Chapter 016: Who Is More Noble (Part 3) 1/2

Brothers and sisters, dear friends, have pity on me and give me your support and recommendations...

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From his appearance, Deng Ji was a rather honest-looking young man.

He wasn't tall—about 175 centimeters—and slightly overweight. His face was round, his eyes small yet lively.

But perhaps due to excessive exhaustion, Deng Ji’s gaze now appeared empty.

His complexion was poor, a sickly pallor betraying his health. His hair was disheveled, his black cotton robe wrinkled and marked by a few faint stains. Standing in the hall, he respectfully saluted Kuai Zheng, “Minor official Deng Ji, pays his respects to Magistrate Kuai!”

He felt somewhat bewildered, unable to fathom why Kuai Zheng had summoned him so suddenly.

Reasonably speaking, although Deng Ji was one of Kuai Zheng’s subordinates, he had never interacted with him directly. He was not one for currying favor or seeking opportunities. At all times, he merely performed his duties diligently, never concerning himself with anything beyond his work.

Originally, he had been organizing household registers in the county office.

With the change of magistrate, the household records of Jiyang County had to be submitted to the new magistrate.

Household registration management at the end of the Eastern Han was far less regulated than in later times. Especially after the upheaval of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, management had grown particularly lax. The last thorough review had been conducted when Liu Biao first arrived in Jingzhou. Since then, the county magistrate had paid little attention. Although the county clerk Wang Wei cared deeply about it, he was overwhelmed by trivial matters and could only do sporadic updates.

Jiyang was a medium-sized county, with 10,300 households and nearly fifty thousand people.

Life and death occurred daily. After years of accumulation, producing an accurate report at short notice was no simple task. Moreover, Deng Cai had deliberately made things difficult, dumping several years’ worth of materials on Deng Ji to sort. Though Deng Ji was capable, under such circumstances it was impossible to finish quickly. He had been working in the office for over three days, without even time to change clothes... And even then, he faced Deng Cai's constant pressure.

Kuai Zheng was equally surprised when he saw Deng Ji.

He couldn’t help but wonder: how could Cao Peng’s brother-in-law appear so disheveled?

He seemed to understand now...

Cao Peng was here to call him to account!

Of course, Kuai Zheng was not afraid of Cao Peng. Even if Cao Peng was Pan Ji’s disciple or even his son, Kuai Zheng would not be intimidated.

But offending someone for no reason was never a good thing.

Besides, Cao Peng had not openly accused him; his words were courteous and deferential. His sister had gotten into a conflict at home, so he had come to fetch his brother-in-law—an understandable gesture. Yet the fact that Deng Ji, his subordinate, looked like this was hardly flattering if the story got out. Kuai Zheng wondered: what on earth had Deng Ji been doing in the office?

To make himself so worn out was no easy feat...

Originally, Kuai Zheng had planned to simply call Deng Ji over and let him leave with Cao Peng.

But now his curiosity was piqued. He asked in a deep voice, “Deng Ji, I am newly appointed and unfamiliar with many matters, and have not yet met you. I hear you have not been home for three days—what is the reason? If you are facing difficulties, do not hesitate to tell me.”

Deng Ji’s eyes were empty, but hearing this, he was startled.

“Didn’t the magistrate order the household registers of Jiyang to be organized?” he asked.

Kuai Zheng nodded. “That is true... but I never told you to stay away from home for three days.”

“Your instruction was that the household registers be compiled and submitted the day after tomorrow. I am limited in ability and have had to work day and night without rest.”

Kuai Zheng was bewildered. “When did I ask you to submit the registers the day after tomorrow?”

He turned to Cao Peng, as if to explain, “Since I took office, I heard that Jiyang County’s registers had not been updated for years, so I ordered them to be organized... Deng Ji, I said there was no need to rush. The task is difficult and can be done gradually. When did I ever demand submission the day after tomorrow?”

“Ah?” Deng Ji muttered in confusion. “But the clerk said this was your order...”

“Nonsense!” Kuai Zheng’s face darkened in anger. “Are you saying Deng Cai told you this?”

“Exactly.”

“That fool! How could he conduct himself so?”

Kuai Zheng was genuinely angry!

He had appointed Deng Cai as his clerk based on family recommendations before taking office. He thought that even if the man lacked great ability, he could at least be a trusted confidant. After all, the Kuai family’s foundation was not in Jiyang, and without reliable people, Kuai Zheng would struggle to assert himself. But now, Deng Cai had made him lose face in front of a disciple of Lumen... If word spread, it would be a disgrace.

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“Brother, this matter... my subordinate acted foolishly and let Brother Deng suffer. I hope you will be forgiving.”

Only now did Deng Ji notice, sitting in the hall besides Kuai Zheng, a sickly, plainly dressed youth. At first glance, Deng Ji found the boy familiar. When he had married Cao Nan, he had met Cao Peng, but because Cao Peng was reclusive, Deng Ji hadn’t paid much attention. Now, seeing him again, Deng Ji could not recall who he was. Nor would he ever have guessed—it was impossible that his wife’s family would be treated as honored guests by a county magistrate.

But the youth rose, waving his hand indifferently.

“Brother, there’s no need to blame yourself. This matter has nothing to do with you. If your subordinates behave poorly, just discipline them in due course. Don’t let it trouble you.”

With that, the youth walked over to Deng Ji, saluting, “Brother-in-law, let’s go home.”

Brother-in-law?

Deng Ji grew more confused, staring at the youth for a long while before stammering, “You, you... are you A-Fu?”

“Brother-in-law, don’t you recognize me?”

Deng Ji’s jaw dropped in astonishment, stammering, “A-Fu, how are you here?”

