Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 196

On one hand, Pei Che assigns people to monitor Zhao Wei and record his daily movements. On the other hand, he oversees the reorganization of the household registration system. Originally not too busy, the civil affairs office now springs into action because of this order.

Pei Che keeps his word. He promises to report to the Vice Minister of the Left and to send additional personnel. Sure enough, three more people arrive the next day. With seven or eight people now gathered, they face the household registration records stored in the warehouse. After exchanging glances, they finally get to work.

They open the boxes and begin by stacking the registration records to the side. Piles upon piles soon form a small mountain.

Gazing at this seemingly insurmountable task, some inevitably grumble inwardly, feeling this is unnecessary busywork. Things have been fine for so many years; why suddenly reorganize everything? However, as subordinates, no matter how unwilling or full of complaints they are, they still have to get the job done.

Using small knives, they carefully cut the threads binding the records, meticulously separating the covers from the pages within. Then they categorize them by surname. Although surnames are often referred to as part of the “Hundred Family Names,” a detailed examination reveals that less common surnames are indeed rare.

This task isn’t difficult, but it requires immense patience to complete properly. The low-ranking clerks are well-suited for this because even a small mistake in their usual duties could cost them their livelihood. While officials are selected through triennial imperial examinations, clerks face annual evaluations, with many vying for their positions.

In this way, after more than half a month, the labor-intensive but straightforward task of reorganizing the household registrations is finally completed. Pei Che reviews the new registration books with a pleased expression. With these, finding people will be much easier. Not being a stingy person, he knows that after their hard work, providing no reward will make it harder to motivate them for future tasks.

“Categorize these records and store them properly. Label the covers and the outside of the boxes with the surnames to make future searches easier,” Pei Che instructs.

The subordinates nod and readily agree. After enduring such a strenuous process, this request seems simple. Moreover, since Pei Che gives out rewards, they return with smiles, eagerly carrying out his orders.

Not long after Pei Che sits down, a commotion outside suddenly erupts, growing louder as it approaches. Looking up, he sees someone leading an official into the room.

“Lord Pei, this is Lord Qu from the Ministry of Justice. He has been ordered to confiscate the property of the criminal Zhang Shuyi and his family. Today, he has come to retrieve the Zhang household’s registration record. Please issue instructions to have it located as soon as possible.”

Pei Che replies, “I will arrange for it immediately. Might I ask Lord Qu to provide the current address of the Zhang family?”

After the official surnamed Qu provides the address and sees Pei Che instructing someone to head to the civil affairs office, he considers leaving. Based on past experience, tasks like this usually can’t be completed in less than three to five days.

Pei Che says, “Please don’t be impatient, Lord Qu. I’ve already sent someone to handle this. At most, it will take a quarter of an hour. Why not sit down and enjoy a cup of tea while you wait?”

Pei Che thinks to himself that if this person leaves, he will have to send someone to deliver the records later, which will only create unnecessary trouble for himself.

Hearing this, the official Qu widens his eyes. “Truly? Lord Pei, I hope you’re not joking. I have pressing matters to attend to and cannot afford delays.”

Pei Che smiles. “Why would I joke about something so important? At most, a quarter of an hour. If the records aren’t delivered by then, you’re welcome to hold me accountable.”

Hearing what Pei Che says, despite his doubts, Qu has no choice but to sit down and drink tea. He thinks that if this Pei dares to toy with him, he will certainly report him to their superiors. Even if Pei Che is the heir to a Duke’s household, he’ll have to back down when it comes to such matters.

Before the tea is finished, someone arrives from outside. A clerk enters carrying a few thin sheets of paper and says, “Sir, the household registration records for Zhang Shuyi’s family from Green Lake Alley have been located.”

The man surnamed Qu is stunned and looks over to see Zhang Shuyi’s name clearly written on the papers. However, the papers appear very new, and the ink looks like it has just dried. Could they have fabricated this on the spot? Forging household records is a serious crime!

Noticing his suspicion, Pei Che says, “Lord Qu, once a household registration record is lost, it is almost impossible to fully restore. Starting today, the original registers are no longer allowed to leave the archives. The information on these papers is identical to the originals. If you have any concerns, you may follow Clerk Wang to verify them.”

