Chapter 547 - 547: High Official Barrier
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
With financial resources, tasks became effortlessly manageable. The comprehensive renovation of the entire government office eradicated existing issues.
Even the previously lackadaisical bailiffs underwent a transformation, displaying newfound diligence. Their energy levels surged, and they executed their duties with a renewed vigor.
The roster for newly recruited bailiffs was finalized. As these recruits engaged in various tasks, their characters, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses were unveiled.
Under Su Bin’s directives, the twelve bailiffs and four individuals in other roles were assigned the responsibility of daily observation. In the end, a written record detailing who stayed and who didn’t had to be submitted, complete with the reasons for their retention or departure.
Su Bin emphasized the importance of authenticity in these reports. Any attempt to manipulate information or accept bribes would result in the deduction of the promised half-month salary. He explicitly stated that bribery and favoritism would not be tolerated, and anyone engaging in such practices would be promptly dismissed.
Governor Su’s efficiency and generosity were well-known, making everyone keen on retaining their positions. They diligently assessed the newcomers and collectively rejected any attempts to use nepotism.
Following the completion of the government office’s repairs, the selection process for those staying behind commenced. Surprisingly, the individuals chosen to remain largely overlapped, reflecting a consensus among the evaluators.
There were only one or two discrepancies in the reports they submitted, which were subsequently reviewed by Mr. Chen to assess their observation skills.
Su Bin was highly content with the evaluation.
The twelve new bailiffs who remained showcased notable strengths, with their unity and camaraderie standing out.
Just a day after the government office’s repair, Su Bin issued another public announcement. Any individuals who had experienced injustice were encouraged to report it. Governor Su pledged to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation.
Despite Su Bin having been in office for over half a month, no reports had been filed. Did this signify that Shanglin Prefecture was genuinely peaceful? The answer was a resounding ‘no.’
Mr. Chen had investigated and found that there were indeed cases to report.
However, common people hesitated to come forward. Villains in Shanglin Prefecture City collaborated with mountain bandits, causing intimidation and fear among the residents. Reporting to the authorities could lead to retaliation, as these villains were ruthless and could pose a threat to anyone who dared to speak up.
The mountain bandits, known for their brutality, demanded silver as compensation for sparing lives. Individuals suffering from oppression were reluctant to risk their lives by reporting such incidents. Even in disputes among commoners, reporting to officials incurred additional expenses, as hiring someone to draft a complaint required a legal fee.
In this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, many chose to endure their grievances rather than seek justice through official channels.
The government office had a high threshold, making entry difficult without sufficient funds. If someone lacked money, they were discouraged from seeking assistance.
In the case of a murder, individuals were more likely to report it. However, these incidents often resulted in deaths, as the culprits were typically mountain bandits. The bailiffs lacked the capability to apprehend individuals in the mountains and had to plead with the bandits to avoid causing trouble at the government office.
With no recent reports of murder, it seemed that commoners were holding back, waiting to observe the new governor. Despite many having read the government’s announcement, no one had stepped forward to report any cases.
In recent days, the mountain bandits likely observed the situation but refrained from causing trouble..
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