Cao Peng smiled, “Brother-in-law, it’s a long story. Let’s go home and talk.

Sister got into a conflict today with Deng Cai’s wife and got a bit hurt... You should come back with me. I’ll explain everything on the way.”

Deng Ji was truly dazed!

Was this really his withdrawn, hard-to-approach brother-in-law?

Meanwhile, Kuai Zheng was equally astonished.

Earlier, Cao Peng had mentioned that his sister had clashed with a malicious woman in the village. Kuai Zheng hadn’t cared much; to him, such matters were trivial. If Cao Peng had requested, he would have readily come to his aid. But had he done so, Kuai Zheng might have underestimated Cao Peng. Luckily Cao Peng had not brought it up, so Kuai Zheng had not pursued it.

But now...

Deng Cai. Again, Deng Cai!

“Brother Cao, just now you mentioned Deng Cai—which Deng Cai?”

Cao Peng feigned surprise, replying, “He’s a clansman from Deng Village, I think... Brother, I just arrived today and honestly don’t know the details.”

Kuai Zheng’s face darkened, turning to Deng Ji.

“Brother Deng, how many Deng Cai are there in Deng Village?”

“...Only my elder brother.”

“Deng Cai is your brother?”

“Yes... but we have different mothers.”

The ancients often spoke of “brotherly affection and filial respect”—those four words left by Confucius, a standard for assessing one’s virtue. Deng Cai was Deng Ji’s elder brother, yet he made things difficult for his own kin. Clearly, he had little of “brotherly affection.” Deng Ji, on the other hand, was gentle, respectful, and spoke softly—a model of “filial respect.”

Unconsciously, Kuai Zheng’s impression of Deng Ji improved greatly; while his view of Deng Cai plummeted to the freezing point.

“Brother Cao, you and Deng Ji should go home now.

Once your sister recovers, I’ll host a banquet for you in the county town... Deng Ji, these next few days, stay home to care for Lady Cao. No need to hurry back to work. As for the household registers, forget about them for now. When you return, I’ll have other important tasks for you.”

“Yes!” Deng Ji replied with delight, immediately bowing in acceptance.

Cao Peng stood calmly nearby, his pale face betraying no emotion.

From the moment he had entered the county office and begun speaking with Kuai Zheng, every word he said had been carefully considered. Originally, if Kuai Zheng had not questioned Deng Ji about his work, Cao Peng would have steered the conversation there himself. Unexpectedly, Kuai Zheng was astute and brought it up on his own, saving him the trouble.

Such gentry value reputation above all.

Today, wearing the mantle of Pan Ji’s student, Cao Peng had honored Kuai Zheng.

Therefore, Kuai Zheng would surely return the favor...

“Brother-in-law, let’s go.”

With that, Cao Peng bowed to Kuai Zheng, “Sir, I take my leave.”

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Cao Peng led Deng Ji out of the hall, Deng Ji still somewhat dazed.

He felt as if he were lost in clouds and mist, unable to understand how his brother-in-law had suddenly appeared in Jiyang. Judging from earlier, Kuai Zheng seemed extremely cordial with him. Deng Ji had some understanding of the temperament of gentry—they would never lower themselves like this for someone not of equal status... It had been three or four months since he last saw Cao Peng.

Could it be that in these months his brother-in-law had become influential?

Deng Ji stumbled after Cao Peng and before long, they arrived at the county office’s gate.

“Brother-in-law, do you still recognize Uncle Wang?”

In private, Cao Peng could call Wang Meng “uncle,” but formally, he must address him as “elder.”

“Elder” and “uncle” meant the same, but the former was more respectful.

Here, in the county office, every word and deed of Cao Peng was carefully measured.

Deng Ji was quite familiar with Wang Meng, and called out in delight, “Uncle, I hope you’ve been well.”

“Shusun, you haven’t changed at all.”

“Uncle, what brings you here today...?”

“Haha, it’s a long story. Let’s head home first.

Your brother has summoned a doctor, who should be at your house by now. Let’s settle these matters, then we can talk properly.”

Deng Ji nodded and was about to step into the carriage.

At that moment, a harsh voice rang out by the gate, “Deng Ji, where are you going?”

Deng Ji froze, turned, and saw a young man emerge from the side door of the county office. The man was older than Deng Ji, with a similar face, but thinner, with narrow eyes and a high nose that gave him a mean and unkind look.

“Brother...”

“How many times have I told you, this is the county office, not home.

Here, you must address me by my official title... What a rude fellow, and you call yourself a scholar! You disgrace all learned men.”

Deng Ji’s face flushed, his breath quickening.

He suppressed his anger and bowed, “Greetings to Clerk Deng...”

This youth was none other than Deng Ji’s elder brother, Deng Cai.

He raised his chin arrogantly, coldly declaring, “Deng Ji, where are you going?”

“Reporting to Clerk Deng, I am heading home.”

“Home?” Deng Cai’s narrow eyes widened, and he barked, “Who gave you permission to go home? Have you finished the tasks assigned to you?”

Deng Ji’s face reddened, about to reply.

But a cold, quiet voice came from within the county office, “I told him to go home, Clerk Deng, do you have any objections?”

Deng Cai, still full of self-importance, snapped without turning, “And who do you think you are? I’m telling you, unless you finish your official duties, you’re not going anywhere.”

Only then did he realize the voice was not from Deng Ji.

He hurriedly turned, and upon seeing who it was, his face went pale with fear. Bowing hastily, he stammered, “I didn’t know the magistrate was present—your subordinate, your subordinate...”

Kuai Zheng strode out of the county office, coldly fixing his gaze on Deng Cai. After a long moment, he squeezed out a grim phrase, “Clerk Deng, you certainly wield your authority boldly!”

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