Beijing City, Celestial Oversight Bureau.
In the reception hall, Lin Ji sat expressionless on a carved wooden chair, patiently waiting. Beside him, there were seven or eight constables from various regions, all equally silent and patient, waiting.
With the new emperor ascending the throne, orders were given for the Celestial Oversight Bureau to organize the situation in various regions of Da Qin. Hence, the constables from different regions were summoned to report in batches and submit their case files in Beijing.
Suddenly, a roar echoed from the room inside the reception hall.
"You mean to tell me that in three years in Jingyang County, there were only sixteen major case files?"
"Your Excellency, Jingyang County has a simple and honest folk, so it is indeed so."
"Simple and honest folk? Are the demonic influences also simple and honest? Do they see your simple and honest folk and refrain from harming people?"
"This... "
"Jingyang County is near the Jing River and close to the East Sea! Not to mention the frequent disturbances caused by the sea demon clans, even the shrimp soldiers and crab generals nurtured in the Jing River's dragon palace are enough to keep you all extremely busy."
In the reception hall, upon hearing the roaring from the inner room, many constables instinctively shrank their necks.
Only Lin Ji remained calm and composed, sipping his tea without changing his expression, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the armrest of the chair.
This scene attracted the attention of many colleagues.
"I am Zhou Guangcai, a constable from Sishui County. May I know your name?"
"I am Lin Ji from Qingyang County."
Zhou Guangcai smiled and bowed slightly, whispering, "I wonder how many case files Qingyang County brought this time, and if they are complete?"
"Not many, the total records only include thirteen major cases that occurred in the past three years," Lin Ji casually replied.
Zhou Guangcai scrutinized Lin Ji up and down but said nothing more. Instead, he moved to a slightly farther position from Lin Ji.
Seeing this, Lin Ji couldn't help but smile inwardly, though his face remained impassive.
The constable who had just been scolded in the inner room had actually brought in a thicker case file than Lin Ji's.
But that was the style of the Celestial Oversight Bureau; they were extremely strict in their dealings and harsh towards those below.
In troubled times, strict measures were necessary.
Not to mention the constables from county towns like them, even the constables from the first batch of prefectural cities who came to report would face similar challenges.
After all, constables were responsible for maintaining peace in their respective areas. If even the constables were corrupt, the common people would suffer even more.
The sounds from the inner room continued.
"Look at this! This is the information sent back by the Celestial Oversight Bureau's spies in Jingyang County. In just over two months this year, over a dozen households in Jingyang County had their children missing, and their bodies were found by the riverbank! Why wasn't this incident recorded in your submitted case file?"
"Your Excellency, this matter has not been resolved yet, so we..."
"Has it not been resolved, or are you afraid to investigate? What, does the reputation of the Jing River dragon overshadow that of the Celestial Oversight Bureau? Are you all so fearful of a mere fifth realm dragon species?"
"Get out! This matter will be handled by the central office. You no longer need to work as a constable; just be an ordinary demon catcher."
After a while, the constable from Jingyang County walked out of the inner room with a drooping head.
He was sweating profusely, somewhat helplessly bowed to his colleagues in the reception hall, and then left dejectedly.
Soon after, a middle-aged man with sword-like eyebrows, white temples, and hands behind his back walked out.
This man was Zheng Lixin, the official from the Celestial Oversight Bureau responsible for coordinating the constables from various regions and organizing the case files.
Zheng Lixin's gaze swept over the remaining constables in the hall, and each one lowered their heads as he passed.
But when he saw Lin Ji, Lin Ji met his gaze calmly.
Zheng Lixin raised an eyebrow slightly, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Lin Ji from Qingyang County?"
"Does Your Excellency recognize me?" Lin Ji was somewhat surprised.
"Appointments of constables from various regions are recorded in the central office after approval by the local officials. You were appointed as a constable in Qingyang County only three years ago, right?" Zheng Lixin explained casually, then continued, "Next is your turn; bring in the case file."
"At your command."
Lin Ji took the case file and followed Zheng Lixin into the inner room.
After handing over the case file, Lin Ji waited quietly for Zheng Lixin to review it.
In less than a moment, Zheng Lixin furrowed his brows slightly as he set down the case file, but this time he did not roar as before.
"You were the one who solved the infant theft case in Qingyang County six months ago?"
"Your Excellency is referring to the case of the Ghoul Bird?"
"Exactly."
"It was just luck. Although the Ghoul Bird has a notorious name, its abilities are limited. It was captured by five demon catchers from Qingyang County working together."
Zheng Lixin nodded and then asked about several other cases that Lin Ji had handled.
Every time Lin Ji attributed the success to luck or his colleagues, never taking credit.
However, he faintly felt that Zheng Lixin seemed to have investigated him.
Otherwise, as a mere constable from a small county, even if he had some skills, it wouldn't be enough to be so clearly recognized by the central office.
Sure enough, after a few simple questions, Zheng Lixin directly set aside the case file from Qingyang County.
"The case file is in order. Liangzhou is not far from Jingzhou, and the central office is more informed about the situation there. Your case file matches our understanding with minor discrepancies."
Lin Ji nodded, "In that case, please allow me to take my leave."
"Just a moment," Zheng Lixin raised his hand.
Lin Ji paused.
"What else does Your Excellency require?"
"Lin Ji, among the numerous constables from the nine provinces and hundreds of counties in the world, you are considered young and outstanding. Are you interested in staying in Beijing? If you are willing to stay, within three years, you have a great opportunity to compete for the position of Chief Constable in Beijing."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ji was visibly surprised.
It was often said that officials in Beijing were three levels higher. The position of Chief Constable in Beijing was not something an ordinary person could attain.
The Chief Constable in Beijing only obeyed the orders of the officials in Beijing and had authority over the constables in various counties under Jingzhou.
It could be said that they were a figure with eyes and ears throughout Jingzhou.
Even just the opportunity to compete for this position was enough to make countless constables from the Celestial Oversight Bureau envious.
Unfortunately, Lin Ji's aspirations did not lie there.
He joined the Celestial Oversight Bureau only to embark on the path of cultivation.
With his cultivation progressing smoothly, aided by the Book of Cause and Effect, and living well in Qingyang County, why would he want to wade into the murky waters of the higher-ups in the Celestial Oversight Bureau?
Thinking this, Lin Ji politely declined, "I thank Your Excellency for the appreciation. However, my abilities are limited. It is already challenging enough to be a constable in Qingyang County; I dare not aspire to higher positions."
Zheng Lixin could easily sense Lin Ji's reluctance in his words.
Claiming insufficient abilities was just an excuse.
"In that case, you may leave," Zheng Lixin frowned and waved his hand, dismissing Lin Ji.
After Lin Ji left, Zheng Lixin fell silent for a moment, then picked up a small booklet placed on the left side of the table.
The cover of the booklet read 'Assessment List.'
Turning to the second page, the first name listed was 'Lin Ji.'
"Not interested, huh."
Zheng Lixin picked up a pen, ready to strike out Lin Ji's name.
But just as he was about to write, he hesitated for a moment, and the pen tip ultimately did not touch the paper.
"Let's leave this matter to the Master of the Bureau to decide."
(End of Chapter)