Jiang Shaohua looked at the plump Chief Clerk Wen.
Chief Clerk Wen immediately volunteered: "Commandery Princess, the Prince Mansion's warehouse is piled high with gold, silver, jade, cloth, silk, rice, grains, and beans. I intend to verify the previous warehouse records and check them one by one."
Jiang Shaohua was very satisfied with the enthusiastic Chief Clerk Wen, and nodded slightly: "Thank you for your hard work, Chief Clerk Wen. It is a good opportunity to make a new set of records during this inventory check."
Then, she gave Chief Clerk Wen a deep look: "The old records, for now, will remain with Chief Clerk Wen."
This was giving him time and an opportunity to cover up the old accounts.
The final look also included a reminder and a warning. Past matters will not be blamed, but any future misconduct will not be lightly forgiven.
Chief Clerk Wen was relieved and grew a bit more respectful towards the young Commandery Princess: "I accept the order, Your Highness."
Jiang Shaohua casually added: "In five days, I want to see the new warehouse records."
Chief Clerk Wen: "..."
Jiang Shaohua raised her eyebrows slightly: "What? Not enough time?"
Chief Clerk Wen quickly laughed: "Enough, five days is sufficient."
The following five days, he should not expect to close his eyes and sleep.
Jiang Shaohua was very pleased with Chief Clerk Wen's diligence and praised him with a few words: "Although Chief Clerk Wen is older, he is still robust and not afraid of hardship in work."
While praising Chief Clerk Wen, her gaze flicked to Yang Shi.
Chief Clerk Wen was nearly sixty years old, while Yang Zheng was only thirty-four this year, making him the youngest among the subordinate officials, with the best family background.
His close uncle is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Yang Zheng could be considered as having come from a literate family background, having worked in the Ministry of Justice for several years. Five years ago, he came to the Nanyang Prince Mansion as a Judicial Officer, arranged by Vice Minister Yang.
Yang Zheng suddenly felt the chair under him become somewhat hot. Uncontrollably, he stood up: "Commandery Princess, I intend to trial all the previous cases."
In each county, there's a government hall, and major cases involving lives would be transferred to the Prince Mansion's Criminal Room. Aside from that, Yang Zheng also needs to handle cases in Nanyang County.
Jiang Shaohua showed no emotion, making it hard to tell her joy or anger: "From what I hear, Yang Shi, does this mean many cases have been piled up untrialed before?"
Though they had met just a few days before, her appearance hadn't changed a bit. But once she spoke, an invisible pressure came directly at him.
Yang Zheng steadied his mind and opened his mouth to explain: "I have not been negligent. It's just that the Criminal Room is too understaffed to handle everything, causing the pile-up of some untrialed cases."
Slackness and shirking responsibility when encountering problems. He might not have great talents, but he is well-versed in such bureaucratic practices.
This Yang Zheng should be made to leave soon.
Jiang Shaohua noted this in her mind but maintained a calm demeanor: "If short on manpower, just speak up." She turned and instructed Song Yuan: "Commander Song, select twenty skilled, loyal, and capable trusted aides to be assigned to the Criminal Room under Yang Shi's command."
Song Yuan immediately agreed.
Yang Zheng: "..."
Yang Zheng felt like slapping his own mouth and forced a smile: "Commandery Princess' kindness knows no bounds, for which I am deeply grateful. However, there are five squads of constables in the Criminal Room who are accustomed to working together. Adding so many people suddenly could lead to competition or blame-shifting among them. If discord arises, I won't be able to explain it to Commander Song."
Song Yuan glanced at Yang Zheng: "If any discord arises, just go to the Martial Arts Training Ground and spar."
Pah!
Rough martial artist!
Yang Zheng found it hard to breathe and was about to speak when Chen Zhuo coughed lightly.
Yang Zheng shut his mouth resentfully.
