Xu Chuan, the magistrate of Diping County, acts in a casual and unconstrained manner. Year after year, in his official performance memorial, he belittles the county's governance achievements, yet he pays taxes in full. Emperor Xiao Jingheng grows suspicious and conducts a secret inspection in disguise, witnessing Xu Chuan's alternative governance methods such as establishing transshipment yards, public scales, and restrictions on travel and load limits. Xu Chuan does not seek promotion and only wants to guard his small county well, but he touches the interests of Han Dechang, the head of the big wagon guild, who defiantly stops transportation and causes trouble. Just as heavy rain washes away the commercial road, Xu Chuan survives the crisis by relying on the diverse transportation system built on ordinary days. Han Dechang exposes Xu Chuan for deliberately suppressing his governance achievements. Xiao Jingheng finds out the whole picture, punishes Xu Chuan but lets him continue to serve as the magistrate of Diping County.