Chapter 82 - Chapter 82: Chapter 77: Catching Jin Chan t (1/2)
Chapter 82: Chapter 77: Catching Jin Chan t
Translator: 549690339
Official attire was reserved only for government officials; commoners would commit a crime by wearing it, similar in nature to civilians donning police uniforms today.
Once discovered, they would be arrested and punished by the authorities.
Official attire typically came in two forms, one was the regular service attire, and the other was the ceremonial attire.
The regular service attire was also known as public attire or plain attire, worn for office or other ordinary occasions.
The ceremonial attire was reserved for festive days, such as sacrifices, ceremonies, weddings, birthdays, welcoming edicts from the Immortal Sect, and other such occasions.
The attire that this official wore was a black, fold-collared official robe, a style ranked below the round-collared official robe.
It bore resemblance to a long robe.
Literate individuals who had passed the civil examinations, aspiring Insect Masters, aspiring Beast Tamers, including middle-grade farmers, were all allowed to wear long robes.
In terms of rank, fold-collared official robes were considered lower than round-collared robes.
Even unranked officials would wear round-collared robes instead of these fold-collared ones.
Because it was folded once, it symbolized the law not being perfectly fulfilled, a flaw.
Only clerks, whose status was higher than that of the commoners but lower than that of officials, would wear these ‘mock’ official robes.
Looking at the hat this person wore, it was a black cloth cap, also known as a clerk’s cap, a soft hat exclusively for clerks, with a flat top, an exposed forehead, a central fold, and wings of an official’s cap on the back.
This was the lowest-ranking official hat.
It indicated that this man was merely a clerk, not a formal official.
A clerk is someone who works as an assistant to an official in the government, the main workforce behind the scenes.
All sorts of account settlements and policy implementations were completed by clerks.
A mere clerk had no right to warrant the Yan Family sending a direct bloodline member to accompany them
This brings us to the red robe the person wore.
Donning a red robe was akin to an honor, signifying greater prestige than the average clerk, comparable to an outstanding figure among the clerks.
If Qin Niu was not mistaken, this person must be a leader among the clerks.
Ranking below Historians, yet above ordinary clerks.
It was precisely because he was a leader among the clerks that the Yan Family would dispatch a direct bloodline member and a mid-level manager to accompany him.
To show the importance and warmth they placed on this individual.
Indeed, how could an ordinary clerk possess a horse worth a thousand taels of silver?
Only a standout leader among the clerks could have such substantial wealth.
Behind many officials lay their own families and industries, for the meager official salary alone was hardly enough to cover gifts for superiors and social exchanges during festivals.
“Listen carefully, this is Official Liu Shuban, in charge of the agricultural taxation for the government office. In light of the floods occurring in multiple areas under the Black Tiger Gang’s jurisdiction, Official Liu, out of compassion for the people, has specially come to inspect the disaster,” called out the middle-aged man who looked like a steward from the Yan Family, introducing the official’s identity.
“We greet Official Liu!”
The common people, who were fearful of officials, were even more reverent upon hearing that this man was an official with real power in the government.
“You may dispense with the formalities!”
Official Liu Shuban raised his right hand lightly and swept his gaze over the crowd.
“The floods did not reach Shuangfeng Village; you should feel fortunate! This year, many areas have suffered from floods and even insect plagues. If you tend to your fields well, you can peacefully get through this year of disasters.”
Having said that, Official Liu Shuban untied the horse’s reins and leaped onto the black steed.
His movements were agile, revealing his impressive skills.
“Heehee-!”
The black steed neighed joyfully.
“Neigh-!”
Facing such a magnificent horse, Qin Niu’s Xiao Nui seemed unafraid and even stretched its neck, issuing its own call.
Official Liu Shuban glanced at Xiao Nui, his eyes showing a trace of surprise, and then looked at Qin Niu.
“Is this calf yours?”
“It’s mine.”
I’ll give you ten taels of silver for it. Will you sell?”
The price Official Liu Shuban offered was astonishing; a calf was worth at most three taels of silver at most. Offering ten taels outright was generous; just another two or three taels would be enough to buy a grown water buffalo.
“Thank you for the honor, but 1 intend to keep this calf for ploughing the fields. It’s not for sale,” Qin Niu politely declined.
“Boy, don’t be disrespectful. Official Liu fancies your calf; it’s like your ancestors’ graves have sprouted green smoke. Ten taels of silver could buy you three calves like this and still leave you with change,” the Yan Family’s middle-aged steward scolded coldly.
“All Niu, it’s a rare chance, you should sell!”
The other villagers also felt that Qin Niu was being foolish.
Seeing Qin Niu unmoved, Official Liu Shuban waved his hand dismissively.
“Enough. It’s merely an ordinary calf; if he doesn’t want to sell, let him be! Steward Pang, don’t force him, or folks might think I’m compelling the commoners to sell their livestock under duress,” he said.
Then, Official Liu Shuban nodded toward the two from the Yan Family.
“My thanks for your hospitality; please convey my gratitude to Elder Yan.”
The Elder Yan he spoke of was likely Yan Ruohai.
Although without an official title, his status was no lower than that of an ordinary official, for he was the real overlord of Jade Stream Town.
“Wang Youquan, on the fifteenth of this month, take your daughter to Yichun Garden in Black Tiger City. Young Master Lu will be there to admire the flowers. If he takes a liking to your daughter, not only will she be provided for life, but your status too will rise to honor and glory,” Official Liu said.
Wang Youquan was Wang Furen’s given name.
“Thank you, Official Liu, for the tip! If my daughter is chosen by Young Master Lu, I will not forget your kindness,” Wang Furen expressed his excitement, bowing and offering his thanks.
It seemed he was dead set on his daughter becoming a phoenix by ascending to the branches.
“Haha, it’s nothing! Until next time!”
Official Liu Shuban’s attitude toward Wang Furen was quite cordial.
He probably also considered that Wang Furen had a beautiful daughter; once married to Young Master Lu, her status would soar instantly.
Perhaps there would come a time when he might have to ask for Wang Furen’s help.
These officials were cunning, always finding opportunities to gain advantage and never waking early for nothing.
Upon hearing this, Qin Niu felt a pang of sadness in his heart. Such a fine young lady might not necessarily find happiness married to a nobleman’s son.
If Young Master Lu loved her, that would be fine, but if he treated her as a plaything, becoming bored with her after a while and casting her aside, then her fate would be quite tragic.
Nobleman’s sons were never short of women.