Coming from a prominent family, Chen Zhuo was well-connected, passed the imperial exams gloriously, and had outstanding talents and a higher official position with more experience. During the year after Prince Nanyang's passing, it was indeed Chen Zhuo who took charge in managing affairs.
Yang Zheng didn't even regard Feng Wenming highly, but he dared not be disrespectful to Chen Zhuo.
Jiang Shaohua observed the entire scene.
She gave Chen Zhuo a smile of acknowledgment, then said warmly: "Let's leave it at that for today. Everyone disperse and attend to your own duties. From now on, gather in the study room at 7 a.m. every morning for discussions, with longer meetings if necessary and shorter ones if not."
Every day?
7 a.m.?
Doesn't this mean waking up at the fifth hour every day!
Qiu Dianshan, who had three lovely concubines, almost sprang up again. But he remembered previous lessons and barely held himself back.
Chief Historian Feng quite agreed: "When the Prince was alive, he also summoned us for discussions in the study room every day. Seven a.m. is just right, as it does not delay the day's duties."
Chen Zhuo slightly twitched his mouth.
Previously, the Prince had summoned them at nine a.m. The Commandery Princess simply moved it an hour earlier.
Forget it! The Commandery Princess is still a child, brimming with energy. Guessing she'll calm down after a busy period.
The subordinate officials rose and took their leave, and Jiang Shaohua spoke up: "Chief Historian Chen, please stay behind. I have something to discuss with you alone."
...
Everyone exited the study room.
Song Yuan also left the study room and personally stood guard outside.
When Yang Zheng passed by Song Yuan, he snorted through his nose.
The Da Liang Dynasty highly regarded civil spectavial over martial. The civil servants often had a sense of superiority and looked down upon the crude martial artists. As an official's progeny like Yang Zheng, he held even higher disdain.
Having been chastised continually by the Commandery Princess today, Yang Zheng harbored a bellyful of resentment and directed it all towards Song Yuan.
Song Yuan remained motionless, like a statue.
Yang Zheng felt as if he had punched cotton, growing more angry, he sneered, and said sarcastically: "Commander Song's loyalty to the Commandery Princess is commendable and admirable."
A mere ten-year-old girl, showing off the authority of the late Prince. He was discontented at heart.
Song Yuan's gaze darkened, and he stared at Yang Zheng. His right hand moved to the hilt of his sword: "What did you say? If you have the courage, say it again!"
Yang Zheng's back broke out in a cold sweat, trying to maintain his composure while bluffing: "Song Yuan! What do you want to do? Are you planning to assault me here?"
This Song Yuan, his age being similar to Yang Zheng's, was far more brash in temperament. If he lost control and did something recklessly...
From the corner of his eyes, Yang Zheng saw a familiar figure, and quickly grabbed hold of their sleeve: "Old Qiu, come and be reasonable."
Qiu Yuanshang sneered, pulling his sleeve back: "If Yang Shi is afraid of Commander Song, just lower your head and yield. I'm someone who can be punished lightly with a pay cut or beheaded severely, how dare I speak and evaluate."
After saying this, he flicked his sleeves and strode away.
Yang Zheng: "..."
Chief Historian Feng came over unhurriedly, glanced at the expression-changing Yang Zheng, and said lightly: "If Yang Shi has this leisure time, it's better to go to the Criminal Room and trial the pending cases. So you won't be speechless when the Commandery Princess inquires tomorrow."
He then cupped his hands towards Song Yuan: "Commander Song, calm down, and avoid fussing with Yang Shi. We are all colleagues who cross paths every day, so let's give each other face."
Song Yuan's expression softened, and he moved his right hand away from the sword hilt, clasping his fists in return: "I am a martial artist, clumsy and not good with words. Please forgive me, Chief Historian Feng."
"I won't be angered by Yang Shi insulting me. But if he dares to speak disrespectfully to the Commandery Princess, I absolutely won't tolerate it."
"This time, with Chief Historian Feng speaking for him, I will let it go. But next time, I will thrash him until his nose breaks."