“That won’t be necessary. I trust your work, Lord Pei,” Official Qu replies as he folds the papers and tucks them into his chest. Bowing with clasped hands, he says, “I still have official duties to attend to, so I’ll take my leave for today.”

Pei Che returns the gesture and watches him depart.

For Pei Che, this is merely a minor interlude. However, for the officials of the Ministry of Justice, it is anything but ordinary. When Official Qu returns to report with the records, the Ministry officials are incredulous. The Ministry of Justice also has numerous archives like the household registration records, but locating a specific one for a case within a quarter of an hour is simply impossible. And yet, the Ministry of Revenue has done it.

“Who’s the Assistant Secretary in charge of civil affairs at the Ministry of Revenue?” one of the officials asks.

“Sir, it’s Pei Che,” someone replies.

“Pei Che? Why does that name sound so familiar?”

“He is the heir to the Duke of Zhongguo’s mansion. The widely discussed rumors from before were related to him.”

The official nods thoughtfully. “Ah, so it’s him. Since he handles matters so efficiently, take the backlog of cases requiring household registration records and bring them to him as well. No point delaying further.”

“Yes, My lord!”

In the past, retrieving records from the Ministry of Revenue often takes three to five days for major cases, while smaller, trivial matters can take much longer—or not be resolved at all. Officials are reluctant to bother the Ministry over such minor issues. But now that things have become more convenient, they decide to take advantage of the change without delay.

The Ministry of Justice’s satisfaction with the expedited service quickly spreads the reputation of the civil affairs office within the Ministry of Revenue. Departments needing household registration records or related information start approaching them with cautious optimism.

In the Ministry of Revenue, the civil affairs office—once desolate and overlooked—suddenly finds itself bustling with activity. The clerks work tirelessly from morning until night, yet their faces are full of smiles. These tasks present opportunities for advancement. Successfully completing them builds their reputation and increases their chances of promotion. Any dissatisfaction they once felt toward Pei Che’s strict orders dissipates entirely.

Other government offices grow curious and begin inquiring why the civil affairs office has become so efficient. When Pei Che learns of their questions, he unreservedly shares his methods. This exchange of ideas gradually improves efficiency across multiple departments. Even small changes bring significant convenience.

Pei Che’s name surfaces once more in court discussions. The last time had been for his contributions in managing Cangzhou and discovering an iron mine. This time, it is for his innovative reforms.

When Emperor Liangping first hears of the matter, he blinks in surprise. After understanding the full story, he can’t help but admire Pei Che. Assigning him to the civil affairs office had been intended as a soft exile—a department with little chance of advancement and no access to power. Yet, in such an unremarkable place, Pei Che has still managed to earn widespread praise. Truly, a man of extraordinary talent!

…

Pei Che pays no attention to the accolades outside. At this moment, he is staring blankly at the papers in his hand. He has been monitoring Zhao Wei for nearly a month now. Every day, a summary of Zhao Wei’s movements is delivered to him.

Based on the reports, Zhao Wei appears to be a law-abiding merchant. He runs a textile business, leaving early and returning late each day. On the rare occasions he socializes, he avoids disreputable places, and his associates are mostly other merchants. The most notable connection among them is the son of a fourth-rank official. By all accounts, there seems to be nothing suspicious about him.

Yet, the more ordinary Zhao Wei appears, the more Pei Che feels certain that he is the one who donated incense money at Ciji Temple all those years ago.

Thanks to the civil affairs office reforms, accessing household records has become much easier. Over the past few days, Pei Che spends his time in the records room investigating everything about Zhao Wei—his maternal family, his wife’s family, and beyond. After digging through everyone’s information, Pei Che discovers a crucial detail: Zhao Wei’s cousin, his maternal uncle’s daughter, once entered the Third Prince’s household as a concubine. And that Third Prince is now Emperor Liangping!

Further investigation reveals that a few years ago, Zhao Wei had a falling-out with his maternal uncle over a business deal and severed all ties.

But is the fallout truly just about a business deal?