hometown is Jiulian County? That place is really remote. I heard that there are many herders there."

  "Really? Really?"

  "Are you the seventh child in your family?"

  "Yeah, heh heh."

  "Your family has a lot of brothers!" Du Er Niu said with a smile, pushing the money in front of her to Xiao Jia Ding again, "Take this money back!"

  "Why?"

  "Who owes who between us? You help me, I help you, isn't that even? In the future when we have poetry meetings, I'll get the topic in advance and tell you, then you can help me again, and I won't even give you money. Alright?"

  "Haha, no money is fine, but roast chicken and wine are a must, writing poetry is exhausting!"

  Du Er Niu gave him a big white eye and said: "You just know how to eat!"

  "Is loving food a bad thing? Didn't you also get fat because of your love for eating?"

  "What's wrong with being fat? Many people like chubby women! You don't like?"

  Xiao Jiading shrugged: "It doesn't matter, you're still you whether you're fat or thin. We're friends, not looking for a wife, so there's no need to pick and choose."

  Du Er Nian's chubby face turned slightly red as she asked, "Are you going to continue eating?"

  "Let's put it off till another day, you still have to hurry up and fix the road, who knows if we'll need it tonight. I also can't drink too much, or else I'll make a bad impression when I see the county magistrate tonight."

  "That's right, okay, let's go!"

  Xiao Jiading and the other person left after settling the bill, parting ways at the door. Xiao Jianding returned to the inn, where Li San served him a bowl of hangover soup, which he quickly recovered from since he hadn't drunk too much in the first place. He then went out onto the street to a jewelry store and bought two exquisite gift boxes, one large and one small. Back at the inn, he placed the copper coins in the larger box and the jade pendant in the smaller, more beautiful box. The two boxes were wrapped together in a blue cloth.

  After finishing his work, he took out a copy of "Yong Hui Law" and flipped through it while waiting for Du Da to hide.

  The sun sets in the west, and colorful clouds fill the sky.

  The sound of footsteps echoed outside the door, followed by a knock. Then came the voice of Li San, the shopkeeper: "Young Master Xiao!"

  "Who is it?" asked Xiao Jia Ding, having heard the footsteps of several people.

  Before Li San could answer, someone in the group shouted loudly: "Xiao Brother! It's me, Zhu Haixin. We agreed last night that we'd go to Cuiyu Building together today!"

  Xiao Jiading hastily got up and went to open the door, and indeed saw Zhu Haishan, who was plump and sturdy, standing at the door with several servants, bowing his head towards him.

  Xiao Jiading returned the courtesy and said, "It's still early."

  "It's getting late, let's go eat first, it's better to drink after eating, drinking on an empty stomach can be harmful, come on, I'll cover everything today, let's find a place to eat!"

  Xiao Jiading said: "Sorry, I still have something to take care of. Can't go now."

  Zhu Haixin was somewhat disappointed and said: "Then... when will that be?"

  "This is hard to say, or else you go to Cuixiulou first and wait for me, I'll come after I've finished dealing with things."