I Only Want to Lie Flat But Am Forced to Cultivate Immortality

The Jinmen Prefecture is filled with talented individuals, with fresh incidents surfacing daily. There's no program list, nor any regulation, as if it's a grand impromptu theater troupe, frequently staging grand affairs. The locals watch for entertainment, but those in governance often find it quite a headache.

Chen Guangrui's brow furrowed into a character resembling a river, his hand hovering over the barrel of slips, to draw or not to draw, that is the question.

The Government Office's judgment hall, aside from the Official Seal, case files, and the striking block, also contains a barrel of slips.

On the outside of the slip barrel, the words "Officials must be just, and law enforcement is as firm as a mountain" are engraved.

Within the barrel are two colored slips. The green-headed arrest slips are used exclusively to command constables to capture criminals, while the red-headed slips are execution slips, used for sentencing and executions.

The barrel holds a volume of one dou, with each slip measuring one chi in length. If there are disputes over purchases, such as lacking weight in grains or discrepancies in the length of clothes, they can immediately be rectified in the hall.

Hence, the barrel is also called the "Fairness Barrel" and the slips "Fairness Slips," symbolizing justice and fairness.

The Imperial Inspector watched as Chen Guangrui hesitated to draw a slip, glancing over occasionally, instantly understanding the situation.

Chen Guangrui's official rank was only seventh grade, the same as Baisha County's Zhang Yong, so how could he summon the counterpart to court for trial?

Not to mention Zhang Yong. Even the eighth-grade County Magistrate, Yang Hong of Wanshou County, was beyond Chen Guangrui's authority to interrogate.

Now, even tossing a green-headed slip, sending constables to both counties to inquire, required Chen Guangrui to deliberate thoroughly.

If unable to catch the opponent off-guard and directly bring them for questioning, it might be better to avoid alarming them prematurely.

Should they conspire to align their testimonies, the case would become even more challenging.

Chen Guangrui had his suspicions, hence why he hesitated to cast the slips and order, instead frequently glancing at the Imperial Inspector, his intentions clear without words.

Alright, it seems I need to step in myself!

The Imperial Inspector reached for the slip barrel, using his other hand to tidy his ample sleeve, and once grasping a slip, he tossed it to the ground, commanding, "Summon Baisha County's County Tai Zhang Yong and Wanshou County's County Magistrate Yang Hong to court for trial!"

Ah! See the might of the inspector; whether it's seventh or eighth-grade officials, they are summoned with a word.

The watching crowd cheered. This is indeed a major drama to witness, perhaps even chosen as Jinmen's annual best for this year's play list.

No, I must call my family and friends to witness this during the summoning; you can't even buy a ticket to see such a spectacle, with county officials from three counties appearing on stage themselves. Nowhere in Dayong could a troupe match this!

The love for spectacle is deeply rooted in Dayong's people. In just the time it took to summon, over half as many observers gathered outside the Government Office's hall.

Some even held children and small stools, and Xu Qing took a moment to glance outside, spotting several acquaintances in the front row. During the intermission, the Government Office's kitchen delivered cooling soup, yet Chen Guangrui waved it away.

Only the elderly eunuch of the Mirror Department stopped the soup-bearing constable, having them serve a bowl to himself.

"I've long heard of the famous Jinmen tea soup, never expecting to savor it at the court hall today."

"Marvelous, marvelous! This tea soup truly lives up to its name," Liao Jinzhong said with bright eyes, "Minister Wei, you should try it too."

Wei Xiangshu Wei Censor glanced sidelong at Eunuch Liao enjoying the tea soup, shaking his head and replying, "I have visited Jinmen several times, and have long tasted such local specialties. There's no need for courtesy, Eunuch."

Below the hall, Xu Qing saw the constable leaving with the soup bucket and quietly retreated to the back of the hall, stopping the kitchen constable to get a bowl of tea soup for himself.

The elderly eunuch knew how to enjoy life, and Xu Qing even more so.

Tea soup is typically made from sorghum flour, with the sorghum flour brewed, then a pinch of roasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top for flavor.

However, this method only offers initial freshness. Once the fragrant layer with sesame on the soup's surface is consumed, the flavor decreases with each sip.

Xu Qing, skilled in culinary arts and having stayed in Jinmen for quite some time, is leagues ahead of Eunuch Liao when it comes to food and drink!

He first filled half a bowl with tea soup, sprinkled a layer of crushed sesame, then filled the bowl with more tea soup, and sprinkled another layer of sesame.

This layering method ensured that, even to the bottom of the bowl, flavor remained.

The kitchen constable at the Government Office gave Xu Qing a thumbs-up upon seeing his flair, acknowledging, "You truly know how to savor!"

Others come to the Government Office burdened with troubles and grievances, unlike Xu Qing, who treats it like his home, even being particular about how he enjoys tea soup.

As Xu Qing raised his tea bowl, enjoying the soup, Baisha County Office's County Tai Zhang Yong and Wanshou County's County Magistrate Yang Hong, who was attending a banquet discussing official-business cooperation, encountered a daunting shadow they'd remember forever.

Zhao Zhonghe had a certain temperament. As the County Government Office's constable, his greatest achievement thus far was arresting minor criminals. Now, suddenly having the opportunity to bring county officials for questioning, he was fervent, feeling this would be his most glorious moment!

It's said no matter how skilled a constable is, apprehending a few significant bandits garners little attention. But capturing two officials of seventh and eighth grade? That would undeniably be the lifetime tale to tell, engraved even upon his tombstone.

Zhao Zhonghe rushed into the Baisha County Government Office, bumping into the head constable of Baisha County in the public hall.

Constables of Linjiang and Baisha occasionally crossed paths. The Baisha County constable attempted to block the way, but Zhao Zhonghe quickly presented the green-headed slip, along with the inspector's orders, and declared directly—

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